Travel

Holiday Gift List for Your Traveler Friend

Trying to figure out the perfect gift for your friend who’s always on the go? After all, what do you get for someone whose greatest treasure is the memories they make and not the things they own? Here are 10 useful items that are ideal for any jetsetter for a variety of budgets.

(My credentials are that I AM the travel friend and these are all items that I have either received as a gift or bought for myself and have loved and use frequently!)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, for which I may receive a small commission on if you click at no additional cost to you. I sincerely thank you!

As the proud owner of a couple pairs of Allbirds, I can say with certainty that these are truly the perfect travel shoes. Comfortable, easy to clean, lightweight and sustainable, Allbirds is a perfect gifting option.

*BONUS – Use the above link to get a free pair of socks with your purchase! Add a pair to your cart and they will automatically show as free at checkout. You can include them in the gifting or keep the socks for yourself! Speaking of socks…

2. Fleece Lined Thermal Tights

Hear me out – if your friend is traveling to some cold places, you can’t go wrong with getting those fleece leggings or thick socks. The older I get, the more I realize that socks are actually a very useful gift.

3. SD Cards

If your traveling friend loves to take photos, they probably frequently run out of space on these! You can never have too many backups for data.

4. Universal Travel Adapter

Can’t go wrong with a compact travel adapter that can be used in a variety of countries! There are many good options here and the cost ranges depending on the adaptability, but my favorite is linked above and is compatible in 200+ countries.

5. Apple Air Tag

We put these in all our bags, including our carry-ons just because you never know when you’ll be asked to stow your suitcase below or you’re leaving your bags at the hotel before your official check-in time. A little peace of mind goes a long way!

6. Roam Luggage

The serious traveler knows that a good quality suitcase can make a world of difference. Roam suitcases are a worthy investment for the flexible and durable casing, high-quality wheels, customizable design, lightweight material and lifetime warranty. The only suitcase you’ll ever need!

7. Enjoy the Wood Map

The cutest customizable art for any traveler’s wall! You can get these maps in a variety of sizes and colors, and include pins in the order so your travel friend can keep track of where they’ve been. And as a bonus, you’ll be supporting a small family-owned Ukrainian company.

8. Luggage Scale

This is a wonderfully practical gift as a portable luggage scale that doesn’t take up much space but will always be helpful. Your friend will thank you for helping them save time and money by weighing something at home before needing to unpack a the airport!

9. Portable Charger / Power Bank

Another thing your traveling friend will always have a use for. Few things are more nerve-wracking than being lost in a new place and running low on phone battery!

10. Camera Cleaning Kit

And finally—if your travel friend is a photographer, this is helpful for them to keep their camera gear clean and will never not be useful!

*BONUS*

Insta 360

I don’t actually have one of these so can’t recommend from personal experience, but I would love for someone to get me an Insta360, so I can only imagine your jetsetting friend may enjoy one as well!

Travel, USA

Best California Road Trip Rest Stop

The past couple years have taught me to slow down and enjoy more of my beautiful home state, and showed me that California has more to offer than I could’ve ever imagined. Towering redwood trees, unparalleled coastlines, otherworldly desert landscapes, magical spring florals and fabulous cities full of vibrant culture and delicious food. As one of the few places you can snowboard and surf in the same day (we’ll have to try this sometime!) we have come to love traveling to places like Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Sequoia National Park, Death Valley, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree and Carlsbad/La Jolla/San Diego within days of each other.

Of course, doing any of these trips would take several hours of driving. California is a vast state, so embarking on a road trip can take anywhere from a three to twelve hour drive. A good rest stop is a must for any epic road trip, and we’ve recently discovered The Oasis on I-5 as our new favorite place to take a break on a long drive to refuel our car and refuel ourselves before continuing on our journey!  

Conveniently situated between Bakersfield and Los Angeles, California’s premier travel stop on I-5, the Outlets at Tejon, have tons of options for food, fuel, fashion, hotels, art galleries, open areas for pets and more!  We have stopped at the outlets on our way to several local adventures: taking photos at the almond blossoms in Bakersfield, visiting family and friends in the bay area and on our way to different national parks like Yosemite and Sequoia.  It’s even served as a great stop for those last-minute gifts you might need to purchase for family or friends (or yourself—I won’t judge!).

Shopping
The award-winning Outlets at Tejon feature more than 40 stores and brands with deals up to 65% off.  From clothing and jewelry to home goods and sports supplies, there’s something for everyone here. With great deals and a good variety of recognizable brands, we were able to quickly shop for clothing for upcoming birthdays for a few family members, as well as find things for ourselves.

By making these purchases, we later found out that we could show our receipts at Guest Services to receive $15 gift cards which we were able to use to buy lunch later, and also enter into the monthly sweepstakes (more on that below!).  During this month’s sweepstakes (March 2022) for example, you can win a $500 Airbnb gift card or a $200 gas card.  We also received coupons from Guest Services which we could use at these stores so it ended up being a fantastic, high-value shopping experience.

Stores Options Include:

  • Adidas
  • Aerie
  • Aeropostale
  • American Eagle Outfitters
  • Auntie Anne’s
  • Banana Republic Factory Store
  • Bath & Body Works
  • Bird Dog Arts
  • Calvin Klein
  • Carter’s
  • China Max
  • Cinnabon
  • Coach
  • Columbia Sportswear
  • Cosmetics Company Store
  • Cotton On
  • Express Factory Outlets
  • Famous Footwear Outlet
  • Fragrance Outlet
  • Gap Outlet
  • Guess Factory Store
  • H&M
  • Hot Topic
  • Journeys
  • Kate Spade
  • Kevin Jewelers
  • LE Creuset
  • Levi’s Outlet Store
  • Lids
  • Lucky Brand Jeans Outlet Store
  • Michael Kors
  • Nike Factory Store
  • Old Navy Outlet
  • Oshkosh B’gosh
  • Perfumes-4-U
  • Polo Ralph Lauren
  • Puma
  • Rack Room Shoes
  • Skechers
  • Sunglass Hut
  • The Children’s Place
  • Tilly’s
  • Tommy Hilfiger Company Store
  • Zumiez

Fuel & Electric Charging
In addition to 100+ fuel pumps and dozens of EV chargers, did you know that Tejon Ranch features the 2nd biggest Tesla charging station in the world?  We didn’t, but using the Tesla Supercharger gave us a much quicker charge than a normal charging station, taking the car from a low 8% charge to a full charge in less than 30 minutes.  Not even enough time for us to eat and shop, so if we were really in a rush this would have been extremely convenient!  The area also felt extremely clean and safe, so if we had to charge a car late at night on a drive home, we absolutely would not hesitate to stop here.

Food & Drink
There are more than 30 restaurants and food options to choose from here, from sit-down restaurants to drive-thrus, dessert and casual cafes.  Lots of options for different dietary restrictions.  There are even some awesome food trucks and stalls here.  The first time we visited Tejon Ranch, we found a delicious Mediterranean food truck and devoured our meals before we remembered to get a photo.  And the last time we were here on our way to check out the almond blossoms in Bakersfield, we swung by the Starbucks drive-thru and grabbed a quick pick-me-up before continuing on our way. My husband is always happy to stop for In-N-Out though seeing a place to get a good Philly Cheesesteak sandwich made him reconsider and get that instead, and we got some donuts for my father while I grabbed a smoothie.  With this range of options, there’s really something for everyone.

Food Options Include:

  • Arby’s
  • Auntie Anne’s
  • Baja Fresh
  • Baskin Robbins
  • Black Bear Diner
  • Burger King
  • Carl’s Jr
  • Charley’s Philly Steak
  • Chipotle
  • Denny’s
  • Dunkin’ Donuts
  • Firehouse Subs
  • The Habit Burger & Grill
  • In-N-Out Burger
  • Iron Skillet Restaurant
  • Jamba Juice
  • McDonald’s
  • Panda Express
  • Pieology
  • Pizza Hut
  • Popeyes
  • Starbucks
  • Subway
  • Taco Bell
  • Wendy’s

Art Museum
One of my favorite things about Tejon Ranch is a hidden gem—an art gallery called Bird Dog Arts that features original contemporary artwork from more than 85 California artists.  Not only do they sell artwork and feature receptions, lectures, artist demonstrations and performances, but they also have the cutest local cat named Turkey.  Turkey’s backstory is he was rescued from a tree on the premises, and now he lives a cushy life offering a-meow-zing tours to visitors and encouraging folks to support local artists.  This is one of the more fun and colorful spots in the area and provides a great chance to take things slow and relax as well as an opportunity to browse.


Exciting Rotating Offers
The Outlets at Tejon also have promotions and events that always keep things new and exciting.  Stop by Guest Services when you arrive and see what offers they have going on.  Currently there is a monthly sweepstakes for travel prizes ranging from Disneyland passes, hotel stays, Airbnb or Gas gift cards, or other special deals, usually for hotels and activities in different cities such as Paso Robles, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa, Ojai, Anaheim and more.

Last month in February for example, the prize was a vacation on Mammoth Mountain, covering a 2-night stay at The Village Lodge and two ski equipment rentals.  My husband and I have yet to go on a winter vacation together where we’ve done activities in the snow like skiing or snowboarding, so I know we would have loved to win that prize!  Other upcoming prizes are also tied into local vacations: April will feature a 2-night stay at The Ojai Valley Inn and 2 vouchers for golf, May winners will receive a 2-night stay at The Archer Hotel in Napa along with two wine tastings at the hotel’s winery, and June’s prize is four Disneyland tickets and a gas card.  We definitely miss our Disneyland passes so will make sure we’re entered into June’s sweepstakes.  Just looking at the list of future prizes gets us excited about other California destinations! J

Currently, there’s also a deal where you can bring your receipts to Guest Services and get a $15 gift card* to spend at Tejon Ranch for every $50 purchase (that includes any combination of gas/food/convenience store purchases).  We did some shopping for my sister’s birthday, and were able to bring our receipts and pay for our lunch that day.  Pretty great deal!

Guest Services also offers Travel Tejon Passports, which you can get stamped per receipt from shopping, dining, refueling or hotel stays.  For each stamp, you’ll get entered into the monthly sweepstakes.  Up to three stamps per category (shopping, hotels, dining and gas/convenience).  No minimum dollar amount for these entries. 

*Limit 1 per person, receipt(s) must be from the same day to be eligible, supplies on a first come first serve basis. Visit TejonOutlets.com/contests-sweepstakes for full terms and conditions.

Nearby Getaways
As we mentioned up top, the I-5 freeway is a long, connective highway that can take you from San Diego in the southernmost areas of California (or even down to Mexico if you like!) all the way north through the Shasta-Trinity Forest and into Oregon.  Lots of major cities exist near the 5, and other major freeways and highways connect to it, taking you to a huge variety of beautiful cities and environments.  There is so much more to California than just the great coastal cities, and taking the 5 allows you to see how much this state really has to offer!  And of course, you can always get to Nevada (Las Vegas/Lake Tahoe/Valley of Fire State Park) from here relatively easy as well.

If you need some ideas of places to explore from Tejon Ranch, here’s a variety of suggestions ranging from a short hop to a trip you’ll definitely want to grab some snacks and supplies for:

  • Bakersfield (30 miles / 30m drive)
  • Angeles National Forest (32 miles / 35m drive)
  • Los Angeles (84 miles / 1hr 30m drive)
  • Santa Barbara (120 miles / 2hr drive)
  • Sequoia National Park (122 miles / 2hr drive)
  • Pismo Beach (122 miles / 2hr 10m drive)
  • San Luis Obispo (135 miles / 2hr 20m drive)
  • Fresno (140 miles / 2hr 30m drive)
  • King Canyon National Park (160 miles / 3hr drive)
  • Lone Pine / Alabama Hills (177 miles / 3hr drive)
  • Palm Springs (190 miles / 3hr drive)
  • San Diego (204 miles / 3h 10m drive)
  • Death Valley National Park (182 miles / 3hr 15m drive)
  • Yosemite National Park (200 miles / 3hr 20m drive)
  • Joshua Tree National Park (215 miles / 3hr 27m drive)
  • Anza Borrego State Park (233 miles / 4hr drive)
  • Monterey (237 miles / 4hr drive)
  • San Jose (258 miles / 4hr 3m drive)
  • Big Sur (227 miles / 4hr 15m drive)
  • Mammoth Lakes (277 miles / 4hr 40m drive)
  • San Francisco (300 miles / 4hr 45m drive)
  • Las Vegas (300 miles / 5hr drive)
  • Lake Tahoe (400 miles / 7hr drive)

Hotels
If your journey has led you to Tejon in the evening and you’re looking to spend the night near the Outlets, there are four reasonable hotels to choose from that all seem great for families.  In the visitor center we also saw nature photographs of the Tejon area so if we spend the night here in the future, there definitely seemed to be nice spots nearby for exploration and to watch the sunset or sunrise.

  • Best Western Liberty Inn

Eco-Friendly Property, Free Parking, Breakfast, WiFi, Accessible, Indoor Pool
Phone: (661) 858-7777

  • Day’s Inn

Free Parking, Outdoor Pool, Breakfast, Pet-Friendly, Fitness Center, WiFi
Phone: (661) 248-1530

  • Hampton Inn

Free Parking, Indoor Pool, Breakfast, Accessible, Pet-Friendly, Business Center, WFI
Phone: (661) 241-7100

  • Microtel Inn & Suites

Free Parking, WiFi, Breakfast, Business Center, Accessible
Phone: (661) 241-6666

A Pet-Friendly Haven
The Outlets at Tejon also have a lot of open space and are a great place to take your pets out for some fresh air.  Dogs can get weary on long road trips too, so of course we let took our Golden Retriever-Great Pyrenees mix out to enjoy the grass, the sun, and friendly people who wanted to pet her.  We saw a number of other dogs stretching their legs and enjoying themselves as well.  She was thrilled!

Outlets at Tejon Information

  • Open Daily: 10:00am – 8:00pm
  • Guest Services Daily Hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm
  • Phone: 661-858-2155
  • Address: 5701 Outlets at Tejon Pkwy, Arvin, CA 93203
  • Located off I-5 and Highway 99 just south of Bakersfield


In Summary

The Outlets at Tejon have become an essential part of our road trips that we look forward to—a rest stop where we can get gasoline, coffee, In-N-Out, see our favorite art gallery cat and maybe even get some shopping done before resuming our journey.  It’s a fun, clean, safe and welcoming space that always has fun surprises to offer, and is a perfect stop on anyone’s California road trip up the I-5.



Travel, USA

A Weekend at Glacier National Park

While Montana may not be the first state that comes to mind for a getaway, it has so much to offer. The rugged terrain, beautiful rolling hills and miles of incredible roads to drive can fill anyone with a sense of wanderlust and maybe a teeny bit of curiosity as to what farm life may be like. After all, the landscape is filled with cute barns and hay fields, and the population of the whole state (1 million) is a quarter of the population of Los Angeles alone (4 million). But what it lacks in hustle and bustle, it more than makes up for in scenery. And few places in the nation are as beautiful as Glacier National Park.

Glacier National Park, also known as the crown gem of the continent (that’s right—the entire CONTINENT), is a truly impressive park spanning 1,583 square miles (4,101 square km). The views are akin to Banff National Park in Canada, with stunning trails, sweeping vistas, colorful wildflowers, energetic wildlife and—you guessed it—GLACIERS. While you can see MUCH beauty simply driving around Going-to-the-Sun Road (the main fairway through the park, much of the most awe-inspiring viewpoints at Glacier can only be seen while hiking, making it a hiker’s dream park.

I would highly recommend staying a full week if you have the time, as this allows you flexibility to see as much as possible while giving you leeway for any trail closures due to bear activity, wildfires, snow or other roadblocks. We had a few must-do hikes planned, but some of them never opened while we were there due to bear activity. If a bear is spotted on a trail, the trail will close until there are three subsequent days without any sightings.


THINGS TO NOTE FOR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

BEARS – OH MY!

Glacier is home to a sizable bear population, including roughly 300 grizzly bears. Make sure to take bear spray with you! Our wonderful hotel Duck Inn Lodge had spray that they loaned us, but you can also buy this (and a bear bell if you desire) anywhere in the area surrounding the park. Be cognizant of your surroundings, don’t take food out while you’re hiking and avoid twilight hours when bears may be more active. We opted to wait until sunrise to do some of our hikes as we did not want to be the only ones on the trail and stumble upon unsuspecting bears.

COVID CLOSURES (East Glacier)

In a normal season, you can drive straight through Glacier from the west side of the park to the east side via the Going-to-the-Sun Road (50 miles). But during 2020, the entire east side of the park was closed, and there’s a ticketed entry system being planned for Summer 2021. Please be mindful of this, and check for park closures on the park website ahead of your arrival.

GETTING THERE

There are a few different ways you can get to Glacier National Park: Planes, Trains and Automobiles (but really, though).

PLANE: if you are flying into Glacier National Park, the nearest airport is in Kalispell and aptly named “Glacier National Park International Airport.” My direct flight from LAX was roughly 3 hours and $300 roundtrip.

TRAIN: If you fancy a smooth ride, WiFi and a great window view, Amtrak’s Empire Builder route has three different stations servicing Glacier Park.

  • East Glacier Station: Usually open April – October
  • Essex Station: Spot just outside park between East and West entrances
  • West Glacier Station: Located about 2 miles from Agpar Visitor Center within the park

AUTOMOBILE: Regardless of how you get to Montana, you will definitely need to have or rent a car once you’re there. Depending on where you’re driving from within, there is a lot to see along the way (Banff National Park from the North, Badlands National Park from the West, Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Park from the South, Mt. Rainier National Park/Seattle/Portland from the West).

NOTE: If you want to rent an SUV once you arrive to Kalispell, make sure you book your car far in advance. When we were making our booking in July a few weeks before our August trip, all SUVs were sold out through OCTOBER! We liked our sedan, but driving an SUV is easier for high clearance on dirt roads.

WHAT TO PACK

What you pack will depend on the season, but it’s not called “Glacier” for nothing! We went the beginning of August and while Kalispell, Whitefish and surrounding areas were all in the 90s F, the mountains are a different story. We were FREEZING on some of our hikes. I’ve also seen photos from friends posting in July where the trails are all covered in snow. So whatever the weather report tells you, be sure to bring layers! You will also want to pack bug spray, a first aid kit, sunscreen and hiking boots.


WHERE TO STAY

We opted to stay in Whitefish, which is roughly a 30-min drive (26 miles) to Glacier National Park’s west entrance.  Whitefish is a little closer to the park than Kalispell, and the town is simply adorable.  We stayed at Duck Inn Lodge, which offered lovely views of the river and daily delicious breakfast (still drool when I think of the egg omelet/casserole of the day!).  The adorable property is run by Tyler, Mark and Alyssa, who are very friendly and were great resources for our questions about the area.


FAVORITE PHOTO SPOTS

Now the part you’ve all been waiting for! Here are some of my favorite photo spots from our time at Glacier:

GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD

There’s honestly so much beauty to see right from the road at Glacier National Park. Many of my favorite shots were taken just by pulling over the side of the road (make sure you always park in a designated pullout)! I especially love getting photos around the Logan Pass area.

LAKE MCDONALD

No trip to Glacier National Park is complete without visiting Lake McDonald. In fact, it would be rather difficult to see the park without stumbling upon this 10-mile long lake. Conveniently located near the west entrance and running parallel to the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald is warmer than a lot of the other lakes as it is not comprised of glacial water (we actually saw steam coming off of it the morning that we visited).

PHOTO TIP: Visit Lake McDonald for sunrise, when the sun emerges from behind the mountains and lights up the water through the mist! You’ll likely have it all to yourself as well—save for a few photographers. If you want to take photos on the dock, route your GPS to Apgar Loop.

HIDDEN LAKE TRAIL

Hidden Lake Trail was hands down my favorite hike at Glacier National Park. In my opinion, it was the most rewarding in terms of the views-to-miles ratio. Every step we took was surrounded by stunning vistas, colorful wildflowers and wildlife (from marmots and goats to chipmunks and a longhorn sheep in the distance). Because this hike is so popular and the Logan Pass parking lot is the primary starting point for a few different well-known trails, make sure to arrive early in the morning. We found out this trail had reopened (after previously being closed due to bear activity) late in the morning, so arrived around 12pm and circled the parking lot for a full hour before we found a space!

PHOTO TIP: The overlook is a great resting point, but the best views of the lake are a little further down the path. Continue on as though you’re going all the way down, and stop at some of the stunning spots as you go!

Distance: 2.6 miles (roundtrip) to the overlook; 5.2 miles (roundtrip) to the lake
Trail Difficulty Rating: 8.05 (Moderate)
Parking: Logan Pass

ST. MARY’S FALLS & VIRGINIA FALLS

The hike to St. Mary’s Falls was honestly far more enjoyable than we expected! This hike was heavily trafficked and definitely the easiest of all the treks we embarked on. A mix of waterfalls, mountain views, lakes and woodland trees—what more could you want? Would definitely recommend this one for families. Parking is limited, so try to hit up this spot early as well.

TIP: There are unmarked waterfalls on this hike that are so beautiful, we didn’t even realize we hadn’t made it all the way to the last set of falls and turned around! Keep going—it’s worth it!



Distance: 1.7 miles (roundtrip)
Difficulty: 2.13 (easy)

WILD GOOSE ISLAND

This one is a simple pull-over-the-side-of-the-road-and-get-a-shot kind of thing. Wild Goose Island reminded me a bit of Spirit Island in Maligne Lake (Jasper National Park, Canada). This adorable island is a photographer’s dream—especially on a calm day at St. Mary’s Lake (it was insanely windy when we visited!).

FUN FACT: Wild Goose Island is the tiny island in the first scene of Stanley Kubrick’s film, “The Shining.”

HIGHLINE TRAIL (TO GRINNELL GLACIER OVERLOOK)

Distance to Haystack Pass: 7.2 miles (roundtrip)
Distance to Granite Park Chalet: 14.9 miles (roundtrip)
Distance to Grinnell Glacier Overlook: 15.5 miles (roundtrip)
Difficulty: 21.16 (strenuous)
Parking: Logan Pass

This heavily trafficked hike is one of Glacier National Park’s most famous—and for good reason! While a difficult endeavor with narrow pathways (some cliffside with ropes for you to hold onto as you walk) and steep switchbacks, this hike is surrounded by beautiful views. If you go all the way (which we did not), you’ll be rewarded with an overlook view of Grinnell Glacier. Definitely want to revisit one day and do the complete hike!


everything to know for glacier national park - guide
Travel

Instagram Story Templates

Hello, Everyone!

I’ve been blown away by your support for my bingo and checklist story templates on Instagram, so wanted to share them here below as well for easy access. If you do any of these, please tag me at @chereneo so I can see your results and get to know you better! 🙂

Continue reading “Instagram Story Templates”

Asia, China, Travel

10 Best Photo Spots in Shanghai

I’ve put off writing a blog post about Shanghai for so long. Not because I haven’t wanted to, but because it’s a place so close to my heart. This city that I’ve lived in throughout high school, the place that I call home. It’s impossible to know where to start or how to scratch the surface on this bustling city of 26 million people—it makes New York City feel like a suburb. More people live in Shanghai than in the ENTIRE COUNTRY of Australia.

DSC01455-edit

Continue reading “10 Best Photo Spots in Shanghai”

Europe, Norway, Travel

Everything to Know for Arctic Norway

As a native Southern Californian whose family trips usually consisted of beach and sand, I’m not sure I would have believed you if you told me that one day I’d consider northern Norway my favorite winter vacation. Yet one week, three aurora sightings, 1,000 km of driving, endless islands scattered with picturesque rorbu fishing houses and countless bowls of fish soup later, here we are. Continue reading “Everything to Know for Arctic Norway”

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

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Lifestyle, North America, Travel, USA

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Lifestyle, North America, Travel, USA

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