Ariel and I have been on trips frequently enough that I have developed a packing system and identified a list of dog travel accessories that make my life easy. No matter whether it’s packing for myself or for Ariel, I have 5 broad categories: clothes / wearables, eat & drink, sleep, play, and cleaning.
My recommendation is always: stay home, because travelling will expose you to extra risk. If you have to travel, mask up. That’s the easiest and most effective way to stay safe. In addition to masks, I also took other safety measures on my trips.
The best time to hike in East Bay is spring. The weather is perfect with the right amount of sunshine and breezes from the bay. I listed my top hiking trails below in the order of preference.
Chasing fall colors has become my annual activity in October. In 2020, I enjoyed fall foliage in Lake Tahoe. In 2021, I checked out Mammoth Lakes in early October.
The trip to Grand Canyon National Park and Arizona was long overdue. I finally made it happen during 2021 Thanksgiving. It’s our first time there, so my friend and I hit all the touristy spots in Arizona around Grand Canyon.
After our RV trip, I always wanted to try a camping trip with Ariel. We made it happen this Labor Day weekend. It’s a laidback and relaxing trip to the San Rafael area. We camped at China Camp State Park and hiked in Mount Tamalpais.
After living like a local in Reno for two weeks, I feel Reno is underrated. Although it’s not as glamourous as Las Vegas, the local parks are pretty and peaceful. Its scenic sites and views are not as stunning as Lake Tahoe, but they are much less crowded and more accessible.
Berkeley is a great spot for a day trip with a lot to offer: beach, mountain, university campus, hippie and artsy vibe, and good food. If you a have day to spend in the San Francisco Bay Area and want to explore outside the city, stop by Berkeley.
After 7 months of shelter-in-place, I was itchy to travel but also too scared to use any public transportation. So in late October 2020, I planned a 4-day road trip to Lake Tahoe with Ariel, about 4 hours of drive from South Bay.
I had a semi-getaway in Sonoma and Napa area in March 2021. In my opinion, Sonoma and Napa don’t have breathtaking sceneries like Lake Tahoe or other areas in the Bay Area. But they are humble, quiet, low-key, and peaceful.