From an investigative report on the devastating Tubbs Fire in Sonoma County to the Los Angeles vs. San Francisco food rivalry, from Jack Kerouac’s lost letter to a poignant interview with California’s First Lady Anne Gust Brown and even a review of In-N-Out, these were our top stories of 2018. They include six articles, two podcast episodes, a cartoon and a delightful poem. Enjoy!
1. SHE SLEEPS IN THE FRONT SEAT, HER SON TAKES THE BACK
More than 1,100 people living in their cars in San Diego lack a safe place to park for the night. About 150 others find overnight spots in designated lots offering some access to water, microwaves, showers and port-a-potties. By Katya Cengel
2. IN-N-OUT IS SO SO-SO
Admit it. The beef is unremarkable, the buns are wan, and the tomatoes don’t taste like tomatoes. Lettuce is the only good part of these burgers. By Gustavo Arellano
3. ANTIFA RISING
Berkeley, the legendary epicenter of political activism, finds itself the birthplace of another movement: the black-clad protesters known as the “antifa,” scourge of right-wing commentators. By Will Carless, Reveal/The Center for Investigative Reporting
4. ATOMIC BLONDE
It was a mystery: Marilyn Monroe, a silent film star and a cryptic statement. How did they all fit together? By Cari Beauchamp
5. PODCAST EPISODE 9 — FOOD FIGHT: L.A. VS. S.F.
In this Alta Podcast, food writer Tamara Palmer makes it clear that when it comes to cuisine, L.A. is killing it right now. Meanwhile, longtime critic Michael Bauer defends San Francisco’s culinary honor. Hosted by Beth Spotswood
6. THE NEXT STEP
As her husband’s final term as governor of California winds down, first lady Anne Gust Brown reflects on his legacy and the future. Interview by Will Hearst
7. THE BEATS’ HOLY GRAIL
Jack Kerouac called it “the greatest piece of writing I ever saw” and cited it as inspiration for the style of “On The Road.” After years of legal wrangling, the “Joan Anderson Letter” is now surfacing. Read an exclusive excerpt from the landmark of Beat literature. By David L. Ulin
8. ALTATUDE FALL 2018
Every quarter, Alta editors receive hundreds (and hundreds) of cartoon submissions for Altatudes, the comic-filled back page of the magazine. By Alta Cartoonists
9. ‘WHY CALIFORNIA WILL NEVER BE LIKE TUSCANY’
This poem was included in the book “This Present Moment: New Poems” by Gary Snyder. The poet, essayist, lecturer and environmental activist is a winner of a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the American Book Award. By Gary Snyder
10. PODCAST EPISODE 5 — OBI KAUFMANN
“The California Field Atlas” author and artist Obi Kaufmann discusses his creative process, his plans for future work and why he’s really not wild about being compared to John Muir. Hosted by Beth Spotswood