Posts in Travel
Christmas in San Francisco - Top Things to See During the Holiday Season

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and I'm here for it! I'm a big fan of Christmas. I love the decorations, the sweet aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg, the cheery lights, and all things sparkly. When a city's festivities and spirit bring on the holiday joy, it makes for an especially memorable experience, and San Francisco will always have a permanent place in my heart for that.

I grew up in the small town of Half Moon Bay which is located just south of San Francisco. My husband and I eventually moved into a tiny apartment in the heart of downtown San Francisco, and we got to experience Christmas in the city firsthand.

In this guide I’ve rounded up my top things to see in the month of December should you find yourself spending the Christmas holiday season in San Francisco. From picture perfect holiday card spots, to the best yuletide sweets, and of course Christmas shopping, we’ve got everything you need for a festive itinerary while on your California winter vacation.

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The Complete Travel Guide to Julian, California

Just an hour's drive from sunny San Diego toward the mountains, and you find yourself in a completely different world. Julian is a tiny town – just a few streets and nearby farms and ranches. Because of its location in the mountains, there is a much brighter sense of seasonality – the heat in summer, yellow and red leaves in fall, snow in winter, and flowers in spring.

Tourists love coming to Julian, especially during the fall season, because it is one of the few places in Southern California where you can see colorful fall foliage. Combined with the beautiful scenery, it is also a great place to vacation out of town.

Another reason why Fall is great for visiting Julian is that it is apple picking season. Since the town's culture is associated with pies, this dish is a must-try. In Julian, they are baked and sold hot in all kinds of flavors, though the most popular, of course, is the apple pie.

We visited during the second week of November and in our pictures you can see all the holiday festivities and colorful fall foliage. In this guide you’ll see plenty of Julian family-friendly activities and even some romantic weekend itinerary ideas for a couple’s weekend away. For the foodie fans, I’ve also included all the must-try autumn foods and deserts.

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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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10 Tips for Travel and Day Trips with an Anxious Dog

I have been a “dog 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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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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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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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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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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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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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

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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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 à 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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