California Campervan Road Trip | Part 1: A Proud and Reflective Solo Traveler | San Diego to Ventura

A Reflective Solo Traveler

Just before the start of my last semester of college in the summer of 2018, I recognized a big change was about to occur. I panicked for a number of reasons – I hadn’t really enjoyed any of my engineering internships, working in an office till I’m 60 sounded prison-like, adulthood was daunting, etc.

I also felt like I was missing out because I had only seen a tiny sliver of this beautiful world. Aside from a few family vacations and my spring break trips, I hadn’t traveled or explored as much as I wanted to. I never created the opportunity to study abroad like many of my friends. I had never left the country. I had never traveled alone. So, I spontaneously booked an eight-day all-inclusive trip to Costa Rica. It would begin right after I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in December and it would involve rainforests, sloths, parrots, a huge zipline, coffee farms, white water rafting, and boating in a river of crocodiles! Ahh! Magical!!

The trip was over $3,000, so I paid in increments. As each month of the semester slipped by, hundreds of dollars left my bank account for this dream of a trip. But simultaneously, my anxiety grew tenfold because everything was about to change, and I was processing certain traumatic experiences. That semester was the most suffocatingly anxious period of my life, and I realized my panic attacks weren’t just going to stop when I boarded a plane to travel to a foreign country alone. So, I canceled my trip to Costa Rica, lost that experience, and lost $1800 due to fear.

Fast forward one year. COVID-19 hit right when my boyfriend and I were about to go to England and Scotland. So, that was canceled, too. Since foreign countries were out of the question during 2020, I craved traveling to the west coast. I wanted to taste the salty air nestled above the Pacific Ocean. I wanted to climb snow-capped mountains and run freely through hilly meadows of wildflowers. I needed to feel those Californian hippy vibes deep in my soul. I wanted to live out west. I’ve wanted this so badly for the past two and a half years that I think my heart actually grows in size every time I think about being west of the Rocky Mountains.

Fast forward another year and a half. After many trials of cognitive behavioral therapy, breathing exercises, meditation, and forming healthy habits, I gained about a foot of height in personal growth. My mental health had stabilized and I was happy again! I was finally brave enough to travel alone, and my first solo trip was to Kansas City, MO. Though only four hours from home, I felt panicky during the drive. But after that trip, I did another one to Lake Michigan and then another one to Nashville, TN. The more you practice something, the easier it becomes. As time goes on while you tend to your mental well-being, the anxiety really does subside.

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A Proud Solo Traveler on a California Solo Trip!

It’s been two and a half years since I would have embarked on that trip to Costa Rica; two and a half years since I was so full of panic and misery that I decided I’d rather lose $1800 than venture to a beautiful green country.

I am so proud to say that I no longer let fear make decisions for me. I embrace the other side of my comfort zone and I chase after the adventures that make my heart swell with joy and magic. I wish I could hug my twenty-two-year-old self and tell her that not only will things get better, but I’ll even feel gratitude for the hardships that have come my way.

Today, in May of 2021, I’m traveling solo in a campervan for 16 days through the magical state of California!!

On Friday, April 30, I flew from St. Louis to Los Angeles and picked up a very flamboyant and sprightly campervan named Atman.

This van is a Ford Transit Connect – a Santa Cruz model from Escape Campervans. In my opinion, it’s the perfect size for one or two campers who only need the essentials, like to spend lots of time outdoors, and don’t want to haul around anything bulky. With two seats in the front, the back includes a full-size bed and pull-out camping supplies. I have a table and chairs, kitchen supplies, a sink, a fridge, a stove, and more.

California Solo Trip Part 1 Highlights 

Here is a quick overview of the highlights of the first four days of my trip!

After picking up Atman, I drove south along the coast, strolling through the colorful Flower Fields in Carlsbad and taking huge breaths of salty ocean air on a few beaches between Carlsbad and San Diego.

The first few days of my trip were pretty social! That evening I got to reunite with my good high school friend, Aly. She goes to law school in San Diego and very kindly dedicated some of her time to me amidst finals week. I love how easy it was to catch up and talk openly with her. We share very similar values, so we jabbed away over sushi about life and world views. She let me park my campervan in her carport for the two nights I was in SD, so I felt pretty safe!

My second day in San Diego was spent mainly in La Jolla, getting sunburnt, hanging out with the seals, and snorkeling in the cove. I rented a wet suit and snorkeling gear and was told to avoid the rocks because the waves were pretty intense that day. Though I didn’t get to explore the sea caves, I still saw some bright orange fish and bright green kelp and seaweed! I pushed myself further than I was comfortable until I was swimming out in the open ocean with no sight of the bottom.

That evening, I got to walk through Aly’s beautiful campus. The University of San Diego has incredible views, as it’s perched high up, overlooking the city and ocean. After a delicious Mexican meal and a good night’s sleep, I headed out on Sunday back up the coast towards Malibu.

But before I headed out, that rainy morning was spent at a Farmer’s Market, meeting up with an old friend, Dani! I hadn’t seen her in about ten years! She so sweetly gave me some very delicious vegan chocolate.

Along the drive, I stopped in Costa Mesa to visit a temporary pop-up location of Package Free Shop. It’s my very favorite online store to purchase ethically and sustainably produced and package-free home and beauty products. The CEO, Lauren Singer, lives a zero waste life, and I’m just doing my best to follow in her low-carbon footsteps. I don’t often get to see rows of sustainable products lined up neatly in person, so it was a happy moment.

I met my college friend, Elizabeth, at Laguna Beach for lunch. No one can charcuterie like Elizabeth, so I was in for a fancy and delicious treat.

That evening I met up with another good friend from high school, Ayla! We used to get into all kinds of trouble when we were teenagers, but it seems we have grown up quite a bit. Ayla stayed with me for two nights at Sycamore Canyon Campground in Malibu, where the very extraverted squirrels happily helped themselves to our food and even scampered inside the campervan a few times.

On Monday, Ayla and I drove to Ventura to board a boat. We were off to Channel Islands National Park!

The boat ride was quite windy and bouncy. It even included some stomach drops as we went over big waves, so I understand why people get seasick now. Thankfully, we were fine! The ride lasted an hour and fifteen minutes, and our destination was about 20 miles off the coast of California. We spent a few hours hiking on Santa Cruz Island. WOOWWW, it was a magical island of rolling green mountains, rugged cliff sides, island foxes, and vast, vast ocean!

After dinner and drinks in the cute coastal town of Santa Barbara, our heads hit the pillows pretty quickly after a long day in the sun.

After Ayla and I departed the following morning, the real solo adventure began.

Mental Health Blog Disclaimer

I am not a medical professional, therapist, or mental healthcare professional. The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only, comes from my own personal experiences, and may be read, interpreted, and practiced at your own risk. Do not rely on this information as a substitute to medical advice or treatment from a healthcare professional.