Practical Wanderlust

Off-Beat Travel Blog

The best Paso Robles breweries to try barrel-aged sours and stouts and refreshing California IPAs. Plus, the best Paso Robles distilleries & restaurants to round out a weekend getaway!
North America, United States

12 Must-Visit Paso Robles Breweries (& Distilleries)

Rolling vineyards. Craft breweries. Natural hot springs. Farm-to-table food. Paso Robles, California is one of the best weekend getaways in California, and one of the best places to visit on the Central Coast! But don’t make the mistake of assuming that wine tasting in Paso Robles is the only option for booze-loving visitors. Here are the best Paso Robles breweries to try barrel-aged sours, malty stouts and porters, and refreshing California IPAs. Plus, the best Paso Robles distilleries & restaurants to round out the perfect (and delicious) weekend getaway!

by Lia Garcia 
2 Comments
Hiking & Outdoor Adventure, United States

The Ultimate Guide to Whale Watching in California: 42 Places & When to Go

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!

by Jeremy 
8 Comments
The ultimate guide to fall in california: fall foliage, pumpkin picking, apple orchards, grape stomping, and where to go for the best fall activities in California!
United States

The Ultimate Fall in California Guide: 21 Places to Go for Fall Foliage, Pumpkins, Apples, & More

Crisp autumn air. Crunchy leaves. Brightly colored foliage. Pumpkins, apples and spooky season – I love EVERYTHING about fall! Just one problem: we live in California, where October is obnoxiously hot and sunny. Thankfully, over the last decade I’ve learned where to find fall in California (and to ignore the fact that it’s also tarantula mating season). So here’s the ultimate guide to where to go for fall foliage, pumpkin picking, apple orchards, and a California specialty – grape stomping!

by Contributor 
2 Comments
The 10 best Southern California hikes near Los Angeles and San Diego, from Joshua Tree to the Channel Islands to Anza Borrego to Mount Baldy to Torres Pines and more. Go hiking in California!
Hiking & Outdoor Adventure, United States

10 Best Hikes in Southern California (a Local’s Guide)

Snow-covered mountains. Rushing waterfalls. Secluded beaches. Otherwordly desert landscapes. If this description of Southern California surprises you, it’s time to head out and explore! Whether you’re looking for good views at the top of a mountain, cacti explorations, or breezy coastal walks next to the ocean, the hiking in Southern California is diverse, scenic, and one-of-a-kind. This guide to the best hikes in Southern California was contributed by a SoCal local.

by Contributor 
10 Comments
This guide to the best Pacific Coast Highway road trip stops will help you plan your Highway 1 road trip up the California coast. Includes Pacific Big Sur, Monterey, Morro Bay, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara tidepools, redwoods, vineyards, beaches, waterfalls, where to stop, what to eat, things to do, California travel tips, and more!
United States

The 32 Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops: California Towns, Landmarks, & Restaurants

Sheer cliffs. Towering redwoods. Playful otters. Foggy beaches. Driving the Pacific Coast Highway is not only one of the best California road trips: it’s one of the best road trips in the world! And for Jeremy, it’s home: the Pacific Coast Highway runs through the middle of his hometown. Although we’ve driven Highway One dozens of times, on each road trip we stumble upon new hidden spots, points of interest, towns to explore, and restaurants to return to again and again. We’ve included them all in our massive guide to the best Pacific Coast Highway stops!

by Lia Garcia 
8 Comments
This 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/the Pacific Coast Highway.
United States

The Ultimate 10-Day California Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary

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)!

by Jeremy 
19 Comments

PODCAST

PODCAST

Recent Posts

As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.