Table of contents for Outdoor Living 2025 in Sunset

Every summer, I think I’ve perfected my vacation timing, only to be proven wrong. My logic is: Travel on the front end before the blistering dog days hit, then relax in the quieter city with its lighter traffic and enjoy sunrise hikes, chill beach days, backyard grilling, and reading in the shade. And inevitably after a month or so, I find myself restless and yearning for another getaway to escape the heat at home. So I’ll tack on close-to-home getaways, like a nearby beach town or road-trippable wine country with their slower paces. But this year, I’m going for the full restorative power of visiting at least one of our beloved national parks. Sunset has long covered these spaces that embody the untrammeled grandeur of the West and remind us…

The story of redwood is one of beauty and strength. This iconic building material, known for its dramatic hues, is one of nature’s most beautiful and durable. Whether it’s an indoor accent wall or a largescale exterior siding project, designers, builders, and architects look to Humboldt Sawmill redwood to bring an essence to projects that embodies the integrity of the West. A BLEND OF BEAUTY AND DURABILITY It takes one look at a redwood board to see its uniqueness. The tannins that create the namesake reddish hue offer a natural resistance to termites and decay, making this wood a reliable option for outdoor and indoor projects. Redwood’s durability makes it appealing for areas that make an impact, like siding, accent walls, paneling, and other large-scale applications. The wood is gorgeous…

PLANT Late summer is the perfect time to inoculate hardwood logs or shady mulch beds with wine cap, nameko, or oyster mushrooms. They’ll reward you with delicious harvests while their mycelium enriches the soil, breaking down organicmatter and strengthening your garden’s ecosystem. Give your garden a delicious makeover with an edible landscape refresh by layering in fall-fruiting shrubs like pomegranate, pineapple guava, and elderberry. Pair them with ornamental kale, rainbow chard, and trailing rosemary for a design that’s as lush as it is productive. Swap thirsty turf for a nomow meadow mix featuring Carex pansa, Achillea millefolium, and Festuca idahoensis. This soft, drought-tolerant alternative thrives with seasonal rain, attracts pollinators, and brings a wild, natural beauty to your yard—giving you less mowing and more magic. HARVEST Harness the healing power…

From Opening Page Sukuma Wiki The translation of “sukuma wiki” is deceitful. In Swahili, sukuma means “to push,” and wiki means “the week,” as in the day of the week. The name of this dish has nothing to do with energy, but rather it is a commentary on how cheap this dish is to prepare—cheap enough to push you through the week until you get paid. In Kenya, sukuma leaves can be purchased whole or precut. The market vendors cut them thin, even thinner than angel hair pasta. They grip the tightly bound bundles as they gently shave off layers with a steady hand that rivals a good barber. Sukuma can be your main dish or a side as part of a larger meal. A classic way to enjoy this…

John Muir once wrote, “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” But today, they’re calling us to do more than explore—they’re asking us to protect. These recently released books celebrate a similar spirit of the famed naturalist and author, known as the “father of the national parks,” encouraging deeper connection with, and understanding of, the outdoors. Whether you’re road-tripping, overlanding, or dreaming from your armchair, they’ll inspire mindful adventure and stewardship. Carbon The Book of Life BY PAUL HAWKEN Environmentalist Paul Hawken reimagines carbon not as a climate villain but as life’s essential element and offers a new way to view our relationship with the Earth—rooted in possibility, not despair. (Viking, $28) The National Parks Traveler’s Companion A Journal Featuring Bucket Lists, Writing Prompts, and Passport Stamp Logs This…

Sail Oahu MANA Cruises, owned and operated by native Hawaiians, offers private and shared yacht experiences from Waikiki and Ko Olina. Its small-group trips along Oahu’s coasts come with warm hospitality, island-inspired meals, and the kind of low-key, high-vibe atmosphere you want when sailing past Diamond Head or snorkeling off the West Shore. Savor the Sea Silversea’s S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) experience is the foodiest program at sea: There’s S.A.L.T. Lab, a demonstration kitchen worthy of Iron Chef, hands-on cooking classes, expert-led excursions, and the intimate, gem-like S.A.L.T. Bar, where cocktails are made with local spirits and story. The program is a floating test kitchen for curious travelers who want more than just dinner—they want a taste of place, with Hawaii, Tahiti, Alaska (and the world) on the menu.…

The design team at Studio Cabida, founded by partners Cecily Mendell and Sarah Holahan, transformed an outdated Bay Area beach house into a sleek retreat shared by two families. The two couples invested in a cute Stinson cottage, anticipating a straightforward remodel. “Once we got inside and started peeling back the layers, we realized we had more work to do. A lot more,” Mendell says. They rebuilt it with two primary suites, a bunk room for eight to accommodate their adult children, and a lower-level kitchenette. Crisp white paint, Boll & Branch linens, and a modern-nautical palette of navy and bold yellow make the interiors feel expansive while remaining practical and easy to maintain. The best (and perhaps most surprising) part? Even after a protracted reno and budget hikes, they’re…

WHEN A CALIFORNIA COUPLE hired Napa Valley-based interior designer Julie Hawkins to help them create a holiday retreat in the high desert near Bend, Oregon, they were on a mission to build an oasis that was so warm and welcoming, no one could decline an invitation. “The house is a total oasis. My clients ski in the winter and hang out by the pool in the summer, and there are always people there, including their kids, their grandkids, and friends,” Hawkins says. “The rec barn was meant to have real grown-up ‘summer camp’ vibes with a lot of room to play.” The couple was introduced to Hawkins through renowned architect Howard Backen of Backen & Backen Architecture. Hawkins led the interior design department at the firm before she branched out to…

Driving through the arid expanse of Death Valley, it’s tough to imagine anyone choosing to venture West through this arid desert route. Imagining the fortitude it took for explorers to forge this journey, my mind starts to question my choice of doing the drive alone. But as soon as I start to question the accuracy of my GPS, there’s a vision of lush, green palm trees in the distance. It’s not a mirage; it’s the Oasis at Death Valley, where underground springs supply 80,000 gallons of fresh water to the surface, and guests can tuck into modern amenities while they explore the profoundly beautiful and world-famous national park at the top of every traveler’s bucket list. The property has recently undergone a $250 million renaissance, restoring this historic property to…

Night photography takes not only a keen eye but quite a bit of planning. Sunset’s staff photographer has been shooting the outdoors for 25 years. Here are his tips on how to get it right. Pack Smart Night photography requires a tripod and a fast lens (at least f/2.8) set at ISO 3200. To maintain sharp stars, you’ll want the exposure under 20 to 30 seconds, otherwise it will result in star trails. Star trackers are a great, moderately low-cost investment if you become serious about shooting the night sky regularly. Slow Your Shutter The night mode in newer iPhones is pretty great, but there are slow shutter apps available for iPhone and Android that can also help for older models. The AstroShader app lets you stack multiple exposures to pull…

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA Kimberly Walker’s hospitality projects have come to define Central Coast cool. Starting with the makeover of the Granada Hotel in San Luis Obispo in 2012, she then completed ultra-hip revamps of the Skyview and Hotel Ynez, creating spaces that embrace local flavor in the fabric of their design. Her two most recent projects, Farmhouse and River Lodge, are in Paso Robles, so we tapped her to give recommendations on where to hang while in this still somewhat underappreciated town in California’s wine country. This month: Paso Robles, CA The insider: Kimberly Walker, Founder and Creative Director, Nomada Hotel Group EAT Drenched in sunshine and style, Ciao Papi is a vibrant al fresco poolside restaurant and bar that serves Cal-Italian eats, refreshing craft cocktails, and a local wine list.…

For Courteney Cox, wellness isn’t about trends—it’s about creating rituals that make everyday moments feel special. From her Malibu backyard overlooking the ocean to her beloved Homecourt line of elevated home and bodycare essentials, the actor, director, and entrepreneur has found simple ways to bring calm and comfort into daily life. Here, she shares her favorite escapes, beauty must-haves, and why stillness—even during a light therapy session—is her ultimate reset. What’s your favorite spot in California to fully unwind and reset? In my backyard looking at the ocean. What’s a daily wellness ritual you never skip, even when life gets hectic? Washing my face, using hot towels with essential oils, and always moisturizing my face and body. I drench myself in our Cocomoi Body Butter. Is there a beauty or…

If sweet peas had a fan club, we’d be running it. With their fluttery petals, romantic tendrils, and that intoxicating fragrance that practically begs you to bury your nose in a bouquet, what’s not to love? But here’s a little-known secret: The best way to get a jumpstart on a dreamy spring garden is to plant sweet pea seeds soon. Fall planting leads to stronger, earlier, and even more abundant blooms—if you time it right. To help us master the art of sweet pea sowing, we turned to Marryn Mathis, author of Sweet Pea School: Growing and Arranging the Garden’s Most Romantic Blooms. With her expert guidance, you’ll have everything you need to set yourself up for a spectacular, bloom-filled spring. And trust us, once you see those first frilly…

“Entertainer’s dream” is the kind of real estate copywriter lingo that’s used so frequently that it is now devoid of almost all meaning. No two households welcome friends and family into their homes in the same way, so no two checklists for what a great party house needs are exactly alike. There are, however, some key universal elements that make hosting a crowd at home a lot easier. This house in the hills of Sherman Oaks has all of them. “A lot of living goes on here,” says interior designer Mark Langos, who has charted the evolution and updates to his clients’ Robert Byrd-designed home for the last 14 years. “They have three children, and there is a constant flow of kids, friends, dogs, and dinner guests in and out…

Longtime Sunset favorite and frequent Travel Awards winner AutoCamp has opened its newest design-forward outpost, AutoCamp Sequoia, just in time for summer. Nestled just minutes from the entrance to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the property is the brand’s fourth California location and ninth overall in the U.S. Known for its sleek Airstream suites, the new site was designed by Portland-based Waechter Architecture with interiors by HVS Design, blending modern minimalism with natural textures that nod to the towering sequoias surrounding the property. The brand has also committed to deepening its dedication to the public lands it celebrates. Over the past year, it has contributed $67,000 to organizations like the Mojave Desert Land Trust and Zion National Park Forever Project. This ethos extends to its new Ranger in Residence…

National Parks are known for their untamed beauty. But the iconic arches and towering trees that mark their aweinspiring landscapes can quickly turn treacherous. The podcast National Park After Dark documents extraordinary stories of survival (and sometimes grisly endings) that happen within the bounds of our public lands. Here co-hosts Danielle LaRock and Cassie Yahnian share the insights that have come from their award-winning storytelling. Is there anything that you’ve gleaned from producing the show that’s become practical advice? Nature is the ultimate humbler. You have to be prepared—for the weather, for wildlife, for the worst. Nine times out of ten, outdoor experiences are peaceful, transformative, awe-inspiring and positive, but trouble comes when that assumption leads people to ignore safety measures. While not everything is in our control, it’s important…