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Travel and Lifestyle Blog

Travel and Lifestyle Blog

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hodgepodge.travel

✈︎ Your go-to girl for detailed itineraries
✌︎︎ Sharing realistic travel experiences | SoCal based
⇩Blog, Travel Maps, & more!

How to have a snow day in California ⬇️ Did y

How to have a snow day in California ⬇️

Did you know you can ski in Southern California only 2.5 hours away from LA 🤨

📍Big Bear Mountain Resort is made up of 3 different mountains now. Big Bear, Snow Summit, and Snow Valley ⛷️

Try to make it up on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds!

❄️ Have you skied or snow boarded in Southern California?

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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

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#adventuretravel #travelblogger #bigbearmountain #bigbearlake #california #californiatravels #travel

I didn’t know this would happen when I moved to

I didn’t know this would happen when I moved to California…

My camera roll has never seen so many beach and sunset pics 😌

Being from the Midwest, I will never take for granted being able to enjoy these views every day 🫶🏼

📸 What’s in your camera roll??

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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

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#adventuretravel #travelblogger #california #orangecounty #travel

Anyone else feel like you’re never home?! 😆

Anyone else feel like you’re never home?! 😆

I am extremely grateful to be able to travel, but sometimes getting into a flow at home is much needed 🧘🏼‍♀️

🔋 Does your travel battery ever run out or do you like constant travel?

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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

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#adventuretravel #travelblogger #travel #travellife

Did you know you don’t have to stay in Zion Nati

Did you know you don’t have to stay in Zion National Park to still get amazing views?

Only 15 mins from Zion National Park is…

📍Toquerville, Utah

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🏠 Staying in the town of Springdale (home of Zion National Park) is amazing, but sometimes can come at a price especially during the summer months.

Check out nearby towns like Toquerville for more space and amazing views!

🥾 Get out and explore the National Parks!!

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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

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#adventuretravel #travelblogger #zionnationalpark #toquerville #nationalparks

8 hours in Catalina Island? No problem! Here’s h

8 hours in Catalina Island? No problem! Here’s how to make the most of your day 👇🏼

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🚢 Morning – Take the Catalina Express from Long Beach or Dana Point to Avalon & enjoy the ocean views!

🥞 Breakfast – Fuel up at a local café like Cafe Metropole

🚲 Explore – Rent a golf cart or bike to cruise around Avalon

🌊 Adventure – Snorkel at Lover’s Cove or kayak in crystal-clear water

🍽️ Lunch – Grab a bite on the deck at Bluewater with a harbor view (and seals!)

🦚 Afternoon – Hike up to the Wrigley Memorial for stunning island panoramas

🌞 Sunset – Get a birdseye view of Avalon on the Zipline Eco Tour

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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

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#adventuretravel #travelblogger #catalinaisland #catalinaexpress #ziplineecotour #bluewatercatalina #wrigleymemorial #explorecatalina

Steal my Kaua’i itinerary 👇🏼 Probably my

Steal my Kaua’i itinerary 👇🏼

Probably my fav summer destination of all time. 💬 What’s the best thing you’ve done in Kaua’i?

➡️ More details and how to travel the island sustainably on my blog!

🌴5 DAY KAUA’I ADVENTURE ITINERARY

DAY 1: Lihue and Poipu

DAY 2: Na’Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon

DAY 3: Surf in Hanalei

DAY 4: Hiking

DAY 5: Queens Bath and Relax

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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

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#adventuretravel #travelblogger #sustainabletravel #hawaiitravel #kauaitravel

The ONE rule you need to live by as an adventure t

The ONE rule you need to live by as an adventure traveler is to go with the flow 🌊
In my experience, some of the best adventures come from spontaneous happenings! I do love a good plan, but being open to trying whatever comes your way is thrilling 🤩

💬 Are you a planner or spontaneous adventurer?
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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

#travelblogger #adventuretravel #traveladvisor #travelgram

The best ocean view in SoCal 👇🏼 📍Crystal

The best ocean view in SoCal 👇🏼

📍Crystal Cove State Beach

Explore Crystal Cove State Beach year round for the best trails and beach. $15 per vehicle entry, or even better, borrow a State Parks Pass from your local library!
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🌎🌱 Follow @ for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

#travelblogger #adventuretravel #traveladvisor #adventure #socal #crystalcovestatepark

My 2025 motto…
relaxing > rushing 😌

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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 #travelblogger #adventuretravel #adventure #sustainabletravel #newzealand

Ever wondered what it feels like to free fall from

Ever wondered what it feels like to free fall from a bridge?

Similar adrenaline rush to skydiving, but a lot shorter of a free fall! Next on the list is the Nevis Swing for an 8 second free fall 🤪

📍Kawarau Bungy, Queenstown, NZ
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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

#travelblogger #newzealand #queenstown #kawaraubungy #ajhackettbungy #adventuretravel

You, me, and the waves? 🌊 🙋🏼‍♀️ .

You, me, and the waves? 🌊 🙋🏼‍♀️

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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

#travelblogger #sustainabletravel #adventuretravel #wintersurfing #sanclemente

There’s something special about seeing a sunrise

There’s something special about seeing a sunrise, before the day starts, and you and the world just stand still for a few moments. 🤍🌎
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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 #tulumsunrise #travelblogger #sustainabletravel #beachsunrise

What are we yappin’ about? 💬 📍Hanalei Ba

What are we yappin’ about? 💬

📍Hanalei Bay, Kauai, HI
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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 #adventuretravel #sustainabletravel #thisandyap #adventure #travelblogger

There’s one thing I will never stop searching fo

There’s one thing I will never stop searching for when traveling.. and that’s crystal clear water!!💧

This cenote took the cake for the clearest water. The massive rocks are 20+ feet below the surface, but the water is so clear it looks like they’re so much closer.. which was scary when jumping in from the cliff above 😆

This is a must see Cenote when traveling to the Yucatán peninsula 🇲🇽

📍Cenote Azul, Playa del Carmen, MX
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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

Ever wonder what sustainable travel really is? 🌱🌎

Traveling sustainably can come in many shapes and sizes. Sustainable travel can range from dedicated trips focusing on giving back to the community to something as simple as brining Tupperware to save any leftovers. The biggest thing to remember is that every small difference counts ✔️

One of my favorite sustainable travel tips is to carry a metal fork and spoon in your backpack 🍴 (Trust me, you’ll thank me later, especially in airports)

Drop your best sustainable travel tips below 👇🏼
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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼

What’s your emoji of the year? 🤷🏼‍♀️

What’s your emoji of the year? 🤷🏼‍♀️

I’m so so grateful for another year of travel, time with family & friends, doing good for the earth, and whatever else life brings!
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🌎🌱 Follow @ for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 #adventuretravel #sustainabletravel #emojimoodboard #moodboard #2025mood #travelcommunity #travelblogger

Algorithm, help me find my people! 🤸‍♀️🧘🏼‍♀️👩🏼‍🌾⛷️🏄🏼‍♀️🧗🏼‍♀️💃🚴🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

⬆️ which one are you?!

Adventure travelers, earth lovers, kind people unite!! If you’ve made it to my page, you’ve found yourself an awesome community of likeminded travelers who prioritize the earth and experiences over things 😌
Stay a while, I’m so happy you’re here 🫶🏼
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🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 #adventuretravel #travelblogger #sustainabletravel #travelcommunity #sustainabletravelling

Claiming this energy for 2025! Forever thankful

Claiming this energy for 2025!

Forever thankful for all of the amazing opportunities and experiences I’ve had this year and for those to come. 🎆Here’s to the new year!

Lots of exciting things planned for 2025 that I can’t wait to share with you all…

🗺️ 2 international trips (so far)
📝 New Blog posts (peep the link in my bio)
🏔️ A once in a lifetime climb

…just to name a few

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✨ Follow @ for all things adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips ✨

Does California even have seasons? 🤔 When I

Does California even have seasons? 🤔

When I moved to California from the Midwest, I thought it’d feel like summer year round. Come to find out, summer does not last year round in California and there actually ARE seasons!! 😅

As much as I wish it could be 80 and sunny year round, I do love when the weather cools off a bit and some fall colors emerge. (also, I’m patiently waiting for NorCal ski season) ⛷️

In the meantime, you can catch me at the beach soaking up these last few weeks of warm weather and sunshine 🌞 🧘🏼‍♀️ 🌴

{ Hi, I’m Erica! Adventure traveler and travel advisor based in SoCal ✨ Follow for more realistic travel experiences and destination inspiration }

How did you spend the first day of Autumn?

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#adventuretravel #orangecounty #lagunabeach #californiaseasons #socallifestyle #autumn

📌 Save this hidden gem to your Southern Califor

📌 Save this hidden gem to your Southern California bucket list!

{ Hi, I’m Erica! Adventure traveler and travel advisor based in SoCal ✨ Follow for more realistic travel experiences and destination inspiration }

Next time you’re in North County San Diego you won’t want to miss this spot

📍Fox Point Farms, Encinitas, CA

Fox Point Farms is a new development in Encinitas that is perfect for a casual hang out day!

This new community has a whole farm built in and serves farm to table food in their restaurants and cafes 👩🏼‍🌾 (I totally wanna live here one day, but for now I’ll just stop by 😋)

I spent the morning here before going to Swamis beach and it started off a perfect weekend 🤩

Check out some of what Fox Farm has to offer 👇🏼

🍎 Grab an açaí bowl or sandwich at the Harvest Market

🧘🏼‍♀️ Stop by a yoga class at Hatch Gatherings

🍽️ Make a reservation at Haven Farm + Table

☕️ Grab a coffee at Fox Point Roasters

🍺 Have a drink at Fox Point Brewing Co

🤩 Play a game of corn hole on the lawn

Which activity would you do first?

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#adventuretravel #northcountysandiego #encinitas #sandiegohiddengems #foxpointfarms #foxpointfarmsencinitas #farmtotable #sustainabletravel

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