When it’s near impossible to travel, due to either funds or not enough time or unable to leave the house for any number of reasons, YouTube and blogs are a great way to travel. Especially YouTube vlogs that are posted by any number of people every day. They bring you along with them like one of their friends and show you around where ever they happen to be that day. 

Back in the beginning of 2013, I was working in an office job that was not really my favorite but it was a secure position (or at least I thought, more on that later). I was fortunate enough that my job wasn’t physically being face to face with customers and was computer work that I was allowed to have my phone on in the background. I had gone through some Netflix shows before I delved into the world of YoutTube for content. It started out as wanting to go to Disneyland more, so I watched a lot of POV ride videos. This was my first step down that rabbit hole.

The first channel I came across was Fresh Baked Disney. I loved watching them bring the audience around to see their day at Disneyland and sometimes California Adventure. I learned some fun little facts, saw different bits of the park that I had walked by and not noticed before. Watching them felt like I was going on a trip to the park with my friends (I know they’re not my friends, but it gave the same feelings). It was a great little group of people to watch and I still do from time to time. Thanks to this channel, I found the ones that I still regularly watch to this day.

One of the suggested videos led me to a channel called Lived Fast Die Poor hosted by Justin Scarred. His videos, which he named Randomland Adventures, became my favorite ones to watch. I loved the way he explained things and how his videos were structured. This channel became the big one that I “traveled” through when I felt stuck in my little cubicle at work. Towards the end of 2013 I did have minor knee surgery, his videos helped me through that time as well. Feeling stuck and not able to go anywhere outside of work or physical therapy. Later, he started a second channel that was mostly for the Sometimes Vlogs, but has evolved into his main channel. I’ve been following since almost the beginning, about 6 months after he started on Live Fast Die Poor.  This channel has been such a big part of my life for the last 12 years. 

Through this channel, I found the late and great Adam the Woo (he passed away at the end of 2025). His videos were a bit different from Justin’s style, but I loved it because of that. I will admit that I didn’t warm up to them right away (I was very picky back then), but once I was hooked, his channel also became a big part of my life. Primarily his Daily Woo channel (which I’m watching as I type this). The way his video made me feel was similar to Fresh Baked Disney, it was like going on a road trip or an adventure with a friend. His warm and friendly personality really drew you into the videos to make you feel like you were really joining on the adventure. 

These two channels (Justin Scarred and Adam the Woo) were how I “traveled” when it felt like I never had the time or money. Thanks to them, I was able to see so many different places that made it on the list of places I want to go. The way they film their videos shows you cities and places that aren’t your regular touristy things. One video that my mom was watching, it shows Adam going to the USS Iowa here in Southern California in which he got to tour parts of the ship that aren’t available on the regular tour. I even learned some extra facts as well. I loved how they connected with the staff or owners of the places they visited because I ended up learning some extra fun facts. That’s something I’m a sucker for. I loved learning weird and random little facts. 

Through their channels, I found more people who I enjoy watching travel around. I’m not affiliated with anyone mentioned in this blog, I’m just a really big fan of their work and enjoy watching their travels. In addition to those named above, I also watch: Grimm Life Collective, Super Enthused, Hey Brickey, The Carpetbagger, Through My Lens, and Sidetrack Adventures. 

To be truthful, they’ve done more than help me get through my week by watching their travels. They’ve inspired me to start my own channel…well I already started, but paused because I doubted myself. However, I’m building up my courage again. If you are interested in some of the videos I’ve posted so far, check it out here. I’ll be back out exploring more, but sticking to local stuff for the moment.

All in all, being unable to travel can leave some people feelings a little down or stuck. What ever reasons you have for not being able to travel, I recommend finding a YouTube channel that fits your liking and binge away. It helps, but it also gives ideas of places to go and inspirations to really make it happen. I hope that all of you are able to get to the places you want to go.

Until the next time, safe exploring everyone!