I think I’m going to Boston, I think I’ll start a new life. So are the lyrics of the Augustana hit from the early 2000s that fill my head every time I go here. It’s a great city for new starts and rejuvenations, being both young and vibrant whilst steeped in history and tradition.
One if by land, two if by sea…
Sacramento may seem like a random place to visit, but thanks to Greta Gerwig’s stunning (read: STUNNING) ode to cinema and her hometown, Lady Bird, California’s capital city is taking its turn to bask in its own deserved spotlight.
I think the best way to describe this city is that when you’re here, you feel like you’re in a vintage Instagram filter, a bygone era of Americana with modern splashes. It is simply an easy place to be. There’s that old school charm, from the architectural gems of the Fabulous Forties to the neighborhoods dotted with old neon signage (featured prominently in the movie and as you know if you’ve read this blog, are one of my favorite things) and the proximity of farms and citrus tree groves.
Beyond the capital, it is one of the top destinations for locavore cuisine, earning it the nickname of “America’s farm to fork capital.” For a city of its size, there’s every type of food you could imagine, and ingredients are so fresh due to its proximity to California’s central agriculture industry. People forget California is one of the largest farming states in the country–next time you eat those strawberries and avocados, think of us.
Eureka, I’ve found it!
As far as bucket lists go, Niagara Falls is typically a popular featured destination, for good reason. I can’t believe I’d never been until now! It’s one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world, and it’s right in our own backyard. *Whispers: the Canadian side is better. Sore-y, not sore-y.
Of all of the places I’ve been in our great neighbor to the north, Canada, I had never made it to the eastern side of the country. But, with all of my immediate family out of the country for Thanksgiving, no time was better to seize the moment and head across the border to Toronto. I traded turkey for Tim Hortons, and I regret nothing.
Oh Canada…
Growing up in Southern California, I spent some time in Los Angeles, but never actually lived there. So, that makes me a total tourist whenever I come to town, and I love it.
It’s sun-kissed, starry-eyed and there’s literally everything you could ever want. There’s beaches, top education, sports, movie stars, museums, shopping, innovative food and technology. There’s perfect weather and beautiful bodies, it’s the epitome of the glamorous life.
I love LA. (we love it).
Arguably some of the most beautiful spots in California, the coastal towns of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-sea near Big Sur have long been upscale havens for the jet set. It’s definitely high end, with its ocean view cottages, European ivy wrapped cafes and the famed Pebble Beach Golf Club. Clint Eastwood is the former mayor of Carmel for pete’s sake! With its million dollar (baby) homes overlooking the picturesque Central Californian coast, you can see why this area is the background for many novels (notably those of native son John Steinbeck), movies and television shows, most recently Big Little Lies.
It does seem like a place to where a person with secrets would escape (just picture yourself out on a balcony, wrapped in a cashmere shawl, wind whipping through your hair, gazing wistfully over the turbulent surf–channel your inner Nicole Kidman for this). You can see it, can’t you?
you CAN see it (photo credit: hbo)
I made my escape there for a weekend wedding, making a mini-road trip of it, Joad family style. It is definitely doable in a weekend, but obviously the more time, the better to experience the serenity and calm of this seaside retreat.
Heidelberg is one of Germany’s classic cities and is it’s original college town. Home to Heidelberg University, Germany’s oldest institute of higher learning, this postcard of a city sits on the banks of the Neckar River. About a quarter of its residents are students, so it’s a young, lively place, with several areas in the city to meet up and hang out with friends.
The city is 50 miles south of Frankfurt, so I traveled by train from the airport. You don’t realize how large of a country Germany is until you travel through its countryside. Vast would be an understatement.
I was in town for my German cousin’s wedding. Having met his wife while in school, Heidelberg was the perfect location to celebrate their union. The best thing about having European family is getting to travel in their countries. For real.
The old town of Heidelberg lies on the south bank of the river. The Kornmarkt plaza is the central meeting area, where there’s souvenir shops and farmer’s markets. It is a part of the Main Street, a mile long pedestrian drag lined with boutiques and every type of ethnic cuisine possible.
The castle on a hill (shout out Ed Sheeran) is the main event in this city. The Heidelberg Castle ruins sit up above the river, it’s Renaissance style facade having been damaged by fires and lightning over the centuries. It’s still quite formidable and impressive.
If you see one thing in this city, you have to see these ruins. If not for the historical relevance, but for the gorgeous view from its grounds. Take the Bergbahnen funicular directly from Kornmarkt to the Schloss (Castle).
This is just breathtaking. Old world charm. I couldn’t even imagine going to college in a place like this, with cobblestone roads and castles just down the street.
The German countryside literally looks like the aerial view of Charlie Bucket’s hometown in the Gene Wilder classic, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. With its brick buildings and the Old Bridge spanning the Necktar, it’s straight out of a painting.
Heidelberg was a prominent location for the German Romantic movement in the 1800s. And authors like Victor Hugo and Mark Twain wrote about these hallowed ruins as well. I mean, with a view like this, how could you not be inspired?
The 14th century constructed (started anyway) castle is made up of a courtyard with several surrounding buildings. There’s Gothic and Renaissance styles of architecture, which have also persisted through the French pillaging it in 1600s.
This Schloss also boasts the world’s largest wine barrel, the Heidelberg Tun. You can climb up to a platform on top and dance on its dance floor. I mean, wine not?
The apothecary museum showcases pharmacology from the Renaissance period, and is incredibly well preserved.
just say nein
When you’re in town for events, sometimes there’s not too much time to sightsee, but try to pick at least one destination to hit. This one was worth it for sure, just remarkable.
San Francisco is one of the world’s great cities. Sitting up high on the tip of a Northern California peninsula, it’s natural beauty and cooler climate is as unique as the citizens that inhabit it. For being such a small area in terms of acreage, SF packs so many things to see and do in every square mile. There’s no way you can see everything, or afford everything, as it is one of the most expensive places in the world. But, there’s also many free or affordable things to do as well, which we’re all about.
One visit, one dozen visits are not enough to experience the entirety of “the city,” but this what I like to do on a weekend visiting the city by the Bay.
save me, san francisco
Traveling docs 