Posts in Travel
Top 20 Credit Cards with the Best Travel Rewards
Top 20 Credit Cards with the Best Travel Rewards

Travel credit cards are growing increasingly popular, especially now that travel is back in full swing. My friends and I enjoyed a weekend getaway in the San Francisco Bay Area at the Hotel Nia during Easter weekend. We swam at the pool, lounged in the cabanas and enjoyed their annual Easter brunch.

Hotel Nia is part of the Marriott family and you could use your own travel rewards points to splurge on an a similar weekend stay. This fabulous weekend could be courtesy of your strategic spending on travel reward credit cards. Pay your bills and then take advantage of incredible travel deals - it's a win-win!

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TravelGennifer RoseComment
The Best Things to Do in North Park, San Diego
The Best Things to Do in North Park, San Diego

The adorable little neighborhood of North Park, San Diego has been blowing up all over Instagram lately and it's not hard to see why. The streets are painted those pastel colors we love, the walls are filled with urban succulent gardens and the matcha is oh-so-trendy. Not to mention the foodie scene is really happening with cuisine from all over the world, and of course plenty of fusions. Forbes named it one of America’s best neighborhoods for hipsters, which really sums it up.

My husband and I lived in San Diego and North Park was one of my favorite hangout spots. Our perfect afternoon out-and-about in North Park would be eating tacos Γ  la lucha libre style and then sipping green matcha latte while window shopping boutiques. Read on to see North Park's top spots and begin planning your visit to one of San Diego's favorite neighborhoods.

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TravelGennifer RoseSouthern California, San DiegoComment
Guide to the Sacramento Zoo in William Land Park - Everything to Know Before You Go
Guide to the Sacramento Zoo in William Land Park - Everything to Know Before You Go

Taking the kids to the zoo is a classic family pastime, and the Sacramento Zoo is no exception. We’ve been taking the kids to our local zoo for a few years now and we definitely have our routine and favorite spots.

The Sacramento Zoo is located inside the spacious William Land Park, alongside other kid attractions such as Fairytale Town and Funderland. Being that the zoo is so close to park hangout spots such as the Lily Pond and green grassy fields, you can really make a day of it and give the kids a full day of fun.

In this guide I will outline the key attractions inside the Sacramento Zoo and provide you with insider tips to guarantee the best experience while visiting the zoo.

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TravelGennifer RoseSacramentoComment
Bodega Bay Family Travel Guide – Kid-Friendly Things To Do
Bodega Bay Family Travel Guide – Kid-Friendly Things To Do

One of Northern California's best-kept secrets is Bodega Bay. This small beach town is located right on the bay in Sonoma County. This seaside town is breathtakingly beautiful and an amazing destination for having a whale of a time in the great outdoors, plus enjoying fresh seafood eats.

Driving along the gorgeous California State Route 1 North, you will come right through Bodega Bay. The town itself is small, only 13 square miles, but there is plenty to do and discover. It wraps around the bay perfectly, making for plenty of coastal beach spots to explore.

The most popular activities are hanging at the beach, hiking the nature reserves and boating. Bodega Bay is a beautiful whale hotspot all year round, and you can easily book tickets to sailing here.

This fishing village has become an under the radar tourist destination, offering fresh seafood restaurants, vacation rentals, and coastal views, which makes it a popular weekend beach getaway spot.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
Family-Friendly Guide to Sonoma County - Top Things To Do with Kids
Family-Friendly Guide to Sonoma County - Top Things To Do with Kids

Sonoma County is known as a sophisticated weekend travel locale for adults to enjoy the best that California wine country has to offer. This Northern California destination is home to gorgeous landscapes and world-renowned wineries.

It may surprise you to learn that in Sonoma County there’s plenty of activities the whole family can enjoy. If you are looking for a beautiful, fun and kid-friendly place to vacation, look no further than Sonoma County!

In this guide we outline some of the best things to do in Sonoma and the surrounding areas with your children. Whether you’ve got babies, toddlers or older kids, below you’ll find a variety of vacation itinerary ideas to fill your time with both adventure and relaxation.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, Napa ValleyComment
SFO Airport - Top Things To Do During Long and Short Layovers in San Francisco
SFO Airport - Top Things To Do During Long and Short Layovers in San Francisco

Whether you're stuck in a long layover or have a few hours to kill before your next flight, there's no need to be bored at San Francisco International Airport. With plenty of things to see and do, you can make the most of your time at SFO.

Planning ahead will allow you to better enjoy your travel time and take advantage of any unexpected delays during your trip, rather than simply waiting around bored for your flight to come. So take on an adventure and take advantage of one of these excellent options the next time you have a short or long layover in San Francisco.

About me, I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and my husband and I lived in an apartment very close to SFO. All of the recommendations in this blog post are things that we have done ourselves when either waiting for a flight or entertaining friends and family visiting on a long layover.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan FranciscoComment
Weekend Guide to La Jolla - Top Things to Do in 48 Hours
Weekend Guide to La Jolla - Top Things to Do in 48 Hours

The San Diego city of La Jolla is the perfect spot for a quick weekend getaway. It's got all the vacation essentials you need including colorful murals, artesian food and endless beach sunsets. We all have our favorite activities and foods we like to enjoy during vacation, so I've built a quick and easy guide to popular spots in La Jolla. Looking for amazing Instagram photo spots? Want to eat a delicious meal on a rooftop while gazing on a sunset sky? It's all here!

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TravelGennifer RoseSouthern California, San DiegoComment
Top California Coffee Shops and Local Chains for Coffee Lovers
Top California Coffee Shops and Local Chains for Coffee Lovers

Foodie travel is a top trend for travelers of all ages. Maybe it's the influence from foodie rockstar Anthony Bourdain, but it's not uncommon for vacationers to build their travel itineraries around the restaurants and cafes they hope to visit. Coffee lovers are particularly devoted to their caffeinated brews and find it necessary to fuel their addiction with quality coffee while on the road.

Each city has its own popular and tried and true coffee locations. If you are planning to road trip and venture around California, you'll need to know where to get a great cup of joe. Don’t worry as we will introduce you to the most exceptional coffee destinations that you shouldn’t miss in the Golden State. These places will be just perfect for your morning routine and help start your vacation days off right.

All of the coffee shops listed here are places I have personally visited during my many travels around the state of California. Each one had some special qualities which made it stand out as exceptional. I’ll do my best to paint a picture of what it’s like to sip a hot cup of coffee inside one of these noteworthy cafes.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, Southern California, Los Angeles, San Diego, San FranciscoComment
La Jolla Travel Guide - Best Family-Friendly Things to Do
La Jolla Travel Guide - Best Family-Friendly Things to Do

La Jolla is the crown jewel of San Diego, known for its luxurious atmosphere and pristine beaches, which are consistently voted as some of the best beach destinations in the world. The immaculate city blocks in this coastal suburb of San Diego offers visitors delightful and family-friendly experiences.

In La Jolla there are so many water-related sports activities to partake in, from walks on the long stretches of sandy beaches to kayaking and surfing, as well as arrays of coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques to spend your vacation days at. The gorgeous beaches, stunning cliffs, and natural wonders of this coastal inlet provide endless opportunities to explore the outdoors.

La Jolla's charming community vibe is also what makes it so family-friendly. On that same note, a lot of restaurants and stores in La Jolla are fancy and geared for adults and not necessarily appropriate for children. This is particularly true if you have a baby and a toddler like we do. In this guide I provide plenty of options for families with babies, toddlers and older children.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan DiegoComment
Day Trip to Joshua Tree - Top Activities for a One Day Itinerary
Day Trip to Joshua Tree - Top Activities for a One Day Itinerary

Desert, cacti, funny looking trees, giant round boulders, and an indescribable feeling of mystic magic in the air - this basically describes Joshua Tree National Park in a nutshell. Named after the uniquely shaped trees (which actually aren't trees at all), Joshua Tree is located inland in Southern California and offers a popular wilderness destination for hikers, rock climbers, photographers and nature lovers.

The Joshua Tree park is comprised of over 795,000 acres of land, which is bigger than the state of Rhode Island! So you may be asking, how could I possibly see this enormous park in one day? While you can’t see everything in such a short period of time, you can definitely hit up some highlights and get the overall feeling of the park.

In this guide I will give you all kinds of options for your one day trip to Joshua Tree, giving you plenty of activities to fill up your itinerary. They will range and vary as far as how physically strenuous they are, from leisurely park walks to ambitious hiking trails. In short, there’s something for everyone!

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TravelGennifer RoseSouthern CaliforniaComment
Where to Stay in Santorini – Fira (Thera) or Oia?
Where to Stay in Santorini – Fira (Thera) or Oia?

My husband and I spent a couple weeks traveling through the Greek islands during the summer month of July. During the process of planning our trip, I did a ton of research on the island of Santorini. Specifically I wanted to know if we should plan on booking our hotel in the city of Fira (also known as Thera) or the village of Oia. There are pros and cons to each location, and it ultimately boils down to what kinds of activities you plan on partaking during your Greek island trip.

Read on to see my detailed breakdown of both the Santorini cities Thera and Oia. I also provide activities and itinerary suggestions for each location, making planning your own trip a breeze!

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TravelGennifer RoseInternational DestinationsComment
Honest Review of the Blacklight Run
Honest Review of the Blacklight Run

My friends and I bought tickets to the Blacklight Run in San Jose. I had no idea what to expect before our arrival, it was definitely a big surprise! In this blog post I will outline all the details, including both the pros and cons of the event. This may help you decide if you want to try it out for yourself.

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TravelGennifer RoseComment
Top 10 Best Cities in North America to Own a Vacation Property
Top 10 Best Cities in North America to Own a Vacation Property

It’s a widely accepted fact that owning real estate is one of the best financial investments you can make. My husband and I own two homes in Sacramento - we live in our East Sacramento house and we rent out the other to tenants. Our next big venture will be to invest in a vacation home that will most likely be rented out the majority of the time.

The process of acquiring real estate requires a lot of research beforehand. But the type of research you’ll be looking into really depends on the end use of your property. In the next several paragraphs I will go into detail about all the important checklist your vacation property must have to be successful.

Additionally, this blog post explores the top ten cities in North America that we have been looking into and I’ve reported my findings to help anyone make an informed decision about investing in their own vacation property. Whether you're getting a house for convenience, sentimental value, or investment, I've outlined why each city should be a contender in your house hunt.

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Travel, LifestyleGennifer RoseHomeownershipComment
Top 30 San Diego Locations for Engagement and Wedding Photos
Top 30 San Diego Locations for Engagement and Wedding Photos

Your engagement and wedding day are momentous occasions in your life and you will want your pictures to mark the moment and reflect the sentiment. You'll want to capture the beauty and romance of your union with your partner in a location that reflects the happiness you shared in those moments. This is why the unparalleled ambiance and scenic landscapes of San Diego are ideal for booking for photography session.

San Diego is truly a beautiful city, with great weather and plenty of photo opportunities during all four seasons. It offers a variety of unique locations, such as scenic neighborhoods, modern urban backdrops, gorgeous beaches, and picturesque natural landscapes, all just a short drive away from the city, making it an ideal spot for your engagement and wedding photos.

In this blog, I’ll go through some of my favorite spots that you can choose from, I’ll mention some places for family photos in San Diego, and discuss the benefits of investing in a professional photoshoot for your engagement and wedding.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan DiegoComment
Top 10 Epic 30th Birthday Travel Destinations
Top 10 Epic 30th Birthday Travel Destinations

Is your 30th birthday coming up? Do you dream of going on a trip and celebrating this special occasion with a bang? Being that I am a woman in my 30's I can tell you from personal experience that you are entering a new era in your life... and your 30's will kick ass! As a travel aficionado I highly recommend marking this milestone birthday with that dream trip you've always wanted to take but just hadn't gotten around to it yet.

Whether you're looking to plan a trip with friends, searching for an ideal foodie destination, or a romantic couples trip, in this article, you'll come across ten very promising trip ideas, both in the U.S. and abroad. If you're going to celebrate your dirty thirty birthday, let's do it in style!

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TravelGennifer RoseComment
A Weekend Guide to Half Moon Bay – Top Things to See and Do on the Coast
A Weekend Guide to Half Moon Bay – Top Things to See and Do on the Coast

Dramatic nature sites and breathtaking ocean scenery – it is not difficult to see the allure of Half Moon Bay. If you wish to discover this unspoiled stretch of the Northern California coast, I've handpicked the best things to do and see in the area.

Thanks to its small-town charm combined with incredible vistas, Half Moon Bay has become a loved weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of the nearby cities, San Francisco and San Jose. From excellent surfing opportunities to great hiking spots – Half Moon Bay offers its visitors a wide range of experiences.

Half Moon Bay is my hometown, I was born and grew up here up until I moved away for college. This guide is composed from the perspective of a local with many revealed hidden gems. My blog post is also filled with many of my favorite photos taken over the last several years. Keep scrolling to find all kinds of inspiration for your trip.

Whether you wish to have a romantic laidback weekend with your loved one or a fun-filled getaway with the whole family, Half Moon Bay won't disappoint. But don't just take my word for it – book a trip and see the magic for yourself!

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
Greek Islands Packing List: What to Pack for Greece in the Summer
Greek Islands Packing List: What to Pack for Greece in the Summer

My husband and I spent 10 days vacationing on the Greek islands during the month of July. Greece is definitely a favorite summer vacation spot because the Mediterranean climate brings warm temperatures and the ocean water is perfect for swimming.

Whether you are going to a tourist hot spot such as Santorini, or seeking a calming and relaxing scene on a quiet Greek island, the Cyclades islands is the place to go for an idyllic summer vacation.

Once you’ve booked your tickets and planned out your vacation itinerary, the last step is figuring out what to pack for a trip to the Greek islands. In this practical guide I’ll give you valuable advice that I learned during our trip to Greece. I will give myself kudos on doing a pretty good job when packing my own bags, but there were a couple vital things that I completely forgot about. Read on to see everything you will need (and some things you won’t) during your Greek summer vacation.

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TravelGennifer RoseInternational DestinationsComment
Over 20 Santorini Instagram Spots to Photograph During Your Greek Islands Vacation
Over 20 Santorini Instagram Spots to Photograph During Your Greek Islands Vacation

One of the world’s most bucket-worthy places to visit is the Greek Island of Santorini. Right off the mainland of Greece there are literally thousands of small islands, and of those a little more than 200 are inhabited. But the single most scenic and iconic village is Oia which is the crown jewel of the Santorini island.

No doubt you’ve seen photos of the famous whitewashed buildings with the blue dome rooftops. While this style of architecture can be found all over Greece, the village of Oia has the most vibrant and preserved buildings situated right next to each other. The natural way the locals built their community right along the edge of the caldera turned out to be the most picturesque and photogenic layout. Very Instagrammable to say the least!

In this guide I will breakdown all the best Insta-worthy spots in Oia, Santorini and also other photo spots around the island of Santorini. If you’ve booked a stay of few days in Oia, you’ll have plenty of time to cover all the classic Instagram photo spots in Oia and then take day trips to other parts of the island.

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TravelGennifer RoseInternational DestinationsComment
Travel Guide to Folsom, California - Family-Friendly Things To Do
Travel Guide to Folsom, California - Family-Friendly Things To Do

The small historical gold rush town of Folsom is one of those California hidden gems that make for an excellent day trip from Sacramento or a weekend trip from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Folsom is a popular travel destination because it’s filled with historical charm, lots of shopping spots and tons of outdoor water and nature recreation for weekend warriors.

Our family lives in the city of Sacramento which is a short 30 minute drive from Folsom. Over the years we’ve visited Folsom more times than I can count and each time we discover something new and fun.

This Folsom guide will cover over 25 family-friendly things to do. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely weekend getaway or an action packed vacation, there’s something for everyone in Folsom.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
Guide to the Most Colorful Murals in Sacramento, California
Guide to the Most Colorful Murals in Sacramento, California

Sacramento is an especially colorful city with Insta-worthy murals scattered all over our favorite neighborhoods. We can thank the curation efforts of Wide Open Walls, an organization that commissions world-famous mural artists to come paint the walls of Sacramento.

This blog post is a collection of my favorite Sacramento murals. I especially love that so many of these murals are painted by women and they have such a sweet feminine esthetic. Most these murals are located in popular areas in Sacramento to eat out and hang with friends. Next to each mural I’ll give a few suggestions on things to do and see in that neighborhood.

In this mural guide you can hover over each image to see the full description and location of each mural. Some of them are located on Wide Open Walls Mural Map and I’ve put the link in a button next to the photo. By the way, many of these murals don’t have names (or I can’t find the name) so I give them by own descriptive name for reference.

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TravelGennifer RoseSacramentoComment