Laura Kiniry

Contributing Writer, Via
Photo of AAA Via Magazine Contributor Laura Kiniry

Laura Kiniry is a professional freelance journalist and content creator with more than 15 years of experience. She is based in San Francisco (for more than 25 years!), and her work specializes in the SF Bay Area, travel, food and culture, wellness, cultural sustainability, and outdoor adventure. She has also served on a variety of panels as both a travel writer and culinary judge, and occasionally mentors college students looking to pursue a career in travel journalism. Her public speaking topics include everything from how to break into writing to the ins-and-outs-of RVing.

Featured Publications

Her writing has appeared in dozens of national, regional, and online publications, including O, The Oprah Magazine, BBC Travel, AtlasObscura.com, CNN.com, Smithsonianmag.com, National Geographic Traveler, AllRecipes.com, TravelandLeisure.com, Budget Travel, AARP, Popular Mechanics, The San Francisco Chronicle, and Frommers.com. She is also the author of three guidebooks on the Garden State (where she's originally from): Moon Handbooks New Jersey, 1st and 2nd editions, and Moon Spotlight: The Jersey Shore.

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Articles by Laura Kiniry

Athena Photography / Downtown Missoula Partnership

8 Best Walking Tours in the West

Discover the best food and wild history in these towns and cities.
Blooming weeping cherry tree in the Portland Japanese Garden.

7 Spots to See Cherry Blossoms in the West

From California to Utah, delight in these magical displays.
Park City, Utah hill lit up for night skiing

A Weekend in Park City, Utah

Famous for the Sundance Film Festival, the city also boasts great skiing, food, and shops.
RV parked at a campsite in Devils Garden Campground, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah.

7 Best Spots to Camp This Winter in the West

Find quiet respite and mild conditions at these campgrounds.
Open highway near Death Valley National Park

Death Valley Road Trip: Vegas to Mt. Charleston

This desert road trip brims with life.
A camper sits on a sleeping pad and sleeping bag on frozen ground while drinking a coffee.

Beginner’s Guide to Winter Camping

Serene campgrounds await.
Yosemite National Park's firefall lit up at sunset.

10 Must-Do Winter Activities in California

Get out of the house and play this season.
Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in San Francisco's Union Square at night.

20 Places to Go Ice Skating in the West

Glide and giggle on these festive rinks, from seasonal pop-ups to year-round set-ups.
Swift Creek in the Stillwater State Forest near Whitefish, Montana.

13 Free Things to do Across the West This Winter

Make memories with these activities, from Arizona to Alaska.
The sun sets behind a shade structure at Dark Sky RV Park and Campground in Kanab, Utah.

Beautiful Places to Park an RV or Van in the West

Spend the night at these cool spots, from wineries to golf courses and all types of venues in between.
Flickering luminarias along a path in the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix

10 Winter Festivals Around the West

Fully embrace winter cheer with concerts, fireworks, dancing, and more.
Snow-covered rocks in Yosemite Valley.

Why You Should Visit Yosemite in Winter 

Plus what to do in the park during the off-season.
Lost Lake Trail in the Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming.

7 Best Day Trips for Fall Fun

Skip the summer traffic and crowds with these activity-filled road trips.
A mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) stands in a meadow above Hidden Lake, Glacier National Park.

Complete Guide to Glacier National Park

Plan your trip from where to stay to the best trails to explore.
A grasshopper milkshake on the counter at Lala’s Creamery in Petaluma, California.

Best Milkshakes in the West

Cool off with these treats in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming.