California travel ideas and inspo, from a local

Discover unique hotels, charming small towns, and detour-worthy restaurants and wineries throughout California. Plus: the occasional detour elsewhere around the world.

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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.

Read more →
A Weekend Travel Guide to California’s Santa Ynez Valley
A Weekend Travel Guide to California’s 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.

Read more →
7 Beautiful Boutique Hotels to Book in Paso Robles, California
7 Beautiful Boutique Hotels to Book in Paso Robles, California

Paso Robles has a surprising number of excellent—and often affordable—boutique hotels. Here are 7 of my favorites.

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Nevada City Is an Underrated, Charming Small Town in the Sierra Foothills. Here’s How to Visit.
Nevada City Is an Underrated, Charming Small Town in the Sierra Foothills. Here’s How to Visit.

This small mountain town in the Sierra foothills is worth more than a day trip. Here's a guide with what to do, where to eat, and places to stay in Nevada City, California to help you plan your next trip here.

Read more →
One of The Best Hotels to Book in Paso Robles is An Inn Built in 1889—Here’s What It Was Like to Stay There
One of The Best Hotels to Book in Paso Robles is An Inn Built in 1889—Here’s What It Was Like to Stay There

This historic hotel is older than the town it lives in—but has undergone a major renovation that has elevated the property. See what it’s like to stay at Paso Robles Inn.

Read more →
Paso Robles is One of California’s More Underrated Wine Regions. Here’s How to Spend a Weekend There
Paso Robles is One of California’s More Underrated Wine Regions. Here’s How to Spend a Weekend There

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

Read more →
14 Iconic Californian Foods, Plus Where to Try Them
14 Iconic Californian Foods, Plus Where to Try Them

Eat your way around California with this list of must-try, classically CA foods.

Read more →
The Perfect Weekend Getaway in Tomales Bay, California
The Perfect Weekend Getaway in Tomales Bay, California

This is one of the most beautiful places in Northern California. From where to stay to what to eat, here's your guide to planning a perfect weekend away in Tomales Bay and Point Reyes.

Read more →
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.

Read more →
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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.

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Hi! I’m Jessie B.
your well-traveled friend.

About Jessie B.

ARTICLES

With a focus on California, I mainly cover…

Where to travel in California

Go beyond the tourist hot spots and explore California like a local with my destination lists and guides.

→ Must-Do California Road Trips
→ Charming Small Towns in Northern California
→ Guide: Guerneville, California

Hotels worth booking

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

→ Review: Sea Ranch Lodge
→ Review: Paso Robles Inn
→ Best Hotels in San Francisco

Food, wine, and small businesses

I love good food, wine, and supporting small businesses—a common theme throughout my lists and guides.

→ Santa Ynez Valley is an Underrated Wine Region
→ 14 Iconic California Foods
→ Napa or Sonoma? Here’s What I’d Choose

NEWSLETTER

California travel inspo, in your inbox

Join hundreds of other subscribers for a monthly(ish) round-up of California travel ideas, events and happenings, new hotel openings, and more.

I moved to the Bay Area in 2014 and have been exploring the area ever since—I’ve biked or driven thousands of miles here in California, stopping for food, wine, and cute hotels along the way.

This ranges from iconic spots like Napa and Big Sur, to underrated gems like Guerneville and the Sierra Foothills.

Along the way, I’ve been photographing, taking videos, of, and documenting all of my favorite getaways—and what to do, eat, and drink once you’re there—compiled in this frequently updated list of San Francisco getaway ideas.

12 Weekend Getaways Within 3 Hours From San Francisco

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San Francisco Getaways List

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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.

Visit Blog
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.

Browse Maps
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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
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.

Read more →
A Weekend Travel Guide to California’s Santa Ynez Valley
A Weekend Travel Guide to California’s 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.

Read more →
Nevada City Is an Underrated, Charming Small Town in the Sierra Foothills. Here’s How to Visit.
Nevada City Is an Underrated, Charming Small Town in the Sierra Foothills. Here’s How to Visit.

This small mountain town in the Sierra foothills is worth more than a day trip. Here's a guide with what to do, where to eat, and places to stay in Nevada City, California to help you plan your next trip here.

Read more →
One of The Best Hotels to Book in Paso Robles is An Inn Built in 1889—Here’s What It Was Like to Stay There
One of The Best Hotels to Book in Paso Robles is An Inn Built in 1889—Here’s What It Was Like to Stay There

This historic hotel is older than the town it lives in—but has undergone a major renovation that has elevated the property. See what it’s like to stay at Paso Robles Inn.

Read more →
Paso Robles is One of California’s More Underrated Wine Regions. Here’s How to Spend a Weekend There
Paso Robles is One of California’s More Underrated Wine Regions. Here’s How to Spend a Weekend There

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

Read more →
14 Iconic Californian Foods, Plus Where to Try Them
14 Iconic Californian Foods, Plus Where to Try Them

Eat your way around California with this list of must-try, classically CA foods.

Read more →
The Perfect Weekend Getaway in Tomales Bay, California
The Perfect Weekend Getaway in Tomales Bay, California

This is one of the most beautiful places in Northern California. From where to stay to what to eat, here's your guide to planning a perfect weekend away in Tomales Bay and Point Reyes.

Read more →
5 California Road Trips You Should Take at Least Once in Your Life
5 California Road Trips You Should Take at Least Once in Your Life

Road tripping in California is so much more than the Pacific Coast Highway (though, of course, there’s that as well). Here are 5 essential Californian road trips to drive.

Read more →

Beyond California…

Featured
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.

Read more →
A Simple, Carry-On Friendly Mexico Beach Vacation Packing List
A Simple, Carry-On Friendly Mexico Beach Vacation Packing List

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

Read more →
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.

Read more →
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.

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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.

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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.

Read more →
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.

Read more →
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.

Read more →