• Snow covered Mount Shasta with tall pine forest in the foreground
    Local Discoveries,  Weekend Getaways

    Mount Shasta Road Trip: Uncover Mystical Legends And Outdoor Adventures

    Mount Shasta isn’t just another weekend getaway, it’s an adventure steeped in mystery and natural beauty just waiting to be discovered by Bay Area explorers. Whether you’re drawn to its mythical legends, stunning landscapes, or the promise of a peaceful escape, Mount Shasta offers a unique experience that’s unlike anywhere else. So let’s head for the hills, and delve into the best of what Mount Shasta and its surrounding areas have to offer! Mount Shasta: A Vortex of Secrets & Mystery Mt Shasta is more than just a sleepy giant, towering high above Northern California’s untamed wilderness, it’s also a mountain shrouded in myth, mystery, and legends dating back to…

  • Views Lassen Volcanic National Park California
    Local Discoveries,  Weekend Getaways

    Lassen Volcanic National Park: A Bay Area Summer Escape

    Craving a summer escape from the Bay Area’s heatwaves and bustling crowds? Lassen Volcanic National Park offers a refreshing alternative! Just a breezy 4.5-hour drive north, Lassen greets you with a stunning blend of volcanic wonders, crystal-clear lakes, and tranquil surroundings. Perfect for camping, hiking, fishing, and simply unwinding in nature’s embrace, Lassen is an ultimate summer retreat for Bay Area residents. Curious about what’s in store? Buckle up, because this post will explore the park’s top highlights, share practical tips for your visit, and reveal the secrets to crafting an unforgettable Bay Area getaway. Chester: Your Basecamp for Lassen Adventures Driving from the SF Bay Area? Make the most…

  • Point Reyes and Stinson Beach: Cypress Tree Tunnel, French Toast At Stinson Beach, and Point Reyes Shipwreck
    Local Discoveries,  Weekend Getaways

    Coastal California Bliss: A Weekend Getaway to Point Reyes & Stinson Beach

    Point Reyes National Seashore is a perfect hideaway spot that many San Francisco Bay Area locals try to keep to themselves, but not these loose lips! 😊 An easy destination, just a bit over an hour’s car drive north of San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore invites you to unwind, recharge, and explore at leisure. During our first visit, we merely scratched the surface of it and are already planning a return trip over the weekend. And here’s why: Tomales Bay We started to explore Point Reyes National Seashore from Tomales Bay. Tomales Bay is worth spending at least a full day at, especially if you enjoy water activities. Swimming,…

  • Calaveras County: Sequoias in the Big Trees Park, gold, and a trio of appetizers from Alchemy, Murphys, CA
    Local Discoveries,  Weekend Getaways

    Gold, Ghosts, Gems, and Giants of Calaveras County, CA (Part 2)

    We love visiting Calaveras County, located in California’s Sierra Nevada region, and want to share our second post highlighting some of the best things to do there! In this follow-up article to Part 1, we’ll walk among the Giants in Calaveras Big Trees State Park, sip local wine, grab the perfect bite to eat, and shop in the picturesque town of Murphys. Plus, we’ll also try our hand at gold-panning on a side trip to the historic town of Columbia! Calaveras Big Trees State Park Driving out of Angels Camp, an easy two-line road takes us to the Land of Giants. Weaving gently through the towering redwoods basking in the…

  • Images from the collection of Asian Art Museum San Francisco
    Local Discoveries,  Museums & Cultural Sites

    Asian Art Museum: Tips for the First-Time Visit

    Located across the lush lawn of the Civic Center, the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is a museum not to be missed! Its thirty galleries display 2,000 objects from the Museum’s permanent art collection of over 18,000 items. Also, the museum hosts a variety of temporary, traveling exhibitions, special events, and classes throughout the year. If you enjoy learning about Asian culture and art — this place is for you! Tag along on our first-time visit to the Asian Art Museum! The First Floor The First floor of the Asian Art Museum is home to special exhibitions, classes, a boutique, and a cafe. We started with the Continuity experience.…

  • Church at Fort Ross, California
    Local Discoveries,  Weekend Getaways

    Fort Ross, CA: From Russia With Love

    Surrounded by majestic evergreen forest, Fort Ross, the 19th-century Russian fort, is perched above the Pacific Ocean, a mere hour and a half north of the Golden Gate Bridge. While the San Francisco Bay Area has its fair share of historical sites and unique attractions, Fort Ross in Sonoma County is a destination in itself. Beginning our trip on a Thursday morning, traffic was fairly light and stress-free, versus white-knuckling it most of the way stuck in weekend traffic. And, once out of the City and up the road a ways, we were weaving through the countryside and the farmlands of Petaluma. Hungry and looking for a place to eat,…

  • San Pedro Square Market Lunch
    Local Discoveries,  Unique Flavors & Finds

    San Pedro Square Market: Taste World Cuisines in San Jose!

    Among the many things to see and do in San Jose, you most likely need a place to eat as well. San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose is a favorite local hangout with a variety of eateries and watering holes to choose from. So, when you want to eat something and are not sure what exactly it is you want, the Market is a perfect spot. Stir in some cool live entertainment (hello, Vinyl Replay 😊), with a side of California history, and Ta-Da! – you get San Pedro Square Market that will charm the pants off you. Well, at least, make you unbutton them after filling up…