Eating well is an essential aspect of any worthwhile road trip, according to Esquire's Food and Drinks Editor Jeff Gordinier—and if you follow his suggestions, you will be well fed the next time you tool around the Golden State. Gordinier is the author of Hungry: Eating, Road-Tripping and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World, and he joins California Now Podcast host Soterios Johnson to talk about his favorite culinary destinations from San Diego to Wine Country, and why food and road trips go so well together, particularly in California.
Johnson also speaks with Gail Fornasiere, who knows more than most about the magic of Santa Catalina Island. The 21-mile-long island off the coast of Southern California is a popular destination for day-trippers and vacationers, blending a rich Hollywood history (Marilyn Monroe lived there before she became famous!) with a relaxing modern vibe. As Johnson learns during this episode, Catalina offers something for just about everyone.
Guests
Jeff Gordinier, author and Food and Drinks Editor at Esquire
Gail Fornasiere, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the Catalina Island Museum
Resources
Food writer Jeff Gordinier shares some of his best road trip bites across California, as featured in the 2020 California Visitor’s Guide.
Laguna Beach
The Stand
Sound Spectrum
Jeune et Jolie
El Maguey
Pie ’n Burger
Paradise Cafe
La Super-Rica Taqueria
Ordinaire
The Charter Oak
The Restaurant at Meadowood
State Bird Provisions
The Progress
Duarte's Tavern
The Catalina Island Museum's Gail Fornasiere has a few tips for making the most of your next trip to the famous island off the coast of Southern California.
Santa Catalina Island
Avalon
Cyclone
Descanso Beach Club
Bluewater Grill
Steve's Steakhouse & Seafood
Avalon Seafood
The Lobster Trap
Catalina Island Brew House
Two Harbors
About the Host
Soterios Johnson, formerly the local host of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition on radio station WNYC, moved from New York City to Davis, Calif., in 2016 and continues to explore his new surroundings. By combining his journalistic instincts with his personal curiosity, Johnson will use the California Now platform to develop a deeper understanding of his adopted home.
