(This article by Colorado-based author Judy Christie originally appeared in the June 2023 issue of Military Officer, a magazine available to all MOAA Premium and Life members. Learn more about the magazine here; learn more about joining MOAA here.)
For adventures off-road, on foot, by bicycle, or afloat, California overflows with unique excursions in each of the state’s regions — desert, Sierra Nevada Mountains, coast, and valley. Whether you want to stroll around a waterfront town and enjoy local food or canoe a remote river, vacation options abound.
An exhilarating expedition is four-wheel-drive training and guided trips in Death Valley, the Rubicon, and the Eastern Sierras.
“We travel the back roads that most tourists don’t or can’t visit,” said Tom Severin, president of Badlands Off-Road Adventures Inc., an off-road training school based in Redondo Beach, a short distance from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
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A trip to remote and vast Death Valley “is the gold standard for a trip, with high scenic value, remoteness, layers of history, and great camping,” Severin said. Even experienced off-road drivers will learn from the “getting started class” with fun and challenging drives at remarkable places. You can bring your own vehicle, or one can be provided.
If you want to visit on your own, Death Valley National Park has nearly 1,000 miles of paved and dirt roads providing access to popular and remote locations, including sand dunes, salt flats, singing rocks, and sandstone canyons — but keep an eye out for extreme weather.
National park admission is free for active duty military personnel and their dependents with identification, and lifetime passes are available for veterans and Gold Star families.
Ahoy! Water Beckons
Perhaps water appeals to you more than sand, so step onto the famous Queen Mary in Long Beach, also near LAX, for an elegant, nostalgic experience — complete with military history.
To enhance your ocean knowledge, check out the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, with fascinating details of the Santa Barbara Channel and 13,000 years of human interaction with the sea. The museum, located in the heart of Santa Barbara Harbor, sits near restaurants, shops, and activities for the entire family. Admission is discounted for seniors and free to active duty servicemembers.
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A different kind of water activity awaits if you head north to set sail in a SOAR inflatable canoe on the undeveloped Russian River. Add on an e-bike road tour, both through Russian River Adventures, based in Healdsburg, an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Whether you are an avid cyclist or a beginner, the e-bike tours allow you to cruise through vineyards, country estates, farms, and redwoods in the Russian River and Dry Creek valleys.
River trips are organized by veteran “river rat” and company owner Larry Laba, “with plenty of nice water,” he said, and chances to see an array of wildlife and birds, including bald eagles. Discounts for veterans are offered.
Delicious Activities
When travels make you hungry, take to your feet in beautiful Monterey with Monterey Bay Food Tours, where you go from one food stop to another, learning about the city’s culture while enjoying local cuisine.
“Our tours take you to some of our favorite locally owned and operated food stops while sharing historical and fun facts about Monterey,” said U.S. Navy veteran Felipe Aguilar, former tour guide and consultant for the business.
The business offers a 15% discount for servicemembers, law enforcement, and first responders.
With your stomach full, feed your mind at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, honoring John Steinbeck, Nobel Prize-winning author and one of the most influential U.S. writers. You don’t have to be a book lover to enjoy this museum, with its creative exhibits, including the camper truck Steinbeck drove in Travels with Charley, one of literature’s most famous road trips. Discounts for veterans and active duty servicemembers are available.
With these starter California adventures, pull out a map and prepare for others, remembering what Steinbeck wrote: “A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike.”
Historical Highlight: March Field Air Museum in Riverside, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles, has 107 aircraft from the early days of aviation to the latest tactical aircraft, indoor exhibits, and an impressive outdoor flight line.
More to Explore
Whether you're looking for a day trip, weekend getaway, or bucket-list adventure, MOAA's Live and Play has you covered. Want even more travel ideas and exclusive member discounts? Check out MOAA Vacations!
