From Analog Escapes to Viking Cycling Weekenders, Here Are the Fall Travel Trends you Need to Know

Travel trends can shift quickly, and this fall travelers are seeking escapes that are reflective of the zeitgeist. Think alcohol-free wine country stays, Nordic spa-centered weekenders, El Niño-fueled storm watching that are an embodiment of cultural shifts that are happening in the West right now. Here are the intentional, immersive trends to integrate into your adventures this autumn. 

Thomas J. Story

Viking Cycling Wellness Weekends

Fall’s cool temperatures are ideal for outdoor soaking, and the proliferation of Nordic-style saunas and thermal experiences feel transcendent when the air bites and the leaves turn gold. New offerings like Loyly Floating Sauna in Kelowna, B.C., Fjord in Sausolito, California, and Alyeska Resort outside Anchorage, Alaska exemplify this trend, offering geothermal soaks and sauna rituals that pair naturally with hiking and quiet immersion in the season.

Courtesy of Visit Temecula Valley

Going Booze-Free in Wine Country

Sober and sober-curious travelers are heading to wine regions not for tastings but for the landscape, the harvest energy, and the culinary storytelling, and vineyards are evolving their experiences accordingly. Zero-proof tasting experiences are popping up at spots like Napa Valley Distillery and Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga, and restaurants like the fine dining concept at Mission Hill Winery are offering full pairings so no one is left out of the experience. Considering how many people are choosing this lifestyle these days, it allows everyone to enjoy farm-to-table dining, vineyard walks, and the terroir conversation without the focus on alcohol.

Courtesy of Alexandra Pallas

Storm Watching

With a historic El Niño forecast to intensify through winter 2026–27, storm- watching is becoming its own travel pilgrimage. It’s important to consider storm planning if you’re visiting coastlines, especially in California, for safety purposes and of course to be mindful of what communities might be experiencing during your visit. If you’re an experienced surfer, there’s no doubt you’ree bracing for a powerful winter. Same goes for snow sports, whose athletes are no double hoping for more snowfall in the West than last year. There are also ways to mindfully witness the power of these ocean storms, too. Locations like Mendocino and Tofino, B.C., where storm watching is actually an established activity in the fall and winter months, will put you in wild spaces to watch the power of these storms safely.

Getty Images / beklaus

Budget-Friendly Weekenders

With holidays on the horizon, it’s no surprise that travelers are tightening their belts, especially given the state of the economy. According to Airbnb’s recent data, 60% of travelers are booking weekend getaways outpacing longer vacations. Make your way to mountain resorts like these 2026 Sunset Travel Awards winners for excellent shoulder season leaf-peeping and most of fall foliage and crisp weather.

Thomas J. Story

Plant People Road Trips

Fall is peak season for plant enthusiasts, and it’s not just pumpkin patches we’re after. Cooler temps make for ideal traveling conditions, and botanical gardens across the West are at their most dramatic with seasonal color changes and late-blooming perennials. As our Garden Editor Kristin Guy reports, Santa Barbara County makes the perfect base for a plant-focused weekend, where you can visit local nurseries, wander public gardens, and return to somewhere special to dig into garden design inspiration for spring planting.

Courtesy of Leica

Analog Escapes

As screen fatigue reaches peak levels, travelers are actively seeking digital detox weekends. Properties with no wifi, spotty cell service, and zero connectivity will no doubt be booking up fast. Nature-immersed places like Sea Ranch, which also offers classes where people can get into concepts wildcrafting and forest bathing rather than doomscrolling offer the ultimate analog escape. And toting along a screen-free camera or dumb phone makes the entire trip even more memorable. Some spaces that tout the analog life include the Sunset Travel Awards-winning properties by SCP, including locations in Mendocino, Oregon, and Washington or Field and Stream Bozeman located right at the gate of Yellowstone—all locales known for their slow way of living.