Just do this

bash camera_watch.sh

And you should see this: Monitoring camera access…

That is all! From here if your setup is correct the moment you start your camera for a conference call or a meeting your hue light specified will turn on!

Github Repo

To get the actual files and run this locally go to THIS github repo and follow the README.

What the script does (purpose)

• Monitors macOS unified logs in real time to detect when the camera starts and stops streaming.
• Turns a Hue light ON when the camera becomes active.
• Turns the Hue light OFF when the camera becomes inactive.
• Optionally turns the light OFF on exit, so you don’t leave it on if you stop the script.

In practice, it’s a “webcam indicator light,” but better—because you can place it anywhere in the room, use any Hue bulb/fixture, and make it as noticeable (or subtle) as you want.

Why this is useful (benefits)

• Immediate, ambient awareness: You get a physical “camera is live” signal even if the app UI is minimized or on a different screen.
• Privacy + confidence: Helps you notice unexpected camera activation and reduces uncertainty (“Is my camera still on?”).
• Hands-free automation: No need to remember to toggle lights at the start/end of calls.
• Flexible setup: You can choose which Hue light to control and can override behavior via environment variables.

How it works

At a high level, the script is a loop:

1. Stream macOS logs continuously.
2. For each log line:

• If it indicates camera start: turn Hue on.
• If it indicates camera stop: turn Hue off.

Here are the key moving parts.

1) Safety and predictable shell behavior

The script starts with:

• set -euo pipefail: fail fast on errors, undefined variables, and pipeline failures.
• IFS=$'\n\t': safer word-splitting defaults.

This is defensive Bash: it reduces the chance of silent failures and weird parsing bugs.

2) Configuration with sensible defaults (and easy overrides)

It defines defaults, but allows overriding via environment variables:

• LOG_BIN (default /usr/bin/log): the macOS unified logging CLI.
• HUE_SCRIPT (default hue_camera_watch/hue_1.2.1.sh): the Hue control script it delegates to.
• HUE_LIGHT_TYPE (default light): passed through to the Hue script.
• HUE_LIGHT_ID (default 28): which Hue light to toggle.
• LOG_LEVEL (default info): log streaming verbosity.
• CLEANUP_TURN_OFF (default true): whether to force the light off when the script stops.

This design is practical: you can run the same script in different setups without editing it—just set env vars.

3) Simple logging helper

log_msg() prints timestamped messages to stderr, keeping stdout clean in case you want to pipe output:

• This is helpful if you run it under a supervisor, redirect logs, or want to keep the terminal tidy.

4) A tiny “adapter” function for Hue control

hue_state() is a wrapper that calls the Hue script like this:

/bin/bash "$HUE_SCRIPT" "$HUE_LIGHT_TYPE" "$HUE_LIGHT_ID" state on|off

This keeps camera_watch.sh focused on detection and state logic, while hue_1.2.1.sh handles the details of talking to the Hue bridge.

5) Cleanup and signal handling (don’t leave the light on)

Two traps are important:

• trap 'cleanup; exit 0' INT TERM : on Ctrl+C or termination, run cleanup and exit.
• trap cleanup EXIT : on any normal exit path, also run cleanup.

And cleanup itself is “best effort”: it tries to turn the light off, but won’t crash the shutdown sequence if that fails.This is the kind of detail that makes a script feel trustworthy day-to-day.

6) Early validation (fail fast)

Before streaming logs, it checks:

• The log binary exists and is executable.
• The Hue script file exists.
• HUE_LIGHT_ID is numeric.

That means you get clear errors immediately rather than a script that “runs” but doesn’t actually work.

7) The core event loop: streaming logs and detecting camera events

The heart of the script is:

log stream --style syslog --level "$LOG_LEVEL" --predicate '...'

It filters to:

• process == "UVCAssistant" and log messages containing:
• kUVCExtensionEventStartStream
• kUVCExtensionEventStopStream

Those messages correlate with the camera starting/stopping at the system level.Then, for each line:

• It skips header/noise lines (important to avoid false positives at startup).
• If it sees a StartStream event:
• If the script currently thinks the camera is inactive, it flips internal state and turns the Hue light on.
• If it sees a StopStream event:
• If the script currently thinks the camera is active, it flips internal state and turns the Hue light off.

That internal state (CAMERA_ACTIVE) is a simple but important detail: it prevents repeated “on” commands if multiple start log lines appear, and avoids spamming the Hue bridge.

Customizing it (common tweaks)

Because configuration is environment-driven, you can do things like:

• Pick a different light:

• Set HUE_LIGHT_ID to your bulb’s ID.

• Use a different Hue control script:

• Set HUE_SCRIPT=/path/to/your_hue_script.sh

• Keep the light as-is when you stop the script:

• Set CLEANUP_TURN_OFF=false

• Adjust verbosity:

• Set LOG_LEVEL=debug (or keep info)

Practical notes and limitations

• macOS-specific: it relies on the unified logging system and the UVCAssistant process behavior.
• Event accuracy depends on logs: if Apple changes log messages/process names in future macOS versions, the predicate may need updating.
• Requires Hue connectivity: if the bridge is unreachable, the script may fail when sending commands (it’s intentionally strict overall).

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Canyonlands National Park is an amazing national park located in southeastern Utah near the town of Moab. We visited it during our Utah exploration trip. It was a must-see on our list and it did not disappoint. Breathtaking views and amazing opportunities for hiking and off-road adventures. Island in the Sky and the Needles were the two regions we explored. Due to the size of each region, it is recommended that you spend a day in each at least.

The park is divided into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the combined rivers—the Green and Colorado—which carved two large canyons into the Colorado Plateau. While these areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character. Author Edward Abbey, a frequent visitor, described the Canyonlands as “the most weird, wonderful, magical place on earth—there is nothing else like it anywhere.

It is hard to argue with Edward Abbey, the park is a true masterpiece created by the forces of nature and there is nothing like it anywhere. The sheer vastness of the views is just breathtaking. Both the Island in the Sky and the Needles are a must-see. Plan to see both. You would not be disappointed!

Lodging

As we mentioned in the Arches National Park adventure we stayed in Moab during this trip. It is a very strategic location when it comes to this park, the Arches, and the Dead Horse Point State Park. Due to its close proximity to these amazing parks, the hotels get booked very quickly. Plan at least 3-6 months in advance. Moab is an amazing and vibrant town full of offroad and hiking enthusiasts and awesome places to eat.

The Island in the Sky District

The Island in the Sky district is a massive mesa elevated more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape, with panoramic views of spectacular canyon country up to 100 miles in every direction. The district is defined by the Green River to the west and the Colorado River on the east. A paved road with several scenic pullouts leads from Moab to Island in the Sky, making it one of the easiest areas to explore.

We found this to be very true. The region was very easy and convenient to explore. Great roads and the parking is right next to the viewpoints. Great trails all around. Amazing views!

Here are some of the viewpoints that the district is known for:

The Grand View Overlook

As the name suggests this is one of the most impressive overlooks in the park. The views are absolutely breathtaking. We spend a lot of time resting and walking around the edges. There are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the views. Take a break, relax and just enjoy this beautiful piece of Mother nature’s art.
Getting to the Grand View overlook is very easy but due to its popularity parking is an issue. Have that in mind and plan accordingly. It is the busiest overlook in the park.

Shafer Canyon Overlook

Great overview of the Sharef Canyon and the Shafer Trail. The stop is right off the main road and the overlook is a very short walk from the parking lot. To get to the edge you have to be careful since there is not a great walkway leading to it. However, it is absolutely worth it. The trail is quite popular.

Buck Canyon Overlook

An awesome overlook that offers a view to the east. One of the best places to view the main road leading to the park. It’s a short walk from the parking lot with a good amount of observation space.

Green River Overlook

This southwest-facing viewpoint affords the best views of one of Canyonlands’ two mighty rivers: the Green River, deep in its channel 1,300 feet (396 m) below. Visitors can also see features of The Maze district and the White Rim Road.

Apparently this overlook is also one of the best places to watch the sunset. We witnessed it at the Needles overlook. However, this overlook looks like a perfect sunset photo destination! Next time we will give it a try.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are in the vicinity of the city of Moab, you have to visit both the Arches and the Canyonlands National Parks. Both offer unique and breathtaking views that are unmatched anywhere in the United States. We truly enjoyed our visit and we are already looking forward to booking the next.

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Dead Horse State Park is well known in Utah for its breathtaking overviews of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. The main view is somewhat similar to the Horse Shoe Bend in Arizona but from a higher elevation. Other views rival those in the Grand Canyon. The park was well maintained and in great condition. During our visit, the number of people also was very reasonable. No big lines to get to the main overlooks etc. The park covers 5,362 acres (2,170 ha) of high desert at an altitude of 5,900 feet (1,800 m).

The legend of Dead Horse Point states that in the late 1800’s the point was used as a corral for wild mustangs roaming the mesa top. Cowboys herded them across the narrow neck of land and onto the point. The neck was then fenced off with branches and brush. One time, for some unknown reason, horses were left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below.

Getting There

The park is about 40 miles from the city of Moab. This was our “base” during the first phase of our Utah exploration trip. We highly recommend visiting Moab. It is a city full of offroad adventurers and nature-loving travelers. Also, the food was very good. The city is strategically located right next to the Arches National Park and driving distance to the Canyonlands National Park. Amazing destination if you want to park hop and explore what Utah is all about. However room availability in the hotels there is scarce and you need to book way in advance. In our case, we booked more than 4 months ahead.

Overlooks

The views of the Colorado River and the Canyonlands National Park are breathtaking. You could also drive down right next to the river bend but we decided not to due to time constraints. However, you would need a 4×4 off-road-ready vehicle for that trip. Photo opportunities are everywhere. We loved every single view and spend most of the day walking between the different overlooks. Getting to the main viewpoints is very easy. They are within walking distance of the parking in most cases. Parking also was not an issue.

Other Highlights

The park is also a desirable destination for mountain biking. The Intrepid Trail System has three hiking and biking loops ranging from one to nine miles with varying degrees of difficulty. In general Utah’s parks were packed with mountain bikers and everywhere we went we noticed at least a few of them. We even witnessed a biking movie being shot in the park with a photo crew, big cameras, etc. Park is also pet-friendly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, visiting Dead Horse State Park is a no-brainer especially if you are staying in Moab. It offers unique views of the Colorado River and the Canyonlands National Park. f you enjoyed the Horse Shoe Bend you definitely would enjoy the Dead Horse State Park.

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Arches National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the United States. It is also the most popular (some would also argue most beautiful) one in Utah. So popular that the Delicate Arch is on the official license plate for the state of Utah. So busy that finding parking during the busy season is close to impossible. Our visit was during the month of April. The weather was perfect for hiking and sightseeing. Never before we have witnessed arches created by nature in such a fashion and we were amazed by their sheer size and beauty. It is hard to describe them since words or pictures hardly do justice in cases like these. You just have to witness this absolutely unique place. One of the most beautiful national parks we have ever visited in the USA.

Lodging

We stayed in Moab. We have heard of the city before but never in our lives, we thought it would be such a colorful and busy “base” for offroad enthusiasts and adventure seekers. An amazing little town with tons of things to do and see. It is also so conveniently located near the Arches National Park that you can walk to it from Moab. Food-wise we Yelped as usual and loved the Trailhead Public House & Eatery (their wings were to die for), Antica Forma Pizza, and the Indo Grill Indian Cuisine. Those were the places where we really liked the food and the wait times were not in hours but minutes.

Things to See

It is also not just the arches that make the park unique. There are tons of other rock formations that just seem impossible to be formed or created without some sort of intelligent design or human interference. Here are some of the most famous attractions that we thought are must-see:

Delicate Arch

The most iconic arch in the park. Its location and access are tricky since you do have to hike for few hours to get to it. The total trail length round trip is 3.2 miles from the parking lot. It is moderate difficulty. There are also few places where you have to be careful in terms of walking and not be afraid of heights. Once there you need to be careful as well since as you can see from the photos there are areas where it is not super safe to run and jump. You can find more details about the trail here.

Double Arch

This one is interesting because of its double-arch formation. Getting to it is very easy just a few minutes walking from the parking lot. That also contributes to the number of people you would see there and the need to remove them from your photos in post-production. It was also interesting to know that the Double Arch was used as a backdrop for portions of the 1988 movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”.

North Window & South Window Arches

North Window & South Window, or the Spectacles, as some people call them, are the first major arches you see upon entering the Park. Though they are easy to view from a distance, these arches are much more impressive if you take a short walk to stand inside them. Both are easily accessible from the parking lot via a short hike. You can actually see the Turret Arch from the North Window Arch.

Just around the South Window Arch is the North Window Arch. If you climb close enough you can see through it the Turret Arch as well. All three are in close proximity accessible from the same parking lot. Not much hiking required to see them at all.

Turret Arch

This one is quite interesting in terms of the rock formation right next to it. It is visible through the North Window Arch and photographed from there quite a lot. It is also very busy since it is easily accessible and kids love climbing it. Ours did so as well 🙂

Landscape Arch

Toward the back of the park, in the Devil’s Garden area, you can find the Landscape Arch. With a span of 306 feet, it is the longest arch in the United States and 4th longest in the world. It is mindblowing how something like this can form through the years. Nature and time are amazing architects!

Balanced Rock

The total height of Balanced Rock is 128 feet (39 m), with the balancing rock rising 55 feet (16.75 m) above the base. This rock is the largest of its kind in the park, weighing approximately the same as an icebreaker ship or 27 blue whales.

Three Gossips, Sheep Rock, and Courthouse Towers

Just on the side of the main road, there is a stop with a great overview of some of the other park attractions. The three Gossips is quite interesting since it is a rock formation that literally looks like three people very close to each other “gossiping”. The Sheep Rock and the Courthouse Towers are also part of this landscape. Definitely worth the stop.

Conclusion

Arches National Park is a must-see for any explorer and nature lover. There are not many places on planet Earth where you can witness arches like these. There are not many places where you can get so close to them and take a photo. Amazing park and very much worth its popularity and ranking as one of the best parks in the United States. We absolutely recommend it!

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Bonneville Salt Flats is a unique destination in the vicinity of Salt Lake City. It was on our radar for a long time and finally, we made it there during our Utah exploration trip. There are so many amazing things to see in this state that this gets overlooked for some reason. In our opinion, it is a must-see. It is so much fun for kids and an amazing place for pictures.

The Bonneville Salt Flats are a densely packed salt pan in Tooele County in northwestern Utah. The area is a remnant of the Pleistocene Lake Bonneville and is the largest of many salt flats located west of the Great Salt Lake. The property is public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is known for land speed records at the “Bonneville Speedway“. Access to the flats is open to the public.

The salt flats are about 12 miles long and 5 miles wide with total area coverage of just over 46 square miles. Motor vehicle use is limited by seasonal closure during the spring when the salt is moist or has standing water on the surface. We did drive for a short time on one of the sides for few pictures. Coming from Salt Lake City you first see the dry side and many people just turn back after that. You have to remember that few more miles down you actually get to see the side with the water. It is definitely worth the drive. Essentially you drive until you reach this sign:

The Bonneville Salt Flats are quite famous also for the last speed events held there. Since 1914 at the part of the salt flats known as the Bonneville Speedway. We had no idea about these events really. Next time we will plan so that we can experience at least one of them.

There are five major land speed events that take place at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Bonneville “Speed Week” takes place mid-August followed by “World of Speed” in September and the “World Finals” take place early October.

Lodging

We stayed in Salt Lake City and drove to the Salt Flats and back. It was an awesome opportunity to experience the capitol of Utah. We loved the city. The view of the mountains surrounding it is hard to beat. Lovely city. Great food as well. If you are Utah Jazz fan then you do not want to miss taking a photo next to the arena or even go to one of their games! The restaurants in the downtown were quite booked and for some there was 2 hours wait time for takeout! Plan accordingly.

Things to have in mind

There are few things to have in mind before going. During the day it is quite hot and sunny. Sunscreen and hats are a must. You need a lot of water not only for drinking but to wash the salt from your clothes and skin. Our son was completely soaked and had salt on his arms and feet. You would need to wash sooner rather than later. Wet napkins help a lot! Shoes soaked with this salt are quite hard to wash. It would take a few wash cycles to get them back to normal. It goes without saying but be mindful of others and keep your eyes salt-free.

There are bathrooms at the first stop but not where the sign is so have that in mind. Be careful driving, only do off-roading if your car can take it. It is not uncommon for cars to get stuck and deal with roadside assistance. Car rentals do not like off-roading with their cars.

Conclusion

Must see destination. Plan for 1 full day and bring lots of water and some food if you do not want to drive back and forth for food. It is a common practice to buy a temp cooler and store sandwiches for the trip there. The drive is not that much overall and the views on the way are also worth seeing. Since this is not national park drones are allowed. You can also walk as much and as far as you want on the salts.

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The city of Temecula is approximately 58 miles (93 km) north of downtown San Diego and 85 miles (137 km) southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Temecula is bordered by the city of Murrieta to the north and the Pechanga Indian Reservation and San Diego County to the south. Temecula had a population of 100,097 during the 2010 census and an estimated population of 114,761 as of July 1, 2019. It was incorporated on December 1, 1989

Lodging

We wanted to make sure we stayed at the wine county close to the wineries and the old town. We chose the South Coast Winery Resort and Spa and we loved the location. Great views as well not to mention the close proximity to more than a few other wineries as well. Right at the entrance of the resort, there is also a large grapefruit tree nursery which looked amazing. The hotel (and the wine county itself) during the winter season is not as beautiful as during the summer so have that in mind when planning. You definitely want to come and visit when everything is green! The resort looks great. They also offer balloon rides and various other unique experiences.

The resort is also about 15 minutes from Old Town and about 10 from various shopping plazas etc. Since we made our first visit during the winter season we are now planning another trip during the summer for that balloon ride and the green vistas :).

The resort food was not great during our stay. We did not like most of the dishes we tried. Their filet mignon was the only thing we actually liked. For breakfast, we did the Le Coffee Shop in the old town which was awesome. Great food and coffee. We did try the recommended Toast breakfast place but it was not nearly as good as Le Coffee in our opinion. For dinner, we loved the Hana Sushi #6. Probably one of the best sushi we have had in a long time. Here is a list of the resturants and breweries in the region.

Things To See

The main destinations for us in Temecula were the Old Town, the wine country wineries, and the Ricardo Breceda Gallery & Sculpture Garden. We did want to also do the balloon ride but postponed it for our next visit during the summer. We would do breakfast and lunch chilling in the Old Town and then spend some time in the wineries. Our stay felt short since we really enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and the beautiful views.

Wine Country

You can spend a few days wine tasting at the various beautiful wineries. A good amount of them have “transformed” to resorts and offer lodging and various other amenities as well. We visited during the winter season and all the great views were brown and dull vs green and beautiful. During the summer the wine country looks completely different. The wines we tried were pretty good and the atmosphere is very relaxing and great for a family getaway. For a list of the wineries and local shops click here.

The Old Town

We loved this place. Every breakfast during out stay at Temecula was in there. It gets very busy in the afternoon and the main street gets packed. Various old school bikers and classic rides can also be found traversing the city. Many buildings have that wild wild west look which we loved. You can walk across the town in about 30 mins. Overall it is a great to see place and we loved our time there.

Ricardo Breceda Gallery & Sculpture Garden

During our travels in California we started noticing these scrap metal statues at various locations. We found quite a few of them during our road trip to Anza Borego. It turns out in Temecula Ricardo Breceda (the sculptor) has his main gallery and office. That was an awesome surprise for us since we are big fans of his work. His gallery was about twenty minutes from our resort so it was no brainer to explore it. We also met him there. Very nice and humble artist. If you have a chance to visit his gallery do so you wound not be disappointed. It is an awesome place for kids as well.

Overall we truly enjoyed our stay in Temecula. The old town and the wine country are great places to relax and enjoy some time with family and loved ones. With the number of wineries there, it is certain you will find the right cup of wine for any occasion. Don’t forget also to try the balloon ride which this region is also known for.

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Maui holds a special place in our hearts. Our first visit there left such great memories that we had to go there again. The COVID pandemic did make things somewhat difficult but once we got the negative test results the rest was just proper planning. As it did in the past Maui did not disappoint. We hiked numerous trails, experienced breathtaking views, awesome food, and overall had a great time. The island has such a great combination of beautiful volcanic nature, golden beaches, friendly people, and tasty food. Just an awesome destination for a family vacation.

Native Hawaiian tradition gives the origin of the island’s name in the legend of Hawaiʻiloa, the navigator credited with the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. According to it, Hawaiʻiloa named the island after his son, who in turn was named for the demigod Māui. The Island of Maui is also called the “Valley Isle” for the large isthmus separating its northwestern and southeastern volcanic masses.

How to Get There

If this was pre-pandemic time this section of this article would not exist. Sadly the reality is such that traveling to places like Hawaii is not as simple as it used to be. Due to the COVID pandemic, Hawaii requires testing and has a certain process that needs to be followed. All is explained and tracked via the travel.hawaii.gov website.

In a nutshell, you are required to take a COVID test from preferred locations 72 hours before your flight. Then upload your test results via the website and get a barcode. That barcode is then used to track you when you arrive on the island. You can not rent a car or hotel room without that barcode.

Overall the process is pretty seamless once you get the test done (which we did in Walgreens in less than 10 minutes). In our case results were sent via email by LabCorp. The only tricky thing is to make sure you are not outside of the 72-hour window for the results. Note that the process might have changed so make sure you check the website above for the most up to date information.

As far as flights to Maui there are plenty of regular nonstop flights from the mainland. Have in mind that since those are domestic flights the airlines nickel and dime you. There are no screens on the seats and you have to use your own devices to watch the onboard entertainment.

Transportation

To get around the island and go through the Road to Hana you would need a good vehicle. We rented the first time a van and this time a 4×4 Jeep. Pay the extra and get the Jeep. The difference is night and day. Especially if you want to go offroad and continue on the road beyond Hana. We ended up driving more than one thousand miles for the 11 days we stayed on the island.

Roads outside of the main cities are small and without much safety equipment on the sides. Road to Hana and especially the road to Haleakala could be pretty scary for inexperienced drivers and travelers. Pay attention and drive carefully. Also always let locals pass by. They know the roads and do not have much patience for tourists.

Lodging

We stayed in the city of Lahaina. The city is located three hours drive from Haleakala. Close to four (one way) to get to Hana. We have sentimental reasons to stay in this city. Our first visit left awesome memories and we wanted to revisit them. The close proximity to great places for breakfast, lunch, and dinner was also a factor in our decision. The airport is about an hour away as well as Whole Foods in case you need organic groceries etc.

The hotel we chose was the Hyatt Regency Maui. Overall our stay was there was ok. Our timing was bad since they were doing a bunch of renovations and some of the amenities were not available. The hotel did have an awesome pool area for both kids and adults (which does get quite crowded). The Japengo restaurant has one of the absolute best calamari we have ever tried. Sushi was also pretty good. The dining restaurant Son’z Steakhouse was decent. Overall a good hotel but somewhat expensive for what you get.

Since our hotel did not have their lūʻau open we had to book one in another location. You can read below what a luau is and why it is an awesome spectacle and must-see in Hawaii. Since those are usually booked months in advance we ended up going to the only one available at the time in the Wailea Beach Resort Marriott Maui. That hotel left a great impression. Good amenities and location. Right next to a shopping mall. Great high-end restaurants. Infinity pool and it felt overall less crowded and more open. The sunset was amazing as well there.

Cuisine

We absolutely loved the food in Hawaii. During our previous visit, we used to go daily to this Maui Fish Market place. It left such a great memory that the moment we had a chance we went back to it. Still, the best Ahi tuna steak sandwich we ever had. Their lobster bisque was also very good. The Paia Fish Market was awesome as well. They have multiple locations (one in Lahaina). Another awesome place was Joeys Kitchen. Both breakfast and lunch we had there were amazing. The rest of the time while we were not eating in one of those places we used Yelp. It was dead-on in terms of rating.

Overall the fish dishes in all the above places were great. Focus on those would be our recommendation. We did not have a bad meal in our entire stay in Hawaii jumping from a fish market to a fish market and trying the other high-rated Yelp recommendations.

Things To See

There are quite a few things to see and do in Maui. Plenty of great hikes and vista points, awesome beaches, and places for surfing & snorkeling. We wanted to start with the trails and do some hiking. After that, we rested for a few days with trips to the beaches followed by sightseeing and snorkeling.

Maui Sunsets

Maui is quite popular for its sunsets. We made sure that almost every day we would be enjoying those. You should research the popular and recommended spots to watch the sunset. We did that but ended up always seeing them from the hotel. It was just the most convenient place after a tough day hiking or on the beach.

Lūʻau

It would be a crime to visit Hawaii and not to experience a luau at least once. In a nutshell, it is a dinner with great entertainment. It usually includes traditional Hawaiian music, dancing, and overall just great time. We especially love the fire dance routine. Different restaurants do different shows in terms of length and performances but the theme is usually the same. In our case, the performance took us through the islands’ history and their traditions and dances. The price is usually somewhat high since it includes all you can eat, an open bar, and the entertainment.

As mentioned above our luau was at the Wailea Beach Resort Marriott Maui. The name is Te Au Moana (The Ocean Tide). It is right next to the beach. Great location. It turned out that it was one of the higher-rated luaus on the island. You enjoy the sunset, eat great food, watch an awesome show, and just relax. You have to experience it at least once. Another famous one is the Old Lahaina Luau. That one was booked months ahead when we tried to get a reservation. Overall you should do your research and book a luau before you arrive on the island. They are that popular.

Waihee Ridge Trail

Amazing trail. Perfect length and great views. We hiked it with our six-year-old son during the rainy season. The trail is reasonably shaded and somewhat challenging. It is practically uphill all the way to the top and in some areas muddy. You should be careful not to fall/slip on the way down. We highly recommend hiking shoes for this trail. Also, make sure you also park on the trail parking and not on the extended one because you would add another mile to your hike. You have to be in good physical shape to take on the trail. It is a little over 2 miles one way if you park in the parking lot next to the trail. The extended one is the first parking you will see when getting on the road leading to the trail. Avoid that one and keep driving.

Ohai Loop Trail

If you are looking for a short trail with breathtaking coastal views this one is for you. Only 1.2 miles long. Perfect for families with children. We absolutely loved it. The video of the trip has plenty of footage from this trail. The parking lot is not a big one so have that in mind. It also is pretty open so avoid going there during the hot hours of the day or use sunscreen. You can complete the loop in less than an hour. If you stop like us for pictures and video every 5 minutes it would easily take a few hours.

Nakalele Blowhole

Very popular destination and quite crowded. There is a very short trail to get to the blowhole. The actual attraction is a great photo destination if you can be there early before the crowds. Be careful and do not go close to the blowhole. It is dangerous. Warning signs are everywhere. Waiting there for the waves crashing was what we did for a while. And also waiting to see how high the water would shoot through the blowhole.

On the right side before you go down to the actual blowhole you have a very nice coastal view as well. It is a great place to sit and enjoy the crashing waves and get some rest. It is a windy destination so have that in mind if you are going later in the day.

Haleakala

This is one of our favorite Maui destinations. Hard to get to, requires a reservation and you have to get up super-mega early to truly experience it, but it is worth it! Not every day you can see the sun rising from below the clouds while you are above them enjoying the view. It is a special place.

Reservation @ Haleakala

Few things to note here. If you are going for the sunrise you need to get a reservation from this website. You basically reserve a parking spot for one vehicle. It is only valid for the time period between 3 AM and 7 AM. It used to be free and open all the time but they changed it to limit the number of people there. Note that after 7 AM it is open and free but that only makes sense if you want to just see the views or hike. Going there and not seeing the sunrise is a pretty big miss and you should try to avoid it if you can.

Clothing @ Haleakala

It is cold with no sun at 10,000 feet. It is pretty cold. Like super-cold. Pack winter clothing and get blankets from the hotel. We had thermal underwear, hiking shoes, jackets, hats, gloves, and still were somewhat cold. People with flip-flops and tee-shirts there were jumping like kangaroos to remain sane and warm. No idea how they missed the memo about the temperature. You can always change in the car and remove the extra layers of clothing if you are planning to hike after the sunrise. If you are with kids put extra layers on them. Our son was cold even with all the blankets we had and the multiple clothing layers on him.

Hiking @ Haleakala

After the sunrise is officially in the books you have to hike the Haleakala crater. You go down from the summit and stop at the main parking lot. From there you have two options: A very short hike to the initial vista point and then the main crater trail. The main trail is 11.2 miles long. It is not an easy hike and requires tons of water. It is a two-day hike if you want to go all the way. We only did a few miles on it before turning back due to not enough water. It is an amazing trail however and you should absolutely give it a try. Views of the crater are stunning. You literally feel like you are on another planet!

Road to Hana

Road to Hana is like this gift that keeps giving. It is a one-day journey full of so many different types of experiences. You get to see waterfalls, black sand beaches, amazing vistas, crazy tiny roads with one-way bridges, and eat some awesome local cuisine. Absolutely must do. We did it two times! The weather was not kind to us the first time so we wanted to make sure we go through it again. For a full mile by mile list of the attractions check this website.

The Hana Highway (also known as The Road to Hana) is a 64.4-mile-long (103.6 km) stretch of Hawaii Routes 36 and 360 which connects Kahului to the town of Hana in east Maui. Although Hana is only about 52 miles (84 km) from Kahului, an uninterrupted car-trip takes about 2.5 hours to drive, since the highway is very windy, narrow, and passes over 59 bridges, of which 46 are only one lane wide.

Here are the things we visited along the way and are worth mentioning:

– Paia Town

Depending on where you are staying Paia town can be the place where you would have breakfast or lunch. Since we were staying in Lahaina, Paia was our target for breakfast. We started the day early in the morning and planned to be there around the time most places start to open. It is a cute little town with great food. The Paia Fish Market is one of the best places to eat in Maui. Great ice cream place also right next to it. It is not a must-see but a good and convenient place to have some tasty food and continue on.

– Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees

Those are hard to get to and tricky to stop and admire since the road is tiny. However, if you get the chance, stop, and see them (near mile marker 7). They are quite majestic and as their name suggests “pained” with different colors.

– Nahiku Marketplace

Located six miles before the town of Hana (near mile marker #29) this is a great place to get some coffee, some food, and few souvenirs. During our few trips to Hana, the few places where you can get something nice to eat there were closed. We do however remember that during our previous trip the food was great. This time they were doing renovations etc. We instead ended up having lunch both times at Thai Food by Pranee. Great food. It is basically a food truck with a few tents.

– Wailua Falls

The most photographed waterfall in Maui. Located just past mile marker #45. It gets crowded quickly on sunny days. We passed through it two times in vary different weather conditions and both times there were plenty of people there. Overall it is a great place to stop, enjoy the view and relax for a moment from all the driving.

Cascading approximately 80 feet down the side of a lush jungle wall into to a lovely plunge pool, this is easily one of Maui’s most accessible and majestic falls. No hiking required!

– Black Sand Beach

Our son’s favorite beach. Pitch black sand. Very small in size and quite popular as a destination. People tend to stay for half an hour take few selfies and go. The waves are awesome there and the current quite strong. Great place for snorkeling as well. If you can stand the crowds there is a small trail on the left side of it. Follow it for about 15 minutes and you will get to a very similar smaller version of the Black Sand Beach. People just do not want to hike and come for the pictures. There is a small blowhole on the right side of it which is also a popular attraction.

– Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls

This is a highly recommended trail but unfortunately, it was closed due to the rainy season when we were there. It was a must-see in our book but it just did not pan out.

– Hang Gliding

On our first trip to Maui years ago (before our son was born) we did hang gliding on the road to Hana. It was an unbelievable experience. We skipped it on this trip. However, if you want to see Hana, the black beach, and the coast from the sky this is one of the best ways to do so. The name of the company is Hang Gliding Maui. Great instructor and pilot and truly an amazing memory. Highly recommended.

Conclusion

Based on our experience you need about 7-10 days to experience Maui. There is so much to do, see, and try. And that just scratches the surface. Two weeks would probably be optimal. Especially if you are into hiking, snorkeling, surfing, and trying new things. If you want to just sit at the resort, visit a luau or two, and overall chill a week would be just fine. We love Hawaii and it is still for us one of the best places for a family vacation in the USA.

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Yellowstone National Park (web site) is one of the absolute best parks in the United States. It is consistently ranked in the top 3 parks in the country. The sheer amount of unique attractions makes it such an amazing place to experience. The numerous valleys, thermal basins, mud pools, geysers, canyons, and wildlife passing right next to your car gives you the feeling that you are in a grand theater going from one play to another. If you have a chance to visit Yellowstone do not hesitate! It is truly a special place.

Interestingly it was Yellowstone that started the entire “National Park” movement as it was the first one to be established as such in 1872. The area it covers is 2,219,791 acres (8,983 km) and it is visited annually by close to 4 million people. The number of visitors is quite large and very noticeable during the peak seasons. So noticeable that it makes it hard to enjoy the park. To give you an example we witnessed 15+ miles long traffic line to exit the park due to road closure. Booking a stay in the park needs to be done more than a year (in some cases two) in advance!

Wildlife

Yellowstone is truly unique when it comes to wildlife. To us, it felt like we were on a safari most of the time. Elk, Bison, and all kinds of other animals just walk freely on the roads and literally around you. Grizzly bears are also common and bear spray is recommended if you are hiking backcountry.

There are nearly 300 species of birds, 16 species of fish, five species of amphibians, six species of reptiles, and 67 species of mammals—including seven native ungulate species and two bear species.

Things to see

First, let’s start with a link to the park map to make things easier to follow. The image below is part of it (click to enlarge). We focused our attention the first few days on the well known major attractions. In the last few days, we visited less known ones and revisited some for another peek. The roads inside the park form two circles one on top of the other like the number 8. There are five entrances to the park. Lake Yellowstone is located at the lower southeastern side of the park.

Now that the map is out of the way let’s talk about the attractions. First, note that half of the world’s active geysers are located inside Yellowstone. 500-700 active geysers per year! They are spread/grouped in what is called basins. Those are Norris, Monument, Upper, Midway, Lower, West Thump, and Backcountry Geyser Basins. Each of these basins contains various geysers, hot springs, mud pots, etc.

Midway Geyser Basin / Grand Prismatic Spring

Probably the most iconic attraction and one that is almost always on the book and magazine covers. The Grand Prismatic Spring is a must-see attraction. Extremely hot water travels 121 feet from a crack in the Earth to reach the surface of the spring. It is the third-largest spring in the world, bigger than a football field at 370 feet in diameter. It is by far the most photographed thermal feature in Yellowstone.

The bright, vivid colors in the spring are the result of microbial mats around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The mats produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature gradient in the runoff. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.

There are two ways to see it. The first one is climbing the stairs and walking right next to it. This does give you a closer look but let’s face it with that size looking it that close is not going to impress you as much as those famous photos you have seen of the spring.

The second option is to take the Fairy Falls trail (see next attraction) which leads to an awesome overlook of the Grand Prismatic Spring. We recommend both but we liked much more the later view. Seeing it from a distance really makes it stand out. It shows you those bright colors and their contrast with the rest of the landscape. The bellow image is a slightly zoomed view of what you can expect to see from there:

Parking can be tricky if you plan to see the basin in the middle of the day. So have that in mind. Visiting early in the morning or in the late afternoon would be better parking wise but you would not experience the same colors. We found space at the Midway Basin parking after waiting and making a few rounds. Fairy Falls parking was less of a problem during our visit.

Midway Geyser Basin / Fairy Falls

Quite a popular attraction and a very nice trail for a family walk. The trail is .5 mile long and climbs 105 feet. It goes through a few different areas in terms of landscape. Its overlook of the Grand Prismatic Spring is absolutely worth seeing. It is in the initial part of the trail and it is not really difficult to reach. Note that the view is not the same as all the drone photos you might have seen in the magazines. Drones are not allowed at all in the national parks. They apparently are only allowed when it comes to commercial material used to promote the parks.

Upper Geyser Basin / Old Faithful Geyser

Old Faithful is a cone geyser. It was named in 1870 during the Washburn–Langford–Doane Expedition and was the first geyser in the park to be named. It is a highly predictable geothermal feature and has erupted every 44 minutes to two hours since 2000.

Honestly, we did not like the Old Faithful Geyser that much. It felt overcrowded and the actual geyser was nothing special. It is so famous since it is the most predictable and consistent when it comes to eruptions. We watched it do its thing but we felt few of the other geysers in the Upper Basin area were as good if not better (and much less crowded). It might be just us however since we got spoiled with some crazy geyser eruptions during our trip to Iceland.

Upper Geyser Basin / Daisy Geyser

The Daisy geyser was kind to us and gave us a great performance. It sustained its eruption for a good amount of time. Just enough for us to take enough pictures and for our son to enjoy. It was our first geyser eruption we witnessed in Yellowstone. There are benches there as well and a nice wooden walkway around the geyser. Plenty of space to sit, relax, and enjoy.

Upper Geyser Basin / Castle Geyser

Another popular geyser in the Upper Geyser Basin. We were not able to see it erupt but after the few eruptions, we witnessed that day we were already more than familiar with the experience. It is called a castle geyser since it resembles the look of a small ancient castle.

Upper Geyser Basin / Grand Geyser

The Grand geyser did not disappoint when we were there. Although it did not erupt as high as we expected it sustained the eruption for minutes! Wave after wave it kept going. It surprised us really. We had a great time. It was not as crowded as we expected so that was a plus. Overall we do recommend the Grand Geyser even more than the Old Faithful. You are much closer to the actual geyser and the eruptions seem to last longer.

Thermal Pools

Geysers are one of the main reasons to visit Yellowstone. Another is to witness the beauty of its thermal pools. There are so many of them spread throughout the different basins. Different sizes, colors, and shapes. They really set apart the park and leave a long-lasting memory. Looking back now geysers fade in comparison to all the colors and beautiful formations the thermal pools showed us. Pictures do not really do justice to the crystal clear blue water and the orange colors around the edges of the pool. Truly amazing creations by mother nature.

Yellowstone Grand Canyon

We have visited few times the Grand Canyon National Park so the Yellowstone version did not impress as much in scale and vastness. It did impress with its colors and waterfall views. It is a must-see either way. After all the yellow everywhere you see there is the main reason the park is named Yellowstone. The hikes and views are exceptional. We visited both the South and the Northside and we recommend both. They have different viewpoints and great spots for pictures. Quite a few people on the trials and the vista points but it is manageable.

The canyon is approximately 24 miles (39 km) long, between 800 and 1,200 ft (240 and 370 m) deep and from .25 to .75 mi (0.40 to 1.21 km) wide.

The canyon village close by offers a good general store and few places to eat. The main cafeteria offers various food options but we found almost all of them to be mediocre at best. During a pandemic, there are not many things to eat in national parks so we did not complain much as you would imagine. The general store has a burger place which is ok if you are into burgers.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Another impressive attraction in Yellowstone is the Mammoth Hot Springs. Located very close to the Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District. The spring was created over thousands of years as hot water from the spring cooled and deposited calcium carbonate.

The hot water that feeds Mammoth comes from Norris Geyser Basin after traveling underground via a fault line that runs through limestone and roughly parallel to the Norris-to-Mammoth road. The limestone from rock formations along the fault is the source of the calcium carbonate. Shallow circulation along this corridor allows Norris’s superheated water to slightly cool before surfacing at Mammoth, generally at about 170 °F (80 °C).

During our visit, there was almost no water on the terraces. There was however still plenty of steam coming out and that presented some nice photo opportunities. This attraction is quite popular so expect plenty of people around you and not many parking spots available.

Lamar Valley

Located in the northeastern corner of the park, the Lamar Valley, along the Lamar River, in is often called America’s Serengeti for its large and easy-to-see populations of large animals.

Probably one of our most favorite parts of the park. The vastness of those valleys and the amount of wildlife everywhere was mind-blowing. This is by far your best chance to see a bison herd roaming free. We saw at one point probably a few herds in one place. Also, Lamar Valley is considered the best place to see wolves in Yellowstone. We were not as lucky during our visit. You have to be there early in the day or later in order to spot them based on what we learned. In either case, just driving through Lamar Valley is enough to appreciate the beauty of the park.

Lodging

Staying inside the park would require good planning and booking a long time in advance. For us, we were only able to book the Lake Yellowstone Hotel due to the coronavirus outbreak. During that time period, all major hotels inside the park were closed with few exceptions. Very few respectable restaurants were open and only for taking out. We chose the Lake Yellowstone Hotel due to its great location and good reviews as far as food options go.

Our room was in the Sandpiper Lodge which is part of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel but it is a separate building right behind the hotel main one. Only the Sandpiper Lodge and the cabins were available during the coronavirus pandemic. Both buildings are rated as 3-star hotels. The cabins felt too small for us so we did not consider them at all. Note that the hotel has no wifi and no internet access. The lake is only a few minutes away walking distance and it is gorgeous (especially during sunset time). Almost every time we were at the shore in the late afternoon we saw either multiple elks or few bisons walking around. Beautiful animals.

Food

In general, there are plenty of places to find food in the park. Each village has a nicely packed general store and more than one option for dining. In our opinion, the Old Faithful general store has the best flatbreads for lunch and its dining restaurant was absolutely amazing. Best food we had in the park by far. Their bison ribs were to die for! Lake Yellowstone hotel restaurant is supposed to be also very good by it was closed during our stay. Grand Canyon Village food was nothing special. Mammoth Springs’s food options were decent. We did like their hotdog offerings and their french fries. Overall if you are not visiting during a pandemic you should be good in terms of food.

Conclusion

Yellowstone is an absolute must-see. There is no other park in the USA to offer such a variety of attractions and different wildlife to see. The park is very well maintained and closely monitored in terms of wildfires and road issues. During our visit, various roads were under construction. Rangers for the most part are nice and friendly.

The main concern as always is the number of people in the park. Some people dislike the park on that issue alone. We noticed that at peak hours and on holidays there are more people in the park than there should be. It felt crowded and even unpleasant at times. Thankfully we only had a few days like that and for the majority of our stay, we were way bellowing the park average visitors. So have that in mind when you are planning your visit. The summer season is the busiest. Other than that Yellowstone was amazing to us and we highly recommend it.

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The only long drive part of the trip is the initial drive to the Napa Valley which is ~ six hours. We did it in this way since we are familiar with that drive already and we really wanted to get to Napa quickly. It just feels you are on a vacation once you are in Napa for some reason :). After that things are smooth and the ride is enjoyable to Lake Tahoe and Big Sur. So lets breakdown the stops.

LA to Napa Valley, CA ~6-hour drive

As I mentioned already this is the longest drive. It is also not the most interesting one. The main reason for us to want to get through it as quick as possible and start the next day fresh in Napa Valley. You can of course stay at a hotel somewhere in the middle and make it easier from the driving perspective. Once in Napa life is good and with a good meal and a glass of wine, your vacation has officially begun. At least it always feels that way for us when in that place. You can read more about our Napa Valley experience here as well as recommended places to stay.

Day 3 – Nappa Valley to Lake Tahoe, CA ~3-hour drive

Now that drive is a whole different story. Not very long and filled with great landscapes and vista points. It might take you more than three hours if you stop frequently (like we do) so have that in mind. Lake Tahoe was the main goal of our trip so we spend about five days there. You can read more about our Lake Tahoe experience here.

Day 7 – Lake Tahoe to Monterey, CA ~5-hour drive

You have tons of options here. Monterey, Carmel By The Sea, or even Napa Valley (again) are all great stops for the night. We were already familiar with Carmel so we decided to explore Monterey for a day. Also, we chose to drive more that day so we could have extra time the next one when driving through the Big Sur. You almost never have enough time to truly enjoy the Pacific Coast Highway. So many awesome vista points, trails, and beaches to visit. Anyway, before we get there here are a few of the shots we took from Monterey.

Day 8 – Monterey, Big Sur & San Luis Obispo, CA ~3-hour drive

After having a great breakfast in Monterey at the amazing Crapes of Brittany we drove through the one and only Big Sur. Although the Pacific Highway is one road, how you go about driving through it and where you stop is all up to you. We practically stop and almost every vista point and trail looking for another breathtaking view. One thing we found out is that the vista points at the beginning have more accessible coastal views than those closer to LA. They also have more interesting rock formations and less beach area. Just something to have in mind.

We stopped at the Rugged Point for lunch and then ended up spending the night and the most unusual hotel we have visited in CA. The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. The hotel is quite difficult to be described in one word.

So many colors and different styles. Each room has a different story and decor. Overall good place for one night and for the experience. The service was good overall. Food-wise we were not impressed at all. Few options close by that we could also recommend are Morro Bay and Pismo Beach. Both we have visited before and we liked as destinations and for things to see and explore.

Day 9 – San Luis Obispo to LA ~3-hour drive

Driving back depending on where you stayed you can either take your time or just get home and get ready for whatever is next on your schedule. We were not impressed that much by the Madonna Inn and since we have already been to Pismo Beach and Morro Bay decided to just get home and get ready for the next week.

Overall this was one of the better road trips we have done and by far the best in 2020 (so far). Great landscapes, awesome food, wine, and relaxation. Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe are hard to beat as a vacation destinations. Big Sur never disappoints with its beautiful coastal views. We absolutely had a blast. Hope you would too if you decide to use the same itinerary.

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Lodging

Our stay at Lake Tahoe was the last part of a road trip starting from LA and going through Napa Valley. We spend about 5 days near the Heavenly Tahoe Village in the Edgewood Tahoe Resort. An absolutely awesome hotel which we booked at a discount via the Five Star Alliance website. Right on the lake with great views, amenities, golf course, and service.

The number of choices when it comes to hotels and places to stay around Lake Tahoe is quite large. We picked the Edgewood Tahoe Resort since it was so close to the Heavenly Village and also was right on the lake. Price-wise there are significantly less expensive hotels in that vicinity. For us, Heavenly Village proximity however was key since we love the food and the shops there (more about those below).

Heavenly Village

One thing we remembered from our winter trip to Lake Tahoe was the awesome Heavenly Village. Its packed with great restaurants and gift shops and entertainment for all ages. Starbucks, Pizza, Burgers, Magic shows, ice skating (during the winter season) mini gold (during the summer season) you name it. Highly recommended. It has plenty of parking garages and places to park. There are quite a few hotels as well build around it since it really is the central point especially during the winter season.

Food

Heavenly Village was our favorite place to visit at launch and dinner time. By far the best pizza in town is at Base Camp Pizza. Awesome place! We loved every bite of every pizza there and we were there daily. Highly recommended. Another equally awesome place was California Burger Co. Their burgers and shakes were to die for. Between those two places and our hotel (plus the occasional Whole Foods trip for fruits), we were all set.

Things To See

It is hard to go over all the places to visit in Lake Tahoe. There are so many great nature trails, vistas, and things to do. We started with a few places we knew we had to see and from there did all the trials and vistas around them. Since we always travel with our son hiking for a very long time usually is somewhat of an issue :).

Emerald Bay / Emerald Bay State Park

Emerald Bay needs no introduction. It hosts one of the most beautiful vistas of Lake Tahoe. The actual stop you see on the photos is a very short climb from the parking lot so do not worry you do not need to go any extra hiking etc to get to that magnificent viewpoint. The only issue is the number of people there and finding a place to park.

It also has a great hiking trail called the Rubicon Trail down to the actual lake (and much further). There is an old castle there called Vikingsholm as well as a small beach. During our visit, the beach was packed and there were tons of boats in the lake as well. Probably it is a good idea to go there early if you are hoping to get a nice stop at the lake.

East Shore Trail

If you are into biking surrounded by nature and amazing views this is the trail for you. Brand new bike trail built around the coastal line of the lake. It is the start of a much bigger project which aims at surrounding a large part of the lake with a biking trail. We loved it. Bikes were not something we brought with us so we walked for about 2 miles and it was a great experience. If you plan to go there you should bring a bike or just rent one at the parking (there is a huge bike renting place). Overall one of the best and easy trails we experienced.

Sand Harbor

Sand Harbor is located along State Route 28, just three miles south of Incline Village. The area offers 55 acres of paradise – expansive sandy beaches, rocky coves, and panoramic views of the east shoreline.  Swimmers and scuba divers enjoy the interesting rock formations, gently sloping beaches, and Lake Tahoe’s trademark crystal clear water.

Sand Harbor was packed during our visit. Tons of people and kids jumping from rocks and enjoying the crystal clear waters. Arriving there early is a must if you are planning to spend a good amount on the beach or taking photos of the awesome rocks scattered everywhere. There is a large parking lot but it was completely full most of the time we drove by that side of the lake. Overall one of the best places to see the lake, its clear water, and the rock formations. There also were decent bathrooms and other amenities next to the parking lot which was great.

Camp Richardson

We passed through Camp Richardson and spend time exploring one of the trails there as well as spending some time on the beach. This was the most packed area we experienced during our trip. The famous restaurant there (The Beacon Bar & Grill) was booked an hour in advance, the beach was as full as it possibly could be and there were tons of boats and kayaks in the lake. Overall that was the happening place if you are looking for one in Lake Tahoe.

Incline Village Trail & Crystal Bay

We found this trail by accident while driving around the lake. We were really just looking for a place to park since literally every possible spot where a car could be parked was taken. In the end, we got a ticket since we parked on a spot from which the “No parking” spot was not visible at all. In any case, it was well worth the parking ticket. Great location with amazingly clear water views. Absolutely worth the time hiking to get to the bottom.

Fallen Leaf Lake

Fallen Leak Lake is a very interesting place. It is a smaller lake measuring approximately 2.9 miles (4.6 km) on the long axis and 0.9 miles (1.4 km) on the short axis. The lake was created by at least two glaciers that traveled northward down the Glen Alpine Valley. Another nice thing to see there is the Glen Alpine Falls on Glen Alpine Creek. Those are a short hike from Fallen Leaf Lake.

Conclusion

Lake Tahoe is a busy place regardless of the season. We have seen it during the winter and the summer seasons and during both it is packed. The nature and the amazing views are hard to beat. That with the combination of great food and drinks makes it an absolutely great vacation destination place. We truly enjoyed our stay there and would highly recommend it for a family getaway, road trip or a vacation.

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