Be neighborly and travel locally

Flying Squirrel


 

 

You can take many unique trips and vacations throughout the world, but at the end of every jaunt you’ll return to the same place: home.

You know the movie line “There’s no place like home.” The seasoned traveler is comforted by this idea.

At the end of a long trip— after spending hours in the air, checking in and out of hotels, and getting in and out of taxis and trains—we usually find ourselves longing for the familiar, our own home, bed, food and friends.

Over the past month, that sense of home has been challenged. Many of our friends, neighbors and relatives have been affected, first by the devastating Thomas fire, then by the recent mudslides in Montecito. People have lost their homes, their businesses, some even their lives.

As I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the county in recent weeks, I’ve heard stories of loss, to be sure, but also of resilience. People affected by these disasters are working hard to put their lives and businesses back together.

You might be wondering, “How does this relate to travel?”

Many people in our extended community make their living, support their families and grow their businesses through tourism, dining and entertainment.

Think of the hotel in Ventura, the restaurant in Ojai, the B&B in Summerland, the bicycle shop in Oak View, the lunch place in Carpinteria, the winery in Santa Ynez, the spa in Santa Barbara.

Many of these businesses are hurting now. They may have seen customer visits drop during the month-long Thomas Fire. The fire danger no doubt kept many customers away; other customers may have lost their homes and are visiting less frequently or not at all.

And because Highway 101 was closed to traffic in Montecito, businesses in Santa Barbara and areas north weren’t getting visits from Ventura County-based customers.

Imagine if these challenges affected your job, your business, your livelihood, your family.

What can you do to help people trying to rebound?

Over the next few months you might have the opportunity to travel throughout Southern California, maybe for a weekend or an overnight stay. If so, I invite you to consider traveling locally.

Yes, you might love places like Disneyland, the beaches in the South Bay, the museums in downtown Los Angeles or the warmth of Palm Springs. They are all excellent places to visit during normal circumstances.

Instead, I’m suggesting you consider spending time and money in a place where it’s really needed right now: your own backyard.

If you haven’t been to Solvang in years, consider a wine weekend there once Highway 101 is reopened. Carpinteria can offer a relaxing beach experience. Ventura and its nightlife can make a great overnight trip. Golf in Ojai can soothe the soul on a long weekend. An afternoon in the rose garden at the Santa Barbara Mission can be heavenly. Lake Casitas offers relaxing boating and camping.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve visited one of these destinations, consider the next few months an ideal time for a return trip to an old favorite.

Your trek doesn’t have to be an overnight visit. Spend a morning having brunch by the ocean, an afternoon at a museum or an evening listening to jazz. These opportunities, and many more, exist less than an hour from most of Ventura County.

Of course, you should plan this in advance. Make sure the destination you have in mind is accessible and open for business. Call ahead to the hotel or resort and ask what the local situation is like. After the challenges of the last month, most will be eager for visitors.

Some destinations will take a while to recover. Burned hillsides don’t heal overnight. Scenic vistas will take time to renew. Hiking trails might be temporarily closed. But the heart and spirits of your hosts will be brightened by your presence and business.

Yes, you can travel anywhere in the world. But, right now, your travel and leisure money can do a world of good right here at home. It’s the neighborly thing to do.

Thor Challgren is a travel writer who lives in Thousand Oaks. Email questions to thor@theacorn.com or visit the website at loveyourvacation.com/acorn.