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favorite ways to stay warm while winter camping
5 products we use to stay warm while van camping
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view from the nevada side of the snowy sierra nevada mountains
we’re spending seven weeks on the road in our heatless camper van for a wild winter adventure! while we’re sticking to the southwest to avoid snow (as much as possible), we have been experiencing temperatures in the 20s and expect more chilly nights ahead. because we don’t have heat in our van, we’ve taken some extra steps to ensure we stay nice and cozy while winter camping. here are the five things we’re using to stay toasty:
good sleeping bags: when it’s warmer we just use regular bedding (sheets and blanket) when van camping, but winter calls for pulling out the good sleeping bags. we have this one and this one that can be used comfortably in temps down to 20 degrees fahrenheit. (i use the men’s because it’s lighter than the long women’s and i hope to eventually take it backpacking!) and sometimes we still put our blanket to put on top!
warm base layers: these were a recent addition to our camping essentials, but we absolutely them! i have this top and this bottom of merino wool base layers from smartwool. and kiddo has this set from rei.
mini heater: i bought this personal space heater in a moment of panic and i’m really glad i did! we are loving it! so much so, i’m seriously considering getting an extra one to put under my desk to warm my feet! we turn it on while we’re getting ready for bed and again first thing in the morning to coax us out of our sleeping bags. we use our jackery solar generator to power it when we’re not connected to electricity.
hot water bottle: this was another item i thought might be overkill. but who doesn’t love a hot water bottle at the foot of the bed? it packs almost completely flat and all we need to do is boil water for hours of extra warmth in the bed.
hand warmers: we keep a set of hand warmers in our rv emergency essentials. they are so small it’s worth having them on hand all the time. fortunately, we haven’t had to use them, but if we find ourselves in an unexpected storm we just might break them out.
hope this list helps keep you cozy and warm during your winter camping adventures! let me know what other tips you use for staying warm when you go out wild.
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favorite itinerary: 3 california national parks in 10 days; pinnacles, yosemite, lassen volcanic national parks
ten day itinerary for pinnacles, lassen volcanic and yosemite national parks
manzanita lake at lassen volcanic national park
we’re fortunate in california to have nine national parks (not to mention all the other national park sites!). and they’re pretty evenly disbursed, so just about anywhere you travel in california, you’re bound to not be too far from a national park. so far we’ve visited two-thirds of the state’s parks and have a lot of favorites from each. here’s an itinerary for three california national parks in 10 days: pinnacles, yosemite and lassen volcanic national parks. with this itinerary you’ll spend two days in pinnacles national park, two days in yosemite national park and two days in lassen volcanic national park. you’ll see these recommendations are hike-heavy. that’s because that’s what we feel is one of the best ways to see these national wonders. however, be sure to do your research as each park has it’s own museums and other attractions that are worthy stops if you have time. further, the vast majority of of national park hikes are inaccessible for a variety of disabilities. if you have questions about accessible options, please reach out and i can connect you with some resources.
10-day itinerary for northern california national parks
day 1: fly into san francisco or sacramento; drive to pinnacles national park
pinnacles national park is about 2.5 hours from san francisco and 3 hours from sacramento.
pinnacles national park is the homeland of the amah mutsun and the chalon people. both tribes continue to have relationships with the land. for the amah mutsun, condors are significant as they escort the dead to the next world.
there are extremely limited transportation options in the park and you should plan to drive throughout your visit.
pinnacles national park has two sides that are about 1.5 apart by car. i recommend spending one day on each side. despite pinnacles being a small park, it would be really challenging to do both sides in a day due to the drive between.
you should aim to see three highlights of pinnacles national park: pinnacles, talus caves, california condors. this itinerary gives you the opportunity to see all!
i recommend staying in the campground in east pinnacles. there is no other campground on either side of the park.
if you arrive and set up camp before dark, hike the bench trail from the campground. it’s a lovely walk and you can spot different animals coming out at dusk.
day 2: east pinnacles national park
visit the east pinnacles book store/visitor center. it’s small, but somehow we spent more money here than any other national park - lol!
at time of this writing bear gulch nature center is closed indefinitely. if it’s open, be sure to visit!
hike moses spring to rim trail loop. this includes traveling through bear gulch cave! read more about the pinnacles caves and their statuses here. this loop is 2.2 miles and is a *do not miss! (all trail information is here.)
hike condor gulch trail. the full trail is 3.4 miles out and back, but you can also hike 1 mile to the overlook and back for a less strenuous hike.
if you have time and it’s an option for you, hike the high peaks trail. this is where we saw the most california condors, one of the rarest birds in the world. you can connect to it from the rim trail if you are already hiking the moses spring to rim trail loop. tips on spotting condors.
day 3: west pinnacles national park
drive to west pinnacles. this drive is approximately 90 minutes from east pinnacles.
hike the juniper canyon loop. this hike is 4.3 miles and has some steep climbs, but you’re rewarded with incredible views of the pinnacles. you could hike up to the view just before the switchbacks to tunnel trail and back down for a 2.5 mile out and back hike. seeing this view is a *do not miss!
hike the balconies cave-cliffs loop. this loop is 2.4 miles and gives you another opportunity to explore the talus caves. some parts of this trail are not particularly well-marked and we passed multiple hikers who turned around to try the loop in the opposite direction. also be advised that balconies cave is quite different from the bear gulch cave as it is smaller, doesn’t have an established path and requires more climbing.
return to east pinnacles campground.
juniper canyon loop in pinnacles national park
day 4: drive to yosemite national park
make your way to yosemite national park. the drive between east pinnacles national park and the yosemite valley is about 4 hours.
yosemite national park is the homeland of the southern sierra miwuk and paiute. the southern sierra miwuk have partnered with yosemite to restore the wahhoga village. they are also currently raising funds for oak fire relief efforts. donate here.
if you are visiting yosemite in winter, check out this list of our favorite activities for winter in yosemite.
there are so many wonderful places to stay in and near yosemite national park, including 13 campgrounds. we camped outside the south end of the park. we’d love to camp in the park on our next visit!
go to the yosemite valley visitor center to get maps and a layout of the valley and beyond.
go to tunnel view to watch the sunset. get there early for parking. we went in winter a bit before golden hour and the lot never filled. however, it’s likely much busier during peak seasons.
tunnel view at sunset in yosemite national park
day 5: yosemite national park
hike mirror lake. i recommend the two mile out and back trail, especially if you’re planning to go to tuolumne meadow and lembert dome. we did this in winter and it was gorgeous! there is also the option to hike the 5 mile loop around the lake.
hike cook’s meadow. this 1 mile loop offers gorgeous views of yosemite’s top sites, including yosemite falls and half dome.
hike yosemite falls. you have a couple options. hike the lower fall trail, which is a 1 mile loop. or the columbia rock trail, which is 2 miles and offer views of the upper fall.
drive to tuolumne meadow. this is a 90 minute drive from the valley, but if weather permits, it’s worth seeing! if you have more in you, hike lembert dome for a view of the meadows. it’s 3.4 miles and offers unique scenery.
day 6: yosemite national park
drive to glacier point for sunrise (open to cars spring-fall; check conditions before you go as recent road improvements have led to closures).
hike taft point and/or sentinel dome. taft point is 2.2 miles and offers some of the best views in the park. sentinel dome is right near taft point. though it’s shorter at 1.8 miles, the elevation gain is twice that of taft point. (again, check for road closures for both of these hikes.)
hike vernal fall. though this hike is a tough climb, it’s one of yosemite’s most epic. at 3 miles, this section of the mist trail is a treat! be prepared for slippery rocks as it’s constantly wet. you also have the option to continue up the mist trail to the top of nevada fall (7.2 miles total).
hike bridalveil fall. if you’re still up for more incredible waterfall hikes, this is a fantastic one to close out your visit to yosemite. this is actually my favorite of the yosemite attractions we visited. it’s 0.5 mile and is open year-round; we visited in winter.
yosemite national park in winter
day 7: drive to lassen volcanic national park
the drive between yosemite valley and lassen volcanic national park is about 6.5 hours. stop in sacramento or mt. shasta for a break along the way!
lassen volcanic national park was a seasonal resource gathering place for the yana, yahi and atsugewi peoples. the park’s first female naturalist was selena lamar, an atsugewi tribal member, who provided cultural demonstrations.
lassen is best visited in summer. this park is prone to long seasonal road closures. we visited in early july and there was still snow and some closures!
you’ll want to be sure to see the hydrothermal features, as well as all four volcano types that exist in the park.
there are seven campgrounds in lassen, with options for all kinds of campers. we ended up camping outside the park because there was no availability at the time we visited. be sure to book early if you’re planning to stay in the park!
day 8: lassen volcanic national park
start at the kohm yah-mah-nee visitor center. (if you are in an area of the park where it is closer to get to cinder cone first, start there and follow the rest of the itinerary, stopping at the visitor center last.)
hike cinder cone. there’s no getting around the fact that cinder cone is far and out of the way of the rest of the park. however, this was by far our favorite hike in the park. this is a *do not miss! it’s so cool! you are literally hiking a volcano and have the option to go down inside the cone! the hike is 4 miles total and is strenuous. be prepared to be exposed and for a tough, slippery climb. for a shorter (though still strenuous climb), go up and back down the front of the cone. we took the longer route and the views from the back are unbeatable.
hike bumpass hell. this is another *do not miss, featuring the park’s hydrothermal features at their best. the trail is 3 miles of gorgeous views the entire way.
stop at sulphur works on your way out of the park. this is a quick stop that allows you to get up close and personal with mud pots, one of the park’s hydrothermal features. this view is accessible.
view of lassen peak from the top of cinder cone
day 9: lassen volcanic national park
hike kings creek falls, a 2.3 mile loop to 30 ft. falls. if this hike is not for you, i highly recommend that you stop for a rest in kings creek meadow, which is roadside. it is absolutely picturesque and can be viewed right from your vehicle.
visit devastated area interpretive trail. this 0.5 mile accessible trail is well worth the visit. it provides a great overview of the history and geology of the park.
spend an afternoon at manzanita lake. this lake is gorgeous and the perfect way to end a whirlwind adventure through northern california national parks. hike the 1.7 mile loop around the lake to get all the views. then rent a kayak and explore from the water. bring a picnic along, too!
return to camp.
bumpass hell in lassen volcanic national park
day 10: fly out of san francisco or sacramento
drive back down to the airport and pat yourself on the back for an adventure well done!
the drive from lassen to san francisco is about 4.5 hours and to sacramento about 3 hours.
bonus: 14-day california national parks itinerary
if you have a full two weeks you’ll have more wiggle room for travel days and can add redwood national and state parks. in this case i’d do the reverse - fly into san francisco and head to redwood national park first. then hit lassen volcanic national park, followed by yosemite national park. and finally, stop in pinnacles national park before heading back home.
hiking in redwood national park
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favorite gift ideas for outdoorsy people
gift ideas for people who love to go out wild
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it’s that time of year again when so many of us are scouring the internet for the best gift lists. i’ve shared before that we don’t really celebrate christmas, but i did want to share some of our favorite gear and other items that we use again and again for outdoor adventures. this is a brief gift list for a spectrum of ages, including gift ideas for kids. and outdoorsy by my book means anyone who loves nature in all its forms. and while it’s concise, it’s for a reason. i really want to be sure to recommend our tried and true products that facilitate our time outdoors. i hope this list gives you some great ideas and inspires your loved ones to go out wild!
for the adventurer that loves to stay cozy and warm
thermals: it took me awhile to get on the thermals train, but now that we have them, we want to wear them all. the. time. i have this top and this bottom and kiddo has the full set of these long underwear. even if your loved one already has a set, i can guarantee they would appreciate another one. especially if it’s high quality merino wool! they make the coziest of useful gifts.
a cozy jacket: i wear this one almost every day fall through spring and this one when I’m adventuring in winter. the puffer packs down small for adventurers on the go. this company creates clothing out of recycled plastic. a great sustainable gift for earth lovers! (aren’t we all?) they also have these sweat suits (top and bottom), of which I have two! the perfect cozy gift.
pictured wearing my favorite fleece jacket while winter hiking in joshua tree np
for the camper that’s a picky eater
itacate backpacking meals: camping and backpacking food can be… you know… not great. but newly launched itacate food makes latin backpacking meals that are packed with flavorful, home-cooked goodness. my favorite is the lentejas, but i also love the spice of the caldo!
for the hiker whose always on the lookout for different trails
the disabled hiker’s guide to western washington and oregon: for hikers exploring the pacific northwest, this guidebook is fantastic! very descriptive and includes those things you can never find on the apps like whether there is cell reception or a bathroom. there are a wide variety of trail options, too! this would make a great gift for hikers! (amazon or bookshop)
for the off-the-beaten path adventurer
solar power banks: for backpackers and weekend campers, this solar power bank is compact and worth the weight! they’re also great to include in a car emergency kit or home emergency preparedness kit. those who are adventuring for longer but still need to stay connected also need something a bit heftier. we recently invested in this set up from jackery for our camper van so we can do more boondocking. (for a complete list of essentials we keep in our rv emergency kit, go here.)
for the national parks lover
national parks magazine: i absolutely love, love, love this magazine! a subscription would make the best gift for any national parks lover. the quarterly magazine is full of interesting articles. i tear them out and save for or a future trip or mail them to a friend! and, of course, the money goes to supporting national parks, including advocacy to protect public lands. the perfect gift for park lover!
national parks book for kids: to get kiddo excited about our next national park adventure, we turn to books to learn more about what we’ll see and experience. this book is a colorful, engaging read that’s chock full of factoids about the national parks across the country. (amazon or bookshop) though not specific to national parks, we also use this book for road trips to talk about the states we’ll travel through. (amazon or bookshop) i have kiddo read it and then teach me something about the state. (a homeschool tip i learned from an instagram friend!) and for more book ideas, see this blog about children’s books for nature lovers. great gift ideas for young readers!
for the explorer that always ends up in the water
hiking sandals or water shoes: we wear our tevas on every adventure. they make great camp shoes but are also sturdy enough for the trail and perfect for any kind of water play. i have this pair of tevas and kiddo has this pair of keens. the keens are a collaboration with outdoor afro and a portion of proceeds go toward teaching Black children to swim. purchase directly from keen to ensure the funds get to the right place!
save this pin for gift ideas for all the nature lovers in your life!
favorite emergency essentials we keep in our campervan
list of vehicle emergency supplies
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building our vehicle emergency kit has been years in the making. when we lived in seattle there was lots of talk of THE BIG ONE, meaning a massive earthquake. that’s when I put together a basic car emergency kit, after researching all the earthquake kit essentials.
it wasn’t until we left the pacific northwest in 2018 that we started hiking, camping and adventuring more. we moved to the joshua tree area, and after an extremely unfortunate incident of getting lost in the desert by myself with a dead phone and no gas (like IN the desert, in a wash, away from the road), I decided it was time to reassess my emergency kit. that’s when I started adding things like a solar charger and rechargeable power banks and glow sticks.
then, in 2020 we got a popup camper and we added a few more essentials like a fuse kit and air compressor for our rv emergency essentials kit. so, after we transitioned from the camper to the camper van, I was pretty confident we already had everything. but, before we took our first big trip in the van in 2022, I figured I had better be sure. and I still managed to add a few more things, including a fire extinguisher and flat tire repair kit.
here’s a list of everything in our camper van or RV emergency kit. many items on this list would also be great in a car emergency kit. many of these items we’ve never had to use, but they help with peace of mind and will certainly be much appreciated should we ever run into trouble.
vehicle emergency kit essentials
air compressor: this is one of those essentials that we didn’t purchase until we got the camper, but is definitely useful for any road trip emergency kit. we have this one and after pulling it out of the van a couple times to use on the car, I ended up buying a second one!
glow sticks: these are a handy light source in a pinch but they are also attention grabbing. because of their neon glow, they’re great for placing on the road or wearing if you need to be out of your vehicle after dark to be sure you’re easily spotted. I also keep these in my regular car emergency kit and bring them tent camping and backpacking since they’re small, light and easy to transport.
one important note - glow sticks expire rather quickly so be sure to restock regularly and enjoy having a glow stick party with the expired ones. we used our old pack for halloween fun last year!
flashlights and/or lantern: we keep both a lantern and several flashlights in the van because our camping philosophy is: the more light sources the better! we bought this pack of colorful flashlights for our kiddo to stash in various pockets (and we ended up buying a second pack to stash around the house, which comes in very handy!). and before our summer road trip i bought this lantern because it also functions as a flashlight, is rechargeable and has a red flashing light in case of emergency. one or two solar lanterns would also be great to have on hand. (side note: I have this compact solar lantern for backpacking and I love it so much I started bringing it camping, too.)
car jump starter: this is one of those items that we added after we got the rv but really we should have had all along. the one we have isn’t currently available, but this portable jump starter is similar. this is the one thing in our emergency kit that we have had to use the most (the van had some electrical issues that are now fixed!) and it has been a life saver! this is my most important car safety essential.
tire repair kit: another item we didn’t get until we had an rv but would be handy to keep in any vehicle emergency kit. this tire repair kit is the one we keep in our camper van essentials.
warning reflectors: we keep these safety triangles tucked in our rv emergency kit in case we’re ever stuck on the side of the road. they are especially necessary should there be a breakdown after sunset.
rv roadside emergency kit
solar chargers: we started out with this small solar power bank for camping trips. super portable and enough to keep our phones charged for a few days away. we recently upgraded to this jackery set up for the camper van so we can spend more time in the wilderness while still having power for the basics. it’s been so great to have on hand!
fire extinguisher: like most rvs, we have a propane stove in our camper van. an open flame in a small, enclosed space poses a fair amount of risk so we take extra steps to ensure fire safety. we’ve had one of these fire blankets in our car emergency kit (and one in our kitchen!) for several years and recently added one to the van. we also have two of these fire extinguishers in the van (I’m paranoid I won’t be able to reach it fast enough!). both may be overkill, but should a fire emergency arise, I want to be sure we have something immediately available that’s easy to use in order to avoid catastrophic loss.
tool kit: having a mechanics tool kit on hand means we have a one-stop place in our rv essentials kit for all the various tools we might need. while the full kit is definitely bulkier than other items, it really contains a lot of must-haves all in one spot. this is another one of those things I’ve had to pull out multiple times, including to help others! again, even though it seems overkill, I highly recommend making space for this essential.
extra fuses: I never would have thought to keep extra fuses on hand until we bought a camper. keeping a fuse kit in our rv essentials was recommended by another camper on our very first night with our trailer. we bought one after that first trip and lo and behold we used it shortly thereafter when our propane alarm malfunctioned in the trailer. we now have this one in our van, too.
the basics
any emergency kit (whether home or vehicle!) should contain some basics like food (we keep snacks like granola bars in our vehicles), water and a first aid kit.
we keep varying sizes of first-aid kits in different places, like this small first aid kit for hiking packs and this larger first aid kit for our camper van.
water is an essential, too! when we went beach camping in baja, I got 2 of these water jugs because I wasn’t sure how accessible potable water would be. now, i always bring at least one full water jug on every trip in the camper van.
extra rv essentials
duct tape: can’t go wrong with duct tape! funny story (that wasn’t funny at the time) - less than 10 miles after picking up our camper, a critical component fell off it’s mount (due to a missing pin) and was dragging down the highway. we had to pull over on a narrow bridge with cars racing past and honking. it was duct tape to the rescue until we could get to a dealer with the correct part to repair. now we always keep a roll on hand.
zip ties: these are handy for all sorts of reasons - organizing cords, strapping together gear, and even holding together broken components when duct tape isn’t an option. these zip ties don’t take up too much space and are worth having on hand in case of roadside emergency.
extra batteries: these are one of those things that seem to never be there when you need them, right? we recently had to stop at a gas station in the camper van because our smoke detector started beeping and we didn’t have the right size batteries in our spare stash. now we keep AA batteries, AAA batteries and 9v batteries in the camper van for all the various little appliances.
carbon monoxide detector: though we have a wired propane alarm in the camper van, I feel safer also having a portable carbon monoxide detector. we also like that it tells us the temperature in the van! we tuck it into backseat organizer pocket and forget it’s there. not an absolute must, but one of those extra items that’s easy to add to an rv emergency kit and provide extra peace of mind.
waterproof matches: this is one of those things we carried over from our home emergency kit. while waterproof matches may not seem absolutely necessary when you have an rv, we have pulled them out multiple times when the lighters for the stove run out of fuel. (anybody else forget to refill those every darn time?) and for those who backpack, they are a super small and portable essential that’s easily transferable from one emergency kit location to another.
winter essentials: we traveled to yosemite in winter and put together an extra winter emergency kit just in case. it includes things like an extra blanket, extra warm clothing, handwarmers, and a small window scraper. we also bought this foldable camping shovel for our winter emergency kit, but it really could be used to dig out of sand, mud or other sticky situations!
and that’s that! it seems like an awful lot but many of these items are easy to tuck into a pocket or storage space. i hope having these items on hand prove helpful in an emergency, should one arise. or, fingers crossed, provide exactly the peace of mind you need to travel confidently. and do let me know if i missed anything that you keep in your emergency preparedness kit!
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favorite stocking stuffers for kids
ideas for stocking stuffers for kids
this post contains affiliate links. there is no cost to you to engage with these links and it helps to offset the cost of my time to provide these resources.
this time of year means something a little bit different for us than most other people we know. rather than christmas or kwanza or hanukah, the big winter holiday for us is lunar new year. so we usually spend christmas preparing for the chinese new year by decorating. we make our own lanterns and adorn our chinese palm with ornaments representing animals of the chinese zodiac. since we save large gifts for the new year celebration, we use christmas as an opportunity to exchange books and do a stocking for the kiddo.
here’s a list of children’s stocking stuffers that i’m tucking into my kid’s stocking this year.
chapter books: kiddo recently started reading chapter books. we just finished the where the mountain meets the moon series (book two here and book three here) from grace lin and loved it. this holiday we’re adding the year of the dog series from the same author to our bookshelves (book two here and book three here). for other book ideas see this list of children’s books for nature lovers and this list of children’s books by indigenous authors.
wooden animals: we’ve slowly been building our collection of wooden animals. every year we gift one for the upcoming chinese new year (this year will be the year of the rabbit) and another just for fun. they’re such beautiful and simple toys that leave lots of room for imaginative play.
puzzle toys: kiddo absolutely loves puzzle toys and recently has gotten very into rubik’s cubes. we’re adding this pyramid to the collection this year. there’s also this set and this set. we’re also adding this magnetic cube as a different spin on the the rubik’s cube. these double as great activities to keep kids entertained during road trips.
slime: slime is a forever favorite. we regularly buy these slime sets and add one to every gift. they’re small enough to pack into a to-go bag and also get “used up” quickly enough that I don’t find it in the carpet. :)
washi tape: washi tape is another item we buy in sets and add to every gift. we’ve been tucking a few from this set into birthday gifts and Christmas stockings for a few years now. in addition to being used in other and other various projects, we love to use it to temporarily display the most recent art works that come home.
mad libs: this classic has been around for decades for a reason. who doesn’t love mad libs? this is another great car activity for kids that’s easy to pack into a backpack or small bag. we’ve taken them on many a road trip for family fun. we like the classics but this pokemon one and this star wars one look fun.
wind-up butterfly flyers: kiddo loves any kind of flying toy. he’s been gifted this paper airplane set and this flying orb in the past. these flying butterflies looked like a fun toy to bring a thrill to the holidays this year.
nail polish: always a fun little treat, nail polish has been on kiddo’s list for awhile. he’ll be thrilled with this set of piggy paints.
clothing: so perhaps socks are not always at the top of a kid’s gift list, but I try to add in a few staple wearable gifts for kids. we have this rainbow sock set, and these crew sets are also fun.
i hope this list of stocking stuffers for kids has given you some great gift ideas for kids in your life! wishing you a beautiful rest of your year and may any celebrations you hold bring joy.
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favorite national park sites in the san francisco bay area
three national park sites in the bay area
point reyes national seashore
when we lived in palm springs, we were extremely fortunate to have joshua tree national park just 45 minutes away. we became frequent visitors - so much so that I began calling the cholla cactus my best friends. we’ve since moved to northern california and aren’t quite so lucky to have a national park less than an hour away. however, we do have nearly a dozen national park sites within three hours!
we regularly travel to the san francisco bay area and almost always hit a national park site at some point during our visit. with half a dozen sites within an hour of the city, it’s practically impossible not to! here are three of our favorite national park sites near the san francisco bay area.
point reyes national seashore
tule elk at tomales point
point reyes national seashore (coast miwok territory) is undoubtably one of the most beautiful areas of california we’ve visited. it’s also where we’ve seen the most wildlife. whether it’s the tule elk of tomales point or the river otters at abbott’s lagoon, point reyes national seashore is sure to deliver! and speaking of tomales point and abbott’s lagoon, these are our two favorite hiking trails in point reyes national seashore.
tomales point
tomales point is an unmissable spot in point reyes. this 9.4 mile out and back hike features tule elk, rolling fog, and gorgeous views (when the fog isn’t too thick, of course). and no need to complete the hike (we never have!) - just go as far as you like. and don’t miss mcclure’s beach trail. it’s an absolutely dreamy slice of paradise.
mcclure’s beach trail
abbott’s lagoon
abbott’s lagoon is hands down one of the most exciting california hikes we’ve ever done. this 3 mile out and back trail moves from stunning lagoon to breath-taking beach. we’ve had more animal encounters on this trail than any other! from deer to quail to vultures and otters, we saw so many amazing friends! we even saw a bobcat!
river otter at abbott’s lagoon
golden gate national recreation area
golden gate bridge from the land’s end trail
it’s hard to narrow down a favorite hiking trail in golden gate national recreation area (ohlone and coast miwok territory), from point bonita lighthouse to fort mason to the coastal trail there are so many gems to choose from. so we’ll share our most recent favorite: land’s end.
land’s end
in san francisco, land’s end features a number of historic sites along the 3.4 mile loop. following along the coast, the views are just stunning including picturesque vistas of the golden gate bridge.
land’s end trail
muir woods national monument
muir woods
the second you step into muir woods national monument you can feel how special it is. walking among the redwoods is always a moving experience. muir woods (coast miwok and ohlone territory) has 6 miles of trails with 3 intersecting loops. there are also options to connect to longer trails, including to the coast.
i hope you’ve enjoyed this peek into our favorite national parks near san francisco. let us know what gems we might be missing so we can be sure to stop by on our next visit to the bay area.
save this pin for information about national parks in the bay area.
favorite children’s books for kids who love nature
books for kids who love the outdoors
this post contains affiliate links. there is no cost to you to engage with these links and it helps to offset the cost of my time to provide these resources.
in case it’s not obvious, we’re big nature lovers in this house. we’ve been so fortunate to have collected so many beautiful children’s books about nature, wildlife, and the outdoors. these range from educational books to sweet fictional stories. here’s a list of our 30+ favorite elementary-aged children’s books about wildlife, animal habitats, weather, climate change, hiking, camping, the seasons, space, flowers, bugs, and gardening! a little something for every kid who loves the outdoors.
children’s books about wildlife and their habitats
guess who’s in the desert by charline profitiri and illustrated by susan swan (amazon)
i hope this list give you some ideas for nature books that pique the interest of the kids in your life! let us know if there’s anything you’d add to this list of kid’s book for nature lovers.
favorite things to do in yosemite in winter
winter hikes and sites in yosemite national park
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visiting yosemite in winter is an absolute dream. our first trip to yosemite national park was in the middle of winter and the snow and ice added to the overwhelming magic. though some roads, trails and areas of the park close during wintry months, there’s still plenty to do in yosemite in winter. here are our favorite winter activities to add to your yosemite itinerary, including winter hikes.
favorite winter hikes in yosemite
mirror lake
2 miles out and back or 5 miles around the lake
while mirror lake does take some extra effort to get to in winter (due to closure of parking areas), we found the trip to be well worth it!
tip - be sure to pack micro spikes (or these for kids) if you’re visiting mirror lake in winter. much of the path is an ice rink unless you’re treading on freshly fallen snow.
lower yosemite fall
1 mile loop
yosemite falls are an iconic must-see landmark in yosemite national park. while the upper fall trail remains open, not all of us are up for a 7 mile, difficult trek in the snow. the lower fall trail is a gentle loop with a whole lot of magic. this is a do not miss!
favorite no-hike winter activities in yosemite
tunnel view
tunnel view is a must-visit for any yosemite itinerary! while tunnel view is stunning at any time, we went to tunnel view at sunset. sunset was gorgeous, but it was blue hour at tunnel view that stole my heart.
swinging bridge
the swinging bridge picnic area (not to be confused with the wawona swinging bridge) provides a gorgeous waterfall view and a place to just relax. we spent some time strolling and playing in the snow. there’s an option to follow intersecting trails or just enjoy the picnic area. (note the swinging bridge is not actually a swinging bridge!)
sledding
snow means sledding! sledding in yosemite national park is its own special kind of fun. we went to the crane flat campground, where the snow was deep enough to cover the bathroomw and we could sled right over picnic tables without even realizing it!
i hope this list of our favorite things to do in yosemite national park in winter inspires a cold weather trip to this special place.
favorite children’s books for native american heritage month
kid’s books by and about indigenous peoples
this post contains affiliate links. there is no cost to you to engage with these links and it helps to offset the cost of my time to provide these resources.
these are the children’s books in our home library that are by indigenous authors and feature native american characters, culture, history and stories. hopefully this list of books gives you ideas for learning with kids about the diverse tribes and traditions of indigenous peoples during native american heritage month and all year round!
go show the world: a celebration of indigenous heroes by wab kinew & illustrated by joe morse - celebrating the stories of Indigenous people throughout time, Wab Kinew has created a powerful rap song, the lyrics of which are the basis for the text in this beautiful picture book, illustrated by the acclaimed Joe Morse. including figures such as Crazy Horse, Net-no-kwa, former NASA astronaut John Herrington and Canadian NHL goalie Carey Price, Go Show the World showcases a diverse group of Indigenous people in the US and Canada, both the more well known and the not- so-widely recognized.
when we were alone by david a. robertson & illustrated by julie fleet - a young girl notices things about her grandmother that make her curious. why does her grandmother have long, braided hair and beautifully coloured clothing? why does she speak Cree and spend so much time with her family? as she asks questions, her grandmother shares her experiences in a residential school, when all of these things were taken away.
hiawatha and the peacemaker by robbie robertson & illustrated by david shannon - born of Mohawk and Cayuga descent, musical icon Robbie Robertson learned the story of Hiawatha and his spiritual guide, the Peacemaker, as part of the Iroquois oral tradition. Hiawatha was a strong and articulate Mohawk who was chosen to translate the Peacemaker's message of unity for the five warring Iroquois nations during the 14th century. this message not only succeeded in uniting the tribes but also forever changed how the Iroquois governed themselves--a blueprint for democracy that would later inspire the authors of the U.S. Constitution.
we are grateful: otsaliheliga by traci sorell & illustrated by frané lessac - the Cherokee community is grateful for blessings and challenges that each season brings. this is modern Native American life as told by an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. the word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences.
young water protectors: a story about standing rock by aslan tudor & kelly tudor - at the not-so-tender age of 8, Aslan arrived in North Dakota to help stop a pipeline. a few months later he returned - and saw the whole world watching. read about his inspiring experiences in the Oceti Sakowin Camp at Standing Rock. learn about what exactly happened there, and why. be inspired by Aslan's story of the daily life of Standing Rock's young water protectors.
sky sisters by jan bourdeau waboose & illustrated by brian denies - two Ojibway sisters set off across the frozen north country to see the SkySpirits' midnight dance. tt isn't easy for the younger sister to be silent, but gradually she begins to treasure the stillness and the wonderful experiences it brings. after an exhilarating walk and patient waiting, the girls are rewarded by the arrival of the SkySpirits --- the northern lights --- dancing and shimmering in the night sky. this powerful story, with its stunning illustrations, captures the chill of a northern night, the warmth of the family circle and the radiance of a child's wonder.
giving thanks: a native american good morning message by chief jake swamp & illustrated by erwin printup, jr. - a traditional Iroquois celebration of the beauty and spirit of Mother Earth, as told by a contemporary Mohawk chief. for as long as anyone can remember, Mohawk parents have taught their children to start each day by giving thanks to Mother Earth. also known as the Thanksgiving Address, this good morning message is based on the belief that the natural world is a precious and rare gift. the whole universe - from the highest stars to the tiniest blade of grass - is addressed as one great family.
we are still here: native american truths everyone should know by traci sorrel & illustrated by frané lessac - twelve Native American kids present historical and contemporary laws, policies, struggles, and victories in Native life, each with a powerful refrain: We are still here! too often, Native American history is treated as a finished chapter instead of relevant and ongoing. this companion book to the award-winning We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga offers readers everything they never learned in school about Native American people's past, present, and future.
squanto’s journey: the story of the first thanksgiving by joseph bruchac & illustrated by greg shed - in 1620 an English ship called the Mayflower landed on the shores inhabited by the Pokanoket, and it was Squanto who welcomed the newcomers and taught them how to survive. when a good harvest was gathered, the people feasted together--a tradition that continues almost four hundred years later. (please note violence against tribes occurred as well. this is one account that is important, but it is not the full story.)
welcome
welcome to our adventures out wild
hello and welcome to our little corner of the universe! I’ve been sharing our outdoor adventures on instagram for about a year and it feels like it’s time to have something a bit more tangible.
I’m tatsuko and I share hiking, camping, gardening, and other outdoor adventures with my school-age kiddo. we’re constantly experimenting with different modes of work and school to find the right balance with our need to explore.
here you’ll find all our favorite things that pertain to the outdoors: hiking trails, national and state parks, travel tips, camping hacks, garden goodies, and more! excited for you to join us out wild!