Road Trip on the California Coast
Cali’s Pacific Coast Highway, a.k.a. Highway 1, is a bucket-lister route for sure. You can take on a section of it easily on a day-trip or weekend, but we advocate a go-for-broke approach of tackling most of the iconic road over the course of a week so you can savor it slowly. Start in Orange County’s palm-dotted Laguna Beach and end in the redwoods-meet-seacliffs wonderland of Mendocino County. Along the way, you’ll follow 735 gorgeous miles of rugged shoreline, with plenty of stops to enjoy golden beaches, top-notch seafood, epic sunsets, and more.
Canyoneering Adventure in Zion
For those with an adventurous spirit and a love of the outdoors, a national parks getaway is a no-brainer, and in the West there are plenty of parks that satisfy. If you and your s.o. are the adrenaline-chasing types, Zion is an ideal choice. The landscape is filled with sand dunes, grasslands, and vibrant cliffs that begging for hikes, horseback rides, and the like. But the real-deal thrills happen in the slot canyons, where you (and your guide) rappel down crevasses of red rock, hewn by wind and water into otherworldly shapes that defy belief. Balance out your rugged day by bedding down in glamping tents at Under Canvas’ local outpost.
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Long Weekend in Mexico City
Mexico’s capital city is an urbanite’s dream. It hits all the right notes: world-class museums (don’t miss the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Frida Kahlo’s house, and Palacio de Bellas Artes), memorable dining (Enrique Olvera’s haute cuisine empire runs deep, as do the many taquerias and markets around town), myriad walkable neighborhoods (Condesa and Roma are perennial faves) and the leafy Bosque de Chapultepec, and hip bars and cantinas. Plus you can take a day trip to nearby Teotihuacan, with its pyramid, structures, and murals, for staggering Aztec relics. Oh, and the peso is relatively soft against the dollar, so this trip won’t break the bank.
A Taste of #vanlife in the PNW
Do you and your sweetie dream of life on the road in a RV? Try it out with a Portland-based Wonderland Expeditions rental. Book a 4x4 vehicle equipped with rooftop tent or pop-up camper, plus all the camping equipment you’ll need, and take it on a long weekend or even weeklong spin around the gorgeous Pacific Northwest. We recommend Oregon’s Painted Hills--one of the state’s most astounding geological wonders, that also happens to be part of John Day Fossil Beds Monument--and other BLM spots where the camping fees are non-existent and the scenery is unforgettable; for more local favorites, Wonderland will give you complimentary trip planning advice when you rent one of their vehicles.
Park-Hopping in the Canadian Rockies
The Rocky Mountains are a splendorous range, and the tallest peaks might reside in Colorado (a.k.a. the famed Fourteeners), but it’s north of the border where they show their real-deal majesty. The Canadian Rockies through a stunning section of Alberta and British Columbia that also happens to contain six (count ‘em, six!) national parks, all within a three-hour drive from Calgary. What you’ll see: bluer-than-blue glacier-fed lakes, waterfalls, rivers, lush forests, wildlife, and yes, ubiquitous mountaintops lining your views. Pick up a Canada National Parks pass and hit up glacier hiking, canoeing, and more in all the local greats: Banff (home of Lake Louise), Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, and Mount Revelstoke. Camping and lodge accommodations can be found throughout the region.
Hut-to-Hut Hiking in Yosemite
Camping and trekking enthusiasts, this trip’s for you. Head out on a six-day, nearly 50-mile loop through Yosemite National Park’s stunning backcountry. Each day you’ll hike at elevation, meandering through the park’s legendary scenery (hello, Half Dome views!). In the evenings, you’ll arrive at a High Sierra Camps hut, where you’ll enjoy a hearty meal and tent cabin accommodations (including plumbing). The cabins are typically available June through September, by lottery, so be sure to plan ahead.
Avant-Garde Art Scene in Marfa
The quirky Southwestern-inflected desert town of Marfa, in West Texas, isn’t the easiest place to get to, but your travel efforts will be duly rewarded. Think hipster trailer park sleeps, excellent coffee shops, hipster-chic provisions, A+ cuisine that runs the gamut from high to low, and art, art, art. Top it off with attending a star party at McDonald Observatory in the desert 45 minutes north of town, where astronomers play tour guide as you feast your telescope-enhanced eyes to jaw-dropping views of the Milky Way.
Surfing in Sayulita
Puerto Vallarta might have pristine beaches and luxury villas, but head 25 miles north on the Pacific Coast and you’ll find a quaint, chill surf town without the PV crowds. Local artisan shops, cute cafes, tacos upon tacos, and boho inns await, but it’s the waves that are the real draw. Seasoned surfers will find rides to love, while novices can get attentive instruction at Lunazul Surf Camp (which happens to include beach bungalow accommodations). Did we mention the snorkeling is also excellent and there’s a boutique wellness center tucked in the nearby jungle when you’re ready for some healing remedies for ocean-worked muscles?
Craft Beer Crawl in Colorado
Denver and Boulder aren’t just known for their access to the great outdoors. This corridor is also a veritable heat map of craft beer breweries and taprooms. If you’re a couple that appreciates a fine brew, then consider this area your Mecca. From punk rock roots at Ratio Beerworks, top-notch barrel-aged sours at Baere and boundary-pushing varieties at Crooked Stave in Denver to Boulder’s award-winning Upslope, foodie-forward BRU, and dog-friendly Boulder Beer Company (which happens to be the first craft brewery in the state), to name but a few--there’s lots to keep you busy on a hops-soaked itinerary. Also not to miss, if you can time it right: Denver’s Great American Beer Festival (typically held in late Sept. or early Oct.).
Hip Haunts in Boise
With no end in sight to housing market inflation, many urban residents along the West Coast have fled the likes of San Francisco and Seattle to take up digs in inland smaller cities, chief among them Boise, Idaho. Its lower cost of living, access to nature, bike-friendly infrastructure, and booming downtown district--complete with a thriving indie music scene, hipster-filled cafes, myriad breweries, and shops bursting with artisanal goods--make it an attractive place to live, but also visit for a weekend. Because who knows, maybe a trip will plant the seed for a future move?
