Two mountain bikers ride on the Starr Pass trail in Tucson Mountain Park, Arizona.

Via Magazine

March/April 2023
A mountain biker drops in on the Slickrock trail in Moab, Utah.

Best Mountain Biking Towns in the West

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.

A Beginner’s Guide to Bird-Watching

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.


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

Spend a Weekend in 3 Arizona Mountain Towns

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.

8 Best Places to Go Bird-Watching in the West

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.

Road-Trip Through Paradise Valley, Montana

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.


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

How to Get a Campsite When Everything is Booked

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.

How to Rent an EV

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.


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

President's Letter: Our Spirit of Adventure and Innovation

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


A person person reads the AAA Highlights email on their laptop.

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