Posts in Travel
Where to Stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea: Hofsas House Hotel Review
Where to Stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea: Hofsas House Hotel Review

We have taken many roads up and down California’s famous Highway 1, but this was our first time staying in Carmel-by-the-Sea. This world renowned little beach town has been a popular vacation destination for many decades, and we finally got the opportunity to see why. Carmel is an exceptional destination on the Pacific Coastline because of its abundance of natural beauty and picturesque landscape. With both the shoreline and the inland surroundings, they strike a balance between untouched nature and a well loved and manicured town.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
Travel Guide to California's Silicon Valley
Travel Guide to California's Silicon Valley

The world knows Silicon Valley as the global hub for everything high-tech, but I know it as my backyard growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. As an adult I spent several years living and working in Silicon Valley before we settled down and ended buying a house in Sacramento. More recently, I spent Easter weekend with some gal pals as a guest at the Hotel Nia in Menlo Park.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, San Jose Comments
San Francisco Neighborhood Guide to the Marina District
San Francisco Neighborhood Guide to the Marina District

Back in the day before we became parents, my husband and I used to house sit a cute little apartment in the Marina District. My favorite part of this neighborhood was that you could walk to pretty much everything and it’s so scenic! If you’re staying in San Francisco, cruising the Marina is a great way to spend a few hours. This neighborhood is worth visiting anytime of day, they’ve got great brunch spots, ample lunch options and a lively nightlife scene.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, San FranciscoComment
The Millennials’ Guide to 48 Hours in Petaluma, California
The Millennials’ Guide to 48 Hours in Petaluma, California

Often when people think of Sonoma County they picture rolling hills with vineyards and wineries. Petaluma is a hidden gem amidst California Wine Country, a little town filled with charm and yet surprisingly very modern and trendy. Petaluma has somehow managed to walk the fine line between preserving all the old-world antiquities while still keeping the vibes fresh and welcoming for millennials.

In this guide I’ll tell you the best way to discover the favorite β€œmust see” spots in Petaluma that are tailor-made for us millennials. Build your itinerary with where to stay, what to eat and where to explore… and of course where to take photos.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
Baby-Friendly Travel Guide to Santa Monica
Baby-Friendly Travel Guide to Santa Monica

My husband and I have always dreamed of living in Los Angeles, we have a lot of family in Southern California and we visit often. Santa Monica is one of our top areas in LA to explore, and since having Scout we’ve realized it’s a great option for vacationing with a baby.

The beaches of Santa Monica are the hub of tourism and lots of families travel towards them to have some quality R&R. Santa Monica is a haven for trendy restaurants, boutique shops and of course the promenade and pier. Read on to see our top 10 spots where we love to take Scout.

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TravelGennifer RoseSouthern California, Family-Friendly Travel, Los Angeles Comment
Top 10 California Vacation Spots to View 4th of July Fireworks
Top 10 California Vacation Spots to View 4th of July Fireworks

Nothing feels more nostalgic than curling up with a blanket under the stars waiting for the fireworks show to begin. California always has great options for a quick vacation, so many scenic cities to choose from. Make the most of your PTO vacation days with a 4th of July getaway. This list of California destinations offer great scenery and awe-worthy firework shows.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, Southern CaliforniaComment
Best Beaches in Santa Cruz to Watch Surfing
Best Beaches in Santa Cruz to Watch Surfing

I grew up in the coastal town of Half Moon Bay in Northern California. Santa Cruz is just a scenic one hour drive south along Highway 1 from my hometown. Our summers were spent at the beach, playing in the ocean with boogie boards and surfing.

No doubt surfing is the unofficial state sport of California. Many people plan their vacations to the beach towns along the Pacific Coast Highway to take advantage of the perfect surfing conditions. Santa Cruz is a world famous surfing destination and the best part is that there’s surfing spots for all levels of surfers. The surf culture of Santa Cruz is difficult to put into words, you just need to experience it for yourself.

Surfing is also a great spectators sport, it can be really fun to watch the surfing action while enjoying a picnic on the beach. If surfing is too intimidating for you, worry not! Grab your freshly made smoothie, wear those sunglasses and chill by the beach watching the pros glide over the waves. A paradise for surfers and beach lovers, Santa Cruz in California has something for everyone. As your trip winds down into the evening, be ready to witness gorgeous sunsets during your Santa Cruz surfing getaway.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
Complete Guide to Planning a Spa Day at Arden Hills Club & Spa in Sacramento
Complete Guide to Planning a Spa Day at Arden Hills Club & Spa in Sacramento

When you're looking to book your next spa retreat in Sacramento, consider making reservations at the prestigious Arden Hills Club & Spa. My family booked me a massage and spa day here for a Mother’s Day gift and it was wonderful. This spa has been awarded Best Day Spa in Sacramento for eleven consecutive years, so you know there’s pros at providing excellent services.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, SacramentoComment
5 Hidden Gems Along the Pacific Coast Highway
5 Hidden Gems Along the Pacific Coast Highway

Springtime is when we all come out of hibernation and start enjoying the surf and sandy beaches. I grew up in the California coastal town of Half Moon Bay and my parent’s house is a short 10 minute walk to the beach. Nowadays I love visiting my family there and enjoying beach days with my daughter and bae. We take road trips from Sacramento to the coast almost every month, especially when it gets too hot inland.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
100 Things To Do in San Francisco Under $10
100 Things To Do in San Francisco Under $10

This list began because we had friends visiting us in San Francisco and they were looking for trendy and photogenic places to see, while still staying on a budget. And the more I started thinking about it, the more ideas and places kept popping into my head. I grew up in Half Moon Bay, a beach town 45 minutes south of San Francisco and I’ve been exploring the city for years.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, San FranciscoComment
13 Hidden Secret Spots in Joshua Tree National Park
13 Hidden Secret Spots in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is the meeting place of two deserts, the Colorado Desert and the higher and cooler Mojave Desert. Each area has its own distinct ecosystem with diverse territory. The Mohave Desert is the only place on earth where the Joshua tree grows. This 774,000-acre preserve has a rich history and flourishing natural scene with wildlife and plant-life.

If you’re a shutterbug like me, you’ll understand how I love to explore and photograph all kinds of subjects. The last time I visited Joshua Tree a was very pregnant so I couldn’t venture out too much. But the below list contains all the locations I hope to explore on my next visit!

If you’re a shutterbug like me, you’ll understand how I love to explore and photograph all kinds of subjects. The last time I visited Joshua Tree a was very pregnant so I couldn’t venture out too much. But the below list contains all the locations I hope to explore on my next visit!

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TravelGennifer RoseSouthern CaliforniaComment
Top 10 Instagrammable Places in San Jose, CA
Top 10 Instagrammable Places in San Jose, CA

For this blog post I partnered with bestie Brianna, who is a South Bay Native and she’s currently still live there working as a local real estate agent. She is truly an expert on all things San Jose!

When having friends that come visit the Silicon Valley, they typically just think of going to San Francisco but in reality, San Jose is a destination in its own right. In the past few years San Jose has been making a name for itself as a place to visit, I mean it is a major part of Silicon Valley!

I recently had a fun San Jose staycation with my blogger besties, hosted by Signia by Hilton San Jose. We stayed in a lovely luxury suite and our itinerary was jam-packed with local fun. Throughout our stay, we enjoyed lounging by the pool, a shopping spree in Santana Row, late night spa fun with the bubbly flowing, and then brunch in the morning.

I invite you to plan your own San Jose getaway, keep reading to see my top 10 favorite south bay hangout spots + so many Instagram worthy locations!

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, San JoseComment
The New York City Autumn Bucket List
The New York City Autumn Bucket List

Hands down, New York City is one of the best places to be in autumn. The sweltering heat from the summer has gone away and you aren’t experiencing the freezing cold winter weather yet either. The leaves change colors and there’s the promise of good comfort food and the holidays ahead. Every year the season passes by so fast so I always want to make sure I make the most of it with some favorite autumn events.

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TravelGennifer RoseNew York City, USA DestinationsComment
Instagrammable Places in Santa Cruz
Instagrammable Places in Santa Cruz

In the California beach city of Santa Cruz you’ll find vibrant colors and photo-worthy vignettes scattered throughout the neighborhoods. From the old to the new, there’s colorful Victorian style homes to bright and modern eateries and coffee shops.

Santa Cruz is a great weekend getaway from the Bay Area, it’s only an hour and a half drive south from San Francisco. The weather is usually much warmer and it can be a much needed escape from the fog.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
Summer Music Festivals - A Beginner’s Survival Guide
Summer Music Festivals - A Beginner’s Survival Guide

It's that time of year! Long summer days ahead with endless sunshine. Everyone is scrambling to buy their festival tickets as the dates get released. While it's always very exciting, for a first-time attendee the process and planning for a festival can be a little overwhelming. It can be hard to know what to expect but with my help you can arrive prepared and ready for a great time. 

In this guide I provide very helpful tips to making your festival and outdoor concert experience the best possible. From Coachella, Outside Lands in San Francisco, SXSW in Austin, BottleRock in Napa, and many more, this guide applies to all these big summer events.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, Southern CaliforniaComment