San Luis Obispo County is a California road trip classic. Situated roughly halfway between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, it’s no coincidence that the first motel had its home here. If ever there was a place made for exploring behind the wheel of a car, San Luis Obispo County is it. And as far as I’m concerned, it’s my favorite place to be when I’m roadtripping in the Golden … [Read more...] about San Luis Obispo County: A Jewel of California Central Coast
Destinations
Wanderlust for One Day in San Francisco
San Francisco is one of my favorite cities. It’s a charismatic metropolis with a rich history, temperate weather year-round, and myriad opportunities to fulfill nearly every interest. Whether you enjoy being in nature, eating great food, visiting museums, or shopping the latest fashions, San Francisco has something for you. When I found a deeply discounted flight from Seattle … [Read more...] about Wanderlust for One Day in San Francisco
Finding Ghosts and Giants at Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument is the embodiment of everything I love about America’s national parks. Donated to the federal government by William Kent, a California senator who once owned the land on which Muir Woods sits, Kent requested the property be instituted as a national park. His intent: to protect the old-growth coastal redwoods growing there. Kent's … [Read more...] about Finding Ghosts and Giants at Muir Woods National Monument
Hiking the Reef Bay Trail in Virgin Islands National Park
Hiking the Reef Bay Trail in Virgin Island National Park is the perfect way to familiarize yourself with the landscape, flora, and fauna of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you're more adventurous, it's a hike you can complete on your own. If the idea of hiking alone in a national park seems daunting, the National Park Service offers guided group walking tours of this … [Read more...] about Hiking the Reef Bay Trail in Virgin Islands National Park
Celebrating Small Successes in Yosemite National Park
It’s been said Yosemite National Park is the crown jewel of America’s national parks. I haven’t been to every national park yet, but I believe it. Although my time in Yosemite was marked by disappointment, I still consider the three days I spent backpacking in the park among the most special memories of my life. Gaining Perspective It’s too easy to focus on failure, so when I … [Read more...] about Celebrating Small Successes in Yosemite National Park