Claire Arakaki

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Claire Arakaki

(Mostly) Solo female traveler ✈️ 25+ countries & counting! Tips, hacks & guides for adventures Hi friends! I’m Claire, a backpacker fueled by wanderlust.

Here I’ll share tips for saving money on flights, lodging, activities and gear. My guides cover finding accommodations, packing light, budget airlines, stretching dollars and travel hacks. I also showcase amazing on and off-the-beaten-path destinations, local eateries and ways to meet new people.

09/04/2026

We moved from the quiet timber drum towers of the D**g villages to the steep, terraced slopes of Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.

It feels a lot like a rural version to Chongqing, where stilted houses completely cover the hillsides. There are over 1,000 homes packed into the valley, and the layout traces the shape of a giant ox head.

Getting to our hotel meant a 10-minute walk straight up the hillside. Navigating the bluestone steps here is a slow process—the stones are massive and uneven, which actually makes the climb more challenging than the concrete staircases of Chongqing. My knees were dying by the time we left 💀

We spent the rest of our time wandering the lower streets, eating street food and people watching. Once evening rolls in, the entire hillside slowly lights up creating an incredible scene ✨

08/30/2026

Sunset, sunrise, and 13 km of endless rice terraces. 🌅🌾

We set off from Zhaoxing on what we thought would be an easy 6.5 km walk through the rice fields, but the summer heat + humidity humbled us fast. Between the steep paths and getting lost in the village alleyways, it turned into a much longer adventure!

But the reward? Spending one night tucked away in Tang’an. I watched sunset and sunrise over the rice terraces and saw lots of farm animals along the way. It was also fun to watch people doing elaborate traditional photoshoots in the middle of the fields!

A cool fact about these rice terraces is that the local people actually raise fish in the water of the rice terraces to help manage the bugs. Once the rice is harvested, they catch and eat them too 🐟🌾

Travel Tips if you go:
▫️Luggage: We left our big bags at our hotel in Zhaoxing and just carried a small overnight bag for this part of the trip.

▫️Transit: If you don’t want to walk (or handle the humidity!), you can also catch a quick 20-minute bus up to the village.

**gVillage

08/27/2026

Spent 2 days exploring Zhaoxing Village, the biggest D**g minority village in China! 📸

It’s famous for indigo dye and ancient drum towers, and its roots still run incredibly deep. But the energy here is unique—you’ll find trendy coffee shops tucked into wooden buildings, and the streets packed with tourist doing stunning photoshoots in traditional clothing. Along with street vendors and cultural performances at night.

Definitely add this gem to your Guizhou itinerary!
📍Zhaoxing D**g Village, Guizhou, China

08/03/2026

5 days exploring one of California’s most underrated national parks! 🏕️

We spent 3 nights camping in Cedar Grove before backpacking 18 miles into Paradise Valley along the famous Rae Lakes Loop. Between giant sequoias, waterfalls, granite canyon walls, and incredible backpacking, this quickly became one of my favorite Sierra Nevada trips.

I’ve also put together a complete travel guide with our itinerary, permit tips, campground recommendations, day hikes, and backpacking information—link in my bio!

07/23/2026

Ten years ago, Kearsarge Pass was my very first backpacking trip.

At the time, I remember thinking, why would you take someone who’s never backpacked before over a mountain pass? 😅 I barely made it over the top, camped at Kearsarge Lakes, and then the stove caught fire the first night. It was definitely a memorable intro.

But I finally made it back. This time, with lighter gear, stronger legs, and a lot more experience, we turned it into a 3-night trip exploring more of this incredible corner of the Eastern Sierra.

🥾 Hiking itinerary:
Day 0: Camp at Onion Valley Campground to acclimate.
Day 1: Onion Valley Trailhead → Kearsarge Pass → Bullfrog Lake → Charlotte Lake (8 miles)
Day 2: Day hike from Charlotte Lake → Glen Pass → Rae Lakes → Glen Pass → Charlotte Lake (8-10 miles)
Day 3: Charlotte Lake →Vidette Meadow → Bullfrog Lake → Kearsarge Lakes (6 miles)
Day 4: Kearsarge Lakes → Kearsarge Pass → Onion Valley Trailhead (6.5 miles)

Looking back, I get why that man picked Kearsarge Pass as a first backpacking route. Yes, climbing a mountain pass with a full pack is a struggle—but it’s also one of the shortest routes into the breathtaking alpine scenery the Eastern Sierra is famous for.

Crystal-clear lakes, granite peaks, wildflowers, and endless mountain views...the payoff comes pretty quickly.

Kearsarge Pass is also one of the most popular access points into Kings Canyon National Park. It’s a common entry and resupply point for hikers on the John Muir Trail (JMT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), as well as an alternate starting point for the Rae Lakes Loop when Road’s End permits are unavailable. Because of this, overnight wilderness permits can be competitive during the summer, so plan ahead if you want to backpack this route.

Some of these shots are avaliable as print in my Etsy store + full blog linked in bio! 🐻✨

07/02/2026

🌉 Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints worth visiting!

When I planned my 2-night trip to San Francisco, I had one goal: photograph the Golden Gate Bridge from as many angles as possible.

I based myself at the HI Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel and spent two full days exploring the Presidio, biking along Crissy Field, wandering the beaches, hiking coastal trails, and even heading into the Marin Headlands for sunset and night photography. I quickly realized that every viewpoint gives the bridge a completely different vibe.

Some spots, like Fort Point, put you directly underneath the bridge where you can truly appreciate its massive scale. Others, like Golden Gate Overlook and Battery Spencer, offer those iconic postcard views looking across the bay. Then there were places like Baker Beach and Marshall’s Beach, where the bridge becomes part of the landscape alongside the crashing waves and rugged coastline.

One big surprise was just how much there is to explore in the Presidio beyond the bridge. Historic military batteries, miles of walking and biking trails, eucalyptus forests, dog friendly beaches, and plenty of free parking made it one of my favorite areas in San Francisco.

Baker Beach quickly became my favorite stop—I ended up going back several times because the views never got old.

For one afternoon, I crossed the bridge into the Marin Headlands to photograph Battery Spencer, Hawk Hill, Battery Yates, and Rodeo Beach. Watching the sunset over the bay before staying out for blue hour and night photography was easily one of the highlights of the trip.

I put together this carousel to help you decide which viewpoints to add to your own itinerary, whether you’re visiting for the first time or looking for a few new places to explore.

📍Save this guide for your next trip to San Francisco!

✨ Have you been to any of these viewpoints? Which one is your favorite—or which would you visit first?

🖼️ Several of these photographs are available as fine art prints in my Etsy shop if you’d like to bring a little piece of San Francisco home. The link is in my bio!

06/24/2026

A full San Francisco day on foot 🚶‍♀️🌉

I arrived around 11 a.m. and had a whole day to kill before checking into my hostel in Fort Mason, so I spent the day wandering across the city. Honestly, one of my favorite ways to explore a new place is on foot. Walking makes you slow down, notice the little details, and get to know a city beyond just the major sights.

My walking route for the day: Fort Mason → Ghirardelli Square → Fisherman’s Wharf → Pier 39 (sea lion stop, of course 🦭) → Pier 7 for Bay Bridge views → Ferry Building → Financial District → Chinatown → Lombard Street → and finally back to Fort Mason.

One thing I love about walking along the Embarcadero is how much there is to see along the way. You can even tour a WWII-era submarine, naval battleship or step aboard a historic ferry while making your way along the waterfront.

After many miles, I checked in, picked up my car, and ended the day with golden hour at Baker Beach, watching people fly kites and embrace a little whimsy before finishing with night views from the Golden Gate Overlook. 🌅

Long walks and a camera full of photos—my favorite kind of travel day.

A few of these photos are available as fine art prints in my Etsy shop if you’d like to bring a little piece of San Francisco home. The link is in my bio!

06/19/2026

Two nights in San Francisco with one goal: photograph the Golden Gate Bridge from as many angles as possible.

I stayed at the Hostelling International USA HI Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel and spent most of my time exploring the Presidio, biking around Crissy Field, visiting Fort Point, and crossing the bridge into Marin to find different viewpoints. I even stayed out for some night photography, which gave me a whole new appreciation for the bridge after dark.

One thing I really loved about the Presidio was how dog-friendly it is. Between the trails, beaches, and parks, there always seemed to be dogs out enjoying the views right alongside everyone else.

Baker Beach was easily my favorite spot of the trip. I kept ending up back there over and over again, whether it was for sunset, a quick walk, or just another excuse to enjoy the view.

I also spent some time exploring other parts of the city, but I’ll save those adventures for my next post. For now, here’s a collection of some of my favorite Golden Gate Bridge moments from a few days spent biking, walking, and chasing light around the Bay. 🌉✨

A few of these photos are available as fine art prints in my Etsy shop if you’d like to bring a little piece of San Francisco home. The link is in my bio!

VisitCalifornia

06/18/2026

5 nights exploring Kings Canyon National Park 🏕️⛰️

This was my first time really m spending multiple days in Kings Canyon instead of just passing through on a day trip—and wow, I’ve been missing out.

We spent 3 nights camping at Sentinel Campground in Cedar Grove, exploring spots like Zumwalt Meadows, Roaring River Falls, Bubbs Creek, and the incredible canyon views along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. We also made a stop at Grant Grove in Sequoia along the way.

For the second half of the trip, we backpacked 18+ miles round trip into Paradise Valley along the famous Rae Lakes Loop trail. With a washed-out bridge and thigh-deep river crossing beyond Upper Paradise Valley, we decided to turn it into a slower out-and-back adventure instead. No regrets—the valley was beautiful, with towering canyon walls, meadows, waterfalls, and plenty of wildlife along the way.

We spotted a mama bear with three cubs, heard plenty of rattlesnake stories from fellow hikers, and spent our evenings listening to the river from camp.

Full blog linked in bio! 🥾✨

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San Mateo, CA
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https://linktr.ee/awanderingturtle

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