Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur, California is a hidden gem along the coastline. Between the place where the mountains frame the beauty of the beach and the shore meets the surf, you will find “purple” sand sprinkled beneath your toes.

The purple sand deposits are the product of erosion from the manganese garnet that washes down the mountains when it rains. The beach did not disappoint and was worth the trials to get here. In fact, had there been no purple sand, the beach would have been spectacular, nonetheless.

Continue reading and I will help you anticipate and avoid some of the difficulties I faced in trying to find it, and provide you with more information about the small, but stunning beach that is worth your time to explore off the beaten path of California’s Pacific Coast Highway.

The Best Things to Do at Pfeiffer Beach

Pfeiffer Beach

Recent times are forcing us to reevaluate the way we travel. Is it better near home? Could there be amazing adventures in our own backyards? While I’ve had time to think about how travel will look in the future, memories of the open road remind me of the power in a good road trip. Planning your next road trip is an adventure in itself, and gives you a roadmap to getting that fresh air you’ve been craving.

But how can you choose when each area of the United States has its own unique culture, nature, and offbeat adventures? In my opinion, the West Coast is a destination in its own league. I’ve previously shared a blog post dedicated to the road trips in western USA, but I think the northwest deserves a lot more attention as paradise for everything outdoors.

This detailed itinerary takes you from San

In the eyes of the aurora hunter, few places can compete with Canada. It’s the second largest country in the world in terms of area, yet it’s one of the least densely populated with only four people per square kilometer. Combined with the country’s location in the auroral oval, Canada is the perfect (sun) storm. The entire country is basically prime real estate to see the northern lights in its full glory.

Here are some of the best spots to catch the northern lights in the Great White North:

Iqaluit, Nunavut- 63.7 degrees North

About this spot: Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut, Canada’s northernmost territory. Nunavut is huge—it makes up over a fifth of Canada! Most of the territory sits within the Arctic circle, so prepare for temperatures that range from -15°C to -40°C in the winter. If you’re looking to visit a lot of

I’ve been on a fair amount of road trips in my day. From a camper van in Chile’s Atacama desert to Northern Thailand, the American Southwest and even Tahiti, there’s nothing as freeing as taking your own vehicle and sticking to your own timeline.

Given it’s one of my favorite ways to travel, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned from the last few years of taking road trips around the world. This is my ultimate checklist, the only one you’ll ever need:

For your vehicle:

Maybe you’re taking your own vehicle, or maybe it’s a rental. Either way, there are a few absolute essentials, as well as things that’ll just make the journey easier and a little bit sweeter.

For yourself:

• Water bottle (and fill it up every chance you get)
• Snacks (I love dried fruits, nuts,

It’s no surprise that I’m a believer in the power of solo travel.  Over seven years of exploring the world has made me appreciate the freedom of my own company, even in a place that is new to me.

Yet solo travel can be intimidating – especially at first. When I traveled to Bangkok by myself for the first time, I was nervous until the plane took off. But my other life-changing trips would not have happened if I never took that initial leap of faith.

The confidence to travel by yourself is more about your mind than it is about your abilities. Solo travel forces you to believe in your strength, and soon enough you’ll realize you can accomplish more than what you thought possible.

But if you still need that extra push to commit to your next adventure, take it from these 22 quotes that capture the

When it comes to spending time in the great outdoors, I’m always looking to strike a balance between function, fashion, and comfort. When an item has all three aspects covered, I know I’ve found a winner.

I’ve spent most of my life hiking outdoors and have finally found a recipe I can rely on for the best hiking clothes. The following are my favorites, prioritizing green companies that care about the environment as well as items that stand the test of time:

Sports Bras

Just like regular bras, it’s best to try them on to determine if it will fit you well. I personally find the sports bras from Under Armour and lululemon to fit me the best.

Tops

Tank tops are great for hiking in tropical climates, or as your base layer for hiking in moderate weather.

Cotton can take a while