PACIFIC | C A L IFOR N I A
Wild California Discover big adventures along the Golden State’s coast BY SARAH SEKULA
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to tackle multiple adventures in one fell swoop. The use of recreational vehicles has become so popular, in fact, Outdoorsy’s bookings have increased more than 4,500 percent during the pandemic. “More than ever, I think people are craving disconnection and distance from the modern world and a reconnection to the natural world,” says Jennifer Young, Outdoorsy’s co-founder and chief marketing officer. Once you’ve got your transportation sorted, it’s time to hit the road.
MENDOCINO
SAN FRANCISCO
BIG SUR
SLO CAL
MENDOCINO Begin your adventure in the laid-back county of Mendocino, about 130 miles north of San Francisco. Here, you can grab a dose of forest therapy by hiking the Lost Coast Trail. The star of the show? Candelabra-shaped redwoods. Their branches shoot haphazardly upward in all directions like the hair of those lovable troll dolls from the ’80s. Afterward, make your way to Vacaville, a quiet inland community dotted with hiking trails and climbable basalt boulders. Here, you can board an ICON A5 — a two-seat amphibious plane that looks like a sports car and maneuvers like a jet ski — at ICON Aircraft’s headquarters. Then, learn to fly it. You can sign up for a two-hour demo flight for a firsthand look at California’s seaside towns, including San Francisco, complete with a Golden Gate Bridge flyover. The first thing you’ll notice when you get in
GO ESCAPE | SUMMER 2021
CALIFORNIA
SAN DIEGO
TIPS FOR BOOKING CAMPSITES ALONG THE COAST
“The saying ‘the early bird gets the worm’ definitely rings true when it comes to nabbing a good campground reservation,” says Outdoorsy’s Jennifer Young. “Pro tip: It’s great to call when making your reservation versus booking online so you can ask questions and find out about any special events and discounts.”
MAP ILLUSTRATION: STUDIO GANNETT; TYSON V. RININGER; GETTY IMAGES
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s a 7-year-old girl, I went to sleep-away camp in northern California, where I’d spend my time catching crawdads by day and snoozing under redwoods by night. As a family, we’d take trips to San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf to watch street performers, eat clam chowder or picnic at the beach and giggle at the sea lions' noises. As an adult, the adventures continued and became more daring as I realized I thrive on adrenalineinducing fun. Lucky for me, California is a thrill-seeker’s haven. With mountains galore, 1.6 million acres of state parks and 840 miles of coastline, it’s easy to find active excursions such as piloting a plane over the Golden Gate Bridge, scuba diving in La Jolla and parahawking — paragliding with a trained raptor — off cliffs at Torrey Pines. That said, here’s a roundup of some of the coolest options packaged as one epic road trip. Grab some snacks and curate a few playlists; it’s time to roll. First things first: You need a set of wheels. And it sure doesn’t hurt to choose a vehicle packed with personality. Recreational vehicle rental service Outdoorsy has vintage Airstreams, tiny teardrop trailers and luxe Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. If you opt for one with a cooking setup and shower, you can bypass hotels altogether. It makes for an easy way
