Our family just wrapped up an epic west coast road trip to California. We've traveled part of the route before but decided to spend more time along the California coast on this trip. If you're planning your own Hwy 1 road trip, here's a look at our itinerary. This post is written in partnership ... READ the POST
One Day in San Francisco at the Presidio Lodge near Golden Gate Bridge
Taking a road trip along the west coast gives you the perfect opportunity to visit San Francisco; one of the most recognizable cities in the country thanks to the Golden Gate Bridge. During our one night stop over we had dinner with friends, walked across the bridge, and had an amazing stay at the ... READ the POST
Best Place to See Redwoods on the California Coast
Our first stop on our Northern California road trip was for the Redwood National & State Forest. I’ve been to this part of California three times now, and every time I’m amazed at the beauty and size of these trees. Coastal redwoods can be found from southern Oregon into California. I recommend ... READ the POST
Kona Kai San Diego: Beautiful Resort & Spa on Shelter Island
Are you looking for a great resort hotel in San Diego? Perhaps one that has a great beachy feel and offers resort getaway amenities? After my recent stay on Shelter Island at the newly remodeled Kona Kai Resort & Spa, I can say it's an ideal resort for anyone looking to get a little bit off the ... READ the POST
10 Best Christmas Towns in the USA on the West Coast
Are you craving a winter holiday escape? While I admit I love staying at home with a cup of hot cocoa and Christmas music playing non-stop, there's something really special about visiting a Christmas town or city for the holidays. If you're based on the west coast, here are some of my picks for the ... READ the POST
Hotel Indigo: Great Downtown Santa Barbara Hotel Near Beach
Are you heading to California soon and looking for a hotel in Santa Barbara, CA that's close to the beach and downtown? I recently stayed at the Hotel Indigo property that is at the edge of downtown Santa Barbara and only a three-minute walk to the beach and pier. With a boutique feel and it's ... READ the POST
Full Guide to Enjoying Food and Wine Festival at Disneyland
My very first visit to the Food and Wine Festival at Disneyland was a success! This weekend I found myself in California for a conference and with a little arm-twisting from friends (ok, they didn't actually need to twist my arm), I planned a detour to Disneyland. Our Disneyland trip was planned to ... READ the POST
Best Day Trips in Southern California near Disneyland
Many west coaster childhoods include a visit to Disneyland. Sleeping Beauty's Castle, Mickey's Fun Wheel, and Dole Whips delight adults and kids alike at the resort. Our own family has spent many vacations hopping back and forth from Disneyland and the Disney California Adventure Park. One of the ... READ the POST
Gorgeous Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles, California
Did you know that Los Angeles is home to almost four million people? Most of us have probably heard of the LA gridlock traffic. It makes sense that in a city that busy and large, it's citizens and visitors might want to escape the city chaos for a while. Here are some relaxing ideas for weekend ... READ the POST
Awesome Off-the-Beaten Path Vacation Spots in California
I admit that when I first moved to the west coast from the midwest I pictured California as the home of Mickey Mouse and blonde-headed beaches. Now that I'm coming up on 17 years of calling the west coast home, I've had the opportunity to discover some amazing vacation spots in California I had no ... READ the POST
8 Amazing Natural Wonders in California Every Kid Needs to See
When you think of natural wonders in the United States, you probably picture the Grand Canyon, or perhaps even Yellowstone. But did you know there are some amazing natural wonders in California, too? Here are eight spectacular sights every kid needs to see in California! This post was written ... READ the POST
Stunning Spots You Must See in Northern California
California is an amazing state. There's a huge variety of landscapes and activities, you can go surfing and skiing on the same day. And the sights you can see are truly breathtaking. Tall, tall trees, rugged coastline, and of course a few glasses of wine. When making a list of things to do don't ... READ the POST
