LTE Free Zones
Disconnectedness in Del Norte County
Del Norte County’s Klamath is a remote paradise that offers visitors the chance to connect deeply with Mother Nature, rather than their devices. Weak cell phone signals and few Wi-Fi hotspots make it almost impossible to be interrupted while watching for whales from the Klamath Overlook, hiking to secret beaches along Klamath’s coastline, crossing a swaying suspension bridge through a Redwood canopy, or paddling through a peaceful Klamath River.
Reconnect with Nature in Big Sur
Big Sur’s sparse cell connectivity makes for a truly disconnected experience. Visitors will encounter 70 miles of rugged coastline stretching along the Pacific Coast Highway with expansive hiking trails amongst redwoods including waterfalls and jaw-dropping cliffs that lead to remote beaches. Guests can stay at the historic Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn which encourages travelers to unglue from their screens and embrace their beautiful surroundings.
Trinity County’s Tech-free Spaces
As travelers surrender their devices to the natural beauty and tranquility of Trinity County, they begin to reconnect internally, with family and the healing powers of nature. Visitors can float lazily down the Trinity River, catch some fish, or count stars and satellites in the evening's dark sky. Ninety percent of Trinity County is disconnected from the Information Superhighway which means the chance to detox from digital devices while in town is pretty much guaranteed.
Get an Education, Sans Google
See History Come to Life at the Southern California Railway Museum
Visitors can step back into a time when technology was more simple, and trains and trolleys were the primary modes of transportation. The Southern California Railway Museum in the heart of the Inland Empire is home to vast collections of historic and vintage railway equipment and artifacts, and hosts many annual events such as Dino Train STEAM Festival, BBQ, Boots and Brew, Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine, Polar Express and more.
Connect with Nature while Whale Watching in Newport Beach
Newport Beach in Orange County is the perfect place to go watch for wild whales and dolphins. There’s no Wi-Fi in the open ocean, making it a great family friendly experience to enjoy nature sans technology. Budding marine biologists and ocean enthusiasts can enjoy the opportunity to see and learn about giant blue whales, finback whales, gray whales and many more, right in their natural habitat.
Get to Know the Northern California Coast via a UTV Tour
At The Inn at Newport Ranch, North of Fort Bragg in Mendocino County, guests can reserve a guided UTV tour experience to learn about the history and environment of this 2,000-acre preserve. Even though there’s practically no cell service or GPS on-site, an expert will guide participants through the flora and fauna native to Mendocino Coast and tell stories about local folklore. The area's community is enough entertainment to last for the entire experience in town.
Disconnect in Wine Country
Put down the devices and relish the work of some of the most accomplished winemakers in California. The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail connects Santa Maria Valley and Los Olivos, culminating in a journey that gets travelers out of the city and off their personal devices and into the country. There are breathtaking views with tucked-away vineyards all along this 30-mile road (which doesn’t always offer reliable cell reception).
Disconnect from the Screens in Sonoma County
Sonoma County is teeming with experiences to become immersed and engaged with nature, away from screens. From forest bathing, which is the practice of meditating and experiencing nature, to embarking on a wine tasting trip to lesser populated areas of the region that are spotty on service, visitors can unwind and detox in a healing environment.
Paso Robles Retreat
Paso Robles Wine Country offers visitors the chance to explore more than 250 wineries. Travel deep into the wooded oak groves to encounter reception-less hideaways to sip at some of the most prestigious wineries in the world. It’s no problem the cell reception is spotty in the hills of the Adelaida District because the breathtaking wine tasting and gorgeous scenery will be the only thing on any traveler’s mind.
Tell the Phone to “Take a Hike”
Sausalito’s Oceanview Trails and Treks
Sausalito is home to some of the best hiking trails with unrivaled views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Marin Headlands is host to a number of trails including the Tennessee Valley Trail, Point Bonita Lighthouse Trail and more, some of which have spotty cell service forcing hikers to take a break from technology and enjoy the scenery.
Relax and Detach at the Gardens and Self-Realization Fellowship
The Self-Realization Fellowship in Encinitas dates back to 1937 and was established by Paramahansa Yogananda, who introduced this centuries-old, monastic order to the West in the early 1930s. The public is welcomed to the gardens and Self-Realization Fellowship for meditation, prayer and lectures services, sans technology. The Fellowship includes the temple, auxiliary chapel, retreat and meditation gardens, which are spread out over several blocks in southern Encinitas.
600,000 Acres to Digitally Detox
Borrego Springs and the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park offer the chance to enjoy beautiful clear nights in a Designated International Dark Sky Community, with plentiful adventure activities to replace the digital devices. Although there's WiFi downtown and at the local resorts, it’s no surprise that visitors would rather spend time outdoors relaxing poolside or exploring, rather than be glued to their small screens.
Reconnect at a Low-Tech Resort
Unplug and Retreat in the Mountains of the Central Coast
Alisal Ranch, a luxury dude ranch and resort nestled into the Santa Ynez Mountains in Solvang, prioritizes a pastoral way of life perfect for a digital detox. The property encompasses 10,500 acres of rolling hills and expansive horizons perfect for a relaxing, tech-free getaway. Visitors won’t find telephones, TVs, mini-bars, or traditional room service on the ranch. Instead, guests can embark on dozens of unplugged activities like horseback riding, two 18-hole championship golf courses, six tennis courts, fishing, paddle boarding, archery, miles of cycling routes, barnyard animals and more.
No Need for Screens at The Lodge at Bodega Bay
The Lodge at Bodega Bay is an idyllic place to unplug and reconnect with the outdoors on a serene coastal sanctuary, with the expansive gardened grounds and unobtrusive service offering an authentic connection to a nearly untouched coastal region. Here, visitors will find an unparalleled coastal escape with spectacular views from every room. Travelers can unplug further with kite surfing, kayaking, fishing and hikes through the redwoods that are all available within a short walk or drive from the property.
Experience a Digital Detox in the Golden State
Sometimes the best way to reconnect internally or with family and friends is to disconnect externally from digital technology. Here are more than a dozen destinations across California that give travelers the chance to ditch the devices and instead experience this great state sans the distraction of screens.
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