Beth Spotswood

California is tired of losing big money to runaway production—so it’s fighting back.

Six contributing artists were recognized in the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles’s annual competition.

How might new voices from inside prison expose, enlighten, and transform the way we see the world on the outside?

Poems from James Cagney, Ada Limón, and the late Jim Harrison are among the works featured in the past year’s pages of Alta.

This year, stories of uranium fortunes, tragic accidents, and creek freaks stood out to Alta Journal’s editors.

Relive the digital magic of Alta Journal’s weekly event series with a roundup of highlights.

Read a lightly-edited transcript of author Héctor Tobar's conversation with California Book Club host John Freeman and guest Reyna Grande.

Buyers at Alta Journal’s bookstore partners save the holidays with smart, surprising, page-turning gift ideas for last-minute shoppers.

An award-winning creator, combat artist, and former courtroom illustrator, Juhasz takes us through his storied career

Hidden waterways snake through the city, hosting clusters of biodiversity and providing cool solace for L.A. residents—and creek super fans.

True-crime enthusiasts, get excited!

Read a lightly-edited transcript of author Maxine Hong Kingston's conversation with California Book Club host John Freeman and guest James Janko.

Fourteen special recognition awards, category wins, and honorable mentions made this year especially sweet for the team at Alta.

What do marketed murals mean for L.A.’s storied history of stunning street art?

Dr. Chris Lowe, director of Cal State Long Beach’s Shark Lab, joins us to detail his research into these sharp-toothed creatures.

The noted Canadian illustrator joins us to discuss her extraordinary work and latest book, Original Sisters: Portraits of Tenacity and Courage.

Castillo and Alta Journal contributing editor Gustavo Arellano dig into some California-style barbecue.

Read a lightly-edited transcript of author Rebecca Solnit's conversation with California Book Club host John Freeman and guest Kristina Wong.

The artist takes Alta Live through her process from blank page all the way to hilarious published gag cartoon.

The author’s book, The Contrarian: Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley’s Pursuit of Power, is the first definitive biography on the controversial and deeply influential entrepreneur.

The West has more than its share of secret spots, and we’re guessing there are a few you don’t know about—yet.

Has the pandemic changed live theater forever? (Answer: yes.)

Take a tour of hidden spots and quirky destinations around the West with two amateur explorers.

More and more California restaurants and bars are requiring patrons to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination. One Sacramento nightclub is sticking to its policy, whether you like it or not.

Bumblebees, butterflies, and other invertebrates need our help—and Alta Journal trailblazer Sarina Jepsen details how we can all pitch in.

Napa winemakers Priyanka French and Randy Dunn discuss how Northern California wineries are innovating their production to protect against smoke and burns

Despite its popularity, raising backyard chickens isn’t as charming as Instagram would have us believe—or is it? Alta Journal readers share their eggs-pertise.

“The pandemic has been a disaster for backyard chickens,”

Authors Geoff Manaugh and Nicola Twilley discuss their new book, Until Proven Safe: The History and Future of Quarantine.

Read a lightly-edited transcript of author William Finnegan's conversation with California Book Club host John Freeman.

What do an apparent spate of recent earthquakes tell us about "The Big One"?