Lessons From the Road: My California Solo Road Trip Experience
- Rosie
- Aug 18
- 4 min read
My first Solo road trip…. There’s just something liberating about driving to open road, especially when traveling solo with just a puppy for company. This road trip through California was a test of independence, a chance to bond with my puppy Poppy, and a way to explore cities that I might one day call home. So here’s what I discovered along the way.
The Journey Begins
My route took me through Salt Lake City, Newcastle, Humboldt County (Eureka, Arcata, Trinidad), Sacramento, San Francisco, and Napa Valley. Each destination offered its own atmosphere, challenges, and memorable experiences. With playlists of my favorite songs, podcasts, and audiobooks keeping me company, Poppy and I cruised through unfamiliar territory with equal parts excitement and nervousness.
Here’s a snapshot of the places we visited:
Salt Lake City was a perfect starting point, giving me a chance to catch up with my brother and enjoy a familiar stop to kick off the road trip.
Newcastle was delightful and tranquil, a much-needed after driving for hours through Nevada.
Humboldt County came alive with natural beauty, think redwoods, beaches, and even connections with new friends (thanks to a current acquaintance).
Sacramento showcased a blend of urban living, peaceful parks, and trendy businesses.
San Francisco captivated me with its lively streets, dog-friendly culture, and iconic sights.
Napa Valley offered rolling vineyards, a medieval castle winery, and the comfort of an old friend.
Food and Accommodation Highlights
Airbnbs: When it came to places to stay, I appreciated how every stop had its vibe, but Eureka stood out the most. The space, privacy, and peacefulness were nice for Poppy and me.
Brassna Bungalow (Newcastle)
The Green Cottage (Eureka)
Victorian Studio (Sacramento)
Places I ate:
Flower Farm Café (a cozy breakfast spot): 9280 Horseshoe Bar Rd, Loomis, CA 95650
Siam Orchid Thai Cuisine (I was craving Pad thai): 427 V St, Eureka, CA 95501
Los Bagels (Great breakfast for loaded bagels): 403 2nd St, Eureka, CA 95501
Los Inmortales Taqueria | Cocina Mexicana (I was craving Mexican food and got a burrito): 501 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95818
Mezcal Grill (Had outdoor sitting for Poppy and me, I got cactus asada tacos): 5701 Broadway STE C, Sacramento, CA 95820
Tupelo Coffee & Roasting (A dog-friendly coffee shop that stays open late 11 pm): 5700 Elvas Ave, Sacramento, CA 95819
Diamond Coffee n' Pastry (Another dog-friendly place! I got a roasted marshmallow latte and strawberry cream waffle): 1014 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118
Lessons Learned
If there’s one thing road trips teach, it’s to embrace the unexpected. Here are the key lessons I took away:
Flexibility is Key: Not everything went as planned. Redwoods State Park turned out to be not dog-friendly as I’d hoped, I hadn’t checked before. And there was a moment when a trail was closed, so we went to a different beach. Many times when I missed the turns and had to reroute, luckily not freeway exits but turns into a location. And there were times Poppy barked loudly at stranger dogs and we had to create distance when I was hoping for a more peaceful walk. I even needed to get an oil change! And there were times when I miscalculated the amount of time to visit everything I wanted to see, so I had to cut things out. But every mishap taught me to adapt and find joy in what I could experience instead.
The Beauty of Slowing Down: This road trip made me present. I mean being a car for long amounts of time, I would take time to be in awe of what I was doing. Even when I felt stressed, I reminded myself to enjoy the views and moments, knowing this was a journey I’d remember forever.
Nature is Healing: Cities are awesome, but nature has a way of calming my mind. I noticed I was way less stressed among the quiet rustle of trees, the sound of birds, and the peace of wide-open spaces, which made me feel more grounded. Though the beaches were loud with big powerful waves, they were pretty empty and still peaceful.
Memories Over Perfection: Yes there were many messy hair days, times when I didn’t want to go out, and of course those moments where things didn’t go to plan yes these made my trip feel not perfect. Not everything needs to be perfect to be meaningful, because this trip was for me and I am not perfect as well.
Tips for Future Road Trippers
For anyone planning their own solo road trip, here are some practical tips I picked up:
Avoid staying downtown areas if you’re traveling with pets, they’re overwhelming and can pose safety concerns.
Pack light but don’t forget the essentials, you’ll thank yourself when unloading the car solo!
Saving/Download your trip routes on Google Maps ahead of time, trust me, it helps.
Leave room in your schedule for spontaneous roadside stops; these often become the highlight of the journey. Giving yourself time to travel I feel makes it less stressful and makes you drive more safely.
Closing Reflections
This journey taught me that I’m capable of so much more than I imagined. I think there is a transformative power of travel, how it can challenge you and shift your perspective. Additionally, it highlighted my appreciation for space, independence, and the beauty found in solitude. I experienced moments of joy, laughing at Poppy’s adorable expressions, belting out tunes, and feeling nostalgic for home. Video calls helped this longing. I wouldn’t say I felt utterly lonely; rather, I yearned to share my experience with loved ones, knowing they would enjoy it too. Kind gestures from strangers also stood out, primarily those who approached me due to Poppy, haha. I’ll confess, that I started with a mindset that everyone was a potential threat, but I learned to relax my grip on that notion and just remain…. observant.
If you’ve ever considered a solo road trip, I say go for it! Make sure to do plenty of research and stay safe! It may not be perfect, but it’ll be worth it. I would do another solo road trip, next time in Oregon!
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