SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Here's a collection of John's favorite Backroads adventures from the past year. The list is by order of appearance in the show. Watch just the ones that catch your eye in the list below, or binge watch the whole special in the window at the top of the page. Enjoy!
The view is so much better from a balloon, and the takeoff and landing are a one-of-a-kind experience.
The smell is nothing to write home about, but the view at Hot Creek Geologic Site is amazing. Just don't go swimming.
This classic roadside attraction is an unforgettable place to rest your head.
TAKE A TRIP ON BARTELL'S BACKROADS:
► See an interactive map of everywhere John has visited on the backroads
► Watch all of the Backroads videos
► Follow John on Facebook
A Bartell's Backroads adventure to the northeastern-most town in California.
John Bartell pays a visit to a kitschy roadside attraction in an inexplicable part of California's redwood forest.
Celebrate with a free float in Lodi, home of the original A&W root beer shop.
TAKE A TRIP ON BARTELL'S BACKROADS:
► See an interactive map of everywhere John has visited on the backroads
► Watch all of the Backroads videos
► Follow John on Facebook
The view is great but if you take the 313 steps down to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, the walk back up will have you gasping over more than the scenery and passing whale migration.
Channel Islands National Park gives a glimpse of what California used to be with a rugged terrain isolating different plants and animals found nowhere else on earth.
La Jolla's Cave Store is a fun side trip when visiting San Diego. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
TAKE A TRIP ON BARTELL'S BACKROADS:
► See an interactive map of everywhere John has visited on the backroads
► Watch all of the Backroads videos
► Follow John on Facebook
Say hello to the sailor with the coolest name ever -- Captain Zoltan -- and then squeeze your way through the hatch of the deepest diving sub in the world.
Your tires play the tunes on this road, which was originally built for a car commercial.
The alien-looking rock formations have been the backdrop in numerous films and music videos.
“Placerville is the only municipality in the United States that owns its own gold mine.” Once home to countless mine shafts, only one still is open for visitors.
MORE FROM THE BACKROADS: Follow spicy peppers from a Woodland field to a SoCal factory where they're turned into Huy Fong Foods' famous 'Rooster Sauce.'
