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Practical Wanderlust

Responsible Travel on a Budget

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The West Coast

What to pack for San Francisco - and what to leave at home!

What to Pack for San Francisco (& what NOT to)

Ahh, the City by the Bay: barking sea lions, clanging MUNI buses, steaming clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, freezing cold Marine Layer... *marinates in nostalgia* We spent over 10 years living in the San Francisco Bay Area, and y'all, let me … [Read more...] about What to Pack for San Francisco (& what NOT to)

Monterey is a beautiful town along the California coast, just two hours south of San Francisco on Highway One! Kayaking, hiking, whale watching, wine tasting, a world-famous aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more: here’s everything you need to know to plan a trip to Monterey, California.

41 Marvelous Things to Do in Monterey, California

Otters. Wine tasting. Whale watching. Clam chowder. Monterey is one of the most beautiful towns along the California coast - and the most historically important! Famous for its incredible aquarium – part interactive museum, part animal conservation … [Read more...] about 41 Marvelous Things to Do in Monterey, California

The best Paso Robles breweries to try barrel-aged sours and stouts and refreshing California IPAs. Plus, the best Paso Robles distilleries & restaurants to round out a weekend getaway!

12 Must-Visit Paso Robles Breweries (& Distilleries)

Rolling vineyards. Craft breweries. Natural hot springs. Farm-to-table food. Paso Robles, California is one of the best weekend getaways in California for foodies & booze travelers, and one of the best places to visit on California's Central … [Read more...] about 12 Must-Visit Paso Robles Breweries (& Distilleries)

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

How to plan a Lake Tahoe winter trip on a budget, from Lake Tahoe ski resorts to what to do in Lake Tahoe other than skiing, and more!

How to Plan an Amazing Lake Tahoe Winter Trip (on a Budget)

Living in the California Bay Area means taking Lake Tahoe winter trips is somewhat of a regular requirement. Every year for the past 7 years, we've rounded up a group of our friends, piled them into 2 cars, and headed into the Sierra Nevadas for a … [Read more...] about How to Plan an Amazing Lake Tahoe Winter Trip (on a Budget)

12 rustic and outdoorsy things to do in the charming mountain village of June Lake, California! This Eastern Sierras getaway has some of the best fall foliage in the state, stunning scenery, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, hiking, hot springs, and more.

12 Things to do in the Charming Mountain Town of June Lake, California

Crisp mountain air. Shimmering lakes. Scenic drives. Colorful fall foliage. Welcome to June Lake, California: a rustic little mountain town in the high Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains packed with scenic trails to explore, breathtaking mountain views … [Read more...] about 12 Things to do in the Charming Mountain Town of June Lake, California

11 Things to do in Paso Robles, California on the perfect weekend getaway. Wine tasting, hot springs, & more!

11 Perfect Things to do in Paso Robles, California on a Weekend Getaway

Vineyards. Olive trees. Hot springs. Paso Robles, California is one of our absolute favorite places in California, and the perfect spot for a weekend getaway! Located under an hour from San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, the Central Coast town where … [Read more...] about 11 Perfect Things to do in Paso Robles, California on a Weekend Getaway

Where to stay in San Francisco (& Where NOT to stay): a local's travel guide.

Where to Stay in San Francisco (& Where NOT to) a Local’s Neighborhood Guide

I (Jeremy) first moved to San Francisco in 2009 for college, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and right in the middle of that perfect time period between Tech Boom 1.0 and Tech Boom 2.0. The city I moved to was quirky and affordable: I was able to work … [Read more...] about Where to Stay in San Francisco (& Where NOT to) a Local’s Neighborhood Guide

Morro Bay, California is a tiny coastal town along California's Central Coast and one of the best places to stop on a California road trip down Highway One/the Pacific Coast Highway! Here are all the best things to do in Morro Bay.

12 Magical Things to do in Morro Bay, California (by a local)

When Jeremy first told me about Morro Bay, the tiny town along California's Central Coast where he grew up, I had a picture in my head that looked a lot like Southern California: waving palm trees, beautiful people wearing neon shorts and roller … [Read more...] about 12 Magical Things to do in Morro Bay, California (by a local)

Things nobody tells you about Oakland, California - San Francisco's neighbor.

29 Things Nobody Tells You About Oakland, California

Oakland is a giant city, an urban cultural mecca that stretches from the coast to redwood-covered rolling hills. It has a deep, complicated history and culture, its own local slang, absolutely incredible food, and plenty to see and do - which we've … [Read more...] about 29 Things Nobody Tells You About Oakland, California

Mendocino, California is located a few hours north from San Francisco along the scenic Highway One/Pacific Coast Highway. It's the perfect destination for a weekend getaway!

14 Marvelous Things to Do in Mendocino, California on a Weekend Getaway

Mendocino, California is located just a few hours north of San Francisco on California's stunning Pacific Coast Highway. It's one of the best weekend trips from San Francisco, and we've been up to visit multiple times. Mendocino is known … [Read more...] about 14 Marvelous Things to Do in Mendocino, California on a Weekend Getaway

Redwoods. Baseball games. The Ale Trail. Incredible food. Historic theatres. Street art. There's so much to explore in Oakland, California (Psst: it's right next door to San Francisco). This locals guide tackles 26 of the best things to do in Oakland! Come across the Bay to Oakland next time you're traveling to San Francisco, California.

26 Awesome Things to Do in Oakland, California

Although Oakland and San Francisco are neighbors, located just minutes apart across the Bay, the two cities could not be more different. Oakland has its own distinct history, sounds, tastes, its own social movements. While San Francisco's … [Read more...] about 26 Awesome Things to Do in Oakland, California

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

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