Alta Editor Picks 2020
These “lucky 13” articles, ranging in subject from pandemic history to the global future, especially resonated with our readers.
To select our favorite articles of the past year, we considered web traffic, social media interactions, reader feedback, and which pieces are most likely to be read in the decades to come. Here are some of our top picks from 2020.
The Tomb of the Unknown ‘Wetback’
Fate leads a journalist to discover a long-forgotten grave in Orange County—and the sad secrets it keeps. By Gustavo Arellano
L.A.’s Forgotten Civil Rights Champion
As executive director of the Los Angeles Urban League, Floyd C. Covington made a difference in the lives of the African American workers he fought for—not only in the workplace, but in housing, in education, and at the voting booth. By Catherine Womack
She Blew Open Doors
“Trumpetiste” Clora Bryant embodied the fireball energy of Central Avenue’s jazz scene. By Lynell George
London’s Newest Queen
A recent London transplant, Tales of the City writer Armistead Maupin tells Will Hearst why he left his beloved San Francisco, what his next big book might be, and how much he likes his new surroundings (spoiler: a lot). By Will Hearst
The Forgotten Babies
Why do we so often fail at protecting our most vulnerable? By Melissa Chadburn
The Hopis of Alcatraz
Long before Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly were inmates, 19 “subversive” men were incarcerated at the notorious prison. This is the story of the largest band of American Indians ever held on the Rock. By Laurie Ann Doyle
The Curious Case of the Giant Boole
One of the biggest trees in the world—the Boole—is thriving despite a devastating logging in Converse Basin, a massive sequoia grove 60 miles east of Fresno. The bigger mystery is why it was named for the man who supervised the forest’s destruction. By Matt Jaffe
Dear Inga, Love Jack
Danish beauty Inga Arvad was a scoop-driven journalist courted by royalty, the Nazis, and a young John F. Kennedy—before finding peace in the West. An unlikely tale of reinvention, redemption, and enduring love. By Geoffrey Gray
A Mother’s Road
Alta's editor at large searches for a deeper connection with her autistic son—and with a divided country—on a 15-day journey along Route 66. By Mary Melton
Buster Keaton’s Last Stand
Production for The General involved guns, bombs, fires, and the blowing up of a bridge in a tiny Oregon town. When the filming was over, the comedic legend’s career was in tatters. Forty years later, the movie was hailed as a masterpiece. By Julian Smith
The New California Curriculum
A new wave of literature represents the glorious wonder and humanity of the Golden State. By John Freeman
Having His Cake and Eating It, Too
Wayne Thiebaud shook up the art world in 1962 with paintings that were joyous, confectionary, and uniquely Californian. Since then, he’s worked steadily, producing sought-after pieces noted for their originality and impact on American art. On the eve of his 100th birthday, the artist says he’s “trying to learn to paint” and put a smile on people’s faces. By Jessica Zack
One Coyote
Coming of age during the 1990s in an Inland Empire suburb amid dogs, snakes, scorpions—and racism. By Keenan Norris
Beth Spotswood is Alta's special projects director. In addition to her work for Alta, Spotswood has contributed to 7x7 Magazine, San Francisco Magazine, Discovery Channel, Slow News Day, KGO Radio, SFist and the San Francisco Chronicle, where she had her own weekly column in the Thursday edition of the newspaper. Spotswood's work in Alta has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club, Los Angeles Press Club, and the FOLIO Awards.
California Book Club Panelist Picks
Alta’s Top Book Reviews of 2020
Alta’s Cartoons 2020
Top Alta Asks Live events from 2020
