Questions you may have…
What is a self-guided vacation?
What is included in the trip price?
What is not included in the trip price?
What if I want a guide?
How do I reserve a walk?
How early do I need to reserve?
What if something happens and I can’t go on my walk?
What if my spouse/partner is not a walker?
Can I bring children?
Can I bring my dog?
Who is Slow Adventure?
Inn to Inn Walking
How difficult are the walks?
What should I bring on the walk?
What is the weather like?
What if there is an emergency on the walk?
Logistics
How do I get to and from the airport?
What if I am driving?
What if I want to continue my vacation?
How can people contact me when I am on my walk?
Why are the dates for the walks so limited?
How much luggage can I bring?
What if I don’t want to walk one day?
Food and Accommodations
What is the lodging like?
Do I need dinner reservations?
What if I have special dietary needs?
General Questions
A self-guided vacation is one where you walk each day on your own with trip notes and maps that are provided for you. You walk from inn-to-inn while enjoying the sights around you without any logistical worries or concerns. Your breakfasts, lunches and hotel rooms are provided each day. You need not make reservations, confirm, or deal with payments. Your luggage is moved from hotel to hotel during the day so you arrive from your walk with all the creature comforts you need. A local guide will be available 24/7 by phone to answer any questions.
Lodging, breakfasts, lunches, gratuities, luggage transfers, custom maps and walking notes, and local area information package are all included. We will also assist you with restaurant and spa information along the way.
Dinners are not included. You will have the opportunity to select the type of food and restaurant that will suit your needs and desires on any particular evening. Since you are walking, we will provide information about restaurants that are on the hotel premises, or extremely close by. Shuttle transportation to and from airports and at the end of the trip back to the original destination is not included. We do work with reliable shuttle companies and we will assist you in making reservations.
A guide is not necessary. However, a local guide will be available by phone during your entire walk. Additionally, your guide will meet with you before your trip begins for an orientation and review of the trip. However, if you would like to have a guide, we can arrange that for you.
Just press the Contact button and send us a message. We will contact you and begin the reservation process.
We suggest you reserve as early as possible as there are very few hotels in this area and the ones we have selected for the walks are very popular and have limited space.
If you need to cancel your walk, please contact us immediately. Our cancellation policy may provide some refund or credit toward a future trip, depending on the date you cancel. We highly recommend travel insurance.
Our walking vacations can be extremely entertaining for a non-walker. We have detailed maps and notes for a non-walker to accompany a family member and share in the fabulous lodging, breakfasts, lunches, and much of the scenery by automobile or bicycle. Please inquire for more information.
Mature children with walking or hiking experience are welcome. Since this walk is entirely on foot, without a “sag wagon” it is important that children be able to complete an average of 10 miles per day without assistance. Inn to inn hiking trips are a fabulous family vacation so we will work with you to accommodate your children.
Sorry, no. The hotels you will be staying in do not allow dogs. Many of the beaches and trails are protected nature preserves and dogs are not allowed, even on leash.
Slow Adventure was started by a Santa Cruz native who has enjoyed inn to inn walking throughout the world. She decided to bring the best of her own hiking experiences to her own backyard, the Monterey Bay. Find out more in About Us.
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Inn to Inn Walking
The daily walks vary between 7 to 12 miles with no elevation gain or loss. Most of the walks take place on the beach or bluffs with options on many days to follow coastal trails or paths.
You need to be able to walk at a leisurely pace for most of the day. If you regularly exercise you should be able to complete each day in 5 to 8 hours, while the more fit walking will likely finish much faster. If you are a photographer, birdwatcher, or history buff, you will have time to indulge your passion along the way and still easily finish each walk.
Bring things you like to have on a day hike, such as binoculars, sunscreen, camera, and water bottle. You will also want to bring a windbreaker, as coastal weather is changeable. Your luggage is moved from inn-to-inn each day so you can travel as lightly as you desire.
California coastal weather is very pleasant during the scheduled walk dates. Rain is almost never a possibility. However, morning fog is typical and at times the fog can be quite cool and damp. Evenings are cool as the fog normally creeps back in after sunset.
You will have the phone number of your local guide who will assist you. Also, lifeguards and park rangers are present along the route on most beaches. Cell phone coverage is excellent for most of the route.
Logistics
We have a relationship with a very dependable shuttle service that will pick you up and take you back to all local airports. We’ll work with you to make arrangements and let you know the fees when you book your trip.
We will park your car at the first hotel and you will be shuttled back to retrieve it at the end of your walk.
We’d love to suggest additional things to see and do in our area and the surrounding region.
Cell phone coverage is excellent throughout the walk and your hotels all have internet service.
The start days listed have been set to make sure the tides are at the best position for the walks and also to allow you to enjoy this beautiful area during less crowded times. If you are traveling with at least 4 people and wish to start your walk on a different day, please contact us, and we will work with you to accommodate your needs, although it may require some itinerary changes and additional costs.
You can bring one standard size and one small size piece of luggage per person.
We do have several options. One day you may wish to bicycle the route and this is available at an additional cost. Kayaking is also an option during several of the days at an additional cost. If you decide you cannot walk on any one day or during a walk we will provide the phone number for a local taxi. Any taxi costs are your responsibility.
Food and Accommodations
All of the hotels are on the ocean. All are very casual. Beach and hiking attire is the norm. The rooms are quite well appointed. All are waterfront and many have fireplaces, balconies, wet bars, and other luxuries.
We will send you information on local restaurants. The restaurants listed will be on the hotel premises or within a very short distance. Reservations are generally not required.
When you book your trip, we’ll discuss special dietary needs with you to assure you enjoy your meals.
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