Things to Do in Running Springs

Things to Do in Running Springs: Your Cozy, Relaxed Mountain Escape Guide

Beth Glosner  | 

Welcome, gentle adventurers! If you’re craving a peaceful mountain getaway, tucked between Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs might just be your secret happy place. This quiet, forested village has charm, small-town magic, and a pace that allows you to breathe. Whether you’re an introvert needing calm or a traveler looking for authentic mountain experiences, you’re in the right place. Let’s Dig In!

This guide gathers my Northern California stories in one place—your starting point for exploring a region best experienced slowly, with curiosity, intention, and plenty of pauses along the way.

Let’s Dig In!

Disclaimer

This post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means that I might receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below.See full disclosure here

Best Things to Do in Running Springs

If you want the condensed version, here’s what makes Running Springs special:

While these are the highlights, let’s explore each in more depth so you can truly savor the Running Springs experience—gentle, fun, and perfectly stress-free.

LuluBelle’s Coffee House & Bakery — Mountain Mornings Done Right

Ah, LuluBelle’s. cozy, locally loved, and the perfect start to a mountain morning.

  • Fluffy pastries and perfectly brewed coffee
  • Breakfast sandwiches that feel like a warm hug
  • Calm, welcoming interior for solo travelers or quiet catch-ups
LuluBelle’s: start your morning in Running Springs the right wa

Private Tour from LA — Stress-Free Mountain Exploration

If you’re traveling from Los Angeles and want to skip mountain traffic, a Private Tour to Big Bear Lake & Lake Arrowhead is a dream.

  • Full-day guided experience
  • Scenic stops along the San Bernardino Mountains
  • Ideal for introverts or travelers who want to relax
Skip the stress—let someone else drive while you soak in the views.

Snow Valley Mountain Resort — Winter & Summer Adventures

Snow Valley isn’t just for winter sports. It’s also a calm, scenic place to reconnect with nature.

  • Skiing and snowboarding (for winter visitors)
  • Snow tubing
  • Summer hiking trails
  • Beginner-friendly and family-friendly

Snow Valley Mountain Resort , adventure at your own pace.

Just in case you’re curious (or already mentally packing a bag), I’ve dropped this here for you

Keller Peak Fire Lookout — Quiet Views, Big Rewards

A short, easy hike leads to panoramic mountain views at the lookout. Bring binoculars, a camera, or just your thoughts.

  • Ideal for reflective, introverted travelers
  • Minimal crowds
  • Gorgeous sunrise or sunset opportunities
Keller Peak Fire Lookout , your quiet moment in the clouds.”

SkyPark at Santa’s Village — Whimsy & Fun

Perfect for families or anyone seeking a little nostalgia, Sky Park is the place.

  • Forest-themed rides and attractions
  • Seasonal events
  • Relaxed pace, kid-friendly, introvert-approved corners for quiet moments
SkyPark, a storybook escape in the mountains

Hiking & Nature Trails — Pine-Scented Therapy

Running Springs is full of trails that allow you to slow down.

  • Easy to moderate trails for all levels
  • Wildlife spotting opportunities
  • Forests that feel like your own private retreat
Forest trails — the perfect reset button.

Local Shops & Village Charm

Take a stroll through town. No schedule, no pressure—just cozy small-town energy. Running Springs has just the right mix of charm, creativity, and hidden gems for those who love unique finds.

Top Spots to Explore:

  • Artistry & Alchemy – Handmade, magical items that spark joy and curiosity
  • Shop Suey Running Springs – Eclectic finds, perfect for gifts or a little personal treasure
  • Hilltop Haus – Home décor, mountain-inspired pieces, and local charm
  • Golden Oaks Thrift Store – For the thrifters and treasure hunters looking for quirky finds
Running Springs, small-town treasures around every corner

Restaurants — Food That Feels Like a Hug

Restaurants — Food Near Running Springs

Running Springs is tiny—so “micro-town” barely scratches the surface. If you’re looking for vegetarian fare, your options are limited. But if you eat fish or just want cozy breakfast spots, there’s still some charm to enjoy.

Top Picks:

  • LuluBelle’s Coffee House & Bakery – The town’s main culinary hub. Vegan options are available, and the pastries and coffee are perfect for fueling a morning adventure.
  • Belgian Waffle Works (Lake Arrowhead) – A short drive from the center, great for fish and sweet breakfast treats.
  • Victoria’s Family Restaurant – Classic diner vibes, friendly service, and satisfying comfort food.

Pro Tip: For a wider variety, especially vegetarian or upscale options, head to Big Bear Lake (about 20–30 minutes away) where the culinary scene is bigger and more diverse.

Exploring Running Springs 

Running Springs is the kind of mountain town that lets you slow down, breathe, and feel understood. From gentle hikes to whimsical parks, small-town treats, and cozy cafés, it’s a place that honors your pace and curiosity.

Pro tip: Plan your activities with my travel partners so you can focus on enjoying the moment, not logistics. 💛

Stay curious, stay hungry, and keep exploring!


– Beth
Trinidad, California Travel Guide: Beaches, Lagoons, Art, and a Perfect Meal by the Sea

Trinidad, California Travel Guide: Beaches, Lagoons, Art, and a Perfect Meal by the Sea

Beth Glosner  | 

If you’ve been searching for a coastal California destination that delivers dramatic views without the crowds, welcome, you’ve officially landed in the right place. Trinidad, California, is one of those towns that doesn’t shout for attention. Instead, it quietly charms you with rugged beaches, calm lagoons, a working harbor, local art, and a restaurant view that might make you cancel your next plan. This guide answers the big question: What should you actually do in Trinidad, CA, to make the most of your visit without overpacking your schedule? Let’s Dig In.

Disclaimer

This post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means that I might receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below.See full disclosure here

Here’s the easiest way to experience this Northern California coastal town, and leave happy, well-fed, and already planning your return:

Simple. Balanced. And very on-brand for Trinidad.

Now, I could leave it there and send you happily on your way, but each of these stops shines brighter with a little context, a few pro tips, and some perfectly placed pauses. So let’s break them down and turn this list into a slow, coastal day you’ll want to recreate again and again.

Trinidad State Beach

If Trinidad had a signature move, it would be Trinidad State Beach. Wide, walkable, and wonderfully untamed, this is the kind of beach that invites wandering—not rushing.

You’ll find sea stacks rising dramatically from the sand, driftwood scattered like nature’s installation art, and just enough openness to feel like you’ve stepped away from everything else. This isn’t a “set up your umbrella and camp” beach—it’s a walk, a pause, a deep breath kind of place.

Pro Tip: Visit in the morning or late afternoon when the light hits the rocks just right. Golden hour here doesn’t need a filter.

Big skies, bold coastline, and no agenda, Trinidad State Beach sets the tone.

Humboldt Lagoons State Park

Before the drama of the open ocean, there’s calm, and that calm lives at Humboldt Lagoons State Park. The lagoons offer still water, birdlife, and reflections so clear they feel intentional.

This is where you start the day if you want to arrive in this Northern California coastal town already relaxed. Walk the trails, watch for herons, and enjoy the contrast between the quiet lagoons and the rugged coastline you’ll hit later.

Pro Tip: Bring coffee. This is a sipping spot, not a sprint. Just remember to clean up after yourself.

Proof that “doing nothing” can still feel productive.

Trinidad Harbor

Trinidad Harbor is small, working, and endlessly watchable. Fishing boats bob in the water while locals and visitors glide by on SUPA boards or kayaks, making it one of the most unexpectedly peaceful spots in town.

Grab your camera, watch the rhythm. This is Trinidad, showing you who it is, unpretentious, connected to the water, and quietly confident.

Low tide or high tide; Trinidad Harbor always delivers a show.

Trinidad Museum

You don’t need a massive museum to understand a place, and the Trinidad Museum proves it. Compact and approachable, it offers just enough history to ground your visit without overwhelming your afternoon.

It’s the perfect “learn a little, then keep wandering” stop.

Pro Tip: Pair this with the harbor for an easy, walkable cultural break.

A small stop that adds meaningful context to your visit.

Trinidad Art Gallery

Local art has a way of reflecting its surroundings, and the Trinidad Art Gallery is no exception. Expect coastal inspiration, thoughtful pieces, and the kind of gallery where browsing feels personal—not performative.

It’s an easy stop, but one that adds texture to your day and supports local creatives.

When the landscape inspires the art and it shows.

Seascape Restaurant: Come for the View, Stay for the “Let’s Order One More Thing”

Seascape Restaurant has impeccable timing. Perched above the ocean, it’s made for lingering—whether that’s a slow, sunlit breakfast or a relaxed lunch as the light softens and the horizon quietly steals the show.

The menu keeps things classic and comforting: seafood-forward, unfussy, and deeply satisfying. But let’s be real—the view is doing a lot of the work here, and it earns every bit of praise. That said, don’t skip the apple hotcakes if you lean sweet in the morning: warm, cozy, and finished with a generous dusting of sugar and cinnamon.

Pro Tip: Time your reservation for late afternoon and let the meal stretch. No one’s rushing you, and you shouldn’t rush yourself.

Early morning plans canceled. Horizon watching in progress.

Relax in Trinidad

Trinidad, California, isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about letting the day unfold. From quiet lagoons and dramatic beaches to harbor watching, local art, and a meal that begs you to linger, this small coastal town delivers in all the ways that matter.

If you’re planning a Northern California coastal trip, save this guide, slow your pace, and give Trinidad the time it deserves. Your reward? A day that feels full without ever feeling rushed.

Stay curious, stay hungry, and keep exploring!

– Beth
Humboldt County’s Cannabis Culture: An Insider’s Look at a Legendary Industry

Humboldt County’s Cannabis Culture: An Insider’s Look at a Legendary Industry

Beth Glosner  | 

Emerald Triangle: where redwoods, backroads, and big stories grow side by side.

Emerald Triangle and cannabis share a long, layered, and often misunderstood history. This isn’t just about a plant; it’s about people, land, resilience, and a region that quietly shaped a global industry long before most of the world was paying attention.

If you’re curious—whether from a cultural, agricultural, or experiential angle—the Humboldt Cannabis Tours offer several guided options that peel back the curtain on one of the county’s most influential industries.

 Let’s Dig In!

Disclaimer

This post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means that I might receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. See full disclosure here

More Than One Way to Experience Cannabis Culture

Not one-size-fits-all—Humboldt Cannabis Tours offers experiences for different comfort levels.

One thing I appreciated right away: there isn’t a one-size-fits-all tour. Humboldt Cannabis Tours offers multiple experiences, ranging from education-focused to consumption-friendly, depending on your comfort level and curiosity.

Across the different tours, you’ll learn:

  • How Humboldt became synonymous with the green wellness culture
  • What life looked like during the underground years
  • How the industry transitioned into a regulated market
  • What makes the Emerald Triangle-grown cannabis unique

Most tours include some form of consumption, sometimes alongside education, while often are designed purely for consumption. No matter which experience you choose, the focus is always on choice, transparency, and respect—for the plant, the land, and the people behind it.

My Experience: A Half-Day Green Wellness Farm Tour

I chose the half-day farm tour, a four-hour experience that blends education, landscape, and real conversations with people working in the industry today.

The day started with a quick coffee stop, fuel first, green wellness culture second. A small detail, but an appreciated one.

Talking With Farmers (My Favorite Part)

Straight from the source—real conversations with the people growing the plants.

At the farm, I got to:

  • Talk directly with green wellness farmers
  • Touch the plants
  • Take photos
  • Ask production-focused questions (yes, I’m a nerd and proud of it)

I was especially interested in the cultivation and production side; how growing works, how sustainability factors in, and how regulations shape daily operations. Hearing it directly from the farmers added depth you simply can’t get from reading about it later.

Lunch in the Redwoods (Because This Is Humboldt)

Lunch beneath towering trees—pure Humboldt energy. Nature is wild here… literally.

Midway through the tour, lunch is provided, and it happens in the redwood forest. And no matter the season, it’s beautiful.

There are vegetarian and vegan options (a win for those of us who don’t eat meat), and the setting alone makes the pause worthwhile. Towering trees, filtered light, and that distinctly Humboldt quiet that makes you slow down without trying.

The Dispensary Stop

A behind-the-scenes look at how dispensaries operate today.

The tour includes a stop at a local dispensary, where guests have the option to purchase products. This is where the experience shifts on the tour.

For some tours, the dispensary visit is educational; focused on testing standards, labeling, and how products are sold legally today. For others, consumption is part of the experience, always within legal and guided parameters.

What stood out most? The low-pressure, informative approach. You’re free to engage at your own pace, no assumptions, no expectations.

Why This Tour Matters (Even If Cannabis Isn’t Your Thing)

This land tells stories—cannabis is just one chapter.

Even if green wellness culture has never been part of your life, its story is deeply woven into the Emerald Triangle’s identity. The industry shaped livelihoods, land use, politics, and entire communities.

Seeing it through an insider lens adds a meaningful layer to your time in the region, especially when paired with nearby nature and small-town culture.

If you’re spending time nearby, this experience pairs beautifully with A Perfect Few Days in Arcata, CA: From Forest Walks to Farmers’ Markets, where forest trails, coastal air, and local markets round out the Humboldt story.
👉 https://bitesizedadventures.com/few-days-in-arcata-ca

Final Takeaway

Curiosity encouraged. Judgment left behind.

Humboldt Cannabis Tours go beyond stereotypes. Whether you choose an educational tour, a consumption-friendly experience, or something in between, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how this legendary industry grew out of a very specific place.

Curiosity is welcome here, and so is choice.

Stay curious, stay hungry, and keep exploring!


-Beth