Discover ghosts, goblins and Halloween costumes along with ghoulishly fun frights at California haunted houses, theme parks and other Halloween venues. Since the fright industry has grown so quickly, both mild and terrifying fun are available throughout the fall.
We’ve found some great events (many of them free) in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Vallejo, Anaheim, Buena Park, Los Angeles, Long Beach and Hollywood. They’re categorized based on “freak out” level. The younger kids will probably enjoy our lowest freak out factor while more ambitious teens will probably go for the highest fear features!
San Francisco & Bay Area Halloween Freak Out Fun for Teens
San Francisco can be terrifying! Teens especially should appreciate the special evening cruise tours of Alcatraz Tuesday to Saturday nights. They leave from Pier 33 and cost more than daylight tours. Plus, it’s guaranteed to be cold and windy. Just imagine how you’d feel if the boat pulled away and left you visiting this legendary prison after dark. If you are interested in day light tours, they offer a Family Ticket Special for two adults and two children ages 5-11 that’s worthwhile. Alcatraz is one of those bucket list items that won’t disappoint.
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Every weekend from late September through October, California theme parks drag out the cobwebs and ketchup to create truly terrifying Halloween environments. For example, at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, Kids Boo Fest is back. Hundreds of zombies and costumed little ones roam the park by day, but they’re kid-friendly. The scariest score here is that season ticket and day pass holders get to enter the mayhem for free.
Fright Fest, recommended for ages 13+ is also back. These special haunts include four haunted houses, five scare zones and night-lit thrill rides. It’s all just for fun, but if you’re afraid of bugs, ghosts or zombies (real or fake), don’t go! Grownups also have Oktoberfest select dates Sept. 14 – Nov. 3 so they can recover with a wurst and a craft beer.
Great Adventure Style Low Freakout California Haunted Houses
If you’re closer to Santa Clara, select nights between late September and Oct. 26, California’s Great America theme park launches a PG-rated Tricks and Treats. The park is elaborately decorated with gentle themed scare zones and cobwebs in the Tricks zone. The Land of Treats includes two uniquely festive areas: Everfall and Sweet Tooth Acres. Pumpkins have their own special section throughout the park and there are a few live stage shows.
All ages will appreciate that the park’s collection of thrill rides is open. Wait until dusk for Gold Striker, one of the coolest wooden coasters on the planet. It sounds like rattling skeleton bones each Halloween.
Peculiar Family Freak Out: Haunted Winchester House in San Jose
For a century, the castle-like Winchester Mystery House on a quiet residential street in San Jose has mystified neighbors and thrilled fans of eccentric ‘folly’ homes. Built by Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, heiress to the rifle-maker fortune, the Victorian mansion really shines over Halloween. Seek out Ms. Winchester’s bizarre construction elements such as staircases that lead nowhere, doors that open to walls, and windows that look into other rooms. The seasonal, weekends-only “Unhinged Hotel” is immersively horrible; beware before you buy. Winchester Mystery House, best seen with school age and older kids, is fascinating any time of year.
SLO Frights and Haunts in San Luis Obispo
Yes! Go zombie hunting and axe throwing at Gladiator Paintball Park this year. The popular astroturf Paintball space undergoes some wild transformation during October. Hunt for gruesome zombies, practice your Paintball skills or for a softer version, check out the much gentler GellyBall. If you haven’t slain enough zombies, try your swing at one of four outdoor axe throwing lanes.
Not your speed? Let the teens join in on the mayhem while you try some wine tasting at local vineyards.
Welcome Back Freaky Queen Mary, Hello to Gentle Long Beach Aquarium
Shipwreck fans can once again board the classic Queen Mary ship museum for a night of frightful fun on The Queen Mary in Long Beach harbor. Prior to becoming a museum, she served many years ferrying military to the Pacific during WW2 in addition to all her glamorous trans-Atlantic cruises. Imagine the haunted stateroom tales to tell. The amazingly elegant ship is a true California haunted house at sea. Every fall, on select nights from late September to early November, The Queen Mary transforms the ship and the harbor into the Dark Harbor: a huge halloween festival with highlights such as mazes, monsters, haunted attractions, carnival rides, spooky treats, and live entertainment.
Families with brave souls under 12-years should check out Scarium Family Night at the nearby Long Beach at Aquarium of the Pacific. This Halloween themed deep sea haunt takes place on mid-October weekend. For more than two decades, families have enjoyed a children’s costume contest, creepy coloring contest, a vampire magician, underwater pumpkin carving, and .
Extreme Low to Xtreme High (Maybe Explosive) Freak Outs at Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park
The “Knott’s Spooky Farm” for ages 3-11 at Knott’s Berry Farm features adorable Camp Snoopy’s Spooktivities. Little ones love the trick-or-treating, cookie decorating, pumpkin decorating and the Calico Carnival Costume Cavalcade. There’s even original seasonal shows at the Camp Snoopy Theatre and some events require a separate ticket. Trust us; if you’re only 36″ tall, you’re going to get a little kick out of this.
Then there’s Knott’s Scary Farm designed to terrify any age group with Southern California’s largest event. Expect twisted mazes, scare zones, thrilling rides and shows packed with hundreds of costumed and active participants, often members of the living dead. The special Halloween Haunt ticketed event for ages 13+ is open select nights between late-September and early November. Even the rollercoasters and thrill rides increase their scare factor.
Gentle Freak Out at Disneyland in Anaheim
Of course, Disney’s two-park kingdom in Anaheim transforms with seasonal overlays on rides and attractions. Disney does Halloween-themed décor right and to the max. Plus, guests encounter friendly Disney characters as well as dastardly Disney villains in their Halloween finery.
The Disneyland Resort rocks with magically made-over attractions, shows and rides included in admission. Watch for special themed events along Main Street and elsewhere in the parks. Book ahead, however, for the separate-ticket events, such as the two-hour Disney’s Happiest Haunts Guided Tour. Most programming occurs select nights between late August and October 31. So you know, count on wearing Halloween costumes to enjoy special attractions like the immersive Villains Grove, food and beverages, treat trails and character sightings – plus the “Mickey’s Trick and Treat” show and “Frightfully Fun Parade.”
Cars Land for Low Freakout Fun & a California Haunted House
At Disney California Adventure Park, Cars Land’s set transforms into Radiator Screams during the same season. As part of their Haul-O-Ween celebration, local residents decorate their establishments and don their favorite “car-stumes.” Our favorite Guardians of the Galaxy becomes Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark to thrill older family members.
At Haunted Mansion Holiday, Jack Skellington and his friends from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” take over the classic ride.
Additionally, Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park honors Dia de los Muertos in September and on the celebration days of Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 with Mexican cuisine and entertainment from Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award-winning “Coco.” Check out the special Hispanic-inspired treats on sale at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
High Freak Out Factor: Universal’s Halloween Horror in Hollywood, LA, California Haunted Houses and More
You don’t need to have seen Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” to know that Hollywood’s always a nightmare. Universal Hollywood hosts a bunch of Halloween Horror Nights from late August to Halloween night. Expect an awesomely high freak out factor, a variety of frightful experiences in eight haunted houses, six mazes, plus four scare zones and live entertainment. Watch out for some of the most infamous characters. They who are on the lookout for unsuspecting visitors.
Make your way through spooky California haunted houses and mazes, inspired by “Evil Dead” and “The Purge.” Catch classic horror icons ranging from Freddy Kruger and Leatherface. Don’t miss the Backlot Tour via Terror Tram; it’s always got hidden frights so watch out on October nights.
Forget the general admission rates and go for the killer deals and discounts promoted on the website. Front-of-the-line passes are also available; rates will make you heart-sick. No kid’s tickets are sold, since Universal doesn’t recommend this event for anyone under 13. Remember: No costumes or masks are allowed; here’s an HHN blog with more gruesome details.
Freaky All Over: Annual West Hollywood Carnaval
A photo posted by Christopher J. Smith (@sonofsammie) on
Nearly half a million revelers will once again descend on Santa Monica Blvd. between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Blvd. in West Hollywood for this year’s West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval. This legendary WeHo parade returns from 6pm-11pm for the first time since the pandemic began.
Heed the rules! Management recommends you leave pets and young kids at home to better enjoy the parade’s risque costumes to the max. No backpacks, camera bags or totes are allowed at the Halloween Carnaval. For everyone’s safety, please carry items in clear plastic bags. (Or, just carry an ID and credit card with you.) Additionally, plan on rideshares to get there (no parking) and food trucks (businesses close) to keep you sated. Expect a busy night ahead.
Gentler Boos in Los Angeles & San Diego
Look for smaller California haunted houses and more local ways to celebrate this year in Los Angeles and the SoCal region. Boo at the L.A. Zoo at the Los Angeles Zoo is a delight for younger children, especially the extinct animal graveyard. Special events take place every weekend in October.
SeaWorld San Diego hosts five haunted houses and seven scare zones for the annual Howl-O-Scream. It is recommended for adults but don’t be scared. The fun runs from late September to early November. You’ll enjoy imaginative California style haunted houses, roaming haunts, interactive bars, live shows, and more.
San Diego Zoo presents a family-friendly Halloween celebration, HalGLOWeen this October. Dress up and join their nocturnal animals for a night at the zoo. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday after 5pm, come for live music, a reptile show, stiltwalkers, bubbles, acrobats, and more. Zookeepers are on hand to facilitate your animal interactions.
Find more Halloween fun at haunted houses for kids and spooky events around the country.
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For summer vacation St John in USVI is an excellent place to visit. St. John is a true gem in the Caribbean with crystal clear waters, lush green mountains and gorgeous white sand beaches. Though it is the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John’s unspoiled beauty is perhaps the greatest found anywhere in the Caribbean. Sixty percent of the island is national park land, creating the illusion that you are as far from civilization as possible. However, fine shopping such as upscale jewelry stores and boutiques are just a short distance away. Boating is also a popular activity for visitors of the islands. Rent a boat and island hop to neighboring islands and cays or enjoy a day of snorkeling, swimming, picnicking and relaxing aboard one of many day sail charter boats.
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I would suggest a car seat cover it helped me and my wife a lot from our last trip to Hawaii with my baby daughter here it is
Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Hawksnest Bay, and through the termites’ nests of Virgin Islands National Park. These are some beautiful places which are really attracts travelers to visit the islands.
Yes! Go to the Dominican Republic at least one time in your life.
Travel Forum are always helpful
Hello Clary, we are not attorneys but we do not see a need to have a power of attorney over your cousin for your trip. A permission to travel letter from the guardians, as well as a medical authorization letter — in case your cousin needs medical treatment — should be fine for your trip. This letter should come from the guardians, not you, so they should do it now rather than wait till your arrival to finish the paperwork. When they fill it out does not matter, since the letter will have the travel dates that your cousin will be with you. Have a safe trip and enjoy!
Hello
I’m traveling with my cousin who is a minor to South Korea in July 2018 its less than 20 days away along with the travel to consent letter should I get a temporary power of attorney. Also should I set a specific time frame to do these things or can I do it the day before we leave. I ask because I have to travel to where she lives and we are flying out of her city two days after I get there.
Its a lovely place. My experience was very excellent. I enjoyed such an amazing camel ride. Staff was well-trained & well-dressed up. Very helpfull staff ,I am very impressed. I suggest to all to go there & have some fun.
Royal Desert Camp is one of the best tent camps in Sam, Jaisalmer. We had visited on 31st Dec and stayed here for the night. There was an extra charge for the Gala Dinner, but it was worth the money spent. We were 3 girls on a road trip and it was a safe and good place to be at.
Being in the city of Royal Tents in Jaisalmer of moving sand ridges, you can’t get away from the seat travel. A rough ride on a camel in the Thar Desert is one of the energizing things to do in Jaisalmer Royal Camps. It enables you to investigate the remote and segregated spots tucked amidst the abandon. Absolutely, the additional time you give on your safari, the more remote spots you are probably going to see and the more you may acclimate to and appreciate the abandon serenity.
Jaisalmer luxury camp in Sam Sand Dunes is an unquestionable requirement visit in the province of Rajasthan in the environs of the city of Jaisalmer. It is likely that you are going for a Desert Safari when wanting to visit Thar Desert or the consequences will be severe, the purpose of going there is pointless, making the Sam Sand Dunes an expanding significant vacation spot of the city.
Visit Us : http://www.desertdreamroyalcamp.com/rooms.php
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There is a reason why Iceland is a favourite travel destination. It’s natural beauty of mountains, volcanoes, and bodies of water make this country seem surreal … https://www.merrchant.com/daily/2/travel-blogs/
Indeed Caribbean islands are popular with families in the summer because of less rates than in winter, and the beaches and cultural attractions are just as appealing.
If you are interested in visiting Cusco, getting in touch with its people, volunteering in our Nutrition and education projects, then visit http://www.takemeinyourheart.org
My wife and I (US citizens) want to to take my 16 year old niece (who is a FIlipino citizen) to Korea for a graduation gift. We plan to pick her up in Philippines and fly together to Korea. We have all parental permissions and have proof of ability to support her trip. Is it possible for my niece to obtain the visa? A travel agent in the Philippines is telling us no.
What a wonderful graduation present! We cannot speak on behalf of the government of Korea, as they determine their visa policy for citizens of all countries who want to visit. What we suggest is that you contact the Korea Embassy in the US – 202-939-5600 – as you are U.S.citizens, and ask them for their advice.
Regardless of the visas, it is important that when you travel with your minor niece you have the Permission Letters, so that is a great first step.
Have a safe trip, please let us know if we can be of help.
I want to know how much cost the whole trip can be required to visit this destination. I would like to specific answer on thanks in advance.
The Montcalm Club is a reward program offering free membership for all 5-star MontCalm hotels in London. Each of The MontCalm Luxury Hotels is uniquely and elegantly designed to enhance your stay whether you are in London for business, shopping, theatre or sight-seeing. We extend a diverse range of benefits for our valued guests. Become a member by registering online or at reception at any of MontCalm properties and earn 100 points straightaway & 10 points on every pound you spend on your room booking at any of our hotels. Collect the requisite points and redeem them for a free night stay at the Mont Calm Hotels in London. So, what you are waiting for? Join, Earn & Redeem at the montcalmclub. This time montcalmclub offering the loyalty rewarding in that people can save up to 15% on membership.
This is such a piece of paradise.
Love the pictures, outstanding post! You absolutely re-fueled my wish to visit Morocco. It’s been on my bucket incline for fairly some time. Sounds like you had a blast!
Indeed! Agra is one of the most beautiful places in India to visit. Taj Mahal is one of my favourites. Seeing Agra Fort in Person is quite mesmerizing too. Thank for the trip planning details. I will bookmark this for my future India travels.
A very nice information about Agra and its related places. People usually think a lot about making their trip well-organised. This will gonna help them.
Hurricanes strike without intimation, we need to take some preventive measures to reduce the impact of hurricanes. The information given here is really useful. I would like to add some of the tips that help to survive a hurricane like, create a plan for the family, secure your home with hurricane resistant products, always have a survival kit with you. Take some helpful hints from the professionals and secure your home and make sure you have an escape route ready with you.
Of course! Christmas is a magical time for children – and equally unusual for moms and dads who love nothing more than to see their little ones’ faces smiley with festive joy.
There are so many countries and their cities where people can enjoy these festivals, but I think London is the most popular place to enjoy the lightning of the festivals like Christmas.
Christmas is magical especially for kids. We were lucky enough to take our kids to Lapland when they were younger. Meeting the real Santa and his elves was wonderful.
Great article with good information
thanks for it
If anyone is looking for anything else to do in London, there is a Christmas market in Hyde Park that lasts through New Years. There are several other seasonal events that you can enjoy.
https://londonconnection.com/upcoming-events-london/
Great products!
Volunteer vacations, or voluntourism, is one of the fastest growing trends in the travel industry. By taking a volunteer vacation, you’ll be able to do good as well as have fun and make a difference in the world. Whereas volunteer is always appreciated by all people. One of my friends is a working as a volunteer for voyage humanitaire, these trips offer a great charity experience, Where you can offer your support to the needful people.
Nothing is more beautiful than Europe. Would definitely travel to Europe one day.
Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand is known for its vibrant street life and ornate shrines. It is a city which is exquisitely decorated with Buddhist temples all around along with various natural beauties. The city of Bangkok welcomes more visitors than any other city in the world and is known as a hot and chaotic city.
How did Halloween get to be so big? The most fun we ever had was at the Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca, but I see now that in the US, it’s gone to a whole new level of madness.
A road trip through New England is beautiful at any time of year, but when the leaves begin to turn (anywhere from early September to late October) it can be spectacular.
The common wisdom is that the leaves get their signal to change color when night time temperatures drop below 40 F degrees. The farther north you go towards Canada, and the higher the elevation, the sooner this occurs. By mid-September you may see a whole range of colors in northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
In New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, those colors could reach their peak around early October. In Manhattan, New York City where my family lives, we always count on Columbus Day as being the height of leaf color around us, but a big storm or early frost can change all that.
The safest bet is to ask the source — tourism offices in the states you are interested in — as they monitor the climate and moisture in the leaves very closely. Here is a round up of resources for leaf peepers:
Leaf Peekers Guide Americas Fall Foliage
What a great list this is — I just got back from Norway and have to say that the Raumer railway, from Alesund up to Bergen, is another gorgeous ride. The Norway fjords are very beautiful.
I never knew South Dakota was an ice-cream hotspot, sounds like a great place for foodie familes. The local dishes–I need to try chislic–are making my mouth-water. Thanks for such an informative peice on a part of the country I know so little about.
We’ve just heard the good news that Finnair is increasing airlift to five airports in Lapland for the winter 2017-2018 season. Between Jan 1- March 24, 2018, Finnair will add four weekly frequencies to Rovaniemi, three to Kuusamo, and extra flights between Helsinki and Ivalo and Helsinki and Kittilä.
During the winter 2017-2018 season, Finnair will also operate new non-stop flights to Lapland airports from London Gatwick, Paris and Zurich.
we love this idea, to add actual storybooks to the amazing storytelling that goes on at Disneyland. Imagine you can follow up on the excitement of a thrill ride with the moral tale that influenced it, how much more meaningful that would become for our kids. thanks for sharing it!
My 16 yr old is planning to go to Costa Rica with an 18yr old and a 19 yr old. What papers do I need to fill out and have him bring?
Submitted by D.A. to moderator
This article explains the forms that we recommend and why they are needed for the 16-year-old: https://myfamilytravels.com/content/14513-permission-travel-letters-and-why-you-need-them
There is a field within the article where you can input your email address to request that blank forms are sent to you. Please check your Inbox and spam filter for a confirmation email that will ‘confirm’ your request, and once you have clicked on it, you should get a second email with the forms themselves.
My family has been in the wholesale end of the souvenir supply business dating back to 1952 when my Grandfather came out of retirement at age 51 and bought a local wholesale jobber distributor that sold some small wooden novelties made in the Ozarks.
Along with my father’s youth, energy and drive they built a small regional business into a national Importer/Distributor with regional warehouses serving the souvenir needs of Tourist attractions throughout the US. It’s an interesting story and one that started with cheap trinkets Made in Japan that transformed Asia into the powerful Manufacturing Revolution that feeds thousands of Big box Retailers today.
One of our oldest and most popular local attractions here in the midwest that is still operating under the original Family is Meramec Caverns. The attraction has been largely shut down early this spring due to some troubling environmental problems which I believe developed after a regional Flood of the Meramec washed out the visitor center. I believe its set to reopen soon. This is the type of “Attraction” that has kept families on the road and vintage souvenirs making a comeback.
Fairway Mfg. Company
Mark Sobelman, President
2424 Schuetz Rd.
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
Thanks for the feedback, that travel stroller you got looks like a great solution with 2 kids, but it’s pricey! Let us know how you like using it on your trip.
Congratulations!
Traveler Carla K asks:
My eleven year old son will be traveling with his grandmother to Vietnam and Cambodia. They will have a plane change in Korea (which will be a port of entry, so I assume they will go through immigration and customs here as well).
This is my question: Do I need to sign and notarize three separate forms (one per country)?
Our answer:
We are not attorneys but we recommend that you have several copies of the same form, and that the form include the travel information about the whole itinerary. In terms of changing planes, there may not be a need to go through Immigration in Korea. However, if you have an original form that mentions all the flights/countries within a broad range of travel dates, and have photocopies that grandparents can leave behind if requested by an Immigration official, they should be fine.
We wish your son and his grandmother a safe and fun trip — it certainly sounds like a fascinating journey to us.Thank you and please get in touch with other questions.
The CPB has some useful advice on this topic on their web page: http://ow.ly/Q2WEY
Well the 1st of June started out soggy. I, along with most all the captains had to cancel due to the fact that it rained and lightened most of the day. The rest of the week was beautiful. None of my clients this week wanted to Tarpon fish, so I stayed inshore most of the week, but the reports I’m getting are still saying that the tarpon bite is remaining strong at Bean Point and along the beach. All my clients this week wanted to stay inshore to take home some fish for the dinner table. The bite this week was slow in the morning but picked up at the tale end of the high tide and was good through the outgoing tide. Most days we were able to catch 20 or so trout with about half being in the keeper range. The big trout of the week was 23″ with most of the trout being caught in 3′-4′ of water on small grass patches. The Redfish bite has been slow but we are managing to catch a couple each trip during the higher water along the mangroves. The Snook bite has been good as long as the tide is moving. Most trips we were able to catch around 15-20 with most being in the 25″ range. If you are looking to book at fishing charter or fishing trip and are near Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Bradenton, Sarasota, St. Pete, or Tampa areas book with Anna Maria Inshore Fishing, LCC call Fishing Guide Capt. Kyle (941) 345-7182 http://www.annamariainshorefishing.com or check out my brother Fishing Guide Capt. Ryan (941) 812-7435 http://www.bradentoninshorefishing.com
I just wanted to inquire how much a cruise is how long it is what the fees and baggage charges etc are there accommodation for children that are autistic _ is there a discount for people that are Disneyland annual pass holders
By Deb L, moved by Forums moderator
Disney cruises are really fun, and their staff is so well trained to work with all kids, that I think you will find them able to include a child with autism in the regular children’s programming. (Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line I know — see story — that has specific accommodations and loaner toy kits, for example, for guests on the spectrum.)
DCL Cruises run 4 to 7 days typically, pricing varies because some have theme park tickets bundled in, some leave from Florida, others from California and a ship will be in Europe this summer.
You can find out more about Disney Cruise Lines at their site: vhttp://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ – that would be the place to inquire if pass holders get any type of discount. One good cruise travel specialist we know is Magic For Less — http://www.themagicforless.com/ – and they can help you sort through the many choices.
Have a great trip, we don’t think you’ll go wrong!
From a quirky retail store, to a nature park with over 380 live animals, the Shell Factory is “must see” for families visiting The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in Southwest Florida. Located in Fort Myers, this iconic, offbeat roadside attraction offers a variety of activities, souvenirs and experiences for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
You can shop for Christmas decorations in the Christmas store (which is open year-round!), try out a hurricane simulator, watch hermit crab races, stroll through aisles filled with taxidermy, indulge in homemade fudge, channel your inner pirate in the Pirate room and more.
Thanks to Julianna Bryan for her fun suggestion.
Hello, my name is Joshua. You have a great site. I have a few questions that has branched off from reading your article by Kyle McCarthy about the road trip from Jacksonville Florida to Key West using A1A and also Route 1. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am in the navy and live in Jacksonville. I recently decided that I am going to take a long (month or longer) backpacking trip from Jacksonville to Miami (or Key west if I can make it). I am having trouble decideing which route to take A1A or Route 1. It seems as if you took both on your road trip. Maybe you can suggest which I take. If you can make any suggestions maybe you could consider I will be backpacking and looking for a decent sized shoulder on the side to walk on. I would like easier access to motels and food. I also wonder if I could plop a tent down anywhere in my travels? Also, I picture myself stopping for a cold beer here and there along my travels somewhere that a dirty backpacker would be welcomed. The problem is I am currently on deployment overseas so my research is limited and I am not very familiar with Florida at all yet. Any help for my backpacking trip would be greatly appreciated so I can start to plan it as much as I can at sea for now. The descriptions of your trip are very well detailed, I am just not sure which route to concentrate on or would be easier, more scenic and fun for a backpacker. I will continue to read your site as I love to travel and you have very detailed and relevant information. Thanks so much.
ubud would be super for a mother-daughter getaway. The Yoga Barn is terrific: it cascades down a hillside, first with welcome bungalow, then a really good restaurant, then a yoga building (photo below), then gardens and what I think are either cottages for accom or treatment rooms. And meanwhile you’re in ubud!
Some people stay at the yoga barn but it’s pretty expensive by ubud standards. I had a beautiful guest house– traditional compound with statuary and pool and ornate platforms — for $25 cDN and I left it for a better one. Plus today I went to beautiful spa, garden setting, 5 mins from yoga barn, and had massage , papaya scrub, and soak in a flower-filled tub — $27 cDN , so that’s maybe $20?
< The patio of my guesthouse.
Ubud is so very beautiful, my room is like a private bungalow by a ravine, beautiful greenery, sounds of cicadas and rushing water, and this little temple where the lady of the house does a ceremony every morning.
Ubud also has Balinese dance performances every night ($6), exquisite meals ($5)…
Contributed by user Teresa Plowright.