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    I Spent A Week Solo Van Camping in the Sierra Nevada, California



    I Spent A Week Solo Van Camping in the Sierra Nevada, California

    After seven months living in Bali, I returned to California craving time and space in nature. I rented a campervan and set out for a solo road trip through the Sierra Nevada – chasing the fall colors, waking up at first light, and embracing a quieter pace.

    Although I set out on a photography adventure, this week became less about capturing every scenic moment and more about allowing myself to be present.

    🎥 Filmed: October 2025
    🏔️ Places visited: Yosemite National Park, June Lake, Silver Lake, Mammoth Lakes, Convict Lake, Tioga Pass
    🚐 Campervan Rental: FOG Campers (based in Fairfax, CA)

    #easternsierra #YosemiteNationalPark #SoloVanLife
    ____________________

    Inspired to start your own YouTube channel? I’m now offering free 1:1 calls: https://calendly.com/jesslinderman/roadmap

    ____________________

    📺 Watch Next:
    Inside My Bali Villa | Starting Over After Leaving My Old Life Behind: https://youtu.be/HEnCuBdvUmU
    Finding My Rhythm in Ubud | Daily Life in Bali: https://youtu.be/UT08J8PjAs0
    A Quiet Trip to Kintamani, Bali: https://youtu.be/D7_e7CovkmY
    The End of Something Beautiful | Bali, Seven Months Later: https://youtu.be/ZSxYlLqnAvo

    ___________________

    ✨ About Me
    I’m Jess – a photographer and filmmaker rebuilding a life through travel, creative freedom, and time in nature.

    🌎 Connect
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessthewanderess/
    Website: www.jessicalinderman.com
    Business inquiries: info@jessicalinderman.com

    🎶 Music
    I use Musicbed in my films and I’m obsessed. Sign up for your free 14-day trial: https://www.musicbed.com/invite/0Jh3U

    🎥 Camera Bag
    Main Camera: https://amzn.to/4lnLhM6
    Main Telephoto Lens: https://amzn.to/4lwkgpU
    Telephoto Lens: https://amzn.to/45vd8nL
    Favorite Wide Angle Lens: https://amzn.to/3HBVDtL
    Favorite Vlogging Lens: https://amzn.to/4mgsymG
    Shotgun Mic: https://amzn.to/4mL43Ox
    Lav Mic Set: https://amzn.to/4fHgbxG
    360 Camera: https://amzn.to/3HBVDtL
    Drone: https://amzn.to/4mG9LB5
    Variable ND Filter: https://amzn.to/3UZFzoO
    Travel Tripod: https://www.ulanzi.com/collections/tr…

    ✈️ Travel Gear
    Travel Bag: https://amzn.to/3VpQjgm
    Daily Backpack: https://tidd.ly/460bA5d
    Photography Bag: https://tidd.ly/4lQYo8K
    Toiletry Bag: https://amzn.to/4n1hr0V
    Packing Cubes: https://amzn.to/41oMVpG
    Sleep Eye Mask: https://amzn.to/3HxphRa
    Portable Keyboard: https://amzn.to/4lM6bVf
    Laptop Stand: https://amzn.to/427lh0u
    Electronics Organizer: https://amzn.to/4pgiUmj
    Air Tag: https://amzn.to/41slQlm
    Type C Travel Adapter: https://amzn.to/3HXmgtl

    I may receive a small commission if you purchase a product through my links. Thank you for supporting my channel 🙂

    View 29 Comments

    29 Comments

    3. @cookimnstr on

      Love that you were in my feed today !!! Vlog is awesome… so crisp and clear, not many "others " there !! I love fall.. beautiful and quiet!! Your smile is the best yet !! ❤❤😊

    7. @kevinivan91 on

      "Honoring the space between where I just was, and where I'm going next." What a beautiful ending to an absolutely stunning vlog. Loved every second of it.

    8. @Kerome33 on

      Beautiful autumn nature, the US has some great national parks and there’s a little adventure, a little wildlife in the daring squirrel even. But is there not something missing?

    9. @TheShrugLife on

      Whoa, YES! Amazing video! I'll be doing something similar later this year as I move back to the states after the last 6 years living in the UAE and South America. Sometimes I forget how beautiful the US can be and I haven't experienced enough of it 🙏🏽

    15. @theonlyone4944 on

      Hi Dear
      Really Miss You🥹
      You So gentle and brave. You could go alone in the forest. I couldn’t Imagine that. May god always take care of you where ever you are.

      Your Balinese sister
      Linda❤

    16. @AbidiArief on

      Hi good morning jess how are you today?
      Happy good day be happiness stay safe keep spirit and always healthy god bless u everyday

      Today u are so beautiful and very pretty n very happy n spirit i,m happy see u always joy n peace always this video is amazing u like use the van with nice car at the village

    17. @breesha03 on

      So, so, so stunning. I sold my van a little less than a year ago and not a day goes by that I don’t regret it. These are the kinds of trips I live for. So glad you got to experience that beauty. ❤️

    18. @westpacificmarketanalytics2384 on

      You're such a beautiful soul, one can feel and sense it Jess. Never settle for all you want from life including the right life partner. Your spirit is so alive and I love all you do for your channel! Your smile makes me reflect on my own journey! God Bless and thank you.

    19. @lizcarlyle2477 on

      Hello in Northern CA. Good 2c Jess in Sierra Nevada and glad you weren't on that backcountry ski trip in Tahoe. Love the outdoors in CA at this time of year but still craving Ubud! Enjoy.Never knew you could rent a beautiful camper van in Fairfax. Marin has it all, especially great organic food at Good Earth!

    21. @growthbacklinks on

      Very good video structure and clarity. Intro clarity could reduce early viewer drop-off. Description optimization could improve discoverability.
      I specialize in YouTube optimization and scaling.
      I’d be glad to provide a free audit.

    25. @sharonhoffer3599 on

      So lovely to see you again Jess! Your photography and vlogging yet again bring me such happiness and feelings of peace and tranquility. What stunning scenery you showed us, those autumn colours are so beautiful. And funny how the Universe sent you a little reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment, glad you didn’t get stuck for long!
      I’ve just come back from 3 weeks in Bali, my 15th visit since 2004, and I fell in love with the place all over again. We tried staying in new places and one of those places was Lovina, which was nice, but it was more the drive there that was incredible. We drove through an area of many Aga villages, one in particular called Cempaga. Ah, the scenery through this spot! Lush, tropical jungle, forests of Clove trees, Balinese traditional houses with beautiful gardens, clean and quiet, no tourist pressure – just how the Island was before it was discovered by the Dutch. Magic!!!

    26. @JoshuaMCKN on

      I'm yet to be on a truly solo trip and I'm planning a camping trip soonish. I'm totally worried about that feeling of being quiet, alone and truly slowing down. What I might think and what will I do with all that alone time and not working or being "productive" haha. Looking forward to it though, I think those trips neeed to be done for yourself.

    28. @carozen1256 on

      Oh I enjoyed watching this ! Van adventures are something… I should try one day… 🙂 Glad to see you made it to the fall colors you were craving for 🙂

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