Posts in Travel
Best Snowy Places in California for a Winter Road Trip
Best Snowy Places in California for a Winter Road Trip

Looking for a winter road trip destination where you can walk through a real life winter wonderland? California is a great place to go! With its many snowy mountain ranges, there are plenty of places to explore.

Winter is a wonderful time to enjoy the snow, whether you're hitting the slopes or simply playing in the snow. Snowboarding and skiing are great ways to get out and enjoy the winter weather. Sledding and snowman-building are fun activities for families with young children. There's something about being in the snow that just makes people feel happy, and there's nothing quite like relaxing in a cozy cabin after a long day of playing in the snow. If you're looking for a reason to love winter, start with snow travel. It's an experience you'll never forget.

In this blog post, we will outline and give the highlights to some of the best snowy destinations in California. Whether you're looking for a place to ski or just enjoy the scenery, we have you covered. Keep reading to plan your trip to some of the best winter road trip destinations in the Golden State!

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, Southern CaliforniaComment
Family-Friendly Guide to Sacramento - Top Things To Do with Your Kids
Family-Friendly Guide to Sacramento - Top Things To Do with Your Kids

My husband and I moved to Sacramento with two goals in mind, to buy our house and start a family. We’ve been living here in Sacramento for over five years now and we have a toddler and baby. We love exploring our city and finding new and engaging ways to entertain the kids.

Sacramento is a great place for families to both live and visit, with plenty of activities to keep children of all ages thoroughly amused. In this guide, we've put together some of the best things to do in Sacramento that are perfect for families. From visiting tourist attractions like the California State Railroad Museum to enjoying the great outdoors at one of the city's many parks, there's something for everyone in Sacramento.

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TravelGennifer RoseSacramentoComment
Top 35 Hidden Gems in Placer County - Top Things to Eat, U-Pick Farms and Swimming Holes!
Top 35 Hidden Gems in Placer County - Top Things to Eat, U-Pick Farms and Swimming Holes!

If you're looking for a county escape that's far enough away to feel like a mini-vacation but still close enough to get back to the city on Monday morning, Placer County is the place for you.

In Placer, the off-season is not a thing, meaning there is never a bad time to pick up the kids and take the family on a spontaneous weekend getaway that you will all enjoy. Whether you want an action-packed weekend full of adventure or a more laid-back, relaxing time with the family, I guarantee Placer County won't disappoint.

Located just 130 miles away from San Francisco, the area is home to over 1,400 square miles of unspoiled land, beautiful rolling hills, and breathtaking views stretching from the historic Gold Country Foothills to the High Sierras of North Lake Tahoe.

There's no other way to say this: Placer is a superstar Northern California region for outdoor activities, offering something for everyone. From hiking and cycling to boating, fishing, or just relaxing on the lake or river beach, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy your time here.

In this blog, I'll go over some of the best hidden gems in Placer County that will make your trip unforgettable. Whether you’re there for a day trip, a weekend warrior or even a longer extended stay, you'll never be bored. I've also included plenty of adult-friendly things to do for couples who are on a romantic weekend.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
Family Guide to Funderland Amusement Park Inside William Land Park in Sacramento
Family Guide to Funderland Amusement Park Inside William Land Park in Sacramento

If you are looking for a fun day out with the family, then Funderland is your place. This small amusement park inside William Land Park in Sacramento, California is perfect for families with young children. Funderland is a long-standing family-friendly destination that’s been providing wholesome entertainment for kids since 1946!

This guide was made to help Funderland first timers plan their visit and come prepared for a day of fun. Learn about all the things you can do inside the park and what kid ages are best.

The day that we took the photos in this blog post, my daughter was 3-years-old and my son was 1-year-old. If you have super young kids like mine, I will tell you what you can do with them at Funderland and if it’s worth your time to visit. For older children over the age of 5-years-old there’s plenty of rides for them.

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TravelGennifer RoseSacramentoComment
Top 15 Stunning California Lavender Fields at Farms You Can Visit and U-Pick
Top 15 Stunning California Lavender Fields at Farms You Can Visit and U-Pick

The list of reasons why people loved to visit lavender fields is literally endless. Amazingly scented and full of olfactory delights, a visit to the vast fields of purple blooms is nothing short of time well spent.

Besides their captivating floral fragrance, the alluring beauty of lavender fields makes them picture-perfect as well as a great source of photography inspiration. But there’s more to lavender fields than just being the perfect backdrop source for your next Instagram post. Visiting a lavender farm is a wellness and holistic experience.

But when is the best time to visit California’s lavender fields? What are some of the best fields to visit, where, and what are they like? Read on to see our comprehensive list of visitor-friendly lavender fields in both Northern and Southern California.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, Southern CaliforniaComment
Best Apple Hill Christmas Tree Farms to Cut Your Own Tree
Best Apple Hill Christmas Tree Farms to Cut Your Own Tree

The day after Thanksgiving we loaded up the car and headed North-East from Sacramento into Apple Hill. It’s about an hour drive from our house to the Placerville and El Dorado County area. We had been looking forward to selecting and cutting down our own Christmas tree all week!

Apple Hill is one of the few places in Northern California where you can go into the Christmas tree farms and cut down your own tree. The Christmas tree varieties include Douglas Fir, White Fir, Canaan, Noble Fir and Silvertip. Most of the Christmas tree farms open the day after Thanksgiving and stay open until the week of Christmas (or until they sell out).

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TravelGennifer RoseHoliday Season Comment
Christmas in Apple Hill - Top Things To Do in Apple Hill During the Holiday Season
Christmas in Apple Hill - Top Things To Do in Apple Hill During the Holiday Season

Apple Hill is essentially an outdoor playground for families, with numerous farms that welcome visitors. While Apple Hill is known for its apple picking in the fall season, there is also plenty to do during the months of Thanksgiving and Christmas. This scenic area of Northern California is not just about apple orchards. Here you can taste fine wines from local wineries, attend unique seasonal events, picnic surrounded by picturesque scenery, and enjoy classic holiday traditions.

Visitors have been coming to this beautiful area for over 50 years, and believe it or not, the popularity of these farms continues to grow in modern times. With so much to do in Apple Hill, you may need some advice on where to start. Read on for suggestions on some of the most popular things to do during the holiday season.

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TravelGennifer RoseSacramento, Northern CaliforniaComment
Your Guide to the Holiday Season in Sacramento
Your Guide to the Holiday Season in Sacramento

After all my holiday celebrating and Christmas-themed research I’ve done in this past month of December, I can officially declare that there’s no shortage of holiday cheer in California’s capital city of Sacramento.

One common theme I discovered is that the people of Sacramento really love supporting their peers, i.e. fellow Sacramento locals. On my list you’ll find ample opportunities to shop both small businesses and local artisans, plus support the arts like the Sacramento Ballet.

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TravelGennifer RoseHoliday Season, SacramentoComment
Christmas in San Francisco - Top Things to See During the Holiday Season
Christmas in San Francisco - Top Things to See During the Holiday Season

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and I'm here for it! I'm a big fan of Christmas. I love the decorations, the sweet aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg, the cheery lights, and all things sparkly. When a city's festivities and spirit bring on the holiday joy, it makes for an especially memorable experience, and San Francisco will always have a permanent place in my heart for that.

I grew up in the small town of Half Moon Bay which is located just south of San Francisco. My husband and I eventually moved into a tiny apartment in the heart of downtown San Francisco, and we got to experience Christmas in the city firsthand.

In this guide I’ve rounded up my top things to see in the month of December should you find yourself spending the Christmas holiday season in San Francisco. From picture perfect holiday card spots, to the best yuletide sweets, and of course Christmas shopping, we’ve got everything you need for a festive itinerary while on your California winter vacation.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan FranciscoComment
Hidden Gems Inside Apple Hill - Just Outside Sacramento!
Hidden Gems Inside Apple Hill - Just Outside Sacramento!

Apple Hill is pretty much a farm lover’s paradise! Most farms throughout the US are closed to the public, but in Apple Hill you’ll find over 50 local family farms and small businesses that welcome guests to pick produce and enjoy the countryside scenery.

Apple Hill is not actually a city itself, the territory runs through the small town of Camino into Placerville, CA. The Apple Hill community includes fruit & veggie farms, wineries, B&Bs, flower gardens, Christmas tree farms, restaurants and even a day spa.

While Apple Hill is most popular in the autumn season for apple picking and pumpkin patches, there’s actually plenty to explore year-round. In this blog post I outline all the hidden gems to see, eat, photograph and explore inside Apple Hill.

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TravelGennifer RoseSacramentoComment