California
California is known for it’s diverse climates. The southern coastline is sunny and warm year round, while the northern coastline can be cool and foggy. If you travel inland, you’ll find desert in the south and mountains in the north. Central and Northern California have some of the best wineries in the country. The cities are filled with California culture and a diverse food scene.
While Austin and I are native New Yorkers, we began our travels in San Diego, CA. Austin affectionately named our dog “Obie” after the grunge surf town where we met, Ocean Beach. Our recommendations are geared towards those who enjoy the outdoors, as California is truly an outdoor playground. Activities are not limited to surfing, skating, hiking, paddling, and climbing. We hope you fall in love with the state that has become our home.
Recommendations
Counties
San Francisco
Sonoma County
National Parks, Monuments, & Seashores
Point Reyes National Seashore
State Parks
Buy a California Explorer pass for access to state parks, beaches, dump stations, and campgrounds. You can purchase the pass online or at most state park booths
Southern California
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Mount San Jacinto State Park
Doheny State Beach
San Elijo State Beach
San Onofre Surf Beach
Orange County
Orange County is located directly below Los Angeles. The coastline offers boastful locations for surf, swim, and skate; the towns range between sleepy and spirited. One things the county excels in is State Beaches, making the California Explorer worth the purchase for here.
Our Favorite Experiences by Town…
San Clemente is a sleepy surf town located at the southernmost end of Orange County, and our favorite in OC. It gets a bit busier as you head north towards LA, but the beach views and breaks stay desirable
Our love for San Diego comes from its natural beauty, friendly atmosphere, and active community. The temperate climate cultivates a spirit based on enjoying time outside and exploring your passions with like minded individuals. Most of our recommendations are for Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach, as that’s where we spend most of our time. One great thing about SD - you can bring your dog on almost every adventure (even surfing!).
San Diego
Beaches (From North to South)
San Onofre Surf Beach - included in the California Explorer Pass or $15 per day, sucluded surf spot northernmost section of San Diego, only recommended for surfers
Oceanside Pier - family friendly beach along town with street parking
Beacon’s and Grandview - small lots ideal for surfers in Leucadia
Moonlight Beach - family friendly free parking lot with beach access, playground accessible for children
Swami’s Beach - free surf lot overlooking world class point break wave
San Elijo State Beach - included in the California Explorer Pass or $10 per day (free street parking on highway 1), best suited for surfers and you can access reef break easily from lot
Torrey Pines State Beach & Cardiff State Beach - parking lots along beach paid for by day pass or through California Adventure annual pass
Black’s Beach - nude optional beach accessed from Torrey Pines Gliderport. Please respect visitors privacy. One of the best beach breaks for surfing
La Jolla Shores - a family friendly beach with an easy to access free parking lot. Surf the beach break or walk north toward Scripps pier
La Jolla Cove - protected marine reserve with access to snorkeling. Help to protect wildlife by keeping a safe distance from seals and birds
Pacific Beach - includes easy to access beaches from street parking. Popular surf spots include longboard break Tourmaline and PB Point, and beach breaks (Pump House, Law St, PB Pier
Mission Beach - a mix of locals and tourists. Take your skates, skateboard or bike out on the 1.5 mile concrete boardwalk along the ocean or on the bay side
Ocean Beach - strip of sandy beaches along along grunge surf town. Surf spots include the pier, avalanche, and dog beach. Bring your pup to dog beach for one of the best off leash beach experiences
Sunset Cliffs - includes a natural park and walkway along the cliffs. Given it’s name, it’s a great place to watch sunset. A reefy surf spot can be accesses by the staircase or take the cliff path down to “garbage” beach
San Onofre Surf Beach
San Onfore Surf Beach
San Onfore Surf Beach
San Onofre Surf Beach
San Onofre Bluffs Campground - Group Site 2
Grandview Stairs
Beacon's Lot
Swami's Break
Swami's Beach
San Elijo Campground Beach
San Elijo Campground
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Trail to Black's Beach
La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Swing - Coastal Walk Trail
Windansea Surf Shack
Windansea Beach
Calumet Park
Calumet Park
Tourmaline Surf Park - Lot
Tourmaline Surf Park - Lot
Tourmaline Beach, Low Tide
Pacific Beach Pier - Shot From Tourmaline Surf Park
Law Street (Palisades Park)
Law Street (Palisades Park)
Pacific Beach Pier
Mission Beach Boardwalk
Ocean Beach Dog Beach
Ocean Beach Pier
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Garbage Beach
Food
Casual:
The Taco Stand - taco spot with various locations in San Diego, best known for their California burrito and fish taco
City Tacos - another spot with many locations, tacos only!
Fish Shop - fresh fish and tacos, multiple shops along coast, $1.25 oysters on Thursdays
It’s Raw Poke Shop - poke in Ocean Beach, usually has a line out the door, well portioned plate for a good cost
Leilani’s Cafe - Hawaiian breakfast spot in Pacific Beach, dog friendly patio
Everest Himalayan Cafe - our favorite post surf spot when we’re up in Encinitas, quiet spot with Himalayan music and atmosphere
Sit Down:
JRDN - upscale beachside spot for dinner and drinks, great spot for sunset in Pacific Beach
Cesarina - new age Italian spot in Point Loma with homemade pasta. Reservations are necessary if you plan to go for a weekend dinner. Check out sister restaurant Elvira in Ocean Beach
Monzu Fresh Pasta - Italian spot in the Gaslamp district with quaint decor and delicious homemade pasta
The Red Door - another Italian spot (I’m Italian go figure) with homemade pasta and tasty entree selections, a bit more upscale
Starlite - speakeasy vibes, great for drinks and dinner, moody atmosphere in a unsuspecting location
Monarch Ocean Pub - upscale American restaurant and bar. They have a relaxed outdoor area with games, happy hour 3-6pm, and live music. Great sunset views
Burger’s, Brews and More:
Raglan - New Zealand burger and brew spot in OB, we love the sweet potato fries (check out sister restaurant Bareback in PB & other sister spots in La Jolla, North Park and Little Italy)
Rocky’s Crown Pub - local pub in Crown Point that offers simple seating with a hard to beat burger
Hodad’s - classic dive for burgers and shakes in OB, be prepared for an abundance of fries/onion rings!
Pizza Port - a local chain for mediocre pizza and brews! Perfect vibe for a post surf meet up (don’t expect NY style pizza)
Coffee & Cafe
Palmy’s - cafe with great bites for breakfast and lunch, grab a coffee with friends or get some work done outside on their deck
Lovesong Cafe + Market - lovely coffee spot in North Park, coffees are unique and flavorful
Drift Cafe - located in Pacific Beach, this shop has delicious coffee and bits
OB Beans Coffee Roasters - great coffee and teas, friendly baristas, and plentiful indoor/outdoor space to enjoy your brew
The Template - funky and eclectic, grab a coffee here in the morning and return at night for a rotating schedule of events
The Taco Stand, Multiple Locations in San Diego
Cesarina, Point Loma
The Fish Shop, Multiple Locations in San Diego
Everest Himalayan Cuisine, Encinitas
Rocky's Crown Pub, Crown Point
Tacos El Gordo - 3 Locations in San Diego
Hodad's, Ocean Beach
Palmy's, Pacific Beach
Oscar's Mexican Seafood, Pacific Beach and Hillcrest
Acai Carioca, Pacific Beach
Del Mar County Fair, June - July Every Year
In N Out Burger
The Baked Bear, Multiple Locations in San Diego
Pho Minh, Pacific Beach
Menya Ultra, Clairemont, UTC and Mira Mesa
Starlite, Mission Hills
Cori Pastificio Trattoria, North Park
Kakawa Coffee, Point Loma
Drift, Pacific Beach
Lovesong Coffee + Market, North Park
Hikes
Potato Chip Rock and Mt. Woodson Summit - 7.1 mile out and back trail with viewpoint of a “potato chip rock” on top. Base area has picnic tables and restrooms, dog friendly
Iron Mountain Trail - 5.1 mile out and back trail with moderate elevation. Great views of San Diego and the coastline, pit toilets at base, dog friendly
Cowles Mountain - very popular trail since it’s the highest point in city of San Diego. One out of the 5 peaks in Mission Trails Regional Park. Short out and back hike with steady elevation to viewpoint
Kwaay Paay Peak - a less crowded similar hike to Cowles Mountain, our preference when hiking in Mission Trails.
Annie’s Canyon - slot canyon trail, expect crowds on the weekend, be prepared to squeeze through a small slot
Three Sisters Falls - a moderate trail brings you to a swimming hole at the base of the falls, the road to the trailhead is rocky, expect a moderately challenging hike each way with the way back climbing in elevation and exposed areas of sun
Dead Horse Falls Trail - about an hours drive east of the coast, a short trail with moderate climbing to the fall, take a dip in the pool, parking fee required (cash)
Off Leash Dog Areas
Fiesta Island - 90 acre off leash dog area, especially beautiful in the springtime once the wildflowers begin to bloom
Ocean Beach Dog Beach - large off leash dog beach, you can make it a loop but connecting to the fenced trail, note no off leash dogs allowed south of the lifeguard tower
Del Mar Dog Beach - payment required to park, area closed in summertime to dogs
Dead Horse Falls Trail
Mission Trails Regional Park
Potato Chip Rock
South Fortuna Mountain Trail
South Fortuna Mountain Trail
Fiesta Island Off Leash Park
Kwway Peak Trail, Mission Trails
Annie's Canyon Trail Slot Canyon
Top of Annie's Canyon Trail
Iron Mountain Trail
Surf/Skate
Pleasure Point - a friendly surf break for all. Locals and visitors unite here to catch long waves among the seals
Steamer Lane - for more advanced surfers, wave is best for a short board, right reef break, look out for Bob Pierson in the line up!
Ken Wormhoudt Skate Park - all levels skate park that includes a small and big bowl
West Side Pump Track - your everyday pump track with two route options
Santa Cruz
We found Santa Cruz to be a wonderful pick to visit to enjoy time for surfing, skating, and exploring. Below, we’ll list some of our favorite spots.
Austin Surfing Steamer Lane
Outside of Pleasure Point
Pleasure Point
Ken Wormhoudt Skate Park
West Side Pump Track
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park is a special place for us, as it’s where we began our van journey. The park draws crowds all year long for it’s desert hiking, abundant climbing routes, and vast landscape views. You can’t go wrong on a trail here as many boast similar desert views. Consider the season while here, as most trails are in full sun. Pack extra water and layers, and opt for morning/evening hikes in the heat of the summertime.
Hikes:
Maze Loop, Window Trail, and North View Loop -
Distance: 7.2 mi
Elevation: 853 ft
Route Type: loop
Difficulty: moderate
Highlights: a popular trail located by the north entrance, relax along a path of Joshua trees in solitude during the quieter times of day
Distance: 8.0 mi
Elevation: 226 ft
Route Type: point to point (or out and back)
Difficulty: moderate
Highlights: walk through a grove of Joshua trees to find the Wonderland of Rocks. You can treat this trail as an out and back trail and turn around when comfortable (we did about 4 miles in, 4 miles out)
Desert Queen Mine, and Eagle Cliff Boulder House via Split Rock Loop
Distance: 5.2 mi
Elevation: 882 ft
Route Type: loop
Difficulty: moderate
Highlights: located near the Twenty Nine Palms entrance, this trail has points of interest throughout. Be sure to download the map on AllTrails before venturing out
Distance: 7.4 mi
Elevation: 1,064 ft
Route Type: out and back
Difficulty: moderate
Highlights: a great pick when coming from the south entrance. You won’t find Joshua trees here, as it’s the southern edge of the park This out and back trail brings you to the lost palms oasis, a shady spot to relax before hiking back
Campsites:
5 take reservations, 3 first come first serve
Note: we haven’t camped in the park at Joshua Tree as we’ve opted to overnight for free outside the park
BLM Free Camping
BLM public land north and south of the national park
Check the iOverlander to find a spot!
BLM public camping, located near the south entrance, campsites feature fire pitsPinncales National Park
Pinnacles is Californias newest national Park. It’s a known spot to see a California Condor in the skies or a Townsend's Big-eared Bat in the caves. It’s a spot to visit when passing by.
Hikes:
Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail Loop
Distance: 5.6 mi
Elevation: 1,633 ft
Route Type: loop
Difficulty: Hard
Highlights: rocks, expansive vistas, condors, and caves. To shorten this hike, take Moses Spring and Rim Trail Loop (you still get all the sights!) Bring lots of water (fill up available at the trailhead) and sun protection in the summertime. We used headlamps, but a phone flashlight will do
Exploring a cave
California Condors sitting in treeYosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a breathtaking natural wonderland, renowned for its towering granite cliffs, stunning waterfalls, and diverse ecosystems that inspire awe and adventure.
Hikes:
Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail
Distance: 6.4 mi
Elevation: 2,208 ft
Route Type: loop
Difficulty: moderate to strenuous
Highlights: breathtaking views of waterfalls and the back side of Half Dome. This is a popular trail so expect crowd
View of Nevada Falls
Distance: 6.2 mi,
Elevation: 1,07 ft,
Route Type: out and back
Difficulty: moderate
Highlights: a hidden gem in Yosemite, this hike features a spectacular view of Half Dome
View of Half Dome from Mount Watkins trail
Campsites
Location: about an hour north from Yosemite Valley and an hour from Mount Watkins trail
Highlights: a quiet campground tucked in a forest, secluded and peaceful, has flush toilet
White Wolf Campground
Lower Pines Campground
Points of Interest:
El Capitan: The Granite Giant of Yosemite
See the spot where Alex Honnold made history free climbing the iconic granite monolith
Tenaya Lake: A Gem in Yosemite
Drivable lake access, perfect for an afternoon dip or paddle between the mountains