Vlad Dzhashi, MD
One of the perks of working locum tenens is to experience new places and meet new people. It’s the beauty of the job – you get to travel to different states, get exposed to variety of work environments, and explore the surroundings.
The United States is such a gorgeous and diverse place. Why not enjoy the beauty of it while you are traveling on the job?
It’s a no brainer: You make more money than you normally would at a permanent job, while also experiencing new and exciting places.
Today, I want to share with you my “bucket list” of fun locations YOU should consider visiting around the country.
I am listing the places where you can easily find locum tenens gigs AND have fun and adventures at the same time.
Let’s roll!
Winter Getaways:
Even though I am based in Seattle, let’s face it, the winters here are depressing!
The weather is not as cold or snowy as the Midwest, and the temperatures rarely get below freezing, but the foggy, rainy and gloomy skies get old very fast!
No wonder Seattleites drink lots of coffee! My theory is that Seattle has such a vibrant coffee scene just due to the fact that it’s hard to wake up to these kinds of winters.
So naturally, a perfect getaway in the winter is for me to find a locum tenens job somewhere sunny and warm, like…
Hawaii
- Cost of a state license: $221-$392 (odd vs even issuance year)
- Estimated number of locum tenens jobs: LOW
Volcano Hiking
Yes, you read that right – you can actually hike an active volcano in Hawaii. Keep in mind that it is just not erupting as you are hiking!
There are many great trails around Mauna Kea on the Big Island and Mount Haleakala on Maui. In Hawaii, there are exactly two seasons: “kau” (summer), and “hoolio” (winter), and not many people realize that winter hiking is great fun.
Volcanoes National Park in the Big Island is a playground for hiking enthusiasts. Try Kilauea Iki Trail, which starts in the rain forest on the crater’s rim. Then hit Devastation Trail, where on a clear day you can view the summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.
The National Park Service also has some great suggestions for where to hike during the winter months.
Whale watching
Another great activity is whale watching. During the months of January through March, whales will frolic in the open Pacific waters during their annual migration, and it is a sight to see! Book ahead for a whale watching tour, as they may fill up quickly.
Surfing
Check out the surfing contests, or go surfing yourself! Hawaii is known the world over for its epic surfing. During the winter, the swells only get bigger, making it a prime time of year for this most adventurous of water sports.
The waves can reach record-breaking and even dangerous heights. So it is an obvious choice for world-class surfers to show off their skills. Between November and December every year, Sunset Beach is the location of one of the planet’s largest surfing competitions.
The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Head out early and grab your spot on the sand for a day of incredible surf watching.
California
- Cost of a state license: $1299
- Estimated number of locum tenens jobs: HIGH (especially in Northern CA)
Whether you enjoy spending your down time in a city, or out in nature, California is the place to be
SF and LA
San Francisco is a big city in a tiny area, making it very walkable and a great place to hang your hat while doing your locum tenens.
It is refreshing to simply explore the city on foot. And while you’re at it, hop on a cable car for an authentic San Francisco experience! Everywhere, there is great shopping and great food.
Los Angeles is a sprawling madhouse of a city, and here you will find both culture and relaxing beaches. Santa Monica Beach & Pier is the perfect antidote to getting the kinks out after work.
Visit the pier, with its great shops and food options, then walk down to the beach and watch the sun set. After dark, hop on the famous roller coaster, when the whole thing lights up and you get a fantastic sensory experience.
Beaches
The Golden State also has an endless number of perfect beaches to choose from. But I will attempt to highlight the best here.
You can’t get much more relaxing than Malibu. Dive into the Californian lifestyle and spend some time at El Matador State Beach.
Here the beautiful landscape will take your breath away. Enjoy great ocean views high atop rugged cliffs. Explore the sea caves, and then gawk at magnificent sunsets.
Florida
- Cost of a state license: $1279
- Estimated number of locum tenens jobs: MODERATE
Despite being a warm state all year round, the state of Florida is very diverse in its landscape. It just depends on what your interests are!
Coastline
Florida has endless miles of coastline, and the northern beaches of Daytona and Coco Beach are a great way to spend your downtime. Not only are the beaches warm and inviting, but their boardwalk areas offer tons of shopping and great bars and restaurants.
Miami
Further south, Miami is another great spot, with its wonderful shopping and cultural attractions. Miami is a mecca for Cuban culture, with its enticing art deco architecture and beautiful people. And who doesn’t love salsa music and great street art everywhere?
Of course, there is Miami Beach, with its clear blue waters, exciting nightlife and boardwalk area. If you do it right, you will need a few days just to explore this area!
Key West
Finally, Key West is a great way to spend some down time and get a true taste of the Caribbean island life. From Key Largo all the way down to Key West, the vibrant waters of the Gulf of Mexico will captivate you as you island hop with a tropical drink in your hand.
Just don’t hold that drink while you’re driving!
Arizona
- Cost of a state license: $1000
- Estimated number of locum tenens jobs: MODERATE
Arizona in the winter months is a really pleasant place to spend your time. Phoenix is a big city, with lots to see, and just outside of town are some really nice outdoor activities.
To experience the overall natural beauty of Arizona, visit the Desert Botanical Gardens. Here you will see plants that accentuate the beauty of the surrounding Sonoran Desert. During November-December, witness the amazing spectacle of hand-lit luminaria bags and twinkle lights that illuminates the desert at night.
Speaking of awesome light displays, try to catch the World Lantern Festival in Phoenix. Following Chinese tradition, this festival is held every year and attracts quite the crowd! The festival also hosts a number of global cultures and cuisines.
Hiking Arizona during winter is the optimal time, since the scorching hot summers make it difficult! Phoenix has a number of great trails, but also get to Sedona for some epic hiking!
Sedona is an artist’s and fitness-lovers retreat, in a laid-back town with incredible scenery.
Skiing
Skiing is so much fun! And…it will keep you active during the winter.
Luckily, the U.S. has some of the best ski resorts in the world. Here are some of the places where you could combine working locum tenens with enormous fun…
UTAH:
- Cost of a state license: $300
- Estimated number of locum tenens jobs: LOW
Park City, Utah is considered by many to be the best ski destination on the planet. And it couldn’t be easier to get there, as it’s only 40 minutes by car from Salt Lake City Airport!
There are many reasons why this ski town is so popular. First and foremost, it has some of the best powder on Earth. With any luck, you will catch a Monster Dump – when 12 or more inches fall in a 24-hour period. Then watch out, because the skiers will arrive in droves!
And when the ski day is over, visitors and locals alike will descend upon Park City’s walkable and historic Main Street, with its great restaurants, pubs, and vibrant nightlife.
Colorado:
- Cost of a state license: $412
- Estimated number of locum tenens jobs: MODERATE
If Park City is the best then skiing in Colorado comes not far behind. Aspen and Vail is in close proximity to the Denver airport.
You may have heard that Vail is the place to see and be seen in Colorado, as lots of celebrities have their ski vacations here. But you’ve come for the skiing, right? So who needs a bunch of celebrities?
Vail, in particular, is a prime ski spot, due to its many trails and unique landscape, forming perfect back bowls, with seven miles of pure powder.
And Aspen, the quirky spirit patron saint of Hunter S. Thompson, offers four mountains for your skiing pleasure. One great thing about Aspen is that it is typically quieter than Vail, so you will rarely encounter lines at the ski lift.
Aspen also boasts the longest ski run in Colorado, at 5 miles! This town also has a great little main street area, with great food and shopping.
Summer Getaways
Summers are the BEST time to work and play in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington.
Washington state:
- Cost of a state license: $491
- Estimated number of locum tenens jobs: MODERATE
Oregon:
- Cost of a state license: $979
- Estimated number of locum tenens jobs: MODERATE
The best time is typically July through September, as June can still be a little cool and cloudy. But once the sun decides to make an appearance, it’s no holds barred and summers here are loaded with plenty of fun outdoor activities.
In the Pacific Northwest, you have the best of both worlds, with big cities full of great food, shopping and culture. Then there are the mountains and the ocean. It’s an outdoor lover’s dream.
Seattle has Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and the best seafood on the west coast. There are many different neighborhoods to explore, and the views of Puget Sound are amazing!
Portland has a great music scene, great breweries, and more of a small-town feel than Seattle. It also has different neighborhoods to explore and over 600 food carts with food from all over the world!
Hiking and biking is a way of life for Portlanders – it is a bike-friendly city, with many large forested parks to hike in. Forest Park is the best.
It will be hard to choose your outdoor adventure in the Pacific Northwest, because there is just so much to see and do here. In Washington, you can explore the San Juan Islands of Puget sound north of Seattle.
Then there is Olympic National Park, which has the only temperate rainforest in the country.
In Oregon, the coastline has many different small towns and beaches to explore, full of history and great food. And don’t miss a drive through the Columbia River Gorge, just east of Portland. Multnomah Falls is the shining star here.
Alaska
- Cost of a state license: $500
- Estimated number of locum tenens jobs: LOW
If you land a locum tenens gig in Alaska, you are in for a treat. There is endless backcountry to explore, and the fishing here is world-class. Stunning beauty awaits you in this remote land.
The highlights in Alaska are Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and the historic town of Denali. For the adventurous, try ziplining at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah. Or go on a guided glacier hiking excursion.
RV travel:
In between locum tenens gigs, it may be a great idea to rent an RV and just explore.
Why travel with an RV? There are so many reasons!
- You can travel throughout the year.
- You can work on your assignment for a few months then take off and drive to another one, exploring along the way.
- Driving an RV means you take your temporary home with you wherever you may roam! No hotels to check into, and no unpacking and repacking your suitcase!
- RV travel gives you freedom to explore wide open spaces, such as National Parks, without having to plan where you need to stop for the night. Just find an RV park or campground, wherever you go.
As you work different locum tenens jobs throughout the country, why not have a ton of fun along the way?
I want this post to inspire you (and myself) for your next locum tenens adventure. Stop postponing great things, and spring into action NOW!
P.S. I’m turning to you. What destination is on YOUR bucket list?
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