The Rocket Scientist and I are taking a trip to San Francisco (cue Katie’s version of Millie’s happy butt dance)! Even though the trip is still some time in the distance, and the busyness of work makes me feel like it’s months away, I’ve already started planning.*
I’m both decidedly a homebody and a cheapskate, so I haven’t traveled much. And when I have traveled, it’s often been to a grandma’s/fellow Interrobang’s house, where there were washing machines galore (or at least one) and I didn’t have to be that concerned about the clothing I packed. This trip, however, is different. I have to pack for:
- A wedding with “cocktail/semi-formal attire, but bring a sweater/jacket because it gets cold”
- Hiking in a couple National Parks/Forests
- Being dragged to every seafood restaurant along the California coast (ewwwwww)
- Dragging The Rocket Scientist to the flagship Goodwill store
- General all day walking/exploring
And all with no guarantee of being able to clean clothing past washing it in the sink.
As an a fore mentioned cheapskate, it’s my goal to try and pack everything in my carry on. The Rocket Scientist is skeptical about my packing abilities, probably because he’s seen the horror that is the organization of my Tupperware drawer, but I think I can do it. I plan on only taking items that can be layered like crazy as both Audi and Chelsea are always talking about the stochasticity of San Francisco weather. Other than that, I’ve got a lot of experimenting to figure out what to take and how best to pack it all.
As with everything else, the ladies over at Academichic have some excellent travel packing posts
- Weekend wedding travel
- Academic conference travel
- Big-time bundling
- Packing cubes (I’m seriously considering this…)
- 14 days, one bag
- Packing for a research year abroad
So I have two questions for you, duckies:
- What genius travel tips do you swear by? Rolling vs bundling? Capsule wardrobe vs whatever? Slipping the flight attendant an extra $20 so she doesn’t notice you have three carry ons?
- Any recommendations of things to do in the San Francisco area? We’ll have about a week to have fun, and it’s really best that I not be left to my own devices, or else I just end up painting both myself and Civil War cannons…
*Planning = making a list of all the museums I want to visit. Is 32 too many? Really? Why does everyone keep saying that?
P.S. An entomologist friend of mine used to tell me how he’d (illegally) sneak insects back into Canada from other countries. As he was packing his suitcase, he’d just throw in (live) any insects he wanted to take back with him. If he got caught, he could just claim that the insects had gotten into his gear without his knowledge, and if he didn’t get caught chances were good that the insects would still be alive when he arrived home. Not that I in any way advocate doing this, and not that I have any plans to fit a sea lion from the pier into my suitcase. I already checked; they won’t fit in a carry on.
I have to travel for work a bunch plus whatever long/short vaca trips.
I live by:
- rolling clothes – lay them out in batches (shirts, then skirts, etc.) THEN roll
- packing travel steamer
- relying heavily on neutrals
- extra unders
- rewearing layering items
- pair of ballet flats and canvas oxfords, plus 1 set glorified flip flops thrown in (they’re flat and useful)
You didn’t mention how long the trip was (I think), but I usually pack 2 skirts, jeans, 3 shirts, 2 dresses for a week-long trip, along with some leggings (layering for the plane).
Remember PJs! This is the #1 thing I forget.
Oh, for security, make sure your liquid toiletries are near the top of your bag (easy access) in case they’re sticklers about making you pull them out (most of the times the smaller the airport, the more strict!). Wear slip on shoes.
And I usually take 1 carry-on, then a HUGE tote as my “personal item” so I can fill that half-way and then throw my purse in it so it counts as 1 item. As long as it fits under the seat, they don’t care.
I forgot to add in a cardigan and a long sleeve shirt if it’s going to be chilly.
And a neutral scarf.
I’m a roller, and I often wear both a cardigan and a jacket on the plane which are useful for layering later.
I’ve done packing posts for the archives and for a conference/job interview in the past, too.
Fabulous! I’ll find and read them this evening.
I also advocate the giant purse!
I second this! Very useful for smuggling snacks. Relatedly: take a container of ramen, and try and mooch a cup of hot water for free (this takes a surprising amount of effort on Via Rail, for some reason, so be prepared to wheedle.) When my train was stuck for 2 hours (on an already 5 hour trip) this was immensely helpful. It wasn’t much for dinner, but it sure helped.
Roll ‘em! I packed for three weeks in Europe in a single carry-on, and this was back when they would still let you bring all your shampoo. It included packing for London (expected cold rain, got crazy heat), a nice dress for going to the theater, as well as a three-day church event where we were expected to dress up (expected crazy heat and got cold rain…oh well.) The secret is to have a carry on at the upper size limit. Roll everything super tight, bring neutral clothes that coordinate, plan to layer. Introduce color and variety via your accessories! Also consider packing sleep apparel which could double as street apparel (or at least cold-weather layering) in a pinch. (Tees, yoga pants, leggings, etc.) Don’t pack your outerwear, “wear” it, even if that means carrying it separately from your bag and stuffing it in the overhead bin when you get on the plane. I’ve done this several times and not had anyone say anything to me.
I find a nice blazer works as a fashion layer and a jacket, and goes with all kinds of things.
And for things to do in SF, have you heard of the Musée Mécanique at Pier 45? Very quirky, but a fun few hours.
I hadn’t heard of it, but I’ll be sure to look it up. Thanks for the suggestion!