Off-Beat Travel Blog
Ah, whales: these majestic, enormous marine mammals have been immortalized in our culture in everything to Moby Dick to Finding Nemo. California is the best whale watching destination in the United States, with about 20,000 gray whales making their annual swim down the coast. In this post, you’ll discover the best destinations for whale watching in California, plus everything you need to know to plan your trip!
S’mores around a crackling fire as stars twinkle overhead. Waking up at dawn to sip hot coffee and watch the sun rise. Camping is all about those quiet, peaceful moments, when you just breathe deeply and – is that a pack of racoons making off with your s’mores supplies?! OK, we admit it: not all of the moments in camping are peaceful. If we’ve learned anything over our years of outdoor adventure, nature ALWAYS wins – and the best thing you can do is to be prepared! So here is the ultimate list of car camping essentials and gear recommendations, plus a printable packing list to make sure you don’t forget a thing. Happy camping!
Barking sea lions. Salty air. Waves crashing on critter-filled tidepools. Driving Pacific Coast Highway is the most beautiful road trip in the entire world (we’re biased, but it’s true). This massive 10-day California coast road trip itinerary covers all of our favorite Californian things: sunny beaches and foggy coastline, swaying palm trees and towering redwoods, playful otters and flomping elephant seals, fresh oysters and vintage wines – there’s even a clothing-optional hot spring, if you’re up for it. Here’s everything you need to know about driving Highway One (aka the Pacific Coast Highway)!
Snowy mountains. A giant, salty desert. Rugged terrain. Beehive decor. Wait, what? You might think you know Utah, but Salt Lake City is FULL of surprises. And while most of us don’t associate beer with Utah, Salt Lake City has an absolutely incredible craft beer scene! Here’s everything you need to know about Salt Lake City breweries and brewpubs, with a healthy dose of weird history mixed in for good measure.
I’ve spent years searching for the perfect pairs of travel pants. What I’ve found is that every pair of men’s travel pants falls into two categories: there are baggy pants with cargo pockets & unnecessary zippers, and there are baggy pants covered in like, elephants. But at last, I’ve found 5 pairs of men’s travel pants that are EXACTLY what I wanted. They’re functional, technical, and not hideous – and I’ve put them through the ringer to test them out. These are the only 5 pairs of men’s travel pants you’ll need!
It can be incredibly confusing to figure out where to stay in San Francisco. There are a TON of different neighborhoods, each with a completely distinct vibe, history, scenery, and even weather. And despite San Francisco’s relatively tiny size, it can take hours to get from one side of the city to another on public transportation thanks to those ridiculous hills and traffic. Basing yourself in the right spot can mean the difference between walking out your front door to explore, and spending an hour and a half in a bus or train or car just to see the sights. Luckily, we’ve done all the hard work for you! Here a comprehensive guide to where to stay in San Francisco – and where NOT to stay.
