Gennifer Rose blog
Welcome to our California Travel and Lifestyle blog where youβll find our collection of all the content weβve created. Whether youβre planning your next California vacation, searching for some new healthy recipes or seeking seasonal style tips, youβll find that perfect blog post here.
This page allows you to filter to your interests or browse everything the Gennifer Rose Blog has to offer. You may discover something new!
Valentine's Day is supposed to be all about romance and spending quality time with your Valentine. But if you're parents with young kids, the reality is that your little ones may have to tag along with you on your Valentine's Day date. This blog post is about finding those gem spots in Sonoma County where adults can enjoy the atmosphere but at the same time it's also appropriate to bring your child.
Read MoreWhen it comes to selecting your hotel accommodations you have many options, but I have to say that Tenaya Lodge is one of the only resorts in the Yosemite area that is a destination in and of itself. Thereβs so much to explore at the resort, their list of activities is very impressive. Tenaya Lodge is very family friendly - and also dog-friendly too. You can literally bring the whole gang!
Read MoreLast night I hit the town with my fellow Sacramento foodie enthusiasts to enjoy a preview tour of the 2020 Dine Downtown Restaurant Week. I got to meet some new faces and eat crème de la crème meals.
Read MoreEscondido is an inland city located 30 miles from the city center of San Diego. It's an up-and-coming area of the San Diego suburbs and also happens to be the hometown of my hubby. In my guide I've included the popular big attractions as well as secret gems only known by Escondido natives.
Read MoreSanta Cruz is one of those perfect California surfer towns that is often filled with sunshine and warm weather. One of the most notable charms of Santa Cruz is the bounty of color and public art. You seriously canβt turn a corner without seeing a rainbow or surfer cool mural.
Read MoreOur trip to Dana Point and San Clemente was a bit on a whim and I felt so lucky that it turned out to be one of the cutest areas weβve ever visited in SoCal. My goal is always to find California towns with photo worthy scenery, fresh and healthy eats, and if Iβm lucky a colorful mural to brighten up my feed. We got everything on my checklist and then some!
Read MoreWe just wrapped up our visit to Capistrano Beach, just two days before our trip to San Diego for Thanksgiving. We were pleasantly surprised by all the charm we found in the beach towns of Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente. For our hotel accommodations we chose to stay at the Riviera Beach Resort located right in the heart of Capistrano Beach.
Read MoreBefore this this trip, we had never been to the Point Reyes area of California, and quite honestly we didnβt know where to begin. This area of California is known for being secretive and hidden away, with many of the roads unmarked and no chain brands in sight. While these characteristics make it an ideal destination to explore on road trips, it can also make planning a challenge.
Read MoreI consider myself to be somewhat of a pro at Museum Hack Tours, this past tour at The Getty Museum was my third time around. Every excursion is like a completely new experience because each one is custom curated by the guide. During our Los Angeles visit we were guided by Baxter on the Un-Highlights Tour. I highly recommend him if you get the chance to join one of his tours!
Read MoreWe have taken many roads up and down Californiaβs 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreBack 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 itβs so scenic! If youβre staying in San Francisco, cruising the Marina is a great way to spend a few hours. This neighborhood is worth visiting anytime of day, theyβve got great brunch spots, ample lunch options and a lively nightlife scene.
Read MoreOften 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 Iβll tell you the best way to discover the favorite βmust seeβ spots in Petaluma that are tailor-made for us millennials. Build your itinerary with where to stay, what to eat and where to exploreβ¦ and of course where to take photos.
Read MoreMy 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 weβve realized itβs 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.
Read MoreNothing 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.
Read MoreI 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 thereβs 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.
Read MoreWhen 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 Motherβs Day gift and it was wonderful. This spa has been awarded Best Day Spa in Sacramento for eleven consecutive years, so you know thereβs pros at providing excellent services.
Read MoreSpringtime 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 parentβs 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.
Read MoreThis 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 Iβve been exploring the city for years.
Read MoreJoshua 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 youβre a shutterbug like me, youβll 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 couldnβt venture out too much. But the below list contains all the locations I hope to explore on my next visit!
If youβre a shutterbug like me, youβll 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 couldnβt venture out too much. But the below list contains all the locations I hope to explore on my next visit!
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