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Winter in Yosemite

Our post Christmas and New Year trip this year took us with friends to Monterey (where we pretty much did the same itinerary as last time ) and as they headed to the airport we crossed California to Yosemite National Park. The plan was swim in the sea in the morning and play in the snow in the afternoon. But, alas, weather had other ideas. Monterey was too cold and rough seas for a dip, and the winter snow was yet to arrive in Yosemite. Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View We ma

A day on the Big Sur Road

We returned to Monterey for a post Christmas visit, we pretty much did the same itinerary as last year: https://www.justadventure.uk/post/monterey-bay-in-winter but with the addition of heading down the Big Sur road. This is a classic California road trip. The whole stretch has been closed since 2023 and was due to reopen in March/April 2026 and before I got a chance to write this blog the road reopened early! I would say hurry, get out there before the next landslide but in

Redwoods and Northern California Coast

Our final stretch took uu back into Californai and the mighty Redwoods — we kayaked the crystal-clear Smith River, hiked amongst giants, collected Junior Ranger badges. We ticked off 3 more movie locations As we wound south through Mendocino, Bodega Bay, and finally across the fogged out Golden Gate Bridge and the end of our trip. Two weeks, 2,300 miles - done! We woke at Kamp Klamath to the dawn chorus at 5am and snoozed until the sun came up. I’ve since learned that the Kl

Portland and the Oregon Coast

Nine hundred miles in, five days on the road, and we arrive in Portland (although not our turnaround point). A day in a city gave us a bookshop, donuts, and a no car day before the road took us to Astoria, our turn around point, and the rain-soaked Oregon coast. Goonies nostalgia, stunning coastline, driftwood forts, off-grid peace, and an almost flooded tent. Part two of our roadtrip was as unpredictable as the weather! We’d made it to Portland, the most northerly city in

The I5 to Portland, Oregon

The American road trip is part of the American cultural identify. The open roads, long distances, summer escapes to the National Parks and State Parks, small towns and big cities. Unlike the UK where a two hour car ride is long, here the journey is part of the adventure, Spotify gets loaded, the Yeti is packed with snacks and drinks and off you go! In part one of our 2025 trip we take scenic detours, find hidden waterfalls, and drive the long road north. In mid-June, we emb

Discovering Cambria, California: A Mini Road Trip Itinerary

Cambria, a quaint town on California’s Central Coast, offers a laid-back break on this stunning coastline.

Monterey Bay in Winter

Monterey Bay was high on the list for a must visit, we’d avidly watching the BBC’s Blue Planet Live filmed from the Monterey Bay Aquarium...

Discovering Morro Bay: A Wildlife Gem on California's Central Coast

Tucked away on California's Central Coast, Morro Bay is a quaint seaside town, a haven for wildlife with a working harbour. We headed to their hidden gem on our first day trip, exploring Highway 1. Morro Bay: Spot the Otter I’ve worked in the travel industry for many years, and many UK-based tour operators that sell a Highway 1 California Road trip will skip from Santa Barbara to Monterey with a stop at Pismo or San Luis Obispo to break the 4-hour journey. For this reason, I