Buena Park Travel Guide - Where to Eat, Play, and Stay!
Buena Park California is 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles and a world away. Known as the world’s most-fun small city, there is so much to do, see, and experience while you’re here. Read on for your complete Buena Park travel guide and how to spend a weekend or a week in this epic destination.
Guide to Autumn Attractions In San Diego
One of the best times to visit San Diego is in the fall. The weather is a little cooler than in the summer, but still very pleasant. Generally, there are fewer crowds because kids are back in school. If you have kids, you’ll find a lot of special deals in October because kids rule. The San Diego Zoo and many other local attractions offer free admission to kids under 11 years old. Some restaurants have free meals for kids as well. Some of the best whale watching San Diego months are in the fall. If you’re looking for something fun to do this fall, make sure to check out these activities and places.
The Most Dog-Friendly Destination in Central California
I love any opportunity to get to travel and adventure with my dog Millie, but it’s definitely not always easy. From restaurants, to adventures, to hotels, it’s a LOT to coordinate and figure out where to go. Luckily, Monterey, California took care of EVERYTHING and made it SO easy for us to travel! Here are some great dog-friendly places in Monterey.
The Best Place To Eat On Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey California
Lunchtime at Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey can feel like a busy Saturday flea market with shops and restaurants clamoring for your attention and business. They all promise the best deals and views on the wharf. For fine dining food, Cafe Fina keeps the local feel and family history alive with photos of his dad fishing, historic newspaper ads, and signed celebrity photos of all of the people who have visited this amazing restaurant.
The Secret Award-Winning Wine That's Doing Everything Right
I’m also a sucker for vineyards with rustic barn appeal and fancy decorations. So when I stepped into the Twisted Root Winery tasting room in the Carmel Valley in Central California I was REALLY thrown off. It felt like home. The open farmhouse feel was incredibly welcoming and surprising.
10 Amazing Hikes Around Southern California
There are SO many hiking trails around Southern California that this list could be endless! And I have only explored a small section in my eight years living in Los Angeles. Going off of the many places I’ve had the pleasure of hiking, here are my top 10 favorite hikes around Southern (and a couple in Central) California!
Mountain High - My Favorite SoCal Ski Resort
When I was invited to try my hand at skiing again last year at Mountain High Ski Resort, I was excited but cautiously nervous as well. I love that there’s a variety of beginner slopes and they are all nice and wide to provide plenty of space for beginners like me. We also kicked the day off with an amazing ski lesson! Our instructor literally walked us up the hill further and further until, before we knew it, we were skiing down from the top!
5 Unusual Things to Do In and Around Santa Cruz
While Santa Cruz has been sprinkled with classy restaurants and beach house rebuilds, the true vibe of the city is very much intact. Gritty and quirky to a charming degree, you are just as likely to find a dude listening to an old Grateful Dead album in the van he lives in, waiting for the swell to pick up, as you are an uppity out of towner. To help embrace this “Keep Santa Cruz Weird” ambiance, here is a list of unusual things to do in The True Surf City USA.
Tenaya Lodge - Luxury, Adventure, and a Bit of Holiday Magic!
I’m not sure if it’s missing the midwest snow, dreaming of mountains, or too many Hallmark movies that take place in lodges, but I’ve always wanted to spend the holidays at a mountain lodge. After staying at Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite, I see why; it’s magical!
Lancaster California Travel- Adventuring To New Heights
Adventure is defined as "an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity." So an Air Show in Lancaster seemed the perfect place to experience something new! I headed there a day early to see what the town and surrounding area was like and to get into some nature.
Hiking to Potato Harbor and Snorkeling in the Channel Islands - Santa Cruz Island
When I think of California National Parks, I tend to think of Yosemite, or Sequoia, or the Redwoods. I never even knew that there was a park so close to Los Angeles, and so completely different than any other national park I've ever been to. Channel Islands National Park is located just off the coast of Ventura, about 90 minutes away from Los Angeles. The park consists of 5 islands and their surrounding waters. Between the land adventures and the sea, this is one amazing and unique park.
White Water Rafting the Killer Kern River
The Killer Kern. That’s what they call it. The Kern River has claimed over 280 lives since 1968 and another 8 this summer alone. After learning that less than 2% of accidents occur on commercial rafting trips and being reassured that we would not only be rafting with Ed, but he would take along his best guides for the trip, I began to feel better about the idea.
Extreme Cave Kayaking in Pismo Beach California
Pismo Beach, California offers some of the best cave kayaking in the world at Dinosaur Caves. As someone who’s afraid of everything, cave kayaking really pushed me to my limits and was worth every awesome risk!
Horseback Riding to the Hollywood Sign
Mighty Mongoose features some amazing adventures in some of America’s biggest cities. And they take things one step further and create entire packages like Catalina Island and Zipline excursions, airplane tours over Malibu Canyon, sunrise Hot Air Balloon rides, 2-day Niagara Falls tour from NYC, and more! So when I was coming up with unique things to do in L.A., a horseback ride to the hollywood sign seemed like a pretty epic adventure!
Kayaking and Whale Watching in Newport Beach
Looking for an epic day of adventures in Southern California? Head to Newport Beach and spend the day on the water. I spent the morning kayaking and then we did a whale watching tour in the afternoon. Here’s what it was like!
Garagiste Wine Festival in Paso Robles
Most people who know me know I love wine. But more than the actual drink, I love the friendships and conversations built around wine. It's been a form of bonding with my female friends and having wine nights began nourishing amazing friendships. So we headed to Paso Robles for the Garagiste Wine Festival for a weekend of fun!
California Oktoberfest at Alpine Village
Alpine Village, in Torrance, California, is about 20 minutes south of Los Angeles. The Steinhaus Tavern at the village was built by European immigrants over 50 years ago and serves craft beers and homemade sausages year-round. There is also a German Market that is open year-round with a butcher, bakery, and other imported items. They have special festivals at Easter and Christmas as well as different beer festivals. But it's their Oktoberfest that won me over! 50 people ban together to build the 32,000 sq.ft. tent in the parking lot of Alpine Village to accommodate the 60,000+ people that come to Oktoberfest each year.
Ziplining Near Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Ziplines and Adventures is a family-owned and operated ziplining ranch and is about 1 hour away from the east entrance of Yosemite off Highway 140 near the town of Mariposa. It was a perfect way to escape the busy summer Saturday Yosemite crowd.
Hiking to Half Dome in Yosemite National Park
The Half Dome hike has amazing scenery with up close views of Vernal and Nevada Fall. Whatever your level or desire, there are multiple hikes and stopping points along the Mist Trail and you can turn around at any time. So here is a breakdown of the hike up to Half Dome and some facts you'll need if you're lucky enough to get to the summit!
Bridge to Nowhere Hike
The Bridge to Nowhere hike was one of those mysterious, must-do hikes that I seemed to hear about as soon as I moved to Los Angeles. This hike is epic for a reason! It's beautiful, rugged, filled with river crossings, bungee jumpers, a beautiful bridge and even some waterfalls and swimming holes! I never thought I could find this type of terrain so close to LA!