These Are the Best Solo Trips You Can Take This Summer, According to a Travel Editor

There’s something about summer that makes solo travel feel even more tangible—longer days, flexible schedules, and the celebration of singlehood. Whether you’re taking your first trip alone or your fiftieth, the appeal is the same: you move at your own pace, make decisions on the fly, and answer to no one but yourself.

But here’s what I’ve learned after almost 15 years of traveling solo: solitude and connection aren’t opposites. The best solo trips have actually been the ones where I’ve met people sitting at a bar or tidepooling along the shore. And the West is rife with amazing adventures worth taking on your own. Below are five very different ways to experience the region solo this summer.

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Stargazing in Moab, Utah

Moab sits under one of the darkest skies in the North American West, making it ground zero for astrotourism. While days can get admittedly hot, the summer nights here are cool and clear, making for perfect conditions for stargazing. Spread a blanket on red rock, download Stellarium to learn constellations, and watch the Milky Way snap into focus after 20 minutes. There’s something about lying back under that sky alone that makes you feel simultaneously insignificant and infinite. You can join an organized tour if you want structure, but there are also some great adventure glamping outposts like Under Canvas that can provide a comfy, nature-adjacent home base if camping solo isn’t your thing. And be sure to check out these tips for astrophotography if you plan on shooting stars while you’re out there. It’s one of the best ways to remain present when enjoying the outdoors, and is also a great way to meet other fellow photographers. 

Photo by Matty Leong.

Kai Sallas Surf Retreat in Oahu, Hawaii

If the recent historic southern hemisphere swells are any indicator, this is going to be an all-time summer on the islands. And the best way to experience it is through intention-driven surf retreats led by Hawaiian waterman and champion longboarder Kai Sallas. Groups are typically six to eight people—small enough that you get to know everyone fast, large enough that you’re never managing logistics alone. Mornings are spent on the water exploring some of O’ahu’s premiere breaks, and afternoons are for footage review and rest back at home base at Kaimana Beach Hotel. Other retreat members are almost always solo travelers too, and the connection and bonding we experienced during our retreat has made a lifelong impact. Summer retreat dates for this year are June 21-27, July 27-31, and August 24-28. The cost of the retreat including accommodations, lunches, and ample surf swag is $2,950. 

Thomas J. Story

Tide Pooling in Mendocino County, California

Summer brings the lowest tides of the year, which means Mendocino’s tide pools are accessible and teeming. Bring a tide pool guide like Flora & Funghi Adventures, wear water shoes, and spend a morning crouching over starfish and anemones and edible varieties within the ecosystem as well. After, explore the charming town filled with galleries, vintage shops, a working harbor, exceptional food. (If you can swing a reservation at Harbor House, do it.) One of our favorite places to stay is SCP Mendocino Inn & Farm, which offers plenty of quiet spaces for writing, reflecting, and just generally recuperating form day-to-day life.

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Urban Exploration in San Francisco, California

San Francisco is for walkers. (Heck, there’s even a Martini Trail to prove it.) It truly is one of the most solo-friendly spots in the West, and while it is a hilly city, it’s built for wandering. Make your way down to the Embarcadero for the Ferry Building Farmers Market, then walk past the TransAmerica building into North Beach for world-class pizza and cocktails. Or spend an afternoon with a picnic in the Presidio, or perusing the galleries and art at Fort Mason. Of course you’ll want to bring a jacket. Summer isn’t the warmest season here, but it’s the clearest. When the sun does shine through, parks come alive and the city thrives. And so will you.

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Art Walkabouts in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe rewards staying put. The elevation (7,000 feet) naturally slows you down, and summer arrives mild and clear. Start slow at one of the many charming cafes, then hit Canyon Road for galleries, where you’ll find work rooted in Indigenous traditions and contemporary creativity inspired by the land. Evenings, find a patio and order a local specialty—the prickly pear margarita. If you’re staying a few days, Bishop’s Lodge offers a bucket-list kind of refuge. It’s historic and grounded in place, and is consistently a Sunset Travel Awards winner. If you’ve got time and energy to spare, day trips to Bandelier or Kasha-Katuwe offer outdoor grounding, making for a wonderfully well-rounded, grounded trip.