Avinash Wadhawan on solo San Francisco trip: 'A conversation with myself'
Synopsis
Avinash Wadhawan's one and only solo trip — to San Francisco — turned out to be more than a holiday. The veteran actor says it was 'a conversation with myself,' teaching him to trust his instincts and embrace uncertainty. Meanwhile, his heart stays closest to Darjeeling's misty streets.
Key Takeaways
Avinash Wadhawan described his solo trip to San Francisco as 'unarguably one of my most memorable journeys, and incredibly liberating.' The actor spent his days walking neighbourhoods and interacting with locals — with no fixed itinerary.
He currently manages a couple of vacations a year around his work commitments.
Darjeeling is the place he says remains closest to his heart, citing its landscapes and storytelling streets.
Wadhawan is currently seen in Rajshri's 'Sangemarmar' and 'Manpasand Ki Shaadi' , and has appeared in shows including 'Balika Vadhu' and 'C.I.D.'
Veteran actor Avinash Wadhawan has spoken candidly about his solo journey to San Francisco, describing it as one of the most liberating and transformative experiences of his life. The actor, currently seen in Rajshri productions 'Sangemarmar' and 'Manpasand Ki Shaadi', said the trip reshaped the way he sees himself and the world.
The Solo San Francisco Experience
Wadhawan revealed that he has undertaken only one solo trip so far — and it left a lasting impression. 'Yes, I have, only once, and unarguably one of my most memorable journeys, and incredibly liberating. It was my solo trip to San Francisco,' he said.
Rather than following a fixed itinerary, the actor spent his days walking through neighbourhoods, engaging with locals, and absorbing the city at his own rhythm. 'Travelling alone teaches you to trust yourself and embrace uncertainty. There was no pressure to follow an itinerary. It was liberating, enriching, and deeply personal,' he said.
Reflecting on what the journey meant beyond sightseeing, Wadhawan added: 'It wasn't just a trip; it was a conversation with myself, and I came back richer because of it.'
How He Balances Travel With Work
Despite demanding professional commitments, Wadhawan said he makes a conscious effort to carve out time for travel — typically managing a couple of vacations each year. For him, however, the motivation is never about accumulating destinations.
'I'm not someone who travels just to check destinations off a list. I travel for the experience,' he said. His approach reflects a deliberate, unhurried philosophy — one that prioritises depth over breadth.
Darjeeling: The Place Closest to His Heart
When asked to name a place that holds special meaning, Wadhawan did not hesitate. 'If I had to pick one place that remains close to my heart, it would be Darjeeling. I love its vibe, its diversity, its beautiful hilly landscapes, and the feeling that every street has a story to tell,' he said.
The hill town in West Bengal, long celebrated for its tea gardens and colonial-era charm, clearly resonates with the actor on a personal level — a contrast to the cosmopolitan energy of San Francisco.
A Career Spanning Film and Television
Known to audiences as the 'Geet' actor, Wadhawan has built a substantial presence across both Indian cinema and television over the decades. On the small screen, he has appeared in several prominent series, including 'Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai' (where he portrayed Indrajeet Rajvansh), 'Balika Vadhu', 'Maat Pitaah Ke Charnon Mein Swarg', 'Shobha Somnath Ki', 'Junoon – Aisi Nafrat Toh Kaisa Ishq', 'C.I.D.', and 'Doli Armaano Ki', among others.
His candid reflections on solo travel offer a glimpse into a more introspective side of the actor — one that continues to seek meaning both on screen and off it.
Point of View
But Wadhawan's account stands out for its introspective honesty — framing solo travel not as leisure but as self-reckoning. That said, the story's news value is limited: it is essentially a soft promotional quote tied to his current TV projects. The Darjeeling detail is the most humanising element and the one most likely to resonate with Indian readers who see the hill town as an emotional rather than touristic destination. Editors should weigh whether this warrants standalone placement or works better as part of a broader celebrity travel feature.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Avinash Wadhawan go on his solo trip?
Avinash Wadhawan took his solo trip to San Francisco, which he described as one of the most memorable and liberating journeys of his life. He spent his time walking through neighbourhoods and interacting with locals at his own pace.
What did Avinash Wadhawan say he learned from solo travel?
Wadhawan said solo travel taught him to trust himself and embrace uncertainty. He described the San Francisco trip as 'a conversation with myself,' saying he returned from it feeling enriched.
What is Avinash Wadhawan currently working on?
Avinash Wadhawan is currently seen in Rajshri productions 'Sangemarmar' and 'Manpasand Ki Shaadi.' He has also had a long television career spanning shows like 'Balika Vadhu,' 'C.I.D.,' and 'Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai.'
Which place does Avinash Wadhawan say is closest to his heart?
Wadhawan named Darjeeling as the place closest to his heart, citing its diverse vibe, hilly landscapes, and the sense that every street has a story to tell.
How often does Avinash Wadhawan travel?
Despite busy work commitments, Wadhawan said he tries to take a couple of vacations a year. He emphasised that he travels for meaningful experiences rather than to accumulate destinations.
