By Josué Karim. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P]
Outdoor travel can be a unique experience for adventurers who want to get in touch with nature, breathe some fresh air, get away from the daily routine and admire the scenery that California has to offer.
However, obtaining a permit to do so can take months, or because of their high demand they are difficult to obtain.
This situation has become even more complicated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as more Californians seek out nearby parks and campgrounds, which are increasingly in demand.
That's why two California-based companies are looking to make planning and permitting these trips a much friendlier affair, so that travelers only have to worry about taking the best photos to share on social media.
Somewhere Outside, trips planned from start to finish
Kendra Cobourn is a California resident whose love of outdoor travel has led her to have great adventures around the world, and that experience and knowledge of California's parks encouraged her to found Somewhere Outside.
The company's goal is to create a specialized space for lovers of outdoor experiences to visit all the natural wonders they've always wanted to discover, without breaking their heads trying.
The services of Somwhere Outside The services we offer range from the planning of the trip to the beginning of it, adapted to the needs and tastes of each person, providing them with the necessary knowledge so that they can be prepared during their journey.
And enjoying the outdoors means enjoying great experiences such as family day hikes, overnight car camping, cabin-to-cabin trips, or multi-day backcountry walks.
Somewhere Outside is a guide for adventurers to California's best parks, including the Lake Tahoe region, two-day itineraries in Yosemite, overnight stays on the John Muir Trail, and trips to the Inyo National Forest, among others.
Bewilder, the power of outdoor information
The founder of BewilderYvonne Leow said she was only 27 years old when she went on her first backpacking trip, and although there were all kinds of experiences, in the end it was completely mind-blowing.
His love of nature, his work in editorial content, as well as his passion for travel were some of the reasons he founded the company, because "everyone should have the opportunity to experience the beauty and freedom of the outdoors.
And it is that in a first stage, Bewilder offered customized camping trips to various destinations in California; however, keeping the information up to date due to the wildfires was complicated by trail closures, campground closures, and park closures.
Which is why Leow turned to publishing trips for first-time campers and backpackers, as well as families with young children; so now the company acts as a free newsletter that encourages first-timers to take their first excursions into the wilderness.
This is how both companies are looking to make a difference and make outdoor travel easier in California, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has made these types of experiences much more attractive and sought after.
With information from the San Francisco Chronicle
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