Hi Reader, Sponsored by Visit Vacaville We recently spent the day exploring Vacaville as part of a sponsored trip with Visit Vacaville. I was surprised by how much there is to do in Vacaville in just one day. We started the morning at a fourth-generation family farm, had Thai food for lunch, stopped by the outlets, learned more about the area’s history, walked past beautiful historic homes, explored downtown, and ended the day with a farm-to-table dinner. I liked that there was a good mix of...
14 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Fall color season is starting in California, which means I’ve reached the time of year when I start checking foliage reports way more often than I probably need to. 😅 One thing I love about fall here is that there isn’t really one “peak week.” The higher elevations of the Sierra start changing first, while places like Gold Country, Wine Country, and parts of Southern California can keep the season going well into November. So I put together a new guide with 15 of the best scenic...
28 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I’ve always liked the stretch of Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz because it’s such an easy way to spend a day by the coast. The drive itself is only about 50 miles, but there are so many good stops along the way to turn it into a full-day road trip without feeling like you’re spending the whole day in the car. A few things you can expect along the way: a historic lighthouse, dramatic coastal views, small towns, and some really good places to stop for food. I also...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, A Sonoma County weekend sounds simple until you start figuring out which wineries, towns, and coastal stops actually fit together. Here’s an easy way to do it: Spend Day 1 exploring Healdsburg and nearby wine country, then make Day 2 your Sonoma Coast day. You’ll get the vineyards and harvest-season atmosphere Sonoma is famous for, plus Bodega Bay, ocean views, seafood, and even another coastal wine experience, without trying to squeeze the entire county into one weekend. 🍇 Day 1:...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Apple season is starting, wine country is heading toward harvest, the coast is still warm enough for a beach weekend, and the first fall colors can start appearing in the mountains. Here are 9 California escapes worth saving for September: 1. Apple Hill September is when Apple Hill starts feeling like fall. Visit the farms around Camino and Placerville for apples, baked treats and cider, with the Hard Cider Trail opening next month and more farms and seasonal activities ramping up...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Thinking about Yosemite for Labor Day weekend? Before you finalize your itinerary, there are a few 2026 changes and late summer conditions worth knowing. Some could completely change what you do on a particular day. 1. Hiking the Mist Trail without checking the day This is one of the biggest Yosemite changes to know about right now. Through October, the section of the Mist Trail between the John Muir Trail junction and the top of Vernal Fall is generally closed for trail work...
2 months ago • 5 min read
Hi Reader, Have you ever reached the last few weeks of summer and realized you still haven’t taken that trip you kept talking about? There’s still time. You may not have enough vacation days for a long trip, but you can still fit in a mountain weekend, a coastal road trip, an island escape, or a national park drive. Some of these places are especially worth visiting right now. The mountain roads are open, alpine lakes are warm enough for swimming, and the beaches are perfect for one last...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, Lake Tahoe in July and August is a trip that looks effortless in photos. Clear blue water. Sunny beach days. Boats on the lake. Mountain views in every direction. But if you’ve ever tried to plan a summer Tahoe trip, you know there’s a little more to it than just showing up with a swimsuit and a picnic. Peak summer in Tahoe means busy beaches, limited parking, popular boat tours, full restaurants, and drives that can take longer than you expect. The trip can still be amazing - it...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Ever feel like you want a California national park getaway, but the planning part starts to feel like a whole project? Sequoia National Park is one of those places that sounds simple at first. See the giant trees, do a hike, take in the views. Then you start wondering: Where should you actually stop?Which hikes are worth it?Can you see the highlights in one day?What’s the best time to go?How do you make it feel fun instead of rushed? To make the planning easier, I put together a...
3 months ago • 2 min read