Lake Arrowhead, California — Event recap, trends, and takeaways for smarter summer travel (Summer Travel Summit 2025)
Nissan gathered a stellar group of travel journalists, top auto media, community leaders, and hospitality pros at Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa for its Summer Travel Summit—and invited us to drive Nissan vehicles up the mountain to experience the journey first-hand. I’m grateful to Nissan for the invitation and inclusion; I joined as a featured travel speaker to discuss road trips, budget-friendly travel, and how travelers are redefining summer getaways. Nissan also hosted a book signing and provided copies of my memoir, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty, for all attendees.
This year’s Summer Travel Summit 2025 brought leading voices in travel together at serene Lake Arrowhead to focus on road trips, budget-friendly adventures, and the future of exploring America by car. Hosted by Nissan, the summit let travel journalists, influencers, and industry leaders dive into consumer insights, swap strategies, and—of course—experience Nissan’s latest lineup on a scenic mountain drive.
Travelers are choosing depth over distance. Instead of far-flung status trips, itineraries center on local hikes, small-town main streets, hidden beaches, and regional food. Presence, flexibility, and connection are the new luxury.
KAYAK’s data shows cheaper international fares year over year, yet 60% of Americans believe travel prices have skyrocketed. That perception gap, combined with everyday cost fatigue (rent, groceries, gas), nudges travelers toward the car in the driveway. Bank of America’s Summer Travel Outlook echoes the shift: 70%+ plan to travel this summer, most within the U.S., with many favoring road trips and closer-to-home escapes.
What the road trip delivers:
Budget-savvy, experience-rich ideas:
Smart spend strategy: the “splurge-and-save” method—keep lodging modest so you can splurge once on a sunset sail, spa treatment, or guided hike you’ll remember.
Road-trip specifics: pack snacks and simple meals to reduce restaurant fatigue and cost; mix in a night of camping or glamping between hotel stays for savings + adventure.
Helpful apps: GasBuddy (fuel), HotelTonight (last-minute stays), Meetup/Eventbrite (free/low-cost happenings). EV travelers can plan charging breaks near parks, cafés, or quirky roadside attractions so charging becomes discovery time, not downtime.
From chat-based planning to translation, AI tools speed research, optimize routes (including EV chargers near trails or bakeries), and handle logistics so you can stay present. In-vehicle voice features, real-time traffic/weather, and safety alerts now enhance spontaneity rather than replace it. After the trip, AI helps organize photos, journals, and memory videos—so the story lasts.
Drive: I headed up from Los Angeles in a Nissan Armada, the kind of mountain drive that turns switchbacks into scenery.
A history-rich pit stop: In Baldwin Park, We stopped at the In-N-Out Burger Museum & Company Store—the brand’s birthplace where Harry & Esther Snyder opened a 100-square-foot stand in 1948. You can step into a replica of the original stand, don the paper hat, and take photos—California road-trip lore in miniature.
Resort moments: At Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, the visuals wrote themselves: sunlight through the pines, kayakers on the water, pool afternoons, s’mores by the fire, and terrace dining at BIN 189.
Culinary highlight: A cooking class with Chef Ruben Bugarin (Executive Chef, BIN 189): we built charcuterie boards (hello, heirloom tomatoes + burrata) and watched him blend his jalapeño-forward salsa that looks like guacamole but isn’t—silky, bright, and with a real kick.
A musical cameo: During the Hamilton-Deeds wedding on property, the USC Marching Band brought Trojan spirit to the lakeside setting. Fight On!
Road trips always remind me that the journey is just as important as the destination — especially when you’re behind the wheel of the Nissan Armada. On the drive up to Lake Arrowhead for the Summer Travel Summit, the Armada wasn’t just a car — it was a road trip experience. The spacious three-row seating meant everyone had room to stretch out (no fighting over elbow space), while the advanced safety features gave me peace of mind on winding mountain roads. The powerful V8 engine made the climb effortless, and the smooth suspension kept the ride comfortable the entire way. Inside, touches like leather seating, tri-zone climate control, and Apple CarPlay made the cabin feel like a luxe lounge rolling up the mountain. Grateful to Nissan for inviting us to this summit and for giving us the keys to a car that makes the road part of the adventure.
Reels to look for on my channels:
Thank you, Nissan, for inviting and including me—bringing us together to share ideas, drive the route, and celebrate the communities along it.
Presented by: Nissan Host venue: Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa Featured travel speaker: Lisa Niver — explorer, author, TV host, Telly Award–winning journalist; author of Brave-ish (book signing courtesy of Nissan) Panel & moderator: Jannelle Grigsby • Lori Butler • Jackie Lam • Terry Sullivan • Jeff Wandell Automotive media present: Car and Driver • MotorTrend • Kelley Blue Book • CarBuzz • Edmunds
Summer isn’t just a season—it’s a state of motion. With the right car, a mindful budget, and a curious plan, the open road still delivers the richest kind of freedom.
SEE MY NISSAN SUMMER TRAVEL SUMMIT REELS BELOW:
Speaker: Nissan Summer Travel Summit
What a privilege to be part of the Nissan Summer Travel Summit at the beautiful Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa — and to be included alongside such inspiring leaders in travel, community, finance, hospitality, communications, and automotive media. I drove up from Los Angeles in a Nissan Armada to join the summit as a featured travel expert, sharing my journey as an explorer, author, TV host, and travel journalist who’s visited over 100 countries on all seven continents. From my Telly Award-winning storytelling to my memoir Brave-ish, my mission is to inspire others to step boldly into the unknown and embrace the joy of reinvention. The focus of the summit was road trips and budget travel, exploring how to make adventures accessible, fun, and memorable.
The day was rich with insights from a dynamic panel:
Lisa Niver — Author and Travel Journalist
Lori Butler – Interim Executive Director, Lake Arrowhead Chamber of Commerce
Jackie Lam – Personal finance writer & AFC® financial counselor
Terry Sullivan – Director of Sales & Marketing, Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa
Jeff Wandell – Communications Manager, Nissan North America Moderator: Jannelle Grigsby – Communications Manager at Nissan, bringing storytelling flair and strategic engagement to guide the conversation. The summit also featured the cream of top automotive journalists and media outlets, including Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Kelley Blue Book, CarBuzz, Edmunds, and Test Miles, making it a powerhouse gathering of travel and automotive expertise. After our talk, I signed my memoir, Brave-ish! A heartfelt thank-you to the Nissan team for bringing together such a talented group and creating space for conversations that spark new ideas and connections.
Nissan Summit Travel Summit at Lake Arrowhead 2025
I was invited to Lake Arrowhead as a featured travel expert for the Nissan Summer Travel Summit — and even though I’ve been lucky enough to explore so many beautiful places, this was my very first time here. The Nissan team and Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa arranged a beautiful afternoon on the water: a guided boat tour of this 14-mile shoreline lake, tucked high in the San Bernardino Mountains. Built in 1922 as a reservoir, it’s now a private oasis — you can only get out on the water if you live here or are invited. That made the experience feel extra special. Our guide, Captain Jeff, shared the lake’s fascinating history, pointed out celebrity homes hidden among the pines, and steered us toward some of the best views — from a spirited sailboat race to graceful water skiers skimming across the surface. The sun was warm, the breeze was perfect, and it was one of those afternoons that makes you stop and think: I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Saturday, August 2, 2025 — While at the Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa for the Nissan Summer Travel Summit, I got to witness an unforgettable moment: the USC Marching Band performing at the Hamilton–Deeds wedding. Many in the wedding party — including the groom — once marched with the band, making the performance even more special. The resort first welcomed guests in the 1920s and has been a favorite mountain escape ever since. With its prime spot on the shore of this private lake and sweeping alpine views, it’s no surprise it’s become one of Southern California’s most sought-after wedding destinations. Location: Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa// Wedding Planner: CreativeHappens //Music: USC Marching Band Fight On!
Charcuterie dreams, heirloom tomatoes, and a salsa that looks like guacamole but hits with a jalapeño kick. Against the backdrop of the Nissan Summer Travel Summit — where I was honored to be invited as a speaker — Chef Ruben Bugarin, Executive Chef at BIN 189 inside Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, led a hands-on cooking class that doubled as a masterclass in flavor. He talked us through building gorgeous charcuterie boards (hello, creamy burrata + peak-season heirloom tomatoes), then made his signature salsa right in front of us — blending it fresh and sharing the recipe. It’s jalapeño-forward, silky like guacamole (but not guac!) and it packs a real, addictive kick. Chef Ruben joined the resort last September and has 30+ years in the kitchen. A graduate of the California School of Culinary Arts, he’s held leadership roles at Pelican Hill Resort & Spa, Knott’s Berry Farm, Soboba Casino Resort, and most recently Yaamava’ Casino Resort, with experience spanning Colorado and Las Vegas. Since arriving at Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, he’s launched a new BIN 189 menu and the resort has been hosting creative themed dinners — from Harry Potter nights to Pixar-inspired family feasts. A delicious afternoon in the mountains — and proof that Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa is as much about flavor as it is about views.
On the way to the Nissan Summer Travel Summit in Lake Arrowhead, we stopped in Baldwin Park at the In-N-Out Burger Museum and Company Store. Back in 1948, Harry and Esther Snyder opened a 100-square-foot stand here that would revolutionize the food industry and set the standard for every fast-food chain that followed. Today, visitors can tour a replica of that original stand, try on the signature paper hat, and step into a piece of California history. At the Summit, I was honored to be a featured travel speaker, sharing stories from my journeys across seven continents and insights from my book, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty. Nissan kindly organized a book signing and generously purchased copies for every attendee — a truly thoughtful gesture that made the weekend even more memorable. The experience combined innovation, history, and community — exactly what makes road trips, and the stories we collect along the way, so meaningful.
We should never stop fighting the haters, but we should fight them as Jewish Americans, not just as Jews who worry only about Jews.
There’s always a Jewish party around the corner…
Yesterday, I visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. In this imagined essay, Anne Frank reflects on the Holocaust, the massacre of October 7, and why the State of Israel and a strong IDF are the only guarantee that “Never Again” is not an empty slogan.
Real mistakes may never be fully wiped out, but instead, we can continue to wrestle with our thoughts and actions.
According to Health Team of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the hostages have lost “a dangerous amount of weight.”
“Just do it” certainly permeated the culture and became one of the most famous slogans in history. But Nike never told us what “it” was.
Taste Buds with Deb – Episode 121
The best way to honor Ilan’s memory is both to condemn those who desecrated his memorial, and to stand up against all those who commit anti-Jewish atrocities.
The Jewish story is so consequential precisely because it is inseparable from the American story. If Jews need America, America also needs the Jews.
Ten journalists will receive cash stipends and guidance from prolific figures in the media world.
Antisemitism in this new digital age where information is readily available, but all too often falsified, is a disease largely about denial.
There’s a phenomenon in psychology called the “endowment effect”—people will value things more when they have paid for them.
Demonstrators filled Hostages Square and major intersections, channeling grief and anger into a strike that drew support from political leaders and celebrities
Although Trump holds a significantly stronger hand as leader of the free world, he squandered much of that leverage by showing how eager he is to make a deal and win the Nobel Peace prize.
Even though Esti still has more surgeries and treatments to undergo, the Kohens expect positive news ahead.
As the Jews and Israel have been the subject of hatred and vitriol, many Jews have leaned into their Jewish identity.
