I was about 26 when I first visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona. I’d flown out from England for a Las Vegas business trip and had craftily tacked on a couple of days for some R&R with a friend. The next thing I know, I’m flying in a helicopter over one of the 7 natural wonders of the world and …
Each year, more than 50 million visitors flock to what is arguably the entertainment capital of the world; Los Angeles, California. Combined, they pump more than $30 billion into the L.A. economy each year. That is a lot of money! As a result, it would be easy to assume that family activities in Los Angeles are anything but cheap. But …
If you live in America, and enjoy an occasional glass of wine, there is a good chance that you already know about California’s iconic Napa Valley wine region. Located just outside of San Francisco, Napa Valley is home to literally hundreds of vineyards. It is also well-known for its world-class wines. Yet you may be wondering why I’m writing an …
San Francisco stole my heart in the year 2000. It was a brief visit, but it had a lasting impact. Several months later, with a work visa in hand, I packed up my life into two suitcases, said goodbye to family and friends in London, and crossed the Atlantic. The rest, as they say, is history. I sometimes get asked …
San Diego is somewhat unique for Southern California. Only 120 miles from Los Angeles, its average temperatures are about 7 degrees cooler than its neighbor during the summer. This is due to the maritime climate. While San Diego rarely gets hot like LA (think over 80 degrees), it does stay warm most of the year. The evenings are relatively mild …
Have you heard of Fort Myers Beach? I hadn’t. At least, not until my parents asked me to join them there, in 2004, between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. They were retired and, like many other retirees, had started spending some of their winter months golfing in southwest Florida. Fort Myers Beach, a town on Estero Island, was their latest …
Before I get into Oahu, I want to set the scene. The first time I visited Hawaii, I was 16. At the time, I was living in Japan with my parents and sister, and Hawaii was any easy destination to visit over school break. I remember we stayed in a gorgeous little rental on the island of Maui. The house …
North Lake Tahoe has been my “happy place” ever since I moved to San Francisco 20 years ago. I call it my happy place because I quite literally feel a sense of calm, peace, and happiness every time I reach the edge of the Tahoe National Forest. Not even my children, on their most mischievous of days, can dampen my …
Before I talk about family day trip ideas, I just want to say, “I get it”. You are sick of being stuck at home. A home that has been your family’s own personal office, school, restaurant, gym, and playground ever since you began sheltering in place due to COVID-19. Now, to compound matters, it is winter and you feel even …
