Lifestyle, North America, Travel, USA

Top 10 Things to do in Lompoc, CA

In my mind, California’s central coast is one of the most beautiful and underrated regions in the state. When my husband and I had the chance to visit Lompoc one weekend with Explore Lompoc, we jumped at the opportunity! This area was first inhabited by the native Chumash people, and the name “Lompoc” is derived from the Purisimeño language meaning “lagoon.” Since then, the city was incorporated in 1888, and became known for its flowers, art, diatomite mine, Vanderberg Air Force base and wine.Lompoc-Flowers-4From our weekend in Lompoc, here were our top 10 favorite things to do:


  1. VISIT THE HISTORIC LA PURISIMA MISSION

Mission-10This beautiful mission is part of the La Purisima State Historic Park, which covers 1,928 acres of land. The mission was originally built in 1787 near the southern part of Lompoc city, but after an earthquake destroyed in the mission in 1812, it was relocated a few miles northeast. The mission was rebuilt in linear fashion to better withstand future earthquakes, making it the only California mission not designed in a quadrangle. This beautiful and uncrowded mission is my favorite in the state!

 


  1. TAKE A SCENIC HIKE UP BODGER TRAIL

Bodger-Trail-4Bodger Trail is the top-rated hike in Lompoc. This steep 0.7 mile incline leads to a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the flower fields, making it a short but sweet climb to a beautiful vantage point.

 


  1. GAZE UPON THE STUNNING LOMPOC FLOWER FIELDS

Lompoc-Flowers-5Speaking of flower fields! Lompoc is known as the “City of Arts and Flowers,” and also is known as the flower seed capital of the world. If you’re visiting between April and September, chances are you will see some beautiful blooms somewhere in the city—whether they be wildflowers or commercial flower fields. Be sure to check out Lompoc’s Flower Tracker before you go!


  1. WANDER OLD TOWN LOMPOC’S MURALS

 

There are 40 murals distributed throughout this adorable small town, and a map for that can be found here. The murals highlight Lompoc’s heritage, and are a great way to learn more about the history, economy and culture of this adorable place. Swing by the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Bureau to grab a map and tips on what to do/see along the route!


  1. SUNBATHE AT JALAMA BEACH

 

Do the 30-minute drive from Lompoc town through some beautiful vineyards and rolling hills to get to Jalama Beach and catch some waves, nap in the sun, stroll along the coast or explore sea caves. You can also bring your furry friends ($3/dog) or try camping (starting at $30/night) here!


  1. GO WINE TASTING IN THE WINE GHETTO

Montemar-Wines-7Taste some of the best wine that the Sta Rita Valley has to offer. Lompoc’s wines are delicious, and you can be sure that you’ll have some great conversations and meet wonderful people as you explore Lompoc’s Wine Ghetto! Our favorite winery is Montemar Wines, which has some amazing pinots/syrahs and a large outdoor patio complete with games, live music and an organic garden. Also, this spot features the first ever wine barrel ceiling!


  1. GRAB A COFFEE AT SOUTHSIDE CAFÉ

 

This local favorite café features adorable, colorful art and some delicious coffee options. My favorite from here is the dark chocolate mocha with lavender! Southside Café sits right in the heart of Old Town Lompoc, and is a great starting point as you embark on your mural hunt.


  1. EAT A TASTY MEAL AT HANGAR 7

 

Also located in the heart of Old Town Lompoc, Hangar 7 is a charming gastropub that has delicious flatbreads (all of which you can sub gluten-free crust for at no additional charge!) and local wine/beer options. The aviation theme is apparent all throughout the lounge, and you might even find a helmet signed by Elon Musk.


  1. LOUNGE BY THE POOL

 

Lompoc has incredibly temperate climate and never really gets too hot or too cold. This is part of why it’s so ideal for growing flowers, and also makes the town a great place for a pool day! We enjoyed an afternoon lounging at the Hilton Garden Inn.


  1. SWING BY THE OLD DRIVE-IN

Lompoc-Drive-InThis now abandoned drive-in theater is a great place to swing by for a quick photo on your way to the mission. Fun Fact: this drive-in was heavily featured in the 2004 film SIDEWAYS, starring Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen.


BONUS: VISIT THE AMERICAN WILD HORSE SANCTUARY
We unfortunately didn’t have time to do this in our whirlwind weekend, but Lompoc’s Return to Freedom horse sanctuary is dedicated to preserving America’s wild horse population through conservation, advocacy and education. These 5,000 acres span four different locations and are home to over 500 horses and 42 burros. You can tour the sanctuary by reserving a photo safari in advance!

 

Lompoc is a beautiful and underrated California gem, and I hope I’ve helped convince you to add it to your list the next time you drive up the central coast!


This guide is written in partnership with Explore Lompoc. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much to the City of Lompoc for making our weekend here a trip to remember!

 

North America, Travel, USA

A Winter’s Weekend in Washington, D.C.

Both the capital of the United States and a strange district in neither Maryland nor Virginia, Washington, D.C. is the hub where all branches of the federal government operate. This political city center is filled with historically significant sites that are generally free to visit and instill a sense of wonderment in you. However you might feel about the U.S. government, this diversely cultured city rich in history and full of life should definitely be on your bucket list to visit.

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I (fittingly) happened to visit this city for the very first time over Presidents’ Day weekend in February, taking a redeye flight on Friday after work to arrive early on Saturday morning and leaving first thing on Monday. Because winter is not peak season for D.C., we found affordable roundtrip tickets and were able to crash with some friends that lived in Virginia (I’ve heard that sakura blossom season is AMAZING, but crowded and expensive!). Here are some of the things we loved seeing during our jam-packed weekend in the nation’s capital!

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1. THE MONUMENTS

I’m not even sure where to begin with these. Each one is amazing in its own remarkable way, and they’re all FREE to visit. But let me walk you through all the places we went to:

LINCOLN MEMORAL

The very first thing we did off the plane at 6:30am was hop in our friends’ car and head straight to the Lincoln Memorial. Not only is this national monument an incredible historical location that honors one of the most beloved U.S. presidents and has been the site of many famous speeches (e.g. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech), but this spot is also a BEAUTIFUL place to watch the sunrise. I would highly recommend coming here early in the morning so that you can peacefully take in the sights in all its glory.

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PHOTO TIP: The view of the Washington Monument from across the Reflecting Pool is truly something to behold. Another prime photo spot is from inside the memorial looking out at the Washington Monument through the pillars!

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JEFFERSON MEMORIAL

I have to say—the Jefferson Memorial moved me far more than I expected it to. I found myself tearing up as I read the excerpts of Jefferson’s writings in the interior of the memorial. I’ve also heard that this spot (sitting just across the water from the Washington Monument) is an incredible place to watch the sunset.

WASHINGTON MONUMENT

This obelisk might be the most quintessential and recognizable D.C. building. Chances are you’ve seen it in some book, film or TV show (we missed HANDMAID’S TALE filming here by just a day). Apart from how notable its structure is, the Washington Monument is obviously a hugely significant historical symbol. The monument is currently closed, but should reopen in Spring 2019.

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VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL

This 2-acre memorial honors the service of those who fought in the Vietnam War. There have certainly been some controversies around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, but it is a beautiful tribute to visit, and really stands out in my memory of places we visited in D.C.

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NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

Usually, this memorial is accompanied by a beautiful fountain. But even in the dead of winter when it’s silent and eerie, the WWII Memorial is still a beautiful and significant site to see and take in somberly.

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There are many other incredible monuments we unfortunately did not have time to see (e.g. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Albert Einstein Memorial, Peace MonumentAmerican Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial,  etc.)

WHAT: National Monuments
WHERE: Scattered around the National Mall and elsewhere
WHEN: Generally open 24 hours
COST: FREE!


2. SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS

Okay, I will be the first to admit that I did NOT realize that when people said “the Smithsonian,” it wasn’t just ONE museum. The Smithsonian Institution Museums are 19 (YES, 19) museums, galleries, gardens and a ZOO. Two of the museums are in New York, but the others are in D.C.—11 of which are on the National Mall.

(Oh, I also did not realize that when people referred to the “National Mall,” it wasn’t an actual mall. Yes, I know. I’m going to blame it on the fact that I did not grow up in the U.S.)

But, anyway! These museums are incredible, and they are FREE. We barely made a dent (we visited the museums of American History, Air and Space, American Art and the Hirshhorn), but I definitely fell in love with the American History Museum. Seeing the original Star-Spangled Banner that inspired our national anthem was surprisingly moving, and left me in awe. There are some fascinating presidential exhibits here as well.

WHAT: Incredible Museums
WHERE: Scattered around the National Mall
WHEN: Generally open 10:00am – 5:30pm(ish), but check the specific museum’s hours ahead!
COST: FREE!


3. THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM

Admittedly, this spot would be far more beautiful in the spring. Or summer. Or fall. But hey, it’s still a truly breathtaking spot in the winter! The U.S. National Arboretum is a 446-acre wonderland filled with beautiful trails, gardens and even a captivating bonsai museum. But the most magnificent thing here is the National Capitol Columns—22 Corinthian columns that supported the U.S. Capitol building in 1828.

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WHAT: Arboretum/Gardens
WHERE: 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
WHEN: Open 8:00am – 5:00pm (except for Christmas Day)
COST: FREE!


4. CAPITOL BUILDING

I unfortunately don’t have much to say about the Capitol Building except that we came, we saw it and we took photos. We were here for sunset, but I honestly wouldn’t recommend it as a prime sunset-viewing location (as stated earlier, if I could do it over again, I’d probably go to the Jefferson Monument and watch the sunset there). If we were to return, I may make a reservation for a tour—which you can do for free and in advance here.

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WHAT: Capitol Building
WHERE: First St SE, Washington, DC 20004
WHEN: 9:00am – 5:00pm
COST: FREE!


5. GEORGETOWN

It’s hard to express in words how much I love this entire area. There are so many adorable shops and facades, it’s impossible to walk around without taking a million pictures. Oh, the university is also pretty cool to check out. But in general, the town part is the cutest. There are also tons of adorable cafes and bakeries (Georgetown Cupcakes and Baked & Wired come to mind!).


6. THE WHARF

Did you know Washington, D.C. is home to the nation’s longest continually operating open-air fish market? …Yeah, I also had no idea until I started writing this. BUT! We stumbled upon this District Wharf after eating lunch at Toastique (which is an AMAZING Australian brunch place and you must go), and we had so much fun wandering around here together. Forgive me for not taking photos of the adorable wharf with its swings and fireplaces, but please accept these delicious toast shots instead.


7. THE BLIND WHINO

This 19th century church is a super colorful, fun building that tends to host rotating exhibits, whether art or hip-hop. But, admittedly…to me, Blind Whino is pretty much just a photo spot. So stop by, snap your photos and then head back to the National Mall!

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8. DUPONT CIRCLE

Dupont Circle is a super cute area to walk around with lots of adorable coffee shops, bookstores and bars. Enough said.


PLACES WE DIDN’T GO THAT WE WANTED TO VISIT

I am very proud of all that we visited in our two days, but this list of places we DIDN’T make it to is also rather long. Certainly makes me sad, but also happy because it means that we have many (MANY) reasons to return to D.C. someday:

  • National Archives Museum (The Declaration of Independence, Constitution AND Bill of Rights are all here!!)
  • Library of Congress
  • Chinatown (I particularly would love to get a photo with the Friendship Archway)
  • Washington National Cathedral
  • The Kennedy Center
  • The Watermelon House
  • The Observation Deck at CEB Tower
  • Blagden Alley
  • Union Market
  • The White House
  • Ford’s Theatre
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
  • United States Botanic Garden
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/embed?mid=1-N_MRyTfzLqu3-Nu2NvKXxCfugMOIYrE&w=640&h=480]

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Lifestyle, North America, Travel, USA

The Ultimate Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway

Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is a quintessential California coastal city filled with natural wonders and Spanish-style architectural charm. Whether for a fun girls’ trip or a romantic couples’ escape, you can bet Santa Barbara will be the perfect place to spend a relaxing weekend.

Continue reading “The Ultimate Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway”

Lifestyle, North America, Travel, USA

Hotel Review: Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

Few things make me sing, “California, here we come,” more than driving up the 101 to Santa Barbara. The ocean views, swaying palm trees and blue skies will draw you in, but staying at a place like the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort really seals the deal and makes you never want to leave this beautiful coastal town.

Continue reading “Hotel Review: Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort”

Lifestyle, North America, Travel, USA

24 Hours in Death Valley National Park

I am so excited to share with you guys about Death Valley, and truly don’t know why it took me so long to finally visit. We were only here for 24 hours, but even so, this strange destination left such an impact on me. Few places have made me feel more like I’m on another planet than this jaw-dropping landscape.

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This desert national park located on the border of California and Nevada is truly otherworldly, has become one of my favorite road trips to take from Southern California. The harsh climate and fascinating history from the Native American inhabitants to the craze of the Gold Rush and mining colonies make this land lost in time a fascinating place, and exploring the scattered ghost towns or ruins will cause you to feel like you’re in the Wild West.

Continue reading “24 Hours in Death Valley National Park”

New York, North America, Travel, USA

How to Spend 24 Hour in New York City

The Big Apple, the first United States capital (okay, for about a year, but still) and the most densely populated city in the country. I’ll start out by saying that if you can spend more than a day in New York City, you definitely should. But if you’re like us and only have 24 hours in this beautiful place, read on for tips to a whirlwind trip.

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(NOTE: If you want to do 24-hours in New York solely to take pictures, I would give you very different recommendations for what to do. For us, we wanted a mix of iconic locations, quintessential NYC culture and delicious foods—so our story is below!)

6:00am – ARRIVE AT JFK

I love taking overnight flights—it’s the easiest way to make sure you don’t miss anything and also get an early start. We opted for a redeye flight that was supposed to get in around 6:00am, but due to an impending storm, didn’t land until 8:00am. No matter. We brushed our teeth in the airport bathrooms and then rushed to Brooklyn, backpacks in tow!

MORNING (7-11am) – BROOKLYN

Brooklyn might be one of my favorite areas of New York. Going in, it was a no-brainer to make this our first stop. Grab a coffee or breakfast at one of the many adorably hipster coffee shops (we stopped at Butler Bakeshop and met some friends), and stroll along the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan.

 

PHOTO SPOT #1: Go to the Washington / Water Cross streets for the iconic street corner shot with the Manhattan Bridge in the background. Word to the wise—Saturday morning is apparently trash day in this part of Brooklyn. Who knew!!

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PHOTO SPOT #2: Walk along the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan and snap photos all along the way. I would highly recommend getting here early in the morning on a weekday (around 7:00am) if you want photos without crowds of people in them. However, you can also choose the timing we did—a weekend around 11:00am, but in the MIDDLE of a storm with crazy rain and gusts of wind!!! We were very fortunate(?) to be the only ones on the bridge as we struggled from one end to the other.

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(ALTERNATIVE MORNING PLAN: If Brooklyn and bridges aren’t for you, then head straight into Manhattan and stroll around Greenwich Village. If you don’t mind extra walking, the famous flatiron building is only a 20-minute walk away from here as well.)

MIDDAY (11am-2pm) – THE OCULUS / CENTRAL PARK

Once you’ve finished your early morning in Brooklyn and crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, you’re only a 10-15 minute walk away from the Oculus (Westfield World Trade Center). Wander on over to this beautifully designed mall and grab a coffee or do some shopping if you’d like. We stopped in for a just a brief moment to get a shot with the fun architecture (easily photographed from the entrance).

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After we were satisfied, we hopped on a train to visit Central Park. Central Park may not be the largest urban park in the world (that title belongs to King’s Park in Perth, Australia), but it just might be the most well-known. You’ve likely seen a film or TV show that had a scene or two filmed here.

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At 840 acres, Central Park is still a daunting undertaking for anyone in a rush! But the most notable spots you won’t want to miss include the Bethesda Fountain/Terrace, Boat House and the Bow Bridge.

(ALTERNATIVE NOON PLAN: Go up to the Top of the Rock for one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline! I would recommend this over doing the Empire State Building, because if you’re inside the Empire State Building, you won’t see it as you gaze out at the view.)

AFTERNOON (2-5pm) – BROADWAY

From Central Park we rushed over to Broadhurst Theatre to see a 2:00pm matinee performance of “Anastasia,” one of my favorite childhood films turned into a Broadway musical! If you enjoy musical theater (and even if you don’t), a welcomed and relaxing treat for your eyes, ears, heart and feet is to see a show. A must-do in New York! Plus, this puts you right by Times Square, which you of course MUST see if you’re in New York.

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EVENING (6-8pm) – DINNER

Honestly, all food in New York is delicious. It’s so difficult to narrow down what you should eat, but we opted for a delicious pizza dinner at Ribalta. Not only is their Napoli pizza authentic and delicious, but they also have a variety of allergy-friendly options! We compared my gluten-free pizza side by side with a regular pizza, and could not tell the difference at all.

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LATE EVENING – SLEEP NO MORE

After dinner, we grabbed a third coffee for the day (needed the caffeine to keep going!) and headed over to the McKittrick Hotel in Chelsea for the critically acclaimed and quirky noir interactive theater experience, “Sleep No More.” Based on Macbeth, this interactive experience has you running up and down five stories of hotel into apothecaries, ballrooms, graveyards and more in search of silent actors playing out scenes before your eyes right in front of you.

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No pictures are allowed inside this experience (hence the terrible iPhone shot of the bar area outside the experience). I would highly recommend brushing up on your Shakespeare or looking up the storylines online so that you can better follow what’s happening and choose the actors you want to watch!

(ALTERNATIVE LATE EVENING PLAN: Depending on the time of year it is, hit up one of New York’s many famous rooftop bars!)

After our interactive theater experience, we crashed with a friend in Queens and then headed to the airport bright and early the next day—but not without a traditional New York breakfast: bagels (yes, even a gluten-free one for me)!

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All in all, we had a blast with our whirlwind New York experience, and I hope you have fun with yours, too.

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ADDITIONAL NYC TIPS

Currency: U.S. Dollar

Languages: English

Transportation: Walking, Taxis, Subway, Lyft/Uber, Bus…there are many options!

Food: Everything in New York is delicious, and you won’t go wrong with whatever you choose to eat. You’d be remiss, however, to miss out on bagels or pizza. Both of these can be enjoyed in a variety of allergy-friendly ways, so don’t worry about your restrictions–whether gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, etc.!

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Hawaii, Lifestyle, North America, Travel, USA

10 Tips for Driving Maui’s Road to Hana

No trip to Maui is complete without embarking on the iconic drive along the Road to Hana. Boasting 59 bridges and 620 curves in just 42 miles, the Hana Highway is a precarious drive that is not for the fainthearted.

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I’m lucky that my husband is an excellent driver and didn’t bat an eye at the turns, crazy parking situations and one-car bridges! We had an amazing time doing the drive on our own, as we could go at our own pace and prioritize what we wanted to see. If you’re willing and eager to plan a DIY drive down this winding wonderland, here are some tips for you!

1. SET OUT EARLY

Even though it’s just about 42 miles (67 km) to Hana Town, it would likely take you 2-4 hours to drive without factoring in stops or your return drive! I would advise setting out as early as possible, both to beat some of the crowds and also ensure you have enough daylight to accomplish your must-do’s. We did this in September (make sure you look up sunrise/sunset times for whatever season you’re there in) and started from Paia Town around 8:00am. By the time we made it to Pipiwai Trail at the end of the day (10 miles south of Hana), we were sprinting up the path to try to get to the bamboo forest before dark…and didn’t succeed.

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Plus, if you’re planning on driving back to West Maui at night, these roads are not super fun to drive when it’s pitch black and you’re going down dirt paths along steep cliffs! If we could do it again, we would likely choose to spend the night in Hana.

ALSO, I just want to mention: you might get carsick. This might be obvious, but it was something I didn’t expect and nobody mentioned to me. I got soooo dizzy around so many of the turns!

2. DOWNLOAD MAPS AND RESET YOUR ODOMETER…

You won’t have cell reception for most of the Road to Hana. So if you’re driving yourself, make sure you reset your odometer right at the beginning (there will be a sign indicating where the road starts), and have an idea of what mile markers have interesting things you want to stop at.

3. …BUT IF ALL ELSE FAILS, FOLLOW THE CROWDS!

However, if your odometer gets messed up or you forget to set and don’t know what mile markers to look for, do not fret. If a spot is worth visiting, most likely you’ll see a few cars clustered around. If you’re curious enough, just pull over and check it out—might be a waterfall, a pretty view, a botanical garden, lava tube or something else fun!

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4. IF YOU MISS A WATERFALL, DON’T WORRY—THERE WILL BE MORE

This might sound like weird advice, but it’s true. There are sooo many incredible waterfalls along the Hana Highway, and when we first started out, I made my husband stop (and in some cases, dramatically pop a U-turn and backtrack) at every one, but we quickly realized that it wasn’t the end of the world if we missed a couple here or there. Enjoy the journey and stop where you can, but don’t beat yourself up over anything you might miss—the adventure gets better with every mile.

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That said, I would like to advocate for my favorite waterfall spot: Upper Waikani Falls (aka “Three Bears Falls”) between Mile Markers 19 and 20. You’ll see them when you’re driving over a bridge, and will find there’s no parking right there—don’t panic, there’s a little dirt area just a minute or two past that you can park at and then walk back down. It’s a bit of a climb to get to them, but absolutely a worthwhile waterfall to chase!

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5. BRING A TOWEL, SWIMSUIT, CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND CHANGE OF SHOES/SANDALS

Trust me, you’ll be jumping off of waterfalls and swimming at some of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen, and be in desperate need of a wardrobe change. Also, because it’s so tropical and wet, you’ll be getting muddy as you hike along paths on your stops. I brought sneakers, but never wore them and stuck to my flip flops—but on the other hand, my husband pretty much exclusively wore shoes (until we were splashing around waterfalls!). Regardless, you’d much rather have options and not have to worry about it!

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6. STOP AND EAT THE FOOD

While it’s definitely a good idea to bring snacks for the drive, there are so many delicious stops on the Road to Hana that you won’t want to miss. Try banana bread at Aunty Sandy’s (my husband’s fav!) or at Halfway to Hana, and pop into Coconut Glen’s at Mile Marker 27 for some of the tastiest (and allergy-friendly) coconut ice cream you’ve ever had. We’ve also heard there’s an insanely good Thai place somewhere on this road, but we didn’t manage to find it. Ah well, something new for next time!

 

7. VIEWS, VIEWS, VIEWS

While pretty much ANY place you stop at on the Road to Hana will be breathtaking, this highway has some incredible lookout points that should not be missed. Mile Marker 18.8 has an incredible lookout point with a view of Wailua Valley, and is one of our highlights from this drive.

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8. SEE THE BEACHES IN HANA

I’ve heard a lot of people tell me that the Road to Hana is more about the journey and less about Hana itself. While Hana is indeed a sleepy town of 1,200 people, it’s still not to be missed. Besides the delicious food trucks and tropical views, there’s the ever-famous Waianapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach). And Kaihalulu Bay (Red Sand Beach) is one of the most magical Hawaiian beaches I’ve ever seen. Yes, Kaihalulu is a bit off the beaten path, but it’s 100% worth going to!

 

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9. DON’T BE AFRAID TO GO PAST HANA

Most people will do the drive, arrive in Hana, grab some food and then head back the way they came. I would say if you can, you should keep driving and head back to West Maui the other way—via the back side of Haleakala, which offers you a unique perspective of Maui that very few experience, and which takes you the same amount of time to drive as the Road to Hana. The climate is arid, resembling California in parts. And the starry sky we saw was enough to make us pull over, huddle together and gape in awe at the Milky Way before us. I’ve been in plenty of sparsely populated destinations, from the Sahara Desert to the Marquesas Islands, yet still have never seen as many stars as I did that beautiful night.

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I will confess: if the Hana Highway is winding and narrow, these roads are dusty, steep and bumpy. Much of it isn’t even paved. It seems that a lot of rental car companies will have a “your own your own” policy and threaten to “void” your rental car contract if you take this pathway. We had NO idea this was a thing, and merrily took our Hyundai Sonata on this very special drive and returned the car without any problem or additional charge. But I can’t guarantee that this will be everyone’s experience!

10. BUT MOST OF ALL, TAKE IT ALL IN AND HAVE FUN!

Driving the Road to Hana is an experience unlike any other. Being disconnected from the world allows you to take in the grandeur of God’s creation and marvel at the wide variety of beautiful terrains on such a small island. This day fueled my love for waterfalls, introduced me to the glory of red sand beaches, filled my stomach with delicious coconut-y things and brought me closer to my darling husband for all his bravery and skill behind the wheel. It was exhausting, exhilarating, enlightening and ecstatic. And I would do it all over again.

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ADDITIONAL ROAD TO HANA TIPS

Currency: U.S. Dollar (make sure to have cash on hand!)

Languages: English (Official), Hawaiian Pidgin, many people can speak Mandarin Chinese and Japanese

Transportation: Public transit is nonexistent; rent a car or hire a van.

Food: Banana bread, anything coconut, Thai, barbecue and Hawaiian-Mexican fusion (we ate at “The Surfing Burro” food truck in Hana and really enjoyed it!).

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1ryWsUq8b4t62XKOWRevSU1OBC_MRWQkm&w=640&h=480]

North America, Travel, USA

Hotel Review: Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego

Most of you know that I tend to travel at 100 miles an hour, jumping from place to place and cramming as much into my travels as possible. So when the opportunity came up for me and my husband to actually relax for a weekend and enjoy each other’s company for our one-year wedding anniversary at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego, we jumped at it!

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FIRST IMPRESSION / SERVICE

Upon walking in, we were taken by the beautiful modern décor and Latin influence. When we were greeted at the front desk, we immediately knew we were going to be taken care of. The service is warm and professional, and the hotel is upscale while maintaining a level of boutique charm.

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LOCATION

This property is conveniently located in the heart of the historic Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, which we loved. It was convenient for exploring, and is close to museums, theaters and even the San Diego Convention Center (0.7 miles) and zoo (1.5 miles).

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THE ROOM

There are 211 guest rooms at the Kimpton Palomar, and we were fortunate enough to stay on the 20th floor in a beautiful Skyline Suite with a King Bed and two lovely balconies. Seeing the panoramic views of the Gaslamp and the ocean was truly an incredible and romantic experience, by day or by night!

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We also had a flat screen TV in our room and high speed Internet, which meant we could lounge side by side while watching the Oscars and getting some work done (which we did).

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The room was modern and comfortable, with books on San Diego’s best beaches and surf-inspired decorations distributed throughout the space. Floor-to-ceiling windows and an L-shaped couch made the atmosphere cheery. White linens on the bed gave it an air of chic sophistication, and the bright interiors made us feel relaxed.

Oh, and the bathroom had the most incredible rain shower, and a variety of deliciously scented luxury shampoos and conditioners with scents from oolong tea and orange blossom to cardamom and eucalyptus!

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THE FOOD

We were here during off-season, which meant the Pool Deck & Lounge was closed. However, we had a delicious dinner at Curadero, the charming in-hotel Mexican restaurant that feels like the perfect blend of big city sophistication and small town cantina. They’re also famous for their ceviche bar, and the corn tortillas are made in house.

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We chowed down on some delicious Suadero Tacos, Queso Fundido (which we LOVED and got two orders of) and a Carne Asada plate. For drinks, I opted for the El Noble, and Michael nursed a glass of complimentary wine.

THE AMENITIES

In addition to boasting an incredible location, gorgeous rooms and a fabulous restaurant, the Kimpton Palomar Hotel has a beautiful rooftop pool on the fourth floor. It was unusually chilly in San Diego when we went, but because the pool is heated, we were able to take a dip and gaze out at the city skyline without feeling cold! I can’t wait to return here during the summer when the rooftop bar is open as well to enjoy the pool while also snacking on some delicious foods and drinks.

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Also, the hotel has a cute Arriba Room filled with vintage arcade games, foosball, pool tables and general fun.

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The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness center (we never used this because we were too busy enjoying everything else!) and a Social Hour with complimentary wine from 5-6pm.

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Bicycles are available to borrow as well. The hotel is also pet-friendly if you would like to bring your furry friends with you for a weekend getaway!

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MEANINGFUL EXTRAS

When we went up to our room after dinner at Curadero, were pleasantly surprised to find a bottle of champagne with a note wishing us a very happy anniversary! It was a nice touch to an already perfect weekend.

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CONCLUSION

If you’re ever in San Diego and want to stay in the heart of the city, this is the place for you. The service is incredible, the accommodations are comfortable and they take the extra step to go above and beyond to make you feel at home.

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To book a night at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego, click here!

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This review is written in partnership with the Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much to the wonderful staff at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar for making our one-year anniversary an experience to remember!

Hawaii, Lifestyle, North America, Travel, USA

2.5 Days on the Big Island of Hawai’i

If you live in California, what do you do with a long weekend? Go to Hawai’i, of course!

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Jokes, most people in California don’t do this, either. But they should!! We found cheap direct flights to the Big Island from Los Angeles, and we figured, why not? If you keep saying you won’t go somewhere until you have ample time to explore it, you might never go.

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So we took a half day from work on a Friday, booked a flight that got us to Hawai’i by 10pm, had two full days and then left on a holiday Monday at 3:30pm to get back by 11:30pm.

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Was it a whirlwind? Oh yes. Was it worthwhile? Absolutely!

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The Big Island of Hawai’i is, well, much BIGGER than the other islands. So a car is a must. I would suggest booking a rental far in advance. We waited until last-minute, and the car was pretty expensive. But we also heard that certain rental places had run out of cars, so we were among the luckier ones!



WHERE TO STAY

We booked three different accommodations for our three different nights. Where you stay will be dependent on what you want to do. Do you want to see the volcano? Chill at the beaches? Eat local fare in Hilo?

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I would recommend doing a mix of everything if you can, because the island of Hawai’i has eight of the world’s 13 climates, and is one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world. Whoever told you that there’s not much to do on the Big Island was very wrong. Sure, it’s much quieter and less populated than the other islands, but where else can you go from tropical humidity to arid desert and snowy mountains to volcanic lava?

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The first night, we stayed at Ohi’a Park Estate, a charming Bed & Breakfast 10 minutes from Kona Airport that we really loved. The second night, we stayed at a unique Airbnb treehouse in Volcano Town’s Fern Forest. There are a variety of treehouses on Airbnb that you can find, and I would highly recommend trying it out for a unique jungle experience! After this, our last night was spent at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls just outside of Hilo, which was such a fun experience because the inn has its own private waterfall!! Would definitely recommend all of our experiences, and it was nice to be convenient to each different part of the island given our activities.

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DAY 1 – KAILUA-KONA TO VOLCANO

Our first day, we woke up early (being on “mainland” time) and went down to Kailua-Kona town to explore. We grabbed a coffee at Kona Coffee Café after receiving some free samples and looked at the beautiful Mokuaikaua Church, the oldest Christian Church on the Hawaiian islands established in 1820.

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We then headed back to Ohi’a Park Estate for a delicious homemade breakfast by the charming couple who run the B&B.

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We then checked out and headed down the coast and stopped at Ali’i Garden Marketplace for “dessert,” some delicious gluten-free crepes at Whale of a Crepe! We got a Mauna Loa crepe, which included Nutella, banana and macadamia nuts.

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After this, we drove up toward Captain Cook, where we stopped at The Coffee Shack to enjoy some views and stay dry from the rain.

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This was seriously one of my favorite places from our trip. The coffee and smoothies are excellent, and the views are perfect. The portions are also gigantic, and I saved half of my mocha to drink the next morning. Would highly recommend stopping here!

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We then drove to the southernmost tip of the Unites States (yep, it really is—look at a map!) and went down to see Papakōlea Green Sand Beach. This is one of only four green sand beaches in the world, the others being Talofofo Beach (Guam), Punta Cormorant (Floreanea Island of the Galapagos) and Hornindalsvatnet (Norway). The green color is from the glassy olivine crystals in the sand.

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The beach is about 2.5 miles away from where you must park (tourists are not allowed to drive all the way there), so it’s either a 1-hour hike or a 20-minute ride if you pay a local $15 to take you in the back of their pickup truck. We opted to pay a local to take us there and back as we were short on time, and clung to the sides of the truck next to seven other tourists. It’s definitely a bumpy and unforgettable experience!

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We really enjoyed our time at this secluded beach, and while it’s really not quite as green in person as you anticipate it to be, it’s a must-do on the Big Island.

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After Green Sand Beach, we drove over to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, which is far more accessible and a popular spot for sea turtles to bask in the sun. We only stopped briefly on our way to the volcano, and did chance to see three turtles out in the open!

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We arrived at Volcano National Park around 4:30pm, and stopped by the Information Center. Silly me, I thought that we could rent bikes from this spot to go to see the lava flow, but we were actually a good hour drive away from the other side of the volcano where you can start the trek to see the lava. It was too late for us to start out for sunset, so I called Kalapana Cultural Tours to reserve us bicycles for 4:30am the next morning for sunrise.

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We then checked into our treehouse Airbnb and settled in a bit before heading back to Volcano National Park to see the sunset over the Halema’uma’u crater from Jagger Museum. Watching the color gradually get vibrant and orange as the sun sets is a fun experience.

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We then grabbed a dinner at Thai Thai Bistro & Bar around 7pm. We had wanted to check out Ohelo Café for Hawaiian-American-Italian food, but as we did not have a reservation, the wait was going to be about an hour. There is very little to eat in Volcano Town and it will all be overpriced, so just be mindful of this when you go.


After dinner, we went back to our treehouse and slept. Until 3:30am!

DAY 2 – KALAPANA LAVA FLOW TO HILO AND THE NORTHERN VALLEY

At 3:30am the second day, we woke up and started our 1-hour drive to the Kalapana Lava Viewing area to pick up our bikes. We were a bit confused as nobody was there to meet us, and drove in circles until a helpful cop saw us and helped us find our bikes under a tent (they had a tag with our names on them, so…cool!). He then pointed out the path to us (“Go straight until you see the third gate, then leave your bikes and turn right to walk straight until you get to the lava.”)

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Riding bikes on a bumpy gravel road in pitch black while it’s raining is a very unique experience! Thankfully Michael brought flashlights, but only one was really working, so we shared this and biked for about 20-30 minutes until we reached what we could only assume was Gate 3. We left our bikes and started our hike toward the streams of molten red lava we saw in the distance—by climbing over sharp black volcanic rock!

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The hike took us about an hour and a half. We passed over some volcanic steam vents about halfway through, which initially sent me into a panic (I wondered, “Are they burning hot?” “Will we die from volcanic fumes?” “HOW DO WE GET AROUND THESE?” “I guess we’re walking on top of them OH MY GOODNESS!”). When we finally reached the lava, dawn was just starting to break. You really want to see the lava in the dark because it looks much more impressive, which is why you do this hike either at sunrise or sunset.

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While sunset might have given us more time with the lava in the dark, sunrise was a lot of fun because we were literally the only people out there. I changed from my sweats into a dress (no shame) for photos, and set the camera and Joby tripod up on some jagged volcanic rocks, praying it wouldn’t melt.

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Thanks to the rain, my DLSR camera was soggy and had water spots all over the lens that I couldn’t wipe off long enough to get a capture. Oh, also, it decided it didn’t want to change settings AT ALL for me and that I was stuck with what I had from taking photos of stars the previous night (couldn’t adjust aperture, focus, etc.).

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Thankfully, we managed to get some decent(ish) looking photos, but it was quite the adventure! Just goes to show that travel is unpredictable and chaotic, but utterly amazing.

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Being so close to the volcano was an UNFORGETTABLE experience. I still marvel that we were allowed to go all the way out with no cell service, no guide and nobody around for miles. We watched the molten lava bubble and flow, and stood close enough to reach out and touch it (if we were, you know, idiots). The area surrounding the lava was hot and we were sweating. Also, we completely lost the bottom half of our shoes. Do NOT do this hike in sandals!

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Once we got back after all was said and done around 9:30am, we happily sat in our car and took a breather before getting ready to drive to Hilo. We took the Kalapana Kopoho Road as a detour, because we had been told that this was one of the most beautiful roads on the Big Island. It did not disappoint! Surrounded by lush jungle, we nearly forgot about the jagged and barren volcanic rock we had just walked across.

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When we got to Hilo, we found a nice beach that we laid out at and stared at cute fish and sea anemones until 11am, when Pineapple’s Restaurant in Downtown Hilo opened. We parked and walked by the farmer’s market and cute shops and sat down to our first meal of the day—8+ hours after waking up.

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We loved this cute open-air space and were happy to find that they had a gluten-free menu for me. For appetizers, we ordered Cheesy Garlic Fries with sour cream, pineapple salsa, grilled onions and bacon (YUM) and a Big Island Onion Soup for Michael. I got Island Style Tacos for my gluten-free main course, and he got a Teriyaki Flank Steak. Oh, we also got a Mai Tai sampler (mango, lilikai, guava and hibiscus) and their signature Pineapple Pow—a frozen cocktail with Hawaiian moonshine served in a pineapple.


After our meal, we food coma’d and realized how sleepy we were, so we tried to check in early to our hotel at 1pm. We were unfortunately unable to do this, but met the adorable house cat and saw a glimpse of the waterfall. After I drank some of the complimentary Kona coffee and we signed up for waterfall rappelling the following morning (that’s right!), we got back in the car and headed up to Waipi’o Valley.

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The drive took about an hour from Hilo. The northern side of the island is beautiful, lush and wet. It’s also not terribly populated, but we did drive through the historic Honokaa downtown, a charming area that almost feels like you’re stepping into an old western. We bought water at a supermarket here, but wish we had more time to explore.

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The Waipi’o Valley Lookout is truly something to behold. Once upon a time, it was a home to Hawaiian kings. Today, it is secluded, and while the beautiful black sand beach there is accessible to the public, the valley as a whole is considered private property and off-limits to tourists.

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The Waipi’o Valley still grows taro and is home to horses and “a couple of dozen” locals. There are sacred sites and waterfalls that you can see if you book a horseback riding tour with a local guide. Also, Waipi’o Valley is where the final scene of the 1995 film “Waterworld” was shot!

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We hiked about 3 miles down (6.5 miles roundtrip) to the beach on the steepest path of its length within the United States! It was a challenge, but completely worth it once we got down to the beautiful beach. We could also see a small portion of the Kaluahine Falls on the right hand side as it had just rained.

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After the hike we were meant to get dinner at Merriman’s in Waimea, but were so exhausted that we cancelled our reservation and made it back to Kulaniapia just in time to have a complimentary glass of wine together and then go to sleep around 8:30pm (hey—when you’ve been up since 3:30am!).

DAY 3(ish—2.5?) – KULANIAPIA FALLS TO HILO AND WAIKOLOA BEACH

Our third and last day, we woke up around 6am to explore the grounds and see the waterfall when it was just us. After the hike, we ate a quick breakfast at the inn and got ready for our 8am waterfall rappelling tour! This was a fun and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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After the rappelling, we lounged by the waterfall pond for a bit and waded in the refreshingly cool water.

We then packed up and drove to Hilo town for a quick lunch before our flight—AND WE GOT POKE, of course!

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The poke at Suisan Fish Market was so good. SERIOUSLY SO GOOD. The sauces weren’t gluten-free (hello soy sauce), but I took the risk to eat deliciously authentic poke AND IT WAS WORTH IT. We shared one bowl because the portions are GIGANTIC (notice a trend in Hawai’i?). After this, we grabbed coffee at a nearby Starbucks and started our drive back to the other side of the island to catch our flight.

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The drive from Hilo to Kailua-Kona is beautiful. We drove down Daniel K. Inouye Highway (fun fact—to date, the late Daniel Inouye held the highest-ranking political office of any Asian American as President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate for Hawai’i from 2010 until his death in 2012), seeing Mauna Kea to our right and Mauna Loa to our left—both covered in snow!

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We detoured to drive through Waikoloa Village thinking it might be cute, but realized that it’s really just a golf resort and continued down to Waikoloa Beach where we sat out for a bit enjoying the pretty white sand and palm trees.

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We then continued on to the airport, where we arrived with enough time to enjoy mai tais in the airport before catching our flight home at 3:30pm!

ISLAND OF HAWAI’I TRAVEL TIPS

Currency: U.S. Dollar

Languages: English (Official), Hawaiian Pidgin, many people can speak Mandarin Chinese and Japanese

Transportation: Public transit is almost nonexistent here, so renting a car is a necessity. If you do not drive, I would perhaps suggest going with a tour group that will take you around.

Food: Where to begin!! Obviously eat ALL THE POKE, tropical fruits (e.g. pineapple, coconut, papaya, etc.) and shave ice. Also notable is Kahlua pork, other forms of fresh fish, loco moco and try Kona coffee (I honestly wasn’t a super fan of Kona coffee, but you’ve still gotta try it, right?).

Research: Definitely do your research ahead of time to see what areas you want to prioritize and also check what the lava flow looks like. If it’s your first time there and you don’t mind a little physical exertion, I’d say that you MUST see the lava flow. A very helpful website to check out is Love Big Island, which has tips on the volcanos, hiking, areas, foods and more!

Other: This island doesn’t stay open too late, so I would recommend sticking to an earlier schedule to hit all the fun nature things Hawai’i has to offer. There were things we would have loved to do but didn’t have time to, like snorkeling and swimming with manta rays (this is a very popular night time expedition) to taking a helicopter ride over the island and seeing the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Gardens. All in all, we loved our time here and would definitely return—but think we got a decent amount of things done to tide us over until then!

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Lifestyle, Mexico, North America, Travel

48 Hours in Cabo San Lucas

For every few whirlwind trips you need one relaxing vacation, right?

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This was our logic when my husband and I booked a trip to Cabo over a 3-day weekend!

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We spent about 48 hours in Mexico and did not do much—which is a bit of an anomaly for us.  We had such a beautiful and relaxing trip, and especially for those based out of California, I highly recommend making Cabo San Lucas a weekend getaway!

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It was a 2.5 direct hour flight from LAX to SJD.  It was a quick and uneventful hop.  Although the aircraft we were on was completely out of English immigration forms, so we ended up using our minimal Spanish and asking other passengers for help to fill them out!

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Once we got to the Los Cabos International Airport, we found a representative from Dollar Rent A Car and got bused over to their main office to pick up our rental car.  We had reserved a car online ahead of time and also paid extra to get insurance.

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I’ve read a lot of mixed things about renting a car in Mexico, but this was honestly completely worthwhile for us.  It was easy, the drive was beautiful, we never felt like we were in danger and parking was generally very cheap, valet or free.  Obviously, we tried to be as careful as possible (e.g. drove the speed limit, went out during normal daytime hours, didn’t drive at night, etc.).

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We stayed at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, and fell completely in love with the property—so much so that I wrote a hotel review about it here that you can read.  I highly recommend staying here!!  It’s a fantastic place with gorgeous views, beautiful pools, delicious food and wonderful service.

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DAY 1

Our first day, we relaxed at the property.

We grabbed a late lunch at The Ledge (we got to the hotel around 4:30pm), and ate delicious gluten-free duck tacos and ceviche tostadas. Everything on the menu was marked as to whether it was gluten-free!


We then enjoyed an ocean view from the room on our balcony couch swing, and got drinks at the infinity pool (that even included lounge chairs INSIDE the pool).

After, we experienced a delicious and romantic dinner at Manta, The Cape’s fusion Japanese/Peruvian/Mexican restaurant.

The experience was delightful, the food quite tasty and the sunset views to die for!

And that was our first relaxing evening at The Cape.  There was an event on the rooftop at 11pm that we initially had some interest in checking out.  But honestly, we ended up crashing in our room and didn’t make it upstairs.


DAY 2

We woke up early the next morning to grab breakfast in Cabo San Lucas town at The Office on the beach—a 15-20 minute drive from our hotel.  We found a public parking garage (attached to the Puerto Paraiso mall) and left our car there, which was completely worthwhile—we only had to pay about $2 (35 pesos) for 5+ hours.

The Office on the beach is one of the most popular tourist spots in Cabo Town, but doesn’t get too crowded or loud until afternoon/evening.  We had a delicious ocean-view breakfast there (Mexican Eggs for him and Chilaquiles with Eggs for me), complete with refreshing smoothies!

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After breakfast, we walked along the beach to get to the docks for a sailing tour we had booked via Viator (Luxury Sailing and Snorkeling Cruise).

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Don’t mind us, we’re just a boat full of pelicans.

This is definitely one of the things you should do in Cabo to see El Arco de Cabo San Lucas (aka  Land’s End, the extreme southern end of Baja California), Lovers Beach and do some snorkeling.

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Make sure you bring LOTS of sunscreen—even though we had applied sunscreen in the morning, we didn’t reapply and my poor husband burned to a crisp!

After the sailing tour, we explored the town a little bit more and grabbed an iced cold brew and refresher from a Starbucks we found.

We then decided to head on back to our hotel for some more pool time and freshening up before dinner.

We ate dinner our second night at El Farallon at the Pedegral.  This is a pricey restaurant, but is definitely worthwhile for the experience.

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Getting to the Pedegral itself is an experience worth remembering—we drove through a tunnel in the mountain to arrive at a beautiful resort, and were showed around by Daniel before our reservation.

Daniel was so sweet and gave us a brief rundown of the resort’s history, and also was more than willing to take pictures for us whenever we wanted (which was maybe every 2 minutes…don’t judge!! It was too beautiful!).

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Once at El Farallon, we were blown away by the gorgeous restaurant carved into the cliffside.  Waves crashed against the rocks peacefully.

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We were first brought over to the Champagne Terrace to select our beverages.  This is not included with the dinner, so we opted for half glasses of the most affordable champagnes they had.

After this, they had us select the fish and sides we wanted for our set meal (no à la carte option).  They then brought us over to our table, which was in a private section in the far back of the restaurant.  Our dinner reservation was fairly early (5:15pm), so it felt like we had the whole back section to ourselves and was very romantic!

We also took a lot of pictures while waiting for the food.

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Then, the food came.  Would it be strange to say that the highlight of the meal was the soup?  We were served an absolutely delicious Mexican take on Japanese miso soup that incorporated a variety of seafood and rice noodles.  I’m still dreaming about this soup as I type!!


They were incredibly accommodating of my gluten allergy, and even brought over some appetizers just for me when I couldn’t eat some of the items on the set menu.  The fish we selected was also incredibly delicious and fresh.  And don’t forget the salsas!

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After dinner, we headed back to our hotel just in time to take a romantic stroll on the beach at sunset.

We then retired to our room, where we enjoyed the hotel’s comfy robes and slippers (best described as squishy flip-flops) and watched some Netflix while hearing the waves crash on the shore in the distance.

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DAY 3
Once again, we woke up early the next morning to enjoy the most of the hotel amenities.  We took a morning dip in the pool and explored the resort.

We were the only ones wandering around—even at 8:30am—which was magical in itself.  Also, I found a crane, and was very excited about it.

We then grabbed coffee in The Glass Box (a café/bar) and played a game of pool in the beautiful open-air lobby of the hotel.

And with that, we checked out of our lovely hotel and headed to Flora’s Field Kitchen for brunch!

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You may have heard of this organic farm-to-table gem in Los Cabos a myriad of ways.  Maroon 5’s Adam Levine got married here, and the property even has luxury cottages for rent.

Getting here, you’ll feel a little like you’re lost.  There’s some driving down dirt roads and being completely surrounded by nothing but desert.  But when you pull into Flora’s, you find an adorable green oasis.  We wandered around the charming property a bit while waiting for our food.

Flora’s Field Kitchen was also very accommodating of my gluten allergy.  We opted to share a gluten-free Potato & Rosemary Pizza and Huevos Rancheros.  The pizza was fine, but we loved the huevos rancheros and downed them very quickly!

After brunch, we headed back for the airport to drop off our rental car and board our 3:00pm flight back to Los Angeles.  We were grateful for our beautiful and relaxing stay in Cabo, and will certainly return!

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CANBO SAN LUCAS TRAVEL TIPS

Currency: MXN – Mexican Peso (many places accept USD—I don’t recommend this, but we didn’t get a chance to exchange for Pesos before we left, and when we arrived at SJD airport none of the ATMs had cash in them for us to withdraw Pesos. Thankfully, it didn’t end up being an issue as everywhere—even the parking structure in the town—accepted our USD!)

Languages: Spanish (many speak English)

Transportation: Rental Cars, Taxis, Hotel Shuttles

Food: Obviously MEXICAN FOOD is what you must eat here, and seafood is deliciously fresh!

Safety: We were cautioned by many people about crime and hustling in Cabo. I don’t speak for everyone, but we personally had no issues and never felt threatened or unsafe. The area immediately when you exit the airport is a little overwhelming with people offering taxi services, but beyond that, we didn’t have any problems. Even if we were walking around, people were quick to offer help and assistance with directions. Occasionally people in the town would approach us asking if we wanted their tour/restaurant/tequila/etc., but we would just smile and respond, “No gracias.” All that said, every person’s experience is a little different, so of course just take steps to be vigilant and careful.

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