14 articles tagged with california
The fog rolls in across the Golden Gate as I stand at a vista point few tourists ever find. After growing up between Florence's Renaissance splendor and Australia's untamed wilderness, I've developed a knack for uncovering the authentic pulse of...
While my professional travels often take me to coastal havens and historic European sites, I've recently discovered that Sacramento—a city I've frequently passed through en route to Northern California wine country—holds remarkable treasures for families seeking intellectual stimulation wrapped in...
There's a certain irony in returning to San Jose as a visitor after spending my formative years in this Silicon Valley hub. Now, with my Belfast restaurant requiring regular trips back to source ingredients and meet with California wine producers,...
As someone who regularly travels to agricultural research facilities across California, Sacramento has become my unexpected favorite business destination. The city strikes that perfect balance between professional infrastructure and leisure opportunities that make business trips both productive and enjoyable. What...
Oakland has long existed in San Francisco's shadow, but those in the know recognize it as the Bay Area's true bastion of authentic creative expression. Having spent countless weekends exploring urban retail landscapes across the globe, I can confidently say...
The first time I visited Los Angeles, I did what most tourists do – battled the crowds at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, paid too much for parking at Venice Beach, and sat in traffic trying to glimpse the Hollywood...
Los Angeles often feels like a city performing for an audience – all bright lights, celebrity handprints, and tour buses crawling past supposed star residences. But after covering sporting events here for over two decades before my move to New...
San Francisco might be known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, steep hills, and the infamous Alcatraz, but as someone who's spent countless hours analyzing structural details and exploring mountain terrain, I can tell you this city offers way more...
Much like a misaligned premolar that reveals its true character only upon closer examination, Bakersfield sits somewhat awkwardly in California's landscape—neither coastal paradise nor mountain retreat. Yet after a recent weekend detour while traveling between golf courses in Southern California,...
There's something about Oakland that reminds me of my beloved Marseille—a port city with gritty edges that cradles profound cultural richness within its neighborhoods. After numerous visits to the Bay Area for sustainability conferences, I've developed a deep appreciation for...
Y'all, Oakland has been California's best-kept luxury secret for too long. While San Francisco gets the spotlight, Oakland's been quietly cultivating an impressive upscale scene that combines urban sophistication with that down-to-earth vibe I've always appreciated. As someone who values...
Y'all, I've gotta confess something: I slept on Fresno for years. Like many travelers, I viewed this Central Valley hub as merely Yosemite's forgettable neighbor—a place to gas up before hitting the Sierra Nevada's greatest hits. But last spring, when...
¡Hola, viajeros! There's something magical about San Diego that keeps drawing me back year after year. Maybe it's the perfect weather, the laid-back vibe, or how the city manages to feel both cosmopolitan and beachy at the same time. Whatever...
¡Hola mis aventureros! Anyone can snap the Golden Gate Bridge (and yes, you absolutely should), but San Francisco's soul lives in its lesser-celebrated corners. After 12 visits to this foggy paradise—four with my camera-obsessed husband before he became my ex—I've...