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Travel Is Back: 8 Minutes. One Destination. Let's Go!

Caloroga Shark Media
  • 5.0 (6)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

“very week, Johnny Mac takes you somewhere worth going. From the fog-draped coast of the Pacific Northwest to the neon-lit stretch of Route 66, from Hawaiian volcanoes to New England in full autumn flame — this is travel writing for people who actually travel. No luxury resorts, no sponsored content, no fluff. Just the real story of a place, told in a way that makes you want to book a flight before the episode ends. Eight minutes. One destination. Let's go.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed! You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free! Our Travel Store with links and deals CLICK HERE   Popular episodes include San Diego, Chicago, Nashville, Montreal and Las Vegas.

  1. 11H AGO

    186. Baltimore

    Travel Is Back episode 186. Johnny Mac takes you to Baltimore — the port city that quietly defies every expectation. From the cobblestone streets of Fells Point to the crab houses of Locust Point, the Walters Art Museum to Fort McHenry, Baltimore is blue-collar and cultured, rough around the edges and unexpectedly beautiful. A city that reveals itself slowly, in layers — and rewards every single one. Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

    7 min

  2. 12/14/2025

    185. Big Bear California in Summer and Fall: Alpine Slides and Yellow Hoodies

    Experience Big Bear Lake when the snow melts and the mountains open up for summer recreation. Johnny Mac rides the Alpine Slide (and survives the lines), finds the perfect yellow hoodie at the local running store, indulges in ice cream at North Pole Ice Cream & Fudge, and discovers that a simple chicken sandwich at Social Kitchen & Lounge becomes transcendent when accompanied by a two-person band (plus dog) playing Tom Petty covers. Explore how this accessible mountain town delivers genuine alpine escape without Aspen pretension, and why fall's golden aspens make this the best season to visit. Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

    7 min

  3. 12/07/2025

    184. The Road to Big Bear - Conquering California's Switchbacks

    Some drives are destinations themselves. Johnny Mac tackles California State Route 18, the mountain road that climbs nearly 5,000 feet in thirty miles using switchbacks so numerous that counting them becomes futile. Experience the challenge of the Rim of the World Highway as it hauls you from San Bernardino's valley floor to Big Bear Lake at 7,000 feet, passing through multiple ecosystems and testing both your driving skills and your vehicle's capabilities. Learn why those brake check warnings matter, what the locals know that tourists don't, and why arriving in Big Bear feels like an earned accomplishment. Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

    8 min

  4. 11/30/2025

    183. Venice California - Canals, Creativity, and Abbot Kinney (Los Angeles)

    Discover the Venice that most tourists miss – the actual canals that Abbot Kinney built in 1905, hidden just blocks from the boardwalk's chaos. Johnny Mac explores these unexpected European waterways before heading to Abbot Kinney Boulevard, where trendy boutiques, vegan restaurants, and coffee culture define modern Venice. From the quiet reflection of morning on the canals to the curated commerce of the boulevard to the carnival atmosphere of the beach, Venice compresses California's contradictions into a few walkable square miles. It's expensive, chaotic, beautiful, and troubled – quintessentially LA. Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

    11 min

  5. 11/23/2025

    182. Los Angeles - Grand Central Market: Downtown LA's Beating Heart

    Step into Grand Central Market, the historic food hall that's been feeding Los Angeles since 1917. Johnny Mac guides you through the chaos and culture of this downtown landmark, from the moment you spot The Donut Man and that legendary Devil's Food donut to the perfect coffee pairing at nearby Blue Bottle. Explore vendor stalls spanning generations and continents – Sarita's Pupuseria serving the same food since 1976, Eggslut's Instagram-famous breakfast, Villa Moreliana's perfect carnitas, and everything in between. This is LA without the Hollywood gloss, a market where construction workers and tech bros share communal tables over food that spans the world. Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

    9 min

  6. 11/16/2025

    181. Channel Islands - California's Forgotten Wilderness

    The Channel Islands, where isolation meets adventure and California exists as it did before freeways and cities. Johnny Mac explores these remote islands accessible only by boat from Ventura Harbor, from the dramatic cliff-top trails of Anacapa to the sea caves and endemic island foxes of Santa Cruz. Discover world-class kayaking, snorkeling in kelp forests, primitive camping under stars you forgot existed, and hiking where the only sounds are waves and seabirds. Learn what it takes to reach these islands, what to bring, and why the effort delivers an experience that's increasingly rare – genuine wilderness within sight of Los Angeles. Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

    19 min

  7. 11/09/2025

    180. Solvang California - Denmark in the California Sun

    Welcome to one of California's most audacious experiments – a Danish village complete with windmills and half-timbered buildings, built in a valley where summer temperatures hit the nineties. Johnny Mac explores Solvang's pastries at packed Mortensen's Bakery, authentic sausages and German beer at Copenhagen Sausage Garden, year-round Christmas shopping, and live music at Solvang Park featuring Angie and the Nightmares. Discover why this theatrical town works despite (or because of) its absurdity, and why sometimes the best authenticity comes from complete commitment to an invented identity. Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

    22 min

  8. 11/02/2025

    179. California's Road to Solvang - Mountains, Lakes, and Highway 154

    Some drives are destinations themselves. Join Johnny Mac on California Highway 154, the San Marcos Pass Road that climbs from coastal Santa Barbara into the mountains, through Los Padres National Forest, and down into wine country. Stop at Cachuma Lake for canoe rentals and wildlife watching, experience the dramatic landscape changes from chaparral to forest to vineyards, and understand why this 30-mile journey reveals more about California's geography than any freeway ever could. This is driving as it should be – engaged, scenic, and utterly rewarding. Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

    19 min
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6 Ratings

About

“very week, Johnny Mac takes you somewhere worth going. From the fog-draped coast of the Pacific Northwest to the neon-lit stretch of Route 66, from Hawaiian volcanoes to New England in full autumn flame — this is travel writing for people who actually travel. No luxury resorts, no sponsored content, no fluff. Just the real story of a place, told in a way that makes you want to book a flight before the episode ends. Eight minutes. One destination. Let's go.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed! You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free! Our Travel Store with links and deals CLICK HERE   Popular episodes include San Diego, Chicago, Nashville, Montreal and Las Vegas.

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