My Adventures Escaping Tundra-Land

Not in Minnesota anymore!

When I returned home to Minneapolis from college in late December I realized I should have been more thankful for the mild boston winters that seem balmy in comparison. In the two weeks I was home I never experienced a day where the temperature made it above zero. Any other cold-weathered folk out there? I pretty much spent most of my time on the couch trying to self-teach crypto-basics and watch Elliott Wave tutorials.

My tundra ride-or-die

Thankfully I had plans in the works to travel around the West coast before returning to Wellesley for my spring semester.

Icy tarmac--good riddance MPLS!

In the past few weeks I’ve slept on many beds, met many people, and witnessed countless amazing sights. So I thought I'd compile a list of a just a few of my favorite spots between Seattle and LA.

I first flew into Seattle to visit my brother who recently moved there. He took me around Bainbridge Island to some lush moss-covered forests, introspective reflecting pools, and barnacle-covered beaches.

Mossy trees at the Bloedel Reserve

This quiet reflecting pool was also nestled into the Bloedel Reserve

I would definitely recommend hiking down to this quiet beach at Gazzam Lake Preserve

I met up with some friends in Seattle who would travel with me down the coast. But first! I got to see @rose666 play an awesome show after getting some drinks at a dive bar in Wallingford with perfect greasy fries from Dick’s Drive-In to follow.

Check out the Hardly Boys!

Excellent fast, cheap option for late-night grub

The next morning we hopped on a flight to Santa Cruz where we stayed with my dad for a few days. It was mostly raining but we got to be arcade rats at the boardwalk as well as take some rainy neighborhood walks.

We set off for LA and made the drive in record time, passing miles and miles of Almond orchards along the way. Once there we relaxed in the sunshine at the Getty museum which is truly worth a visit--if not for the art, for the space and architecture that houses the art.

Amidst neighborhood walks, pancake breakfasts with new friends, and late night Korean Barbecue, we also spent some time at some iconic LA destinations--the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach. I love these vibrant spots because there is really every kind of person here. I saw a woman fire-dancing in a swimsuit while being filmed by a drone, a talented pack of skateboarders, artists, travelers weightlifters, performers, and families. I even ran into my 4th grade crush who recently moved to LA.

Just look at these colors!

I said goodbye to my friends and drove back up to Santa Cruz to spend a few more days exploring. I got to visit two of my favorite parks in the world--Point Lobos and Butano State Park. Point Lobos is basically real life Jurassic Park while Butano is a heavy, deep forest exploding with oxygen and banana slugs.

Point Lobos State Reserve is located just south of Monterey

Those rays bring me life!

Butano State Park has barely any visitors on a rainy day in the off-season and is absolutely worth a visit

I head back to wintery Boston in a few days but I feel superhuman after all that nourishment, sunshine, and good company. Until next time, West Coast!

Let me know if I’ve missed any of your favorite spots out west :)