Plus: your favorite reads of 2025 ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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Where’s Jessie B.

Unique travel ideas in California, every month or so.

Hey there, fellow traveler. Long time no see.

As I write this, I’m sitting in Soleil, one of my favorite little cafes in San Francisco. It’s nothing hip and hyped on social media like Hedge, or well-known like Blue Bottle or Philz, but it’s on the sunny side of the street. And in Fog City, that counts for a lot.

Being January and all, I’m also feeling reflective—especially since 2025 has been a big year for this small but growing brand.

BACK TO THE BEGINNING: THE ORIGIN STORY

Honestly, I decided to launch Where’s Jessie B. after a big shift in my full-time role at Afar Media (where, yes, I still work!). Although many friends assume I’m a writer or editor, I’ve actually spent most of my career as an SEO and website manager. While Afar was short-staffed during the pandemic, I jumped in to write the occasional article and eventually launched their video program.

Those side quests led me to discover two things: (1) I love video as a medium and (2) of all the destinations I got to see, I was always most passionate + excited to write about my adopted home state of California. So after several years of diving into the California travel scene as a journalist, it was heartbreaking to be told I was no longer needed for those projects.

Of course, I was sad. But I also recognized it as an opportunity to channel that creative energy into something of my own—especially since there are so many more California travel tips, intel, and ideas that I want to share with you than any national publication could ever have room for. It’s a big, amazing state—how could I possibly share it all in 2,000 words per month?

LAUNCH + MOMENTUM: WHERE WE ARE TODAY

So in 2024, I launched and re-branded Where’s Jessie B. But 2025 was the year I doubled down and really grew it. from fledgling website to full-on travel brand + celebrated some pretty amazing wins (I still can’t believe some of these!)

  • WJB has grown to over 30K+ visitors per month on the website

  • + over 5K on Instagram (thank you for following!)

  • My travel gift guide outranked the New York Times (!!) in search

  • Had *so* much fun collaborating with Ryan + Mimi of Dos Punks on a new, groovy logo

  • Launched a travel advisor service 

  • Officially broke $15K in revenue

On a more personal note, Jon and I bought our first home in late 2024, and (after a New Years trip to Japan + Hong Kong) spent 2025 getting to know our new home in North Lake Tahoe. Worry not: We’ve kept our San Francisco apartment and have spent much of last year creating a routine between our two homes. In a way, it’s made me feel reenergized about all the adventures California has to offer that I’ve yet to take, even after living here for 12 years.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN 2026

But we’re not stopping here, baybee. I’m so excited for what’s to come in 2026, and I hope you all are ready to follow along for the journey too. Here’s what you can expect from Where’s Jessie B. in 2026:

// More California guides + travel ideas, especially from Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevadas!

// Did someone say events? More to come, but I’m experimenting with some IRL offerings that will help you all explore lesser-known parts of California, easily.

// Bringing back the intel on happenings around California, both in the newsletter + on Instagram.

// A new video series that I’m very excited to share with you all on IG + TikTok.

// More time in nature and on the bike, including (hopefully) an epic bikepacking adventure this summer

Peace out,

Jessie B.

This might be my favorite photo of the year. Hong Kong, Jan ‘25, Not AI. 😂

 

ICYMI: YOUR FAVORITE READS OF 2025

TRIP IDEAS

➛ My 12 Favorite, Charming Small Towns to Visit in NorCal
➛ 9 Easy Weekend Getaways from San Francisco
➛ How to Find a Last-Minute Campsite in California

DESTINATION GUIDES

➛ Healdsburg
➛ Tomales Bay
➛ Guerneville
➛ Paso Robles
➛ Santa Ynez Valley
➛ Muir Woods
➛ Sea Ranch

HOTEL <3

➛ 7 Beautiful Hotels in California Worth Planning a Trip Around
➛ 12 Boutique Hotels to Book for Your Next Trip to San Francisco

SOME OF MY FAVE HOTELS I REVIEWED THIS YEAR

➛ Geneseo Inn, Paso Robles
➛ Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe
➛ Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa, Lodi
➛ Poetry Inn, Napa
➛ Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale
➛ Blue Ruby Farm, Sierra Foothills / Brown Valley

 

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➛ Respond to this email to get in touch. 😎

 

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Where’s Jessie B.

Where's Jessie B., P.O Box 2438, Olympic Valley, CA, USA

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