About VIA
VIA MISSION STATEMENT
To excite, to inform, and to entertain Western travelers; to lay bare the secrets of destinations around the globe, across the country, and, most often, just down the road; to satiate and gratify the armchair traveler and, especially, to spark active travelers to pick up the phone, grab a mouse, or trek to the nearest AAA travel agency and begin making plans for their next trip.
VIA CONTAINS
Road Trips
In-depth, actionable articles for travelers in the western United States and sometimes beyond.
Food and Wine
Tips on restaurants, cafes, and food festivals, plus wine country, breweries, tea shops, and other tasty treats.
Events
Information about thousands of fairs, art exhibits, and craft shows, all over the West, as well as food, music, and film festivals. New events added daily.
Archives
Issues back to 1996.
Current Issue
The most recent articles
A Magazine Retrospective
In 1917, the growing California State Automobile Association created a new magazine, California Motorist, as a way to communicate with its members. After the club extended into Nevada in 1918, the California Motorist became Motor Land and began offering monthly coverage of cars and attractions plus poster-quality covers that reflected both the times and the club’s tireless work to improve motoring. Motor Land quickly developed into a car-and-travel publication and launched its popular upcoming events listing in 1930. By the 1950s, Motor Land switched to a bimonthly publication, color photography became the rule and coverage expanded to focus on a variety of locations. Motor Land continued honing this formula into the 1990s when its name changed to today’s VIA magazine.
View/Purchase Motorland Cover Art »Frequently Asked Questions
Click on any question to show answer.- How can I join AAA?
There are three ways to sign up for AAA Membership:
- Join online
- Call 800-922-8228
- Visit your local AAA branch
- I've moved. How do I get VIA at my new address?
You can change your address by calling 800-922-8228. Please allow four weeks for the change to take effect for VIA.
- I'm a AAA member, but I don't receive VIA. How can I start getting it?
If you live outside our circulation area (Northern California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, and southern Idaho), you receive a different AAA publication. If you do live within our circulation area and are not receiving the magazine, please contact our AAA membership department at 800-922-8228.
- I didn't receive my latest issue of VIA. How can I get a copy?
Please call our publication coordinator at (925) 279-2441.
- More than one AAA member in my house gets a copy of VIA. How can we arrange to receive only one?
Please call the AAA Membership department at 800-922-8228. Or mail in the label from each of the magazines to:Publication Coordinator, VIA
AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah
3055 Oak Rd., Mail Stop W510
Walnut Creek, CA 94597 - How can I cancel my subscription to VIA?
You can call 800-922-8228 or contact the publication coordinator at (925) 279-2441. Please allow four week for your request to be processed.
- Who writes for VIA?
Articles for the magazine are written by professional writers as well as the VIA staff. For a list of VIA writers and their articles, go to our Contributors page.
- Do you accept story and photo submissions?
We work primarily with professional journalists. If you are one, you can request our submission guidelines by calling (415) 565-2451 or sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:Publications Coordinator, VIAProfessional photographers can send a portfolio to:
3055 Oak Rd., Mail Stop W510
Walnut Creek, CA 94597Design Director, VIA
3055 Oak Rd., Mail Stop W510
Walnut Creek, CA 94597 - How can I comment on an article in the magazine or on the Web site?
If you have comments, or if you’ve found something that’s incorrect in the magazine or the site, please email us at viamail@viamagazine.com or send a letter to:VIATechnical problems with the site should be directed to support@csaa.com.
3055 Oak Rd., Mail Stop W510
Walnut Creek, CA 94597 - How can I find past VIA articles?
Our Web site has articles dating back to January/February 1996. If you’re looking for an earlier issue or article, call (925) 279-2441. Please note that not all articles that appear in the print version of VIA are on www.VIAmagazine.com. Also, some articles that become outdated may also be removed from the site.
- How can I submit an event to the VIA events calendar? Is there a fee? What are the submission deadlines?
Submitting events to VIA is free for everyone. The easiest way to be considered for inclusion in the events calendar is to use our online events submission form. Events and press releases can also be mailed to:Events Editor, VIAInformation may also be faxed to (925) 279-5654. The deadline for VIA online is 30 days prior to the first day of the event. Deadlines for consideration for VIA are as follows:
3055 Oak Rd., Mail Stop W510
Walnut Creek, CA 94597Issue Deadline January/February October 1 March/April December 1 May/June February 1 July/August April 1 September/October June 1 November/December August 1 - Whom can I contact to help me make travel plans and reservations?
AAA Members can make reservations for plane tickets, hotel rooms, and rental cars by using our online reservation service. Reservations and travel plans can also be made by calling 888-586-4222 or visiting your nearest AAA travel agency.
- Does VIA cover only hotels, restaurants, and attractions that are AAA-approved?
No. Our research is independent of AAA lodging and dining inspections. That said, a good restaurant is a good restaurant, and often the places we recommend are also recommended in AAA TourBooks.
- How can I place an advertisement in VIA?
For the information you need, call the advertising department at (800) 468-7563, faxing your request to (925) 279-5654, or writing to:VIA Advertising
3055 Oak Rd., Mail Stop W510
Walnut Creek, CA 94597 - If I am dissatisfied with products or services advertised in VIA, whom should I contact?
Any concerns about a VIA advertiser should be directed to the VIA advertising department at (800) 468-7563. You can also send a fax to (925) 279-5654, or write to:VIA Advertising
3055 Oak Rd., Mail Stop W510
Walnut Creek, CA 94597 - Why did you change your name from Motorland to VIA?
As our magazine evolved beyond its car-oriented roots, the title Motorland became outdated. As one reader put it, “I picture this guy in a 1932 Oldsmobile with an open top, goggles, and a white cap wearing a duster.” We wanted a name that suggested today’s kind of travel—by plane and cruise ship, by walking shoe and road bike, by rickshaw and dugout canoe, as well as by car. We came up with VIA (pronounced VEE-uh), which means “the way” or “by way of”—a perfect fit for a magazine that is “the way” to learn more about travel.
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