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vacationsoup · 5 years

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New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/kauai-food-truck-saenz-ohana-hawaii/

Kauai Food Truck - Saenz Ohana - A Hidden Gem - Hawaii

Looking for a Kauai food truck with outstanding breakfasts and occasional tacos? Saenz Ohana, a hidden gem on the north shore, is sure to please. You may have seen this food truck in Hanalei before, but now it is at its new location behind the Makana North Shore Urgent Care Center (in back of the police and fire station, just off the highway, past the Princeville Shopping Center on your way to Hanalei).

Saenz Ohana is owned and operated by the owners, Juan Saenz & Noelle Wong. I spoke with Juan who is very excited about his new location as it is close to where he lives with his wife and four children. He says he gets up at 4:00 each morning to start preparing fresh sauces and salsas to serve with his breakfasts and tacos. Learning his trade at the Culinary Institute, and then working for some of Kauai's best restaurants, he loves using locally-sourced, farm fresh ingredients in his preparations and is thrilled to be serving Kauai's north shore community.

Juan has set up a cozy little outdoor picnic area for you to enjoy your food, or, order it to go and drive on down to Hanalei for a breakfast by the bay. You may order online if you choose. Saenz Ohana is available for catering weddings, birthday parties or special events as well.

Right now the hours are a bit tricky to remember:

Breakfast is served 7:00 - 11:00 AM, Thursday through Monday (Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

Lunch is served 12:00 - 4:00 PM, Thursdays and Fridays only

Kauai Food Truck Menu:

This Kauai food truck has an impressive breakfast menu with two pages of unique and delicious food items. The whole first page lists ten options for breakfast burritos (also available as an omelet or breakfast sandwich) for $14.00 each. The burritos come with three scrambled eggs, cheese, a sauce and one of these chef creations:

The Juan: chorizo, Portuguese sausage, cilantro, garlic, jalapenos.

The BLTE: bacon, wild greens, tomatoes.

The Local: Kalua pig, Portuguese sausage, bacon, garlic, avocado and tomato.

The Veggie: tomatoes, garlic, onions, wild greens, kale, garlic chives, sprouts and avocado.

The Kadence: Kalua pig, cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, avocado.

The Nevaeh: bacon, link sausage, kale, tomato and garlic.

The Haniya: chorizo, garlic, onion, tomatoes and cilantro.

The Mila: ham, link sausage and bacon.

The Noelle: steak, garlic, onions, jalapenos and cilantro.

The Kid: 2 eggs scrambled with one choice of meat or veggie $10.00

Sauce Options are: Hollandaise, Salsa Verde, Garlic Aioli, Macadamia Nut Pesto, Maple Syrup or Salsa Fresca

More Menu Items

The second page of the menu is full of Saenz Ohana Specials, including their signature Eggs Benedict for $15.00

Also included on the second page of the menu are:

Pesto and Veggie Scramble $14.00

Saenz Buttermilk Pancakes $9.00, with banana or mac nuts $2.00 extra

Saenz Belgian Waffles $8.00, with banana or mac nuts $2.00 extra

Saenz Sweet Taro French Toast $10.00, with banana or mac nuts $2.00 extra

Saenz Pancake Sticks $7.00

Country Potatoes on a Stick $5.00

French Toast Sandwich $14.00

Fried Spam Sandwich $14.00

Thursday and Friday Tacos

Two afternoons a week Chef Juan whips up his tacos for the lunch crowd. He told me eventually he wants to add other Mexican food items to the menu. Can't wait for that!

The Saenz taco is similar to a "street taco" that you might find in California. At first glance they look small but, boy are they filling. Tom and I stopped for lunch today. Tom ordered two Carne Asada tacos and I had two Fresh Fish tacos made with fresh ahi. The order came out quickly and they were really delicious with just the right amount of "kick" to them. It was the perfect lunch for just $8.00 each!

Fresh Fish Tacos

Carne Asada Tacos

Afternoon Menu Items

Each taco comes with 2 corn tortillas, queso fresca, salsa, onions and cilantro. One for $5.00. Two for $8.00. Or, three for $12.00.

Carne Asada Taco: Chef selected prime beef put in a house marinade and cooked to perfection.

Pork Taco: Selected pork shoulder marinated in a secret family recipe known to tingle your taste buds.

Fresh Fish Taco: Fresh catch seasoned with a house special seasoning then sauteed on the flat top and served fresh and hot.

Veggie Taco: Chef Saenz's daily selection of fresh local veggies cooked to perfection in a little garlic oil.

For both breakfast items and tacos, no substitutes please.

Kauai Food Truck - Saenz Ohana - Contact Information

Location: 4488 Hanalei Plantation Road, Princeville, HI 96722 (Makana North Shore Urgent Care parking lot)

Phone: (808) 634-3526

Email: [email protected]

Order online at: www.saenzohanabreakfast.com

Now that my husband and I have tried the tacos, you can bet we will be back to try breakfast, especially since there are few places around the north shore that serve a morning meal. Bon Appetit!

The Saenz Ohana (family)

For more of my blogs or to subscribe, go to the right-hand side of this page (full screen computers). And, I would LOVE for you to follow us on Instagram @honupoint. For information about our luxury vacation rental on the north shore of Kauai, go to any other page of this website. Mahalo!

#foodie #Hawaii #HolidayOnKauai #honupoint #kauai #kauaibreakfast #kauaifoodtruck #northshorebreakfast #northshoretacos #Princeville #princevillefoodtrucks #Saenzohana #VacationOnKauai #VacationSoup #wheretoeatonkauai

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duncanbarker-blog · 5 years

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Planning a trip to Hawaii is something many people dream of. With its stunning beaches, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and lush green hills, it’s one of the most beautiful places we’ve visited but also the most expensive.

While we do think the islands are worth the high price, to make the most of your stay, it’s essential to plan in advance.

These tips will help you plan the perfect trip to Hawaii.

Best Island to Visit in Hawaii

Hanalei Bay in Kauai

Choosing the best island to visit is one of the most challenging parts of planning a trip to Hawaii. They are all diverse with lots to offer, so it just depends what you are looking for.

Most visitors to Hawaii visit one of these four islands:

Oahu – The most visited and developed island is home to the large city of Honolulu and the famous and very crowded Waikiki Beach. You can surf huge waves on the North Shore and visit the museum and memorials at Pearl Harbour. You’ll find the most shopping, dining, and nightlife options here. It’s the easiest island to get around by public transport.

Maui – The second most visited island has beautiful beaches, world-class whale watching, and the Road to Hana drive where you can see waterfalls, bamboo forest, and red and black sand beaches. You can also watch the sun rise above a volcanic crater and visit wineries and lavender farms in Upcountry. There’s a wide range of resorts, dining, shopping, and activities as well as natural attractions.

Big Island – The largest island is the youngest, so it’s not as green as the other islands and has more lava landscapes. If you want to see an active volcano, this is the island to visit. The landscapes are incredibly diverse from beautiful white sand beaches to snow-capped mountains.

Kauai – Known as The Garden Isle, Kauai is the most lush and green of the islands. The jagged green cliffs of the stunning Napali Coast are the big draw, but there are also lovely beaches, waterfalls, and multi-coloured canyons. A helicopter ride over the island is spectacular, and there are plenty of hiking trails. Kauai has become popular, but it isn’t as developed as Maui or Oahu.

Kauai’s Napali Coast

If you are looking to get off-the-beaten-track, you could consider visiting one of these smaller, much less visited islands:

Molokai – Known as The Friendly Isle, on Molokai you’ll find a slow pace of life and more native Hawaiians, but less choice of accommodation and activities. It’s also home to the leper colony of Kalaupapa, which I became fascinated with after reading a couple of these Hawaii books.

Lanai – For many years Lanai was a pineapple plantation and it’s now home to a few luxury resorts. If you want to enjoy the secluded beaches without the high price tag, the ferry from Lahaina on Maui only takes an hour so you could visit on a day trip.

The character of each island also depends on which part you visit. All the islands have a rainy side where the scenery is lush and green and a dry side where you’ll usually get more sun. They are both worth visiting, which is why we decided to split our island stays between two or three locations.

We had 3.5 weeks in Hawaii and chose to divide our time between Kauai and Maui, with one night in Honolulu before our flight to Japan. We loved them both, and there’s so much to do on each island that we’re glad we didn’t try to add in an extra island.

We plan to visit the Big Island and maybe Molokai on our next trip, although we’d also happily return to Kauai and Maui.

For more details on our trip, see our Maui itinerary and the best things to do on Kauai.

Our friends Tom and Jenny have visited the Big Island many times and share their favourite things to do.

The black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, Maui

Before You Arrive in Hawaii

Save up – Hawaii is expensive and you’ll enjoy it more if you aren’t worrying about every penny. We spent $267 per person per day including everything except flights from the mainland US. You could spend less by travelling in the off season, choosing non-beachfront accommodation, and skipping pricey tours. You could also spend a lot more by staying in luxury resorts and eating out for every meal.

Visit in the winter to see humpback whales – We were astounded by how many we saw in Maui in February. January to March are the best months, but you might see a few from November to May. Winter weather can be cooler and rainier, but we still had mostly sunny days and the ocean is swimmable year round.

Visit in the off season to save money – In the spring (April and May) and autumn (September to mid-November), the islands are less crowded, prices are lower, and the weather is excellent.

Book your accommodation far in advance – Especially if you are travelling in the high season, want an ocean view, or are travelling to places like Hana or Upcountry on Maui where accommodation is limited. We searched for options on Booking, Airbnb, and VRBO.

Consider a condo rather than a resort – For families, stays of a week or more, and for those on a budget, renting a condo with a kitchen is a great way to save money. There are many to choose from and some have resort facilities like pools and beachfront locations. We stayed in condos for most of our stay and Kiahuna Plantation on Poipu Beach in Kauai was one of our favourites.

Kiahuna Beach

Search on Kiwi for the best flight deals – The cheapest rates will be from Los Angeles or other West Coast cities. Southwest now flies to Hawaii at low rates. You can also get affordable flights from Asia (especially Japan) to Honolulu.

Fly in and out of different islands – Maximise your time on the islands by flying into one island (such as Kauai) and out of another (such as Maui). I was surprised by how many affordable direct flights there are from the US mainland to places other than Honolulu.

Rent a car – It’s the best (and often only) way to get around. At busy times they can run out, so book far in advance. We used Rental Cars to find the best deal and just booked the cheapest economy car.

Consider splitting your time between two or three locations on each island – If you want to do a lot of exploring, this will help avoid long drives to attractions. We did this on Kauai and Maui and it worked out well.

Red Sand Beach in Hana

Book Haleakala sunrise in advance – If you want to see Maui’s most popular sunrise, you must book up to 60 days in advance. If you miss out, try again two days before when more tickets are released.

Bring reusable shopping bags – Plastic bags are banned on the islands.

Pack a sweater – While most of the time you’ll only need summer clothing and beachwear, it can get chilly on morning boat trips or if you go to higher elevations (like Upcountry in Maui or Waimea Canyon on Kauai) especially in the winter. Sunrise at Haleakala is literally freezing and you’ll appreciate as many layers as possible.

Bring spices – If you are self-catering, you’ll save money by bringing a small amount of spices with you. We bought some at the bulk-buy section of a supermarket on the mainland.

Pack hiking sandals – We wore these all the time and they were perfect for beaches and hiking. Many beaches have rough access trails so you’ll appreciate something more than flip-flops. Simon wore the Teva Terra Fi Lite sandals and I have the Merrell Terran Lattice sandals.

Learn a few Hawaii words – Even if it’s just Aloha (hello and goodbye but also love and compassion) and Mahalo (thank you). I picked up vocabulary by reading the astounding novel Shark Dialogues by Kiana Davenport (which I highly recommend every visitor reads).

Don’t

Plan to visit more than one island per week – You’ll spend too much of your precious vacation time travelling and there’s so much to do on each island.

Forget hidden fees – The listed price for hotels and resorts is rarely what you’ll actually pay. You’ll have to add tax and often a resort fee, cleaning fee (for condos), and parking charge. Check the final total price when comparing accommodation options.

Visit during holidays – Try to avoid the busiest times of year, especially Christmas and New Year when crowds and prices soar. Thanksgiving week is another busy time. If you must visit then, book far in advance.

Stay on the beach (maybe) – If you are on a tight budget you’ll save by staying a short walk or drive from the beach. Airbnb is a good place to look for budget accommodation. That said, we splurged on beachfront accommodation and loved it.

Sunset at Kiahuna

In Hawaii

Read novels set in Hawaii – Learn more about Hawaii’s fascinating culture and turbulent history by reading one of these books about Hawaii while you relax on the beach.

Schedule your most important activities early – Weather can change and cancel activities like boat trips and helicopter rides, so make sure you’ll have time to reschedule.

Waterfalls in Kauai from a helicopter

Use reef-safe sunscreen – Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreen that uses coral-harming chemicals. You can pick some up from Longs Drugs, which we found surprisingly affordable.

Sign up to the Snorkel Report on Maui – You’ll get an email every morning with tips on the best beaches to visit that day. They also rent inexpensive snorkelling and beach gear.

Check the Hawaii Beach Safety website – To find out which beaches are safe for swimming or best for surfing. The Kauai Explorer Surf Report is also useful.

Go whale watching – It was one of our favourite experiences in Hawaii. We chose a small boat trip with Makai Adventures from Lahaina in Maui and loved it so much we went twice.

Hike – All the islands have beautiful trails from easy coastal walks to challenging multi-day treks. It’s a great free way to enjoy the beauty of the islands.

Hiking the Pipiwai Trail in Maui

Rent a Tommy Bahama beach chair and umbrella – Our condos came with these, but you can rent them on the islands inexpensively. They have backpack straps for easy carrying and make beach hopping much more comfortable.

Visit a farmer’s market – The fresh produce is usually cheaper and better quality than the supermarkets and there are lots of tasty treats and foodie souvenirs to enjoy.

Cool off with shave ice – This delicious icy treat is so much better than we expected. Add a scoop of macadamia ice-cream on the bottom for maximum tastiness.

Enjoy a Mai Tai on the beach – Touristy yes, but it’s a classic Hawaii experience and these tasty rum cocktails come in cool Tiki glasses.

Drive the Road to Hana on Maui – Most people do this in one day, but we loved spending a few nights in Hana to explore without the crowds.

Wai‘anapanapa State Park is a Maui highlight

Eat all the banana bread – Especially in the Hana area, homemade banana bread sold at farm stalls is so good.

Indulge in chocolate-covered macadamia nuts – We were addicted to the ones by Moana Loa.

Let local drivers pass you – They know the winding roads better than you and drive at a faster pace, so pull over and let them pass.

See Kauai from above – Our doors-off helicopter trip on Kauai was mind-blowing.

Don’t

Eat in restaurants for every meal – Restaurants are expensive and by self-catering in our condo we saved a huge amount of money. Even if you don’t have a kitchen, you can pick up a pre-made picnic lunch from a supermarket and enjoy it on the beach. Some of our tastiest meals were from food trucks which are far cheaper than restaurants. Hana in Maui and Hanalei in Kauai had the best selection of trucks.

Underestimate the ocean – Conditions can be dangerous and change quickly and drownings do happen. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t swim.

Turn your back on the ocean – Huge waves can come out of nowhere when you are swimming or even walking along the shore.

Fight a rip current – If you get caught in a current, keep calm, float, and wave for help. Go with the current and conserve your energy.

Touch sea turtles or monk seals – You are likely to come across wildlife on the beaches, but it’s illegal to get too close or touch them.

Monk seals and humans share Poipu Beach on Kauai

Trespass – Please respect private property. While all beaches are open to the public, they don’t all have public access routes.

Litter – Don’t leave anything behind on beaches or hiking trails.

Steal any rocks or sand.

Touch or step on coral.

Leave valuables in your car – And keep any luggage hidden out of sight in the trunk.

Laugh at the hula – It’s not just a dance for tourists, but a serious part of local culture.

Refuse a lei (flower garland) – It’s a symbol of affection and Aloha so wear it with gratitude and don’t take it off in front of the person who gave it to you.

Wear shoes into someone’s house.

Rush – Don’t feel the pressure to do everything. Make sure you allow time just to relax by the pool or on the beach. Slow down and enjoy these beautiful islands.

I hope this post helps you plan a trip to Hawaii. Let me know if you have any questions below. You can also read these other Hawaii posts:

The Ultimate Maui Itinerary: The Best of Maui in 7 to 14 Days

17 Stunning Road to Hana Stops & Why You Should Stay in Hana, Maui

Where to Stay in Kauai: The Best Areas and Hotels

17 Unmissable Things to Do in Kauai

A Doors Off Helicopter Tour on Kauai: Is It Worth it?

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nightmare-afton-cosplay · 7 years

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Move Over, Boulder: 10 Cities Where Outdoor Lovers Can Actually Afford to Live

Greenville, SC: SeanPavonePhoto/iStock

Certain towns define themselves through their outdoor activities and their open-air cred. Hanalei, Kauai, has its waves. Boulder has its slopes. Durango has its trails. And you? You have two weeks of vacation a year and a jones for outdoor living that persists for the other 50.

So what’s keeping you from enjoying the al fresco life year round? Well, there’s the oft-mountainous prices of homes in those outdoor meccas, for one. And then there’s the pesky fact that they’re mostly located in the Western half of the United States, quite possibly far from your life and your chosen career.

But we’re here to tell you: You can have it all—an affordable home in a centrally located metro where adventure-filled days, nights, and weekends aren’t far from your back door. So we hit the trails to find America’s hidden outdoor meccas.

To start, realtor.com®’s intrepid, sunburned data team limited its search to metros where the median home prices are under $300,000. That’s why many of those world-famous destination stops out West and in the Rocky Mountain states didn’t make the cut. What we’re left with is some unexpected metros with enough top-notch outdoor access to help you almost forget those soul-crushing days you spend each week in cubicles. So get off your butts, already!

“It’s sometimes hard to find the time and access to get outside when you live in a city,” says Lauren Skonieczny, operations manager and a guide at Discover Outdoors, a New York-based provider of guided adventure trips. “[But] time outside really helps to improve mental health and physical health. A short hike is enough to get your heart pumping.”

Many folks don’t even realize how close they are to nature’s glory.

“Go online and Google things like ‘stand-up paddleboarding’ or ‘kayaking’ and then put your city in,” suggests Stacy Tornio, author of more than a dozen children’s books that encourage the young to get outside. “So many cities are catering to outdoor activities now. They probably exist, and you might not even know it.”

To come up with our list of the most affordable outdoor-friendly cities, we looked at:

Number of national parks within a four-hour drive (perfect for a weekend camping trip), using Google Maps data

Number of state parks or beaches within a one-hour drive (envision afternoon getaways), using Google Maps data

Restaurants with outdoor seating, using Yelp data

Annual months of mild weather, with daily highs between 60 and 80 degrees, using National Weather Service data

Bicycle-friendliness rating from the League of American Bicyclists

Median home prices under $300,000, using realtor.com data

Ready? Let’s get outside. The weather’s fine.

1. Greenville, SC

Median home price: $265,500

Greenville, SC

DenisTangneyJr/ istock

This city in the northern part of South Carolina is growing by leaps and bounds, but still manages to maintain its otherworldly natural beauty.

One of Greenville’s biggest treasures is Falls Park, a 32-acre outdoor oasis on the Reedy River in downtown. Created in 2004, the park features art galleries on the water, a suspension bridge, outdoor theater performances in the summer, and, of course, waterfalls. Another is the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 19.9-mile greenway that spans several nearby cities and travels through the city.

Those looking for something a bit larger can check out the Nantahala National Forest and its gorgeous waterfall hikes just over an hour away. The oft-overlooked Congaree National Park, which offers canoeing, hiking, fishing, and camping, is just two hours to the east.

“Outdoor spaces have become very important to buyers here,” says local real estate agent Cory Wickline of the Haro Group at Keller Williams Historic District.

He has clients coming in from all over the country to escape the high taxes and cost of living, seeking everything from downtown condos to single-family houses out in the suburbs.

2. Pittsburgh, PA

Median home price: $175,000

Pittsburgh, PA

HaizhanZheng/ istock

Wait—how did Pittsburgh wind up on this list? True, the moniker “Steel City” doesn’t exactly evoke a bucolic retreat, but this Rust Belt metro has 18 state parks within a one-hour drive. Not bad for a one-time manufacturing hub.

Residents who make the drive to Ohiopyle State Park can enjoy the 20,500-acre park’s rock climbing, whitewater boating, sailing, and mountain biking trails. And don’t forget the annual June “Beer and Gear” festival, which typically features a couple of dozen craft breweries and lots of swag from the biggest names in the outdoor gear industry.

The city is also home to Bartram’s Garden, considered one of the nation’s oldest botanical gardens still in operation. The 45-acre historic landmark along the Schuylkill River features an array of North American plants, a river trail, and even an indigenous flowering shrub named after favorite son Benjamin Franklin.

3. Morgantown, WV

Median home price: $226,500

A hiker in West Virginia

Joshua Spinks/ gettyimages

In the South, West Virginia is well-known for its natural surroundings. Have you ever wondered why West Virginia University’s mascot is called the Mountaineer? The university’s Morgantown arboretum offers visitors 91 acres of trees, flowers, and quiet relaxation in nature. There are also plenty of ski resorts a little more than an hour away.

“This is a rural state. Buyers come to Morgantown because of the employment opportunities,” says local agent Debra Sullivan of J.S. Walker Associates, who sells mostly single-family houses and townhouses to folks working at places like the Mylan pharmaceutical plant or the NASA facility. “And you have some people who want [to go] a little farther out so they can get 1 or 2 acres.”

Hikers, bikers, and those looking for a good place to fish and go swimming will enjoy the 4.5-mile Cheat Lake Trail in Morgantown. Those seeking something a little more remote can drive about half an hour out to Coopers Rock for some longer hikes. Meanwhile, Shenandoah National Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Park are both close enough for easy weekend trips.

4. Greensboro, NC

Median home price: $193,500

Greensboro’s subtropical climate makes spring and fall particularly great times of year for residents to spend as much spare time as humanely possible outdoors. For cyclists, that includes dedicated mountain-biking trails in nearby Country Park. Those who prefer wheel-free transport can head to the Bog Garden at Benjamin Park, where an elevated boardwalk takes visitors through 7 acres of wetlands.

“Greensboro is known for its park systems,” says Tony Jarrett, a regional vice president at Allen Tate Realtors. “There are a lot of trails, and they’re adding more all the time.”

After their excursions, folks can unwind in the open air at Darryl’s Wood Fired Grill. The local restaurant and bar has a year-round outdoor area featuring two fire pits—and additional heating, so it’s still nice and toasty come January.

5. Dayton, OH

Median home price: $132,500

A bicycle-friendly community

lawcain/ istock

Dayton has been nationally recognized as a Bicycle-Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, largely for its 30 miles of central city trails that connect to more than 300 miles of paths. There are practically unlimited possibilities for day trips on a bike here. There’s also no shortage of hiking near Dayton’s city center, much of it on the 75 miles of trails in the Five Rivers MetroParks System.

Where Dayton really shines, though, is in its low cost of living. There are plenty of homes selling for less than $10,000 in the city. The catch is that most of them need quite a bit of tender loving care—plus at least a few coats of paint. However, prices that low may leave more than a little left over for repairs and that fancy camping gear!

6. Tampa, FL

Median home price: $268,200

Tampa Beach

IreneCorti/ istock

While the rest of the country is huddled indoors each winter, Tampa residents can enjoy endless sunshine and temperatures that typically remain above 70 degrees year round. And although Florida isn’t known for spectacular mountain hikes, the area’s sandy white beaches and kayak trips through the mangroves more than make up for it. Plus, you might even snap a photo of a manatee or dolphin, if you’re quick enough.

Sun worshipers may want to check out the beach at Fort DeSoto, a barrier island and park about 30 miles outside Tampa. Often cited as one of the nation’s best beaches, Fort DeSoto offers two fishing piers, bayside campsites, and, yes, an historic fort.

Back in town, more than 2,000 restaurants offer outdoor seating. This works out to about 1 for every 180 residents. Sounds about right.

7. Chico, CA

Median home price: $291,200

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lucila10/ istock

Chico is the only city on our list that lies west of the Mississippi, and it certainly earns its spot. Within a 90-minute drive, locals can be at dramatic Lassen Volcanic National Park. In addition to the active volcanoes (yes, you read that right) and nearby spots where hot sulfurous gases are naturally released, the park contains the Bumpass Hell Trail, which accesses hydrothermal wonders that are even more memorable than its name.

Back in Chico, residents can enjoy cycling through a city that earned a Gold Bicycle-Friendly Award. Families can visit the Two by Two Ranch and Petting Zoo, where the kiddies can enjoy pony rides. There’s even a Meetup group for motorcycle riders and tourers.

Despite all these perks, median home prices are less than a third of what they are in the San Francisco area, which lies three hours to the south. Not bad.

8. Atlanta, GA

Median home price: $299,900

Sprawling Atlanta may not seem like a nature lover’s dream, but those looking to get outdoors have plenty of options nearby—such as the 2,500-acre Sweetwater Creek State Park, just 15 miles from downtown. Visitors can reserve picnic shelters, campsites, and even yurts within the park. The park also has kayaking classes, group dog hiking trips, and twilight lake paddling tours for birdwatchers.

But perhaps the best way to take advantage of the outdoors in Atlanta is to enjoy some al fresco dining. The city has more than 3,000 restaurants with outdoor seating, one of the highest per-capita ratios in the nation.

“We have jazz fest, crab fest, beer fest. Anything you can fest, we have in our parks,” says Tiffany Richardson, owner of local Nicole James Real Estate. “If you need to walk all that off afterward, check out the Silver Comet Trail, which extends all the way to central Alabama.”

9. Knoxville, TN

Median home price: $247,500

Great Smoky Mountains

gelyngfjeli/ istock

Knoxville, known as “the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains,” is just a 45-minute drive from Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Those seeking an excursion a bit closer to home can check out Ijams Nature Center, a 300-acre preserve filled with trails, rock formations, and a lake just 10 minutes from downtown.

Those who would rather be doing just about anything that doesn’t involve climbing up some majestic overlook can soak up some Vitamin D while catching a University of Tennessee football game or sipping a microbrew at one of the restaurants along the Tennessee River waterfront.

10. Buffalo, NY

Median home price: $172,500

This onetime manufacturing hub of upstate New York is yet another area that doesn’t exactly spring to mind when thinking of the great outdoors. But the city, which has been undergoing a waterfront revitalization, is less than half an hour away from the world-famous Niagara Falls. It’s also about an hour away from Letchworth State Park (known as the Grand Canyon of the East).

“We’re seeing more festivals and concerts taking place on the water,” says local real estate agent Ryan Connolly of Re/Max North. “There’s a large sailing community in Buffalo, and a lot of people on kayaks and paddleboards.

“More and more people here want green space in their neighborhood and in their backyards,” he adds. “They really want biking access and farmers markets and shopping and restaurants.”

The post Move Over, Boulder: 10 Cities Where Outdoor Lovers Can Actually Afford to Live appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

from http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/10-best-affordable-outdoorsy-cities/

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mox-midget-blog · 7 years

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paginacinco-blog1 · 7 years

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duncanbarker-blog · 5 years

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While we do think the islands are worth the high price, to make the most of your stay, it’s essential to plan in advance.

These tips will help you plan the perfect trip to Hawaii.

Best Island to Visit in Hawaii

Hanalei Bay in Kauai

Choosing the best island to visit is one of the most challenging parts of planning a trip to Hawaii. They are all diverse with lots to offer, so it just depends what you are looking for.

Most visitors to Hawaii visit one of these four islands:

Kauai’s Napali Coast

If you are looking to get off-the-beaten-track, you could consider visiting one of these smaller, much less visited islands:

We plan to visit the Big Island and maybe Molokai on our next trip, although we’d also happily return to Kauai and Maui.

For more details on our trip, see our Maui itinerary and the best things to do on Kauai.

Our friends Tom and Jenny have visited the Big Island many times and share their favourite things to do.

The black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, Maui

Before You Arrive in Hawaii

Visit in the off season to save money – In the spring (April and May) and autumn (September to mid-November), the islands are less crowded, prices are lower, and the weather is excellent.

Kiahuna Beach

Red Sand Beach in Hana

Bring reusable shopping bags – Plastic bags are banned on the islands.

Bring spices – If you are self-catering, you’ll save money by bringing a small amount of spices with you. We bought some at the bulk-buy section of a supermarket on the mainland.

Don’t

Plan to visit more than one island per week – You’ll spend too much of your precious vacation time travelling and there’s so much to do on each island.

Sunset at Kiahuna

In Hawaii

Read novels set in Hawaii – Learn more about Hawaii’s fascinating culture and turbulent history by reading one of these books about Hawaii while you relax on the beach.

Schedule your most important activities early – Weather can change and cancel activities like boat trips and helicopter rides, so make sure you’ll have time to reschedule.

Waterfalls in Kauai from a helicopter

Use reef-safe sunscreen – Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreen that uses coral-harming chemicals. You can pick some up from Longs Drugs, which we found surprisingly affordable.

Sign up to the Snorkel Report on Maui – You’ll get an email every morning with tips on the best beaches to visit that day. They also rent inexpensive snorkelling and beach gear.

Check the Hawaii Beach Safety website – To find out which beaches are safe for swimming or best for surfing. The Kauai Explorer Surf Report is also useful.

Go whale watching – It was one of our favourite experiences in Hawaii. We chose a small boat trip with Makai Adventures from Lahaina in Maui and loved it so much we went twice.

Hike – All the islands have beautiful trails from easy coastal walks to challenging multi-day treks. It’s a great free way to enjoy the beauty of the islands.

Hiking the Pipiwai Trail in Maui

Visit a farmer’s market – The fresh produce is usually cheaper and better quality than the supermarkets and there are lots of tasty treats and foodie souvenirs to enjoy.

Cool off with shave ice – This delicious icy treat is so much better than we expected. Add a scoop of macadamia ice-cream on the bottom for maximum tastiness.

Enjoy a Mai Tai on the beach – Touristy yes, but it’s a classic Hawaii experience and these tasty rum cocktails come in cool Tiki glasses.

Drive the Road to Hana on Maui – Most people do this in one day, but we loved spending a few nights in Hana to explore without the crowds.

Wai‘anapanapa State Park is a Maui highlight

Eat all the banana bread – Especially in the Hana area, homemade banana bread sold at farm stalls is so good.

Indulge in chocolate-covered macadamia nuts – We were addicted to the ones by Moana Loa.

Let local drivers pass you – They know the winding roads better than you and drive at a faster pace, so pull over and let them pass.

See Kauai from above – Our doors-off helicopter trip on Kauai was mind-blowing.

Don’t

Underestimate the ocean – Conditions can be dangerous and change quickly and drownings do happen. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t swim.

Turn your back on the ocean – Huge waves can come out of nowhere when you are swimming or even walking along the shore.

Fight a rip current – If you get caught in a current, keep calm, float, and wave for help. Go with the current and conserve your energy.

Touch sea turtles or monk seals – You are likely to come across wildlife on the beaches, but it’s illegal to get too close or touch them.

Monk seals and humans share Poipu Beach on Kauai

Trespass – Please respect private property. While all beaches are open to the public, they don’t all have public access routes.

Litter – Don’t leave anything behind on beaches or hiking trails.

Steal any rocks or sand.

Touch or step on coral.

Leave valuables in your car – And keep any luggage hidden out of sight in the trunk.

Laugh at the hula – It’s not just a dance for tourists, but a serious part of local culture.

Refuse a lei (flower garland) – It’s a symbol of affection and Aloha so wear it with gratitude and don’t take it off in front of the person who gave it to you.

Wear shoes into someone’s house.

Rush – Don’t feel the pressure to do everything. Make sure you allow time just to relax by the pool or on the beach. Slow down and enjoy these beautiful islands.

I hope this post helps you plan a trip to Hawaii. Let me know if you have any questions below. You can also read these other Hawaii posts:

The Ultimate Maui Itinerary: The Best of Maui in 7 to 14 Days

17 Stunning Road to Hana Stops & Why You Should Stay in Hana, Maui

Where to Stay in Kauai: The Best Areas and Hotels

17 Unmissable Things to Do in Kauai

A Doors Off Helicopter Tour on Kauai: Is It Worth it?

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duncanbarker-blog · 5 years

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Kauai lived up to our Hawaii dreams with its lush mountains, dramatic sea cliffs, plunging waterfalls, and golden beaches.

Our stay on the island combined relaxation and adventure with sailing and helicopter trips to see the stunning Napali coast, hikes in multi-coloured canyons and along coastal trails, sunset cocktails, and frequent sightings of whales, dolphins and turtles (and not forgetting the wild chickens that roam the island).

The island isn’t huge—you can drive from one side to the other in a few hours—but there is plenty to keep you occupied. Here are our picks for the best things to do in Kauai as well as our tips on where to stay, eat, and shop. Although the first two activities on this list are expensive (but worth it), almost everything else is free.

Note that you really need a rental car to make the most of your stay.

Us at Secret Beach

where to stay in Kauai for the differences between each coast, an overview of the types of accommodation on the island, and detailed reviews of our favourite places.

Here is where we stayed:

Kiahuna Plantation Resort in Poipu on the South Shore

The view from our condo at Kiahuna (we were in the back row of units)

Of everywhere we stayed in Hawaii, Check the latest prices of Kiahuna Plantation here.

Hanalei Bay Resort in Princeville on the North Shore

Hanalei Bay Resort pool

Although we stayed in a one-bedroom apartment with kitchen, Princeville Resort next door.

The view from our balcony at Hanalei Bay Resort

The downsides were rather dated decor (but it depends which unit you get) and a disorganised check-in process (our room was ready late). Despite this, I do recommend it for a resort experience but with the convenience of self-catering accommodation.

Things to Do in Kauai Map

Best Things to Do in Kauai: South Shore

The Napali Coast from our helicopter

Our favourite experience on Kauai was taking a helicopter trip over the whole island. The diversity and beauty of the island is remarkable as you fly over waterfalls and beaches, red and green canyons, and weave in and out of the inlets of the Napali Coast.

It’s not a cheap experience (our 60-minute tour with Jack Harter cost $309 per person), but it’s worth saving up for. Read more about our doors off helicopter Kauai trip here.

Waterfalls from above

Technically this should be in the east coast section as most helicopter trips leave from Lihue airport in the southeast, but we visited while staying in Poipu (30 minutes away) so I’m including it here.

2) Sail the Napali Coast (and See Whales)

The massive sea cliffs of the Napali Coast are the highlight of Kauai and you can see them by helicopter, boat, and on foot. Sadly when we visited in January 2019 the Kalalau Trail, which runs along the coast, was closed after serious flooding and landslides in April 2018. It doesn’t seem like it will reopen anytime soon—check the official Kalalau Trail website for updates.

We could still see the cliffs by boat, though, so we signed up with Captain Andy’s for their Star Na Pali Snorkel BBQ Sail trip on a luxury 65-foot catamaran. In the winter all boat trips depart from the south coast (ours left from Port Allen) as the ocean is too rough on the north shore.

The trip usually includes a snorkelling stop but ours was cancelled as the conditions weren’t great (a common occurrence in winter). We didn’t mind as we soon saw a turtle, two large pods of dolphins which swam alongside our boat, and four or five groups of humpback whales. It was our first time seeing whales and it was wonderful to see these giant creatures jumping out of the ocean.

via GIPHY

The Napali coast was as beautiful as we expected, very rugged and colourful. I didn’t envy the people on rafts battling the 7–8 foot waves as they entered the sea caves, but this is an option if you want more adventure.

Our sailing trip was more about relaxing in comfort and enjoying the views than adventure. The catamaran felt crowded at first, but once people spread out we had enough space. There’s comfortable seating with tables inside and outside as well as trampolines at the front for lounging.

The crew were excellent and the food was good with a BBQ for lunch (request a veggie burger in advance) and the most delicious, freshly baked white chocolate, coconut, and macadamia cookies for dessert. Wine and beer are included and is available from just before lunch.

The Captain Andy’s Star catamaran trip costs $185 per person, check-in is at 7.30am and it lasts 5.5 hours. There is also a cheaper Classic Na Pali Snorkel Picnic Sail for $165 on a smaller catamaran with a sandwich rather than BBQ lunch that’s otherwise the same. I recommend taking a sweater or light jacket as well as your swimwear as I was surprisingly cold on a cloudy day.

In winter, rough seas can mean they sometimes can’t sail up the Napali coast. In this case you can reschedule, get a refund, or head out on a different route. I recommend calling the office at 6.30am before you head to Port Allen if going to Napali is a dealbreaker for you (it was for us).

3) Drive the Waimea Canyon for Stunning Views

View from Waimea Canyon Lookout

The Waimea Canyon, in the southwest of the island, is known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. The huge canyon is around 14 miles (23 km) long, 1 mile (1.6 km) wide, and up to 3,600 feet (1,100 metres) deep. The brown and orange ridges are a contrast to the green mountains of the rest of the island.

It’s easy to drive up the canyon and stop at various viewpoints along the way or you can take longer hikes. Clouds can often obscure the views, so it’s best to check the weather before you head up—mornings are usually clearer. We left Poipu at 7 am and headed straight up to Kokeʻe State Park beyond the canyon (see below) and then stopped at the following viewpoints on the way back down:

Cliff Trail – A 40 minute, 2 mile return hike from the main road (the turnoff is just before the Kokeʻe State Park sign) to a viewpoint overlooking the canyon. You could also drive most of the way here if you have a 4WD or do the longer Canyon Trail to a waterfall. This was quieter than the more accessible viewpoints.

Pu’u Hinahina Lookout – Another fantastic viewpoint just a short walk from the car park. Toilets available.

Waimea Canyon Lookout – The busiest but best view of the canyon and waterfall. At midday we were able to shoot away from the sun so got better photos than at the other viewpoints. There are toilets and a fruit and drink stand.

Make sure you pack warm clothes, rain jackets (which we didn’t need), and a picnic and be prepared to get muddy if hiking.

On the way back down we drove the Kokee road for a different view of Niihau island.

If you are also visiting Maui, see our post on the best Road to Hana stops—this stunning road trip was one of our favourite activities in Hawaii.

4) Hike in Kokeʻe State Park

Kokeʻe State Park is just beyond Waimea Canyon and is known for its hikes and views of the Napali Coast.

We headed straight up Highway 550 to the furthest point, the Pu’u O Kila Lookout. At 8.30am there were only two other cars there, but when we returned at 10 am it was much busier. An early start helps avoid the crowds and the clouds that can roll in.

From the Pu’u O Kila Lookout you can see some of the Napali Coast, but the views are better if you walk the Pihea Trail which follows the rim of the valley.

View of Napali from Pihea Trail

We walked to the Pihea Vista which was 2.6 miles return and took us 90 minutes. There’s no need to go all the way, as there are excellent views of the Napali cliffs at the 0.5 and 0.75 mile markers and beyond that the trail gets scrambly and muddy. Decent shoes are essential (hiking sandals were fine) and I found a stick that had been left at the beginning useful for some steep sections. It would be very slippery after rain.

You can connect the Pihea Trail to the Swamp Trail for a longer hike or the Awa’awapuhi Trail is another more challenging hike in the park.

Afterwards we stopped at the Kalalau Lookout (toilets available) for a quick and easy view of Napali before continuing down to Waimea Canyon.

5) See Turtles and Seals on Poipu Beach

We were surprised by how easy it was to see turtles and seals in Hawaii. All we had to do was stroll along Poipu Beach where we saw eight huge green sea turtles as well as three monk seals sleeping in the sand. They are protected by law so make sure you don’t touch them or get too close.

6) Beach Hop Along the South Shore

Exploring the beaches is, of course, one of the top Kauai activities. Poipu is the main beach on the south shore and it’s well equipped with life guards, toilets, picnic tables, and children’s play area. There’s a calm section of water that’s ideal for snorkelling and is safe for children. You can also see turtles and seals. It does get busy, though.

Turtles on Poipu Beach

We preferred Kiahuna Beach (aka Sheraton Beach as it’s in front of the resort) which connects to Poipu Beach but is quieter. We stayed right on this beach in a condo at Kiahuna Plantation. This is a good place to learn to surf and lessons and rentals are available at the beach hut at Kiahuna Plantation.

Kiahuna Beach

We also enjoyed a walk on Kekaha Beach after visiting Waimea Canyon. It’s long, wide, uncrowded, and you can watch surfers riding the big waves. It has a wilder, more local feel than Poipu but has no services or shade and isn’t suitable for swimming. It’s easily accessible as you can park right next to the beach.

Kekaha Beach

We considered heading further west to the even wilder and longer beach at Polihale State Park, but you need a 4WD to get down the bumpy access road.

An unusual beach that’s worth a quick visit is Glass Beach in Port Allen. This small cove is in an industrial area and was created from washed up glass that has been smoothed away to make glittery pebbles of green and white and amber. The amount of glass depends on the tides and it wasn’t super obvious when we were there.

Glass Beach

7) Hike the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail

The Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail is a beautiful and fairly easy coastal trail with gorgeous views of the ocean, red cliffs, green mountains, and even whales.

The hike starts at Shipwreck Beach in Poipu near the Grand Hyatt pool looks fantastic and this is one of the top places to stay on the island.

8) Visit the Spouting Horn Blowhole

Spouting Horn Park is worth a quick stop to see the blowhole of water spouting out from the rocks in the ocean. The sound is otherworldly, like an enraged Hawaiian god. This was my favourite running destination from Kiahuna (9.5km return) following the coast and there are toilets and a water fountain at the blowhole.

9) Eat Shave Ice

Waikomo Shave Ice

The best Hawaiian treat is shave ice. It’s vastly superior to a snow cone as it’s made with ice shaved so finely that it’s soft and fluffy.

Our favourite was at Waikomo Shave Ice in Poipu. We got ours with macadamia nut ice cream on the bottom (recommended!), all natural mango and pineapple syrups, and a topping of coconut cream and fresh pineapple. Delicious!

10) Shop and Eat at Warehouse 3540

Warehouse 3540 is a cool warehouse of artisan stalls selling locally made clothes, jewellery and art with some tasty food trucks outside. It’s a little off the beaten track away from the towns, but it’s only a 10 minute drive from Poipu and is well worth a stop when you’re driving along the south coast.

We enjoyed a vegan tofu poke at Kauai Poke Co and excellent coffee at Dark Roost. They also host a farmer’s market on Friday mornings.

11) Buy Local Produce at Farmers’ Markets

Locally grown produce on Kauai is excellent quality and the best way to buy it is at one of the farmers’ markets. Even if you aren’t self-catering, they are worth stopping at for foodie gifts and treats like flavoured macadamia nuts, fruit pies, honey, and jams.

These are the markets we visited:

Hale Halawai Farmers’ Market in Hanalei – A large market on Saturday mornings with beautiful mountain views and a mix of crafts, clothes, fresh produce, and prepared food. We loved the spicy mango salsa.

Kukui’ula Kauai Culinary Market – Outside a shopping centre in Poipu on Wednesday evenings from 3.30–6pm. It was larger than we expected with a range of produce, hot food stalls, foodie gifts, and treats. We loved the mac and cheese from the soup stall and sweet pies from The Right Slice (worth the queue!).

Anaina Hou Community Park – We came across this market on the north shore on a Tuesday afternoon after visiting Secret Beach. It’s much smaller than the Hanalei market but has some of the same stalls including the mango salsa lady and a local goats cheese stall. We cooled off with a delicious frosty made from frozen banana and pineapple fed through a juicer to make a healthy soft serve.

You can find a complete list of farmers’ markets in Kauai here.

12) See Rainbows at Wailua Falls

We didn’t spend a lot of time on the east coast of Kauai, but we did stop at Wailua Falls while driving from the south to our second condo on the north shore. This beautiful double waterfall is easily accessible (just drive up and park) and often features a rainbow.

Other things we’d have liked to have done in East Kauai are kayak the Wailua River and hike the Sleeping Giant trail up Nounou Mountain.

Best Things to Do in Kauai: North Shore

13) Visit Hanalei

Hanalei is a small, laidback surfer town that was our favourite town in Kauai. You can browse cute shops, eat at excellent food trucks (see the where to eat section below), visit the Saturday morning farmers’ market, and relax on the beautiful 1.6 mile beach that’s backed by green mountains.

It’s a better beach for surfing than swimming, but we enjoyed walks and sunrise runs along the long stretch of sand and there’s plenty of space for everyone to spread out.

This would be a fantastic town to stay in, but as part of its charm is that there are no big hotels or resorts, accommodation is limited to pricey Airbnbs and vacation rentals.

14) Beach Hop Along the North Shore

The beaches on Kauai’s north shore are even more beautiful than in the south because they are backed by rugged green mountains. This does mean they are often less easily accessible and can involve a clamber down a trail to reach. The ocean is rougher in the winter on the north shore than in the south, but there are a few swimmable spots.

In early 2019 the road past Hanalei was still closed after serious flooding, so we focused on the beaches in the northeast. Here are the beaches we visited from Hanalei moving east:

Hanalei Bay

A long, popular, and easily accessible surfing beach in a cute town. The surfing here is only suitable for beginners in the summer months.

Pua Poa Beach

A small golden sand beach with mountain views and calm water. It’s in front of the

Hideaways Beach

On the other side of Princeville Resort (follow the narrow path by the tennis courts), this lovely little beach has calm, turquoise water and mountain views.

It’s not a secret but does feel secluded and can only be reached by a short but very steep muddy trail. Some clambering is required but there’s a rope that helps. Hiking sandals are better than flip-flops and it’s best to have your hands free so pack light. Lots of people were snorkelling here so we wished we’d brought some gear. There’s plenty of shade.

Secret Beach

Another not so secret but beautiful beach that’s well worth visiting. Secret Beach (officially known as Kauapea Beach) is much bigger than Hideaways, so there’s plenty of space to find a quiet spot. It’s a 10 minute walk downhill to get here—the trail is steep and uneven but not as difficult as the one to Hideaways. The ocean was rough in winter so we didn’t swim, but locals surf here.

Anini Beach

This is one the best beaches for swimming on the north shore in the winter with very calm water protected by a reef (you can also snorkel). It wasn’t our favourite, though, as in the afternoon the narrow beach was mostly shady and the sunny spots were crowded. There are toilets, showers and picnic tables and you can park close by.

We didn’t visit the popular Queen’s Bath as it can be very dangerous in winter and many people have died here. Even if the tidal pool looks calm, rogue waves can come along suddenly and sweep you out to the ocean, so I don’t recommend visiting.

Once the road past Hanalei has reopened some of the best beaches to visit are Ke’e Beach, Tunnels Beach, and Haena Beach.

15) See Birds and Coastal Views from Kilauea Lighthouse

The Kilauea Lighthouse is located on a rocky peninsula with fantastic views along the coast. It’s a wildlife refuge and you can see many seabirds including the red-footed booby, red-tailed tropicbird, lawson albatross, and great frigatebird.

You can borrow binoculars for free from the information centre and get a close-up view of the birds and even whales in the winter. You can’t go inside the lighthouse—it’s more about enjoying the views and wildlife, although you can read about its history.

We visited at midday and had to wait a while for a parking space, so an earlier visit would be better. The $10 entrance fee felt quite expensive for a quick stop, but it goes towards protecting the birds so it’s a good cause. It’s open from 10 am until 4 pm and is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

It close to Secret Beach so you could combine a visit.

16) Drink a Sunset Cocktail

17) Enjoy the View at Hanalei Valley Lookout

This scenic viewpoint in Princeville is worth a stop on the way to Hanalei for a lovely view of taro fields and the surrounding mountains. The light is better in the morning, but the growing vegetation makes good photos a little difficult.

South Kauai

Little Fish Coffee

This cute wooden cafe is across the road from Kiahuna Plantation in Poipu and is a good place for breakfast on their terrace (although it gets busy). We liked the cinnamon rolls and acai bowls topped with fruit and granola.

Island Taco

We enjoyed the seasoned tofu burritos ($16) and tacos ($10) at this simple place in the Poipu Shipping Village. There’s no free tap water so bring your own.

Da Crack

These humongous burritos are the cheapest meal around—a veggie burrito is under $10 and is enough for two. You can choose your fillings—we had rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, cheese and cabbage—and they can be made vegan. It’s just a hole in the wall with a few benches outside so we took ours back to our condo. It’s next to the Kukuiula Market and Waikomo Shave Ice in Poipu.

Waikomo Shave Ice

Next to Da Crack, this little stand makes our favourite shave ice in Hawaii.

Kauai Poke Co

The Kauai Poke Co food truck is outside Warehouse 3540 (see above) and serves a delicious vegan tofu poke ($15 with extra avocado). Kickshaws and The Fresh Shave food trucks here are also supposed to be good and there’s an excellent coffee stand inside the building. The trucks are a 10-minute drive west of Poipu and are only open at lunch.

This vegan cafe has cute outdoor seating with a floor made from broken glass and chickens roaming around. We both opted for the tofu scramble which you can customise—I had it with tempeh bacon, avocado, and chipotle aioli on a bed of greens and Simon had his in a burrito. It was tasty, although not huge for $15. The cookies were disappointing.

The food trucks in Hanalei are the most affordable and delicious places to eat, although most are only open for lunch.

There are two main clusters. The main food truck park has lots of great options including Fresh Bite which has healthy salads and wraps and Saenz Ohana for breakfasts (they’d run out by 10.30am on a Saturday though!). We opted for the Indian truck Cafe Turmeric and had an absolutely delicious coconut veggie curry which we highly recommend.

A little further down the main road, there are a few more trucks. We tried the taro veggie burger at Hanalei Taro which was good but a little simple—we prefer more interesting toppings that just lettuce, tomato and the optional cheese.

Nearby is Wishing Well Shave Ice where we had a refreshing passion fruit and coconut shave ice on macadamia ice cream topped with papaya and coconut flakes. The flavours were superb but it was a little icier than the Waikomo Shave Ice in Poipu.

See this guide to Hanalei food trucks for more ideas.

Hanalei Bread Company

A good place for breakfast and sandwiches. Simon enjoyed a coffee and cinnamon roll here while I ran on the beach.

Bar Acuda

Cucumber, avocado and chickpea salad at Bar Acuda in Hanalei

Our one splurge meal in Kauai was at this tapas bar in Hanalei that uses fresh, seasonal ingredients. We loved sharing lots of small plates and there are plenty of vegetarian options. Everything was delicious but we especially liked the cucumber and avocado salad, honeycomb with goat cheese, and the white chocolate cheesecake.

You do pay for a quality meal like this in Hawaii though—we spent $150 (including tip) for six tapas and two cocktails.

How to Get Around Kauai

Public transport is very limited on Kauai so you’ll need a rental car to visit all the spots on this list. You could get by booking a few day tours but your experience will be more limited.

As usual, we used Rental Cars to find the best deal and ended up booking with Thrifty. All the rental companies are a short bus trip from the airport, but we didn’t have to wait long for the bus or in the Thrifty queue. We booked the cheapest compact car but were upgraded to a small Nissan SUV which was perfect.

You can manage with any type of car on Kauai, but when we got to Maui we did miss the higher clearance of the SUV on some of the rougher roads and beach parking areas and bumped the bottom a few times.

Getting around is easy—there’s one major road around the island, although there is no road in the northwest so you can’t drive all the way around. We used Google Maps for directions. See the map at the top of this post for all our favourite spots.

Recommended Guidebooks

I read two guidebooks before our trip—Lonely Planet Kauai and The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed by Andrew Doughty. They were both useful but the latter is better for finding hidden spots as it’s written by a local.

I hope you found these tips useful and enjoy exploring the beautiful island of Kauai!

Don’t miss our posts on the best places to stay in Kauai and our amazing doors off helicopter Kauai experience.

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duncanbarker-blog · 5 years

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We loved our stay on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Kauai, but it did take some planning. It was confusing trying to decide which side of the island we should stay on, whether or not to divide our time between two areas, and which accommodation was worth the high price tag.

Hawaii was a dream trip for us, as it is for many people, and we wanted it to be perfect.

Happily, my research paid off and our plan for the island was ideal. In this post I share what I learned about where to stay in Kauai including a comparison of the different areas, reviews of the accommodation we stayed in, and suggestions for alternative places to stay in Kauai.

Choosing The Best Area to Stay in Kauai

The first decision to make when planning your trip is deciding what side of Kauai is the best to stay on. Here’s a comparison of each area from (roughly) the most to least popular:

South Shore (Poipu)

Sunnier and drier most of the year

Calmer, swimmable ocean in winter

Easily accessible beaches

Wide range of accommodation including resorts and condos

Convenient for helicopter tours from Lihue, boat trips from Port Allen, and Waimea Canyon

Expensive

As we were visiting in winter (January), the South Shore was the area that was most recommended as it receives less rain than the North Shore. In practice, we didn’t find a difference in the weather between the two coasts and had little rain throughout our stay (just some cloudy days on both sides), but perhaps we were lucky.

The ocean was better for swimming on the South Shore, though, (some days were calmer than others and we still had waves), and we loved staying right on the beach (which wouldn’t have been affordable for us in the north).

Sunset from Kiahuna Plantation Resort in Poipu

North Shore (Hanalei, Princeville)

Green and mountainous

Beaches have stunning mountain backdrops

Rainier in winter

Big waves in winter so most beaches aren’t safe for swimming

Convenient for Napali Coast hiking (when open: the Kalalau Trail is currently closed)

Boat trips do not run from the north in winter

Many beautiful beaches to explore

Hanalei is the best town on the island

Expensive (especially Hanalei)

The North Shore is the most beautiful part of the island and one of the best places to stay in Kauai. We loved the mountain scenery, string of beautiful beaches, and cool town of Hanalei. Even though the road past Hanalei was closed in early 2019 so we couldn’t visit many of the popular beaches or Napali Coast, we still had plenty to explore.

Accommodation choices are more limited and expensive in the north, though, and it was further from many of our favourite activities (helicopter tour, boat trip, Waimea Canyon).

See our post on the best things to do in Kauai for all our favourite activities and restaurants.

The stunning Napali Coast on the North Shore from our helicopter trip

East Side (Kapaa, Wailua, Lihue)

Most populated area

Budget accommodation available

Convenient for North and South Shores

Wide range of restaurants and shopping

Close to historic sites, hikes, river kayaking, and waterfalls

Beaches not as attractive as in the north and south (but still nice!)

Traffic can be bad

We didn’t spend much time in the east as it didn’t feel as appealing to us as the north or south coasts. But many people love to stay here as it’s more affordable and convenient, especially if you can only choose one area as a base.

Wailua Falls on the East Side

West Side (Waimea Canyon)

Remote and less developed

Quiet

Drier and more barren than the rest of the island

Beautiful canyon scenery

Limited accommodation

Convenient access to hiking

Most people visit the west on a day trip rather than staying here, but if you are a keen hiker you might enjoy camping or staying in a rustic cabin in Kokee State Park (just beyond Waimea Canyon). Advance reservations are necessary.

Waimea Canyon

Should You Split Your Time Between Two Locations?

Kauai isn’t a huge island and you can drive from one side to another in about two hours, so you could choose to stay in one place and visit all the main attractions on day trips.

We wanted to avoid long drives, though, so we chose to divide our 11 days on Kauai between Poipu on the south shore (6 nights) and Princeville on the north shore (5 nights).

This plan worked out really well for us. We got to experience the best of both worlds and all our day trips were a manageable distance (the longest was an hour from Poipu to Waimea Canyon).

It is a bit inconvenient changing hotels, especially when there can be a six-hour gap between check out and check in times. I recommend requesting late check out and early check in times when possible, buying a cheap cool bag from Longs to store any food, and exploring the east coast on the way. You might also be able to use the hotel pool and facilities before or after checking in/out.

Despite the inconvenience, we felt we made the right decision and it would be hard to choose which coast we preferred. If we’d stayed on the South Shore, we’d probably only have made one day trip to the North Shore, and it was worth having much longer to explore. If the North Shore had been our one base, we’d have had to make multiple long day trips to some of our favourite activities.

If you have a week or more on Kauai, I recommend splitting your time between two locations, unless you are planning to spend most of your time relaxing at your resort rather than exploring the island.

Types and Prices of Kauai Hotels and Rentals

The most common types of Kauai accommodation are resorts (large hotels with pools, restaurants, and other facilities) and condo complexes (self-catering apartments, often with pools but fewer facilities). You can also find budget hotels, B&Bs, and house rentals, but these are less common.

If you want the full luxury Hawaii experience, perhaps for a honeymoon or anniversary, you’ll probably want to stay in a Kauai beach resort where everything is provided onsite and service is excellent.

The best resorts on Kauai are Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort in Poipu in the south and Princeville Resort (previously called St Regis) in Princeville in the north, but you can expect to pay over $500 a night (and possibly over $800 in high season).

View from the Seaview Terrace cafe in the Grand Hyatt

If you are on more of a budget (Kauai is not cheap!), condos are usually more affordable than resorts, and you’ll be able to save money on eating out, even if you only cook some of your own meals. We also liked having more space with a separate bedroom and living room.

We stayed in two great condos, Kiahuna Plantation in the south and Hanalei Bay Resort in the north, and have written detailed reviews of them below. For a beachfront condo expect to pay $300–400 a night including extra fees in high season, but in low season you can find better deals.

Kiahuna Plantation condos have a great beachfront location in Poipu

The cheapest accommodation is on the East Coast where you can find budget hotels such as Kauai Palms Hotel near the airport for around $100 a night. A budget beachfront option with pool is Kauai Shores in Kapaa with rooms for under $150. Airbnbs in Kapaa are also great value.

Note that you’ll pay higher rates for beachfront properties and even more for ocean views. It was important to us to be in short walking distance of a beach, so we paid the premium for this, but chose units further back from the ocean.

How to find accommodation on Kauai

You can search Booking.com for resorts, budget hotels, and condos on Kauai. For condos and house rentals look on Airbnb, VRBO, or contact a local agent. If you haven’t tried Airbnb before you can get $38 off your first stay here.

Make sure to check the final price when comparing accommodation. Tax and sometimes resort fees, cleaning fees, and car parking may be added as extra charges to the quoted rates.

Prices vary widely depending on the time of year and how far in advance you book. The cheapest months to travel are mid-April to early June and September to mid-December. Make sure you book as far in advance as possible in the high season.

Where to Stay on the South Shore of Kauai

Poipu is the most popular area in south Kauai. There’s a lovely beach, wide range of accommodation (although limited budget options), and plenty of restaurants and shops.

Kiahuna Plantation Resort, Poipu Review

We stayed in a condo at Kiahuna Plantation which is right on beautiful Kiahuna Beach (a quieter extension of Poipu Beach).

Of everywhere we stayed in Hawaii, Kiahuna Plantation is the place we most want to return to for an extended stay. We loved the location, beautiful grounds, and our comfortable condo with ocean view.

Sunbeds overlooking the beach at Kiahuna Plantation

Condos

Kiahuna Plantation is a large complex of one and two bedroom condos in cottage-style buildings spread over 35 acres of lush lawns that reach to the beach.

Condos have different owners and agents, so they are all decorated differently, and it’s a bit of a lottery which unit you’ll get. To avoid this we booked a specific unit (106) with the agent Great Vacation Retreats.

You pay more to be closer to the beach, but we were in the last row (on the 2nd floor of building 17) and still had an ocean view. We did have some traffic noise as we were closer to the road, but mostly we found it a very peaceful place. It took a couple of minutes to walk to the beach, but we could go barefoot over the lovely lawns.

Living area of our condo at Kiahuna Plantation

Our one bedroom condo was comfortable and well-equipped with good WiFi, a dishwasher, blender, rice cooker, beach chairs, and boogie board. There’s no A/C (which is common in Hawaii) but we didn’t miss it as the condo stayed cool and there are fans and screened doors to the lanai (balcony) that let in the breeze.

The bedroom is at the back and doesn’t have much natural light or view, but the bed was comfy and there was plenty of storage. The bathroom was simple but fine. The kitchen overlooks the living room which has a couch, dining table and chairs, and simple but homely tropical decor.

Sliding doors lead onto the lanai where there are another table and chairs and a couple of loungers for enjoying the ocean view. While you can’t see the sun sink below the horizon, the sky is beautiful when it lights up in shades of orange at sunset (see top photo). We often saw birds and even a few whales jumping out of the ocean.

Our lanai

Facilities

Kiahuna Plantation grounds

There’s no swimming pool on site, but guests can use the resort style pool, gym and tennis courts at the Athletic Club across the road for free. We never ended up using it as it was so convenient to head to the beach.

There was no washing machine in our unit, but the Kiahuna laundry room has plenty of machines and they take credit cards ($3 per wash or dry).

You can borrow beach towels and chairs from the hut by the beach.

There are a number of BBQs on the grounds. The beachfront ones are popular at sunset when everyone gathers at the loungers on the lawn overlooking the ocean.

Sunset at Kiahuna

The Plantations Garden restaurant is on site, but the menu didn’t look very exciting for vegetarians and we mostly self-catered.

Location

We loved the location right on Kiahuna (aka Sheraton) Beach. The beach is fairly narrow but has golden sand and is quieter than Poipu Beach around the corner. We always found a quiet spot just outside our resort. Sunrises and sunsets are beautiful.

Kiahuna Beach

On some days the ocean was calm and on others, the waves were up and beginner surfers were out, but we still managed to swim.

There are some lovely coastal walks from here. Head left to Poipu Beach where you’ll see monk seals and turtles and you can continue all the way to Shipwreck Beach and the beautiful Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail. To the right I loved to run on the sea path in front of the Sheraton resort and on to the Spouting Horn Blowhole about 3 miles away.

Poipu Shopping Village is across the road, so there are plenty of shops and restaurants in walking distance. For a bigger grocery shop we went to Big Save in Koloa, less than 10 minutes drive away.

The location was convenient for many of our favourite Kauai activities.

Details

We highly recommend Kiahuna if you are looking for a beachfront condo in a convenient location.

Confusingly, the resort is run by two different management companies, but I don’t think it matters which one you stay with. Check the latest prices of Kiahuna Plantation Castle and Kiahuna Plantation Outrigger here.

Other Poipu Hotels

If you’d prefer a classic resort experience, the Sheraton Resort is right next to Kiahuna on the same beautiful beach as our condo. Views are great (we had a cocktail at their beachfront bar), but the pool isn’t as impressive as the Grand Hyatt’s and gets crowded (but rates are more affordable). Check the prices here.

The Sheraton at sunset

The Grand Hyatt Resort is one of the best Kauai resorts. We had breakfast here after our coastal hike and it looked stunning, especially the extensive pools including a lazy river, saltwater lagoon, and waterslide. It wasn’t busy either.

The beach here isn’t swimmable, and it’s further from shops and restaurants, but you have seven onsite restaurants. There’s also a spa, golf course, tennis courts, and horse riding stables.

For a special occasion, the Grand Hyatt is a top pick. Check the prices here.

One of the pools at the Grand Hyatt Resort

Another stylish boutique resort with an oceanfront location between Kiahuna and Poipu beaches is Koa Kea Hotel & Resort. We often walked through here and it looked lovely.

If you are on a budget, options are limited but try searching for condos on Airbnb.

Where to Stay on the North Shore of Kauai

Hanalei Bay

Hanalei is the most desirable place to stay on the North Shore as the small surfer town has a relaxed vibe, beautiful beach, and some delicious food trucks and restaurants. Accommodation is limited, though, and there are no large hotels or resorts.

If you can afford and find availability for one of the vacation rentals there (especially right on the beach!), go for it, but most of us will end up in nearby Princeville (a 15-minute drive away).

Princeville is a planned community of upscale homes, a golf course, and a couple of resorts. It felt rather soulless and overly manicured to us, but there are beautiful views from the cliffside location, a few small but lovely beaches, and it’s convenient for exploring the North Shore.

Hanalei Bay Resort, Princeville Review

Accommodation at Hanalei Bay Resort is in studio, one or two bedroom self-catering condos, but it feels more like a typical resort with a large pool and many activities, and it was fun to have that experience for part of our stay. The mountain views are stunning and you pay much less than at the famous Princeville Resort next door.

Pool at Hanalei Bay Resort

Condos

Our biggest disappointment at Hanalei Bay Resort was on arrival. Despite requesting an early check-in twice in advance, our room not only wasn’t available before the 4 pm check-in time (which was fine), it was not fully ready until 5 pm.

We also found the decor of our one bedroom condo dated, and more like a hotel room than a home. This depends on which unit you get (we had no choice when we booked) as some have been updated.

Despite not getting off to the best start, we ended up really enjoying our stay.

While our condo was nothing fancy, it was spacious, comfortable enough, and fairly well equipped. It must have been a hotel previously as we had two connecting rooms—on one side was a large bedroom and bathroom and on the other was a living room, kitchen, and bathroom.

The living area of our condo at Hanalei Bay Resort

Unusually for Hawaii, we had air conditioning, although we never needed it and rarely used the ceiling fan either. The screened doors onto the lanai let in a breeze. There are a table and chairs outside both the bedroom and living room but no sun loungers.

The view from our balcony at Hanalei Bay Resort

Our ground floor room in Bougainvillea was just a few minutes from the main pool. We could see the mountains from our lanai, but the higher floor condos nearer the ocean would have much better views. We could also hear the live music from the pool every afternoon and in the evenings from the main bar (but it stopped at 9 pm).

Facilities

Hanalei Bay Resort pool

While our condo was nothing special, the grounds at Hanalei Bay Resort are gorgeous. Facilities include:

Beautiful large lagoon pool (chilly water in January but I still enjoyed swimming)

Ukulele swim-up bar where we enjoyed delicious cocktails every day! (Basic snacks are available)

Large hot tub under a waterfall

Live music every afternoon by the pool from 4–6 pm

Happy Talk Bar that serves food from 3 pm and has live music from 6–9 pm

Fire pit where you can watch the sunset

Small second pool

Gym

8 tennis courts

Beach gear rental

Daily activities including free Mai Tais on Mondays, free wine tasting, yoga, tennis clinics, hula lessons, and more.

Golf cart transport back from the beach if you don’t want to walk up the hill

Laundry room (coins needed)

Small shop selling toiletries, soft drinks, and souvenirs (no real food)

Some of the tennis courts at Hanalei Bay Resort

Location

The location of Hanalei Bay Resort is excellent, just a five-minute walk downhill to lovely Pua Poa Beach and a short drive to Hanalei.

Pua Poa Beach

The walk down to the beach is steep, but you can call for a golf cart back if necessary (we didn’t need it). It’s the same beach that the Princeville Resort is on and we headed up to their bar for a sunset cocktail one night.

The main bay is quite small and can be a little busy, but if you continue around you can find quiet but shadier spots. You can almost walk to Hanalei, but you get stuck by a river. There’s a reef here so the water is calm (experienced surfers head further out) and there’s a sandy channel where you can swim.

It’s also walking distance to the beautiful Hideaways Beach which has calm turquoise water and snorkelling. To get here, we walked down to Pua Poa Beach, up two elevators to the Princeville Resort reception, and out to the narrow path by their tennis courts. It’s a short but very steep muddy trail down to the beach, but it’s worth it.

There’s a Foodland supermarket a short drive away in Princeville, but for restaurants you are better off heading to Hanalei. There are no restaurants or shops in easy walking distance except for the onsite bar/restaurant and the pricey Princeville Resort next door.

Sunset at Hanalei Bay Resort

Details

Hanalei Bay Resort is ideal if you want a resort experience with the convenience of self-catering accommodation. Try to get an ocean view and updated unit if you can!

Check the latest prices of Hanalei Bay Resort here.

Other Hanalei and Princeville Hotels

The Princeville Resort is one of the best resorts on Kauai for a luxury experience. It cascades down the side of a cliff and the views of Hanalei Bay are unbeatable. There’s a nice pool down by the beach, but it’s not as impressive as the Grand Hyatt’s extensive pools.

We enjoyed a sunset cocktail at the Princeville Bar high up in the resort and it is beautiful. There are a number of other restaurants and bars onsite.

Check the latest prices at Princeville Resort here.

Sunset drink at the Princeville Resort bar

View from the upper levels of the Princeville Resort

For more condos in Princeville, check out Makai Club Resort or search on Airbnb where you can find a few budget options.

Accommodation in Hanalei Bay is very limited and pricey, but you can find a few vacation rentals on Airbnb such as this Hanalei Waterfalls apartment or beautiful three-bedroom cottage close to the beach.

See all the Airbnb options on this map:

Map of Where to Stay in Kauai

Here’s a map of the Kauai accommodation mentioned in this post. The green pins are for the places we stayed (detailed reviews above) and the blue pins are for others that look like great options.

For a more detailed map of recommended activities and restaurants, see our guide to the top things to do in Kauai.

Summary

When you are planning where to stay on Kauai the important thing is to decide what’s important to you. Hawaii is not cheap so unless money is no object, you’ll have to decide what to prioritise: ocean views, beach access, fantastic pool, kitchen, onsite restaurants, access to sights or whatever you decide.

On the East Side, you’ll get the best value for money, but you won’t have the views of the North Shore or as easy access to sights as in the South. You might also consider splitting your time between two areas to avoid long day trips as we did.

Wherever you stay in Kauai, you will have a wonderful time—it’s a beautiful island and stunning beaches and scenic attractions are always only a short drive away.

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