Cold Creek Cabin is the solo game start. It is a log cabin high in the Santa Monica Mountains between Malibu and Calabasas, California. The player wakes up here alone. Whoever built it got ready for the end of the world, so the cabin is full of gear laid out in sets.
By the bed, a Medic set with a Med Kit, Bandage, Suture Kit, Painkillers and Antibiotics.
Along the front wall, a Hunter set with a Hunting Rifle, Reloaded Rounds, Hunting Bow, Arrows, Hunting Knife and Field Jacket.
By the stove, a Soldier set with a Pump Shotgun, Shotgun Shells, Pistol, Pistol Rounds, Police Vest and Army Helmet.
On the workbench, a Mechanic set with a Toolbox, Crowbar, Nails and Duct Tape.
By the door, survival gear with a Backpack, Water Filter and Hand Radio.
In the yard and shed, piles of Wood, Scrap Metal, Cloth, Rope, Metal Pipe and Wire for crafting.
The shed holds more raw materials than the map shows. If the player searches it, they find more Wood, Nails, Cloth, Leather, Bone and Charcoal. Let them take a reasonable amount.
The dead of Los Angeles rarely climb this high. Wild pigs, coyotes and a cougar use the canyon. Malibu Creek Camp is an hour's walk west, where Gloria Esparza keeps bees and a garden. Smoke rises from the old lab above Malibu Canyon to the south-west. That smoke is the start of The Cold Chain. Monique Whitlock is at Malibu Creek Camp with her cooler.
Do not force the player anywhere. Let them explore the cabin, gear up and choose. The hand radio gives daily horde news from a tower in the city, which is a good way to point at places worth visiting.