Posts in Travel
The Office Filming Locations in Los Angeles and Scranton
The Office Filming Locations in Los Angeles and Scranton

If you haven’t guessed it by now, I am a huge fan of the TV show The Office - as evidenced by this massive guide you’re about to read. My friends and I decided to completely geek out on a trip to Los Angeles and dress up as our favorite The Office characters while we went on a self-guided tour to many of the filming locations in Southern California. I was dressed as β€œ3-hole-punch Jim”, Kara was Dwight and Brianna was Kelly.

The Office show takes places in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but in reality most of the show is filmed in Los Angeles. The most commonly used cities for filming locations is Van Nuys, Panorama City and Studio City - which are commonly known as β€œThe Valley” to LA locals.

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TravelGennifer RoseLos Angeles Comments
San Diego Zoo vs. Safari Park - Pros and Cons of Each Park
San Diego Zoo vs. Safari Park - Pros and Cons of Each Park

San Diego is a desirable vacation destination for many reasons. The weather is excellent year-round, the beaches are pristine, and San Diego is home to two of the most world-famous animal parks.

Both the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park are enormous parks filled with a huge variety of rare and endangered wildlife. You can easily spend an entire day exploring each park, which leads to the conundrum of how to decide which park to visit during your trip. Hence this guide!

My husband and I are former San Diego residents, and my entire in-law family still live there. We’ve spent many family vacations exploring both the animal parks with our kids, and we can provide both a local and insider perspective.

In this comprehensive guide you’ll find detailed information about both animal park’s exhibits, top animals to see, location information, baby and kid-friendly pointers, and even what to eat. We’ve left no stone unturned and you can use all these tips to help you make an itinerary decision.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan Diego Comments
6 Tips for Driving Electric Cars on Road Trips
6 Tips for Driving Electric Cars on Road Trips

One of the highlights from this summer was our Highway 1 road trip from Sacramento to Carmel-by-the-Sea. We added a new twist to our road tripping adventures by swapping our hybrid car for a completely electric Chevy Bolt car rental. We have considered purchasing an all-electric vehicle so this was the perfect opportunity for us to get some real-life experience driving one.

Our Chevy Bolt EV gets over 200 miles on a full charge, which makes it ideal for California road trips. There are a plethora of charging stations sprinkled all over the state, making it easy and cost-effective to drive between major cities.

In this guide we will share our learnings and tips from our experiences driving an EV vehicle on long road trips. While some may seem like common sense, I’m sure there’s at least one point you’ll find as helpful advice for your own future road trips.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
Best Springtime Rainy Day Activities in Sacramento
Best Springtime Rainy Day Activities in Sacramento

Sacramento is quickly becoming one of California’s favorite travel destinations, thanks to the thriving farm-to-fork foodie scene and modern stylish surroundings without the big city price tag. Sacramento is also one of the few places in California where you can really experience all the seasons. In fall the foliage turns beautiful autumn colors, summer is very hot and ready for pool swimming, winter is cold and spring is full of April showers and sweet blossoms. During the cold days of winter you bundle up in your home, but once spring rolls around you’re ready to breath fresh air and enjoy some time outdoors… hence the raincoat and boots!

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, Sacramento Comments
10 Tips for Travel and Day Trips with an Anxious Dog
10 Tips for Travel and Day Trips with an Anxious Dog

I have been a β€œdog mama” to my Black Labrador Holly for over 10 years now. She has travelled with me all over our home state of California, often on very long roadtrips from Northern California to Southern California.

Holly was a rescue adopted from the Humane Society when she was about one year old. She has always had a sweet disposition and is loving towards people, but she’s also had very severe anxiety from past trauma. I never knew what her history was before I adopted her, but she clearly suffered in the hands of her previous owner.

Holly’s anxiety can especially get triggered when she knows there’s an upcoming trip. The moment she sees my suitcase come out of the closet, she begins to pace around nervously and follows me everywhere I go in the house. She’s either worried that I’m leaving on a trip without her, or she’s nervous to be taken on a roadtrip to a new place. Either way, traveling puts her on edge.

I have worked with several dog trainers over the years to help Holly with her anxiety. This blog post has been several years in the making, as I’ve complied many of my learnings, personal experiences and professional advice from trainers into one guide. I hope all dog owners with pups suffering from anxiety can use these tips to find relief for their fur babies.

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TravelGennifer RoseDog MamaComment
Beautiful Places in San Diego to Take Family Pictures
Beautiful Places in San Diego to Take Family Pictures

Taking family photos is a great way of documenting memorable events that happen in our lives and capturing important milestones. These moments frozen in time help us see our loved ones grow up and change over the years. Photographs become a precious legacy that can be passed on from generation to generation.

One of the most breathtaking places to take family pictures in Southern California is undoubtedly San Diego. With stunning natural beauty ranging from world-famous beaches, pristine parks and even modern urban neighborhoods, this city has some of the best backdrops in the country.

Choosing to take family pictures in the beloved San Diego city is an easy decision because there's a locale for every kind of vibe you could be going for. Below you'll find 15 of the most Instagrammable places in San Diego where you can have a photo shoot with your loved ones, regardless of the occasion.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan DiegoComment
The Most Beautiful Beaches in Florida to Visit on Vacation
The Most Beautiful Beaches in Florida to Visit on Vacation

USA’s sunshine state is known for its warm weather, delicious seafood, and beautiful beaches. Whether you want to party or have a relaxing and tranquil retreat, there’s a Florida beach for every kind of vacation vibe you're going for.

With 825 miles of shoreline, Florida’s beaches are famous for their white sand, crystal-clear waters, and lush green vegetation, making it an ultra popular vacation destination.

Parts of Florida are comparable to luxurious tropical island destination such as Fiji and the Maldives. But being that all of Florida is US territory, you can avoid passport hassles and long-haul flights. While it may feel like you’re far away in an exotic destination, you’re still safe and comfortable in our homeland America.

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TravelGennifer RoseUSA DestinationsComment
Beginner's Guide to Fine Dining Etiquette and Rules
Beginner's Guide to Fine Dining Etiquette and Rules

Do you remember that scene from the movie Titanic where Jack had no idea which utensils to use at the fancy dinner? Well this guide will help you to be less confused than poor Jack was during that meal.

Eating at a fine dining establishment with white tablecloths and chandeliers can be an intimidating experience if you’re unfamiliar with this type of environment. But fear not because below you’ll find helpful tips and explanations to the unspoken rules of the fancy society.

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TravelGennifer RoseComment
Top 20 Credit Cards with the Best Travel Rewards
Top 20 Credit Cards with the Best Travel Rewards

Travel credit cards are growing increasingly popular, especially now that travel is back in full swing. My friends and I enjoyed a weekend getaway in the San Francisco Bay Area at the Hotel Nia during Easter weekend. We swam at the pool, lounged in the cabanas and enjoyed their annual Easter brunch.

Hotel Nia is part of the Marriott family and you could use your own travel rewards points to splurge on an a similar weekend stay. This fabulous weekend could be courtesy of your strategic spending on travel reward credit cards. Pay your bills and then take advantage of incredible travel deals - it's a win-win!

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TravelGennifer RoseComment
Guide to the Sacramento Zoo in William Land Park - Everything to Know Before You Go
Guide to the Sacramento Zoo in William Land Park - Everything to Know Before You Go

Taking the kids to the zoo is a classic family pastime, and the Sacramento Zoo is no exception. We’ve been taking the kids to our local zoo for a few years now and we definitely have our routine and favorite spots.

The Sacramento Zoo is located inside the spacious William Land Park, alongside other kid attractions such as Fairytale Town and Funderland. Being that the zoo is so close to park hangout spots such as the Lily Pond and green grassy fields, you can really make a day of it and give the kids a full day of fun.

In this guide I will outline the key attractions inside the Sacramento Zoo and provide you with insider tips to guarantee the best experience while visiting the zoo.

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TravelGennifer RoseSacramentoComment
Honest Review of the Blacklight Run
Honest Review of the Blacklight Run

My friends and I bought tickets to the Blacklight Run in San Jose. I had no idea what to expect before our arrival, it was definitely a big surprise! In this blog post I will outline all the details, including both the pros and cons of the event. This may help you decide if you want to try it out for yourself.

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TravelGennifer RoseComment
Top 10 Best Cities in North America to Own a Vacation Property
Top 10 Best Cities in North America to Own a Vacation Property

It’s a widely accepted fact that owning real estate is one of the best financial investments you can make. My husband and I own two homes in Sacramento - we live in our East Sacramento house and we rent out the other to tenants. Our next big venture will be to invest in a vacation home that will most likely be rented out the majority of the time.

The process of acquiring real estate requires a lot of research beforehand. But the type of research you’ll be looking into really depends on the end use of your property. In the next several paragraphs I will go into detail about all the important checklist your vacation property must have to be successful.

Additionally, this blog post explores the top ten cities in North America that we have been looking into and I’ve reported my findings to help anyone make an informed decision about investing in their own vacation property. Whether you're getting a house for convenience, sentimental value, or investment, I've outlined why each city should be a contender in your house hunt.

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Travel, LifestyleGennifer RoseHomeownershipComment
Top 10 Epic 30th Birthday Travel Destinations
Top 10 Epic 30th Birthday Travel Destinations

Is your 30th birthday coming up? Do you dream of going on a trip and celebrating this special occasion with a bang? Being that I am a woman in my 30's I can tell you from personal experience that you are entering a new era in your life... and your 30's will kick ass! As a travel aficionado I highly recommend marking this milestone birthday with that dream trip you've always wanted to take but just hadn't gotten around to it yet.

Whether you're looking to plan a trip with friends, searching for an ideal foodie destination, or a romantic couples trip, in this article, you'll come across ten very promising trip ideas, both in the U.S. and abroad. If you're going to celebrate your dirty thirty birthday, let's do it in style!

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TravelGennifer RoseComment
Over 20 Santorini Instagram Spots to Photograph During Your Greek Islands Vacation
Over 20 Santorini Instagram Spots to Photograph During Your Greek Islands Vacation

One of the world’s most bucket-worthy places to visit is the Greek Island of Santorini. Right off the mainland of Greece there are literally thousands of small islands, and of those a little more than 200 are inhabited. But the single most scenic and iconic village is Oia which is the crown jewel of the Santorini island.

No doubt you’ve seen photos of the famous whitewashed buildings with the blue dome rooftops. While this style of architecture can be found all over Greece, the village of Oia has the most vibrant and preserved buildings situated right next to each other. The natural way the locals built their community right along the edge of the caldera turned out to be the most picturesque and photogenic layout. Very Instagrammable to say the least!

In this guide I will breakdown all the best Insta-worthy spots in Oia, Santorini and also other photo spots around the island of Santorini. If you’ve booked a stay of few days in Oia, you’ll have plenty of time to cover all the classic Instagram photo spots in Oia and then take day trips to other parts of the island.

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TravelGennifer RoseInternational DestinationsComment
Travel Guide to Folsom, California - Family-Friendly Things To Do
Travel Guide to Folsom, California - Family-Friendly Things To Do

The small historical gold rush town of Folsom is one of those California hidden gems that make for an excellent day trip from Sacramento or a weekend trip from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Folsom is a popular travel destination because it’s filled with historical charm, lots of shopping spots and tons of outdoor water and nature recreation for weekend warriors.

Our family lives in the city of Sacramento which is a short 30 minute drive from Folsom. Over the years we’ve visited Folsom more times than I can count and each time we discover something new and fun.

This Folsom guide will cover over 25 family-friendly things to do. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely weekend getaway or an action packed vacation, there’s something for everyone in Folsom.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
Guide to the Most Colorful Murals in Sacramento, California
Guide to the Most Colorful Murals in Sacramento, California

Sacramento is an especially colorful city with Insta-worthy murals scattered all over our favorite neighborhoods. We can thank the curation efforts of Wide Open Walls, an organization that commissions world-famous mural artists to come paint the walls of Sacramento.

This blog post is a collection of my favorite Sacramento murals. I especially love that so many of these murals are painted by women and they have such a sweet feminine esthetic. Most these murals are located in popular areas in Sacramento to eat out and hang with friends. Next to each mural I’ll give a few suggestions on things to do and see in that neighborhood.

In this mural guide you can hover over each image to see the full description and location of each mural. Some of them are located on Wide Open Walls Mural Map and I’ve put the link in a button next to the photo. By the way, many of these murals don’t have names (or I can’t find the name) so I give them by own descriptive name for reference.

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TravelGennifer RoseSacramentoComment
Dog-Friendly Travel Guide to Yosemite National Park
Dog-Friendly Travel Guide to Yosemite National Park

When we were planning our trip to Yosemite, the first question I asked was: "Can I take our dog Holly with us?". It turns out that you can actually bring dogs into Yosemite National Park. It's the perfect place for everyone to enjoy the great outdoors. After a lot of research, I complied this complete dog friendly guide to Yosemite. So pack up the car and get ready to hit the trails!

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
Best Baby and Kid-Friendly Things to Do in San Diego
Best Baby and Kid-Friendly Things to Do in San Diego

San Diego is the perfect Southern California destination for a family vacation. The weather is almost always warm and sunny year-round and there’s endless fun things to do with children, toddlers and babies. In San Diego you’ll find world-class beaches, scenic neighborhoods, all kinds of fresh cuisine and tons of parks.

My husband’s family lives in the greater San Diego area and we often take family trips to visit them. We have endless experience taking the kids and their cousins out to many of the places I’ve outlined in this blog post. I speak from experience when I say that San Diego is very kid-friendly!

In this blog post I will outline our favorite spots to hangout with our kids in San Diego. This guide includes great places for stroller walks, beaches, family-friendly neighborhoods, nature and amusement parks and of course the two zoos.

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TravelGennifer RoseSouthern California, Family-Friendly Travel, San DiegoComment
Guide to Planning Your Las Vegas Bachelorette Party
Guide to Planning Your Las Vegas Bachelorette Party

As one of the world's most exciting cities, Las Vegas has always been a top destination for bachelorette parties. There's no shortage of options when it comes to hotels, entertainment, and activities that make for the ultimate bachelorette experience.

As you can see from the photos in this blog post, my girlfriends and I lived it up in Las Vegas for a weekend of debauchery and partying. From high-energy nightclubs to world-class restaurants, Las Vegas has something for everyone.

In this guide, I’ll divulge some of the best ways to plan your Las Vegas bachelorette party. From crazy and wild, to more tame and respectable, you’ll find plenty to discover in this blog post.

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TravelGennifer RoseUSA DestinationsComment