Welcome to my house state of California. I used to be born and raised within the Los Angeles space, have lived all around the southern coast, am now based mostly close to Lake Tahoe up north, and have made it my mission to discover nearly each nook of the Golden state – it’s my favourite for a cause.
I’ve taken extra solo journeys than I can rely in California, and over the previous 30+ years, some actually stand out. From Southern to Northern California, right here’s the place to go and tips on how to keep secure in your California journey:
1) San Diego – Surf and Nightlife
It’s straightforward to like San Diego. California’s third largest metropolitan space has an enthralling outdated city, full of life nightlife scene, and plenty of seaside communities that vary from social (like Pacific Seaside) to good for leisure and reflection (like Encinitas, La Jolla, and Ocean Seaside).
Decide a seashore city if you’d like the chance to exit and meet individuals and surf, keep downtown for the historic areas, Little Italy, the Zoo, and to be near the airport, or head to Ocean Seaside or Encinitas for extra of a laid again vibe.
Should you’re seeking to drive the Pacific Coast Freeway, which is definitely the perfect highway journey out West, that is the proper leaping off level!
Keep: Resort del Coronado is a well-known luxurious lodge within the space situated on Coronado island with a stunning seashore. Tower 23 is a superb alternative in Pacific Seaside if you’d like one thing extra reasonably priced and with a social vibe.
2) Anza Borrego – Desert Solitude
For me, solo journey typically means embracing being by myself. Many overlook the California desert, but it surely’s considered one of my favourite elements of the state! I’ve been to all the deserts on this record on my own a number of occasions and am all the time wowed by the quiet, the stargazing, and the colourful sunrises and sunsets.
One in all my favorites is Anza Borrego. It’s accessed through the small city of Borrego Springs, which has loads of motels, campsites, and boutique lodges and eating places. You may as well free camp in among the public land surrounding Borrego Springs.
Pictured above is Font’s level, simply the perfect dawn in all of California. You may as well discover the wind tunnels, seasonal wildflowers, and some different intriguing land formations inside Anza Borrego Desert State Park. There are a couple of hikes, however the true magic can solely be accessed with a four-wheel-drive automobile, so hire accordingly! Learn extra about my favourite issues to do in Anza Borrego right here.
Keep: The Borrego Valley Inn is an adults-only boutique lodge with a pool that comes out on high for me, however I’ve additionally stayed on the western-themed Palm Canyon and Borrego Springs Resort and Spa and each have been good. I might hear a bit of an excessive amount of noise from my neighbors at Palm Canyon although the room was good and the placement was nice. Borrego Springs Resort and Spa is a bit out of city however was good and quiet with a giant pool.
3) Joshua Tree – Funky Airbnbs
Joshua tree is one other desert cease that I like visiting alone. The closest city is Twentynine Palms and for some cause it’s change into a haven for distinctive locations to remain, together with the Airbnb with the rock tub sizzling spring pictured within the video under.
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is great for stargazing, the Cholla cactus backyard for dawn, and I like simply driving round and marveling on the Joshua bushes, which solely develop in a pair locations the world over. You may see my solo journey there and Borrego within the video under. One might simply go to each on the identical journey:
Keep: Learn extra about all of the great issues to do in Joshua Tree and the place to remain right here.
4) Orange County – Solar and Disney
Earlier than leaving California with a one-way ticket to Bangkok 10 years in the past, I lived in Newport Seaside for 4 years. I additionally grew up quarter-hour away from Disney and may verify, it’s tons of enjoyable as an grownup and even by your self.
Orange County is actually a bit extra approachable than Los Angeles should you nonetheless need that higher Los Angeles vibe and the perfect seashores, that are among the most stunning within the state. I like Laguna Seaside for the artsiness and the really stunning shoreline, Newport Seaside has among the greatest surf and wide-open sandy seashores, and Huntington Seaside’s downtown has a full of life bar scene and is a little more laid-back.
Keep: The Montage in Laguna Seaside is among the loveliest lodges I’ve ever stayed at and is essentially the most well-known luxurious lodge within the space. The views are out of this world. The Lido Home is considered one of few lodges on the Newport Seaside Peninsula. It’s a quaint boutique lodge strolling distance from the water, which is a large perk since parking could be a nightmare close to the seashore.
5) Santa Monica – Metropolis Vibes
I used to be born and raised within the higher Los Angeles space and though such an enormous, sprawling Metropolitan might be intimidating, I feel all of it comes all the way down to selecting the correct place to take pleasure in it from.
Most first-time vacationers to Los Angeles make the error of going to Hollywood. I’d keep away from it and spend your time in Santa Monica or Venice Seaside as a substitute. I additionally love the hipster Silver Lake space should you nonetheless wish to be near Hollywood with out the seediness. Take a hike in Runyon canyon or as much as the Hollywood signal, benefit from the seashores and funky environment of Venice, and the various eating places and nightlife of Santa Monica.
Keep: If you’d like one thing walkable, a rarity in LA, keep at considered one of these beachfront lodges in Venice Seaside or Santa Monica.
6) Santa Barbara – Appeal and Procuring
Santa Barbara is considered one of my favourite locations in California. I admit to being biased since I went to undergrad at UCSB, however no one doesn’t love Santa Barbara.
What makes Santa Barbara so charming is the Spanish structure, the procuring of State Avenue, and other than Orange County, among the most stunning seashores within the state together with Butterfly seashore. It’s an upscale space, however nonetheless has a nature-loving, hippie vibe with natural cafes and yoga courses. In close by Montecito of Duke and Duchess and Oprah fame, there are additionally beautiful mountain climbing trails.
It’s an ideal cease in your Pacific coast freeway highway journey.
Keep: Once I was a scholar within the space, the Bacara, now owned by the Ritz Carlton, was often called being on the most effective and least crowded seashores and for being a celeb escape. For one thing extra reasonably priced, household would usually keep right here once they visited. Additionally think about the Palihouse boutique lodge downtown, the most effective areas to go to as a vacationer.
7) Demise Valley – Distinctive Landscapes
On the far japanese aspect of the state, so long as it’s not summertime as Demise Valley is the most well liked place on Earth, I extremely advocate visiting this Nationwide Park. Though the Pacific Coast Freeway is considered one of my favourite drives on the West Coast, Freeway 395 is breathtaking as nicely and takes you thru the Sierra Mountain Vary – considered one of my favorites on this planet — in addition to proper by the Alabama Hills and Demise Valley. In case you are the mountain climbing kind, you would possibly decide to skip the coast and hand around in this a part of the state as a substitute!
Demise Valley is thought for its various land formations, together with the salty Badwater Basin, the bottom level within the US, the Artist’s Palette pictured above, the dawn at Zabriskie level, the Golden Canyon hike, and Mesquite Dunes, amongst many different stunning areas. See extra right here:
I like Demise Valley as a result of it’s one of many solely nationwide parks the place you possibly can free camp in sure areas, might be completely by your self if you want, however can be round different individuals should you go to among the extra common points of interest. However once more, to your personal security, make this a spot you solely go to within the cooler months!
Keep: When you’ve got a tent, take a look at my tenting suggestions or for a fantastic lodge choice, keep within the park on the Twenties-themed Ranch at Demise Valley – I actually loved my keep there, plus the proximity to Zabriskie level was good for dawn.
9) Mammoth Lakes – Sizzling Springs and Mountains
Mammoth lakes is ideal for individuals who like to ski, however even should you don’t, it’s great for snowshoeing, mountain climbing within the hotter months, and sizzling springs! Once I visited final winter, I went with the categorical function of having fun with the solar rises on the mountains, the Sizzling Creek Geological web site, and the various sizzling springs, together with the heart-shaped one pictured above.
I’ve additionally visited in the summertime and really love the hikes within the space, together with Two-Duck lake, Rainbow falls, and the Satan’s Postpile. Minaret Vista can also be great for stargazing.
Keep: Should you’re eager to sizzling spring hop, staying within the Convict Lake space is ideal. If you wish to be near the slopes and mountain climbing, keep in Mammoth Lakes, both tenting within the hotter months or within the Mammoth Village, which has a sizzling tub and many eating places onsite.
8) Large Sur – Indescribable Magnificence
The central coast of California actually has my coronary heart. Locations like Large Sur and the whole drive north from right here to San Francisco are the rationale why. You’ll see jagged, rocky shoreline, probabilities of whale spouts within the distance, and delightful mountain climbing trails alongside coastal buffs and in Redwood forests. A number of of my favorites round listed here are McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in addition to Pfeiffer Seaside with its purple sand.
Keep: Large Sur is nice for tenting, particularly among the many redwoods. Ventana is a superb choice in addition to the state parks. There aren’t quite a lot of locations to remain in Large Sur normally, nonetheless the lodge is ok and in case you have the finances, the adults-only Alila is divine.
10) Monterey – Seaside Escape
Simply up the coast from Large Sur, Monterey is one other dreamy seaside city alongside the Pacific Coast Freeway. It’s identified for its large aquarium, nice diving should you’re prepared to stuff into an 8mm wetsuit, and sweeping views. This could be a nice leaping off level for Large Sur should you’ve struggled to seek out lodging on the town.
Keep: I liked the night time I spent on the Hyatt Carmel Highlands. We had a stunning view and noticed whale spouts as we watched the sundown.
11) Yosemite – Dramatic Glacial-Carved Valley
Again towards the east aspect of the state, Yosemite could also be one of the common nationwide parks within the system, but it surely’s for cause. I grew up coming right here with my household, and a few of my favorites are all the waterfalls, together with the tallest waterfall within the US – Yosemite falls. The hike to Half Dome is famous, although you have to a allow, and I like the hike as much as Nevada and Vernal falls, particularly from Glacier Level quite than the valley. It’s much less strenuous and far much less crowded.
Within the winter, it’s a magical scene with occasional snowfall, the 2-day per 12 months fireplace fall, and frozen lakes. Learn extra about what to do within the winter in Yosemite right here.
I additionally extremely advocate heading south to Sequoia and Kings Canyon Nationwide Parks when you’re within the space.
Keep: Your greatest wager within the finances vary is the Yosemite Valley Lodge, although there are tented camps which can be heated within the winter, or the extra luxurious Tenaya Lodge, which I like as nicely.
12) Lake Tahoe – Blue Past Phrases
Lake Tahoe is the place I now name house, and for a lady who grew up loving the ocean, this beautiful lake is sufficient to make up for being farther from the coast. As North America’s largest alpine lake, It’s an enormous space with practically half of the lake in Nevada and the opposite half in California. Within the winter, this can be a snowboarding Mecca with ski resorts throughout the lake.
However even should you don’t ski, there are many issues to do in Lake Tahoe within the winter, and in case you are a summertime customer, there’s even extra to take pleasure in. Listed below are a few of my favourite images locations within the space in addition to my favourite hike, Mt Tallac.
Keep: These are a few of my favourite boutique lodges in South Lake Tahoe and Lake Tahoe normally.
13) Mendocino – Redwoods and Sunsets
Though I couldn’t probably decide a favourite place in California, Mendocino will surely make my high 5. I’ve been out right here 5 occasions and every time I find it irresistible a bit of bit extra. This isn’t the kind of place the place you’ll lay out on the sand and catch a tan, however for individuals who love Redwoods, moody and dramatic shoreline, and wild nature, it’s a peaceable escape I think you’ll discover intoxicating.
It’s additionally an space stuffed with state parks with hikes, waterfalls, and beautiful seashores. You may learn extra concerning the mattress issues to do in Mendocino right here. I’m additionally a fan of the extra working class Fort Bragg the place Glass Seaside, pictured above, options glittering sea glass at low tide at sundown.
Keep: These are a few of my favourite boutique lodges in Mendocino and the encircling space, a area identified for its high-end BnBs, in addition to the beautiful Inn at Newport Ranch that I can’t advocate sufficient if you wish to actually get away from all of it.
14) Humboldt – BIGGER Redwoods
Situated within the far north of the state, the Humboldt space, well-known for Redwoods, is one other spot I’ve returned to at the least eight occasions. It may be cloudy, moody, and it’s a far cry from the nice and cozy and crowded seashores of Southern California, however to me that’s what makes it so magical. It’s a extra distant, rural space the place you’ll discover among the largest Redwood bushes – the tallest bushes on this planet!
Head to Redwood Nationwide Park and stroll to Large Tree, camp or hike in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and benefit from the many stunning seashores together with Moonstone, Trinidad, Mad River, and as much as Crescent Metropolis.
Keep: I extremely advocate tenting within the Jedediah Smith Redwoods in case you have the gear, or the View Crest Lodge in Trinidad, considered one of my favourite areas.
15) Lassen Nationwide Park – Solitude and Mountaineering
In distinction to Yosemite and Joshua tree, two of the preferred nationwide parks within the system, Lassen Volcanic is among the least-visited. It might be as a result of distant location, or maybe it simply hasn’t change into Instagram well-known, however I liked the solitude of mountain climbing and truck tenting within the space. You’ll discover effervescent, child blue panorama on the Bumpass Hell path (its actual title, sure), and beautiful views from Brokeoff and Lassen Peak trails.
The lakes within the space are crystal clear and although frigid, a pleasant solution to cool off after a day of mountain climbing in the summertime.
Keep: within the video, you’ll see that I free camped within the Nationwide Forest close by. A high-clearance automobile is a good suggestion for many of those campsites, and they don’t have any providers. Nonetheless the Nationwide Park has a number of campgrounds with paved tons and bogs.
Staying Protected
Though California is amongst my favourite locations to journey alone, there are additionally some vital issues to learn about staying secure. Within the huge cities, significantly Los Angeles and particularly San Francisco (and the whole Bay Space), automobile break-ins might be frequent and it’s vital by no means to go away something of worth in your automobile. I’ve even had a break-in at a considerably distant seashore close to Santa Cruz.
It’s additionally vital to notice that the massive cities are usually not usually walkable and their public transportation isn’t nice both. Though San Francisco has the BART, it’s seedy at night time. Since you’ll more than likely need to hire a automobile to your California journey, as California is hard to journey by means of with out one, I’d depend on your automobile or Uber/Lyft to get round after darkish.
Moreover, watch out about strolling across the huge cities alone at night time. I’d provide the identical recommendation for nearly anyplace on this planet. Tenting-wise, I are inclined to really feel tremendous solo tenting in the midst of nowhere, however should you’re apprehensive about it, you possibly can keep in established campgrounds as a substitute.
In any other case my typical recommendation of staying conscious and never getting too intoxicated all apply. You may learn extra about my high security ideas for solo feminine vacationers right here.
The Golden State has a lot range from the gorgeous seashores to the unbelievable bushes, deserts with a lot life and shade, and cities with personalities every their very own. I hope you find it irresistible as a lot as I do!
