Find your ‘whycation’ in California

It’s the beginning of a brand new yr and, with that, 12 new months of adventures to plan for — and holidays to e-book. So how are individuals trying to journey in 2026?

Hilton Hotels & Resorts surveyed greater than 14,000 vacationers from 14 nations to know journey traits in 2026 and coined the time period “whycation,” which goals to encapsulate the present traveler’s seek for significant experiences, whether or not for emotions of deep rest, experiences of awe, studying one thing new, constructing deeper connections or one thing else.

This story relies on a latest Denver Post article concerning the “whycation” — a neologism describing purposeful and intentional journey extra targeted on the “why” than the “where” — with numerous suggestions for tactics to take action amid the Rockies.

We discovered locations a bit nearer to house right here in Northern California, from pure surprise sightings to digital detox retreats, sustainability-minded journey and soul-searching street journeys. Here are 4 methods to seek out your “whycation” and a few concepts on the place to go to meet these journey urges.

See pure wonders

Chase Travel put out a listing of “26 Trips to Take in 2026,” which incorporates an August 2025 survey that recognized some present journey traits. For occasion, 87% of respondents need to journey to “chase natural phenomena,” corresponding to watching a whale migration, pursuing the trail of totality for a photo voltaic eclipse, witnessing the Aurora Borealis and looking for different fleeting moments of magic.

There’s an upcoming complete photo voltaic eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026. As the San Francisco-based Exploratorium notes, the trail of totality for the photo voltaic eclipse shall be seen from elements of Russia, Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

Looking to journey a shorter distance? Find a extremely great spot for stargazing. Explore Worldwide’s journey traits report lists astrotourism — touring to locations with low to zero city mild air pollution to watch celestial occasions — as a motive for 2026 journey. More than 200 locations have been licensed by DarkSky International as having good night-sky viewing, due to efforts to cut back mild air pollution.

In California, Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Anza Borego Desert State Park and the close by communities of Julian and Borrego Springs are designated Dark Sky places, licensed for his or her efforts to fight mild air pollution and defend starry skies. You’ll additionally discover wonderful stargazing within the Sierra Nevadas and may discover stargazing excursions, corresponding to one by Rush Creek Lodge in Yosemite National Park.

Consider looking for out darkish skies to align with an upcoming meteor bathe. While the Quadrantids simply peaked, they’ll be energetic via Jan. 12, and the Lyrids are set to peak April 21-22. The hottest meteor bathe, the Perseids, are set to peak Aug. 12-13, which aligns nicely with the brand new moon on Aug. 12 this yr for optimum viewing situations, in line with the American Meteor Society.

Another pure surprise you’ll find close to the Bay? Bioluminescence. The phenomenon happens when shore waters glow blue when a excessive focus of dinoflagellates — single-celled phytoplankton — are disturbed at night time by way of waves, wind or different sea creatures. It’s probably to be seen between June and October, and may happen within the waters of Tomales Bay, Santa Cruz County, Pacifica and Moss Landing amongst different spots, according to KQED. Look for kayak excursions providing guided bioluminescence experiences.

Want to see the Northern Lights, waving inexperienced, pink, purple and even purple lights within the sky at night time? Thanks to photo voltaic storms up to now couple of years, there have been a number of events the place it’s been potential to see the Aurora Borealis from the Bay, however you’ve obtained a greater shot by heading farther north – prefer to Alaska or Iceland. Hotel Ranga, an hour from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, has wakeup requires company to allow them to rush exterior in the course of the night time relatively than look ahead to the sky to mild up.

Find some peace and quiet

No matter what you name it — “hushpitality,” “unplugging” or taking a “digital detox” — individuals need to get away from their units, messages and information alerts once they journey. Hilton is looking this pattern “hushpitality” in its 2026 Trends Report, stating that its survey discovered persons are “seeking silence” in addition to that means on their journeys.

Hilton’s analysis discovered that 56% of its respondents are looking for relaxation and recharging, actually placing the “leisure” in journey. They discovered that 37% need to spend time in nature, 36% need to enhance their psychological well being and 20% need “me time.” And, maybe surprisingly, studying was listed one of many high three anticipated leisure actions for vacationers, with 68% expressing curiosity — simply above the 67% looking for nature immersion retreats, 60% with curiosity in religious retreats and 60% looking for silent retreats.

You can discover retreats all through California, from well-known spots like Big Sur’s Esalen Institute to the up-and-coming pattern of studying retreats. For occasion, Sacramento’s Wild Sisters Book Company is internet hosting a retreat March 12-15, 2026, in Ferndale, Calif., that gives each quiet studying time and group actions together with bookshop excursions, workshops and alternatives for native exploring.

Travel sustainably

Virtuoso, a community of luxurious journey advisors, has recognized two extra journey traits: touring sustainably and avoiding overtourism. According to Jessica Hall Upchurch, Virtuoso’s vice-chair and sustainability strategist, sustainable journey is extra than simply reserving an eco-friendly lodge. Ways that vacationers attempt to defend locations, she mentioned, embody “avoiding overtourism by choosing shoulder season or less-crowded places and embracing experiences that give back.”

“Sustainability is about slowing down, spending thoughtfully and leaving a positive mark rather than just ticking the ‘green’ box,” Upchurch mentioned.

For one thing to be sustainable signifies that present wants are met whereas not compromising or impacting future wants being met, too. Overtourism is outlined as “a situation in which too many tourists travel to a popular destination, causing the place to suffer negative environmental, economic and sociocultural impacts.” So maybe strive a spot you haven’t seen on social media?

In California, being a sustainable traveler would possibly imply taking a prepare as a substitute of driving your automobile to a vacation spot to assist decrease visitors. Train journey is taken into account sustainable as a consequence of decrease carbon emissions. Consider taking the Amtrak California Zephyr to Tahoe, or the Coast Starlight from Oakland, Emeryville or San Jose north to Klamath Falls or Seattle or south to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Los Angeles.

Embark on an epic street journey

Before there have been interstate highways, there was Route 66, stretching from Santa Monica, Calif., to Chicago, Ill. Cars traveled throughout the “Mother Road” — or “Main Street of America” — stopping alongside the way in which in elements of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois.

Both Chase Travel and Hilton’s journey experiences listed the Route 66 centennial in 2026 as a high pattern. Each state may have commemorations of this one centesimal anniversary, with the bulk in New Mexico. Visitors can go on self-guided excursions of the historic neon indicators in Albuquerque, or make a weekend of it with Route 66-related music and artwork festivals.

Many of the locations alongside Route 66 went from growth to bust when the street grew to become much less traveled, so head for locations like Grants, N.M., to observe avoiding overtourism.

Mindy Sink is a contract guidebook creator and journey author primarily based in Denver. Find out what she’s as much as at www.mindysink.com.