If you go to Zion National Park you can not miss The Narrows. It is in the top 2 most strenuous hikes in the park & so very worth it.
It is first off such a different hike then so many out there. You are literally hiking in water the entire time between two beautiful canyon walls.
Let me preface all my recommendations are for people hiking The Narrows the more common way:
the 9.4 Miles via the Riverside Walk
by getting off at the last Zion Shuttle stop: Temple of Sinawava
Some people hike the Narrows Top Down & do the 2 day backpacking trip. I did the more common hike starting at the bottom.
After getting off at the Temple of Sinawava- you then have to hike about 1 mile in to reach the beginning of The Narrows.
It starts out pretty shallow like a foot of water at the beginning of the hike, but the further you go it can get up to your shoulders / there are moments where you even have to swim.
What is great about The Narrows is that it is an Out & Back hike. So, there is only one way in & when you want to turn around & be finished with the hike you can !
I know plenty of people who just hiked 1 mile in & called it a day.
I went the full 5ish miles in & 5 back out in one day & it got more gorgeous with each mile. I highly recommend going as far in as you can.
I went this October & the water was a little under 50 degrees. AKA – I was FREEZING.
I wore quick dry leggings, my own industrial hiking boots, a good coat, & rented a walking stick.
The stick was like $8 to rent & helped me tremendously. You are walking in water on top of rocks you can’t always see so the stick allowed me to go so much faster. Some people did not have sticks but were also going much slower.
Many people also rent hiking gearing -like waterproof shoes & pants. I decided to save $ & not do that.
I talked to many people on the hike (people who rented gear & people who did not) & everyone’s feet were freezing regardless.
I would rent gear if you aren’t a person who knows how to tough it out/ does not go hiking often. If you don’t have the money, bring very warm clothing to make up for how cold your feet will be. Mine were numb by mile 3.
Like I said, the further you hike in the more rewarding it will be.
I would also go as early as possible. I got there as early as the shuttle would allow & the hike was tremendously more enjoyable at the beginning when there were less people.
Also, the further you hike in the less people there will be because a lot of people don’t go all the way in.
This was my favorite picture I got on the trip & had to edit people out because there are always people hiking up & down The Narrows.
Again, would highly recommend because it is just so different compared to your normal hike up a mountain!
If you have any questions, leave a comment or DM me on Instagram: tori_churchill
Hello my beautiful travel friends! – here is a list I have been working on all year from my many visits to San Diego in 2020!
It is my top 10 things to do in San Diego during quarantine!
1. Hike South Fortuna Trail
South Fortuna is part of Mission Trails Regional Park and it is the 2nd most popular hike compared to North Fortuna -BUT it is just as beautiful ! & WAY less people. Honestly it is the same view, if not better! It is around 4.6 miles, & has no shade so bring extra water.
2. Visit Hotel Del Coronado (Hotel Del)
A lot of people stay or visit this hotel when in San Diego! The outside of the hotel with it’s white walls and red roof is gorgeous. It is great place to stroll around the grounds or along the beach.
The view of the hotel behind you & ocean in front of you make for a great place to watch the sunset or take a photo on the massive black rocks along the sand.
3.Hike Potato Chip Rock
This hike is seriously gorgeous. Most people go for the cool rock formation (like I did), but truly the views were nothing short of incredible & I would do this hike again.
I do not reccomend doing this shot ^ it was a little risky. The initial drop below is at least 40 feet & then hundreds of feet below that. Many people don’t climb it but stand further away & pretend they are eating the rock (like a potato chip).
4. Climb Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Ho Chi Minh Trail is SUCH a fun little adventure. This mini trail is located in the La Jolla area. You can take this trail all the way down to Black’s Beach. It is less a hike in my book and more of a climbing escapade!
It is not the easiest to find.
But type in Ho Chi Minh Trail or 9883 La Jolla Farms Rd, La Jolla, CA in whatever maps you use. You will park in a neighborhood & the entrance is a little path between two private properties with wooden fences. There is no sign but the address above will take you right near it.
If at the beginning of the trail you rear to the left it will take you into the main part of the trail & into these cute sand colored rock formations.
If at the beginning of the trail you rear to the right & start to go up a little path on a hill you will have this awesome view of the beach!
5. Go Surfing at Del Mar
Rent a board & enjoy the water. This picture was my first & only time I have gone surfing thus far. I got eatn by ALL the waves, but it was still a blast to try! I would recommend trying at Del Mar Beach!
6. Visit the 1935 Old Cactus Garden
This place is pretty awesome for a fun photoshoot ! There was no one there when I went & it was just a fun little patch of Cacti !
7. Swim to Sunset Cliffs Open Ceiling Sea Cave
This cave is hard to reach but such a fun escapade. Type in Sunset Cliffs at Luscomb Point to take you there. When you arrive look for the rocky area to the right of the cove & that is where you can maneuver down to be able to swim into the cave (I used the local rope that is always there to climb down).
No one is usually here because it is that hard to get to. You should not try to reach this spot unless it is extremely low or negative tide. I went when the tide was lower & just a few feet high and it was rough getting in as the waves can hit you against the rocks pretty harshly. Go with someone & only if you are a great swimmer!
8. Find La Jolla’s Secret Swing
This little gem is also not easy to find. Type Prospect Place La Jolla, CA in your phone to get here. There is a curve of parking spots near some neighborhood homes & behind the parking is a little path. Go down the path & take a right, eventually you will see white fencing. This is where you stop off to the left to start down the path to the swing.
You can also go even further down this hill (using the rope) to get yourself all the way down to the beach.
9. Visit the La Valencia Hotel for brunch & pictures! They have COVID practices implemented & the restaurant is mostly outdoor seating!
Trust me, this adorable hotel will make all your pink travel dreams come true!
LAST BUT NOT LEAST…..
10. Buy a pizza & take it anywhere on Sunset Cliffs to watch the sunset for dinner!
Trust me it will be SO much better than a night in watching Netflix.
If you have any question, leave a comment or DM me on Instagram: tori_churchill
X O X O
– D O L L
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I have been living in Atlanta for 2 years now & have eaten at over 40 of the best breakfast places in the city! Of those 40+ here are my TOP 5 Breakfast / Brunch spots!
#1 Buttermilk Kitchen
Buttermilk Kitchen is my #1 because nothing is over done but everything tastes like perfection. It was on the hit TV show Diners Drive-Ins & Dives. It has the charm and ambience of a southern home. The line & wait will be long so be prepared to get there earlier than expected. The line often reaches all the way outside- so dress accordingly !
#2 Joy Cafe
Joy Cafe is a hoot. The servers had such character & I met Joy herself when I visited. She told me how she wakes up at 4am herself to make the biscuits each day… Yes, you need to pay a visit.
#3 Muchacho
Muchacho is breakfast tacos & coffee so truly you can’t go wrong. The restaurant is very retro & cute on the inside if you are looking for a good brunch pic with your tacos & friends!
#4 Le Petit Marché
Le Petit Marché has all the fresh breads, cheeses & pestos. That french toast sandwich in the picture ^ also has eggs & bacon on the inside. This itty bitty shop has fantastic breakfast & brunch options.
#5 Fellows Cafe
Fellows Cafe gives you all the quaint, old-time, romantic feels with fantastic food. It felt like a home & each dish had a fun twist to it. Highly recommend for a date!
Those are my top 5!
If you have any question, leave a comment or DM me on Instagram: tori_churchill
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+ + + some of my other favs 😉 !
Corner Cafe and Buckhead Bread Co. (This is an older establishment but has fantastic vibe & bread!)
Hop’s Chicken (@ Ponce City Market. Get the Chicken & Waffles)
Howell’s Kitchen and Bar (newer vibes, has outdoor options)
The Village Corner (fantastic Germany Bakery near Stone Mountain)
Cafe Intermezzo (it is a chain, but a great European one!)
Sweet Hut Bakery Cafe. This Asian Bakery and Cafe chain is a fun experience of culture and bread galore!
Rise-n-Dine (at Emory Village)
Folk Art Restaurant
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Virgin Falls State Natural Area is the perfect place for a quick weekend trip in Tennessee.
Virgin Falls Trail is a massive waterfall at the end of 3 other mini falls located in Sparta, Tennessee. This trail is 8.7 miles round trip & is rated difficult, but it seemed more on the mild side to me!
Before starting our hiking & camping – we kicked off our trip by staying at an Airbnb the night we all drove to the little town of Sparta, TN.
We knew it would be too late to set up camp so we found this cute gem of an Airbnb – & it slept 5 of us for $168 total! We paid like $30 each!
The kitchen had everything you would need & a washer & dryer!
If you were trying to go GLAMPING instead of camping – I would suggest hiking Virgin Falls Trail all day & then staying at this Airbnb!
Remember if you want to camp here over night you have to make reservations.
We did not make reservations & got lucky. The worker on site allowed us to stay at a campsite for a donation.
I would recommend camping at Bill Laurel Falls. There were 2 or 3 campsites right near this minier waterfall & it was so peaceful to fall asleep to! I would call & ask for this campsite to reserve !
This was our view from our campsite! Big Laurel Falls is a little over halfway to the biggest waterfall, Virgin Falls. We safely set up camp (brought our expensive items with us) & continued on.
We reached Virgin Falls & it was beautiful!
There is a great rock situated across from the top of the falls for a great view & pic!
Getting close to the bottom you could feel how powerful the waterfall was! It was pretty awesome for such a short hike in!
Once you reach Virgin Falls it is time to turn around. There were a few waypoints to stop at like Sheeps Cave & a few great places for some climbing along the way.
Nothing beat the view of the stars we saw at night from our campsite!
As we packed up & head back to the trail head we stopped at some of the beautiful rivers along the way!
If you have any question, leave a comment or DM me on Instagram: tori_churchill
X O X O
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The view from our balcony was truly awesome & dreamy.
There is a swim up bar & volleyball court!
They also have an adult pool that is more secluded & has cabanas
Had to work remote a few days from there so there office space was helpful (had to use wifi hotspot).
+ they also have a Starbucks inside, which I loved bc I needed a little familiarity in my diet while visiting
<Yes , this hotel was expensive, BUT there are quite a few restaurants and bars to walk to along the beach (see below) + everyone came to this hotel for the night life (it IS a Casino) ! I am all about being walking distance from everything because walking places is just so lovely to me.>
Arikok National Park is a MUST. If you go to Aruba & don’t come here, you are not cool. I rented a car for the day & drove around the entire thing. There are 21 stopping spots on the park map, below are my top spots.
Quadirikiri Case is extremely picturesque. Many photographers go to Aruba just because of this cave with a hole in the top!
Dos Playa
Dos Playa was breathtaking. The water was actually this blue. Some locals come here to surf, but for most the water is too dangerous & you should not go in.
Fontein Cave was a lot smaller than Quadirikiri Cave, but the rock formations were pretty cool to me ( don’ t you remember learning about stalactites & stalagmites ? ) + the cave is filled with Indian Pictographs dating back 1000 years.
You can actually swim in this pool! Every few minutes water will splash over the rocks & into the circular pool area that you can swim in! It is always packed during the day, so I would go early one morning.
A guest pass to Flamingo Beach is $125……. & 100% worth it.
If you stay at the Renaissance Aruba Resort you can get a pass for free, but guest or not you need to book in advance. Starting at 6 AM (& you can only book for a visit the next day) you go to this website & book. Tickets were gone within a couple minutes every morning I tried. I got lucky my last day ; )
You get a boat ride to the island, a full meal & drink of choice from their menu, you get to see flamingos & other awesome little animals + the beach itself is so incredibly quiet & refreshing. Such a different experience on this beach/island compared to the shore.
I hung out with these guys for awhile. There are only 6 of them. They stay here on the island because their wings were clipped. Aruba is not filled with endless flamingos. If you don’t come to this island, you won’t see em! The island is open from 7 AM to 6:45 PM. Boats leave every 15 minutes.
#3 UTV TOUR
#3 UTV Tour
My aunt & I did a UTV tour which are pretty popular in Aruba as they are a fast way to see a lot of the island.
A UTV is a mix between a golf cart & an ATV, aka not this car behind us.
We did the Nautural Pool UTV Off-Road Adventure from De Palm Tours. This tour was around $230- $260. My aunt & I both went, so $100 something a person is not too bad. This tour included 6 stops, but you can pick all different kinds of tours with different sites to visit.
My fav 3 spots are pictured below:
(Conchi) Natural Pool REAPEAT bc this place is in Arikok National Park & 1 of the 21 spots! + this is tagged all sorts of incorrect on maps in Aruba, but it is in the National Park !
Everything you see on these tours, you can see on your own. But you would still need to rent a dune buggy (or jeep, something off-road friendly) which can be around $100 a day as well.
The reason I liked this tour was driving the fast UTV buggy around & it gave me idea of Arikok National Park the day before I explored it. (+ time w my Aunt <3). The reasons I did not like it, you have to stick to a schedule, a bit pricey, + you get COVERED in dirt.
#4 Sunset Cruise
Unfortunately, I did not make it on a sunset cruise, but there are a zillion offered on the island & I heard they are one of the best things to do in Aruba! I heard they can be very romantic (I went with my mom & aunt on this trip so I should be good that I missed! haha )
Those are the top 4 !
Below are a few more stops that I enjoyed so much!
This historic lighthouse is on the north side of the island and not near anything else, so I did this early on one morning. It just a pretty historic site to see & snap a picture. Keep in mind, from end to end the entire island takes a little less than an hour to drive across, but it was nice to check this off my list early!
You go to Eduardo’s Beach Shack for an awesome açaí bowl, a fantastic view & of course a cute pic. I got the classic bowl & seriously ate it in under 10 minutes because it was so good! + I walked from my hotel to get there (1/2 mile).
Other things to do that I did not care for OR forgot to mention!
Butterfly Museum (play w a tremendous amount of butterflies!)
Donkey Sanctuary (play w Donkeys)
Snorkel Cruise ( had just snorkeled in Hawaii + you can snorkel on the shore of the island)
Baby Beach (I stopped but did not get a pic!)
Palm Beach (my hotel was on Palm Beach so I explored it a lot. One of the best beaches)
Eagle Beach (I stopped by in my car. A lot of ppl go here to take pics of the Divi Divi trees)
Sunrise at Tripod/ Trinity Bridge (went but not during sunrise)
Sunset Mangel Halto
San Nicolas (a town with many beautiful Murals on buildings, saw a few from my car)
Shopping in Oranjestad (I love shopping but not when on a beautiful island to explore!)
If you have any question, leave a comment or DM me on Instagram: tori_churchill !
I hope your trip to Aruba is as delightful & refreshing as mine was !
Here is a quick ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW about visiting Horseshoe Bend!
When I took my trip to Sedona, AZ I thought “I HAVE to see the famous Horseshoe Bend” AND I am so glad I did !
Horseshoe Bend only took an hour to do itself, but it truly took an entire day out of the trip because of where it is located: Page, Arizona. Literally so close to UTAH – like a 15 minute drive!
It is about an 1 hr. 40 mins. from the Grand Canyon & a 3 hour drive from Sedona. And it is 100% worth it. The view was even more amazing than the pictures & it was just so unique.
I went for sunset & it was perfect. I would recommend to go during sunrise or sunset or it simply will not be as beautiful. Obviously, there will be more people there at those times, but just walk off to either side of the viewing bridge (you can see the ppl on it it the background of my photo below haha) & there will be room for you to enjoy the sight on your own.
When we went, it was the 4th of July, so we did end up staying in Page for one night. We saw Horseshoe Bend & then watched the amazing firework show Page puts on every summer. Honestly, was not the biggest firework show in AZ, but still very good. I adore big firework shows & was not disappointed !
All this to say- There is not much else to do in Page, AZ ! So although HorseShoe Bend is worth it. . . don’t plan on staying in Page for long.
The only other activity would be seeing Antelope Canyon. It is a beautiful, warmed colored canyon. Extremely picturesque like Horseshoe Bend. It is a 25 minute drive from Page / the hotel I mention below. If you plan this correctly, you can do an Antelope Canyon tour & see Horseshoe Bend in the same day. & Yes, Antelope Canyon requires you to sign up for a tour to go –so sign up in advance!
Horseshoe Bend is actually only a 15 minute walk. It is not a hike in the least & I would bring anyone along (in-shape or not) because it was so easy to reach. The terrain was a sandy/dusty path filled with rocks & small hills. No need for hiking boots, but don’t wear your white shoes either or they will get orange!
Entry fee was $10 cashfor each passenger vehicle. Good rule of thumb to just bring cash when you go to any outdoor recreation center or National Park because often they only accept cash. There is a Walmart near by if you forget your cash $$$ money!
If you have any questions, leave a comment or DM me on instagram tori_churchill !
I hope your trip to Horseshoe Bend is as delightful & refreshing as mine was!
Like I said before.. the cliché is true! Hawaii is the actual dream everyone says it is. A few weeks ago I wrote about Oahu tips & this week I’m giving you The Perfect Guide to The Road to Hana in Maui!
M a u i
Maui seems to be the most popular & well known of all the Hawaiian islands. It has world famous red & black sand beaches, Haleakala National Park, and the most tropical/luscious travel activity I have ever done.
At the end of this blog I will have prep tips for Maui for what to do prior to arriving there (including an awesome & very needed app that shares the logistics of reaching the places I mention!) So if you actually go, make sure to read that part!
OKAY NOW THE FUN STUFF.
If you only have two days on Maui…
The Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is the adventure you are looking for. This long, winding road takes about 2 hours to drive down (if you don’t stop) to reach the city of Hana. On the drive there are numerous world-renowned spots to stop at and enjoy including: waterfalls, hikes, beaches & more. Of all the travel research I did I found most people said you could do The Road to Hana in 1 day. I strongly feel you need 2 days if you want to enjoy it! (Everything I mention below, I did in 2 days).
Keep reading & I will share all the best locations to stop at on The Road to Hana! There are so many stops & you don’t want to waste time at the lame ones!
Pia Bowls
P I A B O W L S
The first rec I have for you is beginning your day eating at Pia Bowls (@paiabowls).
If you like açaí bowls & just good food in your body then stop here! I got my açaí bowl with coconut, bananas, cocoa nibs , & peanut butter. Literally SO GOOD. They also have a blue colored açaí bowl that looked adorable & I wish I got after seeing others with them.
Hookipa Park (Beach)
After a bit of driving you will come to your first beach called Hookipa Park! It was simple, yet beautiful & it is where many extreme surfers come to ride the massive waves that accompany this beach. Just sit & watch, it is quite amazing.
Hookipa Park (Beach)
I wish we would have spent more time at this beach but we were not sure what was ahead. It is the only normal sand colored beach on this adventure. I would stay & just relax a bit on this beach as your first stop because you won’t be seeing another beach for a bit!
The next 2 stops are both beautiful arboretums.
The Garden of Eden Arboretum
The Garden of Eden Arboretum has a tremendous amount of plant life, special tress & amazing views like The Keopuka Rock Overlook pictured above. It is $15 to enter & certainly worth it. It also has a far viewing of a waterfall you can’t spot from the other arboretum, so I would suggest spending the $ if you can.
The Ke’anae Arboretum
Just a few miles down the road is The Ke’anae Arboretum. It is much more rustic than the last. You don’t have to pay to get in & instead of a guided area like the Garden of Eden, it is more of a small hike through vegetation & gardens.
It is right off The Road to Hana & so small I almost missed it (even with the app telling me where it was!) It took about 40 minutes to walk through and back. There wasn’t an official ending point, but you just run into a smaller field growing certain plants & know to turn back.
This place is quiet, gorgeous, and full of lush green plants & amazing Eucalyptus Trees you cannot miss because they look like they are from a Dr. Seuss book! These same trees were at the Garden of Eden, but these ones here at Ke’anae were prettier to me. Larger & more colorful. Make the stop!
Ke’anae Peninsula
Right after the Ke’anae Arboretum listen to the app & take the left to see the Ke’anae Peninsula. A short drive down this peninsula brings you to some beautiful, black pinnacles formed from Haleakala’s lava. There is even a church made out of the rocks which is pretty awesome. The light blue colors of the water against the black rock are truly gorgeous.
Pineapple & Banana Bread
This is not a place, but at some point you are going to get hungry along The Road to Hana! That is why it is important that you bring some cash money because there are a zillion little stands you will pass & not a lot of them take cards.
Pineapple is sold at most stands & about a quarter of the stands have Banana Bread! Make sure you eat & try both! I have seriously never had a better pineapple OR chocolate chip banana bread in my life. Plus it was cool to buy a pineapple whole & watch someone cut it up right in front of you. Can you get any fresher than that?!?
Wai’anapanapa State Park
Wai’anapanapa State Park is another MUST.
This is a black sand beach & the contrast of the lime green foliage against the sand is unlike any other beach you’ll ever see. Don’t miss this stopping point or I will personally make fun of you for making it all the way to Maui & not seeing it. Just go.
Kaihalulu Beach
Kaihalulu Beach(red sand) is where you should head next! AND this was my #1 fav stop!
This was a very difficult beach to find. If you cannot find it, locals will not help you! This is not because they are rude, but simply because they want to keep this beach a hidden, less populated beach. It is more their respect for the island then it is them not wanting to help you.
When I reached the beach I understood why. There were maybe 15 people there & the beach was absolutely perfect. It seemed so loved, uninhabited, and untouched; incredibly refreshing & so different from any other beach I had visited thus far on any island in Hawaii. Again the colors of the red sand and bright blue water are unreal. I stayed at this stop the longest.
Kaihalulu Beach
Note – this is also a nude beach. So be warned! There were only a handful of people there who were actually nude, but still it will throw you off a bit if you have never been to one before. I personally wore a swimsuit the entire time. Truly, no one cares what you do.
Also, people will say the hike to get there is dangerous. I did not think so in the least. Maybe it is because I have hiked more unsafe trails before, but basically there are just a few drop offs on the way. No running & you’ll be fine.
If you are going to Maui & want to know how to get here DM me on my insta @tori_churchill & I will let you know. Out of respect, I don’t want to publish something taking away from the beach’s quiet, kept beauty.
Wailua Falls Bridge
Wailua Falls Bridge is your next stop. *This is not to be confused with THE Wailua Falls on a different island (Kauai) shown in the opening scene of an older TV show (Fantasy Island).*
Wailua Falls Bridge is an 80 foot waterfall & it will be on your right while passing a one way bridge. Many people parked their car off to the left after crossing the bridge (there are only like 10 parking spots) & then looked at it from the bridge.
BUT!… to the right of the bridge you can jump down, over a few rocks, so you can get as close as possible & see the view of the waterfall from the bottom. It makes for a bit more of an adventure & a cute pic!
Pools of ‘Ohe’o
The Pools of ‘Ohe’o were absolutely gorgeous. We only had time to run through the main area of the pools, but saw this view in under 30 minutes. If you have the time I would suggest doing the Pipiwai Trail to see Waimoku Falls. It is 4 mile hike round trip. It is full of rain forest, bamboo, & why many people do The Road to Hana in the first place!
Now. Most people will travel all the way down The Road to Hana & at this point will turn around to drive back in the same day. Why?
PREP for THE ROAD TO HANA
People do this because there are not many places to stay in Hana & actually not much to do when you get there!
It is also not recommended you travel past the city of Hana because of the road conditions. Like I said, the road is not just windy, but also small, full of potholes, & at many times turns into a one-way street. At these one-way streets you have to literally stop to let others going the opposite direction through. Oh, & the road gets worse as you pass Hana!
Another reason is that most rental car agreements on the island do not cover driving past the city of Hana! So if you are going to keep going like I did, make sure to check that rental car agreement.
Many people rented mustangs & lower to the ground cars. If you are going down The Road to Hana, then do not do that! I would go with renting a Jeep or something that can handle rough roads better!
One very important thing to do before arrival… make sure you download an app to help guide you on this road. Yes, this road is that complicated & you need an app to guide you.
The one I downloaded for like $6 works with no service! There are many, but I got the one called Gypsy Guide (Hana). Trust me spend this extra $$$ on the app.
This is needed because most people do not have service on The Road to Hana & as you begin your journey you may get lost or have a hard time finding the secret gems along the road.
Literally, I would have paid $50 for this app because it was that helpful & I would have missed so many beautiful things without it.
Lastly, I would start on the road EARLY. Like, as early as possible. When the sun gets up, you should be going because once sunset hits there is nothing to do… so spend your time living during the daylight!
If you decide to journey on like I did & pass Hana…
Past Hana
The scenery is stunning. On your right there will be long fields just below the famous Haleakala Volcano, and on your left the ocean & cliffs. Such a beautiful drive.
I chose this route because if you want to visit Haleakala National Park it is a much much shorter drive to get there from the back end if you are already in Hana.
Hard to explain, but Maui has a main road which is in the shape of a massive circle. There are no shortcuts. So if you do not go past Hana using the back-roads, then you have to back track The Road to Hand & then drive the rest of the circle to Haleakala taking 4-5 hours instead of 2.
Haleakala National Park (Volcano)
Haleakala National Park is a dormant volcano that is 10,000 feet tall & incredibly breathtaking. This is also a must. We went for sunset, but a lot of people go for sunrise bike tour. Leaving your accommodations around 3 am allows you to see the sunrise & then bike down the Volcano ending around noon (+ it is a few hundred dollars & you need reservations in advance).
If you want a more economical choice, do the sunset! & don’t forget to wear extremely warm clothes. I wore gloves & a face guard & was still cold.
If you do sunset, you can wait until sundown & watch the stars. The stars I saw on top of this volcano beat “the best starts I have ever seen” when I was in Namibia, Africa in the middle of the desert (my 1st ever blog post if you keep scrolling down!) Yeah. Felt God’s presence so strongly when looking up at those stars on top of Haleakala. Memory for life.
Again, the temperate will drop about 40 degrees so be prepared! Also, I would bring a dinner because you will probs be hungry by then. Dinner under the starts? Yes, plz.
When I flew into Maui I booked an Airbnb in Paia (a city near where The Road To Hana begins) for the 1st night & the following night at an Airbnb in Hana (where it ends, obviously). This was perfect because like I said, I did not have to travel backwards on the road.
If you are jumping around places like I did, then pick a car that is good for security along the road as well. The quaintly, unkept road to Hana calls for, like I said, something like a Jeep! But you also want a car that is secure if you have all your things because many people will steal from your car on the road. So lock your car & get ready for the best road you will ever travel on.
I hope you’ve loved This Perfect Guide to The Road to Hana & it saves you a few hours of research! The Road to Hana & Maui were a dream & a place I would recommend to anyone wanting an adventure.
If you have any questions about The Road to Hana OR any other Maui related questions, DM me on insta @ tori_churchill & check out my other post Hawaii Tips *Oahu* for all things Oahu!
The cliché is true! Hawaii is the actual dream everyone says it is. If you want to know the top things to do on Oahu & Maui then stay tuned. When visiting Hawaii I spent my time split between the two islands. Check out my other post “Hawaii Tips *Maui*” for all things Maui ; )
O a h u
If you don’t already know, Oahu is indeed the
Hawaiian Island with the biggest city, Honolulu! BUT along with the city it still has amazing
views, hikes, & beaches like all the other islands!
If you only have one day on Oahu…
KoKo Head Summit
6 AM SUNRISE
The KoKo Head Summit is where you should start! This was hands down my favorite hike on Oahu & if you start your day here early (like for sunrise) then you won’t regret it.
It took me 28 minutes to complete. The average time people say to get up is about 60-90 mins. It is a steep incline with actual wooden steps along the way. Many people (in shape & out of shape) were climbing Koko Head when I was there. Certainly doable for many. You will sweat though. It is not easy, as it is many steps going straight up.
When you reach the top of the steps & turn around you have an awesome view of the city on your right, the Haunama Bay Nature Preserve on your left, & the rest is just ocean! Many people stopped at the top of the steps, but if you keep going up (to the right) you eventually hit the other side of the mountain & see another perfect view.
A friend pointed out to me there is a prayer box at the top of the trail as well, so if you do a bit exploring, you will stumble upon it as the top of the mountain is not too big. You can just drop a prayer in the locked prayer box & someone takes them out & prays for your request! Is that not just the sweetest thing? So bring some paper & a pen along if you want. Praise Jesus for He is alive all around the world. Am I right ? Amen ?
Island Brew Coffeehouse
10 AM
Next, I would take a break & drop by Island Brew Coffeehouse for a rest. It is small, not fancy restaurant, but the food is awesome & cheap! If you wait a bit, as there will probably be a line if it is still morning / lunchtime, then you can grab a table overlooking some very blue water.
Their açaí bowls were perfect, & the mini waffles 🥞with berries🍓 & whipped cream were even better. Coffee was on point of course & it made for the most lovely brunch spot on Oahu with all the Hawaiian feels 🌋
Haunama Bay Nature Preserve
12 PM
After resting I would suggest grabbing your beach gear & heading to the Haunama Bay Nature Preserve because the colors are unreal. The blues and greens of this crescent shaped bay were actually breathtaking. After you watch the 9 minute intro video (too know how to care & act around the nature preserve) you are allowed to walk down to the beach of this bay!
You can rent snorkel gear & take a swim, or just lay on the beach. It will probably be crowed, as are many big attractions in Hawaii, but so worth it. Even if you just stop by to look at the preserve, it is a must in my book.
Diamond Head State Monument
4 PM / SUNSET
The next & last thing I would suggest is hiking the iconicDiamond Head State Monumentfor sunset. This is the iconic hike on Oahu & what your parents probably did when they came & visited two decades ago. I personally thought Koko Head Summit was more impressive, but Diamond Head is like is said ICONIC & you have to do it.
Diamond Head is a dormant volcano & has a cleanly marked trail. Again, there will be a lot of people there but you have to go! In its entirety I takes about 2 hours depending on how fast you go up & stay to look at the views. It took me 45 minutes to get up it. There was also a food truck upon arrival with drinks / food served in some very cute pineapples so make sure to bring some cash because they did not take cards.
*EXTRA*
If you have extra days or time…
Lanikai Pill Box
Lanikai Pill Boxis also a good hike. It is a short 20-30 minute hike once you find it. But again an amazing view & where all the cute girls on insta take a picture dangling off the side of it.
Lanikai Pill Box
Like I said Hawaii was an absolute dream. If you have any questions, DM me at tori_churchill & check out my other post “Hawaii Tips *Maui*” for all things Maui ; )
Tori Churchill 