Lance Mason was born and raised Oxnard, California, worked in gas stations, lemon orchards, lima bean plants, a fiberglass shop, a hot-dog stand, spliced cable for GTE, and studied at UCSB, Loyola University (BSc), and UCLA (doctorate). He later taught at UCLA, the National University in Natal, Brazil, and Otago University in New Zealand.
Mason has spent twenty years of his life traveling, living, and working overseas, including a half-dozen round-the-world trips by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, kayak, helicopter, tramp steamer, catamaran, plane, train, and dugout canoe. He has also been a cycle racer, stage actor, rugby player and coach, and has won numerous awards for his nonfiction.