Encouraging women to try adventurous travel
“I feel boujee,” my sister admitted while sipping her sparkling wine and taking in the views of Lake Tahoe in the late evening, the wind silently pushing the sail on the boat. And she was right. Being out on the deep blue waters in the …
Lake Tahoe Clear Kayak Stargazing Tour – it’s a mouthful! To break it down, the company Clearly Tahoe offers clear kayak tours on scenic Lake Tahoe. In addition to the daytime tours, they outfitted some of the kayaks with LED lights, where you can shift …
Okay, this hike was kind of ridiculous. My partner even called the trail dumb for how relentlessly steep it was without switchbacks. However, all the frustration and anger melted away when we got above the treeline and started to enjoy the spectacular views and lack …
When visiting Lake Tahoe, I always saw fancy boats zipping across the crystal clear waters. The people in the boat looked like they were having the time of their lives, but it wasn’t until my family and I rented a boat to understand how freeing …
I’ve been to Lake Tahoe a handful of times in the last decade but had not yet embarked on the Eagle Lake Hike for fear of crowds. The trailhead is right on the curve around Emerald Bay – one of the busiest and most popular …
The Stout Grove features a groundcover of ferns contrasted with absolutely massive redwood trees without an understory. The contrast is unbelievably scenic, especially when the light filters the treetops. I can see why they chose to film Star Wars in this location because it feels …
If you’re passing through Redwoods National and State Parks with little time, you can still see a few incredible trees by taking the scenic Newton B. Drury Parkway and making a quick stop by Big Tree. Yep, that’s the name of a particular tree that …
If you’re feeling a bit of big tree fatigued while visiting Redwood National and State Parks, boy do I have the experience for you! As you might expect, Fern Canyon is full of ferns. But as you might NOT expect, the ferns cover the walls …
The Lady Bird Johnson Grove has a fun name and trail that loops through old-growth Redwood Forest and features a couple different environments. The loop trail is only about 1.5 miles and is surprising even for being on the top of a ridge in Redwoods …
Cross-country skiing is not free, but it’s a fun way to be outdoors in winter. During the winter of 2021-2022, I didn’t plan to go skiing or cross-country skiing. So when mapping out my northern-California road trip, I found the Shasta Nordic Center in the …
We almost didn’t stop by the Sundial Bridge in Redding. Luckily, my boyfriend remembered it before heading out of town toward Burney Falls because it is SO COOL! If you are interested in art or architecture, I recommend spending an extra half hour in Redding …
Burney Falls is one of those places in California that I’ve heard about for years and finally made a point to see it myself. During my Northern California & Southern Oregon road trip, Burney Falls was one of our first stops (after the Sundial Bridge), …
In the summer of 2021, I made a vow to head out to get out to the Channel Islands more often, if not yearly. I thought to myself, “late-winter and early spring would be a great time to visit when the grass is green.” Luckily, …
The Gaviota Coast is a largely undeveloped rugged coastline that features exposed rock and cliffs into the ocean. It’s gorgeous. A section of the mountains dips down, which the highway goes through. Since it is a low point on this mountain range, wind squeezes through …
“Disneyland rock formations with a bananas view” is exactly how my partner describes the Lizard’s Mouth hike in Santa Barbara. I have trouble even calling it a hike because it is such a short walk, but there is a trail to follow with uneven steps, …
If you’re looking for a moderate hike with a view over San Luis Obispo, look no further than the Bishop Peak hike. Bishop Peak is not only one of the “Nine Sisters” (or Morros) in SLO county, and it is also the tallest. But my …
“Oh, the weather outside is frightful! But a cozy cabin in the woods is delightful!” is my rendition of a classic holiday song to get you excited to have the coziest cozy cabin experience. Since I live on the California coast, nothing is better than …
One could say that his hike is bananas… and they would be correct for various reasons. First, the views from the rock structures are bonkers because it is essentially an uninterrupted scene of the entire Lake Tahoe. And second, the hike’s destination features a rock …
I originally bought tickets to Sensorio Paso Robles for January 1, 2021. However, during the pandemic’s peak and before the vaccine was available, the organization wisely decided to shut down to visitors. And thus began my nine-month journey… not to pregnancy… but to finally witnessing …
If you want to feel small amongst some big trees in California, the Muir Woods is a great place to see the massive California Redwoods. It seems crazy that the Muir Woods is so close to San Francisco, yet it feels like an entirely different …
San Diego, the world of sun! If you’re not outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather… then you must have a good reason. Haha, I don’t want to shame any vacation or travel. However, if you’re looking for somewhat casual outdoorsy things to do in San Diego, …
There is nature to discover on the this loop trail in Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, a rugged segment of land on the California coast near San Diego. Surrounded by urban life, the nature reserve is a lovely area to explore the natural landscape, including high …
Sometimes I forget that there is a National Park right off the coast of Santa Barbara and Ventura. Although not easy to get to, Channel Islands National Park is a remote paradise. Various hiking trails and limited boat seating make it a great getaway, even …
After trying cross-country skiing in 2020, I got hooked! So when planning my trip to Mammoth Lakes, I wanted to check out the groomed runs from the Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center. Sticking with the easy green runs, we decided to aim for Mary’s Loop and …
Mammoth Mountain. Having grown up in California, this place has loomed large in my mind for years. Finally skiing it, I found it to be approachable with a glorious amount of intermediate runs. I skied for one day in February 2021 and already found my …
After exploring Joshua Tree for a day and a half, I confessed to my friend, “I worried that you wouldn’t enjoy the desert scenery when I asked to meet up here. What do you think?” My friend was living in the Pheonix area for the …
The Wonderland of Rocks Wash hike in Joshua Tree National Park is a trail that I wouldn’t usually recommend. I don’t recommend it for everyone because the National Park does not maintain it. It is relatively well-traveled but does not always have a clear path …
Golden sand beaches and clear turquoise water… which is also freezing! Lake Tahoe’s beaches are stunning, with a dash of shockingly cold water. Don’t worry, the water feels great on a hot day. Over the last ten years, I’ve visited Lake Tahoe about six times …
Did you know Lake Tahoe has an easily accessible, paved, lake-side bike path?! It was under construction for what felt like years, but now there is an incredibly gorgeous bike path that connects Incline Village and Sand Harbor. It’s on the east side of the …
When you’re driving along the east side of Lake Tahoe, you’ll inevitably reach a tunnel that burrows through a massive volcanic rock. It’s great fun to drive through the tunnel, but you’ll get a spectacular view if you climb to the top. This is Cave …
After hearing about the Rubicon Trail in Lake Tahoe for years, I finally did this phenomenal point-to-point hike in the summer of 2020. This hike offers views of the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe in Emerald Bay and the hidden coves along the lakeshore …
Maggie’s Peak Hike offers rewarding views of Lake Tahoe and a peak in the back-country if you are willing to take on the challenging elevation gain. For only being 2 miles to the top, you will gain 1,600 ft of elevation. And that means there …
As far as hikes from Tuolumne Meadows go, the Cathedral Lakes hike is my favorite. When we visit Mammoth in the summertime, we’ve been known to make a special trip Yosemite via the Tiago Road to do this hike. It is a bit of a …
This hike is one of my favorites in Yosemite National Park because you get serious bang for your buck. Within this 5.5 mile loop, you will visit a heart-pounding 2,000ft drop off above the Yosemite Valley while looking across at Yosemite Falls. Then, over at …
Having grown up a 2-hours drive from the Yosemite Valley, it was a common occurrence in my family to head up to the mountains and spend a day in Yosemite. However, it was not until recently that I discovered that you can bring a raft …
Blueberry picking is one of my favorite early-summer traditions in Santa Barbara, California. I’ve gone every year, except for 2018, and have an absolute blast walking around the fields with my little tin bucket. My favorite place to go is Santa Barbara Blueberries because the …
Although I do not fully known the history behind calling California the “Golden State”, one reason is definitely that the entire state dries up to be a golden yellow most of the year. There is, however, a short time in spring when everything is green …
Tuolumne Meadows of Yosemite is a breath of fresh air when visiting this increasingly popular National Park. This area of the park sits at a higher elevation than the Yosemite Valley and covered in snow from October to May. But from June to September, you …
When on your way to the Salton Sea, the International Banana Museum is a delightful beacon of yellow light that cheerily prepares you for the weirdness you will encounter. Sitting on the northwest corner of the Salton Sea, there are signs to guide you home. The poor outdoor …
Salvation Mountain is an experiential art piece built into a hillside covered in hundreds of gallons of colorful paint. Created by local resident Leonard Knight, the site’s main message is “God is Love” and includes biblical verses on parts on the hill. A few miles from the …
With all the bachelorette parties, pool lounges, and yearly migration to the desert for Cochella one thing remained constant in social media photos: That Pink Door. I’m sure you’ve seen it, but to explain, That Pink Door is a darling light pink door at a …
“The Salton Sea used to draw a larger crowd than Yosemite as a tropical lakeside getaway.” It’s baffling to see a statement like this because of how bizarrely abandoned it now stands. Like Death Valley, The Salton Sea is well below sea level. Once a …
Is it just me, or is there an “Inspiration Point” at more than one national park or city? There is an inspiration point in Santa Barbara (where I am based), Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and more. I suppose an expansive landscape view is indeed inspirational! But …
If you squint your eyes at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, it is easy to believe you are in the Sahara Desert. Yet, in ever direction, you can see the mountains in the distance that make up the edges of the Death Valley. To be …
For a longtime, Rebecca and I looked into campervans for different trips around California or Utah. Finally, when realizing that there are not many options around Death Valley National Park, we opted for the full campervan experience. We got a campground spot at Furnace Creek, …
After driving the 4+ hours to get to Death Valley, you might want to get out and stretch your legs. For this I recommend the Golden Canyon Hike. The Golden Canyon Hike is a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure where you can decide how long you …
One of the most visited areas of Death Valley National Park, Zabriskie Point is an overlook of light, sand-color badlands. Zabriskie Point is near the southeastern entrance to the park, so great to stop by when entering or leaving Death Valley. Popular and easy-to-access, this …
Artist’s Palette, Death Valley If you are visiting Death Valley, absolutely do not miss Artist’s Drive and Artist’s Palette. Artist’s Drive is a nine mile gorgeous drive that is one way, heading north. The drive is a meandering road with a variety of views – …
We visited Death Valley National Park and Badwater Basin for the first time this winter. The days were short, but with only a few people in the park, we got to explore so many areas in a single weekend. The temperature was chilly, especially when …
To say the view from Mt. Hoffmann is spectacular is an understatement, because it’s not often that you look down onto Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome in a 6-mile hike. At the geographical center of the National Park, you also get 360-degree views with Yosemite …