Did you ever think of taking a bicycling vacation? There’s so many to choose from, short as 1 night or weeks long! Immerse in the landscape, get close to the community, and engage the senses more fully than a trip by car.
A 1 night trip to San Diego with your bike refreshes the mind, even more so if you use Amtrak from Ventura or Oxnard ($42 one way). Leave Saturday and return Sunday, and you can take your bike on the train, just reserve early to snag one of the half dozen spaces. Ride the bike path around Mission Bay and visit Old Town. There are room options in the area in the $100-200 range during shoulder seasons. Or set your sights north to San Luis Obispo taking the train and riding to Montana de Oro (more of a challenge!).
For longer bike centric vacations go with an organized group! These are a blast! You are among hundreds of bicycling enthusiasts! Called ‘supported’ tours, it is all about bicycling. They carry your bags each day, plan your route, provide health support via auto that sweeps the ride, nutrition breaks, showers, bathrooms, and more. Some tours include meals, and on many you tent camp overnight. Some tours are family friendly, others skew to older adults. Ebikes are usually allowed. The hardest part is getting to the start location! Here’s a few examples:
Pedal Across Lower Michigan (PALM). PALM is family friendly and affordable. Go 6 days riding on 250 miles of quiet paved roads, ebikes welcome. Suitable for the novice and veteran tour riders. Optional meals. Tent camping. $210/adult. https://palmbiketour.org/
Big BAM (Bike Across Missouri). Big BAM is completely on the KATY trail, 6 days riding on about 250 miles of Class 1 path (no cars). Ride for one day, three days, or the whole six days, in addition you can rent a bike and e-bikes are welcome. Basic cost $450 (camping), more for hotel options. https://www.bigbamride.com
Bicycle Rides Northwest (BRNW). BRNW hosts 2 or 3 long rides in the US each summer, as well as a couple shorter rides and even one internationally. Generally about 350 mi over 7 days as a camp type adventure, though one trip is set up with a base location and you go out and return to a dorm room each night. The routes change each year, held typically in the western states. Everything is included! Fully catered, rest stops, evening activities, showers, etc. The ride is wonderfully planned with great detail. You ride through points of interest, past amazing landscapes, and meet local residents. BRNW really takes care of you! About $2000/each. https://brnw.org/
So go and make your next adventure a 2 wheel trip. You will be glad you did!