Our 2021 Hawaiian journey began on the vibrant island of O’ahu, where we split our time between cultural landmarks, scenic beaches, and thrilling outdoor experiences. The highlight was exploring the land of dinosaurs on an epic UTV Raptor Tour at Kualoa Ranch, the legendary filming location for Jurassic Park and LOST. We paid our respects at Pearl Harbor and explored sacred sites like the Byodo-In Temple. The North Shore gave us a taste of island surf culture with stops at Turtle Bay, Sunset Beach, and Banzai Pipeline, where we watched pros ride massive waves. From scenic hikes like Diamond Head Crater and Manoa Falls to a relaxing afternoon at Kailua Beach, O’ahu gave us a perfect mix of cultural landmarks, cinematic landscapes, and natural beauty that surprised and inspired us at every turn.

Itinerary

This is based on the O’ahu portion of our 2021 Kaua’i combo trip from November 15-17.

🛬 Day 1 – Arrival in O’ahu

• ✈️ 12:20 PM – 9:15 PM – Flight from St. Louis to Honolulu ($183, 3-hour layover in Phoenix)
• 🚗 Pick up rental car from Thrifty ($438 via Priceline)
• 🏨 Check-in to Paradise Bay Resort ($189.50/night)

🌊 Day 2 – Pearl Harbor, North Shore & Kualoa

• ☀️ 6:45 AM – Sunrise from Kualoa Beach
• 🚗 Entire day drive route
• 🏛️ 8:00 AM – Visit Pearl Harbor Visitor Center (opens 7:00 AM, 🎟️ Pre-purchase recommended – pick up USS Arizona tickets)
• ⛴️ 9:00 AM – USS Arizona Memorial
• 🚢 9:45 AM – USS Missouri
• 🍽️ 10:30 AM – Lunch @ L&L Hawaiian BBQ (opens 10:00 AM)
• 🧘 11:30 AM – Byodo-In Temple
• 🎫 12:45 PM – Check-in at Kualoa Ranch
• 🦕 1:30 – 3:30 PM – UTV Raptor Tour
  • 🎟️ Pre-purchase recommended
  • 🎥 Filming location for Jurassic Park, Lost & others
  • 💡Tours go rain or shine, so check the weather & bring rain gear or a change of clothes, if necessary. It rained during the beginning of our tour, but we came prepared with rain jackets/ponchos. We were still able to have an amazing time, and it made for some ominous pictures just like in Jurassic Park when the T-Rex chases the jeep.
• 🐢 Turtle spotting at Turtle Bay Beach
• 🏄 4:30 PM – Watch surfers and sunset (5:50 PM) at Sunset Beach / Banzai Pipeline
• 🍽️ 6:15 PM – Dinner @ Roy’s Beach House (🎥 Filming location for Forgetting Sarah Marshall, 🎟️ Reservation recommended)

🥾 Day 3 – Hikes & Beaches

• 🍩 7:00 AM – Breakfast at Leonard’s Malasadas
• 🥾 8:00 AM – Hike Diamond Head Crater (AllTrails – 1.9 mi, ~65-min)
• 🌿 9:30 AM – Hike Manoa Falls Trail (1.8 mi, ~67-min)
• 🍽️ 11:00 AM – Lunch @ Kona Brewing Co.
• 🌊 12:00 PM – Explore Halona Beach Cove, Blowhole & Sandy Beach
• 🏖️ Relax at Kailua Beach (Alternative: Lanikai Beach)
• Additional Activities (time/energy permitting):
  • 🥾 Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail (2.5 mi, ~72-min paved walk)
  • 🥾 Lanikai Pillbox hike
• 🍽️ 6:00 PM – Dinner in Kailua @ Kono’s

✈️ Day 4 – Fly to Kaua’i

• 🥐 7:30 AM – Grab breakfast
• 🚗 8:15 AM – Return rental car
• 🛫 8:30 AM – Arrive at airport
• ✈️ 9:35 AM – Flight from O’ahu to Kaua’i

💡O’ahu Travel Tips

• 🎥 Don’t miss Kualoa Ranch – A must for movie fans! Book your UTV tour in advance to explore iconic filming locations like Jurassic Park and Lost
• ⏰ Get to Pearl Harbor early – The Visitor Center opens at 7:00 AM, and USS Arizona tickets can go fast
• 👜 Leave the bags behind at Pearl Harbor – Only small, clear bags are allowed; bring a camera but use the on-site lockers if needed
• 📷 Watch the surfers at Banzai Pipeline – Winter brings the biggest waves and most action
• 🌅 Catch a sunset at Sunset Beach – It’s not just the name—this is one of the most beautiful spots to end your day
• 🍽️ Have dinner at Roy’s Beach House – Located at Turtle Bay Resort, it’s a great meal with Forgetting Sarah Marshall vibes
• 🥾 Fit in a couple of hikes – Diamond Head offers epic crater views, while Manoa Falls takes you into a misty jungle
• 🛕 Take a peaceful pause at Byodo-In Temple – A beautiful, lesser-known spot with koi ponds and mountain views and filming location for Lost

Pictures

See our album for O’ahu and Kaua’i pictures.

Pearl Harbor

Visiting Pearl Harbor is a powerful and humbling experience that offers deep insight into one of the most pivotal moments in U.S. history. The day begins at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where you can explore exhibits that detail the events of December 7, 1941. A short documentary sets the stage before you take a solemn boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, built above the sunken battleship where over 1,100 sailors lost their lives. From there, step aboard the massive USS Missouri, known as the “Mighty Mo,” where the official surrender that ended World War II was signed.

Byodo-In Temple

Tucked away in the lush Valley of the Temples, the Byodo-In Temple is a peaceful replica of a 950-year-old Buddhist temple in Uji, Japan. Surrounded by koi ponds, tropical gardens, and misty mountains, the temple offers a serene escape from O’ahu’s busier tourist spots. Visitors can ring the sacred bon-sho (bell) before entering, said to bring happiness and clear the mind. It is also a filming location in Lost where Sun and Jin get married. With its striking architecture and tranquil atmosphere, it’s a perfect place for quiet reflection and beautiful photos.

Kualoa Ranch

Kualoa Ranch is one of O’ahu’s most iconic destinations, especially for movie buffs and adventure seekers. Known as the real-life backdrop for Jurassic Park, the ranch’s lush valleys and towering cliffs are instantly recognizable from the big screen. On the UTV tour, you’ll ride through the dramatic Kaʻaʻawa Valley, past filming locations from Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, and other blockbusters, with stops to snap photos at famous scenes—like the field where dinosaurs once roamed. We even got chased by a T-rex! Beyond the Hollywood connection, the ranch offers a thrilling off-road experience paired with jaw-dropping views of O’ahu’s untouched natural beauty.

Mokoli’i from Kualoa Regional Park

Beaches – Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Kailua Beach

O’ahu’s beaches each offer a unique vibe, and we loved experiencing the variety across the island. On the North Shore, we watched world-class surfers tackle towering waves until sunset at the legendary Banzai Pipeline near Sunset Beach, where winter swells create some of the most famous breaks in the world. On the opposite coast, we spent a more laid-back afternoon at Kailua Beach, a local favorite with soft white sand, calm turquoise waters, and postcard views of the Mokulua Islands in the distance—perfect for swimming, relaxing, or just soaking in the aloha.

Diamond Head Crater Hike

The Diamond Head Crater Hike offered panoramic views of Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean from the summit of this iconic volcanic cone—well worth the short, steep climb.

Manoa Falls Trail

The Manoa Falls Trail led us through a shaded, rainforest-like valley filled with bamboo, tropical plants, and birdsong, ending at a serene 150-foot waterfall tucked into the greenery. Together, these two hikes gave us a perfect blend of O’ahu’s natural beauty—one high and dry, the other cool and misty. While we were there, they had signs up that indicated active movie filming was in progress.

Roy’s Beach House from “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”

We capped off our North Shore day with dinner at Roy’s Beach House at Turtle Bay Resort, a must for any Forgetting Sarah Marshall fan. The beachfront setting was instantly familiar—this was where key scenes from the movie were filmed, and being there felt like stepping into the film itself. We enjoyed fresh island cuisine, just steps away from where Jason Segel’s character had his hilariously awkward moments.

Hotel & Other Concessions

We were in Paradise at our hotel with the number of cats roaming around and the gorgeous views.

Halona Beach Cove, Blowhole & Sandy Beach

Just east of Honolulu along the scenic Kalanianaʻole Highway, we explored three stunning coastal spots that offered beauty, drama, and a touch of Hollywood. Halona Beach Cove, also known as “Eternity Beach” from From Here to Eternity, is a tucked-away gem with golden sand and turquoise waves framed by lava rock cliffs—perfect for photos or a peaceful pause. Just above the cove is the famous Halona Blowhole, where ocean waves rush through an underwater lava tube, sending water shooting into the air like a geyser. A little farther down the road, we stopped at Sandy Beach, known for its powerful shore break and bodyboarding culture. With big waves and local energy, it’s not ideal for casual swimming, but it’s a great place to watch the surf and feel the raw energy of O’ahu’s southeastern coast.

Check out our other Hawaiian blogs:

• Maui 
• Kaua’i
• The Big Island