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...
7 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, April is one of my favorite months to explore California. The weather is usually pleasant, spring colors are showing up, waterfalls are flowing, and it’s one of the best times to get outside before summer crowds and heat really kick in. If you’re thinking about planning a California trip this month, here are some of the best places I’d put on your list. 1. Yosemite National Park: If you can make it to Yosemite in April, I really think it’s worth it. This is one of the best times to...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, If you’ve been thinking about planning a spring day trip, this is a really good time to go wildflower spotting in California. Some of the best places are already blooming now, and a few more should look especially good later in March and into April. I just put together a guide to the best places to see wildflowers in California this spring, including where to go right now, which spots are better later in the season, and a few practical tips that will make your trip a lot easier....
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, When most people plan a Napa trip, they make the same mistake. They research wineries. Then restaurants. Then hotels. Then things to do. All separately. I've done this before. I had more than 30 tabs open, links bookmarked, trying to figure out what was actually close to what. The hardest part is not finding good places in Napa. It's figuring out how everything fits together. Here are a few common Napa planning mistakes I see: Booking tastings that are 25 minutes apart without...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, If you’re planning a trip to Napa Valley this year (or just daydreaming about one), I put together something new for you, a free Napa Valley Google Map. It includes 61 pins covering my personal recommended:🍷 wineries🍽️ restaurants and cafés📸 photo spots🛍️ cute shops and small boutiques🎨 art galleries and hidden gems Basically, everything I loved enough to include in my Napa blog posts, all in one easy spot. Grab the free map here: Free Napa Valley Map You can save it to your phone,...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, California has holiday charm in every corner, from mountain towns that feel like snow globes to coastal villages glowing at night. If you are looking for a festive getaway, here are 17 California towns with amazing holiday spirit, listed north to south. Redding (Shasta Cascade) Walk through 10 acres of glowing light displays at Redding Garden of Lights near the Sundial Bridge. The 1901 Lewiston Bridge also lights up for the season, complete with a fireworks ceremony and cozy small...
7 months ago • 3 min read