California Travel

  • Mister Jiu’s Michelin-Star Restaurant Review

    Mister Jiu’s Michelin-Star Restaurant Review

    Mister Jiu’s is one of San Francisco’s most talked-about restaurants, holding a Michelin star and a prime location in the heart of Chinatown. Known for its modern take on Chinese-American cuisine, it promises an elevated dining experience focused on seasonal ingredients and refined technique. We visited in January 2025 and opted for the tasting…

  • Capitola & Santa Cruz Weekend Guide: Where to Stay, Eat & What to Do

    Capitola & Santa Cruz Weekend Guide: Where to Stay, Eat & What to Do

    If you’re craving an easy coastal getaway with ocean views, great food, and just enough nostalgia, a weekend in Capitola and Santa Cruz is hard to beat. This Capitola & Santa Cruz Weekend Guide will help you plan the perfect trip. We spent two nights soaking up beach time, sipping wine in Capitola Village,…

  • Dog-Friendly Hikes In & Around Yosemite

    Dog-Friendly Hikes In & Around Yosemite

    Traveling to Yosemite with your dog? While Yosemite National Park has stricter pet rules than many destinations, there are still beautiful, memorable ways to explore the area with your pup — both inside the park and on true hiking trails just outside its borders. This guide breaks down exactly where dogs are allowed, what…

  • New Year’s Eve 2026 at Sens Restaurant, San Francisco: An Honest Review

    New Year’s Eve 2026 at Sens Restaurant, San Francisco: An Honest Review

    We attended Sens Restaurant’s New Year’s Eve 2026 party in San Francisco with high expectations. Marketed as one of the city’s top NYE events for several years, the evening promised VIP express entry, a premium open bar, and an upscale celebration. While we enjoyed moments of the night, the experience ultimately fell short of…

  • Rush Creek Lodge Near Yosemite: Spa Days, Glass Blowing & a Perfect Mountain Escape

    Rush Creek Lodge Near Yosemite: Spa Days, Glass Blowing & a Perfect Mountain Escape

    Just outside Yosemite National Park’s Big Oak Flat Entrance, Rush Creek Lodge & Spa is the kind of place that makes you want to slow down, unplug, and actually stay awhile. Equal parts mountain retreat and activity-packed resort, Rush Creek balances adventure with comfort — and does it effortlessly. Rush Creek Lodge is dog…

  • Kenzo Napa: Michelin-Star Kaiseki Dining Paired with Kenzo Estate Winery

    Kenzo Napa: Michelin-Star Kaiseki Dining Paired with Kenzo Estate Winery

    In a valley known for bold reds, lively tasting rooms, and festival-filled weekends, Kenzo Napa offers something refreshingly different. This Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant delivers a serene, deeply intentional dining experience rooted in traditional kaiseki cuisine, thoughtfully paired with wines from its sister property, Kenzo Estate Winery. Elegant, understated, and impeccably executed, Kenzo Napa is…

  • BottleRock Napa Valley: Why I Keep Coming Back (2024 & 2025)

    BottleRock Napa Valley: Why I Keep Coming Back (2024 & 2025)

    Music, wine, food, and Napa Valley vibes — BottleRock delivers it all. Here’s our BottleRock review. Few festivals manage to feel both high-energy and effortlessly indulgent, but BottleRock Napa Valley does exactly that. After attending in 2024 and again in 2025, I can confidently say this is one festival that truly lives up to…

  • Mount View Hotel & Spa: A Classic Calistoga Retreat for Poolside Bliss and Ultimate Relaxation

    Mount View Hotel & Spa: A Classic Calistoga Retreat for Poolside Bliss and Ultimate Relaxation

    When it comes to Calistoga hotels that truly embrace rest, rejuvenation, and Napa Valley charm, the Mount View Hotel & Spa delivers on every level. Tucked right into downtown Calistoga, this historic boutique hotel is all about slowing down — preferably with a mineral soak, a spa treatment on the books, and plenty of…

  • The Horizon Inn & Ocean View Lodge: A Laid-Back Carmel-By-The-Sea Escape

    The Horizon Inn & Ocean View Lodge: A Laid-Back Carmel-By-The-Sea Escape

    If you’re craving salty air, fog-kissed mornings, and that effortlessly charming Carmel-By-The-Sea energy, The Horizon Inn & Ocean View Lodge delivers in all the right ways. Perched just above the coastline, this relaxed coastal retreat feels welcoming, unfussy, and perfectly suited for slow mornings and sunset strolls. It’s the kind of place where you…

  • Spanish Bay at Pebble Beach: Sunset Cocktails, Bagpipes & Italian Dining

    Spanish Bay at Pebble Beach: Sunset Cocktails, Bagpipes & Italian Dining

    A visit to Spanish Bay at Pebble Beach is one of those quintessential Monterey Peninsula experiences that blends dramatic coastal views, timeless traditions, and exceptional dining—all in one unforgettable evening. Even better, if you’re staying in Carmel-by-the-Sea, it’s just a quick Uber or Lyft ride, making this the perfect car-free night out. Sunset Drinks…