Weekends arrive, vacations come — what will you do? Go traveling or stay home to rest? How do Americans, known for their closeness to nature, spend their holidays?
Vacations Embracing Nature
In California during the summer, the most common sights on interstates every weekend or long holiday are trucks towing small boats or travel trailers. Some vehicles carry entire families, with toddlers sucking on pacifiers, dads at the wheel, and moms navigating with maps. There are also bearded uncles rolling down the windows, wearing sunglasses, and occasionally chatting with passersby. If the vehicle is packed with young people, it’s accompanied by music all the way — marking the start of a joyful trip.
Beaches are Americans’ top vacation choice. Along California’s coastal highways, you’ll often see rows of neatly parked travel trailers. Next to them are colorful umbrellas under which elderly folks quietly watch the sea. On the sand, besides playing children, there are also occasional shrieks — usually from someone buried in the sand who’s been accidentally stepped on.
Besides beach activities, Americans are also passionate about diving. Southern California offers many great diving spots. Diving enthusiasts gather in small groups, load up tens of pounds of gear early in the morning, drive for two hours to their desired dive site, and enjoy the underwater scenery. Those who love diving also often enjoy water skiing. In Southern California, water skiing equipment is very simple: just a board, a wetsuit, swimming skills, and the mindset of “getting back up after a fall.”
Beyond water sports, Americans’ love for outdoor activities also shows in mountain climbing. Most hiking enthusiasts own professional gear, and even in the hot summer, their enthusiasm doesn’t wane. The number of cars parked at Malibu Park (a famous state park) on weekends is the best proof.
Besides hikers, there are also off-road biking enthusiasts. Unlike hikers, off-road bikers choose more challenging routes. These paths are often uneven and rarely traveled, but the scenery is surprisingly beautiful.
National Parks Offer Vacation Havens
The reason Americans can get so close to nature during their holidays isn’t just due to preference — it’s also because the U.S. has nearly 400 national parks. These parks of varying sizes offer comprehensive services for outdoor enthusiasts, such as categorized maps that differ based on various trails. At coastal national parks, there are also basic public shower facilities where you can simply rinse off sand and seawater by stepping on a pedal.
During the prime camping seasons of spring and autumn, Americans can buy a tent, bring cooking gear and insect repellent, read up on wilderness basics — especially how to deal with large wild animals — then hop in their car and set off on an unknown journey. These national parks attract different types of campers due to their varied landscapes, with some being particularly popular among photography enthusiasts. Each campsite-designated national park designates specific areas for campers. These areas often come equipped with benches, pre-dug stone fire pits, and other simple amenities.
In winter, Americans’ enthusiasm for vacations doesn’t wane due to the weather. Especially during Thanksgiving, the most popular ski resorts are often fully booked months in advance. Those who decide to ski at the last minute either face the dilemma of no available slots or have to endure sky-high prices. This season also commonly sees entire families traveling together. Toddlers just learning to walk, parents checking in at hotels while dragging luggage, and grandparents waiting nearby — these scenes reflect another core value of American vacations: family.
Americans raised in such traditions grow up immersed in close contact with nature, passing down this lifestyle and set of values through generations. In 2010, due to an economic downturn, the government planned to cut funding for national parks. Civic groups across the U.S. rallied to prevent the approval of related fiscal regulations, advocating to protect basic funding for the parks so that Americans could still have a place to feel freedom and relaxation, away from the rigid seriousness of the concrete jungle.