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Carmel by the Sea
Coastal Charm
Carmel is charming with its village full of cute cottages and unique shops. Along the stunning coastline, you'll find beautiful beaches and dramatic cliffs offering amazing ocean views. Additionally, the town's lively arts scene and lush greenery make it even more inviting. Though we've never stayed overnight, Carmel is a great day trip from the Bay Area.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Carmel is charming with its village full of cute cottages and unique shops. Along the stunning coastline, you'll find beautiful beaches and dramatic cliffs offering amazing ocean views. Additionally, the town's lively arts scene and lush greenery make it even more inviting. Though we've never stayed overnight, Carmel is a great day trip from the Bay Area.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Fort Bragg and Mendocino
Coastal Serenity
When my husband suggested going to Fort Bragg and Mendocino, I hesitated a bit, unsure of what to expect. I wasn't thrilled about the long 3 1/2-hour drive from South San Francisco for just a day trip. But as we drove along the winding road, I was amazed by the stunning ocean views and tall redwood trees. And when we reached Glass Beach, its sparkling beauty blew me away. Exploring the beautiful beaches and seeing the impressive lighthouses made the trip even more special. Fort Bragg and Mendocino turned out to be an exciting duo, surpassing my expectations and making the drive totally worth it.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
When my husband suggested going to Fort Bragg and Mendocino, I hesitated a bit, unsure of what to expect. I wasn't thrilled about the long 3 1/2-hour drive from South San Francisco for just a day trip. But as we drove along the winding road, I was amazed by the stunning ocean views and tall redwood trees. And when we reached Glass Beach, its sparkling beauty blew me away. Exploring the beautiful beaches and seeing the impressive lighthouses made the trip even more special. Fort Bragg and Mendocino turned out to be an exciting duo, surpassing my expectations and making the drive totally worth it.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Gilroy
Garlic Capital of the World
We debated whether to keep it on our list. It's no longer a priority when we visit the Bay Area. In the past, we used to go just for the outlets, staying two days in a Super 8 hotel next to the Gap. But over time, with online shopping and the newer San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore, we found less reason to go. Still, we have great memories of our family visits here. We found cool stuff, had simple meals, and even went on a late-night shopping spree at the 24-hour Walmart (which isn't 24 hours anymore). We have some funny and unforgettable stories. We'll return someday for unfinished business—we've always wanted to go to the Gilroy Garlic Festival and try the Garlic Ice Cream from the Garlic Shoppe, which moved from the outlet to Monterey Highway.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
We debated whether to keep it on our list. It's no longer a priority when we visit the Bay Area. In the past, we used to go just for the outlets, staying two days in a Super 8 hotel next to the Gap. But over time, with online shopping and the newer San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore, we found less reason to go. Still, we have great memories of our family visits here. We found cool stuff, had simple meals, and even went on a late-night shopping spree at the 24-hour Walmart (which isn't 24 hours anymore). We have some funny and unforgettable stories. We'll return someday for unfinished business—we've always wanted to go to the Gilroy Garlic Festival and try the Garlic Ice Cream from the Garlic Shoppe, which moved from the outlet to Monterey Highway.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Half Moon Bay
Captivating Coastal Gem
A visit to Half Moon Bay is a must. The drive, especially for a tasty lobster roll at Sam's Chowder House, is worth it, but go early to avoid crowds. Staying in this charming town was great, with lovely morning walks to The Press for coffee and muffins. The beautiful beach and boardwalk offer a peaceful and lovely escape.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
A visit to Half Moon Bay is a must. The drive, especially for a tasty lobster roll at Sam's Chowder House, is worth it, but go early to avoid crowds. Staying in this charming town was great, with lovely morning walks to The Press for coffee and muffins. The beautiful beach and boardwalk offer a peaceful and lovely escape.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Lake Tahoe
Tahoe or "Big Water"
Lake Tahoe is a stunning gem in the Sierra Nevada mountains, famous for its beauty and outdoor activities. Emerald Bay, with its clear, emerald-colored waters and charming island Tea House, is a must-see.
For a tasty bite, PDQ is the place to go for some of the best sandwiches around. They offer delicious deli-style and gourmet sandwiches that are sure to satisfy.
Incline Village on the northeastern shore provides amazing views of the lake and mountains. Whether strolling along the shore, enjoying watersports, or relaxing on the beach, the scenery is breathtaking.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Lake Tahoe is a stunning gem in the Sierra Nevada mountains, famous for its beauty and outdoor activities. Emerald Bay, with its clear, emerald-colored waters and charming island Tea House, is a must-see.
For a tasty bite, PDQ is the place to go for some of the best sandwiches around. They offer delicious deli-style and gourmet sandwiches that are sure to satisfy.
Incline Village on the northeastern shore provides amazing views of the lake and mountains. Whether strolling along the shore, enjoying watersports, or relaxing on the beach, the scenery is breathtaking.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Los Angeles
The City of Los Angeles, or LA, is a vibrant and diverse city in Southern California. It's famous for its beautiful beaches like Venice and Malibu, Hollywood's entertainment industry, and delicious food scene. With iconic landmarks, outdoor adventures, a thriving arts scene, and perfect weather, LA offers something for everyone. It's not my favorite city, but many people would surely disagree.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Monterey
Home of the 17-Mile Drive
When we visit Monterey, we always enjoy the beauty of the 17-Mile Drive, wander along Cannery Row, and explore local stores for trinkets. Early mornings, we savor funnel cake and cinnamon rolls as street sweepers pass by. We relax with coffee on benches near Asilomar State Beach or Lovers Point, enjoying the tranquility. A must-see is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, always captivating with its marine life.
We used to stay at the Sea Otter Inn (now Wave Street Inn) and plan to check it out again based on good reviews, but on our last visit, we stayed at the Clement. After a day of exploration, we unwind at The C Restaurant and Bar, enjoying drinks by the fire pit and the soothing sound of waves. It's the perfect way to end a memorable day in Monterey.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
When we visit Monterey, we always enjoy the beauty of the 17-Mile Drive, wander along Cannery Row, and explore local stores for trinkets. Early mornings, we savor funnel cake and cinnamon rolls as street sweepers pass by. We relax with coffee on benches near Asilomar State Beach or Lovers Point, enjoying the tranquility. A must-see is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, always captivating with its marine life.
We used to stay at the Sea Otter Inn (now Wave Street Inn) and plan to check it out again based on good reviews, but on our last visit, we stayed at the Clement. After a day of exploration, we unwind at The C Restaurant and Bar, enjoying drinks by the fire pit and the soothing sound of waves. It's the perfect way to end a memorable day in Monterey.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Napa
Bottled Poetry
We adore Napa Valley! The charm of this wine-centric destination always captivates us. We love visiting enchanting wineries like Castello di Amorosa, which feels like a fairytale with its delightful tastings. Exploring the town is a joy, with its charming streets and delicious food. A picnic at V. Sattui, surrounded by lush vineyards, is unbeatable. We also enjoy the lively atmosphere at Oxbow Public Market, treats from Sweetie Pies, and fresh bread from Model Bakery. Napa Valley feels like a warm, comforting embrace, bringing pure contentment.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
We adore Napa Valley! The charm of this wine-centric destination always captivates us. We love visiting enchanting wineries like Castello di Amorosa, which feels like a fairytale with its delightful tastings. Exploring the town is a joy, with its charming streets and delicious food. A picnic at V. Sattui, surrounded by lush vineyards, is unbeatable. We also enjoy the lively atmosphere at Oxbow Public Market, treats from Sweetie Pies, and fresh bread from Model Bakery. Napa Valley feels like a warm, comforting embrace, bringing pure contentment.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Placer County
Placer County, home to one of our favorite ski villages, is a frequent destination for us. Squaw Valley offers fantastic ski-in/ski-out options and has a cozy, contained feel. Truckee is also nearby and a must try is Village Pizzeria, one of the best pizzas I've had.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
San Diego
I've only been to San Diego a couple of times, but both visits were memorable. We had a great time exploring the world-famous San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld, which are fantastic places for family fun. The zoo's incredible variety of animals and beautifully landscaped exhibits amazed us, while SeaWorld's thrilling shows and marine life exhibits provided endless entertainment. San Diego is a fun destination, especially with kids, offering a mix of exciting attractions and beautiful scenery.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
San Francisco
The City By the Bay
San Francisco is an amazing city where I lived as a child and often visited after moving back to my home country. The saying "I left my heart in San Francisco" always felt true to me because the city has so much to offer and is so appealing. It's sad to see it going through hard times now, but it still holds a special place in my heart.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
San Francisco is an amazing city where I lived as a child and often visited after moving back to my home country. The saying "I left my heart in San Francisco" always felt true to me because the city has so much to offer and is so appealing. It's sad to see it going through hard times now, but it still holds a special place in my heart.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a stunning city known for its beautiful beaches and picturesque downtown. However, it's disheartening to witness the number of homeless individuals, especially downtown. However, in 2023, the homeless population dropped slightly, thanks to transitional housing, neighborhood navigations centers and the downtown day center.
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Sausalito
A seaside town in Marin County
Sausalito is a pretty town with beautiful views. And whenever I'm there, I always make sure to get some Lappert's Ice Cream—it's too good to miss!
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
Sausalito is a pretty town with beautiful views. And whenever I'm there, I always make sure to get some Lappert's Ice Cream—it's too good to miss!
Recommended places to visit, eat and stay
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