Make no mistake: vacation is for relaxation. You work hard to earn those long, lazy days sipping drinks by a pool.
But eventually, you’re going to want to rebalance all the eating and drinking with some physical activity—and plenty of destinations are catching on.
These three destinations have just what you need to get the blood pumping on your next getaway.
Mountain Adventures at Outbound Mammoth, Mammoth Lakes, CA
(Courtesy of Outbound Mammoth)
It’s no secret that Mammoth is made for adventuring. This region is a year-round destination for epic hiking and winter sports, and a recently relaunched hotel serves as an excellent base for all of it.
Outbound Mammoth was originally a rustic mountain lodge—built in 1967 by Jerry Buss, former owner of the Los Angeles Lakers—and there’s a lot of history and lore around it. In 2022, the Outbound Hotel brand reopened the property, adding modern touches, updating the standalone cabins, and throwing a ton of intention into their experiences.
From mellow to hardcore, there’s no chance you won’t find something to suit you (or your spouse, kid, grandmother, blind date, etc.). If chill is your choice, opt for forest bathing with Desiree Romero. While this activity may sound a bit trendy (or you’ve previously had “sessions” that are literally just a nature walk), Romero is high level: She is a certified nature and forest therapy guide and has written curriculum and proposals for schools and assisted living facilities. She believes deeply that immersion in nature can be transformational and healing—and that it should be available to everyone.
If a forest bath is too slow for you, opt for a full-on excursion with TrekSierra, which leads a huge roster of adventures, from day outings to family-centric lake hikes to multi-day backpacking on Bishop Pass or all the way to Yosemite along the John Muir Trail. They provide everything you could possibly need in the wilderness, from sleeping gear to water filtration to permits and fees—plus all meals (including four-course dinners).
There’s also fishing, kayaking, rock climbing, horseback riding—even SUP yoga on offer. Oh, and don’t worry if you forgot to pack your hiking boots. Teva Shoes and Outbound Hotels have a loaner program partnership, where you can test out the brand’s hiking boots during your stay. Back at the hotel, recover with the only mobile sauna company in town, Mammoth Sauna Co.
Ocean Sports at Mauna Lani, Big Island, Hawaii
(Courtesy of Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection)
The newly reimagined Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection on the Big Island has everything you want on vacation, with an impressive renovation of a historic 1930s development, updated amenities, and great culinary offerings. (Don’t skip a dinner at the female-led Canoehouse; executive chef Rhoda Magbitang and GM Stephanie Pawlikowski are doing great things.)
Hawaii’s Big Island happens to be the most isolated landmass in the world. With eight out of the 13 of the globe’s climate zones, it’s one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet—and it’s home to Mauna Kea, which has actually been proven to be the tallest mountain in the world (what shows above the ocean is only about a quarter of its height, with the rest forming a huge canyon underwater).
All of the above leads to unique activities, both on land and sea. It’s no wonder that three-time Hawaii Ironman World Champion Craig “Crowie” Alexander was in residence at the hotel in March, coaching his “Triathlon Camp.”
If that’s a bit drastic for your desired level of exertion, Kainalu Ocean Sports—exclusive to this Auberge property—has a team of water experts leading programs like the beloved sunrise paddle. It's not just a physical activity: In Hawaiian culture, the morning ritual is a way to greet the day, set positive intentions, and honor the ocean, sun, and land.
Like a “water concierge,” Kainalu also offers curated activities based on experience levels (and various weather conditions), including ocean swim clinics, surf lessons, outrigger canoe paddling and—my very favorite—underwater rock running.
My coach explains that the practice is basically a strength and endurance activity to help surfers get used to being pummeled. We each grab a mask and a heavy kettlebell (traditionally, they used a big rock) and head out into the water until we are shoulder-deep and let the weight settle on the bottom. Next, she tells me to hold my breath, drop down to the bottom (harder than it would seem), grab the kettlebell, hold it to my chest, and run. It’s actually more like underwater lunge-leaping, and turns out to be a great quad workout. The longer we practice, the farther I can go, eventually adding in a few jump squats after each underwater sprint. I’m not sure I’m ready to face the tumultuous big waves, but I do know that 30 minutes of underwater rock running is way more thrilling than my daily Peloton ride.
Coastal Exploring with Timber Cove, Sonoma Coast, CA
(Courtesy of Timber Cove Resort)
There’s nothing standard about Timber Cove Resort near Jenner in Sonoma County. This part of the California coastline is raw, vivid, and solitary—which the 62-year-old hotel embodies to its core. Built in 1963 by famed architect Richard Clements Jr., at a time when artists were trekking out of city centers to form creative retreats in unpopulated zones, new owners gave the iconic, design-driven resort a fresh start in 2016, preserving Clements’ architectural vision while enhancing the place with modern aesthetics and amenities.
Today, Timber Cove’s activity programming highlights the land, the stunning ocean views, and the unique features within the buildings. Just being here, you can feel the wind, the rocky landscape, the wild energy—and they have two excellent ways of doing that while simultaneously getting your body and mind working.
The first is the guided property hike with Hank Birnbaum, historical specialist with the Fort Ross Conservancy. The hour-plus excursion takes you on, off, and around the resort’s trails, discussing the flora, fauna, history, and art that are both native and non-native to this place. He points out that this coastal region was home to permanent villages for the Kashia Pomo, and that around 1000 tribal members live here today. To date, they’ve been given back 1,000 acres of their territory.
Another activity incorporating all the senses is the half-day foraging hike led year-round by local Alexander “Ty” Kun. The hunt changes with the seasons—searching for everything from wild mushrooms to seaweed to botanicals—and a collaboration with the onsite Coast Kitchen restaurant introduces hikers to six different “taste bites” after the experience, featuring things like oxalis leaf lemonade and mushroom shortbread. Just remember, no matter what the season or menu, you will be wet to the knees when the day is done.
