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Practical Wanderlust

Responsible Travel on a Budget

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Southern California

San Diego, California: beaches, Balboa Park, sunsets, and snorkelling!

San Diego Weekend Getaway: The Perfect 3-day Itinerary

Sunny beaches. Snorkeling. Watching a vermillion sunset over rugged cliffs and sea caves while listening to the barking of sea lions. That got a bit specific, but hey, welcome to San Diego, the country’s most southwestern city and the perfect place … [Read more...] about San Diego Weekend Getaway: The Perfect 3-day Itinerary

42 Places to Go Whale Watching in California: The Ultimate Guide

Ah, whales: these majestic, enormous marine mammals have been immortalized in our culture in everything to Moby Dick to Finding Nemo. There was once a whole industry devoted to murdering them; now there's a movement devoted to saving them. Any way … [Read more...] about 42 Places to Go Whale Watching in California: The Ultimate Guide

The ultimate guide to fall in california: fall foliage, pumpkin picking, apple orchards, grape stomping, and where to go for the best fall activities in California!

Fall in California Guide: 21 Places to Go for California Fall Foliage, Pumpkins, Apples, & More

Crisp autumn air. Crunchy leaves. Brightly colored foliage. Pumpkins and apples and spooky season - I love EVERYTHING about fall! Autumn has always been my favorite time of the year - I was born in Boston and grew up in a Halloween-obsessed city - … [Read more...] about Fall in California Guide: 21 Places to Go for California Fall Foliage, Pumpkins, Apples, & More

The 10 best Southern California hikes near Los Angeles and San Diego, from Joshua Tree to the Channel Islands to Anza Borrego to Mount Baldy to Torres Pines and more. Go hiking in California!

10 Best Hikes in Southern California (a Local’s Guide)

Snow-covered mountains. Rushing waterfalls. Secluded beaches. Otherwordly desert landscapes. If this description of Southern California surprises you, it's time to head out and explore! Stretching from just north of Los Angeles all the way south … [Read more...] about 10 Best Hikes in Southern California (a Local’s Guide)

This guide to the best Pacific Coast Highway road trip stops will help you plan your Highway 1 road trip up the California coast. Includes Pacific Big Sur, Monterey, Morro Bay, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara tidepools, redwoods, vineyards, beaches, waterfalls, where to stop, what to eat, things to do, California travel tips, and more!

The 32 Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops: California Towns, Landmarks, & Restaurants

Sunny beaches. Foggy coastline. Swaying palm trees. Towering redwoods. Playful otters. Flomping elephant seals. Fresh oysters. Vintage wines. Driving the Pacific Coast Highway is not only one of the best California road trips: it’s one of the best … [Read more...] about The 32 Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops: California Towns, Landmarks, & Restaurants

This 10-day California coast road trip itinerary covers all of our favorite Californian things: sunny beaches and foggy coastline, swaying palm trees and towering redwoods, playful otters and flomping elephant seals, fresh oysters and vintage wines - there's even a clothing-optional hot spring, if you're up for it. Here's everything you need to know about driving Highway One/the Pacific Coast Highway.

The Ultimate 10-Day California Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary

Barking sea lions. Salty air. Waves crashing on critter-filled tidepools. Rolling hills dusted with bright orange poppies and intersected with redwood-filled valleys. Driving Pacific Coast Highway is the most beautiful road trip in the entire world. … [Read more...] about The Ultimate 10-Day California Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary

The best Disneyland photography tips, plus creative (& Instagrammable) Disneyland picture ideas to help you capture your next trip! Created by a former Cast Member.

18 Magical Disneyland Picture Ideas: The Ultimate Disneyland Photography Guide

Disneyland isn't just one of the most magical places on earth: it's also one of the most photographed. The Disney Parks regularly tops lists of the most Instagrammed places in the world, and for good reason - they're designed to be freakin' gorgeous! … [Read more...] about 18 Magical Disneyland Picture Ideas: The Ultimate Disneyland Photography Guide

Are you ready to take your Disney trip to a whole new level with our Disneyland Scavenger Hunt?!

The Disneyland Scavenger Hunt & How to Next-Level Your Disneyland Trip

For years, Lia and I have been longing for a Disneyland Scavenger Hunt that we could play with our game-loving friends and family. We’re the kind of people who get aggressively competitive on game night. Like, Lia once faked an ankle injury … [Read more...] about The Disneyland Scavenger Hunt & How to Next-Level Your Disneyland Trip

Self-Guided Craft Beer & Bikes on the Strand Bar Crawl in South Bay, Los Angeles

The Ultimate Self-Guided Los Angeles Brewery Tour

The South Bay is our favorite part of Los Angeles. It's home to several cute little beach towns, such as Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, as well as the beautiful high bluffs of Palos Verdes. It’s where we always stay when we’re in … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Self-Guided Los Angeles Brewery Tour

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