Adventures in Southern California

My Favorite Campground in Utah: Ofland Escalante

Bryce Canyon, camping utah, escalante, Utah hiking, utah waterfall, Zion National Park

Ofland Escalante Campground

If you're flying into Las Vegas, I highly recommend turning this into a larger road trip through southern Utah. You can easily combine Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Escalante into one incredible vacation. The drive from St. George to Escalante along Highway 9, US 89, and Highway 12 is honestly one of the most beautiful drives in the entire United States. You'll pass through Zion, drive past the towering red cliffs near Bryce Canyon, and continue into the incredible landscapes surrounding Escalante. It's worth taking your time because the drive is an attraction in itself.

If you're looking for a place to stay, I can't recommend Ofland Escalante enough. Located just outside the small town of Escalante along scenic Highway 12, this is easily the best campground I've ever stayed in. It's a combination of luxury glamping, a boutique hotel, and a traditional campground, with some incredible amenities. You can stay in beautifully designed individual cabins, vintage Airstream trailers, or bring your own camping gear. We stayed in one of the cabins, which had a really comfortable bed, air conditioning, heat, and a private outdoor fire pit. They even provide firewood so you can build your own fire at night. It's the perfect combination of camping and staying in a nice hotel, without sacrificing comfort. This isn't a paid or sponsored review. I just loved this place and wanted to recommend it. I've stayed at campgrounds all over the country, and Ofland Escalante is easily my favorite. If you're visiting southern Utah, it's absolutely worth staying here for a few nights.

There are multiple bathhouses throughout the property, and they're nicer than the bathrooms in many hotels I've stayed in. The showers are large and completely private, with towels provided and individual heat lamps to keep you warm. There's also a swimming pool and a huge heated outdoor Jacuzzi, which is amazing after spending an entire day hiking through the desert. The property has a massive covered outdoor common area with comfortable seating and fire pits. It's a great place to hang out in the evening, drink a few beers, play games, or roast marshmallows and make s'mores.

Probably the coolest feature at Ofland is the old-fashioned drive-in movie theater. They have a collection of vintage American cars parked in front of a giant outdoor movie screen. Every evening, shortly after sunset, they show a movie, and you can actually sit inside one of the classic cars to watch it. They have a concession stand with snacks and free popcorn.

The location is another huge selling point. Ofland is less than 5 minutes from the town of Escalante and makes an excellent base for exploring Escalante National Monument, one of my favorite hiking areas in Utah. There are dozens of incredible hikes nearby, including Lower Calf Creek Falls, Zebra Slot Canyon, the Boulder Mail Trail and Escalante Natural Bridge. You can also visit Kodachrome Basin State Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, both roughly an hour away or less. Highway 12 itself is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country, passing through massive sandstone cliffs, colorful canyons, mountains, and some of the most spectacular desert scenery you'll find anywhere in the American Southwest.

One important thing to know is that Ofland Escalante is seasonal. The campground typically closes in late October as winter approaches and reopens in early spring, usually around mid March. Quite a few other businesses in the small town of Escalante also close or reduce their hours during the winter months, so I recommend visiting between spring and fall. Escalante Outfitters, which is an excellent pizza restaurant, was closing down in October when we were in town. We caught them on their last weekend. September and October are especially nice because the daytime temperatures are generally comfortable for hiking, and the cooler evenings are perfect for sitting around a fire.

Website: https://www.ofland.com/

Ofland Escalante

Lower Calf Creek Falls in Escalante Utah

Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike in Escalante Utah

Lower Calf Creek Falls in Escalante Utah

Driving from Cádiz to Málaga: An Amazing Road Trip Through Southern Spain's White Villages

Europe, madrid, roadtrip, roman ruins, Spain

Setenil de las Bodegas

One of the best road trips we’ve taken in southern Spain is the drive from Cádiz to Málaga through the mountains of Andalusia. Instead of taking the coastal highway, I highly recommend heading inland through the famous White Villages. The drive is absolutely gorgeous, with winding mountain roads, castles, vineyards, small villages, and beautiful countryside. You'll pass through some of the region's spectacular protected landscapes, including the area around Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. We encountered almost no traffic on much of the drive, which made it even better. The route through Ronda takes roughly 3½ to 4 hours without sightseeing, although adding the side trips to Arcos de la Frontera and Setenil de las Bodegas brings the driving time closer to 4½ hours. I would recommend spreading the trip over several days rather than rushing through everything.

Cádiz: Spend at Least One Day

Cádiz is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, with a beautiful historic center surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The old town is incredibly walkable, with narrow streets, historic plazas, restaurants, and impressive buildings. Make sure to visit the Cádiz Cathedral with its golden dome, the Roman Theatre, Torre Tavira for panoramic views, and the Central Market for some great local food. You can also walk along the waterfront past the Castillo de Santa Catalina and Castillo de San Sebastián. The beaches in Cádiz are fantastic, especially Playa de la Victoria, which has a long stretch of sand and plenty of restaurants nearby. La Caleta is another great beach right in the historic center. We also found the beaches here much more relaxing than Málaga, with far fewer vendors constantly approaching you to sell things. I would recommend at least one full day in Cádiz, and longer if you want to enjoy the beach.

Arcos de la Frontera: Two Hour Stop

About an hour from Cádiz, Arcos de la Frontera is one of the most impressive White Villages in Spain. The entire historic town sits on top of a massive cliff overlooking the Guadalete River and the surrounding countryside. Park outside the old town and walk up through the narrow cobblestone streets to Plaza del Cabildo, where you'll find some incredible viewpoints, the Basilica of Santa María de la Asunción, and the historic Castillo de los Duques. The Church of San Pedro is also worth seeing. There are plenty of little restaurants and cafés tucked into the streets, and the views from the cliff are spectacular. You don't need an entire day here. About two hours is enough to walk through the old town, see the major attractions, and enjoy the scenery before continuing into the mountains.

Setenil de las Bodegas: Two Hour Stop

Setenil de las Bodegas is one of the most unusual villages we've visited anywhere in Europe. Instead of building houses on top of the cliffs, much of the town was built directly underneath enormous rock overhangs. Some of the buildings actually use the rock itself as their roof. The two most famous streets are Calle Cuevas del Sol and Calle Cuevas de la Sombra, where you'll find restaurants, shops, and houses tucked underneath massive boulders. It's a pretty incredible sight. You can also walk uphill to see the remains of the medieval castle, the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, and the viewpoints overlooking the village. Setenil is only about 30 minutes from Ronda, making it an easy stop along the way. I would allow about two hours to explore the village, take photos, and stop for something to eat.

Ronda: Spend One Full Day

Ronda is one of the most spectacular towns in Spain and is definitely worth spending a full day exploring. It's very affordable to stay the night in a nice Airbnb with tons of options around $100 for the night. The town sits high in the mountains, divided by a massive gorge with the famous Puente Nuevo bridge connecting the two sides. It's one of the most photographed landmarks in southern Spain, and the views from the bridge and the surrounding overlooks are incredible. Walk through the historic old town, visit the Plaza de Toros bullring, explore the Arab Baths, and see the Palacio de Mondragón and Church of Santa María la Mayor. The Alameda del Tajo park has some amazing viewpoints overlooking the mountains and countryside. If you're up for a little hiking, you can also walk down below the bridge for one of the best views of the entire gorge. The surrounding countryside is filled with vineyards, wineries, and small villages. Ronda has plenty of restaurants and bars, so I'd recommend staying overnight and enjoying the town after the day-trip crowds leave.

Málaga: Spend at Least Two Days

Málaga is a fantastic place to finish the road trip, with a large pedestrian-friendly historic center, great nightlife, plenty of restaurants, and beautiful Mediterranean beaches. Some of the major attractions include the Alcazaba fortress, the Roman Theatre, the Cathedral of Málaga, and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, which has incredible views over the city and harbor. You can also visit the Picasso Museum, walk down the popular shopping street Calle Larios, and explore the waterfront at Muelle Uno. I would recommend spending at least two days in Málaga, especially if you want a beach day. One important tip: If you're planning to spend the day on the beach, I would skip the busy La Malagueta area and head farther east toward Pedregalejo or El Palo. We found the constant beach vendors at La Malagueta incredibly annoying, with people repeatedly approaching us trying to sell things. The beaches farther down the coast can be a much more relaxing experience, with plenty of beachfront restaurants and bars. Málaga is a great city, but I actually preferred the beach experience in Cádiz.

My recommendation would be to allow at least four days for this road trip, with one day in Cádiz, a day exploring Arcos de la Frontera and Setenil de las Bodegas, one full day in Ronda, and two days in Málaga. The drive itself is one of the highlights of the trip, so don't rush it. Some of the best scenery in Spain is along these quiet mountain roads, and renting a car gives you the freedom to stop whenever you see something interesting. You can typically find a point to point car rental in Spain for less than $300 per week. This is a great option for groups that can actually save you a little money on multiple train and bus rides. I found driving in Spain to be very easy and relaxing.

Ronda

Ronda Spain

Ronda

Malaga

Malaga Spain

Malaga Span

Ronda Spain

Setenil de las Bodegas

Cadiz Spain

Rome, Italy: Why It's the Best City for Your First Trip to Europe

Europe, hiking, italy, mountain biking, Rome

Pantheon in Rome

When someone asks me, "Where should I go for my first trip to Europe?", I always tell them to go to Rome. Yes, it's crowded, but it's a city that lives up to expectations in every way. You can wander through Rome for hours without an agenda and be blown away by what you’ll discover around every corner. People will wait in line for hours to see the Sistine Chapel, but you can wander into dozens of Cathedrals and churches in Rome for free and see incredible paintings, sculptures, and architecture without waiting in line. You really need at least 4-5 full days just to see the main attractions, and even then, you'll barely scratch the surface.

Rome has thousands of restaurants, and the food is one of the best parts of visiting. Google reviews have really leveled the playing field for tourists looking for a great meal without feeling overwhelmed. You're never more than 50 feet from somewhere good to eat, and it's easy to avoid the tourist traps by looking at reviews. We didn’t sit down for every meal. One thing I noticed was how many locals were eating sandwiches for lunch, so that's what we started doing. Another tip is to stop inside grocery stores to buy bottled water, sodas, and snacks. You'll pay a fraction of what the corner stores charge.

Exploring Ancient Rome: The Colosseum and Roman Forum

The Colosseum and Roman Forum are two attractions you absolutely have to see. We actually skipped going inside the Colosseum and just walked around the exterior, which is impressive enough on its own. The line can get insane and you’ll waste half a day standing around. Instead, we spent our time exploring the Roman Forum, and I would highly recommend it. I walked straight into the Forum with my ticket and there were less than 100 people on the street. Plan on spending at least 2 hours at the Forum. You can buy tickets online to skip the line and get a guaranteed entry time.

The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Rome's Churches

A great way to spend a day in Rome is just walking through the historic center. Start around the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings, and work your way toward the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. There are beautiful piazzas, fountains, restaurants, and churches everywhere you look. One church you shouldn't miss is Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola, which has an incredible painted ceiling that creates the illusion of a massive dome. Another favorite is San Luigi dei Francesi, where you can see three original Caravaggio paintings inside the Contarelli Chapel. Both churches are free. This is what makes Rome so amazing. Some of the greatest artwork in the world is sitting inside churches that you can walk into right off the street, without paying museum admission or waiting in a huge line.

Trastevere, the Tiber River, and Rome's Best Neighborhoods

One of my favorite neighborhoods in Rome is Trastevere, located across the Tiber River from the historic center. It's filled with narrow cobblestone streets, colorful old buildings, outdoor restaurants, bars, and beautiful little squares. It's a great place to explore during the day, but I especially recommend coming back in the evening when the restaurants and nightlife get going. Make sure to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of Rome's oldest churches, with beautiful golden mosaics inside. Another area I really enjoyed was around Ponte Palatino, where you can walk along the Tiber River and see some beautiful historic bridges, the nearby Tiber Island, and ancient ruins along the riverbanks. Rome is an incredibly walkable city, and exploring these neighborhoods without a strict itinerary was one of my favorite things about the trip.

Biking the Appian Way and the Park of the Aqueducts

One experience I highly recommend is renting a bicycle and getting outside the crowded city center. You can find bike rentals for around $15 a day and explore the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica), one of the oldest roads in the Roman Empire. You'll ride along ancient stone roads, past Roman tombs, ruins, and beautiful countryside that feels completely different from central Rome. Another place you absolutely shouldn't miss is the Park of the Aqueducts (Parco degli Acquedotti). This enormous park has miles of open space and trails running alongside massive ancient Roman aqueducts.You can ride your bike right through the park. It's one of the most memorable things we did in Rome, and surprisingly, there were very few tourists compared to the major attractions downtown. I'd recommend setting aside most of a day to explore the Appian Way and the aqueduct park, especially if you enjoy biking, history, and getting away from the crowds.

Getting to Rome

If you're flying to Rome from LAX, I recommend looking for flights in September and October. I've had great luck finding roundtrip tickets from Los Angeles to Rome for around $500–600 during the fall. September and October are also great months to visit Italy because the weather is generally comfortable for walking around, and you can avoid some of the intense summer heat. I usually start looking for flights about six months in advance and compare prices between several airlines. I've flown with Iberia, Swiss, Lufthansa, and British Airways and have had good experiences with all of them. One way to do it is to fly into Rome and out of Venice. You can hit Rome, Florence, Bologna, Verona and Venice for a perfect 2 week trip.

Roman Forum

Roman Colliseum

Park of the Aqueducts

Ponte Palatino

Spanish Steps

Trevi Fountain

The Vatican

Yosemite's Giant Sequoias: Hiking Mariposa Grove & Tuolumne Grove

National Park, sequoia, southern California hiking, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley

Mariposa Grove – Yosemite National Park

If you only have time to visit one giant sequoia grove in Yosemite, I would recommend the Mariposa Grove located near the park's southern entrance. This is the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite, with over 500 mature giant sequoias. You can no longer drive your own car directly to the grove unless you have a disability placard. Instead, park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and take the free shuttle about two miles up to the trailhead. The Grizzly Giant Loop Trail is approximately 2 miles long, with about 300 feet of elevation gain, and takes about 2 hours. Along the way, you'll see the Fallen Monarch, a massive fallen sequoia with its exposed roots, the Bachelor and Three Graces, the enormous Grizzly Giant, which is estimated to be around 3,000 years old, and the California Tunnel Tree, which you can walk through.

I would definitely recommend taking the shuttle rather than walking up from the Welcome Plaza. The hike from the parking lot to the grove is about two miles each way, with roughly 500 feet of elevation gain on the way up. It's a long uphill walk that I don't think is particularly interesting, especially when you could save your energy for exploring the actual grove. Taking the shuttle lets you spend more time among the giant sequoias instead of walking up the access road or trail. The shuttle generally operates from spring through fall, depending on weather and road conditions, and runs about every 15 minutes. If you're visiting during the winter when the shuttle isn't running, you'll need to hike the extra four miles round trip just to reach the grove and return to the parking lot. That turns the two mile long Grizzly Giant Loop into a roughly six mile long hike.

Tuolumne Grove Trail – Yosemite National Park

The Tuolumne Grove is one of the easiest places to see giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park, and it's definitely worth a stop if you're coming into or leaving Yosemite Valley on Highway 120 near Tioga Road. The trail starts near Crane Flat and follows a wide, mostly paved old road downhill for about one mile to the grove. It's a beautiful, shaded hike through the forest with a descent of about 500 feet. Once you reach the bottom, there's a short half-mile loop through the giant sequoias, including the famous Dead Giant Tunnel Tree, which has a large opening carved through its trunk that you can actually walk through. The entire hike, including the loop and the return to the parking lot, is approximately 2.5 miles round trip.

The Tuolumne Grove is much smaller and not nearly as impressive as the Mariposa Grove, but I still think it's worth visiting. There are about two dozen mature giant sequoias here, and the tunnel tree is probably the highlight. The hike down is easy, but remember that you'll have to climb those 500 feet back up to your car. Allow about 2 hours for the entire hike. Tioga Road typically closes from November through late May or early June because of snow. However, the closure begins just beyond the Tuolumne Grove near Crane Flat, so you can still drive to the trailhead from the western side of Yosemite when road conditions permit. The grove remains open year-round, although the trail can be covered in snow and ice during the winter.