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!
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Styling an oversized wardrobe item like a poncho or a cape can feel overwhelming because it is such a statement piece. The challenge is to still keep a flattering shape and not look overly frumpy. When this look is achieved just right, it really has all those autumn and wintery vibes we love. Plus it will keep you super warm and cozy!
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One of my favorite trending styles is the new re-vamp of the wrap skirt. Itβs such an easy piece to style and fits well on so many body types. These skirts transition easily from Spring to Summer, and youβll get so much wear out of them. These skirts are perfect for both vacations and everyday wear, even for Sunday brunching!
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La Jolla is the crown jewel of San Diego, known for its luxurious atmosphere and pristine beaches, which are consistently voted as some of the best beach destinations in the world. The immaculate city blocks in this coastal suburb of San Diego offers visitors delightful and family-friendly experiences.
In La Jolla there are so many water-related sports activities to partake in, from walks on the long stretches of sandy beaches to kayaking and surfing, as well as arrays of coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques to spend your vacation days at. The gorgeous beaches, stunning cliffs, and natural wonders of this coastal inlet provide endless opportunities to explore the outdoors.
La Jolla's charming community vibe is also what makes it so family-friendly. On that same note, a lot of restaurants and stores in La Jolla are fancy and geared for adults and not necessarily appropriate for children. This is particularly true if you have a baby and a toddler like we do. In this guide I provide plenty of options for families with babies, toddlers and older children.
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One of the best ways to brighten up cold and rainy days is with your favorite cheerful rain gear. My closet has a few rain shower staples, and in the winter and springtime I wear them often. These raincoats and wellie boots are both stylish and practical - keeping you dry and comfortable.
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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!
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At this point Iβve been through pregnancy and postpartum twice with my two babies. And while each time was different and had its own challenges, there definitely were some similarities that most women experience.
Getting dressed both when pregnant and in the postpartum months can quite honestly be frustrating. Youβre dealing with weight gain, bloating, aches and pains, heavy bleeding and nursing. Thereβs a lot going on!
I highly recommend building a capsule wardrobe that can accommodate all these needs and make you feel comfortable. During the postpartum phase youβll pretty much do anything to make yourself feel a little better and cute clothes can do the trick!
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Your engagement and wedding day are momentous occasions in your life and you will want your pictures to mark the moment and reflect the sentiment. You'll want to capture the beauty and romance of your union with your partner in a location that reflects the happiness you shared in those moments. This is why the unparalleled ambiance and scenic landscapes of San Diego are ideal for booking for photography session.
San Diego is truly a beautiful city, with great weather and plenty of photo opportunities during all four seasons. It offers a variety of unique locations, such as scenic neighborhoods, modern urban backdrops, gorgeous beaches, and picturesque natural landscapes, all just a short drive away from the city, making it an ideal spot for your engagement and wedding photos.
In this blog, Iβll go through some of my favorite spots that you can choose from, Iβll mention some places for family photos in San Diego, and discuss the benefits of investing in a professional photoshoot for your engagement and wedding.
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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!
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Foodie travel is a top trend for travelers of all ages. Maybe it's the influence from foodie rockstar Anthony Bourdain, but it's not uncommon for vacationers to build their travel itineraries around the restaurants and cafes they hope to visit. Coffee lovers are particularly devoted to their caffeinated brews and find it necessary to fuel their addiction with quality coffee while on the road.
Each city has its own popular and tried and true coffee locations. If you are planning to road trip and venture around California, you'll need to know where to get a great cup of joe. Donβt worry as we will introduce you to the most exceptional coffee destinations that you shouldnβt miss in the Golden State. These places will be just perfect for your morning routine and help start your vacation days off right.
All of the coffee shops listed here are places I have personally visited during my many travels around the state of California. Each one had some special qualities which made it stand out as exceptional. Iβll do my best to paint a picture of what itβs like to sip a hot cup of coffee inside one of these noteworthy cafes.
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No matter the type of experience you wish to share with the girls at your bachelorette party, to make it impeccable for you, Americaβs Finest City will lay it out on the canvas of the finest weather you could dream of.
In the mood for wine-induced gaiety wrapped in classy sophistication? Wanting to explore sites that offer different scenery and heart-throbbing adventures every five minutes of the walk? Driven by the desire to bask in the sun of the finest beaches? Up for a hiking challenge with breathtaking views while compiling a collection of quirky pics?
Whatever your preferences, the San Diego area has a whole array of body and soul-pampering experiences to make for a stupendous catalog of life-long memories. Letβs jump right to the list of tempting bachelorette destination choices!
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Whether you're stuck in a long layover or have a few hours to kill before your next flight, there's no need to be bored at San Francisco International Airport. With plenty of things to see and do, you can make the most of your time at SFO.
Planning ahead will allow you to better enjoy your travel time and take advantage of any unexpected delays during your trip, rather than simply waiting around bored for your flight to come. So take on an adventure and take advantage of one of these excellent options the next time you have a short or long layover in San Francisco.
About me, I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and my husband and I lived in an apartment very close to SFO. All of the recommendations in this blog post are things that we have done ourselves when either waiting for a flight or entertaining friends and family visiting on a long layover.
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Every year Pinterest comes out with the highly anticipated Pinterest Predicts report which provides valuable insight into up and coming trends for the next 12 months. Thereβs almost always a hair trend report, and for 2022 Pinterest has reported that Rebel Cuts and Colors is the newest hair movement to hit the mainstream population. This means that a rainbow of bright, colorful and pastel shades will be showing up in the tresses of fashion forward folks.
For myself, my hair color journeys have included platinum blonde, purple lavender, silver gray and rose gold pink. This blog post is filled with useful information and tips to help you decide on your next wild child color.
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Every year I anxiously await the autumn season so I can bust out my favorite plaid shirts. Theyβre everything a gal needs - flattering, soft, comfortable and versatile. Pretty much fashion magic! Thereβs all kinds of plaid prints and color combos, making it way to easy to end up with a closet full of plaid.
Finding the shirt with the best fit for your body is important, especially since you know youβre going to be living in it all of fall. The plaid shirts Iβve selected in the below shopping guide have that modern cut and fit weβre looking for.
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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.
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Desert, cacti, funny looking trees, giant round boulders, and an indescribable feeling of mystic magic in the air - this basically describes Joshua Tree National Park in a nutshell. Named after the uniquely shaped trees (which actually aren't trees at all), Joshua Tree is located inland in Southern California and offers a popular wilderness destination for hikers, rock climbers, photographers and nature lovers.
The Joshua Tree park is comprised of over 795,000 acres of land, which is bigger than the state of Rhode Island! So you may be asking, how could I possibly see this enormous park in one day? While you canβt see everything in such a short period of time, you can definitely hit up some highlights and get the overall feeling of the park.
In this guide I will give you all kinds of options for your one day trip to Joshua Tree, giving you plenty of activities to fill up your itinerary. They will range and vary as far as how physically strenuous they are, from leisurely park walks to ambitious hiking trails. In short, thereβs something for everyone!
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When it comes to indoor plants, letβs face it β everybody loves them! They can spruce up a place and make it look more welcoming, warm, and filled with positive energy.
However, not everyone has a knack for keeping houseplants. I have to admit that I have unintentionally killed my fair share of potted plants. I have no problems caring for my human children and my dog, but for some reason my plant babies never seen to survive more than a couple months.
For this blog post I sought out the expert advice of a botanist who could provide valuable advice and knowledge to those of us who are not born with a green thumb. Below youβll find a list of low-maintenance houseplants that can still flourish with forgetful and preoccupied caretakers.
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The bohemian inspired fashion brand Free People has a very loyal following amongst women who gravitate towards a free spirited lifestyle. From long flowy maxi gowns to short mini dresses with statement sleeves, thereβs a Free People ensemble for every occasion in life.
When I think about my boho-inspired wardrobe pieces hanging in my closet, they tend to be for the fun times in life. I wear them for vacations, home playing with my kids, special events like weddings and even just lounging at home. They are a departure from the stuffy office life which makes them extra fun to shop for.
I actually wore flowy maxi dresses from Free People (and Free People inspired brands) for the majority of the time when I was pregnant with my two kids. They were the only things that made me feel beautiful and comfortable at the same time. You can see my guide to baby bump friendly boho dresses here.
While Free People is shinning in the spotlight and stealing all the glory, thereβs actually many other similar brands to Free People that do an equally as impressive job of creating whimsical bohemian wardrobe essentials that I promise youβll love just as much.
In this blog post I will give you a wide spectrum of boho clothing brands that range from upscale designers to budget-friendly options. When shopping from top of the line brands, you can spend a bit more in high quality wardrobe investment pieces that youβll wear year-after-year. If thereβs a boho style trend that youβre wanting to test run before making a big commitment, opt for an economical low-cost alternative before spending a bit more on a single clothing item.
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