Dramatic nature sites and breathtaking ocean scenery β it is not difficult to see the allure of Half Moon Bay. If you wish to discover this unspoiled stretch of the Northern California coast, I've handpicked the best things to do and see in the area.
Thanks to its small-town charm combined with incredible vistas, Half Moon Bay has become a loved weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of the nearby cities, San Francisco and San Jose. From excellent surfing opportunities to great hiking spots β Half Moon Bay offers its visitors a wide range of experiences.
Half Moon Bay is my hometown, I was born and grew up here up until I moved away for college. This guide is composed from the perspective of a local with many revealed hidden gems. My blog post is also filled with many of my favorite photos taken over the last several years. Keep scrolling to find all kinds of inspiration for your trip.
Whether you wish to have a romantic laidback weekend with your loved one or a fun-filled getaway with the whole family, Half Moon Bay won't disappoint. But don't just take my word for it β book a trip and see the magic for yourself!
Read More
The 2019 Makerβs Mart was comprised of over seventy makers, creators, artists, and entrepreneurs. The vibe inside the market was so warm and cozy, with an incredible turn out of attendees (especially considering the rainy weather). It just goes to show that the Sacramento community is filled with diehard fans of handmade goodness!
Read More
For all the guys and gals out there with sensitive skin like myself, you may experience negative skin reactions to certain metals such as nickel and possibly even silver. Metal allergies are fairly common and can result in red, swollen and itchy skin, which is medically known as contact dermatitis.
I have never been able to wear any earrings that contain even trace amounts of nickel. Many earrings that are labelled βsterling silverβ, βnickel freeβ or βhypoallergenicβ can still legally contain up to 5% nickel mixed into the metal. Other metals to avoid are surgical steel, copper, rhodium and any plated gold jewelry. For people with metal allergies, the best way to go is solid gold. Solid gold is also very lightweight and doesnβt stretch the skin which can also be a cause for irritation.
Read More
My husband and I spent a couple weeks traveling through the Greek islands during the summer month of July. During the process of planning our trip, I did a ton of research on the island of Santorini. Specifically I wanted to know if we should plan on booking our hotel in the city of Fira (also known as Thera) or the village of Oia. There are pros and cons to each location, and it ultimately boils down to what kinds of activities you plan on partaking during your Greek island trip.
Read on to see my detailed breakdown of both the Santorini cities Thera and Oia. I also provide activities and itinerary suggestions for each location, making planning your own trip a breeze!
Read More
Sacramento is centrally located in Northern California, making it the perfect basecamp for exploring all that the region has to offer. My husband and I have lived in Sacramento for over 5 years now and we quickly discovered how incredibly convenient this prime location is for road-trips.
Within a 2-hour drive of the city, you'll find plenty of scenic places to visit, including top destinations like Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, and San Francisco. So whether you're looking to enjoy the great outdoors, experience some of the best wine and dining in the country, or want to explore a big urban city, Sacramento is the perfect starting point for your road-trip.
Read More
With both of my pregnancies I was extremely curious to know the gender of my babies very early on. Gender reveal ultrasounds are usually around 20 weeks, and it can be a long and impatient wait for eager parents. When you finally know the big news, itβs so fun to make a formal announcement with a creative photo!
Read More
Ahh, fall. Who doesnβt love days filled with cozy sweaters, leaves that crunch underfoot, and the delicious smell of everything pumpkin spice? This season's warm and inviting vibes just make us feel like curling up in a big blanket and never leaving!
But with the changing weather, itβs time to slightly alter our wardrobe styles for the colder days ahead. As October rolls in, a great way to stay snug is to dress in stylish yet comfortable outfits appropriate for any activity in the fall.
The overall dress is a fall favorite fashion staple, and it goes so well with our favorite autumn activities. This particular style of dress is also often called a pinafore or jumper dress. Whatever you call it, these dresses are perfect for layering and building a cozy fall outfit.
Whether youβre planning an apple-picking outing, a romantic day date, catching up with friends over coffee, or window shopping, we have the perfect looks to keep you chic and cozy.
Read More
Palm Springs is one of Californiaβs favorite playgrounds for both bachelorette gals in their 20βs to families with children. This desert oasis offers warmth and sunshine most of the year, but events and temperatures vary from month to month.
Every month of the year offers benefits and challenges with traveling to Palm Springs. Iβve broken down the highlights of each month so you can best plan your perfect vacation.
Read More
Sonoma County is known as a sophisticated weekend travel locale for adults to enjoy the best that California wine country has to offer. This Northern California destination is home to gorgeous landscapes and world-renowned wineries.
It may surprise you to learn that in Sonoma County thereβs plenty of activities the whole family can enjoy. If you are looking for a beautiful, fun and kid-friendly place to vacation, look no further than Sonoma County!
In this guide we outline some of the best things to do in Sonoma and the surrounding areas with your children. Whether youβve got babies, toddlers or older kids, below youβll find a variety of vacation itinerary ideas to fill your time with both adventure and relaxation.
Read More
After a long week, your brain can feel frazzled and your body may feel physically exhausted. Once you get to Sunday, the idea of doing it all again next week might overwhelm you. Take a pause, and letβs reset.
Tackling a big week might seem daunting, but using Sunday to reset your body, space, and mind might just be the answer. A Sunday reset routine can help set you up for a successful upcoming week. This article will help you reset your body, mind, and spirit. Use this list to help you get started on a successful Sunday reset!
Read More
The day after Thanksgiving we loaded up the car and headed North-East from Sacramento into Apple Hill. Itβs about an hour drive from our house to the Placerville and El Dorado County area. We had been looking forward to selecting and cutting down our own Christmas tree all week!
Apple Hill is one of the few places in Northern California where you can go into the Christmas tree farms and cut down your own tree. The Christmas tree varieties include Douglas Fir, White Fir, Canaan, Noble Fir and Silvertip. Most of the Christmas tree farms open the day after Thanksgiving and stay open until the week of Christmas (or until they sell out).
Read More
After all my holiday celebrating and Christmas-themed research Iβve done in this past month of December, I can officially declare that thereβs no shortage of holiday cheer in Californiaβs capital city of Sacramento.
One common theme I discovered is that the people of Sacramento really love supporting their peers, i.e. fellow Sacramento locals. On my list youβll find ample opportunities to shop both small businesses and local artisans, plus support the arts like the Sacramento Ballet.
Read More
It's the most wonderful time of the year, and I'm here for it! I'm a big fan of Christmas. I love the decorations, the sweet aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg, the cheery lights, and all things sparkly. When a city's festivities and spirit bring on the holiday joy, it makes for an especially memorable experience, and San Francisco will always have a permanent place in my heart for that.
I grew up in the small town of Half Moon Bay which is located just south of San Francisco. My husband and I eventually moved into a tiny apartment in the heart of downtown San Francisco, and we got to experience Christmas in the city firsthand.
In this guide Iβve rounded up my top things to see in the month of December should you find yourself spending the Christmas holiday season in San Francisco. From picture perfect holiday card spots, to the best yuletide sweets, and of course Christmas shopping, weβve got everything you need for a festive itinerary while on your California winter vacation.
Read More
October is the true beginning of the fall season and the entire month is filled with festive Halloween events. With every passing week of the month, the childrenβs anticipation builds up for October 31st. For most families Halloween night is synonymous with the time-honored tradition of trick-or-treating. Many children celebrate Halloween by dressing up in costumes and visiting neighbors in your neighborhood in search of candy.
So why would you decide against celebrating Halloween with trick-or-treating? There are several reasons to possibly avoid taking to the streets on Halloween. Some neighborhoods are not suitable for walking door-to-door, they may be too spacious and rural. Other places may just be unsafe and not very child-friendly. Extreme weather can hinder trick-or-treating or maybe your tweens are just getting too old.
No matter what your reasons, my guide is filled with many fun and festive Halloween alternatives to trick-or-treating. My suggestions are great for children of all ages (and for adults too!). Your friends and family wonβt be disappointed with the spooky fun youβll be serving up!
Read More
Christmas is a time of celebration, but itβs also a time of accumulation. The tradition of giving gifts means that by January weβve got a slew of new items in our home that we need to find a place for. Itβs very easy to discover that clutter has begun to pile up around the house after the festivities have ended.
The best way to combat this holiday untidiness is with planning ahead before you get into the thick of the gifting season. In this blog post I will outline the best ways to purge your house of unwanted items and then organize your home so that new items can be put away easily.
Read More
Apple Hill is essentially an outdoor playground for families, with numerous farms that welcome visitors. While Apple Hill is known for its apple picking in the fall season, there is also plenty to do during the months of Thanksgiving and Christmas. This scenic area of Northern California is not just about apple orchards. Here you can taste fine wines from local wineries, attend unique seasonal events, picnic surrounded by picturesque scenery, and enjoy classic holiday traditions.
Visitors have been coming to this beautiful area for over 50 years, and believe it or not, the popularity of these farms continues to grow in modern times. With so much to do in Apple Hill, you may need some advice on where to start. Read on for suggestions on some of the most popular things to do during the holiday season.
Read More
The 5 Love Languages is both a theory and best selling book on how to improve your relationships with the loved ones in your life. Chapmanβs advice is simple and uncomplicated, but still very impactful and easy to implement.
In a simple summary, every individual has both primary and secondary ways that they prefer to give and receive love. As individuals we are all unique in how we express emotions, and sometimes we have a hard time communicating or acknowledging those feelings with our loved ones because we weβre aware of their particular love language.
Read More
