FYJ Trip Itineraries

Explore your adventure

Preview the activities and sample schedule of each trip below. These itineraries are subject and likely to change.

Big Sur

Day 1 - Travel day, departing Redlands early and driving the 6-7 hours north to the Eastern Sierra and your roadside campsite.
Day 2 - Embark from the trailhead into the John Muir wilderness. Today may feel challenging, as you adapt to backpacking at altitude in new terrain.
Day 3 – Leave your heavy packs at your wilderness campsite and explore an alpine lake while you go tag the summit of a local peak.
Day 4 – Departing from your temporary wilderness home, you’ll spend time reflecting on and appreciating your experience.
Day 5 – After the drive back to campus, grab a quick shower and meet your crew and the rest of the FYJ’ers for a celebratory dinner.

Day 1 - Travel day, departing Redlands early and driving the 5-6 hours north to Sequoia National Park and your roadside campsite.
Day 2 - Embark from the trailhead into the Sequoia backcountry. Today may feel challenging, as you adapt to backpacking at altitude in new terrain.
Day 3 – Leave your heavy packs at your wilderness campsite and explore an alpine lake while you go tag the summit of a local peak.
Day 4 – Departing from your temporary wilderness home, you’ll spend time reflecting on and appreciating your experience.
Day 5 – After the drive back to campus, grab a quick shower and meet your crew and the rest of the FYJ’ers for a celebratory dinner.

Day 1 - Travel day, departing Redlands early and driving to San Clemente State Beach
Day 2 - Headed to Surftown, USA (aka Huntington Beach) for a day of surf lessons and beach time
Day 3 – Headed down to Crystal Cove State Park for a day of beginner-friendly backpacking
Day 4 – Enjoy the coastal sunrise from your site in Crystal cove, before heading back to San Clemente with time for reflection and celebration
Day 5 – After the drive back to campus, grab a quick shower and meet your crew and the rest of the FYJ’ers for a celebratory dinner

Day 1 -Travel day, departing Redlands early and driving up to your campsites north of San Francisco
Day 2 -Today you’ll get to experience the unique beauty and solitude of one of the best kept secrets in the area – Point Reyes. You’ll spend today and the next day on an introductory backpacking trip, hiking above the coastline past lakes to a beachside campsite. You may even see some of the native Tule Elk herd.
Day 3 –After the return trip back to the trail head and camp, enjoy a well-prepared meal and get ready to hit the beach tomorrow.
Day 4 – Today you’re meeting with our outstanding surf guides out of Stinson beach for a morning of surfing. Instruction, wetsuits and boards are all provided.Some relaxation and beach time should be in order for the afternoon.
Day 5 – After the drive back to campus, grab a quick shower and meet your crew and the rest of the FYJ’ers for a celebratory dinner.

Day 1 – Travel day, departing Redlands early and driving.
Day 2 – Canyoneering with Zion Rock Guides in the Kolob canyons.
Day 3 – Hike up the West Rim trail, to scouts lookout overlooking Angel’s landing.
Day 4 – Embark into the famed Narrows of the Virgin River.
Day 5 – After the drive back to campus, grab a quick shower and meet your crew and the rest of the FYJ’ers for a celebratory dinner.

Day 1 – Travel day, departing Redlands early and driving up the Pacific Coast Highway to Pfeiffer Big Sur state park
Day 2 – Today you’ll explore the valley and the coast. Rivers, ancient redwoods, beautiful beaches.
Day 3 – Lace up your walking shoes, today it’s time to explore the dramatic Lucia range. Expect some elevation change on your hike, which should lead to breathtaking ocean views once the fog burns off.
Day 4 – You’re headed down to Morrow Bay for a sea kayak tour with an amazing naturalist and guide.
Day 5 – After the drive back to campus, grab a quick shower and meet your crew and the rest of the FYJ’ers for a celebratory dinner.

Day 1 – Travel day, departing Redlands early and driving through the LA basin and up the coast on Highway 1.
Day 2 – Wake up in your coastal campsite and spend the day exploring your surroundings.
Day 3 – Today you’ll head to the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Under the tutelage of the rookery’s volunteer docents, learn about the amazing flora and fauna of the central coast.
Day 4 – You’re headed down to Morrow Bay for a sea Kayak tour with an amazing naturalist and guide.
Day 5 – After the drive back to campus, grab a quick shower and meet your crew and the rest of the FYJ’ers for a celebratory dinner.

Day 1 – Travel day, departing Redlands early and driving through the Mojave to southern Utah.
Day 2 – Enjoy the cooler weather, striking formations and unique beauty of Bryce National Park.
Day 3 – You’ll head east today to Capitol Reef. After setting up camp, you’ll spend time exploring the stunning canyons, interesting indigenous and more recent history, and have time for the spectacular desert stars.
Day 4 – The trip continues, this time heading back to Zion NP. After a meetup with the other FYJ’ers, you’ll have the afternoon to explore the famous Narrows of the Virgin River or Scouts Lookout overlooking Angels Landing.
Day 5 – After the drive back to campus, grab a quick shower and meet your crew and the rest of the FYJ’ers for a celebratory dinner.

Day 1 – Travel day, departing Redlands early and driving to the Park.
Day 2 – Head up into the high country of the park, exploring its flora, rivers, and dramatic vistas.
Day 3 – Spend the morning in the aptly named Giant Forest Grove, before breaking down camp and heading over to your riverside campsite along the mighty Kern.
Day 4 – Time to hit the water! After some instruction on techniques and safety, join your paddle crew to float down the rapids of the Kern River with your experienced whitewater guide.
Day 5 – After the drive back to campus, grab a quick shower and meet your crew and the rest of the FYJ’ers for a celebratory dinner.

Day 1 – Travel day, departing Redlands early and driving up the Central Valley, down into the fog of San Francisco and over the Golden Gate Bridge to San Anselmo.
Day 2 – Today you’ll spend the day exploring Marin County.
Day 3 – Departing from Sausalito, ride the morning Ferry across San Francisco Bay to the Fishermans’ Wharf. Spend the day experiencing the Embarcadero, Coit Tower and the iconic Lombard Street.
Day 4 – A day full of adventure. Today you’ll experience the majestic Muir woods, with its flat, accessible trails and massive coast redwoods. After lunch, don your helmet for a bike or scooter ride across the most iconic landmark in the west, the Golden Gate Bridge.
Day 5 – After the drive back to campus, grab a quick shower and meet your crew and the rest of the FYJ’ers for a celebratory dinner.