Hiking and Trekking

California; home to foggy San Francisco, sunny San Diego, and snowy Lake Tahoe; home to liberal vegans and In-N-Out’s minimalist meat-lovers menu; home to John Steinbeck, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and as of recent, funny guy Conan O’Brien… not to mention 36,756,666 residents that call California home because its terrestrial and cultural diversity make this coastal state a place of such immense opportunity, it doesn’t take long to find the Californian in you.

You can travel California by bus, train, or even rollerblades, but with the fine summer weather, the cheap gas, and the infinite destinations, California’s easiest to explore by wheel. So pack the car, open the sunroof, and let the Golden State in.

Heading from North to South, follow the 101 through the towering trees of the Redwood National Park, and if you’ve been driving for a while - or have never seen these giant, perennial beasts, you might want to reserve some lodging and spend a few days hiking the labyrinth of beach, prairie, and forest trails this 38,000 acre park covers.

Once you’ve spotted your share of elk, bald eagles, and star fish, head six hours south to wine-country Napa valley for a more palatable taste of nature. Trade your binoculars for crystal stemware, hiking boots for heels and immense redwoods for quaint grape vines; spend your mornings watching the hot air balloons float overhead (or find yourself in a basket high-above!) your afternoons horseback, and your evenings on wine tours sipping everything from aromatic cabernet sauvignon’s with a hint of toasted vanilla oak to a dry Riesling leaving you with a lingering taste of tangerine on your tongue and a smile on your lips. Despite being one of the premier travel destinations of the world, Napa Valley has remained a quaint (be it opulent) town, not to be missed.

From the expansive Napa vineyards, take a short hour and a half drive to the bustling, parabolic streets of San Francisco. Spend your day shopping in Union Square or head to the bohemian haven Haight & Ashbury and try on vintage clothing. If this is your first SF visit, you’ve got to see the sights: take a tour of the historic Alcatraz prison, grab a bowl of classic clam chowder on the Pier, skip across the Golden Gate Bridge, and take a drive down the most crooked road in America, the colorful, brick laid Lombard Street.

From San Francisco, the opportunities are seemingly infinite; find yourself surfing in Santa Cruz or head south to Hollywood and laugh along with Ellen Degeneres in real-time. Or, if you’re ready to stretch your legs and ditch the car, going on a walking tour from Inn to Inn experience California for every Golden Poppy it has to offer. Founded by Tom Courtney, Walkabout California encourages adventurers to pack light and experience the area with an intimacy that one can only get when traveling by foot. Combining the comfort of civilization with the transcendentalism of Nature, Courtney’s guidebook maps out various trails that take you from inn to inn, allowing you to explore the Mendocino Coast and the breathtaking Sierra Nevada by day, and relaxing in a sauna beside a unique cottage by evening.

But don’t take our word for it. Be inspired by Real Travelers travelbyrv who recently enjoyed their road trip across the Golden State:

“Not a huge travel day today - 100 miles or so. Left San Jose and arrived in San Fran around lunch time. On the way we passed a big jetty full of sea lions. Yesterday the elephant seals on the beach and this morning the sea lions… just awesome. We got out of the RV and took some pics and marvelled for a bit. What a great thing to see - hundreds of sea lions in their natural habitat.. what a noise they made.. and what a smell!” (more…)

Whatever you’re seeking, be it towering mountains, energetic cities, a gentle countryside, or just a really great burrito, you’re sure to find it- and probably quite a bit more - in California.

Plan your trip
Walkabout California
San Francisco Hotels

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This week we hope to inspire you to enjoy the beginning of fall by going on a weekend getaway! Fall festivals, less crowded beaches, and other celebrations will make you want to pack your bag and go!

First up for the week is New York State. Grab a sweater and head outside to see the landscape transform into fall.

The Adirondack Region of New York is filled with plenty of terrain for hikers, bikers, boaters, golfers, and for those who just want to enjoy nature. Visit the family friendly area of Lake George, located about three hours driving distance from New York. The village of Lake George and its surrounds are filled with plenty of accommodations, from bed and breakfasts, to lodges, cabins and lakeside campsites (bring a warm sleeping bag).

Want to see a destination worthy of hosting the Olympic Games twice? Head to Lake Placid New York, home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. Visit the Olympic Center to learn about the history of the games held here and enjoy a spin around the ice. Afterwards, stroll through the village for shopping and great restaurants and be sure to take a walk along Mirror Lake.

For more on planning your trip, visit:

Lake George Hotels
Lake Placid Hotels
visitadirondacks.com

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