Weekend in Mt. Baker-Snoqalmie National Forest

Duration: 2 days
Mileage: 120
Starting point: Seattle, WA
States: WA
Budget for 2 people: $118 ($38 camp, $30 gas, $50 food, we had our $80 NP annual pass that we purchased earlier this year)

• Day 1: drive to Gold Basin Campground located in Mt. Baker-Snoqalmie National Forest, Washington (60 mi); hike Lake 22 trail
• Day 2: relax at the campground, drive back home

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Weekend in Ocean City

Duration: 2 days
Mileage: ~300
Starting point: Seattle, WA
States: WA
Budget for 2 people: $202 ($62 camp, $50 gas, $90 food, we had our $80 NP annual pass that we purchased earlier this year)

• Day 1: drive to Ocean City State Park Campground, Washington (140 mi); settle and spend time on the beach
• Day 2: explore Olympic National Park, hike, spend more time in camp and drive back home

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Weekend in Mount Rainier National Park

Duration: 2 days
Mileage: 220
Starting point: Seattle, WA
States: WA
Budget for 2 people: $174 ($64 camp, $40 gas, $70 food, we had our $80 NP annual pass that we purchased earlier this year)

• Day 0: drive to Silver Springs Campground, Mount Rainier NP, Washington (80 mi); settle in
• Day 1: explore the park and hike Naches Peak Loop trail
• Day 2: explore Sunrise area of the park, drive back home

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Weekend in North Cascades National Park

Duration: 2 days
Mileage: 280
Starting point: Seattle, WA
States: WA
Budget for 2 people: $142 ($32 camp, $40 gas, $70 food, we had our $80 NP annual pass that we purchased earlier this year)

• Day 0: drive to Newhalem Campground, North Cascades NP, Washington (115 mi); settle in
• Day 1: explore the park and hike Blue Lake trail
• Day 2: relax in the campground, drive back home

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6 Days Trip to Zion and Bryce National Parks, Utah

Duration: 6 days (2 for driving only)
Mileage: ~1700
Starting point: Mountain View, CA
States: Utah, Nevada
Budget for 2 people: $1410 ($550 hotels, $230 gas, ~$200 food, $80 National Parks annual pass, $350 Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas)

• Day 0: Drive to Barstow, CA after work (400 mi)
• Day 1: Drive to Airbnb location in Glendale, Utah (360 mi)
• Day 2: Explore Zion National Park (~70 mi total)
• Day 3: Snowed in in Glendale
• Day 4: explore Bryce National Park (~110 mi total)
• Day 5: Drive to Las Vegas and spend the day there (200 mi)
• Day 6: Drive home (540 mi)

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8 Days in Oregon and Washington

Duration: 8 days
Mileage: 2000
Starting point: Mountain View, CA
Countries: USA
Budget for 2 people: $800 ($180* hotel, $360 food, $200 gas, $60 other)

• Day 0: Drive from work to Red Bluff (220 mi)
• Day 1: Explore Southern Oregon wine cities, drive to Crescent City (300 mi)
• Day 2: Drive along Oregon coast to Tillamook (300 mi)
• Day 3: Drive to Seattle (250 mi)
• Days 4-6: Work from Seattle and explore the city, drive to Portland (180 mi)
• Day 7: Visit Oregon's waterfalls, drive to Eugene (160 mi)
• Day 8: Drive home (600 mi)

* We used points for our hotels on the way to Seattle, and hotel in Seattle was covered by the employer.

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Northern California Mountain Resorts Comparison: Mammoth, Kirkwood, Heavenly, and Northstar

Duration: 2 days
Mileage: 500
Starting point: Mountain View, CA
States: CA
Average budget for 2 people: $280 ($60 gas, $100 food, $120 hotel) *

• Day 1: Early morning drive to the mountains (or Friday after work drive, then hotel price doubles), snowboarding
• Day 2: Snowboarding and drive home

* Excluding ski lift tickets and gear/clothes rental

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3 Days Trip to Grand Canyon, Arizona

Duration: 3 days
Mileage: 1000
Starting point: Irvine, CA
States: AZ
Budget for 2 people: $623 ($57 hotel, $36 camp, $80 annual pass, $30 firewood, $120 gas, $270 food, $30 other)

• Day 0: Drive to Kingsman
• Day 1: Drive to Grand Canyon, explore Western part (red line), hike Bright Angel trail, settle in the campground
• Day 2: See sunrise at Yavapai point, explore Eastern part (orange line), hike to the Grandview Point, see sunset at Mohave point
• Day 3: Drive home

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Indian Cove Campground, California

Duration: 2 days
Mileage: 260
Starting point: Irvine, CA
States: CA
Budget for 2 people: $180 ($20 camp, $40 gas, $100 food, $20 other)

• Day 1: drive to the campground, hike in the area (Indian Cove Nature Trail), relax in the campground
• Day 2: breakfast and drive back home

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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Galleta Meadows Sculptures

Duration: 2 days
Mileage: ~300
Starting point: Irvine, CA
States: CA
Budget for 2 people: $130 ($30 gas, $70 food, $30 camp)

• Day 1: drive from Irvine, CA to Anza Borrego, CA (140 mi, 3 h), hike Slot Canyon trail, visit Galleta Meadows statues, overnight camping
• Day 2: relax in the campground, drive back home

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2 Days in Bay Area, California

Duration: 2 days
Mileage: 1000
Starting point: Irvine, CA
States: CA
Budget for 2 people: $300 ($120 gas, $150 food, $30 other)
No hotel expenses since we stayed at a friend's place

• Day 1: explore San Francisco (Golden Gate bridge area)
• Day 2: Big Basin Redwoods State Park, local beaches, Santa Cruz

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Fall Colors and Apple Pie in Oak Glen, California

Duration: 1 day
Mileage: ~160
Starting point: Irvine, CA
States: CA
Budget for 2 people: $90 ($20 gas, $70 food)

•  Day 1: drive from Irvine, CA to Oak Glen, CA (80 mi, 2 h) and back

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