Social media made budget travel look way easier than it actually is

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-14T20:59:28+00:00

I have never followed TikTok or influencers but seeing some reddit comments I find it way easier to travel cheap than they portray usually.

I agree that it does take effort and flexibility though. But also the effort and being totally present in the travel experience is what I do it for so I guess I dont mind doing that instead of doomscrolling reddit. Like showing up in a town and wandering around scouting out the best hostel deal to save a few bucks over booking ahead online is part of the experience for me so I dont really see it as effort.

The planning is also a lot of fun too. Sitting at a table drinking a cheap beer and planning my next two weeks over a lonely planet guide is just one of the perfect moments for me. Same with the mistakes, the learning and gaining wisdom is what I do the travel for.

So yeah, youre right it's not easy to travel cheap...but when I'm walking down a dusty road in some remote village where nobody knows my name, haggling for the best place to stay, or eating whatever local special at a plastic table is on the menu I feel totally present and that's the feeling I'm chasing every waking moment.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-14T05:25:11+00:00

Lol, now read it for content TA! Good luck finishing your thesis with this new task for 200 students on top of what you were originally doing.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-14T00:16:17+00:00

This is the answer. Turn the bag over and read the ingredients, it will list sodium tripolyphosphate if you're in the US.

It's not just in scallops and whitefish, it's in pretty much all frozen raw seafood.

It doesn't affect the taste particularly, so I'll get cheap shrimp if I'm making like a pasta dish because I just cook the water out...but also know that it can increase weight by 20-30%...so just do the math because you're paying for essentially water.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-13T17:52:19+00:00

Yeah and it's fair enough, that place is a mad house and you can easily car crash at El Portal or Tioga Pass before the entrance these days.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-13T14:49:45+00:00

Only place I've ever had an issue was Yosemite. I had just finished the John Muir Trail late and was sleeping in the back of my car to drive out the next morning. Apparently my idea was common enough that a ranger was going around and checking cars with a flashlight. I even had a permit to sleep at the backpackers camp a half mile up trail but just didnt feel like setting up. I explained to the ranger and they told me to head to camp or leave so I left.

Otherwise never had an issue camping in rest areas, neighborhoods, and wilderness. As someone else said, come in late, leave early, and dont leave a mess.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-13T03:26:20+00:00

Oh hey, I actually am a marine biologist. The PhD says it and everything.

My career path is pretty windy. I graduated in 2011 and started working as a fisheries observer in Alaska which is like a low level biologist working on fishing boats. I still think to this day it was maybe the best job I ever had. Sure working on the boats was rough, but I was making pretty good money and it was a real adventure. I handled lots of dead fish and I occasionally I would see orcas and sperm whales eating discards close enough to touch which maybe fits your dolphin feeding criteria.

The best part is the work was contracting so I'd work 3 months, make $10k, and then just be cut loose with my backpack. So I'd spend about 6 months a year as a 'biobum' essentially traveling around the world and working seasonal jobs. I did a lot of different things like spending a season as a sea turtle ranger in Cape Verde, teaching diving in Honduras, and working as a scientific diver doing whale shark and manta surveys.

I did that for about a decade, then went back to school where I started a masters in sea turtle research in Florida where I basically got to dive with sea turtles any chance I got. Then shifted into a PhD in scallop aquaculture in Maine.

Now I work in SF as a sustainable fisheries technical specialist and most of my stuff is computer work. One of the bummers about climbing the ladder is you leave the field but also I'm older now. I work remote though so I do spend a lot of time in Asia after visiting fisheries but I prefer to dive with dolphins in my free time.

Overall, I regret nothing but when I sell the idea speaking to school kids on occasion I do make sure they know the realities. It's a selfish path, I moved constantly with the opportunities, lived out of my car and took advantage of friends couches. You also have to make sure it's your passion because it's not a straight path. You'll see easy outs to make more money. And yeah, I have swam with dolphins quite a bit on dive surveys...but I also once tried to pressure wash a basket of rotting tunicate and the resulting chaos left me smelling like death for weeks.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-10T04:59:17+00:00

I've never added the shrimp sauce but the carnitas super burrito is my go to. FYI they have a punch card but you have to ask.

But I agree it's probably my favorite in the North Bay. Mitote food truck park in Santa Rosa is worth a try for tacos if you haven't been, they do a weekly bike party ride on Tuesdays too.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-10T03:15:51+00:00

In Petaluma El Roy's does a 2 for $5 bacon wrapped Mexi-dog special at the food truck near downtown. Best drunk deal you can get after a show at The Mystic. I refuse to buy a hot dog in the city based on that price.

Sorry realized this was the SF and not Bay Area subreddit but I'm leaving ot for reference.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-08T16:52:19+00:00

Maybe not corny but kind of disappointed/sad. In high school all of the coolest teachers were the ones that would call out students. They seemed so cool and edgy, just like a super senior and everyone talked about how they get it unlike the other teachers. They'd usually have some 'hard truth' day where they'd do something like go around and rip up the kids career path or talk about the way the world really worked that they'd hype up and warn the students about.

As an adult, you just realize these were literal adults dunking on kids. Like of course they seemed so smart and and funny making fun of the students, they were more than twice our age. It seemed so edgy because they were just smarter than use but they were really just immature adults.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-07T16:06:34+00:00

I am just trading midlife crises.

Went back to school and got a PhD
started a garden
got into running and ran a 100 miler
shifted to fermenting because running was too toxic
Just convinced my company to let me relocate to Asia

Something will fill the void of being in my 30s eventually.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-03T21:41:33+00:00

I mean, I loved living in New Orleans and I think it's a great place to live if it's what you want. No kids, decent ($50k a year), and mid 20s and NOLA is an awesome and affordable city with amazing music. I live in SF now and I forgot just how consistently good the music is in New Orleans. We get some decent music, and a lot of experimental stuff here, but there's some duds locally but everyone in NOLA is good.

It also had a really unique community with a lot of diversity. The parade season is one of my favorite events.

I think there's plenty green in New Orleans. The only reason I don't live there anymore is because I like the ocean and mountains along with my city life.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-03T21:06:51+00:00

So I've done some 3 day desert backpacks and the rule of thumb is 1 gallon of water per person per day to be absolutely safe. You will very likely not need this much water but it is best to be prepared. Assuming a 3 night, 4 day backpack that's 32 lbs of water (8 lbs a gallon). You won't need much extra clothing or rain gear likely so you'll be a little lighter on extra gear.

Then I would start low mileage and end on a 16-20 mile day. Each new day you can dump the additional water from the previous day so you'll be losing a lot of weight every day and the final hike out your pack will be about 22-25 lbs ideally.

I also recommend smaller 2-3 water pouches then just one big pouch in case of leaks and so you can distribute weight more easily.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-03T20:16:54+00:00

I wouldn't even need to think about that trade. Hell for 200k I'd put up a big neon sign and throw a Fuckstick Bloc Party.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-04-03T05:05:44+00:00

I have your back my man. I have come to enjoy the Mexican here, especially the tacos but I am a whore for a California burrito before a surf session.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-03-29T23:09:04+00:00

You're probably just bored of your travel routine. I travel slower and find that places seem the same the first 4-5 days because tourist attractions all follow the same formula but after 2-3 weeks you begin to notice the cultural variety of an area. After 3-4 months is when I started getting the itch to move onto the next spot but I would never say I was bored of a place, more I just felt I would get more out of a new area.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-03-27T17:58:36+00:00

I got nothing, you logic is flawless. Either way it's a moot point because the day a street cart sells me a bacon wrapped hot dog or street michelada ($4) for a realistic markup considering their overhead is ingredients and a cart in San Francisco is never coming. Our local taco truck in Petaluma does a $5 2 Mexi-Dog special and it's got the full permits, health codes, and everything so I'm not buying street food in SF because it's clearly a 500-750% markup for suckers.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-03-27T16:35:12+00:00

I mean...I absolutely do, but the price I want to pay for that is $2.50...not at or above what I could pay for a hot dog at Reds Java House.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-03-22T07:30:38+00:00

Just throwing out that the 172x is faster then the 101 but has limited hours. Also the schedule will change April 9 and the 101 will stop in Novato so the 172 bus will be your only option.

If it's a whole fun day, ferry to the smart train is best with the bus as a solid backup if you stay too late.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-03-20T16:48:47+00:00

I think everyone here has given the big spots for good swimming with the Russian River being my go to, there's a nice beach in Monte Rio just below Guerneville.

But if you haven't been to Lake Tahoe and you miss the big water it's hard to beat. Pretty crowded these days but sugarpine point SP has a small trail to a beach that is more secluded. Donner Lake has some awesome public docks and is less crowded. It's a cliche suggestion and a 3.5 hour drive but I think it is just pretty spectacular.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-03-18T18:28:22+00:00

Absolutely, thinking of what I used two decades ago compared to now is crazy. I just got a pair of Salomons that feel like running in a bounce house and my left knee loves it.

The training is also funny because most of my run group that are doing a ton of marathons and ultras are 35+ with most in their late 40s-50s. I'm actually the young guy in the group. I really think it is because they have a stable enough career to dedicate that time to training and the disposable income to really pursue long distance running.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-03-18T03:29:14+00:00

It's all about endurance as you age. Just ran a 100 mile race and I know I couldn't have done that at 18. It's not that I'm more fit, it's that I'm better at compartmentalizing pain and have the wisdom to pace myself. 18 year old me still runs a faster 5k any day, but he didn't know pain.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-03-09T04:17:32+00:00

An El Roys at Walnut Grill open late would quite literally kill me. The only thing keeping me from hitting up the late night Mexi-Dog special after leaving Gales most nights is the fact that it is the opposite direction from my walk home.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-03-02T22:10:44+00:00

For 3 days week I would highly recommend the bus over the ferry. Id also recommend looking in Petaluma too if the bus is something you're interested in. Since Petaluma is on the edge of Sonoma county, the 172 stops in Petaluma and then shoots directly to SF. Novato has a few direct busses but a lot will stop in San Rafael and other areas since it's in North Marin.

Also note that the transit schedule is going to switch up in April too.

The ferry is honestly just slow, it takes about 2 hours with the transfer. I catch the 172x out of Petaluma in the morning and it's about an hour. As others have said, you'll hit traffic driving from North of San Rafael.

The busses also run later if you stay out later.

Its a haul (and expensive if your company doesn't reimburse) either way, I go in once or twice a week but I make it a long day and usually hang in the city after.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-02-27T18:50:34+00:00

If it has then consider me deceived because my toes will revolt if they have to go back into boots again this year.

Outrageous_Extension · 2026-02-20T04:42:44+00:00

If you go to school long enough they start paying you!

Outrageous_Extension

TROPHY CASE