Walkabout California was created by Tom Courtney and his daughter Emily. They are the original creators of the inn to inn hiking route along the California coast, publishing their first guide book in 2011. We purchased their Northern California book and used it to plan our own Marin Headlands to Point Reyes walking holiday. It was an empowering experience, being our first DIY inn to inn trip, and we highly recommend it which is why they are one of our Trusted Walks. You can find details about our trip at Planes Terrains & Avocados.
Review of Walkabout California Website
Walkabout California offers two digital guidebooks, Malibu to Mexico (which includes 7 trips) and Northern California (12 trips). Each book is $16 but you can also purchase individual guides for $7 if you only want one trip. The guidebooks provide everything you need to plan your inn to inn hiking trip, including:
- Daily walking notes with links to topographical maps
- Detailed notes about flora and fauna and historical anecdotes about the area
- Tips for packing and safety
- Notes on public transit
- Recommended lodging for each night (in a variety of price ranges)
- Suggestions for places to eat
Important to know
- There is no luggage transport so you’ll be carrying everything in a backpack
- Even as a DIY these trips can be expensive; lodging in California is excellent but NOT cheap
- Uber and other ride-share services are not available everywhere on the coast so plan to use public bus or taxis
If this all sounds too intimidating, look at companies like Slow Adventure or Wine Country Trekking which cover these routes and take care of everything for you.
Route Types
- Inn to inn hiking
Destinations include
- United States (California)
Great choice for
Independent travelers going to California who are comfortable planning their entire trip and just need the trail notes.
Established in 2009
