California travel inspo & guides—with a local twist.

A serene coastal landscape with a rocky cliff on the left, dense green foliage, and clear blue water extending to the horizon. A small boat with an awning is on the water. Distant mountain silhouettes are visible under a clear sky. Borneo, Malaysia

* Plus, the occasional detour away from CA.

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Woman sitting outside a glamping tent at night under a starry sky at Under Canvas, Zion National Park
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Hi! I’m Jessie B.
your well-traveled friend.

I’ve spent more than a decade working in travel media, living in San Francisco, and road-tripping my way through California’s coolest small towns, scenic spots,, and iconic-for-a-reason places. Thanks to my industry connections, my inbox is always full of insider tips on new openings, underrated destinations, and unique travel experiences—and I’m here to share the best of it with you.

If you’re into offbeat adventures, great food and wine, charming hotels, and discovering what makes California so unapologetically California—you’re in the right place.

Blog

On this blog, I cover three main topics:

People on a boat near Kyoto Japan

Unique places

Go beyond the tourist hot spots in popular destinations, or travel somewhere totally unexpected.

→ Visit Japan’s Art Islands
→ Ever Been to Malta?
→ Skip Cabo, Go Here Instead

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Beautiful hotels

No bland chain hotels here. Just beautiful, welcoming properties with a sense of place.

→ Sea Ranch Lodge, California
→ Villa-des-Prés, Paris
→ Fave Hotels in California

Open Tortuga Backapck with neatly packed clothes and accessories on a wooden floor.

Useful travel gear

Don’t let your bags bog you down. Find honest travel gear recs and packing lists for any adventure.

→ My Go-To Travel Backpack
→ 9 Essential Travel Accessories
→ Mexico Packing List

Insider Travel Intel + Ideas

Join my newsletter, get two off-the-beaten-path travel ideas, every other week.

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Love travel, hate planning?

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Articles + Guides

Get intel on where to travel next, beautiful boutique hotels you can’t miss, plus itineraries and packing lists to prepare for your trip.

Smartphone displaying a Google Maps screen with a list titled 'Healdsburg (Sonoma)' showing various locations marked on the map. The description mentions planning a trip to Healdsburg, highlighting wineries, restaurants, bars, hotels, and activities. Option to save the list is visible. Thumbnail images show vineyard and wine bottle labels. Yellow background.

Google Map Lists

Instantly access all of my recommendations, right from your Google Map app with these downloadable Google Map lists.

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Trip Planning

Whether you just want to chat and get expert advice, or have your entire trip planned and booked for you, I’m here to help.

Start Planning Your Trip to California

Featured
These 9 Weekend Getaway Destinations Are All Within 3 Hours of San Francisco
These 9 Weekend Getaway Destinations Are All Within 3 Hours of San Francisco

Looking for an easy getaway from San Francisco? From the coast and wine country to an off-the-beaten path spots in the Sierra Nevadas, here are some of my favorite weekend getaway spots in Northern California—all within 3 hours of the city.

6 Beautiful Boutique Hotels to Book in Healdsburg, California
6 Beautiful Boutique Hotels to Book in Healdsburg, California

I absolutely love the boutique hotel scene in Healdsburg, California. Here’s where I’d recommend staying on your next trip to this charming small town in Sonoma.

I Spent the Night at Napa’s Most Scenic Hotel—Here’s What It’s Actually Like
I Spent the Night at Napa’s Most Scenic Hotel—Here’s What It’s Actually Like

Poetry Inn in Napa is a luxurious and intimate bed and breakfast with stunning views of wine country.

There’s a Playful, New Hotel in Sunnyvale—And It’s Perfect for a Bay Area Staycation
There’s a Playful, New Hotel in Sunnyvale—And It’s Perfect for a Bay Area Staycation

This new hotel, Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, is perfect for a sunny staycation in the Bay.

The Chill California Town I Come Back to Every Summer—And How to Spend a Weekend There
The Chill California Town I Come Back to Every Summer—And How to Spend a Weekend There

This small town of Guerneville in Northern California is one of my favorite places for a summer getaway—thanks to its location on the Russian River. After years of visiting, here are my top picks for things to do, where to eat, and where to stay.

The Perfect Weekend Getaway to Healdsburg, California
The Perfect Weekend Getaway to Healdsburg, California

Healdsburg is one of my favorite small towns for a wine country getaway. Here’s how to plan the perfect trip there, according to a local who has spent many weekends there.

I Live in San Francisco and These Are My Favorite, Charming Small Towns to Visit in NorCal
I Live in San Francisco and These Are My Favorite, Charming Small Towns to Visit in NorCal

From small towns rooted in the state’s pioneer past, to wine country gems with food and beverage scene to rival California’s major cities, here are 12 of the most charming small towns in Northern California.

The Perfect Weekend Getaway in Paso Robles, California
The Perfect Weekend Getaway in Paso Robles, California

Paso Robles is an underrated wine region in California. Here’s how to plan a weekend trip to the Central Californian town and region.

Beyond California…

Featured
Don’t Visit Malta in the Summer. Here’s Why You Should Visit in the Fall Instead
Don’t Visit Malta in the Summer. Here’s Why You Should Visit in the Fall Instead

This little-known festival is a great reason to visit Malta in October.

Japan’s Most Incredible Art Isn’t Where You’d Expect—Here’s How to Visit Its “Art Island”
Japan’s Most Incredible Art Isn’t Where You’d Expect—Here’s How to Visit Its “Art Island”

Naoshima is one of Japan’s art islands, located in the Seto Inland Sea. In this guide, I’ll share how to get to this off-the-beaten-path destination, as well as everything you’ll need—from hotels and restaurant recommendations to tips on getting the most out of the island’s art scene—to plan a trip here.

Is It Rude to Tip in Japan?
Is It Rude to Tip in Japan?

You may have heard that tipping isn’t common in Japan but is it considered rude? Find out.

6 Design-Forward Boutique Hotels for Every Budget in Paris
6 Design-Forward Boutique Hotels for Every Budget in Paris

Looking for a beautiful, design-forward hotel in Paris, France? Here are 6 of my favorite options, with choices that range from budget to splurge.

This Charming Small Town in Mexico is Baja’s Best-Kept Secret. Here’s How to Visit.
This Charming Small Town in Mexico is Baja’s Best-Kept Secret. Here’s How to Visit.

Forget Cabo, this charming small town in Mexico’s Baja California Sur should be top of your list for your next beach vacation.

Everywhere We Stayed While Hiking on Japan’s Kumano Kodo Trail
Everywhere We Stayed While Hiking on Japan’s Kumano Kodo Trail

While hiking the Kumano Kodo Trail in Japan, deciding where to stay was just as important as knowing where we’d be stopping each day on our hike. Here is everywhere we stayed along the way.

A Mexico Beach Trip Packing List for Carry-On Only Travelers
A Mexico Beach Trip Packing List for Carry-On Only Travelers

Use this simple, carry-on friendly packing list to prepare for your next beach getaway to Mexico.

Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling to Malta
Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling to Malta

Use this Malta and Gozo travel guide to plan your trip to Malta, along with travel tips and highlights from a former expat in Malta.