Explore local + lesser-known parts of California

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Whether it’s a new take on an iconic spot, or an off-the-beaten-path place you’ve never heard of. Plus: the occasional detour elsewhere around the world.

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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.

About Jessie B.

ARTICLES

I cover three main topics:

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

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

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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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.

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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.

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Start Planning Your Trip to California

Featured
Don’t Ski or Snowboard? 12 Winter Activities in Tahoe to Do Instead
Don’t Ski or Snowboard? 12 Winter Activities in Tahoe to Do Instead

Don’t ski or snowboard? You can still have a fun winter getaway in Tahoe. Here’s how.

How to Spend 3 Days in Sea Ranch, California
How to Spend 3 Days in Sea Ranch, California

Use this 3-day travel itinerary to Sea Ranch, California to plan a weekend getaway to the area, complete with recommendations on where to eat, stay, and things to do.

You Can Spend the Night in a Vineyard at This Charming Paso Robles Hotel
You Can Spend the Night in a Vineyard at This Charming Paso Robles Hotel

At Geneseo Inn, you can spend the night on a working winery in Paso Robles.

10 Thanksgiving Trip Ideas in California for a Quick, November Getaway
10 Thanksgiving Trip Ideas in California for a Quick, November Getaway

Want to travel in California instead of going home for Thanksgiving? Same. Here are some of my favorite destinations I’ve visited in California during Thanksgiving over the years.

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.

California’s Cowgirl Cool Wine Region: A Travel Guide to Santa Ynez Valley
California’s Cowgirl Cool Wine Region: A Travel Guide to Santa Ynez Valley

This underrated wine region might be one of California’s coolest. With creative, small wineries, cowgirl-cool vibes, and plenty of great food and drinks, it makes for a fun-filled getaway. Here are my top picks for a trip there.

New Design, Menus, and More Make The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe Even Better Than Before
New Design, Menus, and More Make The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe Even Better Than Before

North Lake Tahoe’s most luxurious hotel, The Ritz, just got a welcome upgrade with fresh, more modern decor, a larger bar space, and tasty updates to their menu at Manzanitas.

Want to Save on a Local Getaway? These Hotels All Give Discounts to Californian Residents
Want to Save on a Local Getaway? These Hotels All Give Discounts to Californian Residents

Here’s a running list of hotels in California that give a discount to locals and residents of the state.

Beyond California…

Featured
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.

11 Destinations Ideas for Solo Female Travelers
11 Destinations Ideas for Solo Female Travelers

Planning a solo trip this year? Here are 11 solo travel ideas, based off trips I’ve taken, along with tips on how to make the most of them on your own.

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.