Via Magazine March/April 2023

Two mountain bikers ride on the Starr Pass trail in Tucson Mountain Park, Arizona.
A mountain biker drops in on the Slickrock trail in Moab, Utah.

From winter getaways to warmer-weather locals to mountain towns with off-season ski lifts and easy trail access, these seven destinations offer something for the novice and expert alike.  

Bird-watchers sit on a tree in a forest while looking through binoculars.

Birding is one of the most popular pastimes in the country. While you can spot birds year-round, spring migration season—usually early spring to early summer—is peak bird-watching time.

Adventures in the West

Morning view of the cactus and succulent gardens looking towards Magma Ridge at Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

This constellation of communities is close enough to Phoenix and Tucson for a weekend adventure, yet steeped in rural ambience. Here, amidst Arizona’s high-desert Pinal Mountains, you’ll find unique festivals, colorful shops, and great food.  

Male Bluethroat bird singing in Nome, Alaska.

The fierce majesty of raptors. The speed blur of roadrunners. The flashy, angling flights of hummingbirds. All these beautiful bird qualities demand we stop, stare, and listen. Here are the best places across the West to see native and migratory birds.

A mother and child walk outside at Chico Hot Springs in Pray, Montana with the mountains in the background.

Many roads lead to Yellowstone Park, but only one route follows the Yellowstone River as it braids its way through the aptly named Paradise Valley, a stretch of only-in-Montana bottomland country framed by the soaring Absaroka mountains to the east and the Gallatin Range to the west.

Smart Travel

A woman looks a park map while planning a camping trip.

Camping has boomed in popularity in recent years, but national and state parks have a limited number of camping spaces. However, a little preparation can go a long way toward finding a place to pitch your tent, even when park reservations are full.

Chevy Bolts parked in a lot outside of a Hertz Rental Car agency in California.

Renting an EV is a great eco-friendly alternative. Plus, if you’ve been thinking of buying or leasing an EV, it’s a good way to squeeze in a test drive. Here are six things to know before you leave the lot.

Member News

Historic image of August Post in an old car on the left and a Tesla EV charging on the right.

Helping our Members navigate the future of electric vehicles. Here's more from AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah's president and CEO.

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