I’ve gotten quite a few messages on social media asking about details on some of my most recent road trips during COVID, So I figured I’d come here and put it all in one place in hopes of answering those questions while also being able to inspire others considering taking a road trip (or 10) during these crazy times.
Peep the bottom of the blog for my pack list
Bryce Canyon, May 2020
Utah
•Zion- Must hike The Narrows and hike Angels Landing
•Bryce Canyon- Must see Thor’s Hammer & The Hoodoos
Lower Calf Creek Falls, June 2020
•Grand Escalante- Hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls
•Mystic hot springs- Make a reservation online before going
•Lake Powell- Camp at Lone Rock Beach Campground or Stay at a Hotel (hotels listed below) Kayak & Paddleboard rentals
•Horseshoe Bend
•Frye Canyon
•Monument Valley
•Sand Hollow State Beach
Mystic Hot Springs, July 2020
*Great places to stay:
Bryce Valley Lodging- In the heart of everything- A portion of your room price goes towards charity
Lake Powell Resort-
Nevada
Valley of Fire, June 2020
•Valley of Fire-1 hour drive from Las Vegas- 100’s of Petroglyphs at Mouse Tank Trail
•Arizona Hot Springs-20 mins from the vegas strip (6 mile roundtrip hike)
•Lake Las Vegas-paddleboarding/ Kayaking, outdoor dining
•Red Rock Canyon- Day Hike (1-2 hours)
•Lake Mojave- Bring your own water toys or rent
•Seven Magic Mountains
•Lake Mead- camping and lake fun
•Lake Tahoe- Plenty of campsites AND hotels to choose from on the Nevada and California sides of the lake
Spencer Hot Springs, July 2020
•Spencer Hot Springs- WORTH the 3 1/2 hour drive from Tahoe into the middle of NOWHERE! There are 4 hot springs here all spaced out and completely different from one another.
My all time fav places to stay close to or in Las Vegas:
Cosmopolitan Hotel
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
Cali
Two Harbors, June 2020
•Two Harbors, Catalina (for a big weekend adventure hike the Trans Catalina Trail) Start at Two Harbors, next night camp at Little Harbor-BlackJack-Avalon book a hotel so you can soak your feet in a bath tub and drink cold beers on the last day in Avalon
•Joshua Tree- Camp in the National Park or check out Airbnb for some really sick places to stay
•Potato Chip Rock-Hike
Big Pine Lakes, August 2020
•Big Pine Lakes- Hike to Lake 3, trail begins at Big Pine Creek Campground
•Big Bear Lake- incredible camping at Serrano Campground
•Bishop (backpacking) and Keough Hot Springs
•Alabama Hills- FREE camping
•Lone Pine- restaurants, camping, hiking, backpacking
•Julian & Ramona- two really remote wine regions with really amazing wineries and campsites. (Just outside Temecula)
Crowley Lake, July 2020
•San Marcos- Stay at the Lakehouse and you’ll get a free paddleboard or kayak rental each day.
•Crowley Lake Column formations- Must have 4 wheel drive
•Yosemite Autocamp
•Eco-pod in Ridgecrest-
Santa Barbara, March 2020
•Santa Barbara- “Hot Springs Trail” reference “ALLTRAILS” APP
•Kern River rafting/ camping/ Hot Springs
•Paso Robles Franklin Hot Spring- you can camp here and play paintball too
•Palm Springs- because DUH
Temecula, December 2018
•Channel Islands-primitive camping
•Pismo Beach- sand buggies and beach camping
•Esalen Institute-hot springs and fun workshops
•Redwoods
•Temecula- wine tasting, hot air balloon rides at “A Grape Escape”
•Burney Falls
•Mt. Shasta
Hot Tub Hot Springs, Mammoth- July 2020
•Mt. Whitney- Permit required
•Mammoth- Whitmore Hot Springs, Mono Hot Springs, Hill Top Hot Springs, Hot Tub Hot Springs
Favorite Hotel in Avalon, Catalina:
The Edgewater Catalina
Arizona
Havasupai, July 2016
•Lake Havasu
•Havasupai- reservations required and usually sold out BUT, if you ever come across them, I recommend BUYING THEM IMMEDIATELY
•Grand Canyon- camping, hiking, heli tours
•Sedona
•Antelope Canyon- Hike Lower Antelope Canyon, reservations required
•Horseshoe Bend
•El Dorado Hot Springs
Fav Hotels in Scottsdale:
Andaz
Camelback Sanctuary
Adeline
Baja (Norte)
⭐️once the border reopens⭐️
•Valle De Guadalupe wineries, off roading, surfing, foodie central, boutique hotels and ⭐️ Lux Glamping ⭐️
Fav hotels in Valle:
Bruma, November 2018
Bruma
Encuentro Guadalupe
Cuatros Cuatros
Campera Bubble Hotel on Airbnb or
Oeno, November 2017
Oeno
Best food experience:
Adobe Guadalupe Food truck
Olivia
Fauna
Casa Frida
Deckmans
Finca Altozano
La Esperanza Baja-Med
Animalón
Once Pueblos
El Principal street tacos!
Casa Natalie, July 2019
•Ensenada- Stay at Casa Natalie
•Puerto Nuevo-Lobster & street shops
•Rosarito rent rooms on VRBO or Airbnb
•Guadalupe Canyon Hot Springs and campgrounds
PACKING LIST:
OVERNIGHT CAMPING- SEVERAL NIGHTS UNDER THE STARS
Tent- I really like the 2 person Geertop tent sold on Amazon!
60L Backpack-
Camelbak Bladder
Grayl water filter
Comfortable hiking boots!! Can’t stress this enough! My fav are these badass ones from Foxelli! They’re already on sale, BUT you get an extra 10% off if you use code: CARAMIA10OFF
Warm, insulated down or down alternative jacket
Warm socks
Poncho/parka
Solar charger
LED/ water resistant headlamp-
Soft cooler- these are my favorite thing to bring on an over night camping trip! It’s like having a portable refrigerator
Quality sleeping bag, because there is nothing worse than freezing to DEATH in the woods ;p
Sleeping Pad:
Inflatable pillow or just a pillow case you can fill with clothes to sleep on
Undies
Warm Gloves
Dry wicking duel purpose apparel
Swimsuit
Travel toiletries (preferably all natural as to not harm the environment)
Jetboil-
MRE’S- fav brands are Backpackers Pantry, Mountain House and Wild Zora
Reusable, lightweight utensils-
Camping Shower-
Sunscreen, chapstick,
Garbage bag to pack out everything you want to dispose of