Destinations is where I share the places I’ve actually visited and photographed, with honest impressions and practical tips for visiting yourself.
Towering cliffs plunge into the churning Pacific Ocean, with seabirds soaring overhead and waves crashing against the rugged shore. Here, the water shifts through various layers of blue, evoking the beauty of Big Sur but with a name that hints at danger: Devil’s Slide. Once a treacherous stretch of Highway 1 between Pacifica and Half…
This is Highway 1, the same rugged coast where shifting hues of the Pacific Ocean blend with the iconic coastal fog. But this is not Big Sur. This is Mendocino, its lesser-known northern counterpart. Here, the cliffs are just as dramatic, yet the solitude feels even more profound. It is a place of contrasts, where…
Nestled in Humboldt County, California, Ferndale flourished in the late 19th century thanks to its booming dairy industry. Wealthy dairy farmers built elaborate homes adorned with intricate “gingerbread” woodwork, later nicknamed “butterfat palaces” as a tribute to the rich cream that fueled the town’s prosperity. While its dairy golden age is long gone, the town’s…
Entering the Avenue of the Giants feels like stepping into another world. Towering coast redwoods, with some soaring over 300 feet and living more than 2,000 years, form a densely green yet dreamlike canopy. It is an iconic 31-mile scenic byway that winds through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, home to over 17,000 acres of the…
Walking along elevated platforms high above the ground, visitors traverse from one ancient redwood to another on suspended walkways. A visit to the Redwood Sky Walk is a one-of-a-kind experience. From these unique vantage points, you will take in a bird’s-eye view of the towering giants and their lush canopy, while still feeling small in…
Sway with the rhythm and pulse to the beat—live music at Red Rocks is more than just a concert. It is a full-sensory experience that is both visually stunning and acoustically unmatched. Set in an open-air venue carved from towering sandstone formations over 200 million years old, Red Rocks forms a natural amphitheater, where sounds…
Nothing compares to a beautiful sunset along the Pacific Ocean. Golden and warm, with the light glistening across the waves that crash relentlessly against the shores. Framed by the rugged sandstone cliffs, the scene presents a symphony of motion and stillness, that of power and peace. There is something deeply calming in this dramatic contrast—perhaps…
Expansive rolling hills unfold in every direction, bursting with lush greenery in the springtime and dotted with cows grazing at their leisure. On a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of the Bay Area hustle in the distance—close enough to see, yet blissfully far from reach. If you are looking for a quick escape…
Pacific Grove—crystal clear water layered in stunning shades, from soft turquoise to deep ocean blue. It is the kind of sight that pulls you in, tempting you to dip your toe in to feel the crisp and refreshing water. On a sunny day, it is no surprise to see locals and visitors out swimming, kayaking,…
This is not Utah, nor Arizona. This is Annie’s Canyon Trail, a 1.6-mile hidden gem just minutes from the heart of Solana Beach and can be completed under an hour. The first half of the trail is flat and offers peaceful views of the San Elijo Lagoon, but the final stretch is where the adventure…
Spring is beautiful season to visit the Cowell-Purisima Trail, a 3.6-mile gently graded path just 10 minutes south of Half Moon Bay. As you walk along the trail, you will be greeted by the blooming mustard fields radiating in golden hues on one side, contrasting beautifully with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean on the…
From February to March, Half Moon Bay comes alive with the first signs of spring, as patches of blossoms begin to sprinkle along the roadside. Just 10 minutes south of downtown Half Moon Bay, you will find one of the most mesmerizing sights ever: a vast sea of golden-yellow mustard flowers, stretching endlessly toward the…