
#753: Camp In Santa Barbara
My photographer friend Diana and I decided to go camping last weekend in Santa Barbara. Little did we know how windy, muddy and cold it would be. Yet despite our lack of sleep, our adventures made up for it.
My photographer friend Diana and I decided to go camping last weekend in Santa Barbara. Little did we know how windy, muddy and cold it would be. Yet despite our lack of sleep, our adventures made up for it.
After Jackie and Will’s pomegranate wedding came to a bittersweet end, two fellow wedding friends told me they only had one day left in Southern California. With 24 hours left at our disposal, I played host.
Best wedding I’ve ever been a part of. My two life-long friends said “I Do” on a pomegranate farm, inside that tree. No wifi, only friends, all weekend long, UH-mazing.
Do you know where one of the best spots is to watch a San Diego sunset? It’s a tough call–there’s so many in this city–but I know one. It’s on top of Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego, CA.
I surfed, I dogged, and I conquered. That day the tide was low and my Surfline app reported good surf weather. So with my brick of a Costco 8″ board, I trekked to San Diego’s original “Dog Beach.”
And just when I thought I’d seen it all, life surprised me. Tonight, on a warm summer night in June, Austin’s bat colony decided to take flight in their annual migration from this bridge, where 1.5 million bats flew from in under 3 hours. YIKES!
When your little bro turns 27 and you realize you’re not getting any younger, measures need to be taken. Luckily, we knew a guy with a sweet view to the Denver skyline to throw Kevin an epic 27th.
Laguna Beach wasn’t all beaches, billionaires and babes. Somewhere in the back of a hole-in-the-wall dive bar called The Marine Room, I found a funky, blue grass band and a man who defied the “Cali” norm.
I’m always on par for challenging my inner taco snob and today I came face to face with my match, the Slapfish Taco. These noshes hail from a tiny dive, so don’t blink because you might just miss them.
Think I found my new mission in life: Try every single taco joint on the West Coast and decide, once and for all, which taco looks, smells and ultimately TASTES the best. Well today, that mission was accomplished.
San Diego has been waiting for the Liberty Public Market to open for a while but his lucky duck moved here just in time for its Grand Opening. Today I came, I saw, and well, I half conquered what my belly could hold.
After attending today’s Ocean Beach San Diego Writer’s Group, I learned the ultimate “can’t-judge-a-book-by-its-cover” lesson: Everyone has an interesting story to tell, but not everyone is a good storyteller.
DO I WANT TO VOTE?! let’s just say, Frank–my ardent, democratic roommate–and I were so excited to vote we named our apartment internet Wi-Fi name accordingly. “Trump Your Own Horn.”
The Pirates of the Caribbean might be stopping by later. Because here, at Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco the rum is NEVER GONE. The Goonies… no One-Eyed-Willie… no Jack Sparrow would have been proud.
Perfect Sunday Funday: Dining al fresco, cozying up with a hot coffee, chatting with my old
It really is true. Great bands become great by starting off in small venues. Walking
I don’t get enough attention. EVER. Play with me. Please!
Ya know those friends you don’t see for a while, but it’s like yesterday when
She was just as divine as I imagined. And her vine-covered, cottage-esque chateau was too.
Aunt Mollie and Uncle Ray were in town last week visiting their old stomping grounds
Aunt Mollie will always be the funny, happy-go-lucky, wicked awesome aunt from Boston I remember. “Hello
When I say we explored San Diego’s Cabrillo National Monument, I don’t mean for fun.
Officially named “The Last Bookstore” this quaint Downtown LA bookstore might as well be THE LAST bookstore
It’s America’s most popular roadtrip for a reason. Many a honeymoon has been spent, a
*Tear* We said our last goodbyes to Dennis tonight. He was leaving his San Diego crew and
When you can’t have the famous apple pie from Julian, drink Julian Apple Pie instead. Cheers.
Pro-tip: If your family’s in town and you’re hungry for a nice brunch, take them to
Why visit the YMCA? It’s cheaper with a no-hidden-fees style membership. Has all the amenities
Easy on the eyes like a Saturday brunch at Union Kitchen & Tap.
I don’t really go to Church. I pray when I run. And tonight the Sun
Never mind the pickle, what IS that creature? It’s the Hail Mary of Bloody Mary’s. The
Friend Megan and I finally caught up after weeks of missing each other. She suggested
No panicking at this coffee shop. With open-air seating and carefree ambiance meets southern California style and
When you remember that one amazing turkey sandwich in that little hole-in-the-wall-deli in a San
The closest thing to living my National Geographic dream was meeting one of their top
I’ve always thought about working for a flower company. So five months ago, the day
Give me all of the toppings. Now. Please and thank you. Nom, nom, nom.
These succulents are brave little guys, but I think they can survive a summer in
Filing your taxes when you’re freelancer slash contractor is a PAIN IN THE ARSE. I’ve done it
Found a new reason to stick around San Diego today: South Park. It’s an underestimated,
Friend, Dennis and I were just looking for a simple, local San Diego bar with a couple board
There’s a sweet side to Newport Beach, California that you don’t typically hear when mentioning Orange
Arguably one of the best farmer’s market in the U.S. (if not THE best, by many),
An amusement park in itself, Hollywood Boulevard is a spectacle of ALL sorts. From the Chinese
Hey, Hollywood! What’s your dream?
After leaving the LACMA earlier this morning in Los Angeles, friend Dennis and I headed
Two reasons to come to The Mustard Seed Cafe: 1) You were either waiting in line
Bad news, guys. There actually is no lake in Silver Lake; it was built around what
If you know a bartender here at this bar, you’ll make the Honor Roll. After a
Ahhhh… the best nights are often times the unplanned, spontaneous ones. That happy hour we decided
A king side bed, a beautiful bathroom, a view to the indoor courtyard and pool,
Of ALL the celebrity-loved, world-class-inspired, 5-star award-winning restaurants and cuisines in the entire LA metropolis,
From almond soy lattes to pupusieras to homemade flax granola to hundreds of international vendors,
Another landmark checked off the bucket list today: Los Angeles’ Urban Light. Ripe for both
The little Mamacita in me ALWAYS wants deliciously spicy, pepper-infused Mexican food, no matter what time
Hidden gem in Venice Beach, CA. I never knew these charming quiet canals were nestled
What makes any Monday a little better? A breath of fresh air and skyline views on top
Nice hike! Glorious beauty! Hang gliders overhead! Oh… and some serious bare butt surprises!
Being Easter Sunday, my favorite holiday, I wanted to spend it out side burying easter
A TOAST!!!…. To delicious, mouth-watering California wines, in general. To the never-ending grape varieties and
Yep, I’m a little obsessed with Mazdas. I had a Mazda3 for 3 years, 3
Ahh, that holy trinity of meals that I can’t ever pass up: BRUNCH. With Mom
What’s the best gift to give Mom on Mother’s Day? Not roses. Or chocolate. Orrrr
The U.S. has several spots where you can be in two places at once. Turns out,
What’s better than watching a San Diego sunset? Watching a San Diego sunset right on the
Bucket list item complete: I traversed the rocky plain of Torrey Pines State Beach without
Livin’ on the edge. Literally.
Look what Mom and I found right outside our Airbnb in San Diego?! A larger-than-life
Any San Diego local will nonchalantly tell you there is more to this town than just sunshine, beaches
With its gorgeous bluffs and shimmering waters, one would think La Jolla Cove –– the
Though expensive, the trip was worth every penny of my $90 ticket, every animal sighting (GIRAFFES,
Ahh bring me that horizon!
Living by the Pacific Ocean, it’s only natural for this pescatarian foodie to crave as
Holy shipwreck, what IS that thing?? A pirate tower? Yep, it actually is. Known to some Laguna
Eat your heart out, stair master. Today I got double my exercise’s worth and not
Virgin America. Best airline ever. If not for its excellent flight attendants, stellar airport check-in process,
The BIG day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! My cousin got married
Charleston, SC: the perfect place for a deep fried, delicious, family-centric, intoxicating, turkey-filled Thanksgiving. Wait… make
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The Golden State holds just about any challenge you could ask for –– waves to
I’ve lived in Cali for over 2 years now. You can probably tell; I’ve lived here for
Pumpkin carving, in all its guts, glam and glory. This past Halloween was a ghastly
Mouth still watering. Belly still wanting more pickles, salsa and mango slaw. Eyes still as
Living in San Francisco means… Never leaving the house with layers. Owning lots of hoodies,
I’ve had many a farmers market weekends. So many I can’t count. Or remember which
Take a seat at any table in California and almost without exception or expectation, you will face
Today was on par with a Man vs. Food episode. My chef roommate, her restaurant crew and
A former co-worker at Restoration Hardware (hi, Shante!) turned me onto Sol Food. Now I can’t get
If you’re craving brunch during the week; want oversized muffins, sweets or treats any time
One trail. Two very different views. My view last year was a trail squeezed in
There are dates (the kind you laugh about over cocktails) and then there are dates
I’m craving this Sunday brunch again since the first time I had it months ago:
It’s one thing to plan a visit to the Coit Tower, a Roman-esque monument fixed on the city’s memorable
Laying under the world’s tallest tree, the California Redwood, is eye-opening, breathtaking and thought-provoking. Here,
San Pedro Square Market: think of it as an old barn meets Texas roadhouse with
It’s a week after the 10K Table Rock Trail Run at Mt. Tamalpais, and my legs still
The Campbell Farmers Market in downtown Campbell, CA. It’s a must-stop if you: 1) Are ever
How long does it take to do a city… like really do one? Natives or
While house-sitting and dog-watching this week in San Jose for an eBay coworker, they gave
When I got the offer to dog-sit and house-sit for an entire week, I had
If, and when, your dad ever calls you on a random, sunny afternoon and asks if you’re
Dad called me about 2 weeks ago on a random, sunny Tuesday afternoon and nonchalantly asked: Dad::
I read recently in my newly favorite urban newspaper, The Bold Italic, that cities are like an onion or
A whole Saturday, not wasted. Happiness. 🙂
First team outing and where do we end up? A well-loved hibachi grill in downtown San
In a city like San Francisco where the weather is generally always breezy, nice and
A little post-birthday treat, a little late night dessert, a little love affair with my
I spent a whole month walking past it and bottle-necking the sidewalk outside to peer
Well, I walked all the ODD numbered piers from 1 to 51 at least. This quest all started thanks to
They carry Stumptown’s cold coffee brew in the bottle, which I love. The inside feels
I’m a little late in posting this after my actual birthday, January 21st. But hey, here’s
Funny, before doing a kickboxing class this evening, I was excited, pumped and inspired with 4
I do love a good, juicy beef burger or savory turkey sandwich, but lately, I’ve
At the ripe, old age of 27, I discovered calves that I didn’t know existed. My
Nothing like an early morning run to get the blood pumping! But don’t make the
I didn’t know what I was agreeing to when I said a “lunch date” at
One great life hack my twenty-somethings have taught me: when you decorate on the wall,
A light jacket for warmth, salty ocean air, decorated palm trees, a lit up Ferry
There’s no denying that landing a job in social media –– and at a tech
Carolers singing at the footsteps of the San Francisco Ferry Building. Hark the Herald Angels
*Cue background music from the Titanic soundtrack, “I’m The King of the World.*
Tasty & Alder’s in Portland, Oregon: the supreme brunch spot. And what a better way
Tinier than most Starbucks chains I’ve been in, this original location was underwhelming and equally
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!
I had heard about this famous bookstore in Portland that stretched a block wide. Now
This past Thanksgiving was not a typical turkey day. I spent it doing an extended family
No better way to spend the holidays with good people, good drinks and a good
It’s a classic pursuit; this lengthwise traversal of San Francisco. Its 90-something micro-hoods have inspired
No matter which Cathedral you go to in the city, just go to one, at least
When I moved here on a whim from the East Coast in July 2013 with
There’s really two sides to the Exploritorium on Pier 15. One side you see during daylight:
One of my favorite photoshoots ever! Black & White taken with good friend @DianaClock at the Kari Orvik Tintype
It’s probably a “duh” bucket list item to hit up The Mission in San Francisco for
I’ve just discovered, I’ve only ever lived in bridge cities. Cities by the coast, hugging a shoreline,
What’s your favorite abandoned spot in San Francisco? Some are break-in-able, some open to the public,
I’ve been wanting to make a cork board for ages… The do-it-yourself, cork-by-cork kind that takes
In my next life –– the one after world traveler –– I want to be
After four hours of networking, hob-knobbing and mingling at the Social Media Club of San
Last night, two friends, Brittany and Paul, and I took an impromptu, last-minute road trip to
The rest of San Francisco already is. There are few things you must know about the
The California Academy of Sciences is NOT usually the place you’d expect to find: Earthquakes and
It seemed like a brilliant idea at the time to carve a pumpkin and then
Recap of the night: crash a home game, have a blast, do the student cheer,
After finding out that living with a co-worker NEVER works out (Pro-tip: don’t live with people you work
One could only imagine the sheer, agonizing pain of bruising a couple ribs. It hurts
Feeling a little like Forrest Gump in this quick snapshot, yet still ran my little heart out nonetheless. The
Rachel and I were masters of the selfie and the kid rides.
It’s much harder than you think. To pack everything you’ve ever imagined about California –– the
Be careful though. You’ll probably visit and want to stay forever. Sausalito, a 30-minute ferry ride across
A typical Saturday affair.
Here in California, if you say “avocado,” you’re golden. One roll off the tongue, and you’re usually
The food truck phenomenon has taken the country by storm, and apparently the South San
Greetings from paradise! A runner’s paradise, that is. Sweaty, panting with staggered breaths, rain-soaked, completely butt-covered
This past Sunday’s 11-hour, two-stop-layover plane ride was a testament to my growing travel resilience
My favorite train ride ever. Under-rated with over-whelming (and endless) travel opportunities.
Sometimes to start over and make it in a new city, you’ve got to live
The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: On any given Saturday in San Francisco, you can feel
It’s always exciting have visitors in town. But, a word to the wise, get to
Tough Commute.
Before you call one “home.” If you don’t, you’re either really lucky. Orrrr you’re really
Tackle it with a helluva thick skin and chutzpah. Do that and you just might not
At first, I was salty at trying new coffee spots in Palo Alto. But after walking by and
When someone or some company gives you that lucky break, you take it. Right then
I’m a little late in recording my first meal –– being four weeks and many
Trust me, moving to San Francisco when you’ve never even been here before is a
I’m getting my fill of all things East Coast before I move west to San
I met these ladies recently at an Alexandria Singers audition. Think I found my pack.
One of my favorite running trails of all time, the grassy, gravel and asphalt-filled trail
Late night or early morning, this restaurant-meets-bookstore Kramerbooks Cafe is one of my favorite small
Northside Social, an old restored painted red farmhouse-turned quaint coffee shop from the early 1900s
Always been a bucket list item. Now I’ve finally done it.
Of that 4-Item bucket list I was going to accomplish this year, first thing to check off: Singing.
I found the secret to keeping new year’s resolutions. Starting them on your birthday. Lucky for
What a great night!!
It’s the 2012 Presidential Election and Obama is running for the head honcho spot. I’m ecstatic at
Thanks to my former college roommate, Jackie (yup, the credit goes to you, Jax!) I was
I got a random phone call a couple weeks ago from my old best friend,
It takes a lot of great people to pull together a good local magazine or
Sometimes… when you’ve had a crazy couple years and all you want, and need, is
A PR-Grad-Turned-Copywriter, it took me a while to find copywriting heaven… Who knew a 2-week temp
I can’t remember all the stops, but I do remember the last one: Starlight Cafe
Watching the July 4th fireworks from a boat, ferry, or harbor is the best to
That feeling when you score concert tickets to a long-time favorite band, Foster The People,
Can you believe that a simple man can hike the Appalachian Trail –– from Springer Mountain in
Salsa dancing. Watching it is awesome. Learning how to do it? Something else entirely. I’ve watched
As they saying goes (plus a little mad lib), “Top o’ the mornin’ to ya…
What happens in spring in VA: oversized roof patios, corn hole, beer pong, card drinking games, sunnies, croakies,
That feeling when… you know you’re in Yankees territory, it’s really winter outside, and you’re really glad
I’m back in my college town. And I just turned 26. But I’m not in
Well if you can’t beat the geeks, join ’em! Three hours later, I realized why
Indian weddings are often multi-day celebrations of feasting on delicious ethnic food, enjoying the colorful décor,
Nope, it’s not a mirage. Yep, they probably couldn’t stuff any more in, even if they
IF AND BEFORE you run a half, just remember: It’s NOT for the faint of heart. Everything –– the
Naturally, being a treehugger and eco-friendly person, I dressed up as the “Verde” Taco Bell Hot
I mustache you a question: “What’s your favorite garnish on nachos?” Ours was black beans, no guacamole,
I didn’t make a lot of money when I lived in Richmond, VA. But resourceful and ambitious, I used whatever
Did you know there’s more to your college town than meets the college student’s eye?
What’s the best way to clear a writer’s mind? On a run. On cobblestone streets and packed sidewalks. In
Returning home from New Orleans was heartbreaking but in hindsight, I found the silver lining in
The city I don’t want to forget: New Orleans. It’s Day # 30. The mileage meter
Dear Nay-Nay & Lou Lou (Roomies): Can we try to accomplish some of these things in
Kirk, the New Orleans drummer, told me about this “Frenchman Street.” But I didn’t realize
Hey Kirk, Let’s be friends. When you make it big, look me up.
The address we always wanted… is finally ours! After 3 weeks of scoping out Craigslist, cold calling
Good mawnin! You’d be surprised, but way down yonder here on St. Charles Street it’s actually
You might want to sit down for this. It’s about my one-week crazy-filled stay in Treme,
Dear next Rest Area: Please magically appear on the side of
An Open Letter to the Unemployed and Heartbroken: I recently started this travel blog after