Calla Lily Valley is one of those places where pictures just don’t do it justice. It’s exactly as magical as it sounds—maybe even more so in person. It's an ideallic oceanside valley full of perfect (okay, not perfect since they are invasive species) Calla Lilies with a gorgeous creek running through it straight into the ocean.
I’d love to tell you about the perfect day I spent there with my favorite furry companion, Breslin, playing in the creek and admiring the lilies. And while that’s partly true, there’s another side to the story, the newfound bane of my existence; stinging nettles.
The first time I visited, I had no idea they were lurking along the trail, like little predators waiting to inject their poison. My leg barely brushed against one on the way down, and it burned for twelve hours straight. I tried everything I could think of to stop the sting to no avail. That little surprise definitely put a damper on the day.
Two years later, I went back, determined to be more careful. But as luck would have it—I got stung again. I was being so careful! This time, though, I was prepared for the attack. Turns out, rubbing mud on the sting works wonders, and it did the trick.
I’m sure I’ll be back. Third time’s the charm, right?
Important to Know Before You Go
1. Dress appropriately for mud and a hike.
The trail is muddy! Like, it will suck your shoe right off your foot and be gone forever, kinda muddy. The mud may not always be that deep, but with all the rain, it certainly is treacherous. I wore hiking boots and had Crocs to change into for the beach. If you want to take cute pictures, I suggest bringing a long dress that’s easy to slip on over your hiking outfit (which should include pants or leggings-see tip #2).
2. Watch for Stinging Nettles!
I learned this lesson the hard way, so you don’t have to. I wore shorts because I knew I wanted to go into the water. I barely skimmed my leg against a stinging nettle, and it was enough to have the spot burning for literally 12 hours. I tried everything from calamine lotion to ice packs, and there was no relief. Just avoid it.
3. Parking Options
There’s no good way to get to the beach from the valley unless you want to rock climb or go through the water. I did both, and I don’t recommend. The best way to see the beach and the valley is to park on the more southern trail entrance of the Garrapatta Trout Road Trailhead. Then you can walk down to see the calls lilies, then walk back up to see the beach (shh… don’t tell anyone that if you go down the beach, you can sometimes catch a beach waterfall! 😉 )
4. Go early to beat the crowds.
Timing is a little tricky because you want to go early to beat the crowds, but you don’t want to go so early that the marine fog layers are still there. I arrived around 11:00 am, and the crowd was small, but it was also expected to be cloudy, so that helped. But, like most beautiful pop-off spots along Highway 1, people only tend to stay long enough to take pictures. It’s easy enough to wait out a crowd.
5. Bringing your furry friend.
Garrapata State Park is pet friendly, but pets are supposed to be on a leash. When I visited, I took a dog with me, and we navigated the trails easily on leash. Calla Lilies are toxic to dogs, so you want to ensure your pup doesn’t ingest any part of them. I have seen dogs there every time I've visited.
Leave No Trace: As with any time you’re visiting a natural destination, you should take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. Pack out what you pack in and stick to the trails. This is an unpopular opinion, but Calla Lilies are invasive species, so while this valley is incredible to marvel at, don’t feel too bad if you accidentally step on them. They also have underground stems, so they will grow back if the top flowers get stepped on.
I’m not entirely sure how I ended up at Lake George on a day off one summer while working in the Berkshire Mountains. I think I just picked a scenic route and drove until I didn’t want to anymore. But I distinctly remember the moment I arrived. I turned onto a road that ended at the lake’s edge, and the view took my breath away—a vast lake, completely surrounded by mountains, like a place I had been searching for in my dreams.
I later learned that spot was Million Dollar Beach. I didn’t get to stay long that day—just enough time to grab a slice of pizza and some ice cream before heading back to camp before curfew—but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to return and explore this place further.
The following year, I did exactly that.
I planned a packed day of adventure in the Adirondack Mountains, and this time, I wasn’t going alone. I put out an open call at camp for anyone who had the day off and was up for an epic road trip. I was lucky to have two incredibly cool people join me, and before the sun even rose, we were off—driving four hours north to Ausable Chasm.
We started the morning in harnesses and helmets, making our way across a high ropes course suspended over the raging river canyon below. That was followed by one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done—leading straight down to the river, where we finished with a leisurely raft ride through the last stretch of the chasm. And that was just the first half of the day.
Next, we made our way to Lake Placid to see the Olympic Ski Jumps. When we arrived to find closed gates, I realized I had made a mistake—I hadn’t checked the closing time. But as luck would have it, the security guard saw my Virginia license plate, heard my friends’ British accents, and decided to take us on a private tour.
That private tour ended with us doing something that should have been completely off-limits: jumping into the ski jump training pool. It’s strictly reserved for professional ski jumpers, but the incredibly kind security guard waved us through and made us promise we wouldn’t tell anyone. And I’ve kept that secret... until now, when I think we’re well past the statute of limitations. I’m sorry, Mr. Security Guard.
(For the record, I actually went back to the jumps that winter, ran into the same guard, and reminded him who I was. He was just as nice the second time, and it was fun knowing we had an Olympic pool-sized secret together. But that winter visit is a story for another day—because I once again fell in love with the Adirondacks, but this time, they were covered in snow.)
At some point in our adventure, we stopped at Whitebrook Dairy Bar and grabbed some poutine—because when you’re that close to the Canadian border, you really have to get some fries covered in cheese curds and gravy. I had never had it before, it was everything I had hoped for and more.
And we ended our perfect day exactly where my Adirondacks obsession had begun—getting ice cream at Martha’s Dandee. That same spot where I had stood a year before, knowing I had to come back.
I still love Lake George, and I hope one day I get to relive this adventure all over again. Until then, I hope you have your own Adirondack Adventure with these recommendations.
Ausable Chasm
Ausable chasm was formed from the ice age 500 million years ago and is one of the United States first natural tourist attractions. While this type of activity is right up my alley it’s not a place I recommend lightly as the actiivty I think you should do is $75 for adults and $65 for kids. The fact that I still recommend it should tell you all you need to know. It truly is an unforgettable experience.
The adventure package includes a multi element via ferrata style high ropes course that criss crosses over the canyon and raging river below.
Once you’ve completed the challenge course you get to calm your nerves hiking along the canyon and learning it’s incredible history.
After you are done exploring the canyon you finish on the river. You can choose to do a 15-20 minute guided group raft where you will lazily make your way down the river while learning about how the very river you float carved this amazing natural chasm. If you have more time you can opt to go tubing instead which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hours. If you want to stay dry choose the raft, but if you’re willing to get wet have fun floating the river!
Ausable Chasm also has a campground which is fun in itself as it has a pool, disc golf course, mountain biking and hiking trails.
Lake Placid
Lake Placid is one of only three locations worldwide that have hosted the winter olympics twice. It is full of amazing Olympics history from ski jumps to the ice rink that hosted the “Miracle on Ice” when the underdog US defeated powerhouse Russia in 1980.
If you are limited in budget and time I recommend at the very least visiting the olympic ski jumps which is $20 to visit and includes a gondola ride up to the top of the jumps. The views and the thrill of being at the top are amazing and really put the sport into perspective.
Alternatively the Mt Van Hoevenberg would be my second choice for must stop. For $15 you can take a guided tour of the complex and see the bobsleds and skeleton in action. It is thrilling and if you visit during training season you’ll most likely get to meet an olympian!
If you have more time I recommend getting the Legacy Sites passport. Despite being $60 it is by far the most economical option. Each location starts at $15 which adds up quick. With the passport you can visit all of the Olympic sites including the Olympic museum, ice rink, Olympic ski jumps, bobsled tracks, and “Cloud Splitter” gondola up White Mountain. You also get discounts at various restaurants at the Olympic sites.
Make sure you also check out the events calendar as the passport also includes admission to ski jump competitions and Bobsled and Skeleton races.
The passport is valid from Friday, December 6 through Sunday, March 16. So if you’re planning a longer visit or are able to go multiple times then it may be worth the price.
Lake George
Lake George is such a cute town with its bright colored shops, carousel, historic Fort William Henry, and the iconic steamboats: Minne-Ha-Ha, the Mohican, and the Lac du Saint. If you keep your ears open the steamboats will sing a song for you. Like any other little tourist town Lake George also has souvenir shops, restaurants, arcades, and photo ops. It’s easy to spend the day at the beach and the afternoon strolling in and out of shops.
Lake George is my most budget friendly stop in the Adirondacks because you can visit the public beaches and walk around town for free. There is a parking fee of $10 at the beaches but if you don’t mind walking I’m sure you can find free parking somewhere.
Other Considerations
The Adirondacks are full of natural and man-made places to explore. Some other places you might want to check out are:
Spending a day in San Francisco following in the footsteps of the iconic early 2000s movie “The Princess Diaries”?? SHUT UP!
If you grew up during the golden age of 2000s teen Romcoms, odds are you had your (most likely ongoing) phase of absolutely loving The Princess Diaries. I mean who wouldn’t want to find out that they are the future queen of some seemingly unproblematic country known for its beauty and pears? And it comes with a makeover? Sign me up! “Just in case I wasn’t enough of a freak, let’s add a tiara!” I had wild and unruly curly hair my whole childhood so when Paulo took “this and this” and turned it into a *princess* I began my long journey with hair straightening. I have since recovered but my love for this movie has never gone away.
So when I moved to the Bay Area in 2019 I knew I had to find all of the spots in the movie starting with the arm wrestling arcade machine. When the movie was filmed the arcade museum was located at the Cliff House near Sutro Baths but it has since been moved to the Fisherman’s Wharf into Musee Mecanique which is a free arcade museum. Well, free admission, you do have to pay to play the games. The museum originated as a private collection started by Edward Galland Zelinsky in the 1930s when he was just 11 years old. It has a huge variety of games dating back from the 1900s to games from the 80s/90s. In the collection, you will also find the infamous masked luchador that the Queen of Genovia herself wrestled on her day off with Mia. It still works and it is incredibly difficult to beat! Musee Mecanique is one of my favorite places to take visitors even if they haven’t seen the movie, it’s just a very fun and unique way to spend time in the city.
After spending time playing with the penny machines you can walk right out the front door to the Fisherman’s Wharf and get some of the amazing San Francisco clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, or you can head to Lyon Street and get my absolute favorite sub in all of SF. You’ll be heading to Lyon Street anyway for a photoshoot on the grand rounded staircase in front of Mia’s high school. But since you’re already there you should also stop into Golden Gate Deli and get a San Franspycho all the way on a Dutch crunch. Golden Gate Deli is very unassuming from the outside but it boasts over 54 made-to-order sandwich options each better than the last. Okay, back to the high school. The building is no longer a high school and is a private residence now but it is marked on the map as “The Princess Diaries School” and just about every time I have passed it there are people taking pictures in front. If you are visiting in the early spring you’ll likely see a small patch of Calla Lilies just across the street for even more photo ops. Not to steer you too off course, but if you visit around early April you will most likely be able to see cherry blossoms right down the street in the Presidio at Lucasfilms. It’s the only other place besides the Japanese Tea Garden where you can see Sakura in San Francisco, and as a bonus, they are free to visit.
If you want a true Mia Thermopolis moment head over to North Beach for some gelato as a palate cleanser, take too big of a bite, and then proceed to freak out at the brain freeze. There are several incredible gelato shops in the area. Plus, it’s gelato, so you can’t go wrong. But, if gelato isn’t your thing then you could check out Cavalli Cafe where they make fresh-to-order cannolis. You could then walk around North Beach to see where Mia crashed into the cable car, or go into the culdesac that was Lilly and Michael’s house but honestly, they aren’t worth the trip.
However, the firehouse is worth the trek across town. Engine 43 is a historic San Francisco Firehouse. It is also a family residence upstairs and an art and music studio downstairs. If you keep up with Engine 43’s Facebook pageyou can see when they have events that open up the studio to the public and you can see the exterior and the interior of the firehouse. It’s usually a huge art market event so you can shop local and site-see, it’s a win-win!
This concludes your princess for a day tour! I hope you enjoyed all of the stops and found some extra cool places to see along the way.
Just ten minutes south of the iconic Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach is a hidden gem that rivals One-Eyed Willie’s treasure in The Goonies. Hug Point is an Oregon State Recreation site that has to be timed perfectly to visit because the seaside seasonal waterfall can only be reached during a low tide during the rainy season. The waterfall is backed by lush green vegetation like ferns and Sitka spruces creating the perfect mixture of land and sea. Hug Point waterfall is where we see the magic of freshwater rapids created by the Northwest rains clash with Pacific waves. It’s a symphony for all of the senses from the smell of the saltwater and vegetation to the sounds of the waves and water falling. It’s a site to behold.
View from Hug Point Overlook
When I am road-tripping on Highway 101 I like to stay overnight at Cannon Beach to better my chances of seeing puffins on Haystack Rock, or Roosevelt Elk on the beach/streets/everywhere. This also gives me a better chance to time the tides correctly to get up close and personal with Hug Point waterfall. If you’re driving along Highway 101 and you come to Hug Point during a high tide, do not be discouraged. You can still walk along the shoreline, hike to the waterfall overlook, and bask in all the Pacific Northwest beaches usually have to offer. As you can see in the picture on the left the first time I visited I arrived during high tide and was unable to get down to the waterfall. But, I made checked the tide schedule and made a plan to visit the next day!
Hug Point Waterfall in Early April
Hug Point is a seasonal waterfall so during the dryer months you may not be able to see it. My absolute favorite time to do a road trip along Highway 101 is early April. I am a sucker for a rainy morning and sunny afternoons and I find that the Pacific Northwest beaches are made for those April showers. Everything is extra lush and green and the waterfalls and rivers are flowing like mad. I think many people are deterred from visiting during the early spring because it can get quite cold in the mornings and evenings but to me, that just adds to the coziness and adventure. I love watching the marine layer burn off and shedding layers as I explore the coast throughout the day.
I cannot emphasize enough that you have to time Hug Point perfectly because it is possible to get stranded on the waterfall side if the high tide comes in when you are visiting. When in doubt, do not go out. Even though it might be chilly I do recommend wearing shoes you don’t mind getting wet because you can climb up the waterfall. It’s a waterfall so parts can be very slippery but step with caution and don’t go beyond your comfort level. The water falling looks stronger than it is from the sand, but once you are on top you realize just how easy it is to walk around and how cool the view is to be standing and watching the two water sources join. If you’re going to be in the Cannon Beach area then you have to add Hug Point to your itinerary, just remember, patience is a virtue, and Hug Point is worth the wait.
View of Hug Point from the shoreline during High Tide, the waterfall can only be accessed by going around the point to the left of the cave in the picture.
Welcome to Oakland, California, your unexpected coffee destination. Did you know in 2018 Oakland was voted the third best city for coffee fanatics? It has ranked in the top 20 ever since, coming in at number 11 in 2024. This is no surprise to the locals as there are well over 2300 coffee shops and 17-plus roasters. Studies say that for every 2500 people in Oakland, there is a coffee shop. In this article, I’m going to highlight my top five coffee shops in Oakland and why I rank them so highly.
101 Clinton Ln, Oakland, CA 94606
Zocalo is a new (to Oakland) shop located in the Brooklyn Basin. There’s lots of construction happening to transform this area of Oakland so it can be a little tricky to find at first, but if you take the Embarcadero to 9th St then you should be able to find it super easy. Zocalo is owned and operated by a wonderful woman and her family. They roast and bag the coffee themselves at a local roaster in San Leandro which is home to their original location on Bancroft Avenue. The San Leandro location also hosts lots of fun nights like open mic night, game night, trivia night, and music night. I’m hoping the Brooklyn Basin location will follow suit!
Zocalo has a gorgeous interior full of natural light and is a perfect spot to hang out with friends or spend a few hours getting work done. When I visit Zocalo I almost always get their mocha because it is by far my favorite but when I take kids they love their Italian sodas and baked goods. I’ve also had a few working lunches here and their food is top-notch. Zocalo is coming in at the top 5 because while it may not have been here as long as some of the others, it certainly made its mark and is here to stick around.
4100 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619
17 years ago founder Richard Santana started roasting his coffee beans using a hot air popcorn machine and I’m so glad he did! From a single popcorn machine comes an entire environmentally friendly small back coffee roaster right here in Oakland!
Cafe Santana is a place that you don’t want to just pop in for (although you certainly can!). The actual location is an inviting shop with plenty of seating to relax and enjoy your coffee and food. It’s also so cool to see the coffee roaster from the front counter. I was in awe of how authentic and homemade everything was. The smells were divine and the service was always quick and pleasant.
I ordered the Mexican mocha, which I had never had before, and now I’m hooked. I also got a ham and cheese empanada thinking they were pre-made, but imagine my surprise and delight when I was handed a hot and perfectly golden empanada! I picked Cafe Santana as number 4 because not only do I love their coffee and food, but it feels a little like home. That last part is sort of difficult to explain but going there feels like getting a cup of coffee at a friend’s house, it’s an old-school meeting place and when city life feels a little too isolating Cafe Santana brings some warmth.
260 Oak St, Oakland, CA 94607
Founded by Yugoslavian immigrants in 1924 @peerlesscoffee was one of the first craft roasters in the Bay Area. They are a third-generation business, for context, they’re as old as the Winter Olympics and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade!
Peerless is not just a normal coffee purveyor, they are also innovators. They recently became recognized as one of the first hospitality craft roasters to perfect nitrogen-infused cold brew coffee on tap and won roaster of the year in 2019. They are a green-certified business committed to fair trade and farm-direct relationships.
You can order coffee beans from their online store peerlesscoffee.com but their retail shop is located at 260 Oak St. If you’re in Oakland stop by, I was so surprised at how cozy this cafe feels and they have an extensive coffee & tea museum (though I didn’t get a chance to see it yet!). They have lots of great coffees but when I visited I got the tuxedo mocha which was a mix of white and milk chocolate. I recommend asking the barista what you should order and trusting them! Peerless is my number 3 because when I first moved to Oakland I lived just down the street from in and fell in love with their coffee, and that was before I learned their history! They are consistent and honestly, just incredibly nice people who love making good coffee.
2523 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
The Crown is owned and operated by Royal Coffee. The Crown is a coffee lab and tasting room that allows customers to experience the full spectrum of coffee. They have classes, events, and tasting of cuppings, as well as cutting-edge original workshops, a full suite of SCA pathways, CQI courses, and guest curricula by industry thought leaders. Basically, they know their coffee and offer incredible and unique drinks.
The coffee shop itself is reminiscent of the emerald city with its gorgeous green walls that shine in the natural sunlight and Art Deco vibes that complement the many Art Deco buildings in downtown Oakland. When I visited they were offering a strawberry shortcake coffee that was topped with freeze-dried strawberry and it felt like an experience drinking it. I recommend trying whatever new creation they have when you visit, I imagine it will always be worth the risk. I picked The Crown as my number 2 because I love that it is so much more than a coffee house and if you are interested in the art of making, drinking, or just enjoying coffee The Crown has something for you.
409 14th street Oakland, California 94612
When Bay Area native Brianna Vasquez started Brewja Coffee she wanted to create a memo that reflected her culture. She wanted a place that people in her community and beyond could relate to. I love how original the flavors are and the quality of everything they do from the coffee to the toast. Most foods are made in-house but the empanadas are made by another Bay Area native fresh but off-site.
I ordered the s’mores latte which has a homemade marshmallow(!!) and they toast it for you right there. It had such a nice flavor profile as the marshmallow interacted with the coffee and it was the perfect summer coffee. I chose Brewja as my number one because I LOVE IT SO MUCH! All the food is so fresh and delicious and unique and fun. The drinks are so freaking delicious every single time, and I try a different one every time I go. I love that there are so many unexpected Latin flavors and they are not afraid to try something new. The people who work there are always incredibly friendly and helpful and you can tell they are proud to work at such a good coffee shop. I cannot recommend Brewja coffee enough, just trust me and try it, and then go three more times.
Honorable Mentions:
There are SO MANY coffee shops in Oakland to try so it was difficult to narrow it down to the top five, so here are some honorable mentions:
Blue Bottle: 21 years ago James Freeman had a dream turned reality when he founded Blue Bottle Coffee in Oakland’s Temescal district. From day one he had a vision of quality coffee with the name Blue Bottle even coming from one of Europe’s first cafes The Blue Bottle Coffee House. From Blue Bottles’ humble beginnings, an empire rapidly grew. Since then Nestle has become a major stakeholder in the company and they have grown to a worldwide operation including setting up shop in Tokyo and Hong Kong.
You can find Blue Bottle coffee beans and (my favorite) premade cartons of coffee in various stores like Target and other grocery stores. But, you would be remiss to not visit one of their stores. My favorite is to go on Friday to their 9th Street location as there’s also a great farmers market right outside. There is also a shop underneath Rockefeller Center in NYC which pairs well with ice skating.
Ultimate Grounds Et Al: Ultimate Grounds Et Al is a locally family-owned coffee shop that those who know, know, and those who don’t know are missing out on. They serve an assortment of coffees and teas and they are all made fresh and with such a high quality.
Ultimate Grounds has fresh pastries daily delivered from SF but their full menu is made in-house and you can taste that homemade love in every bite.
Ain’t Normal: Ain’t Normal Coffee is aptly named as it really ain’t your normal type of coffee shop. Not only can you enjoy a drink before work, but you should stop by after work as well, hell even a lunch break would be nice with their food!
Ain’t Normal also has all the makings, equipment, and inspiration you need to upgrade your coffee setup at home. You can get hyper-local coffee beans, filters, mugs, and coffee equipment, and they even have a coffee subscription. But coffee is not the only thing that shines, they have an extensive and hand-selected wine library as well as beer. Don’t even get me started on the food. Everything at this place Ain’t Normal and that’s what makes it incredible.
Bicycle Coffee: Bicycle Coffee got its name because it used to deliver coffee beans via bicycle. Bicycle Coffee is on my top 10 coffee list because I LOVE their brown sugar boba coffee. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about having boba in coffee but I became quickly obsessed. They use real tapioca pearls and not those weird popping boba and the brown sugar really vibes well with the coffee. You used to only be able to get it on the weekends but I am happy to say they have expanded it to be a daily offering.
Snow White Coffee: Snow White Coffee Bar is hard to miss from the road but it’s such a warm and welcoming space. They don’t make super fancy drinks but that doesn’t stop their coffee from being delicious. They serve high-quality fresh coffee, have plenty of outdoor seating, and have an incredibly friendly staff.
Lane-E Kefa: Lane-E Kefa is located right next to the Lake Merritt Bart Station. They are exactly what I think of when I think of hidden gems. Every time I’ve gone I’ve gotten great food and great drinks, and it’s a nice quiet space to enjoy a slow morning. Their breakfast sandwiches are comically huge so bring an appetite. But if you’re in a rush you should get a drink and sandwich to go to fill you up on your morning commute!
Oakland Coffee Map
Be sure to check out this free interactive Oakland Coffee map and start your coffee journey in The Town!
If I could give you only one piece of advice for traveling and trip planning it would be this: leave room for adventure.
I am a planner, through and through. I genuinely love spending hours getting lost in maps, itineraries, reels, Pinterest boards, reviews, movies, etc. I will dream up a trip 10 times over before even planning the first thing. You should see my Instagram reels folder, I have hundreds of trips planned that I may never end up going on. (Don’t worry, I’ll talk more about my process in another post.)
I’m sure it sounds simple, but it’s a bit more than just having an “open schedule”, it’s a mindset. It’s something that I genuinely practice because it means letting go of control and being open to the idea of pleasant disruptions. It requires you to live in the moment because if you don’t you might miss a giant paper airplane on the side of the road. Even when I plan, I intentionally plan to leave room for adventure.
I thought this was going to be an easy concept to talk about but the more I try to describe it the more the words evade me. It may not be a concept at all, but more a way of living. It is practicing gratitude in all things and allowing the mundane to become extraordinary. It is being so present that you become more aware of opportunities. I am the happiest when I leave room for adventure in my life.
My best travel stories are almost exclusively in the unplanned moments.
In practical terms, it means, that when I’m planning a road trip, I will plan my nightly accommodations only so far apart so I don’t feel rushed every time I want to stop. I am also going to pick an up-and-back route as opposed to a loop because despite giving myself shorter distances between stops I’m inevitably going to see something I have run out of daylight to see and will make a note to visit on the way back.
When I’m driving I have my phone give me directions but I also have an external Garmin slightly zoomed out so I can see if there are any little offshoot scenic routes I can take. It means knowing when to turn off directions and just drive. That’s how I found Otter Point Overlook. Or when I am driving and a view takes my breath away I have to stop and enjoy it, like this neighborhood in O’ahu. I don’t always take a picture, but I always take a moment.
Robert <3
Otter Point Scenic Overlook
It also means talking to people and trusting my gut to know when I should chase an adventure.
Like when I met Robert in the parking lot of Great Dunes National Recreation Park and I found out he rides the dunes with his buddies every day as a way to help him stay sober and not drink. He took me on a once-in-a-lifetime ride around the dunes that I never would have been able to do if I didn’t: 1. Decide to eat lunch at the dunes, just for fun. 2. Offer him a slice of pizza to start a conversation. 3. Be open to the idea that this would be an adventure.
I also would have never tried a mashed potato cone if I had not asked the girl in line with me at the grocery store what she was carrying in the aluminum foil that smelled so good. I would have gone my whole life without finding out my actual favorite food. I remain open to the possibility of more mashed potato cone moments.
This requires a certain level of situational awareness.
When I’m planning to visit a city I plan to visit an area and not just one spot. Of course, I am going to research the area so I have an idea of what sort of places I want to check out, but I leave lots of time to wander. This requires a certain level of situational awareness as well because if you’re going to roam around a city you do not know then you need to be aware of your surroundings and when you should turn around or keep going. Trust your gut, always.
I also don’t overly plan city visits. Instead, I choose a theme for each visit. For example, in Nashville, I did a “Munchies and Murals” visit where I just went searching for the coolest murals to take pictures with and tried all the food places my friends recommended. In New York, I might plan a “tourist trip” where I do all the things like Times Square, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty. Alternatively, I could do an “as seen in New York” visit where I search for iconic pop culture spots. I am planning my entire trip to Korea around cute cafes and K-Drama filming spots.
Although the Japanese Tea Garden is always a spectacular place to visit in San Francisco, it reaches a whole new level in March and April when the cherry blossoms (Azaleas, and Wisteria) are in bloom. It is easy to spend a day wandering the paths through the garden and enjoy the feast for the senses it creates. The cherry blossoms are a beautiful light pink that creates a softness that is in stark contrast to the rich dark pinks and reds of the Azaleas.
There are cherry blossom blooms on either side of the entrance to the garden, which was constructed without nails might I add! Luckily, the cherry tree that has the bigger bloom is located on the side of the entrance opposite the entry line making it the perfect spot to take a photo. If you’re traveling solo it’s very easy to get someone to take your photo or set up a tripod if that’s more your style. My roommates and I used a tripod to take our group picture a few times in the garden. Just be respectful of people walking around and enjoy capturing the beauty of it.
The entire garden is genuinely impressive. Its well-manicured lawns, perfectly preserved paths, unique architecture, and water features all create this incredible experience. It all flows seamlessly together but somehow every section feels unique and original. I notice something new every time I visit.
I personally love the Drum Bridge which is a half-circle bridge that you can climb over. Be careful though, it’s steeper than it looks! Another incredible piece of architecture is the five-story tall red Pagoda located at the back of the garden. They recently completed its restoration and it looks better (and redder) than ever. I also really love the koi pond, especially because the path is disconnected rocks that are fun to walk across.
I have not visited the tea garden with kids, but I often have kids in mind when I’m visiting a place in case I want to bring any of my little friends with me. This is a place where I would feel comfortable and excited about bringing them. Though, I would feel a little nervous about them falling into the koi pond, so just keep a close eye there. Something of note is the garden is not fully wheelchair or stroller accessible. There are clear signs at the entrance and throughout the park noting when the trail is steep or difficult to walk on.
Being such a popular tourist stop the garden tends to get quite crowded quickly, so it is advisable to go early to enjoy the blooms with fewer people. You can purchase tickets to just the Japanese Tea Garden for $16 (Adult/Weekend) or you can get a “Gardens of Golden Gate” pass for $28 (adult) which gives you entry to the tea garden, SF Botanical Garden, and the Conservatory of Flowers. The pass is good for three consecutive days. You can get free admission to the tea garden if are a resident of SF. You have to either have an SF address on your ID or you can show a utility bill.
I have never been to the actual tea house because I never felt like waiting in line. However, the prices online do not seem too unreasonable considering the experience, and it’s not something you would do every day. Usually, after visiting the gardens, I go to Japantown to get tea, and pastries, and do a little shopping. If you haven’t been to the store Daiso, there is one in Japantown. Trust me, it’s worth the drive. If you know, you know.
