Road Trip Planning Blog | Best Road Trips | TripWiser.com

Top 10 Reasons To Go Camping in California

Every road trip planner should build a camping road trip for a memorable “hands on” vacation.  They are especially fun when you go as a family, though I went on 2-3 camping trips annually before I had kids and had wonderful experiences then as well.  Sure, luxury hotels give you the sense of spoiling yourself, certainly a desirable feeling, but being outdoors in natural surroundings rejuvenates the spirit, another sought after vacation objective.   Read on for 10 more reasons why a California Campout should be on your vacation list this summer.

No. 10--You get hands-on experience with California's state symbols. In one campout, you could spot the valley quail perched in a redwood tree while you hike through a field of golden poppies. You could also find evidence that a grizzly bear has visited your campsite: There's the smashed windshield of your car (you left sunflower seeds on the front seat) and the demolished ice chest (you didn't realize bears weren't deterred by flimsy storage locks).

An article in the Yosemite Guide newsletter mentioned that backpackers could protect their food from black bears by renting a bear-proof food canister instead of hanging their food from a tree.   This canister could hold a three-day supply of food and yet weighed only two and a half pounds. I told my husband I couldn't imagine how such a lightweight item could keep bears from getting at the food.   "The canister probably includes a big roll of cellophane wrap," Bill replied. "You wrap your food in it, and the bear goes crazy trying to find the edges."

No. 9--You get to wear all your grungy clothes. You know the ones; those faded T-shirts, torn shorts and baggy jeans that are so comfortable you just can't throw them out yet…even though your spouse has tried on a number of occasions to bury them in the bottom of the household rag bin.

No. 8--Your kids don't have to wash up before dinner. What's the point? Between the bathroom and the campsite are 100 yards of magnetic dirt. Speaking of bathrooms...

No. 7--You appreciate the overlooked luxuries of home. Like having a toilet that flushes. Or taking a shower that doesn't cost a quarter for every five minutes. Once, during a 10-Day California to Colorado Road Trip, Bill and I had only two quarters between us. I finished in time; Bill didn't. He stood there, covered in suds, while I dressed and ran out to try to find someone with change for a $20 bill. The suds nearly dried on him.

No. 6--You're prepared for an emergency. If a moderate earthquake should hit California while you're camping, you won't be inconvenienced because 1) your musty tent is suddenly a safe haven, 2) you've already got all your food on ice and 3) you have a portable radio and a lantern, so you won't miss what most people miss after an earthquake--electricity.

No. 5--You get to have barbecue for every night for dinner. And every morning for breakfast. And every afternoon for lunch. In fact, you can reach your barbecue quota for the entire summer in just one campout.

No. 4--You get to see just how many pores you have on your face. This is a good time to play connect-the-dots or mimic the Orion constellation on your left cheek. It's also the perfect opportunity to have your palm read by a fortuneteller, since all the lines in your hands stand out in stark relief.

No. 3--You get to commune with nature. Blue jays and squirrels enter your campground daily to clean up your crumbs. At dusk, there are bats flying overhead.  Do you really trust their sonar? Are you sure they won't get tangled in your hair? At Cherry Lake campground, there are the two-inch bomber pine beetles; these, I can tell you from personal experience, do get tangled in your hair.

No. 2--You get to exercise. This can range from trying to reach that mosquito bite in the middle of your back to chasing the raccoon that's absconded with your favorite bag of chips to consenting to a hike because the sign says it's only two miles long (but neglects to tell you that it's two miles straight uphill).

And the No. 1 reason why you should go camping? It's cheaper than staying in a hotel.   

Seriously though, camping is one vacation any budget can handle.  And truthfully?  My best vacation memories revolve around campfires, nights spent star gazing and counting falling stars, family hikes to the top of Mt. Hoffman, Lassen Peak, Mt. Tallac, Moro Rock.  Highlights include stumbling upon fern-bordered swimming holes or nearly-hidden from view waterfalls. 

The great thing about camping in California is that there are always more campgrounds to be explored.  I’ve camped for nearly 5 decades and yet, my latest Road Trip Planner is being filled with a destination I’ve never been to before; Hope Valley. 

Ingrid McCleary (portions of this article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun and the Cupertino Courier).

Valley of the Sun Road Trip: Phoenix and Scottsdale

When some Road Trip Planners hear the words, Valley of the Sun, images of Egypt and the Pyramids spring to mind.  But other travelers know those words also describe the greater Phoenix area in the United States.  Indeed, going on a Summer Road Trip to Phoenix and Scottsdale ranks as one of the Best Destinations in the U.S.

Why?  Because it gives travelers more than 325 sunny days a year! So it’s really a year-round destination.  Add to the sunny forecasts the gorgeous mountain vistas as your constant backdrop, a huge assortment of hotels (including an abundance of world-class resorts, golf courses and spas), an array of sports and activities to enjoy and you begin to understand why many road trip planners across the nation head there for their summer vacation. 

Here are some sample trips to the region that others have taken.  Consider copying one of these as your own and then customizing it to your own preferences.  At the very least, you’ll get a bunch of great ideas for your own trip.

• Family Trip to Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Scottsdale – Enjoy the railways or float above it all with Over the Rainbow Expeditions.  There’s also the Doll & Toy Museum, Castles-n-Coasters amusement park, and the Westworld Xtreme Pursuit Paintball.

• 4 Arizona Cities in 7 Days – Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, Litchfield Park.  This trip includes Out of Africa Wildlife Park, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, an exhilarating Arizona Sunset Desert Tour, hiking on Camelback Mountain.

• Girlfriend's Trip to Phoenix and Scottsdale - Because of the high “spoil” factor, Arizona is a favorite road trip destination for friends to gather.  In this road trip planner you’ll find spas, pools, shopping, nightlife and even some jeep rides, and shootouts at Western Town.

• Golfing Weekend in Phoenix  -  This is a great trip for a couple who enjoy golf and want to infuse a little luxury in their weekend.  This 3-Day weekend gets you on golf courses plus side trips to the Phoenix Zoo Lights, the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Ice Chalet.

• Romantic Overnight Escape to Phoenix – You can easily expand this trip for a honeymoon or anniversary.  It already includes fun things to do like Jazz in the Garden at the Desert Botanical Garden, the Arizona Science Center, and the Pueblo Grande Museum & Cultural Park. It already lists three luxurious accommodations to choose from.

The above trips already take half of the guesswork out of your road trip planning but still leaves plenty of room for you to put your own stamp on your trip to the Valley of the Sun.

Top 5 Cross Country Road Trips

  After getting a few successful shorter road trips under your belt, the next challenge before a Road Trip Planner is creating a Cross Country Road Trip.  Instead of exploring one state in depth, going cross country allows for a teaser taste of many states. Finding the balance between hitting as many states as possible and “enjoying the ride” can be somewhat relative, to be sure, but even with a cross country objective, quality still trumps quantity…best to see less in focus than more in a blur from the highway. 

 How much time a road trip planner can squeeze out for this trip also greatly impacts the total mileage you’ll put on the odometer, as does the number of people in your car.

Couples can drive further than families because children just get too antsy to sit still for long periods of time (DVDs & iPods notwithstanding).  A group of friends can probably cover the most distance because they can drive through the night and switch drivers every four hours while others sleep.

First, a quick checklist of things you absolutely need for a Cross Country Road Trip:  __Maps   __Cell Phone   __Music & Book CDs   __Camera    __Batteries    __Sunglasses    __Sunscreen    __Backup Tent    __Picnic Basket/Blanket   ___Games & Movies __Ready-2-Go Spare Tire __Emergency Car Kit

Okay…now to the Top 5  Cross Country Road Trips that every Road Trip Planner should try, David Letterman style:

#5 – The Great River Road (10 states – 2300 miles): American travelers do so love nostalgia and meandering alongside the great Mississippi River from bow to stern in a manner reminiscent of Mark Twain’s riverboat days gets many road trip planners excited about all the possibilities.  What’s fun is skirting along the edges of two states to follow the river.  The Mississippi River is much more romanticized than the Missouri River, which is actually the longest river in the U.S.  Your route could be considerably shorter (1500 miles) if you took the more direct route between the headwaters and the mouth…it’s up to you and how closely you want to follow the river.  Just make sure you include at least one ride along in a riverboat.

 #4 – Southern Exposure (8 states – 3000 miles):  This cross country road trip allows road trip planners to add a lot of spice to their trip!  Here’s where you’ll experience the good ol’ southern hospitality in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, the Cajun flavors of Louisiana, get a taste of the Texas BBQ, the southwestern spices found in New Mexico, Arizona and the laid back atmosphere of southern California.  US-80 will take you through the bulk of this trip which offers more varied cultural experiences than you’re likely to get in any other U.S. cross country trip.  And the variety is not limited to the cultural differences from town to town but the surrounding landscape which rolls from one type of terrain into another.  You start (or end) at the white-sand- clear-blue-sky beaches of San Diego, through the cacti-dotted southwestern desert, travel along the plains and into the Deep South cotton lands and plantations.  While some travelers are drawn to the green and serene found in a Northern cross-country road trip, many others revel in the South’s variegated russet-colored landscapes and straight highways stretching before them like the backbone of America disappearing into the horizon in a purple haze.

#3 – The Oregon Trail (11 states - 3200 miles):  This road trip is for road trip planners who want to go the distance while traveling a goodly portion along a historic route.   You start (or end) out from the wild Oregon coastline, travel through increasingly diverse terrain, to – and through - dense urban populations and finish by the serene waters of Cape Cod.  The Oregon Trail is known best as the migration trail pioneers embarked upon when America was young.  Of course, you’re not traveling by wagon train so you don’t need to set aside four to six months just to traverse the 2,000 mile section they followed (Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska-Wyoming-Idaho-Oregon).  In fact, you could comfortably do this road trip in less than 3 weeks (if you rent a car & fly back). The main route you’ll follow here is US-20 where you get to hit some truly gorgeous places like Niagara Falls and Yellowstone Park. 

#2 – The Pacific Coast Road Trip (3 states - 1500 miles):  Even though you’re traveling through only three states, you’ll be cruising the length of the West Coast from Olympia, Washington in the North, through Oregon and to San Ysidro, California, right near the Mexican Border on the South.  Check out Things To Do Along The California Coastline for tips from a long-time Californian (California comprises the bulk of this Road Trip).   A good Road Trip Planner can create a kaleidoscope of experiences along this route as it takes you from primitive forests, secluded hideaways, historic towns to major cities with the latest innovations, always flanked by a stunning coastline holding beaches and beach-lovers of every shape and size.  Called Star Route 1, more known as Highway 1, with the California stretch called the Pacific Coast Highway, it is mesmerizing.

And the #1 Cross Country Road Trip of all time? (8 states - 2500 miles):  The mother of all highways, the most romanticized, most sung about, most appearances in a movie highway…drum roll please…Route 66!   It’s so popular that a Google Search for “Route 66” yields more than 6 ½ million results!  Covering eight states from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, it is the #1 recognized Road Trip and well worth any Road Trip Planner’s dedication.

Get your RV Revved up for Road Trip Adventures

Spring is in full bloom with summer just around the corner and that means Road Trip Planners across the USA are airing out their RVs for some highly anticipated road trip adventures.  Even if you aren’t an RV owner but want comfort of a hotel without having to pack and unpack your suitcases at each destination, there are many RV rentals available.

Nolan’s RV Rentals in Colorado offers another plus for traveling in an RV:  Tour in a bathrobe.  Imagine driving up Pike's Peak, dressed in pajamas with pillow creases still indented in your left cheek and you can imagine the convenient beauty of Nolan's RV Rentals.  

Going on an RV road trip with the family offers another huge advantage.  The dining out costs for a family of 5 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner runs conservatively $250/day.  You can cut that expense by 60% by utilizing the kitchen in the RV.  Not to mention the comfort of not having to dress for dinner (or wait for everyone else to dress).  And the road trip planner in the family saves time by not having to search for kid-friendly restaurants at each destination.

So where can you “hang your hat” when traveling in an RV?  Because of the increasing popularity of RV traveling, you’ll find many parks and campgrounds all over the United States.  Here are a few samples:

• Rivers End Campground and RV Park on Tybee Island (near Savannah, Georgia).  One of the Good Sam Parks, 150 sites are available and all are within blocks of the beach and the river.
  
• Southern Comfort RV Resort in Florida for the full resort treatment including 24-hour security, a swimming pool, bingo nights and musical performances.
  
• Lake Havasu RV Park in Arizona is right by the lake and makes for a wonderful RV vacation if you stayed there for the duration but you’re also close enough for some great day jaunts to the Joshua Tree National Park, the Mojave National Preserve or Phoenix.

Before you head off, check out these RV fire safety tips from Nationwide Insurance.

1. Check extinguishers. Before traveling, be sure your fire extinguisher is functional and contains proper pressurization. You should keep multiple extinguishers on hand throughout the vehicle and understand which extinguisher is effective on different types of fires. Also, be sure to verify that your smoke detectors are in working order.
2. Avoid transmission fires. Many fires are caused by fluid leaking from the transmission, which can be ignited if it comes in contact with the exhaust system. Complete a thorough check of the underside of your RV as part of your pre-trip inspection.
3. Inspect electrical systems. A common cause of fire is a short in the 12-volt electrical system. Check the engine compartment wiring as another part of your pre-trip inspection. Replace any damaged or frayed wires and make sure the connections are secure.
4. Have an evacuation plan. While it may seem simple, a key step to fire safety is ensuring that everyone traveling knows how to operate the latches of doors and windows, allowing for a quick exit in an emergency situation.
5. Stay kitchen savvy. Be sure to keep clothes, linens and other combustibles far from the kitchen area. Stay alert while cooking as items such paper towels and curtains are likely to be close to the stove, creating a fire hazard.

 

Okay, where should you head with your RV? Where ever you want!  However, for the cream of the crop, read a few of our past blogs on two Top RV Road Trip Destinations to add to your road trip planner.  Both are tremendously fun and both are in spots where you’ll see some of nature’s finest offerings. 

Colorado Family Road Trip: Colorado is located in the Rocky Mountains.  This area offers a fabulous family adventure road trip with activities like a Dinosaur Museum in Fruita, rafting in Durango, the gorgeous Estes Park, and two National Parks:  The Mesa Verde National Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Going Wild with an Alaskan Road Trip:  Alaska offers vast mountains, colossal blue-white glaciers and an abundance of wildlife with activities unique to the state.  This combination earns an Alaskan Road Trip top honors in travelers’ memory books.

There’s no doubt about it…RVs aren’t only for retired folks. Road trip planners are finding RV travel makes sense for couples, friends, families, even a caravan of families for a truly unique family reunion.

Heading Down Under for the Top 5 Beach Towns in Australia

If you’re a road trip planner and you see a trip with both the words February and Beach in the itinerary, you can bet you’re looking at a trip near or south of the equator.  While someone living in North America might say, “February & March are dang cold months,” an Aussie would say, “Nah, mate, that’s the hook end of summer here.” 

 

Summer is equated with beaches, on both sides of the equator.  And there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a summer road trip in July or August and get another taste of it in February or March (or vice versa).  Your twin summer vacations will still give you plenty of time to appreciate the nuances of each season at home.   

 

But first, did you know Australia is the only country that has a whole continent to itself?  While Antarctica is also a continent unto itself, it is not considered a country nor has it been claimed by any other country.  That said, even though it’s the “smallest” continent, it still has over 4 million square miles, a population of over 20 million people and some of the most awesome beaches you’ll find anywhere in the world. 

 

Australia’s seasons:

·         Summer: December to February (first rains in November with the Wet Season in January and February, into the last of rains mid-April)

·         Autumn: March to May (Last of rains into the beginning of the hot dry period)

·         Winter: June to August  (cooler dry period)

·         Spring: September to November (humid period into the first rains)

 

Okay, time for your road trip planning!  Here are 5 of the best beach towns to choose from for building your road trip itinerary.  Keep in mind you’re visiting during their peak season so it’s best to book early.

Byron Bay, New South Wales:   The locals head to Byron Bay when the Wet sets in.  The town has several beaches that are popular with surfers. This resort attracts international tourists as well as backpackers who like to travel along the Australian coastline.  Whales, bottlenose dolphins frequent this area known for its wildlife. Activities run the gamut from sunning on the white sandy beaches to  parasailing, hang-gliding, surfing and scuba diving.  The overall atmosphere of this town is laid back and non-pretentious.

Gold Coast, Queensland:  The Gold Coast is known for its sunny climate, popular surfing beaches, a dominate skyline and a lovely rainforest.  That’s not counting the active nightlife and the variety of things to do there.  It’s become an extremely popular destination for those living in North America.  You’ll find all sorts of water sports to add to your road trip planner.  More than 10 million people visited the Gold Coast in 2008 so this is definitely a place you’ll want to book your hotel early.

Jervis Bay, New South Wales:  Jervis Bay is stunning and one of the most popular spots along the South Coast.  Parts of it is protected as a National Park and includes areas for recreational fishing and scuba diving (popular diving sites include the Labyrinths, Gorgonian Wall, Point Perpendicular, a Fairey Firefly aeroplane, scallop beds, Middle Ground, Ten Fathom Reef, and Bowen Island).  Besides scuba diving, kayaking has grown very popular recently.  Since this area is only 2 hours south of Sydney, many locals head here for the weekend so start your road trip planner mid-week to get the best hotel rooms. 

Noosa, Queensland:  Noosa is about a two-hour drive from Brisbane. It's on that part of the coast known as the Sunshine Coast.  Popular as a holiday resort city, it’s quieter than the Gold Coast but more sophisticated.   Surfers love coming here even though accommodations are tougher to secure.  The many beaches surrounding Noosa offer varied activities, including optional clothing at Alexandria Beach. 

Port Douglas, Queensland:  Port Douglas is another place where you’ll need to book early if you want to stay there during peak season.   Its main claim to fame – and deservedly so – is the Great Barrier Reef.  Then of course, there’s  the primo surfing, and 4-wheel driving.  Snorkeling is always popular but this may be the spot where you decide to take it a step further & learn to scuba dive just so you can immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef.

You’ll have such a blast at the spot you choose that you know those other four beach towns will show up in your Road Trip Planner the following “winter”.  Four more reasons to throw another shrimp on the barbi.

Going Wild with a Alaskan Road Trip

The sheer size of Alaska is enough to intrigue any road trip planner because they wonder if Alaska can really be explored in one road trip.  Alaska offers vast mountains, colossal blue-white glaciers and an abundance of wildlife with activities unique to the state.   This combination earns an Alaskan Road Trip top honors in travelers’ memory books.  

For most road trip planners, their itinerary will start with flight plans.  Most people flying in will land in Anchorage.  At this point, they’ll either rent a car and stay in hotels along the way (reserved in advance of course!) or they’ll rent an RV to explore Alaska at their own pace (with their itinerary allowing impromptu exploration options). 

After exploring Anchorage’s offerings, many place the city of Tok as a destination in their road trip planner because it helps create a good triangle for your road trip.  Tok is known as the "Sled Dog Capital of Alaska”.  Plan on 5 ½ hours driving time from Anchorage but you’ll want to stop – even spend a day or two – around the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.  This is the largest and most magnificent of the National Parks of Alaska, with nine of the 16 highest peaks in the United States. This mountain region contains numerous glaciers, lakes and mountain streams and is home to a rich variety of wild life. It is superb country for climbers, walkers and water sports enthusiasts.

Fairbanks would be the third point of your trip triangle to add to your road trip planner (Anchorage to Tok to Fairbanks).  Some travelers start their Alaskan Road Trip by flying in to Fairbanks, so for them, their trip triangle would be Fairbanks, Anchorage, Tok.  Fairbanks is second biggest city of Alaska and has the all the amenities of an urban community.   The Gold Rush Street at Pioneer Park was a replica but a real operating gold mine exists in this proud city. Visit the Museum of the North, take a river trip for half-day cruise through the Chena and Tanana Rivers.  In the summer, the Riverboat Discovery Tour runs twice a day.  Trip reservations are a must so make the necessary arrangements ahead of time.

 

Leaving Fairbanks, include the impressive Denali National Park in your road trip planner before hitting Anchorage.   Denali contains Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America and is definitely worthy of some heavy-duty exploration.

 

A four- to six-hour drive down south from Denali National Park, passing through Talkeetna, you’ll reach the town of Wasilla.  Moose or bear sightings along the way are often part of the journey.  For canoeing experience, go to the Nancy Lake Recreation Area.  There are plenty of cabins to rent for overnight stays.  Further south, visit the Big Lake for swimming, camping, jet-ski and fishing. Proceed to Mat-Su Valley and drop by Iditarod Trail Headquarters on Knik Road. Learn some history at Knik Museum and the Sled Dog Musher’s Hall of Fame.

 

Another town to add to your road trip planner is Palmer, only 15 minutes away from Wasilla.   There is a great RV campground here as well as some cool farms like the Musk Ox Farm.   Best time to be here is in late August when the Alaska State Fair is celebrated.

 

Leave another day in your road trip planner to explore more of Anchorage.  It has plenty of hiking opportunities, cultural events and art exhibits. The Flattop Mountain and Chugach State Park are the city’s pride together with Alaska Zoo and Potter Marsh, a bird and wildlife sanctuary.

 

If you have more time, add another leg of your road trip by driving along the Seward Highway, designated as the All-American Road, and enjoy the scenic view.  Picnic opportunities are everywhere, and the picture perfect backdrop is hard to resist. Fishing, camping and canoeing activities in the Kenai/Soldotna area are nice options too.

 

Now that I’ve shared one road trip example, make sure you customize yours to best reflect your vision of Alaska.   Below are some tips to help you get the most out of your trip.

When is the best time to…?

• See the Northern Lights; plan on coming either late fall and early spring.

• Enjoy the Midnight Sun; place June 21^st in the middle of your road trip planning.

• Go whale watching; head to Alaska anytime from mid-May through mid-September.

• View the most wildlife; summer-time will get you sightings of moose, bear, mountain sheep, caribou, coyote, wolves, sheep, beaver, otter, mink, or hare.   In addition, birdwatchers can photo-capture eagles, hawks, jays, owls, spruce hens, grouse, and ptarmigan and migratory waterfowl coming north to nest each summer.

What are the Top 10 attractions in Alaska?

Glaciers
Historic mining towns
Inside Passage
Museums
National parks and monuments.
Native Arts & Culture
Russian heritage and
Sport fishing
Trans-Alaskan pipeline
Wildlife viewing

Make this the year your road trip planning takes you North to Alaska, knowing in advance, you’re building advance memories for a trip of a lifetime.

New Year Highway and Byway Road Trip Resolutions

Forget about ho-hum New Year’s resolutions like “lose weight” or “save more”, add FUN to your year by vowing to use your Road Trip Planner at least once a month to find adventure near and far.  

Lest you think that there’s no way you could afford a monthly excursion, keep in mind that many itineraries can be filled with free activities.  A road trip can be for as little as one day or as long as three months (any longer and it’s really more of a life-style change or a walkabout).  Whether you’re packing up the car with a picnic basket, a backpack or a 5-piece luggage set, if you’re hitting the road, you’re on a road trip! 

Your 12 road trip itineraries might look something like this:

January & March: Imagine a perfect day trip within two hours of your home to an area you’ve always wanted to explore more thoroughly but usually just pass by it to and from your “real” vacations.  Sometimes it’s simply that city across the bay or in a neighboring county. You could be near someplace like Day Tripping in Seattle or Explore La Jolla Cove on the West Coast; By Car, Cape Cod or Touring nature's green spaces, Niagara Falls - New York in the East.  Consider the places between like Scenic tour from Dinosaur Ridge to Red Rocks Park, Denver or Walking Tour of Downtown, Memphis.  Even though the weather might be chilly, as long as you dress accordingly, the fun factor’s equal to the task.  Walking along the beach in the winter is invigorating! Grabbing the kids for some ice-skating is a blast and provides a great photo op (think bright-eyes & pink-cheeks).  Just do a bit of road trip planning so you’ll have the addresses and directions on hand then fill your itinerary with some activities in the area.  Add in a restaurant and some shops and you’ve successfully gotten yourself out from under the pile of household chores and into an all-day adventure, definitely more fun in anyone’s book.

February & April:  An overnight stay is just enough time to give you a taste of escape.  Here, your road trip planner might include an overnight stay in an 1860 Antebellum mansion B & B (especially around Valentine’s Day).  Strolling along a park under an umbrella big enough for two is romantic.  Finding your gal a filigree necklace in an antique shop earns you major points.  Or you might find yourself in the Tioga State Forest in Pennsylvania, staying Black Bear Log Cabin with your kids just to get everyone outside and hiking along the trails.

May & June:  Now the weather’s warming up and you’re digging in the closet for your t-shirts and shorts. This might be where you go on a couple of 3-Day Weekend Getaways as teaser vacations.  Now your road trip planner might easily include 200-250 miles of road before getting to your destination but when you have 3 or 4 days set aside, 4 hours driving time isn’t bad at all.  

July & August:  This is the Prime Time of vacations (if you’re north of the equator that is; otherwise you’re looking fondly at January and February to give you that feeling of anticipation).  This is where you do your best road trip planning because you’ve got a 7-10 day itinerary to fill.  Choose a National Park for an outdoor vacation in July and then a cultural city like Boston or San Francisco for August.  This is also about the time you realize that while you’re working for a living, the living’s mighty easy when you’re on vacation.

September & October:  You can still get some Dog Days of Summer in September, even if the official day for Fall is September 21st.  This might be the time you’ll need that 5-piece luggage set to have the correct clothes on hand for the changing weather.  But really, all it takes is layers; make sure you have that extra jacket or sweater in the trunk of the car, maybe an extra pair of shoes.  Your road trip planner might include checking out the Fall Colors in the East, the desert in the mid-west, or the always-warm waters surrounding the Florida Keys.  Stretch your vacation out as wide as you can because the remaining two months will most likely be filled with holiday travel.  Campground choices range family oriented ones like Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground to luxury cabins in the Smoky Mountains in Gaitlinburg, Tennessee.

November & December: Try grabbing an overnight getaway before mid-November.  Once the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays grab a hold of your time, it won’t let go until January.  So sneak away to a lodge with a fireplace, or get away for a golf and spa weekend.

There you have it… a year’s worth of highways and byways to keep your road trip planner running like a well-oiled machine.  Enjoy the rides!

Two-Week Road Trip on the Big Island of Hawaii

Your road trip planner will be overstuffed if you try to explore all that the Big Island has to offer in one week.  I know, because I just spent eight days there on the Kona Coast and didn’t even get to see much of the Hilo side.  So, by combining my trip experience with recommendations from the locals, here then is a two-week road trip that will give you the ultimate Big Island Experience.

To drive all the way around the Big Island would be more than 250 miles and another 60 miles if you want to explore the tallest volcano at Mauna Kea State Park.  It’s also twice the size of all the other islands combined.  And while many travelers set up “home” on one side of the coast during their trip planning, I’d recommend staying one week on each coast to have a great jumping off point for your many explorations.

We’ll start our road trip planning on the Kona side, the sunnier region.  We stayed in the Kailua-Kona, site of the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon and home of the revered King Kamehameha, the leader who ultimately united all the islands.  It has a great waterfront and pier, where you could enjoy dinner each night with a view of the sun dipping behind the water horizon.  My favorites were the Kona Brewing Company (baked garlic, home-made focaccia & melted Gorgonzola dip), Bubba Gumps (right on the water), and Quinn’s Almost By the Sea (affordable & local favorite).

Each morning, we catapulted out of bed, knowing a new adventure awaited us.  Make sure to include in your road trip planner, plenty of beaches.  Not only are there multiple Public Beach Access signs take you to more secluded spots but Hawaii's decreed that any beach is PUBLIC LAND, so if you spot a nice looking beach behind a gated community, just roll on up & ask for beach access!    Snorkelers should go to Kahaluu Beach Park, surfers to White Sands Beach, privacy buffs to Kona Coast State Park, and beach lovers can choose from Anaehoomalu Bay, Hapuna Beach, or Mauna Kea Beach.

Other places to consider in your road trip planning in Kailua-Kona:  The Hulihee Palace, Kokuaikaua Church, Kamehameha’s Compound at Kamakahonu Bay, Kona Wine Market for affordable prices as well as souvenirs.  Include one Luau in your trip; I recommend The Island Breeze Luau at the King Kamehameha Compound at the Kailua Pier because it’s right on the beach.

Along the Kohala Coast, you’re in for a scenic treat as your road trip takes you north into the quaint town of Hawi and beyond to Pololu Valley Lookout.  On the way, stop at Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm (NELHA), which houses the only Seahorse farm in the US.  Stop at the Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, the temple Kamehameha built to the war god to insure his success in battle.  Keep driving up Highway 270 to the Lapakahi State Historical Park for a view of a typical 14th-century Hawaiian village and the Mo’okini Luakini Heiau. The original Kamehameha Statue is along this route, as well as a view of Maui. A mile from the Pololu lookout, enjoy a picnic at the Keokea Beach Park.  On your way back, check out the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological District.

Along the southern coast on the Kona side, you’ll find Captain Cook, Kealakekua Bay, the Place of Refuge and Honaunau Bay.  Combine these for a perfect full day’s exploration to add to your road trip planner, with historical places and monuments, great scenic shots of the bays and snorkeling/swimming at Honaunau Bay, considered the second best place to snorkel with lovely reefs, turtles, fish, and huge coral growths!

Now here’s where we move our home base to the Hilo side to give you plenty of time to explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  Leaving Kailua-Kona, include in your road trip planning, stops at South Point (the southernmost spot in the US), the sweet-smelling bakery/souvenir shop in Naalehu, and the Punaluu Black Sand Beach.

We didn’t spend nearly enough time at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park because the ranger told us the current lava flow was outside the park (as of August, 2008, it’s an hour’s drive to the end of Highway 130 in Kaimu, then a 20-minute hike over the lava to the viewing area).  So schedule in a full two days in your road trip planner to fully explore the Kilauea Visitors Center, Halemaumau Crater, Thurston Lava Tube, Devastation Trail, and a Crater Rim drive as well as make the sunset trek to the lava flow.  Local Shannon Cormie says, “Seeing the ribbon of red lava snake its way down the side of the mountain and then thunder into the ocean is a sight you will never forget”.

One reason to place Hilo front and center in your road trip planning is because it’s so lush!  David Carpenter, a local, recommends the Akatsuka Orchid Garden for its large assortment of orchids.  It’s situated about halfway between Volcano and Hilo.  Shannon recommends sites surrounding Hilo by visiting to Banyan Drive, Liliuokalani Gardens, Lyman Museum & Mission House, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, and the wonderful botanical gardens like Nani Mau Gardens Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, and World Botanical Garden. 

From there, take your road trip planning up to the Hamakua Coast, stopping at Akaka Falls and have lunch in Honokaa. Then check out Waipio Valley, the birthplace of Hawaii’s kings, before heading for Waimea, a cowboy town with the Parker Ranch Visitor Center & Museum as the focal point.

Set aside a full day in your trip planner to explore Mauna Kea.  Rent a four-wheel drive vehicle to climb to the top (13,796-foot) or book a full-day tour where guides will take you to hidden waterfalls, sacred spots and an observatory, treasured by astronomers around the globe.

All of the above will fill your Big Island Road Trip to the brim.  Plus, you’re bound to see other places to explore.  But take heart, if you don’t get to all of them this round, you’ll have a perfect excuse to fill another road trip planner for a return visit!

By Ingrid McCleary (with recommendations from Shannon Cormie and David Carpenter.  Mahalo!)

Cruisin’ The Southern California Coastline Road Trip - Part II

Last time, we cruised along the Northern California Coastline; now it’s time to fire up your Road Trip Planner and skirt the southern coastline to complete your own California Cruisin’ Dream Trip.

We left off in one of my favorite areas, Big Sur.  Simply put -- and the main reason to include this in your road trip planning -- Big Sur offers stunning views. It’s that stretch of highway where land meets sea in a jaw-dropping way because the Santa Lucia Mountains rise like colossal sentries from the Pacific Ocean.  I must confess to gripping the armrest a bit as we rounded some bends because of the sheer drop to the ocean below.  Exhilarating! 

While some would suggest a more direct route south by taking the inland Highway 101 or even the mid-land Highway 5, I recommend staying on Highway 1 for an unforgettable coastal road trip.  This way, your Road Trip Planner will include highlights like hiking at Limekiln State Park, and treasure hunting at Jade Beach, one of the few places in the world where you can find quality Jade strewn about like pebbles.

After all that hiking and beach combing, settle into your road trip with a scenic drive along the Cabrillo Highway till it turns into the San Luis Obispo North Coast Highway.  Soon you’ll find San Simeon, home of the opulent Hearst Castle. Hearst Castle is the palatial estate built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. It’s one of the largest of historic house museums in the U.S. and well worth the ticket price for the informative tour.  Believe me, you’ll be ogling all the sumptuous finery found here!

From here, suggested places to add to your road trip planner are Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, and Pismo Beach (a popular ATV camping spot because of all the sand dunes).

Now here’s where I’ll recommend cutting over to Highway 101 to discover a California city with a decidedly Danish twist, Solvang.  I found it utterly charming, with stores offering delicate lace and handmade quilts, Danish cuisine in quaint restaurants, and a European flavor to the buildings lining the main streets. 

Of course, you can’t be away from the ocean for too long and heading into Santa Barbara will give you the quintessential California coastal city experience.  If you want to taste the salt air & be completely surrounded by water, then add to your road trip planner a stop near Oxford, where you can hop aboard the ferry to the Channel Islands.  As you walk around these beaches, you’ll get a feel for what the land looked like before civilization descended because these islands have remained relatively isolated for 1000s of years.  But if you’re looking more for culture than nature, then plan instead to take the ferry near Newport Beach to Santa Catalina Island & explore the appealing city of Avalon.  This is a popular cruise stop destination so you can enjoy glass-bottom boat rides, take a trolley car up to some lush gardens, or enjoy snorkeling to the left of the pier (on the pier, facing land).

Below Oxnard, you’ll find the sexy city of Malibu, full of opulent homes on the lolling hills and beautiful bodies on the beaches.  Be sure to enjoy the Santa Monica Pier as you continue south. It’s a fun place to spend the evening.  But you’ll definitely want daylight to people-watch the myriad of characters found at Venice Beach.

By now, you’re in the thick of Southern California, a region where sunglasses, shorts, and flip-flops are the main attire.  Newport Beach is another well-to-do city worthy of a stop in your road trip planning.  As well as the Dana Point Harbor, one of the prettiest harbors I’ve seen in a long time.  Nearby, you’ll find San Juan Capistrano, another great cultural stop, this time with a Spanish twist, as you stroll the grounds of the California icon, Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Now it’s San Diego time, the biggest southern city before you hit the Mexican border!  There you’ll find a thriving city with distinct areas like Little Italy, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Balboa Park. Include in your road trip plans a fun side trip by driving to an island, compliments of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. You’ll easily spot the famous Hotel Del Coronado, a sprawling white and red-roofed resort, which housed Presidents, movie stars & tycoons in its illustrious past.  From there, scoot along the Silver Stand Highway just for the sheer enjoyment of cruising a highway flanked by water on both sides.  For even more fun, enjoy a sunset gondola ride and pretend you’re in Venice, Italy!  From there, you’re less than 5 miles from the Mexico border with San Ysidro being the southernmost California community. 

So there you have it.  Between this blog and Cruisin’ The Northern California Coastline Road Trip – Part I, you’ve now hugged the California coastline from bow to stern, complete with side-trips that the locals would recommend.  To do this road trip justice, I’d recommend at least two weeks. But however you fill your Road Trip Planner, you’re guaranteed awesome photos, spectacular sunsets, and a lot of cool cruisin!

Ingrid McCleary

Cruisin’ The Northern California Coastline Road Trip – Part I

I'm a long-time Californian, so come cruise with me through an ideal California Coastal Road Trip and then use our Road Trip Planner to customize your own California Cruisin’ Dream Trip. 

With California running the length of nearly 800 miles, it’s actually the equivalent of driving through nine eastern states.  Yet, you’ll be amazed at the different ambiances you’ll find in the many cities dotting this expansive coastline.  In fact, we’re only going to cover the Northern half of California this week because there’s so many things to discover here, you could easily make this half a 2-Week Road Trip in itself!

Life in Northern California, in cities like Eureka, Fort Bragg, Mendocino, is laid-back, even bucolic, but oh, you’ll see some of the prettiest coastlines imaginable along this stretch of highway.  Get your camera ready to catch the rock formations jutting dramatically out of the deep ocean blue, or capture the fog rolling through tree skeletons stretching out to greet the horizon, and yes, even the occasional cow meandering across the road as you round the next bend.

Of course, just because you’re hugging the coastline doesn’t mean you’ll be relegated to endless beach views (though that’s an excellent way to cruise!).  Include in your Road Trip Planner a hike through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Eureka, California's largest redwood state park with more than 52,000 acres of old growth coast redwoods.  Stop for the Mendocino Music Festival in Mendocino & sip wine while enveloped in a blanket of music.  Take your shoes off at Glass Beach in Fort Bragg & marvel at the colors of the pebbles,  all rounded smooth through years of wave action.  In fact, Glass Beach is purported to hold the highest concentration of sea glass in the world. 

A relatively unknown attraction to add to your Road Trip Plan is to stop in at the Sea Ranch Chapel, one of my favorite examples of “free-hewn” architecture I’ve ever seen.  Traveling south toward the Bay Area, I’d recommend a stop at Tiburon for lunch & take the Ferry to Angel Island for the day.  Beautiful Bay views and a fun ferry ride to the West’s Ellis Island.  From the island, you’ll see spectacular views of the San Francisco Skyline.

Another quirky town to hit before “crossing over” is Sausalito.  A water-front community, it’s filled with houseboats on one side and quaint shopping areas on the other.  Finding a water view to accompany your dining should be a relatively easy task.

As you cross over the marvel of the Golden Gate Bridge, know that local lore has it that once painters finish painting the bridge, it’s so expansive that they have to start repainting from the other end again!   Once in San Francisco, must-sees are the Golden Gate Park and Fisherman’s Wharf.  Go ahead, grab a loaf of San Franciscan French Bread and a freshly cleaned/boiled crab, dangle your feet from the pier & simply savor the flavor of “a day in the life” of a San Franciscan (at least on weekends :>).

Keep heading south from there toward Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and Monterey; each city has a distinct pace, yet the easy going atmosphere perseveres.  Personal favorites in Half Moon Bay is the Moss Beach Distillery, boasting a spectacular ocean view from the dining room and... a firmly entrenched ghost!  In Santa Cruz, there’s the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, containing a wooden roller coaster, honored as a national historic landmark in 1987, and still providing thrills after 84 years!  A summer plus here are the free beach concerts held every Friday night.

The Monterey–Carmel-Big Sur area is my favorite recommendation to add to your Road Trip Planner  because of all this area offers:  Old Fisherman's Pier, Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Carmel Beach, the world-renown Pebble Beach, Point Lobos, and a breathtaking meeting of land and water as you travel to the stunning  Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur.

Next time, we’ll continue even further south, all the way to the Mexico border.  I suggest you start filling your Road Trip with the Northern California things to do now (with help from our Road Trip Planner) because soon we’ll be cruisin’ through some of the most famous spots in Southern California.

Ingrid McCleary