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!
Half Moon Bay is known as both a beach town and a cute farming community that comes alive in the autumn season. There are several family farms that convert into festive pumpkin patches for the public to enjoy.
The coast is one of the perfect places to take some time to capture special moments on camera. Thereβs so many beautiful backdrops for both families and Instagrammers.
Read MoreMy husband and I had an elopement wedding in San Francisco on July 8th, 2019. The city of San Francisco is a special place for us because itβs filled with so many memories. We met when my husband was a college student at the University of San Francisco.
Our early days of courtship were spent exploring the city, and we eventually got an apartment together in Nob Hill. Getting married in San Francisco was perfectly fitting for us.
This comprehensive guide to eloping in San Francisco covers so many topics including budgeting, legal requirements to elope in San Francisco, selecting a location, reception and your honeymoon.
Read MoreMy hometown of Half Moon Bay is really a beautiful place, and still remains an under the radar hidden gem. It's mostly known for the Pumpkin Festival and beautiful pumpkin patches during the fall season. But the reality is that it's a stunning photography location any time of the year.
Half Moon Bay is located 45 minutes south from San Francisco is the perfect destination for a day trip to escape the city. The temperatures are much cooler than most other areas of the bay area, so Half Moon Bay is a great place to escape high temperatures during a heat wave.
Read MoreI always love a trip to sunny Los Angeles and often times during our adventures I come across a new favorite mural. Thereβs so many fun and colorful places and public art to photograph in La La Land.
Some of the best Los Angeles neighborhoods to hunt for murals are West Hollywood, Downtown, Santa Monica, Venice, Abbot Kinney Boulevard and more!
This blog post is a collection of murals Iβve found over the years in Los Angeles. I have included as much location information as possible so you can find them yourselves.
Read MoreSacramento is a rare place in California in that we experience all four seasons in all their glory. The springtime is beautiful with blossoms and mild weather, the summer is hot and dry, the fall is magical with colorful foliage and winter is cold and dark. The best time to be outdoors is the springtime and autumn seasons, but thereβs still plenty of opportunities in the winter and summer too.
In this Sacramento guide I outline all of our favorite places to be outdoors and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Here in the city we have amazing parks, bike paths, walking trails with river views, historical districts, urban hangout spots and public art.
Thereβs also a section about excellent days trips from Sacramento if you want to experience snow, apple picking, beaches, hiking, wine tasting, kayaking and more.
Read MoreWhen we moved to Sacramento I was very pleasantly surprised to find a thriving coffee house scene. Not only are these java joints serving very high quality crafted coffee beverages, theyβve also done their due diligence to prove a welcoming environment to sip and enjoy.
When Iβm building a guide made for Instagrammers, Iβm looking for establishments that have both modern and trendy aesthetics, along with ideal photography lighting conditions. Youβll find many spots in and around Sacramento in this guide, so thereβs definitely something for everyone.
Read MoreCarmel-by-the-Sea is located 2.5 hours south of San Francisco and itβs a beautiful drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. Visiting the small village of Carmel-by-the-Sea is like stepping into a real life fairytale. Many of the homes are designed as whimsical cottages and they sit adjacent to beaches and picturesque landscapes.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is also an ideal vacation spot for families with babies and young children. Itβs very safe, calm and has plenty of baby-friendly dining and activities. We took our little Scout when she was 16-months old and it was a very pleasant trip. In this guide youβll find many baby-friendly options for where to eat, stroller-friendly places to explore, beaches and hotel recommendations.
Read MoreHawaii is a popular place for Americans to travel with their babies, my parents took me to Hawaii for the first time when I was just a couple of months old. Visiting the islands truly feels like an escape to paradise, but you don't need a passport because you aren't leaving the country. Getting a passport for a baby can be a hassle, so this is a big bonus. There's also no Zika is Hawaii so it's a great place to have a baby moon while pregnant!
The people of Hawaii are very welcoming to families and children, you'll find ample baby friendly dining and activities. In this guide youβll find the best beaches, places to eat, baby-friendly activities and my top parenting travel tips.
Read MoreMy husband and I took a summer 10-day trip to the Greek islands during the month of July. We flew from San Francisco to London and then onwards to the island of Santorini. On the way to Greece we had an 8 hour layover in London, on the way back we had a 17 hour layover in London. Both times we wanted to maximize our time in England so we left the airports to do some sightseeing.
Yes, I know what you're thinking - those two long layovers in London are definitely not enough. You're right! Even a week might not be enough to experience the city, take in all the incredible sights, and marvel at London's beautiful architecture. However, if you're there already and have the opportunity to spend the day exploring, you should unquestionably take advantage of it.
Because there are so many things to see and do in London, you may be overwhelmed by the options, which is why I made this guide. It will help you make the most of your time in the city by offering tips for where to go and what to do during your one day in London.
Read MoreAlthough the Hawaiian islands are small, thereβs so many sights to explore - especially on capital island of Oahu! When youβve only got 4 days to vacation in Oahu, its definitely worth your time to plan your itinerary in advance.
Iβve broken this blog post up into sections - each one caters to specific travel interests. Thereβs plenty for foodies, beach lovers, nature adventure seekers and family fun. My suggestion for building your Oahu 4-Day Itinerary would be select your top four must-see items and then add-on meal options.
Read MoreSacramento is quickly becoming a California foodie destination, and a true foodie can really appreciate quality ice cream, gourmet donuts and apothecary candy stores. In Sacramento youβll find a mix of old-established family ice cream parlors and new trendy ice cream.
In preparation for this blog post, I had a lot of fun doing βresearchβ eating ice cream all over Sacramento. Itβs a tough job but someoneβs gotta do it!
Read MoreHalf Moon bay is the perfect weekend warrior destination, especially if youβre planning dog-friendly travel. There are many outdoor spaces where your furry babies are allowed to accompany you. Also thereβs a good selection of eating establishments that are willing to accommodate dogs.
The recommended spots in this guide are just a quick drive from San Francisco or San Jose area, about an hour away from either city. You can opt for a day trip or an over-night stay, Iβve got a list of hotels that are pet-friendly.
Read MoreOne of the biggest challenges of being the parent to a young child is finding ways to enjoy the outdoors. When my daughter was born I quickly learned that many of my favorite hikes and walks were not very stroller friendly.
This blog post began because I spent so much time researching where I can take my toddler on scenic walks and urban hikes. Luckily the San Francisco Bay Area has several options where you can walk at least a solid mile uninterrupted with your stroller.
Read MoreYosemite is a beautiful place to vacation during any season. Although you have to battle the cold during the winter months, there are some major perks to visiting during the off-season. We once went to Yosemite on 4th of July weekend and the park was absolutely packed and the traffic was terrible. But this past January we took our toddler Scout on a family trip to Yosemite and we pretty much had the whole park to ourselves!
The main thing to remember when visiting Yosemite is to take it slow and enjoy the scenery. It's truly one of those places filled with so much natural beauty that it takes your breath away. This guide covers all the fun activities and sightseeing that is available during the winter season.
Read MoreWe are so lucky in California because there are several places to see these beauties bloom. The flowers across the state of California begin sprouting up in late February and can last until the heat of summer dries them out.
Fresh blossoms can be found in fields and others are in tree orchards. Some of these places occur naturally in the wild, and others are cultivated on farms. Either way, vibrant flowers looks stunning both in person and on camera. I know all you Instagrammers are looking for that perfect shot!
Read MoreChico is one of the greatest gems of Northern California, and it also happens to be my college town. I spent five years living in Chico while I attended Chico State University working towards my bachelor's degree in Business Marketing. I graduated in 2009 and there's been so much growth and development in this town over the last ten years. In 2019 Chico was actually the fastest growing city in California!
Probably one of my favorite things about Chico is that it's able to keep that small town feel while still being contemporary and modern. Both millennials and baby boomers have both fallen in love with Chico, there's something for everyone.
Read MoreSan Diego's neighborhood of Little Italy has evolved into one of the most modern and trendy areas of SoCal. The lively social scene makes it the perfect place to enjoy both a day and night out on the town. I've compiled a comprehensive list of the best 45 spots to eat, drink and be merry in Little Italy. From the swanky high brow spots to the cool and comfy, it's all here. Plan a romantic evening with that special someone or invite your pals out for a brunch date.
Read MoreProbably the most iconic landmark of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. While you can see the bridge from many locations around the city, for photography purposes there are limited places where the bridge is large enough to show up clearly in photos.
Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Iβve spent many years roaming around the city with my camera. In this blog post youβll find my recommendations for best area in and around San Francisco for photos with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
Read MoreSpring is a great time to travel in California because thereβs a good chance youβll be treated to some awesome weather. Spring break is also a popular time to vacation because many students have time-off from school.
This California Spring Break Guide works for both college students and parents with kids who are on break from school. My top destinations have a bit of something for everyone!
Read MoreThis blog post gives you some great options for summer festivals and events where you can feel comfortable bringing your littles ones. Some of them are even dog-friendly too!
In California we have beautiful summer weather and itβs a shame to spend too much time indoors. Summer festivals are definitely a thing in Cali, but most of them are too loud and rowdy for families with children.
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