10 Tips for Making it Through Long-Haul Road Trips

In my world, I do a lot of driving. In the past year, I’ve put about 20,000 miles under my wheels (in two separate vehicles of course), and while I like to keep my drives short (3-4 hours if possible), there are some days when you just can’t avoid that 6-12 hour long-haul. Doing drives like this to get to a destination can be grueling, especially if you’re solo, so whether you’re a full time vanlifer like myself, or a casual traveler looking to get that road trip fix in this spring, here are my best tips for surviving a day on the road.

Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links

My first tiny home, in Badlands National Park, SD

1: Be prepared for time zone shifts

If you’re traveling coast to coast (or in any vaguely horizontal direction, really, if you’re not just road tripping in the states), it’s super important to be prepared to shift in your time zone. This can affect your arrival time greatly, and will affect you more if you’re moving West to East, rather than East to West, since you’ll be arriving an hour later than planned. Keep this in mind when doing any type of long haul drive, so that you can plan accordingly for any way that this might throw off your plans.

Sedona, AZ (photographer: Brien @theotherground)

2: Snacks

Obviously, you can’t have a proper road trip without snacks. But, they’re even more important when you’re putting major miles behind you, especially if you’re driving solo. Calories keep you awake, and sometimes, you won’t want to stop for lunch, especially if you’re trying to make it to a destination by a certain time. I always keep a few snacks with me in the front of the van so that I don’t have to pull over to find something to eat every time I start getting tired.

A favorite healthy snack of mine lately is Bobo’s Oat Bars. They’re vegan, oat based, and super yummy! Pick yourself up a box HERE!

Bobo’s Oat Bars make fantastic road trip snacks

3: Water

As essential as snacks, water is something we often forget about while driving, especially if you’re driving solo. The thing is, being in the car all day singing along to the radio is incredibly dehydrating, and you’ll only get tired faster if your body needs something you aren’t giving it.

If there’s nowhere to fill up my reusable bottle, you’ll nearly always see me sipping on a Surfwater—bottled water packaged in the world’s most recyclable material: aluminum!

Surfwater aka the best water at El Matador Beach in Malibu (photographer: Alex @alx.vu)

4: An amazing playlist

Nearly as essential as food and water, having great, inspiring music to listen to is a must. I have about 10 very similar but very different road trip playlists that I recycle depending on my landscape, but my favorite artists to listen to on the road are: Lord Huron, The National Parks, Frenship, and Mogli. Oh, and the soundtrack from David Attenborough’s Our Planet. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it!

Here are some links to my current favorite Spotify playlists:

Vanlife

The Ultimate Roadtrip Soundtrack

Pacific Coast Highway

Our Planet

The van on Joshua Tree BLM land

5: Take Breaks

I cannot stress this one enough! If you’re traveling solo, please take breaks. This is what rest areas are for, and if there are none, gas stations and truck stops are amazing too. I recommend taking a break every 1-2 hours so that you can breathe, use the bathroom, change your music, make a sandwich, anything! Just take your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel for 10 minutes. It’ll wake you up and make for a safer and less frustrating drive.

Bison on the road in Yellowstone National Park

6: Be aware of agricultural checkpoints

This might only be a thing in the United States—I’m not sure of agricultural laws in other countries—but if you are driving over state lines in the US, be aware of agricultural checkpoints. This is similar to how you have to declare certain items when you fly into a new country or back into the US. They will ask whether you have any fruits, veggies, plants, etc… in the vehicle, as exposing the local agriculture to those plants could affect the environment. As far as I remember, the only agricultural checkpoints in the continental US are at California entry points.

Hoyt Arboretum, OR. When you drive from Oregon to California, you will be asked if you’re carrying any produce.

7: Comfy clothes

This might go without saying, but driving in comfortable clothes will make all the difference. It’s also important to wear clothes for the weather later in the day. The other day, I drove 6 and a half hours from Tucson to San Diego and while it was freezing in the morning, as soon as I hit the Southern Californian desert near the Mexico border, it was hot and sunny! Considering the fact that my van has no AC, it was important that I drove in clothes made for warm weather so that I wouldn’t need to keep stopping to put on or take off a jacket.

One of my favorite brands of ethical and comfortable clothes is Wholesome Culture. They use organic cotton, water based ink, and donate money to animal sanctuaries for every purchase made. Check them out HERE!

Sporting my favorite Wholesome Culture T-shirt on a hike through Mammoth Cave National Park, KY. It says “There is no Planet B.”

8: Keep an eye on your cell service!

So often during long-hauls we drive into areas with no cell service without realizing it. Especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area, it’s crucial to either download your maps before, carry a paper map (for really remote areas like Montana, Canada, Alaska, and even parts of Utah/Nevada), or make sure that you do not exit your already functioning navigation. As long as you start your navigation in either Google Maps or Apple Maps, it will keep you on track even when you do lose service, but as soon as you exit, you won’t be able to just pull it right back up if you’ve got no bars. When I was driving from Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, there was no service for the first hour of my drive, and being my second day on the road, this was incredibly stressful. Make sure you know the general direction that you’re going, and if you can find a Pilot or Flying J truck stop (in the states), go in and ask if they have WiFi so you can download a map—they usually do!

Glacier National Park, MT: one of the most remote places you can drive to. Definitely download your maps before leaving West Glacier!

9: Get off the highway and explore

If you’re not in any rush, why make it a long-haul drive in the first place? Drive in your direction until you find something interesting and then make a little detour. You never know what you might find, and there’s always the chance of an unexpected adventure. Long-haul drives are grueling and unless you have a time limit, unnecessary. Let yourself explore more instead.

One of the best detours I’ve ever made! The Salton Sea, CA. Learn more about this place HERE!

10: Take it all in…

It’s so easy when you’re road tripping to make it about the destination. But the truth is, the journey is often the most fun and beautiful part. Some of my favorite experiences on the road, and my most important revelations have come from the actual driving, not the arriving at my destination. It’s so important to take time to realize the landscapes you’re driving through, the lives of the people in the towns you’re passing by, and really, how small the world is when you really think about it.

Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park, WA

The world is far more connected than we like to think. Nothing is as far away as our maps suggest—really, it’s just one 12 hour drive. Take the time to appreciate the distance, it will make all the difference when it comes to surviving that long drive (oh, and of course, all the other stuff too).

The Other Side of the Planet

Finding Home in Ban Sop Chem

“I was never not coming here. This was never not going to happen.” -Eat Pray Love

From the moment I landed in Laos, surrounded by mountains and green, something in my soul felt like it had slipped perfectly into place. Back before I started traveling, I spent a lot of time struggling with the meaning of my life and what I was doing. I didn’t think that what I was currently doing had the power to make the impact I wanted it to. So, I went searching, and I found myself in Laos, a country I’d never heard of before signing up to go.

Both times on the boats, when we were arriving in and leaving Sop Chem, I cried. I expected to upon leaving—I hate goodbyes, I always try to frame them as a “see you later,” and this time around I really hoped it was true because the moment we arrived, no, before we arrived, when we were simply traveling down the Nam Ou River with mountains as tall as Montana’s glaciers casting shadows on the water and our boat and the trees, I suddenly felt a whisper of “oh, this is why.”

View from the restaurant in Sop Chem

Why I came here, why I didn’t feel like what I was working on before had much purpose, why I was put on this planet. I was supposed to do something bigger. I arrived as a volunteer, and I left knowing I needed to come back.

I spent the week with the locals, getting to know them by name and spending more time with them than I would ever spend with my neighbors back in California. We were able to connect without language. I played games with children who just wanted to learn from us, I made emotional connections with the village’s women, I tried their food, and stayed in their homes. I pet their dogs, and ate lunch with views of their river, a river that would always symbolize the act of arriving here.

Working with the children was one of the most fulfilling moments for me. I arrived in Southeast Asia expecting to put most of my energy into permaculture—it was sustainability that brought me out there in the first place. But the truth is, the connections with the people is what made me want to stay. In Laos, I worked with the young boys to teach them English. I picked them because I have a little brother, and I knew most people would want to work with the girls anyway, and the boys deserved that attention and love too. I knew they’d be a handful, but sometimes mischief is fun, and it turns out, my favorite students were the troublemakers.

Some of my students, playing in the river

Of course, I loved all of them, and I’m incredibly proud of the progress they made just in the time I was with them, but the ones whose names I’ll forever remember are Khan and Leek, to the older boys (about 8 or 9) who came to the intermediate class to learn English on their last 3 days of winter break. They were mischievous, but that meant they were smart. They didn’t have to be there—they showed up because they wanted to. They came and went as they pleased, but still enjoyed a good coloring book and sticker at the end of the day. Khan can give a high five that will knock your soul straight out of your body. Leek is soft at heart, I can tell, but he likes showing off—being the center of attention.

At the end of the school day, the boys disappeared, like children of the jungle and the mountains, dispersing into the hiking trails and roads and trees, while the girls stick around to play games. Phun is the girl who always picked me as her partner for games, and later in the week, for dancing. She’s about 7 years old and she was never my student. She just learned my name when her friend Noona asked. I wanted to ask her why she always picked me, but she doesn’t know enough English and I don’t know enough Lao and “why” is a hard question to answer in any language, so I’ll just go with the idea that she either liked my energy or my pants. I hope that one day I can ask her, but the truth is, even when I do eventually find my way back there, the odds are, she probably won’t remember me the way Noona would, who remembers every volunteer from the past three years. They’re best friends, those girls, and I wish I could have given them so much more.

After the Baci Ceremony

I sat, on one of my last days in Sop Chem, hanging in my hammock in the restaurant where we always ate our meals, looking out over the Nam Ou River for one of the last times until next time (whenever that may be). My legs were bug bitten and bruised and my Teva tan was back and my soul felt so at peace there that the thought of leaving and never coming back broke my heart. I’d never wanted to stay somewhere longer than I wanted to stay there. I didn’t feel like I was on the other side of the planet from home. It felt like my soul had always been trying to find this place.

My last morning in Sop Chem also happened to be my birthday. The last night of my year had been spent dancing to an hour long remix of songs from my childhood under the stars, barefoot, in the center of a village in the center of mountains with Baci chords tied around my wrists for good luck. I felt so full, that day, even knowing that the morning meant leaving, and as we did, back on the boats that brought us to our new home in Ban Sop Chem in the first place, it didn’t feel like the people on the shore of the river were saying goodbye, not forever, at least, not for me.

All the National Parks on the East Coast, Ranked

Okay, well not all of them. I haven’t been to the Florida National Parks, and I promised when I started this blog that I’d never write about a place on here that I haven’t personally been to. Instead, this is everything north of Florida. There aren’t a ton of National Parks on the East Coast of the United States, but there are definitely a lot of great qualities about the ones that do call these states home.

I’ve been to all of the National Parks along the East Coast that aren’t located in Florida, so I’m so excited to share my love for them with all of you. They’re all so unique. On the East Coast, we’ve got swamps. We’ve got mountains. We’ve got waterfalls. The East Coast is incredibly green, and is home to so much wildlife, from armadillos in the south to moose in the north.

This is every National Park on the East Coast (except Florida), ranked.

I do want to clarify that this list only contains NPS sites recognized as having Park status. There are so many more NPS sites on the East Coast that are also worth visiting.

Congaree National Park, SC

6: Cuyahoga Valley, OH

I decided to throw two non-coastal states on this list because, let’s face it—there just aren’t a lot of National Parks on the East Coast. Most of the countries parks are out west, but that doesn’t mean these parks don’t deserve some love too! And Ohio and Kentucky are most certainly eastern states, so let’s get on with it.

I did really like Cuyahoga Valley, but it has to sit at #6 because it is a small park. There isn’t too much to do and it’s built within a neighborhood. That doesn’t mean it’s not absolutely gorgeous though! Cuyahoga Valley is amazing for waterfall chasing, and has a few good hiking trails as well! Don’t miss Brandywine Falls, and make the little trek out to Bridal Veil Falls—both are gorgeous!

Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH

5: Mammoth Cave, KY

This was super hard to put this low on the list because I genuinely loved my time in Mammoth Cave. Its campground was amazing (honestly up there with my favorite campgrounds, and it would’ve made this list if the list was longer), and the people were so nice. It was a nice cross between a small and big park (no entrance fee, but so much to do, and it’s all contained in itself). Mammoth Cave is the largest cave in the world, at over 600 miles long. The cave itself is awesome, but the park didn’t have a ton of hiking available to me because the ferry was closed when I was there, so I couldn’t access part of the park. Definitely get there early and book a cave tour. They don’t cost very much, and it’s spectacular. I wish I got to take a tour, but they were all sold out by the time I decided to do it. But honestly, Mammoth Cave is an absolutely gorgeous area—definitely add it to your list.

From inside the largest cave in the world, Mammoth Cave National Park, KY

4: Congaree, SC

Okay, this feels like an unfairly low rank for this park because it’s actually one of the most unique places I’ve been. I promise this list keeps getting better! Congaree is genuine swampland. It’s home to tons of amazing insects and spiders, owls, armadillos, and even an invasive crocodile. It’s free to enter, but is also a contained park, so it had a similar vibe to Mammoth Cave. This is one of the most kid friendly parks I’ve been to, and I actually took my little cousins. We did the boardwalk loop, and they became junior rangers, which was so much fun, so definitely do that while you’re there (or in any park for that matter). Take this park in slowly. There’s so much to see that you’ll miss if you’re moving too fast.

The unique landscape of Congaree National Park, SC

3: Shenandoah, VA

Alright, so I genuinely love Shenandoah National Park. I had an absolutely beautiful, nearly spiritual experience here, and it’s such an absolutely gorgeous park full of so much wildlife (aka, my favorite thing about camping). I saw deer, bears, frogs, and even had a butterfly land on me for about 10 minutes. I met another empath here who taught me to listen to the forest. I had an entire campground to myself in the rain. But more than anything, this park has everything you could need. There’s showers and laundry available, gorgeous hikes, and super nice people.

I personally did two hikes in the park, and not the one I came to do. I originally planned on hiking Old Rag but it was going to be the hottest day of the year, so I opted for one that was closer to camp. My first day, I hiked Doyle River Falls, which has three waterfalls, some small creek crossings, and plenty of time to play and swim in the falls. It is super steep heading back though, so be ready for that incline! The second hike I did was Rip Rap, a ten mile loop trail with an ice cold, blue swimming hole in the middle. This hike is a must-do, but hike it backwards: downhill 7 miles first, swim, and then uphill for 3 miles!

Waterfall #3 of the Doyle River Falls hike, Shenandoah National Park, VA

2: Great Smoky Mountains, TN and NC

The Smokies are the most visited National Park in the country. They’re located across two states, Tennessee and North Carolina, and they’re so, so pretty. The Smokies get their name from the thick fog that rests on the mountains every day, and they’re a great place to see wildlife, and tons of biodiversity in the plants. It’s also worth driving part of the Blue Ridge Parkway if you get the chance. I hiked Charlie’s Bunion while I was there and it was so pretty, I made it my profile picture on basically every social media platform I use. The only reason this one is #2 instead of #1 on this list is because of the crowds. There are tons of people in the Smokies, so prepare for tourists, and hit the road early if you can! This park has free entry, but it’s definitely a big park, so give yourself time to drive through and see the sights!

This picture: me at Charlie’s Bunion, aka my profile pic everywhere. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN/NC

1: Acadia, ME

Acadia was on my list of my favorite places I visited in 2019, so it’s only natural that it was #1 on this list. Acadia is the perfect mix of mountains and ocean: my two favorite landscapes on this planet. You’ve got pine trees, rocky cliffs, mountains to climb, and rocks to boulder. Acadia is located on an island, so there are plenty of opportunities to see the ocean. If you go in the summer, make sure you get there early in order to do famous attractions like Sand Beach, but if early isn’t exactly your speed, just show up and enjoy the ride (around the gorgeous loop road of course).

My favorite spot in Acadia National Park, ME. If you can find it, it’s yours.

The East Coast is full of big cities and gorgeous landscapes. While there aren’t a lot of America’s Best Idea’s floating around back east, the ones that do call the East Coast their home are stunning, and definitely shouldn’t be missed.

To add these to a larger road trip, consider downloading my ebook: Around the States in 90 Days.

A Visitor's Guide to Olympic National Park

At the end of my 3 month solo road trip, I made a 3 day stop in Olympic National Park, Washington. The Pacific Northwest (PNW) will always have a special place in my heart. It’s the home of pine trees, mountains, and grey coastal shoreline. I first visited Washington as part of a day trip to Portland during the solar eclipse season of 2017, when I went up to Oregon for the very first time. This time, I came at Washington from the East, after visiting Glacier in Montana, and slowly made my way to Olympic about halfway through the week that I spent there.

Olympic is an incredibly unique National Park. It’s home to a vast array of different landscapes and ecosystems, and has a strange layout in terms of its road system. Olympic is known for its temperate rainforest, and is a favorite among backpackers and long distance hikers from all over.

This is my guide to Olympic National Park, and why you should add it to your bucket list.

Rialto Beach, Shore Section, Olympic National Park, WA

Getting to Olympic

Olympic has a strange layout in that you cannot drive through the park, you can only drive around it. Of course, you can drive into certain sections, but you can’t drive straight through, so you have to be really cautious of where each entrance is. The good news is, as you drive the 101 around the park, you’ll pass through plenty of towns, such as the Twilight-famous town of Forks.

It’s important to know where the visitor centers are, and Google Maps will let you put in a specific visitor center when navigating to the park. Look for the Olympic National Park Visitor Center and Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center for information when you first enter the park. For extra information, the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center is great but a little out of the way. You can also go to the Kaloch Ranger Station for help and the Wilderness Information Center for information regarding backcountry permits.

To enter certain parts of the park, such as Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rainforest, you will need to pay an entrance fee or show your interagency pass. It is $30 per car to enter, and your entrance fee at one section of the park will get you into the entire park for 7 days.

Lake Crescent, near Fairhomle Campground

The different landscapes

Olympic has one of the most diverse ecosystems I’ve ever experienced in a National Park. They’ve got bears and banana slugs, beaches and rainforests. Every part of the park is something completely different, and it’s important to check out each of them. The following sections will bring you through each different ecosystem (and let you know which is my favorite!).

The Hoh Rainforest

“While there are multiple temperate rainforests in the United States, the Hoh is the only one you can drive your car into,” said a ranger at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center when I first arrived. I was immediately intrigued and set out to do my big hike through the rainforest on my second day in the park. The Hoh is known for backpackers, and has three trails. Two of them are small loops near the visitor center, but the Hoh River Trail is 17.3 miles long and is used for backpacking. You don’t have to have a permit to day hike on it though, so I went to Five Mile Island and back, making for a 10 mile hike.

The rainforest is home to lush greenery, crazy wildlife, like banana slugs and their darker, invasive species cousins, and tons of tourists. This is definitely the most popular part of the park, so plan accordingly! There is a campground in the Hoh too, just make sure you’ve got your rain fly if you’re tent camping.

Hoh River Trail, Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, WA

Hurricane Ridge

It’s not Washington without mountains. Hurricane Ridge is the mountainous part of the park that is most easily accessible to visitors, as you can drive straight to it! It offers clear views of the park, but is pretty far from the rest of the attractions and is one of the few spots in the park that you need to pay an entrance fee for. Unfortunately, this is also one of the only parts of the park I didn’t get to explore, because it was Labor Day and the roads were too crowded for me to make the day trip.

You can camp at Hurricane Ridge, at Heart O’ the Hills Campground.

Lake Crescent

I recently talked about Lake Crescent in my Best Lakes of 2019 post, so I’ll make this short. Lake Crescent is known as one of the prettiest parts of the park. You can camp here at Fairholme Campground, which I did for 2 nights, and it was lovely. There is a nearby camp store with food, souvenirs, and other camping essentials like ice. The lake is open to boats, kayaks, SUPs, and other water recreation, and the area has plenty of hiking trails. I personally loved the Spruce Railroad Trail, which takes you through a really cool tunnel, and goes along the length of the lakeshore.

Be careful, though, this is the only part of the park that has poison ivy.

You’ll also be nearby Elwha and Sol Duc Valley when you stay near Lake Crescent and both are worth a little day trip (although Elwha is currently closed to cars).

Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park

Shore Section

All of this mountain and forest stuff is connected somehow, but on the other side of the highway you’ll find the shore section. The Olympic shoreline is easily my favorite part of Olympic National Park. It’s my Pacific Ocean that I grew up with, but it’s so different. There are pine trees overlooking the shore, and it’s full of rocky tidepools to explore.

Rialto Beach is my personal favorite, but you can also visit Kaloch and Ruby Beach and the coast near Lake Ozette. You can camp near the shore at Mora Campground (requiring reservations for 2020), and South Beach.

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Shore Section

Truly, Olympic is the most diverse National Park I’ve been to. If you’re looking for a destination with beach, pine trees, mountains, lakes, and a little bit of rainforest (or a lot, depending on how far you hike), you won’t be disappointed with Olympic. So, make sure it’s on your list, and don’t miss the rest of the PNW while you’re at it.

If you’re interested in visiting Olympic and working it into a much larger road trip, check out my ebook: Around the States in 90 Days.

Why It’s More Important Than Ever to #LeaveNoTrace

As we go into 2020, welcome a new decade, and watch the birth of the 62nd National Park in the US (welcome, White Sands!), it’s becoming increasingly apparent how important it is to take care of our wild spaces. Climate change is real, it’s happening, and it’s greatly affecting the places we love and the big one we call home: Earth. This means it’s more crucial than ever that everyone do their part to at least reduce your own personal carbon footprint, because, the truth is, but the old adage goes: if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem, and in 2020, so much is accessible that you’re honest missing out if you haven’t adopted at least one better for the planet habit. Now, I don’t want to get all sad and depressing on you while we welcome this new year. Instead, I want to talk about why Leave No Trace should be trending, and I don’t just mean on the internet.

Note: this post may contain affiliate links

Big Sur, CA

What is Leave No Trace?

The Leave No Trace Principles, or LNT, are guidelines for all people to follow when they’re exploring wild places. They originated in the US, and gained popularity in the public lands (NPS, USDA, and BLM), but could and should be applied to every place on this planet. There are 7 LNT Principles:

1: Plan ahead and prepare

This just goes with the old boy scout saying: always be prepared. This will allow for your own safety as well as the safety and preservation of the land you’re exploring.

2: Travel and camp on durable surfaces

The idea of principal number 2 is to keep you away from areas that could be severely damaged by your footsteps or tent. Of course, this doesn’t always mean you have to stay on trail—and sometimes you simply can’t, but look out to make sure you’re not damaging any of the land you’re walking on.

3. Dispose of waste properly

This one should be a no brainer—throw away your trash! You wouldn’t just leave garbage on the floor in your house, so don’t do it in the woods, desert, beach, or anywhere else either. Better yet: leave it better than you found it—pick up any trash you find on trails or in campsites as well.

If you’re interested in joining an awesome volunteer group with the goal of cleaning our wild spaces, become a Wildkeeper! Applications open on the Keep Nature Wild website this month. (I am not an affiliate of KNW, I just love and support their cause and have worked as a volunteer with them for over a year.)

Me at the Grand Canyon wearing a shirt I got from Keep Nature Wild (you get a huge discount for joining the ambassador/volunteer program too!)

4: Leave what you find

Have you ever heard the saying “take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints?” I think that pretty much sums up principle number 4, and most of them, actually.

5: Minimize campfire impacts

The last thing you want is to start a wildfire. Make sure that your campfire is only in designated areas such as fire rings when you’re camping so that you can prevent any sparks from flying.

6: Respect wildlife

This is a HUGE one. I see so many people approaching animals in National Parks, and it’s not only incredibly dangerous for them, but it also puts the animal in danger. Please keep your distance from all wildlife, and keep dogs and other pets on designated trails to prevent foreign substances (you know, poop) and bugs from affecting local animals.

7: Be considerate of others

Don’t be the person who’s flying a drone in a National Park. While your shot might look cool, you’re ruining the experience for everyone else who came out to be in nature. Make sure that you’re respectful, and try to avoid traveling to busy spots on holiday weekends.

This deer crossed my trail in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. I patiently waited for him to return to the woods before I continued hiking.

Why LNT is so important in 2020

Especially with tourism in our natural spaces being at an all time high, it’s more crucial than ever to leave these spaces better than we found them in order to preserve them for more generations to come. That way, California will still have its oceans, Montana will still have its Glaciers, and the Grand Canyon will still be just as beautiful, even years down the line.

Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park, MT. If you look closely you can see the waterfall of melting ice on the right hand side.

What other ways can I help respect my wild spaces?

I’m glad you asked! There are so many ways you can help protect nature at home. Aside from practicing LNT when you’re outside, you can definitely reduce your carbon footprint in your everyday life. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

Don’t buy products with plastic if you can avoid them (shop zero waste products here!)

Shop second hand or ethical clothing (check out one of my favorite ethical clothing brands, Wholesome Culture)

Eat plant based as much as possible (January is a great time to make the switch to a vegan lifestyle!)

Support brands that support our planet when you do need to buy new stuff, like Madera Outdoor, Eco Roots, and larger companies like REI.

Responsible tourism: make sure that when you travel, you’re not impacting the communities you’re visiting in any way, and maybe even find a way to volunteer.

Unplug, go off the grid, run off solar, do whatever you can in your everyday life that makes sense for YOU!

The planet’s tallest trees in Redwood National and State Parks, CA. Let’s plant more in 2020.

Being kinder to our planet is incredibly crucial when it comes to having a cleaner Earth. And this goes much further than simply picking up your trash (but please don’t stop doing so!). It has to do with simply being respectful of our natural places, and doing our part to make our own impact as insignificant as it can be. Making sure that we’re being kind to wildlife, other visitors, and the land we walk on is the best way to make sure that we start taking care of this planet the right way, and truly “leave nothing but footprints.”

My Favorite Destinations of 2019

And why they should be on your list for 2020

It’s no secret that I traveled a lot in 2019. I visited all 48 connecting states, 29 national parks (some more than once), and I’ll be ending my year in Southeast Asia. So many of these places made a huge impact on me as a traveler, a writer, and a solo person, but only a few can count as my favorites. Those places left a mark on me that I will never be able to shake, and I think I’ll spend my entire life trying to return to them as many times as I possibly can. This is a list of my absolutely favorite spots I visited during 2019, and why you should add them to your 2020 bucket list.

4: Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia instantly drew me in as I drove around its loop road for the first time. Before visiting Acadia, I had no idea that you could experience pine trees and ocean in one spot, an experience I only ever saw here and in Olympic, WA. Acadia was also a bit of a sentimental stop for me, since it marked the halfway point in my trip around the country. Acadia is an absolutely mind-blowing place. It’s so unique in its landscape, is home to some crazy wildlife, and it’s one of the northernmost national parks in the continental US.

Why it should be on your 2020 bucket list:

Acadia is an absolutely beautiful spot that isn’t too crowded with tourists right now. It’s amazing for overlanders, since it’s nearby one of my favorite free camp spots I’ve ever stayed at, and has a little something for every type of traveler, from tourists who just want to drive the gorgeous road and look at the views, to climbers who want to do some crazy bouldering, to hikers who want to climb a mountain. There’s even a beach in the park that leads you to the Atlantic Ocean.

Acadia National Park, ME

3: Devils Tower, Wyoming

Devils Tower is one of the most unique things this country’s landscape has to offer. Devils Tower was formed by what used to be a volcano, and is now a sacred place for Native Americans and a popular climbing spot (just make sure you get your permit first!). Devils Tower is located in the American Grasslands, and is home to wildlife such as prairie dogs. The park contains about 8 miles worth of hiking trails and plenty of opportunities to view the tower.

Why it should be on your 2020 bucket list:

Devils Tower is definitely living in the shadow of its Wyoming brother and sister: Yellowstone and the Tetons. It’s a smaller park, but it’s so unique compared to the rest of this country’s landscapes. Don’t miss an opportunity to experience it, especially now that the prairie dog populations are doing really well.

Check out my free guide to Devils Tower!

Devils Tower, Wyoming

2: The Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is one of those places you have to see at some point in your life. It’s incredibly vast, and has far more to offer than many people think. I had some incredible wildlife encounters here, and completed one of my favorite hikes I’ve ever done, the South Kaibab Trail. The Grand Canyon is so much more than people give it credit for because of its popularity with tourists, and honestly, was an emotional experience. I’d dreamed of seeing the Grand Canyon for a long time, which is part of the reason it was the site of my first solo trip, all the way back in March. Regardless of emotional attachment though, make sure you visit, especially if you’ve never been to Arizona.

Why it should be on your 2020 bucket list:

The Grand Canyon is just going to get more crowded as travel becomes more accessible. Make sure you see it before it’s completely crowded with tourists, and, who am I kidding? It’s the Grand Canyon! If you haven’t seen it yet, you need to. I promise it’s more than you think.

Access my free guide to the Grand Canyon HERE!

View from Mather Point in the Grand Canyon, Arizona

1: Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier is hands down my favorite place on Earth right now. From the towering mountains, wildlife you can’t find anywhere else, perfect campground, and of course, glaciers, Glacier National Park is popular for a reason. This is one of the largest national parks I’ve been to, and also one of the most popular. It’s located right on the Canadian border, and no matter where you go, the views are more than you could have ever dreamed them to be. Here, you can spot waterfalls, mountain goats, and grizzly bears, and complete my favorite hike in the world, Grinnell Glacier. (Tip: Many Glacier, where the hike is located will be under construction in 2020, so make sure you plan accordingly)

Why it should be on your 2020 bucket list:

Let’s face it, Glacier’s glaciers are melting. The sooner you make time to go see them, the better. Right now, there was still ice in August, but as the years go on, the amount of glaciers in the park is dwindling, so make sure you see them before it’s too late.

View from the High Line Trail in Glacier National Park, Montana

2019 was a game-changing year for me in terms of travel. I visited some of the most beautiful places in the United States, and its inspired me to expand and maybe cross some borders next year, in 2020. Tune in next week to hear my 2020 travel goals, and get inspired to add to your own list in this new decade!

To help you start planning an epic 2020 trip, check out my ebook: Around the States in 90 Days.

The Best Route For Roadtripping from Los Angeles to Portland

The drive from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest is one of the prettiest road trips you can take in the US. California truly is one of the best states in the country (in my humble, totally non-biased opinion), and because of this, the drive from the south to the north (and vice versa) will allow you to see as much as possible, depending on the route you choose. There are four different routes to take between Los Angeles, California and Portland, OR, and I’ve driven all of them multiple times.

You can drive north via PCH, the 101, or the 5, but the secret best route from Los Angeles to Oregon is a combination of all three. This is the defining best route north (or south), and a list of everything you’ll see and experience along the way.

Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Or (aka, a reason you need to get up to the PNW)

So, the secret best route starts in Los Angeles, heading north on the 101. When you reach Santa Barbara, the 101 will converge with the 1 and you’ll be met with some of the most beautiful coastline you’ll see on the trip. From here, I suggest heading through the Los Padres National Forest via the 154. This is an incredibly gorgeous drive, yet incredibly winding. You’ll have plenty of chances to stop and see some gorgeous views (like THESE from the beginning of my latest YouTube video) and spot Lake Cachuma.

You’ll then continue up the 101, passing through Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo, two trendy and smaller Central California cities. Of course, feel free to stop at any time. This drive can take as many days as you want, but when my family and I recently visited Portland, we did it in 2.

Mt. Tabor Park in Portland, OR

Once you reach San Francisco, you’ll cross through the city and onto the 5. I prefer doing it this way because if you take the 5 up from Los Angeles, you not only have to go through the Grapevine (as we call it), but you also have to pass through Coalinga (cow country), and Fresno (the literal middle of nowhere, sorry Fresno).

This section of the 5 is amazing. You’ll pass by plenty of National Forest Land and Lassen Volcanic National Park, if you want to stop and see some sites.

Eventually you’ll reach Redding. Redding is a super underrated Northern California Town. It’s surrounded by tons of hiking opportunities, including the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. There’s enough to do in Redding to last a week, and there are plenty of hotels, camp spots, and restaurants if you’re just passing through. I’d highly recommend the Americana Modern Hotel, the only dog friendly hotel in the town. This hotel is a newly renovated hotel that’s fairly central to a lot of different food options (including Mod Pizza and Chipotle if you’re plant based like me). The service was fantastic, and a stay comes with breakfast. This is also exactly halfway between Los Angeles and Portland, so it makes the perfect overnight rest after an 8 hour drive.

Dundee, OR (wine country)

Just an hour north of Redding is a Californian gem: Weed, CA. Weed is ironically a town full of college students that basically leans on the commerce of a lone souvenir shop selling, you guessed it, weed themed apparel and gifts. It’s a hilarious little pit stop, and there’s a bathroom in the Dollar General across the street from the gift shop. Even if you don’t care about weed whatsoever, it’s fully worth the stop just to take a picture of the sign. After this, you’ll finally cross the bridge over Lake Shasta, and enter the mountains and pine forests for the rest of the drive.

A little further north, you’ll pass by Mount Shasta, an active volcano that stands at more than 14,000 feet. Mount Shasta is met at its base by Lake Siskiyou, a gorgeous lake great for paddle boarding, hiking, and boating, and definitely a valuable stop if you have the time.

It’s supposed to say “Welcome to Weed.” You get the picture. It’s also on a hill and this is the straightest I can get the picture so I’m sorry…

Once you pass the Siskiyou Pass and over the Oregon state line, the drive up the 5 is fairly easy. You’ll pass through plenty of National Forest Land, such as the Umpqua National Forest, and most of your drive will be surrounded by pine trees. A worth-it stop on your way up is Crater Lake National Park, but it will add quite a bit of time to your drive.

Disclaimer: be careful driving the Siskiyou Pass during winter. Carry chains.

Mount Shasta from highway 5 heading south.

There’s so much beauty in Oregon, but you’ll pass through quite a bit of farmland too, once you’re out of Southern Oregon’s mountains. It’s definitely worth checking out the college town of Eugene, as well as the capital city of Salem.

Truly, there is so much to see between Los Angeles and Portland, and probably more than is even on this list. These are simply my must-sees. California is a vast and diverse state larger than some countries, so it does take quite a bit of dedication and coffee to drive it all without switching drivers. But, it’s so worth it. You’ll pass some of the prettiest sights on the west coast along this route, and it’ll have you wanting to see the rest of these two states as soon as you can.

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If you’re interested in traveling to these two states, plus 46 more in one season, check out my NEW EBOOK, available in the shop!

Top 5 Most Instagramable Natural Spots in Oregon

Oregon is hands down one of my favorite places in the US. It’s almost as diverse as California, yet rivals it when it comes to changing seasons. I just had the opportunity to spend my Thanksgiving week properly visiting Portland. And while Portland is a cool little city, I kept finding myself drawn to Oregon’s nature. The Pacific North West is one of the best places in the country for mountains, pine trees, and even beaches, and I’ve compiled a list of my favorite natural places in Oregon to photograph (or, those that I’ve been to so far).

To follow me on Instagram for more pictures like these, and plenty of travel inspiration, click HERE or visit the CONTACT page.

Geotag Disclaimer: if you choose to use geotags on your Instagram feed, please be responsible, and keep local secrets you find that aren’t on this list, well, secret. Geotags have the tendency to draw crowds and ruin natural spaces, so in line with Leave No Trace, let’s leave no map too.

So, grab your camera or phone, don’t forget a good snack, and hop in the car. This ride’s about to get insanely pretty.

Crater Lake National Park

Haystack Rock

While this one might be a bit obvious to those of you engrossed in the crazy world of Instagram, it’s a spot that tops many Oregon travelers’ bucket lists by a long shot. Located on Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock is a huge rock formation known for its famous reflection in the sand. This is easily one of the most popular spots in Oregon, and for good reason. The Oregon coast is a famous stretch of coastline, and this is easily the most famous beach on the drive.

Cannon Beach is a dog friendly beach, and has free parking only a couple blocks away. It’s only about an hour from Portland, and is super easy to find.

A tip for my vanlifers: It’s a bit (and by a bit, I actually mean a lot) hard to find affordable camping, let alone safe boondocking spots, so if you’re living that vanlife, you might want to dive up over the state line and stay at the rest stop that’s 40 minutes away.

Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach, Oregon Coast

Hoyt Arboretum

If you’re staying in Portland, this is an awesome place to go to lose yourself amongst the PNW’s famous pine trees and redwoods. The Hoyt Arboretum is located within Washington Park, and is basically a living museum. You can grab a map at the visitor center, or just wander the marked trails. Each area of the park features a different type of tree, from redwoods to maple. This was actually the first time my family was able to snag a glimpse of our West Coast redwoods.

The Hoyt Arboretum is completely dog friendly, and free to enter, but you do have to pay for parking. You can hike about a mile (one way) to Pittock Mansion from the visitor center if you want a view of the city too!

Redwood Deck in the Hoyt Arboretum, Portland

Smith Rock State Park

Located about 30 minutes outside of Bend, Smith Rock State Park is known by rock climbers across the country. I am not a rock climber, and I came here with a friend from the road when we both happened to be in Bend. There are quite a few hiking trails here for all hiking abilities, if you’re not into climbing, and there are spectacular views all around. This is the best place for you to head if you’re in Oregon and craving some desert-esque landscapes. It reminded me of this park in Los Angeles that I used to visit with my parents called Vasquez Rocks (which I largely credit my love of the outdoors to).

Smith Rock does allow dogs and has paid camping available.

Smith Rock State Park

Crater Lake

I’ve talked about Crater Lake a couple times on here, but it’s the deepest lake in the country, so how could it not make it onto this list? With its deep, blue water and towering pine trees, Crater Lake is far more than just a lake. This National Park includes a beautiful scenic drive, volcanic-formed pinnacles, and a little island dubbed Wizard Island. Even if you’re not a big hiker, you’ll be able to grab some of the best and bluest shots to fill that ‘gram with at Crater Lake.

A tip for my vanlifers: Lost Creek Campground is a bit out of the way, but only costs $5 a night! It gets super cold, even in the summer, so make sure you have the right gear!

Crater Lake National Park, aka one of the coldest days I’ve spent on the road so far

Multnomah Falls:

On the same level of Insta-popularity as Haystack Rock, you’ve likely seen a picture or two of Multnomah Falls come across your feed. This was a bucket list item of mine for a long time. Multnomah Falls is part of the Columbia River Gorge area, on National Forest Land, and is a 620 foot tall two-tiered waterfall that features a bridge. You can hike to the top, or you can get that perfect shot from the bottom (it was raining, so my family chose the latter).

There is free parking just across the street, and the falls is a dog friendly area. Just a few minutes down the road, you’ll find Wahkeena Falls as well, another large waterfall in the area with a hiking trail.

Multnomah Falls in late November

There are plenty of super beautiful spots throughout Oregon, but these are easily my favorites I’ve been to so far. Oregon in itself is incredibly pretty, so make sure you get off that beaten path a little bit too.

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To learn more about my favorite places in the country, make sure you check out my full 3 month, 48 state road trip itinerary, available now in the shop!

My Top 10 Favorite US States

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that my bio announces that I’ve been for 49 of the 50 US states. Because of that, two of the most common questions I get on basically every platform are “what state are you missing?” and “what are your favorite states?” Well, the one I’m missing is Alaska, and there’s a maybe chance that it might be in the plans for 2020 (but nothing’s official yet). The harder question to answer is which states are my favorite, and the reason for that is because the US is so diverse. Every state has something unique to offer, but there are 10 that stand out above the other 39 I’ve been to.

Here are my top 10 US states:

Joshua Tree National Park, CA

10: Minnesota

When I reached Minnesota on while I was traveling over the summer, it was one of the northernmost destinations I had on my list. I was heading to Voyageurs National Park, which was located right on the Canadian Border. When I was driving north, I remember feeling like I’d finally accomplished something. Minnesota was one of the prettiest states I’ve been to. The entire thing is lined with pine trees, and the highway to the national park was one of the most unique drives I’ve done. The trails in the national park often overlook lake Kabetogama, and provide views of Canada on the other side. The people in Minnesota were also super nice, and made it really easy to enjoy my time there.

Lake Kabetogama, Voyageurs National Park, MN

9: Washington

This was a strange one to put on this list for me. While it’s incredibly similar to Oregon in terms of its landscape, it had a very different energy. Washington has a bit of a spooky vibe, and it turns out, it’s actually known for UFO and ghost sightings. The national parks here are absolutely gorgeous. Olympic is super unique, and is home to multiple different landscapes: from mountains, to lakes, to beaches, to rain forests. North Cascades is a unique free park interspersed with national forest land. Mount Rainier is home to glaciers, an impressive mountain, and tons of wildlife. Washington does have a ton to offer, but it’s a very different feeling than the other PNW state, which I’ll get to later on this list.

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Shore Section, WA

8: Maine

Maine is actually going to be the only eastern state on this list. That doesn’t mean I don’t like the east coast, it’s just that most of the east coast is known for their cities, and I’m a nature girl. I absolutely loved Maine though. As I drove into Maine, I saw my first “moose crossing” sign, and it was the first time I saw pine forests since leaving Colorado nearly two months prior, so it’s got a special place in my heart for that reason. Maine really is absolutely gorgeous. It’s a mixture of pine forests and ocean, and Acadia National Park is a gorgeous and unique small park. The people were nice, everywhere was beautiful, and it had some of the best early morning sunrises I’ve ever seen.

Acadia National Park, ME (and the Atlantic Ocean)

7: Utah

I absolutely loved Utah. It’s home to five incredible national parks, including Bryce, which holds the largest collection of hoodoos in the world. The entire state feels a bit like a national park though, and the highways bring you through green mountains, big cities, and rolling farmland. The entire state, from bottom to top is absolutely gorgeous, from the national parks in the southern half of the state to the mountains you can see from something as simple as a Starbucks in Logan.

The famous hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

6: Wyoming

I’ve written about Wyoming a few times now, and that just means it had to make it on this list. Wyoming is one of my favorite mountain states. Wyoming simply has some of the most unique landscapes in the country, from active volcanoes in Yellowstone, to long extinct ones at Devils Tower. This state is super diverse in its wilderness, morphing from the high mountains of the Tetons to the almost-desert of Fossil Butte in the southern part of the state. It’s also home to some of the most diverse wildlife in the country. Here, you can see bears (grizzly and black bears), moose, bison, eagles, elk, and even wolves. Needless to say, if you love nature, Wyoming is the place for you.

Bison hanging out in Yellowstone National Park, WY

5: Arizona

Arizona was actually the place I chose for my first solo trip. I went to the Grand Canyon solo during my last spring break ever, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Arizona is a beautiful state, and one that truly feels unique from its neighboring California landscape. Between its red rocks and the fact that its home to one of the Earth’s natural wonders, Arizona is one of the most beautiful southwestern states. Here, you’ll find classic saguaro cactuses, unique rock formations, and plenty of tourists, which just goes to show you that this state is just incredible. It’s popular for a reason.

This view will make you cry, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

4: Hawaii

Hawaii is an old favorite of mine. I’ve been traveling to Hawaii since childhood, and its landscapes never fail to blow me away. I’ve been to three of the four main islands, and by far, Maui is my favorite. Here, I have memories of learning to surf, eating too much shave ice, and jumping off of black rock into the reef and crystal blue ocean below. Hawaii is simply one of the best vacation destinations in the country, and while Maui is my favorite, the other two islands I’ve been to, Kauai and Oahu have been beautiful as well.

Black Rock on Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii (photo ca. 2012)

3: Montana

Montana is home to my favorite place on Earth, Glacier National Park. Glacier is an absolutely gorgeous mountain park that’s home to some of the only glaciers in the continental US. Here, I hiked my favorite hike ever: Grinnell Glacier. Other than Glacier National Park, Montana is actually gorgeous. As you enter the state from Wyoming, you’ll be greeted by Big Sky Montana, an open, vast expanse of land with, well, some of the biggest sky you’ve ever seen. I also had the privilege of staying a night in Bozeman, a cute little outdoorsy town surrounded by national forest land. Montana is truly a nature-lover’s paradise, and is more than worth exploring.

Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park, MT

2: Oregon

I’ve been to Oregon three times now, and I’m actually writing this from an Airbnb in Portland. Oregon is such a beautiful state full of my favorite forested landscape, without the weird Washington vibes. It’s home to Portland, a quirky little PNW city, the Oregon coast, the outdoorsy town of Bend, the climber’s paradise of Smith Rock State Park, and of course, the deepest lake in the country: Crater Lake. Crater Lake was absolutely stunning, but also one of the coldest places I’ve been, so make sure you have the right gear! Oregon simply seems like it’s full of endless adventures, and it’s a place that I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of visiting.

Multnomah Falls, Portland, OR

1: California

Okay, so I might be biased, but my home state is the best state in the country. It’s so huge, and spans the most diverse landscapes within one state. Here, you’ll find desert, mountains, forests (including the world’s tallest trees, the redwoods), cities, and of course, beaches. California is home to nine national parks, including a volcano, and the state includes one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country: Highway 1 through Big Sur. California truly has a little something for everybody, no matter what you’re traveling for.

Glacier Point, Yosemite, CA

Coming up with this list was actually super hard. I love everywhere I’ve been for different reasons, even the places I say I hated. The thing is, traveling gives everyone a unique experience, and we have to appreciate it for that. Every destination is going to leave a different impression on every traveler, and the US is home to such uniqueness that everyone is bound to have their own unique experience.

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To read more about the 48 contiguous states, make sure you check out my complete road trip route in my new ebook, dropping December 1, 2019 in the shop!

How to Visit Los Angeles and Completely Avoid the City

If you’ve been following my journey, you’ll know that I’ve spent some time in my home city of Los Angeles since completing my 3 month road trip earlier in the fall while I transition to vanlife. I used to strongly dislike my home because the cities were all I knew. I was used to visiting LACMA in the city, the pier in the other city, and the Pantages Theater in the other other city.

If you’ve read My Journey, you’ll know my National Park obsession and love for hiking didn’t start until I was already living somewhere else for university, and since being back temporarily, I’ve managed to pretty much completely avoid visiting the city at all. While this might seem impossible, the trick is in the mountains.

Now, you might be thinking, “what mountains?” because usually, when we think of mountains in Southern California, we picture the snow capped peaks of the Big Bear and Arrowhead area, or even the almost constantly cold Mammoth Mountain. We think of Baldy and Whitney, but never do we picture the Santa Monicas.

View from the trail to Eagle Rock in Topanga State Park

The Santa Monica Mountains are a strange type of mountain. Their flora almost mirrors that of the nearby desert, and they’re home to mountain lions, coyotes, and rattlesnakes. But they’re also home to the canyons that connect the Valley to the beaches. They’ve been the site of multiple wildfires in recent years, and with their recent regrowth, they’ve regained their status as the go-to hiking spot for city dwellers. The Santa Monica Mountains are a National Recreation Area, run by the National Park Service, and they include multiple state parks, as well as Malibu’s famous beaches.

It’s entirely possible to visit Los Angeles and never even venture as far south as Hollywood, and even if you’re a city lover, it never hurt to take a day to explore your destination’s natural areas, get some fresh air, and realize that maybe, there’s much more to a place than what you see on TV.

Malibu Creek State Park

State Parks

Two iconic state parks in the SM Mountains area are Malibu Creek and Topanga. Both offer miles of hiking trails and stunning views of the mountains. Both do offer campgrounds, but only Malibu Creek has frontcountry camping.

Malibu Creek was actually the first place I ever camped as a young child, and it has a great family friendly environment, and plenty of short and easy trails. One of the longer trails you can do in Malibu Creek is the Malibou Lake Trail, which adds up to be about 7 miles total, offering expansive views of the mountains, and includes a creek crossing. You’ll also pass through the famous MASH site (pictured below), so even though you’re avoiding the city, you’ll still get to experience some key TV history. I highly suggest downloading the AllTrails app before attempting this hike, especially solo. Some parts are very confusing.

MASH site, Malibu Creek State Park

Topanga is known for some tougher trails. Hiking to Eagle Rock is one of the most iconic hikes in the area, and although it’s only about a 4 mile total hike from the Topanga State Park entrance, it gains almost 1,000 feet in elevation. This hike does offer stunning views of the canyon, and even the nearby coast on a clear day.

Top of Eagle Rock hike, Topanga State Park

My favorite hike in Topanga State Park, though, is Hondo Canyon via the Backbone Trail. The Backbone Trail is a 65 mile long trail that traverses the SM Mountains, and you can hike a few miles of it here, from Old Topanga Road to the Rosas Overlook, from which you can see Calabasas Peak. This is a 10.1 mile hike, and it takes you through canyon overlooks, Southern California Forest, and mountains passes. Hondo Canyon is a hike ideal for advanced hikers, but I’ve seen hikers of all levels on the trail. Just make sure you have some good gear, a yummy snack, and plenty of water.

When hiking in the Los Angeles area, make sure you’re aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for larger wildlife. This area is known for mountain lion and coyote activity. Rattlesnakes are also common in the SM Mountains.

Hondo Canyon Trail, Topanga State Park

Malibu Beaches

The Santa Monica Mountains also includes some of the nearby beaches, and if I’m being totally honest, Malibu beaches are far better than Santa Monica Beaches. The most notable one to mention here is actually one that was severely affected by 2018’s Woolsey Fire: Leo Carrillo. Leo Carrillo is easily one of my favorite beaches in the Los Angeles area. It’s generally pretty empty, and is one of the only beaches in the area that allows street parking on PCH (perfect for you overlanders who don’t want to pay for parking). It’s actually part of another state park in the area, Leo Carrillo State Park, where you can camp right on the beach. Leo Carrillo is also one of the only dog beaches in the area, and your pooch is allowed anywhere on the north side of the beach on leash. The south side of the beach is home to tide pools, and is generally the more family friendly side of the beach. Leo Carrillo finally reopened to the public in June 2019, but it is still being rebuilt.

Leo Carrillo State Beach (and Josey)

Other notable sites

Of course, the Santa Monica Mountains are enormous, so there’s plenty to see in the area. If you’re interested in movie history, Paramount Ranch is the place for you. While the old western town burned down in the Woolsey Fire as well, they’re currently rebuilding it to commemorate the many movies that have been filmed there. You can still see the church (pictured below), and go hiking in the area.

Paramount Ranch, Santa Monica Mountains area

Another great area is the Circle X Ranch and Sandstone Peak area. Sandstone Peak is a steep hike, but you’ll be rewarded by surreal views, and the entire peak overlooks the Valley below.

Top of Sandstone Peak

The Santa Monica Mountains are actually so big that I haven’t even explored a huge portion of the area. Next up for me is Malibu Lagoon and Point Mugu State Park, but there’s also so much to keep coming back to. It just goes to show you, you can have an adventure even in your own home, and oftentimes, there’s more left to discover than you think.