Posts in Travel
A Weekend Guide to Half Moon Bay – Top Things to See and Do on the Coast

Dramatic nature sites and breathtaking ocean scenery – 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 – 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 – book a trip and see the magic for yourself!

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La Jolla Travel Guide - Best Family-Friendly Things to Do

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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Top 30 San Diego Locations for Engagement and Wedding Photos

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, I’ll go through some of my favorite spots that you can choose from, I’ll 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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Top California Coffee Shops and Local Chains for Coffee Lovers

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. Don’t worry as we will introduce you to the most exceptional coffee destinations that you shouldn’t 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. I’ll do my best to paint a picture of what it’s like to sip a hot cup of coffee inside one of these noteworthy cafes.

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San Diego Areas to Explore During a Bachelorette Destination Trip

No matter the type of experience you wish to share with the girls at your bachelorette party, to make it impeccable for you, America’s 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. Let’s jump right to the list of tempting bachelorette destination choices!

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Travel Guide to Yolo County - Hidden Gems & Small Towns to Visit

We live in the heart of East Sacramento, which means that Yolo County is right in our backyard. Yolo County is located directly west of the urban Sacramento city blocks and across the Sacramento River. Surprisingly West Sacramento is technically part of Yolo (go figure!) and is the most populated and developed part of Yolo. The further west you travel, the more rural the landscape becomes with quaint countryside scenes.

This blog post guide is filled with photos and stories from our family adventures in Yolo County. Here you’ll find my top recommendations for agritourism farms to visit, foodie and restaurant eats, photography spots and unique shopping experiences.

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SFO Airport - Top Things To Do During Long and Short Layovers in San Francisco

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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Best Snowy Places in California for a Winter Road Trip

Looking for a winter road trip destination where you can walk through a real life winter wonderland? California is a great place to go! With its many snowy mountain ranges, there are plenty of places to explore.

Winter is a wonderful time to enjoy the snow, whether you're hitting the slopes or simply playing in the snow. Snowboarding and skiing are great ways to get out and enjoy the winter weather. Sledding and snowman-building are fun activities for families with young children. There's something about being in the snow that just makes people feel happy, and there's nothing quite like relaxing in a cozy cabin after a long day of playing in the snow. If you're looking for a reason to love winter, start with snow travel. It's an experience you'll never forget.

In this blog post, we will outline and give the highlights to some of the best snowy destinations in California. Whether you're looking for a place to ski or just enjoy the scenery, we have you covered. Keep reading to plan your trip to some of the best winter road trip destinations in the Golden State!

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Where to Stay in Santorini – Fira (Thera) or Oia?

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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Top 10 Day Trips from Sacramento - Northern California Road Trips Under 2 Hours of Drive Time!

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.

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The Best Things to Do in North Park, San Diego

The adorable little neighborhood of North Park, San Diego has been blowing up all over Instagram lately and it's not hard to see why. The streets are painted those pastel colors we love, the walls are filled with urban succulent gardens and the matcha is oh-so-trendy. Not to mention the foodie scene is really happening with cuisine from all over the world, and of course plenty of fusions. Forbes named it one of America’s best neighborhoods for hipsters, which really sums it up.

My husband and I lived in San Diego and North Park was one of my favorite hangout spots. Our perfect afternoon out-and-about in North Park would be eating tacos Γ  la lucha libre style and then sipping green matcha latte while window shopping boutiques. Read on to see North Park's top spots and begin planning your visit to one of San Diego's favorite neighborhoods.

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Affordable Food and Fun Things to Do in San Diego

There are many fun things to do in San Diego - and despite what you may have heard, not all of them break the bank.

If there’s one thing this area is criticized for, it’s that the high-standards lifestyle often comes with a price tag that’s just as soaring.

But San Diego is called America’s Finest City - not its priciest city. While there are some high-priced attractions and establishments that attract the affluent, it’s also possible to enjoy this amazing area without a big budget.

Today we’ll highlight some of the best restaurants, attractions, and locations that allow you to fill your stomach and your day without requiring you to drain your savings in the process. We’ll also mention some of the spots you can head to when it’s time to splurge and treat yourself.

Let’s plan our San Diego day together!

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Bodega Bay Family Travel Guide – Kid-Friendly Things To Do

One of Northern California's best-kept secrets is Bodega Bay. This small beach town is located right on the bay in Sonoma County. This seaside town is breathtakingly beautiful and an amazing destination for having a whale of a time in the great outdoors, plus enjoying fresh seafood eats.

Driving along the gorgeous California State Route 1 North, you will come right through Bodega Bay. The town itself is small, only 13 square miles, but there is plenty to do and discover. It wraps around the bay perfectly, making for plenty of coastal beach spots to explore.

The most popular activities are hanging at the beach, hiking the nature reserves and boating. Bodega Bay is a beautiful whale hotspot all year round, and you can easily book tickets to sailing here.

This fishing village has become an under the radar tourist destination, offering fresh seafood restaurants, vacation rentals, and coastal views, which makes it a popular weekend beach getaway spot.

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Visitor’s Guide to Old Sacramento - Top 20 Family-Friendly & Date Night Things To Do

With countless hidden gems, Sacramento is a destination that deserves to be on your California travel bucket list. The first time most people visit California’s capital city of Sacramento, they almost always wind up spending some time in historical Old Sacramento. While many cities have their own version β€œold town”, the Old Sacramento District really takes the cake with blocks of preserved buildings, working locomotive steam trains, shopping and dining, and beautiful Tower Bridge and Sacramento River views.

The Old Sacramento area is home to the highest concentration of historic buildings and landmarks in the state. It has a lovely Old West look and feel, with horse-drawn stagecoaches slowly making their way through its scenic streets. There are over a hundred shops and restaurants, as well as countless cafes and hotels now housed in its attractive old buildings.

Old Sacramento is one of those rare places where there’s truly something for everyone. Within the 8-block grid of Old Sac there’s kid-friendly attractions and not-so-kid-friendly spots. Families can bring their children and simultaneously adults can enjoy more mature activities with booze and sophistication.

This Old Sacramento guide is divided between things to do with your kids and adult only activities for a day out on the town or date night with someone special. There’s also plenty of foodie suggestions for those who enjoy eating well while on vacation.

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Weekend Guide to La Jolla - Top Things to Do in 48 Hours

The San Diego city of La Jolla is the perfect spot for a quick weekend getaway. It's got all the vacation essentials you need including colorful murals, artesian food and endless beach sunsets. We all have our favorite activities and foods we like to enjoy during vacation, so I've built a quick and easy guide to popular spots in La Jolla. Looking for amazing Instagram photo spots? Want to eat a delicious meal on a rooftop while gazing on a sunset sky? It's all here!

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The Best Time of Year to Visit Palm Springs

Palm Springs is one of California’s favorite playgrounds for both bachelorette gals in their 20’s 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. I’ve broken down the highlights of each month so you can best plan your perfect vacation.

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Family-Friendly Guide to Sonoma County - Top Things To Do with Kids

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 there’s 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 you’ve got babies, toddlers or older kids, below you’ll find a variety of vacation itinerary ideas to fill your time with both adventure and relaxation.

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Best Apple Hill Christmas Tree Farms to Cut Your Own Tree

The day after Thanksgiving we loaded up the car and headed North-East from Sacramento into Apple Hill. It’s 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).

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