Guest blog post by Jessica Holbrook of Salt & Sol Life. All those qualities that make Santa Cruz, California a great college town, an abundance of coffee shops, a lively music scene, and plenty of places to grab a quick bite to eat, make it the perfect getaway with a baby. The vibe is casual and the people are laid-back.
Read MoreWhile we love to travel to far away lands and explore new cultures, I have to admit that I do get a feeling of dread when I think about the long flight. The thought of being stuck on a compact plane for over 10 hours is certainly the least glamorous part of international travel.
In my lifetime Iβve traveled from California to Greece, England, Ireland, Spain, Japan, India, Mexico, Nigeria, New York, Hawaii, Bahamas, France and Holland. During these long haul travels I learned some tricks and travel hacks to make the air travel more tolerable. If youβre able to arrive at your destination well rested and relaxed then youβre setting yourself up for an awesome trip.
Read MoreThereβs over 90 breweries in the greater Sacramento area giving enthusiasts a steady stream of new places to explore and beers to taste. Many of these Sacramento breweries are opening up their doors to the public, often with restaurants serving fresh artesian food.
In this blog post I will highlight some of my favorite beer-centric establishments and events in NorCal Gold Country. This is s great resource for planning foodie and drink-themed weekend road trips to Sacramento.
Read MorePasadena is known for beautiful tree-lined streets, lotβs of greenery and flowers, and grand architecture. Being more inland, when you visit Pasadena your trip will be less about the beach and more about the finer things in lifeβ¦ like good food! During our visits to Pasadena, we pretty much eat our way through the town with pleasant city walks in-between meals. In short, Pasadena is a foodieβs paradise spot for a weekend retreat.
Read MoreSan Diego is one of those bucket list California road trip destinations. Itβs got everything youβre looking for in a vacation - warm sunny weather, beaches, palm trees, trendy restaurants, shopping and of course Insta-worthy photography locations.
In this guide Iβve listed over 30 San Diego spots where you can take bright and colorful vacation photos. The list includes the best neighborhoods to hangout, beaches, parks, where to eat and of course flower fields.
Read MoreLocated in the heart of San Luis Obispo, the Madonna Inn has become a California landmark and a favorite road trip destination. One of the first things you might notice when looking at all these photos is "My gosh, the decor is just so tacky!". And you would be spot on to think so, the fabulously tacky style of the Madonna Inn is its claim to fame.
Read MoreOne of the liveliest neighborhoods in San Diego is the Hillcrest Gay District. The streets are filled with vibrant colors and friends gathering to meet up for brunch, not to mention the thriving nightlife scene.
Hillcrest is known as the most diverse area of the city because they welcome all kinds of people and they have a strong LGBT community. Although San Diego in general is considered to be very gay-friendly, Hillcrest is truly the hub for gay-owned businesses and events.
Read MoreThe gold rush town of Auburn in Northern California is often considered the summer playground for the city folk living in San Francisco and Sacramento. Auburn is centrally located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe with one hour drive from each city. For many years it was considered a stop over spot on your way to Tahoe, but more recently travelers have realized that the history and charm of Auburn make it a great weekend destination.
Read MoreBrunch, the most important meal of the weekend! The Sacramento brunch scene is always buzzing on the weekend and youβll see so many people out and about in Midtown and East Sacramento. My friends from San Francisco love to come up and visit Sacramento to soak up some warm sunshine and eat some yummy brunch food.
Weβve been living in Sacramento for over 3 years now and Iβve seen so many new trendy restaurants open up. Needless to say, I am very willing to taste test each one to give you the scoop.
Read on to browse my list of top 20 Sacramento brunch spots and start planning your weekend. P.S. You know many of these restaurants are so Insta-worthy because that's how we roll.
Read MoreThe San Diego eateries Iβve chosen for this list are popular with the Instagram crowd because theyβve mastered the art of trendy decor and creating fun photo opportunities for patrons. Youβll find brunch restaurants, ice cream shops, cafes and perfect date night places.
These top picks can be found all over the San Diego area because thereβs just so many cute neighborhoods in this colorful city. Whether youβre a visitor on a beach vacation or a local, thereβs always be new areas to explore.
Read MoreLike most people I enjoy indulging in delicious food but I especially love it when your meal is also a feast for the eyes! I often bring my camera with me when I go out to eat because fancy eats can truly be a fun subject to photograph. I like to call it βPoetry on a plate!β
In this blog post Iβve listed San Francisco eateries where your meal is truly an experience and thereβs ample opportunities to capture beautiful photos. Whether itβs for Instagram or your personal portfolio of photography, these spots are filled with natural light and airy aestheticsβ¦ and of course yummy eats!
Read MoreI grew up in the small coastal town of Half Moon Bay, located 30 miles south of San Francisco. Driving up and down the Pacific Coast Highway (also known as Highway 1) was a regular occurrence in my childhood. I didn't realize until later on in my adulthood how lucky I was to experience such scenic ocean views everyday. As a local I love to share the love and tell where to find my hidden gems spots.
Beginning from North to South, I've built the ultimate guide with the top spots along Highway 1 worth pulling over for!
Read MoreI first started my blogging career back when I lived in the bay, and we spent pretty much every weekend looking for new San Francisco photography spots for the blog and Instagram. Over the years we covered every corner of the City by the Bay and captured memorable pictures on my camera.
In this guide Iβve got over 30 San Francisco photography locations. Some of them are familiar iconic landmarks and others are hidden gems known by locals. Both San Fran newbies and veterans will find inspiration for your next urban photography adventure, I promise!
Read MoreThe city of Sacramento does an excellent job of making the holiday season extra special. Itβs one of the few places in California where the trees change into vibrant colors, and the fall foliage really hits its peak the week of Thanksgiving. For Christmas thereβs twinkling lights and trees adorning the Downtown and Midtown streets.
Thereβs many locally owned restaurants, artisans and foodie shops in the Sacramento area that have seasonal offerings. You can find your favorite holiday foods and sweets available during the months of November and December. These foods and treats are either available to order online and take home or you can enjoy them on-site.
Read MoreI grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and my husbandβs entire family lives in San Diego. Needless to say we have spent many vacations road tripping from Northern California to Southern California. Over the years we have become bonafide experts on driving up and down the state of California.
This California road trip guide will break down all the driving route options and highlight the pros and cons of each one. When youβre planning out your trip itinerary you should account for gas stops, restroom stops, food options and sightseeing. Some road trips are meant for sightseeing, and others are just a straight shot to your destination of San Diego (or Los Angeles).
Read MoreSan Diego is one of the most dog-friendly travel destinations in California with a wide selection of hotels and destinations that your pup can enjoy with you. The weather is usually very pleasant so spending the day outside is no biggie.
My husband and I used to live in the San Diego area with our Black Labrador Holly. We would bring her all over the city with us, so we've had plenty of personal experience with finding dog-friendly things to do and places to eat.
This blog post covers San Diego dog-friendly parks, beaches, walkable neighborhoods, restaurants and more.
Read MoreThe state of California is known for its natural beauty. The landscape varies greatly from region to region - from majestic mountains with dense forest floors to dry and vast deserts. The amount of outdoor recreation activities in California is enormous, and with the ever-changing seasons thereβs new adventure to explore throughout the year.
California has nine national parks, which is the most of any one state (Alaska comes in second with eight national parks). Across the United States thereβs a total of 62 national parks. The definition of a national park is land set aside by the federal government to protect it from development so that the general public can enjoy its natural beauty.
Read MoreLos Angeles is one of the most dog-friendly cities in California. Whether youβre brining your dog on vacation or a local pet owner, thereβs plenty of places to explore with your pooch. We regularly travel all over California and we often bring our Black Labrador Holly along with us.
This guide covers the most popular areas and neighborhoods in Los Angles, pretty much the best places to spend your time. Youβll find over 75 dog-friendly parks, beaches, walking trails with city views, restaurants, breweries, outdoor shopping centers and much more.
Read MoreSometimes when you travel, it can be equally about both the journey and the destination. When you decide to road trip in a car thatβs just plain fun to drive, it adds some adventure and whimsy to your travels.
Many folks also rent retro and classic cars for weddings, photos and special occasions such as prom, anniversaries, and more. Whatever your reason for wanting to incorporate a cool ride into your life, youβll find many rental options for California in this blog post.
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