California campgrounds: There is an astounding variety of places to camp in California, from oceanfront sites with a view, to campsites under the redwoods and much, much more. In order to explore more of these beautiful places, we got a travel trailer several years ago and take our two kids on as many adventures as possible, mostly to California campgrounds. Here are 20 campgrounds in amazing locations that we’ve enjoyed from Central to Northern California. A quiet stay with birds and rabbits at Basalt Campground One important point about camping in California is that the best campgroun ..read more

North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve If you’re in Northern California, you need to add this hike to your spring to-do list! Wildflowers and unusual geography combine to make an unforgettable hiking experience at North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve. Photo credit: Anthonysthwd, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsWhat is North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve? North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, also called simply Table Mountain, is located about 1.5 hours north of Sacramento. This unique landscape was shaped by volcanic activity millions of years ago. It sits on top of a massive lava ..read more

If you love architecture like I do, you must put the Jerónimos Monastery on your list of things to do in Lisbon! It’s an easy day trip from Lisbon and should be combined with a stop at the Tower of Belém, the Monument to the Discoveries, and the famous Fábrica de Pasteis de Belém, where you can buy the pastry pastel de Belém. Learn all about this beautiful monument, the Jerónimos Monastery Belém: The outside of the Hieronymite Monastery BelémHow much does the Jerónimos Monastery cost to enter? Entrance to the monastery is 10 Euros per adult, kids up to age 12 are free, kids 13-18 get a 50% di ..read more

Updated for Northern California December 2022: Winter is an amazing time to be in Northern California! There may be the occasional rainy day, but there are plenty of sunny days perfect for exploring. The holiday spirit can be felt everywhere, and there are still beautiful fall colors in early December. In my opinion, these are the best things to do in Northern California in December. Check out all my California Travel Tips or these articles:  Favorite Things to Do in Northern CA What to do in Napa Valley What to do in the Monterey Bay area What to do in Lake Tahoe What to do in San ..read more

Like many people during lockdown, I made a lot of changes in my home, one of which was getting an entirely new bed set. I decided to get this beautiful bed frame and nightstands and splurged on a nice mattress, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, as you can see in this Tuft & Needle mint mattress review.  Click the photos to shop: Turn on your JavaScript to view content So happy with my new bed, the Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress & West Elm frame + nightstands While researching mattresses, there were two factors that I didn’t want to compromise. First, I wanted a ..read more

  Cooling off at Edwards Crossing near Nevada City (Updated for 2023) Summer in Northern California means that the heat has arrived, but only in some areas — the coast is already in its summer mode with cool temperatures and plenty of cloud cover and fog. But no matter the weather, it definitely feels like summer around here. Kids are getting out of school, outdoor concert series have begun, and farmers markets are bursting with berries and stone fruits. Everywhere you go, you can find free things to do: farmers markets, outdoor concerts, Pride events and morning hikes. If possible, avoi ..read more

  There are so many wonderful places to travel in Oregon, especially if you love the great outdoors! In this article, we’ll take a look at a loop through Southern Oregon from the Southern Oregon coast to Crater Lake and then Ashland. This camping trip in Southern Oregon needs about 7-10 days and is very doable if, like us, you’re coming from Northern California. Here’s why we loved this Southern Oregon camping trip. Why plan a Southern Oregon camping trip? First of all, if you don’t know about Oregon parks, let me fill you in. They are really nice … much nicer than California parks! The O ..read more

  Have you ever thought about moving to Canada? Like many Americans who have become disillusioned with life in the U.S., I’ve looked into moving to Canada. I’m excited to bring you another installment of my Living Abroad series with an interview with my friend Murissa about life in the Okanagan Valley. What’s it like to live in the Okanagan Valley area of British Columbia? You can find Murissa on Instagram, her YouTube channel, podcast The Okanagan Food Show, and blog The Wanderfull Traveler. Life in the Okanagan Valley: An interview with Murissa I’m Murissa and live in Kelowna, British C ..read more

  Have you been to Lassen National Park? It’s surprisingly unknown even here in California! But with jaw-dropping views, volcanoes and painted hills, and memorable hikes, it’s well worth a visit.  The Cinder Cone Hike at Lassen National Park is one of our favorite travel memories. Here’s why we loved this Lassen National Park hike with kids. It’s great for kids and teens. It’s a serious workout! It can easily be done in half a day. The views are a-ma-zing. It’s perfect for learning about volcanoes & geology. How long does the Cinder Cone hike take? If you stay at the Manzanita La ..read more