An ExPat's Guide To Todos Santos

An ExPat's Guide To Todos Santos

Todos Santos, a charming town in Baja California Sur, has blossomed from its humble beginnings as a sugar-exporting village into a destination loved by travelers for its art, music, surf, and serene beaches. Located just a short drive from some of the Baja Peninsula's most stunning coastal spots, Todos Santos is a haven of natural beauty, cultural depth, and laidback vibes—a world away from the bustling tourist hubs of Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.

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12 Reasons You Should Seek Dispersed Camping During Van Life

12 Reasons You Should Seek Dispersed Camping During Van Life

Dispersed camping, or camping outside of established campgrounds, is a popular choice for van lifers seeking overnight parking. It offers freedom, solitude, and unique ways to connect with nature, making it a perfect fit for the van life lifestyle. If you’re still on the fence about dispersed camping, here are twelve reasons why you should give it a try.

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Six Tips To Find Overnight Parking During Van Life

Six Tips To Find Overnight Parking During Van Life

Finding overnight parking for van life takes some time to understand. Every city, county, and state have different laws that you need to understand. If you are moving around from place to place in your van, you will quickly realize the laws are not shown. So, to find places to sleep in your van on your van life journey, you need to understand what your options are for boon-docking. I hope these six options have painted a picture of what your options are for sleeping in your van.

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7 Unforgettable Ways to Experience Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

7 Unforgettable Ways to Experience Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay, a stunning destination in Lake Tahoe, sits among the Sierra Nevada Mountains with its crystal-clear waters, dramatic landscapes, and captivating history. This enchanting bay draws visitors from around the world, and it’s easy to see why. If you’re planning a trip, here’s what you can look forward to.

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Van Life and Hiking Go Hand in Hand

Van Life and Hiking Go Hand in Hand

You don’t need much to go for a hike, which is perfect for van life. Toss on a pair of shoes, ideally something a bit sturdy, and head out for a walk in the woods, desert, mountains, where ever your van is parked. I’ve lived on the road for 8 years now, in a van, focused on getting outside as much as possible to snap pretty photographs and reflect upon the question, “Why am I here?”

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Searching For Flatwater To Kayak Along Highway 395

Searching For Flatwater To Kayak Along Highway 395

We had a crazy idea, let’s road trip down Highway 395 in our self-converted van (watch the video tour of our dodge promaster 2500) with kayaks and explore as many bodies of water as possible. We only had a week, so how much could we cram into a single outing? We were not sure, but we wanted to try. So, would five bodies of water be too many, ten? Now, I’ll admit neither of us are good at kayaking, heck we can barely get in the kayaks without flipping, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that we committed to the idea and have loads of fun along the way.

Did we succeed? Kind of.

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Here's The Difference Between Backpacking and Camping

Here's The Difference Between Backpacking and Camping

The allure of the great outdoors, with its untamed beauty and serenity, beckons adventure enthusiasts to seek solace beyond the urban hustle. Amidst the vast array of outdoor activities, backpacking and camping stand out as two distinct yet equally captivating choices. Both promise a rendezvous with nature, but their approaches, equipment requirements, and overall experiences set them apart. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the nuances of backpacking and camping, helping you decipher the ideal outdoor adventure tailored to your preferences.

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7 Things You Might Not Think About When Planning Your First Adventure Travel Trip

 7 Things You Might Not Think About When Planning Your First Adventure Travel Trip

Planning your first adventure travel trip is exciting! However, amidst the excitement, it’s easy to overlook some essential elements that can make or break your experience. To help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth trip, here are seven things you might not think about but should consider when planning your first adventure travel journey.

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A Beginner’s Guide To Planning Your First Adventure Travel Trip

A Beginner’s Guide To Planning Your First Adventure Travel Trip

Your first adventure travel trip is an exciting milestone! Adventure travel is all about immersing yourself in new environments, trying exhilarating activities, and stepping out of your comfort zone. While the thrill of adventure is a big part of the experience, planning a smooth trip requires thoughtful preparation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set off confidently and make the most of your first adventure travel journey.

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Your Adventure Guide For Yosemite Valley National Park

Your Adventure Guide For Yosemite Valley National Park

There is no better place to visit for an adventure than Yosemite National Park. A bold statement no doubt, but here’s why? From jaw dropping views to rock climbing to hiking to backpacking to skiing to photography, Yosemite is the perfect place to immerse yourself in raw nature. These seemingly unlimited options lead to one main issue, paralysis by analysis. Meaning, there is so much to do in Yosemite knowing where to begin is a challenge.

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An EV Road Trip in Search of Fall Colors in Northern California

An EV Road Trip in Search of Fall Colors in Northern California

Few road trips start as grand as this one, but our road trip, in search of fall colors, was going to be different.

Starting at Lake Tahoe’s iconic Emerald Bay on a crisp morning, the Rivian R1S had the seats down and was loaded to the brim with camera gear, dog toys, suitcases, snacks, and hiking gear. Kristin, Chestnut (our dog), and myself were in for an adventure of a lifetime. Seeking fall colors throughout Northern California, we had planned a week long road trip looping from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park back to our home in Lake Tahoe via as many backroads as possible.

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2025 Photography Guide to Firefall in Yosemite

2025 Photography Guide to Firefall in Yosemite

Capturing the mesmerizing Yosemite Firefall in 2024 is a photography dream come true as the lava-like waterfall glows in the sunset light. However, to make the most of this incredible experience, it's crucial to be prepared. If you have never been to Yosemite Valley in the winter, planning is going to be key as weather changes quickly, sometimes permits are required, and knowing where to point your camera can always be overwhelming in this awe-inspiring landscape.

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How To Climb All The Sawatch 14ers of Colorado

How To Climb All The Sawatch 14ers of Colorado

My legs still burn from the 20 days I spent climbing all of the 14ers in the Sawatch Range of Colorado. Home to fifteen summits poking above 14,000 feet the Sawatch range is a paradise for mountaineers, peak baggers, and hikers, offering a condensed grouping of challenging summits to test your fitness. For me, the goal was to climb all of these peaks in a single season, but for you, it could be to break the FKT or climb one a year, that is up to you.

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How to Pitch an Article Idea

Thank you for your interest in pitching an article idea, we are excited to see what you have in mind. Please note, we are focused on adventure travel, so make sure your story fits. To make sure you understand what we cover, here is a quick outline:

What We Pay:

As a growing publication, without VC backing or a trust fund to lean on, we do not have a budget for freelance contributors.

In exchange of your content, we add value for contributors by working with you and providing pivotal feedback you will not get at a larger publication. Our editors take the time to hope on the phone with you, go over a submission, and help you become better at your craft. We are an ideal stepping stone for younger writers, photographers, and videographers looking to get their careers off the ground.

Additionally, you can use our publication as a leverage to help secure funds, or press trips spots, for upcoming trips or projects. The way you do this, let us know you are going on a trip and what the potential stories could be. We will chat through those and confirm a publication. Then you can use our distribution channels and audience numbers to help your project secure funding while pitching potential clients.

We understand not getting paid for your work sucks and we look forward to changing that for our contributors in the near future.

What we DO NOT cover:

  • Athletes on a pro-circuit, but we do cover pros that are doing rad things. Think freesurfers chasing slabs, adventure climbers, mountaineers, kayakers on the search for new lines, etc.

  • Races. While we love races, and think they are awesome ways to test your abilities, but it doesn’t fit. Now, there is some gray area for those who have a compelling story that are doing extreme and obscure races like the Iditarod, solo self-contained Badwater, etc.

  • Food, unless you caught/hunted it, cooked it, and ate it.

What we do cover:

  • Trip Reports from Rad Destinations: This will need to cover how other people can do it and share your personal story along the way

  • Adventure Travel Tips: The focus here is to share knowledge for new adventure travelers with family, with kids, solo, etc.

  • National Parks: We have guides and personal trips that can be applied in a more broad manner

  • Activities We Focus On: climbing (all kinds), fishing (mostly fly fishing), road trips, running (mostly trails), surfing, and van life

  • Gear Reviews: these are a blend of video and written

Article break down:

  • 70% US based, 30% International

  • Most articles are 800 - 1200 words, supported by images and ideally have a video or reel

Pitch Format:

Send me an email: editors@the-adventure-travel-network.com

Subject line: Article Pitch: Title

Dear Editors,

Blah blah blah… stroke our ego a little bit… blah blah blah. I have “X” number of pitches for you:

Title: Write your title

Snippet: 3-5 sentences MAX about the article

Estimated length: provide a realistic range

Layers to story:

  • layer 1

  • layer 2

  • layer 3

Why does this belong? Convince me here in 3-5 sentences max. Ideally 2-3 sentences.

Supported by photos, video? Do NOT send them until asked

Thank you so much for your consideration,

Writer


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Van Life vs RV Life, Which Lifestyle Is Better

Van Life vs RV Life, Which Lifestyle Is Better

In the ever-changing landscape of adventure travel, where the open road calls and exploration becomes a way of life, you have two options while living on the road: van life or RV life. Growing up as a kid, I spent every holiday in an RV somewhere around the United States or Mexico, but when I graduated college, reality slapped me in the face that living solo in an RV was, well, extra. I didn’t need all that space, so, I built out my own van and lived full-time on the road for seven years. Now, however, I have a committed girlfriend and dog, so van life isn’t ideal anymore.

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Northern Lights Over Lake Tahoe

Northern Lights Over Lake Tahoe

My phone binged with an alert from Aurora, an app I had downloaded when I started chasing the Northern Lights in 2023. The message read, “Do to high aurora activity, it might possible to see the aurora in your location right now.” However, since it was 2 pm in the afternoon and the skies were cloudy I knew it wasn’t going to happen, but the alert made me ask the questions; If I could see the aurora tonight in Lake Tahoe, CA where would I want to see it? Could I photograph it?

I got thinking…

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7 Reasons You Should Van Life The Pacific Coast Highway

7 Reasons You Should Van Life The Pacific Coast Highway

Stretching from the Mexican to Canadian border, the Pacific Coast Highway spans the entire length of the United States west coast and is one of the great American road trips. With just over 1,650 miles filled with breathtaking coastal views, often glorified in surf media, and some of the cutest towns in America, it’s no wonder this the Pacific Coast Highway is calling the names of all those whom live van life. Yet, who will answer the call? Maybe, not enough. However, for those who road trip along the kinda terrifying, winding, two-lane road of the PCH, memories from a once-in-a-lifetime trip that will leave you reminiscing on the grandeur of this van life road trip. So, click that seat belt and continue reading about why you should drive your van the entire length of Pacific Coast Highway.

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