Posts in Travel
One Day in London - How to Maximize Your Time During a 12-Hour Layover

My husband and I took a summer 10-day trip to the Greek islands during the month of July. We flew from San Francisco to London and then onwards to the island of Santorini. On the way to Greece we had an 8 hour layover in London, on the way back we had a 17 hour layover in London. Both times we wanted to maximize our time in England so we left the airports to do some sightseeing.

Yes, I know what you're thinking - those two long layovers in London are definitely not enough. You're right! Even a week might not be enough to experience the city, take in all the incredible sights, and marvel at London's beautiful architecture. However, if you're there already and have the opportunity to spend the day exploring, you should unquestionably take advantage of it.

Because there are so many things to see and do in London, you may be overwhelmed by the options, which is why I made this guide. It will help you make the most of your time in the city by offering tips for where to go and what to do during your one day in London.

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Oahu 4-Day Itinerary & Travel Guide

Although the Hawaiian islands are small, there’s so many sights to explore - especially on capital island of Oahu! When you’ve only got 4 days to vacation in Oahu, its definitely worth your time to plan your itinerary in advance.

I’ve broken this blog post up into sections - each one caters to specific travel interests. There’s plenty for foodies, beach lovers, nature adventure seekers and family fun. My suggestion for building your Oahu 4-Day Itinerary would be select your top four must-see items and then add-on meal options.

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Best Ice Cream & Sweet Shops in Sacramento

Sacramento is quickly becoming a California foodie destination, and a true foodie can really appreciate quality ice cream, gourmet donuts and apothecary candy stores. In Sacramento you’ll find a mix of old-established family ice cream parlors and new trendy ice cream.

In preparation for this blog post, I had a lot of fun doing β€œresearch” eating ice cream all over Sacramento. It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it!

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Dog-Friendly Guide to Half Moon Bay, California

Half Moon bay is the perfect weekend warrior destination, especially if you’re planning dog-friendly travel. There are many outdoor spaces where your furry babies are allowed to accompany you. Also there’s a good selection of eating establishments that are willing to accommodate dogs.

The recommended spots in this guide are just a quick drive from San Francisco or San Jose area, about an hour away from either city. You can opt for a day trip or an over-night stay, I’ve got a list of hotels that are pet-friendly.

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Stroller-Friendly Hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area

One of the biggest challenges of being the parent to a young child is finding ways to enjoy the outdoors. When my daughter was born I quickly learned that many of my favorite hikes and walks were not very stroller friendly.

This blog post began because I spent so much time researching where I can take my toddler on scenic walks and urban hikes. Luckily the San Francisco Bay Area has several options where you can walk at least a solid mile uninterrupted with your stroller.

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Family Travel Guide to Yosemite in the Winter

Yosemite is a beautiful place to vacation during any season. Although you have to battle the cold during the winter months, there are some major perks to visiting during the off-season. We once went to Yosemite on 4th of July weekend and the park was absolutely packed and the traffic was terrible. But this past January we took our toddler Scout on a family trip to Yosemite and we pretty much had the whole park to ourselves!

The main thing to remember when visiting Yosemite is to take it slow and enjoy the scenery. It's truly one of those places filled with so much natural beauty that it takes your breath away. This guide covers all the fun activities and sightseeing that is available during the winter season.

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Best Places to Find Blooming Flower Fields and Orchards in California

We are so lucky in California because there are several places to see these beauties bloom. The flowers across the state of California begin sprouting up in late February and can last until the heat of summer dries them out.

Fresh blossoms can be found in fields and others are in tree orchards. Some of these places occur naturally in the wild, and others are cultivated on farms. Either way, vibrant flowers looks stunning both in person and on camera. I know all you Instagrammers are looking for that perfect shot!

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The Modern Travel Guide to Chico, California

Chico is one of the greatest gems of Northern California, and it also happens to be my college town. I spent five years living in Chico while I attended Chico State University working towards my bachelor's degree in Business Marketing. I graduated in 2009 and there's been so much growth and development in this town over the last ten years. In 2019 Chico was actually the fastest growing city in California!

Probably one of my favorite things about Chico is that it's able to keep that small town feel while still being contemporary and modern. Both millennials and baby boomers have both fallen in love with Chico, there's something for everyone.

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San Diego Neighborhood Guide: Little Italy

San Diego's neighborhood of Little Italy has evolved into one of the most modern and trendy areas of SoCal. The lively social scene makes it the perfect place to enjoy both a day and night out on the town.  I've compiled a comprehensive list of the best 45 spots to eat, drink and be merry in Little Italy.  From the swanky high brow spots to the cool and comfy, it's all here. Plan a romantic evening with that special someone or invite your pals out for a brunch date.

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Best Spots in San Francisco to Photograph the Golden Gate Bridge

Probably the most iconic landmark of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. While you can see the bridge from many locations around the city, for photography purposes there are limited places where the bridge is large enough to show up clearly in photos.

Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I’ve spent many years roaming around the city with my camera. In this blog post you’ll find my recommendations for best area in and around San Francisco for photos with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

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Top 13 California Spring Break Destinations

Spring is a great time to travel in California because there’s a good chance you’ll be treated to some awesome weather. Spring break is also a popular time to vacation because many students have time-off from school.

This California Spring Break Guide works for both college students and parents with kids who are on break from school. My top destinations have a bit of something for everyone!

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California Summer Festivals that are Totally Family Friendly

This blog post gives you some great options for summer festivals and events where you can feel comfortable bringing your littles ones. Some of them are even dog-friendly too!

In California we have beautiful summer weather and it’s a shame to spend too much time indoors. Summer festivals are definitely a thing in Cali, but most of them are too loud and rowdy for families with children.

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Flying with a 4-Month-Old Baby: A Complete Guide

My husband and I traveled very often before we had our baby daughter Scout, and we still wanted to continue our adventures as parents. At four-months-old we took Scout to New York City during the autumn season, and then at 6-months we took her to Oahu in Hawaii.

I was definitely nervous about flying with a baby for the first time, but it turned out to be fairly smooth. I did have some learning experiences that I will definitely be sharing in this blog post, and many more tips to help parents plan their baby-friendly air travel.

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First Time Visitor's Guide to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco

Every time I've had friends and family come and visit San Francisco for the first time, they always want to explore Fisherman's Wharf. This 10 block stretch is filled with sights to see and things to do. Coming from a gal who has been to this area of San Francisco many times in my life, in this blog post I break down my favorite spots worth visiting.

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Luxury Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tours You'll Want to Experience

California Wine Country is one of the few places where I would recommend spending a little more money on premium vacationing services, it's actually very much worth your dime. There's a whole world of luxury hidden among the rolling hills of Napa and Sonoma Valley. This blog post is all about showcasing some of the unique ways to experience California wine country in style.

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Things to Do with Kids in Sonoma County for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is supposed to be all about romance and spending quality time with your Valentine. But if you're parents with young kids, the reality is that your little ones may have to tag along with you on your Valentine's Day date. This blog post is about finding those gem spots in Sonoma County where adults can enjoy the atmosphere but at the same time it's also appropriate to bring your child.

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Tenaya Lodge: A Family & Dog Friendly Yosemite Travel Destination

When it comes to selecting your hotel accommodations you have many options, but I have to say that Tenaya Lodge is one of the only resorts in the Yosemite area that is a destination in and of itself. There’s so much to explore at the resort, their list of activities is very impressive. Tenaya Lodge is very family friendly - and also dog-friendly too. You can literally bring the whole gang!

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