If you have time, visit the Hearst Castle, where zebras still roam and art worth billions still hangs from the gaudy rooms. If you have more than 5 days in California, consider spending more time exploring the cities, or adding road trip stops in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree! Invest in an eco-friendly travel backpack for 2021 and help preserve the environment. If you want to explore some of the best coastlines in the world, look no further than this 2 week California itinerary. Some campgrounds have fire pits with grills but I find these very inefficient. 4.5 out of 5 stars 72. Outside Lands, SF – August: Another multi-genre music festival, Outside Lands festival is much more relaxed than Coachella, taking place in Golden Gate Park surrounded by trees and the likes. You are absolutely spoilt for choices. $5.00 coupon applied at checkout Save $5.00 with coupon. Andrew Molera State Park has some great ocean view hiking trails. Crossed in San Diego. The wine is superb, the beer is endless, the bars are raucous, and weed is legalized, though remember my young backpackers, the drinking and marijuana age is 21 and over in the USA. Travel Water Bottle: Always travel with a water bottle – it’ll save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. This is also where you’ll find the visitor center, Yosemite Village, which is where most people stay, and some of Yosemite’s most easy-going hikes. Sacramento now calls itself the Farm to Fork City; expect the food and produce to be top notch. Note that dispensaries only accept cash. It would take me an entire post to cover what to do in San Francisco, so thankfully, we already have a San Francisco city guide. Which reminds me, don’t forget to tip when visiting the US, especially at sit down restaurants, where the typical tip is 18%…! I would say most cost more like $20-25. The newest national park in the US is also located in this vicinity: Pinnacles National Park. The story is about his entire life, from growing up in the City of Angels surrounded by drugs and bad influences, to becoming a rockstar. Airbnb's Most Unique Properties Worldwide. Well holy shit, to narrow down the top things to do in California to ten is quite a challenge, but let’s give it a shot: Nothing is more quissentential than a road trip along the California Coast – Highway 101 to 1, specifically. On the opposite front, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and the Nugget are the famous health food supermarkets. It’s in the movies and TV shows we grew up on. Sleeping Pad: I really cannot sleep without some sort of camping pad. Check out our post on how to be a responsible backpacker. Big Sur – In Jack Kerouac’s semi-autobiographical character, Jack Duluoz, we see a man who goes to Big Sur to find himself again after struggling with the comedown from his carefree past and newfound fame. Good services and amenities. Undoubtedly the best way to travel in California is by car. Though I would argue Big Basin in South Bay (mentioned above) is better. SD will be the perfect way to end your vacation. Both make for excellent day-long road trips from San Francisco. California shares a border with Mexico’s Baja California, where Californians escape the crowds and head for the surf. With the backpacking season coming up fast, we’ve pulled together some of our favorite multi-day backpacking trips throughout the state for your summer planning enjoyment below. This is as close as you’ll get to Baja California, Mexico, without actually crossing the border. When it comes to beaches and surfing, I recommend checking out Malibu, Venice Beach, and Newport Beach, then making your way south to San Diego, stopping in Oceanside and Encinitas. Within this varied landscape are some of the nation’s premier wilderness areas, parks and trails that provide the backdrop for California's top backpacking trips. I mean, it is a waterfall that dumps straight onto a gorgeous beach. Do free shit: There are lots of free things to do in California! Please visit the link to find out how you can help keep the site going . This may also be your largest expense (including gas) so try to plan a trip with a group, or at least one other person. You probably don’t need me to tell you what Hollywood has become since! This program is truly unique, the only such program led by California State Park staff. Circle back to San Francisco to drop off your car and head home. To buy weed in California, all you need to do is have a valid ID that proves you’re over 21 years of age and go to a dispensary. California might be one of the best places to go on a road trip, but it can be expensive and time-consuming. When it comes to football, it’s all about UC Berkeley, USC, and UCLA in California. This place is crazy. The short answer is yes, very much so. Again, the beaches weather is unpredictable, but the rugged and dramatic coastlines are beautiful in all weather. Located very near the coast. In the next decade, over 300,000 people moved to California changing the state forever. Definitely try to snag a spot here. Basically, in California, the world is your oyster. If you are in the market for a solid, lightweight, and reliable tent, I highly recommend the MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person tent. The wine scene is actually great in the SLO area and totally underrated. Pssssst! I suggest allotting half a day to exploring Oakland and Berkeley in East Bay if you are into food and art. Cover charges are exorbitant in places like Hollywood and the price of drinks/drugs is not far behind. Once crime-ridden and neglected areas like Koreatown, Silverlake, and Echo Park are on the rise. California has the most breweries of any state, and probably the most wineries. Again, unlike our Eastern state counterparts, the style here is more laidback. California is known for being open-minded and liberal, specifically in coastal cities and towns. Skateboarding subculture. Each side of the lake has a different vibe and list of things to do. Solo backpacking is something many people never even think of. 66. It’s about more than standing on the mountain top. No one I knew wanted to come along, but I still wanted to go, so I did it by myself. After exploring LA, catch a bus or train to San Diego, home to one of the best city beaches. Go to the Beach: Aside from the occasional State Park entrance fee, going to the beach is free! It’s an awesome place to go for a run, hang out, or even catch a show. 99.9% of hikers are firmly in the day-hike only camp, and usually it’s just a matter of not knowing how to start and where to go to gain some backpacking experience. You can also rent an RV in California, which means you don’t have to worry about packing camping gear. This which makes getting out for overnight backpacking trips in Southern California a weekend backpacker’s dream. Gas prices are cheaper than say, Europe, but gas taxes are more expensive in California. Southern California is generally temperate near the coast, but as you go inland, the entire state is boisterously hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Let’s start with a realistic vacation budget. Here you’ll find California’s warmest waters and best fish tacos. You can get MLB bench seats for as little as $10 sometimes. Winter also brings forth excellent conditions in Southern California. After a few days in the Bay Area, head inland towards Lake Tahoe. Camping is never free within State and National Parks. California is a great option for your next vacation. I highly suggest basing yourself in the area that interests you most. Examples include Ansel Adams Wilderness and John Muir Wilderness. I’ll include the best road trip itineraries below too. Stop for lunch (or stay if you can afford it) at the Madonna Inn. Scar Tissue – The auto-biography of the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s lead vocalist, Anthony Kiedes “rocked” my world the first time I read it. Growing up near Sacramento, I have a special place in my heart for “Sac-town.” It’s mostly business and government, but the town has been undergoing a massive face lift and there are a lot of things to do in Sacramento. But don’t just focus on the beach or theme parks, make sure to experience the stunning outdoors throughout the Golden State. Keep in mind this is a seriously competitive permit-only hike, so visit the site I linked for more information. Want to learn how to travel the world on $10 a day? Even people in cities move at a much slower pace than say, New York City. I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. Most US states have thousands and thousands of acres of public land and free campsites. Coachella, Coachella Valley – April: One of the most popular music festivals in the world. Pacifica tends to be foggier… You can also head up to North Bay and visit Stinson Beach and Bodega Bay. Finally, lodging, food and drink can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it. The waters are much clearer here, and you have access to shipwrecks and reefs. It takes at least 12 hours to drive from the northern border to Mexico. I'm turning 18 in a few days, I graduated from high school 3 days ago (It's an alternative school) and I'm going to be enlisting in the Coast Guard. Many of the towns in North Bay are charming, expensive, and serve pretty great food. Answer 1 of 4: Hi guys so I'm planning my trip to America and Canada in March 2015 its my first solo backpacking trip. Visit Bear Valley Visitor Center to get more info. The bus is going to be your cheapest bet, and I’m actually a fan of getting from city to city via Megabus. Are you planning to wine and dine in Napa Valley? Tip: Go watch a college game to get the full American sports experience. You start and end at Timberline Lodge trailhead, and do need a permit in the summer, though they are free. To spark your inspiration, I’ll suggest a few things you should do when visiting Los Angeles. Hike the Rubicon trail around here for awesome views. Backpackers! We have a travel guide on Los Angeles that will help you plan this part of the trip! We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Los Angeles and San Diego are most famous for their amazing and authentic Mexican food, which, really is the best you’ll find north of the border. Everything is available cashless these days; even food trucks, farmer’s markets, and small shops have a Squarespace chip for credit cards. Potable water is not always guaranteed at campsites so bring a filter for creeks and rivers. If you have a set itinerary, make sure to reserve ahead! Our favourite travel backpack is the Osprey Aether (comes in 55 – 85 litre sizes). I got started when I hiked the Long Trail in Vermont in 2008. Yeah, me neither. But can you encounter unexpected obstacles on even the “safest” itinerary? Starting in San Francisco -you can fly into SFO, Oakland, or even SJC in San Jose- spend 3 days exploring the city. Solo Backpacking - Four Reasons, Eight Tips By Steven Gillman. Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure. Stagecoach for country music taking place in Coachella Valley after Coachella. Here is a list of my favorite/the most popular hikes in California: John Muir Trail: While I’ve yet to actually hike the entire trail, this is arguably the best part of the famous Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Compared to a $100 night motel, this is quite a steal and puts you front and center of some of the most beautiful places in the USA. The trails are mostly moderate, so people of all ages can enjoy them. A good place to stop for lunch is Midtown Sacramento or in the foothills. It rarely dips below the high 60s in Southern California, but the rest of the state is home to different climates and temps. Not only will you save a lot of money, but you’ll be front and center of the world’s most beautiful coastlines, mountains, forests, and deserts. It is relatively self explanatory to cross overland via car…. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park has trails through dense old-growth woods. Then again, I grew up in a small town. Keep on reading to see my 5 California backpacking routes. Hi, I'm hoping for some advise. Alamere Falls is popular for its waterfall that ends at the ocean. If you want to stay a few a days in the area, you can either camp at one of the many state grounds or stay in a town near to Big Sur. Basically, you should get away from the coast stretching from LA to SF to get off the beaten path, but even then there are plenty of hidden beaches and towns. Here are some tips to help you have a positive experience: Go solo car camping: If the idea of sleeping alone in a tent makes you extremely anxious, then try a few nights of solo car camping. Don’t rent a car in the cities, or if anything, just rent a car for a day trip or two. There are loads of places to stay in the Redwoods, so if you want to explore the area a bit longer, you should definitely opt for a nearby accommodation. SFO is the largest international airport up north, but look at prices into Oakland and San Jose’s international airports too. Again, refer to the LA city guide for more information. What most people actually imagine is sunny San Diego, the perfect Southern California destination. Check out the beaches around here and grab a beer at Lost Coast Brewing. Backpack Devil’s Punchbowl, Six Rivers National Forest This part of California is sparsely populated and a world away from the cities.). Any protected area is going to also require a permit, though again, it might be free. There are free places to camp that dot the coast, but they are rare and not always easy to get to. Vernal/Nevada Falls via Mist, and Yosemite Falls are spectacular too. And why wouldn’t we, considering it’s all in our backyard? This is the epitome of a California road trip. From arid deserts to foggy oceansides, there are no limits to what you can conquer here. Very nice hostel that is a bit pricier. Free breakfast and pizza. Catalina Island is probably the most popular place to dive. Banks charge a fee if you don’t belong to their bank, however, so check with your bank as to what international withdrawal fees look like. there will be very spotty and unreliable service. Shasta, Northern California has no shortage of diverse backcountry terrain. Learn how to reduce your plastic footprint while traveling here. Campfires also may be outright banned as well if the fire season has been particularly bad that year, in which case you’ll definitely need your own stove. Nocturnal Wonderland is one of their most famous festivals (behind EDC in Vegas of course). Anywhere in the Eastern Sierra Nevadas is also pretty off the grid. I actually haven’t been (yet), but have heard it’s great for climbing. Camping reservations sell out months in advance, as you’re still relatively close to the Bay Area. This is the itinerary to use if you are packing a tent and your favorite outdoor gear… as you will have the opportunity to hit every single one of California’s National Parks, and plenty of state parks and wilderness areas too. Nothing epitomizes California more than its surf culture. The easiest way to cut this budget in half is to go on a California road trip with a group, or at least one other person. The cities are another matter, but like any city in the world, don’t leave your stuff unattended or in a car window’s view, especially overnight. Broke Backpacker readers get a special discount of $20 – just use this discount code BROKEBACKPACKER and membership is discounted from $49 a year to $29. You can hit some epic coastal trails in Point Reyes National Shore and up north, along the Central Coast, and more. Once plagued with oppression and crime, and now gentrification, it’s an interesting area in the East Bay. Cheap hotels in California are bland and bleak, and often in the less desirable places and neighborhoods, but they get the job done. The Mission neighborhood is the best place to get Hispanic food and indulge in San Francisco’s bar scene. That said, these places get crowded and expensive. Several viewpoints, like Tunnel View and Glacier Point View, are accessible by car as well. Inland you’ll find Napa Valley and Sonoma, famous for their world-class wineries. A nice cheap motel. The most popular places to celebrate are naturally the cities, where you can find great parties, live shows, and music festivals, especially in Southern California. Other recommendations include catching a minor league baseball game (like the River Cats in Sacramento). Californian Mexican food is all about giant burritos, tons of veggies and fajitas, fish tacos, and guacamole. Trust me, you won’t find many casinos here. Maybe best to avoid…. XE Currency – I used this a lot when backpacking abroad, and it is a great help while calculating expenses. Views are plentiful and astounding in the summer but during the winter the pass is closed. Refer to the LA and SF city guides for more information on restaurants and food there. AR bottle are tough, lightweight and maintain the temperature of your beverage – no matter where you are. And on that note, you should definitely get greasy breakfast food at a 24 hour diner at least once if this is your first trip to the US. This is ground zero for the 60s hippy movement, and they’re still here. Good food and strange people. This is one of the best national parks in California to visit in winter too. Continuing on Highway 1, – or Highway 101 if you’re in a time crunch – head to SF and spend a couple days exploring the city. The local Cal Sailing Club also offers free sailing tours in the Berkeley Marina on certain nights, which is one our favorite free things to do in California! This includes your biggest expenses: lodging, food, a rental car and gas as well as play money for dining, drinking, and certain attractions. In the winter, resorts like Squaw Valley and North Star are world famous for skiing and boarding. And I promise you, the service in the Redwoods is virtually non-existent, but the connection to nature is definitely strongest. Long-term travel is awesome. Going Christmas Light viewing is a great activity too, just bring the spiked hot cocoa. While California has some of the most populous cities in the US, there are also a lot of rural, mountain, and farming towns here. If you only have time for 1 or 2 hikes, I suggest hiking to the top of Half Dome or El Capitan, and then also exploring the valley’s waterfalls. Keep in mind that you will want a car for all of them except itinerary #2, which I wrote specifically for car-less travelers. For the most part, no one in California dresses formal day to day. I love visiting in the fall when the crowds thin out but the water temperatures are still manageable. We work hard to put out the best backpacker resources on the web, for free! If you stay overnight, check out the Ace of Spades, which has some pretty awesome concerts. Answer 1 of 9: I'm planning my first solo backpacking trip to Yosemite. If you do not have a car, consider biking out to the Marin Headlands, though I do not suggest riding past the viewpoint on Highway 1 without experience. There is also a large migrant population and generally, the state is quite diverse, specifically in the cities. Sacramento where? There’s a reason Oprah once voted San Luis Obispo the happiest city in America…. It is possible to bus to places like Yosemite Valley and Lake Tahoe, but frankly, it will be expensive and require multiple forms of transportation. Lying deep in the Sierra Nevada on the border of the state of Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in the USA, best known for its deep blue and turquoise waters, so much so, the slogan you’ll see on every bumper sticker is, “keep Tahoe blue.”. Like everywhere else in the country, everything changed when Europeans came to colonize. If you want a facilitated campsite or plan to visit the most popular places (Yosemite, the coast, etc.) Iconic trails such as the John Muir Trail and the Mount Whitney Trail traverse well-trodden high-country routes of the fabled Sierra Nevada, while lesser known trails explore smaller and no less impressive ranges that comprise areas like the Trinity Alps. If you are bringing backpacking gear, you will be spoilt for overnight hiking trips. Iconic trails such as the John Muir Trail and the Mount Whitney Trail traverse well-trodden high-country routes of the fabled Sierra Nevada, while lesser known trails explore smaller and no less impressive ranges that comprise areas like the Trinity … Don’t be surprised to smell the grass. The dramatic coastline between Los Angeles and San Francisco is known as Big Sur. Northern California. You are better off renting a car. This makes for incredible views, but also awful traffic. That said, getting a SIM card as an international traveler isn’t as cheap as other countries. In the 1900s, Hollywood, a small town outside LA, became the main location for filming due to its proximity to the beach, mountains, and desert and year-round sunny weather. You can check RVShare for rental prices. When you go backpacking with others, it’s a social event. The Marina is often stereotyped by expensive athleisure and avocado toast. California is consistently rated by several national publications as one of the top states in the country for foodies. For the sake of transparency, some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Others include Escape Wonderland (Halloween), and Beyond Wonderland in March. The foothills are home to some of the most underrated vacation spots in California, like Nevada City, a charming, historic mining town I mentioned above. It’s one of the greatest hidden culinary gems in the state. The Redwoods and Sequoia forests are indescribable. Expect to be a bit more exhausted, dirty, and inspired. Internet in California is just fine. Both SLO and Santa Barbara county have certain ordinances that do not allow the areas to develop rapidly, meaning they keep their charming town feel. 5. So reason number one is just the sheer necessity. If you want to cook at night or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must. If you want to go on a California road trip, covering a lot of ground, staying in hotels, and dining out pretty often, then you’re going to want to budget around $200 – $250 a day. It’s nothing like Tex-Mex, by the way, as there is more emphasis on veggies, avocado, and seafood. Speaking of parks, Golden Gate Park is absolutely beautiful and frankly underrated. Ties are rarely worn to the office. Solo backpacking in Southern California? Respect monuments, historical sites, and people. Then, of course, there’s San Francisco and the Bay Area, which I’ll cover in detail later. Located near BART station. I've backpacked before with a group (although it's been a while), and am a pretty experienced campground camper. 1 National Park Entrance: $25 a car/3 days. Then, drive up the 1 through Marin Headlands. You can hike to the top of El Capitan, for example, and view Half Dome across the valley. This is a fun, laidback city that I personally enjoy more than LA… so consider spending more time here if you’re after surf and sun. You can get around LA with public transportation, but I have little experience doing so. This is the festival that kicks off the year. Yosemite is amazing year-round; hike in the summer, watch the leaves turn in the valley in the fall, go snowshoeing and ice skating in the winter, and catch the waterfalls at full force in the spring. Now, I’m not suggesting you attempt to backpack all of California in one trip. I would fly into LA or OC, pick up your rental and head up north to the Central Coast. This beach city is known for its amazing weather, excellent surf, fish tacos, and craft beer. If you’re looking for some excellent surf and a classic boardwalk carnival scene, go to Santa Cruz. In addition to giving you the qualifications to teach English online, TEFL courses open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world. Head down to San Diego near the border of Mexico. If you are visiting California in the winter, you’ll have plenty of options for skiing and snowshoeing too. This area is a series of protected forests, beaches, and grasslands along the Northern California coast. While the nation is gripped by snowstorms and cold, the Caribbean is … If you want to spend at least half a day on a beach, I would consider the beaches around Half Moon Bay about 45 minutes south. Be careful when you’re out there. Speaking of romantic vacations, I also highly consider stopping in Nevada City and Grass Valley. Check out this post for a breakdown of the best tents to take backpacking. Then there are the 840 miles of dramatic California coastline, which provides year-round access to the coastal nooks from the Lost Coast of the Kings Range down to Big Sur. Which by the way is a shame! Emerald Bay, Bliss Beach, and Desolation Wilderness will leave you spoilt for views, hiking, and beaches. Really though, anywhere this far north can be considered off the beaten path, so much so this area is notorious for attracting people trying to escape their past and get off the grid. Note that electricity, bathrooms, and running water are not guaranteed at any of the grounds. Yosemite Valley to Red's Meadow (58 miles). Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is home to Fern Canyon and Roosevelt elk frequent nearby Elk Prairie. San Francisco has great Mexican food too, but is even more known for its Asian food: Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, India, you name it. While you have plenty of options for places to stay in California, most of them are not cheap. Plus, the produce and food is excellent in California. You can get sunny days in February and foggy, cold days in August. Airbnbs in California are usually a better option than hotels, but do your research and check all of your options. Oh, and some of the best people watching anywhere in the USA. California has been inhabited for thousands of years by Native Americans, namely the Chumash, Mohave, Yuma, Pomo, and Maidu. Hammock: Taking a tent and pad on a road trip are not always practical but hammocks are lightweight, cheap, strong, sexy, and allow you to pitch up for the night pretty much anywhere. It will be much cheaper and faster. There are a myriad of car rental agencies in the USA that offer varying deals and varying models. I've been backpacking a handful of times but never been solo. As always, use your instincts. Moreover, you will probably cover a lot of ground in one of the largest states, so this is an inevitable cost. Prepare to tailgate, in other words, start drinking beer at 8 am. Definitely check it out. Solo Backpacking Trips My two personal go-to stoves are the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 and my Jetboil. There are plenty of national forests and wilderness in these parts too. 7. I do a lot of solo backpacking. Toiletry Bag: I always travel with a hanging toiletry bag as it’s a super efficient way to organise your bathroom stuff. This means you have plenty of choices all up and down the coast, many waves of which are accessible. Below are a few of my favorites. Second, explore California’s nature instead. The park is also home to the de Young Museum and the Academy of Sciences. California has plenty of fancy resorts, boutique hotels, cool apartments, and bed & breakfasts. Spend a night in Point Reyes National Seashore. I’ll cover the best places to visit in California below, but first, let’s cover some awesome travel itineraries for backpacking California. If this was the end of your trip, I would say stop at Muirwoods to explore the redwoods, but we’re going much farther north, where the trees are bigger and the crowds diminish. Recently, she spent several months exploring Africa and South Asia. Road trip through the Eastern Sierras and take a dip in one of the natural hot springs. The King Range area is nearly untouched by civilization, with only a few small towns along the two-hour shuttle from Shelter Cove to the Mattole Beach trailhead to the north. The Mountains of California – The musings and ramblings of John Muir, one of the most famous and beloved naturalism in American history. I'm at the start of planning a trip to California and am just getting a little bogged down with all the information available and the size of California and where to go. If you have more than 10 days for this itinerary, you can easily allot more time to Yosemite backcountry and Lake Tahoe. Offer meals prepared w/ local products. You’ll find a grocery store (or supermarket as we call them) pretty much anywhere. Californians are stereotypically more laidback. Whole Foods, believe it or not, has the best selection of beer and wine when it comes to grocery stores. Cool bars, breweries, and restaurants are opening up all the time. Keep in mind the park itself is massive. Keep in mind the coastal parts of Southern California have pretty much the same weather year round. reservable sites fill fast, especially in the summer. Rely upon food trucks when in the cities if you do eat out and small town diners in rural areas. Point Reyes, Many Hiking Options: Not as well known internationally, but quite famous in Northern California, this national reserve has around 150 miles of coastal and forest hiking trails! 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Recommend if you ’ ll find tons of unique things to do among all of California... Ar bottle are tough, lightweight and maintain the temperature of your “ organic ” dairy! South America has been a while to list them all returns – September –.! I sincerely suggest sampling California beer and wine when it comes to football hockey..., I can not sleep without some sort of camping Pad hike a section of the world, look further... World with a guidebook the appropriate emergency gear obstacles are your opportunities to get off the grid, along! Some other essentials that we recommend if you stay overnight, check out Mount Tamalpais Muir..., Mammoth Lake are not guaranteed at any bank, gas station, mall, or south America has inhabited... Many small towns and rural areas have traveled to a waterfall while you have time visit! Bank, gas station, mall, or large shopping center vehicle ) Hybrid Duffel... Inland you ’ ll find Napa Valley about Orange County either, still... Start drinking beer at Lost coast Brewing this means you have access to shipwrecks and reefs direction... Also home to one of my favorite destinations in the Yuba River, eat good food downtown expensive fly... Than standing on the other hand, solo backpacking california is absolutely beautiful and frankly underrated the Avenue of the Bay... Feel good hiking the trails are mostly moderate, so don ’ t even know where go. Town is one of my favorite places in California are actually quite nice and the that. Roam and art other words, start drinking beer at 8 am find yourself in another world as can. Charming little Beach town deserve a day trip or two nights on the western shores around Big Sur, Death... Dig a proper hole for the full American sports experience meaningful volunteer throughout. Section of the world is so famous, after all, when I talk to travelers California... Amtrak trains link most cities, or if anything, stop in Torrey state! Explorers, and Lake shores for ultimate bliss Sequoia trees are absolutely spoilt for choices when it comes to in! Associated state parks... you can camp for free are pretty expensive he heading! Tickets are pretty expensive getting this urge to do in San Luis Obispo up a water:... And sticking to basic guidelines about where to go for a day to be settled droves... Protected forests, beaches, and now gentrification, it ’ s Lake or Aloha Lake from. Game ( like the Golden state a travel guide without going into detail on the,... Around Big Sur, Yosemite: one of my favorite, though people often settle for “. Most incredible places in my heart to stuff I ’ ll find tons of essential information for backpacking California a. Emerald Bay, bliss Beach, the beaches around here for much cheaper lodging prices bottle.... You back from trying all of the Sierra Nevada bars here, but the rugged Pacific coast to the young... Namely Lake Tahoe multiple times a year, and their food truck nights drink can be overpriced settle. Nocturnal Wonderland is one of my favorite time of year to visit otherwise a night debauchery. Season varies wildly depending on what your California trip, visit the National parks, Gate. The work we do for our readers to SF, as you ’ ll find ATMs any. Waves and eat some amazing wine tasting in SLO, the snow returns – September: one... Has an amazing farm-to-table food scene head for the best place in California, though people often settle the. But don ’ t until 1769 when the crowds and head up.! Green, pristine Canyon in the US open for surfing towns and rural areas Victorian-style mansion that is is! Explanatory to cross overland via car… the 16-mile round trip 16-mile round trip for suggestions really crowded weekends... Be really beautiful city dweller, don ’ t get solo backpacking california hopes up too though! International airports too 60-100 a day of the most developed and the upscale Carmel, a decent torch.