Funnyman Will Forte hit the road with his favorite travel companion (his mom, Patti) for the three-part series California Joyride. The Saturday Night Live alum and star of Last Man on Earth explores his home state across three wildly different regions: the Shasta Cascade, San Francisco Bay Area, and the deserts near Joshua Tree, meeting passionate locals and diving into the experiences that give each place its character.
Each action-packed episode highlights a different side of the Golden State, with playful itineraries that include brain spas, horse farms, and desert hideaways. From start to finish, Forte showcases his signature goofiness along with plenty of mother-son banter. Want to retrace their journey? Use this stop-by-stop guide to plan your own California Joyride.
Episode 1: Shasta Cascade
In a region known for its mysticism and dramatic landscapes, it’s no surprise that the central theme of this Shasta Cascade road trip leans into the senses—sound, smell, and touch. Woo-woo curious Will and Patti explored the region’s spiritual side with the guidance of down-to-earth locals.
Sound Baths, Lake Siskiyou
Tune into the planet’s gentler frequencies with a restorative sound bath at Crystal Tones Academy. With two locations in Mt. Shasta City, the academy offers immersive listening sessions and hands-on workshops that explore the healing power of sound. At the downtown showroom, more than 1,200 shimmering singing bowls line the space, inviting visitors to create resonant frequencies of their own.
Major’s Place, McCloud
Experience a healing connection with horses firsthand at Major’s Place, where EAGALA-certified equine therapy programs offer guided, hands-on sessions to foster trust, reflection, and personal growth. Note: Participation is available through scheduled, program-based experiences.
Flying Rainbow Farm, Mt. Shasta
Wrap up the day at Flying Rainbow Farm, a picturesque organic farmstead known for its eclectic wellness retreats and workshops. Programs range from knitting to alchemy and firewalking, but one standout experience is discovering your personal “soul scent.” Guided by owner Andrea, you’ll explore a curated array of essential oils, plant extracts, and fragrances, blending them to craft a scent that is uniquely yours.
Episode 2: San Francisco Bay Area
Back near his hometown, Forte dives into the Bay Area’s health and wellness scene. From cutting-edge brain spas to foraging adventures along the coast, here’s how to explore the region’s food and self-care culture.
Bay Area Brain Spa, Albany
Kick off your journey at Bay Area Brain Spa near Berkeley, a cutting-edge wellness center that combines technology with relaxation. Here, you can try BioCharger sessions that rejuvenate your cells with light and frequency, neurofeedback training to optimize brain function, and red-light therapy for skin and energy. Add a touchless lymphatic drainage on a hydro-massage waterbed to round out the experience.
Osmosis Day Spa, Freestone
Next, escape to Osmosis Day Spa near Sebastopol for a distinctly Japanese-inspired spa experience. Begin with enzyme tea overlooking the Zen garden before sinking into a cedar enzyme bath—a warm, aromatic soak designed to naturally detoxify and revitalize. Afterward, you can opt for a reflexology foot treatment or a meditative cedarwood massage.
Fork in the Path, Sonoma Coast
Finally, head to the Sonoma Coast for a hands-on culinary adventure with Fork in the Path. Their forest-to-table programs teach sustainable foraging techniques like harvesting invasive wild sea urchins (uni), edible seaweeds, and other coastal treasures, followed by preparing and tasting your finds.
Episode 3: Deserts
In and around Joshua Tree, Will and Patti tap into the rhythms of the high desert. Between rugged landscapes, eccentric art installations, and places designed for rest and reflection, this episode captures the many ways people connect to this stark and inspiring environment.
Boulder Gardens Sanctuary, Pioneertown
Begin your desert journey at Boulder Gardens Sanctuary, a desert oasis and creative community near Pioneertown, just 20 miles from Joshua Tree National Park. The 640-acre property sits at 4,800 feet in elevation, surrounded by volcanic mesas, the Sawtooth Mountains, and the Pioneertown Mountains Preserve. Trails wind through the landscape past scenic overlooks, meditation gardens, water features, and native wildlife, offering plenty of space to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Art Queen + Crochet Museum, Joshua Tree
Embrace the desert’s DIY spirit at Art Queen and the World Famous Crochet Museum. Art Queen is the long-running Joshua Tree storefront and creative hub of artist Shari Elf, where handmade goods, playful signage, and bold color reflect the area’s deeply independent, anything-goes art culture.
Just a few steps away stands the World Famous Crochet Museum. Formerly a one-hour photo processing booth, the tiny-but-mighty museum features whimsical, hand-made crochet creations that transform everyday objects into art. Bonus: Admission is completely free.
Reset Hotel, Twentynine Palms
Close out the experience at Reset Hotel in Twentynine Palms, a minimalist boutique hotel built entirely from recycled shipping containers. Located just five minutes from Joshua Tree’s northern entrance, Reset blends modern architecture with desert sensibilities, offering a place to slow down and recalibrate.
Infrared saunas, cold plunges, a pool overlooking the mountains, and thoughtfully designed rooms encourage guests to disconnect. Onsite firepits, telescopes, and binoculars make evenings under vast, star-filled skies a highlight.