Blog Posts From Worth Your Wallet

Is Big Bus San Francisco worth it? If you're looking for honest Big Bus Tours San Francisco reviews, we're sharing our firsthand experience using the city's popular hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus, including what we liked, what could be better, and how to get the most value from your ticket. We found that the Big Bus tour in San Francisco can be a surprisingly efficient way to see the city's top attractions without spending hours figuring out transportation. Rather than feelin

California is one of the most diverse travel destinations in the United States. From the cliffs of Big Sur and the coastal charm of Monterey to the iconic landmarks of San Francisco and the theme parks of Los Angeles, the state offers an incredible range of experiences within a single road trip. Because California is so large, planning a trip can feel overwhelming at first. The best way to approach it is by thinking about the state in regions , each offering its own landscape

The Heavenly Gondola in South Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular ways to get panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, but is it actually worth the price? In this Heavenly Gondola review, we’re sharing our experience riding the 2.4-mile scenic gondola in mid-July, including the views, activities at the top, and whether it’s worth the cost. Along the way, you’ll find observation points overlooking the lake, and at the top, there are hiking trails, restaurants, and summer activities li

Let's Glow SF 2026 is returning to downtown San Francisco from December 4–13, bringing colorful animated light projections to some of the city's most iconic buildings! This free holiday light festival has become one of our favorite San Francisco Christmas traditions, and after attending in previous years, we're sharing our review, favorite displays, and tips for planning a festive night out. During our 2025 visit, we turned Let's Glow SF into a full night out, walking between

The Hotel del Coronado is one of San Diego's most iconic beachfront resorts, known for its historic Victorian architecture, beautiful location on Coronado Beach, and luxury resort experience. We stayed at the hotel in early December to experience both the resort and its popular holiday festivities, including the massive Christmas tree in the lobby and seasonal pop-ups throughout the property. With a history dating back to 1888, the Hotel del Coronado attracts visitors year-ro

Is the Sheraton Universal Hotel worth staying at for a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood? We spent two nights here during a December weekend getaway to experience Grinchmas and the holiday festivities at Universal CityWalk. With most of our time planned around the theme park, we wanted a hotel that was comfortable, convenient, and close enough to avoid dealing with LA traffic. The Sheraton Universal Hotel is one of the few hotels within walking distance of Universal Studios

Christmas at Universal Studios Hollywood returns November 21, 2026, through January 3, 2027, bringing festive decorations, seasonal entertainment, and holiday experiences throughout the park. This year's celebration includes returning favorites like Grinchmas and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, along with the all-new Illumination's Merry Minions experience. We visited Universal Studios Hollywood during the Christmas season ourselves, and we're updating this

The Nevada City Victorian Christmas Market returns in 2026, transforming this historic Northern California Gold Rush town into a festive, Dickens-inspired Christmas village. Hosted by the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, this beloved holiday tradition fills downtown streets with artisan vendors, Victorian-costumed performers, Christmas carolers, festive food, and twinkling holiday lights. Nevada City Victorian Christmas 2026 takes place December 6, 9, 13, 16, and 20, with thr

In this National Exchange Hotel review, we're sharing our experience staying at one of Nevada City's most charming historic hotels, including the rooms, Victorian-era atmosphere, and a few quirks worth knowing before booking. Originally built in 1856, this beautifully restored boutique hotel sits in the heart of downtown Nevada City, making it a convenient home base for exploring California's Gold Country. We stayed at the National Exchange Hotel during Nevada City's Victoria

Christmas in San Francisco is one of our absolute favorite times of the year, and after spending previous Decembers exploring Bay Area Christmas lights, holiday markets, Victorian-themed fairs, and waterfront celebrations, we couldn't wait to update this guide for 2026. The city comes alive in a way that's hard to capture unless you've been here, from holiday music filling Union Square and the scent of festive treats at the Dickens Fair to colorful light projections illuminat

The San Francisco Bay Area spans multiple cities, each offering a very different travel experience. San Francisco, San Jose, and the surrounding region aren’t organized around a single center, which makes planning where to stay, how to get around, and what to prioritize more important than it might seem at first. Travel patterns across the Bay Area can shift significantly during peak seasons, major events, conferences, and holiday weekends. Hotels fill up quickly, prices fluc

After exploring San Francisco and the Marin Headlands from nearly every angle, these are the Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints we return to, and the places we take friends and family when they visit. Each location offers something different. Some provide the classic bridge-and-skyline photograph, while others place you directly beneath the towers, along a rugged beach, or beside the waters of San Francisco Bay. This guide will help you choose the best Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint

Looking for the best food at the San Francisco Ferry Building? This iconic waterfront marketplace is home to some of the city's most popular food vendors, restaurants, and specialty shops. But with so many places to eat, it can be hard to know what's actually worth trying. We visited the San Francisco Ferry Building to sample the food, explore the marketplace, and see which spots live up to the hype. From quick bites and local specialties to sit-down restaurants, we'll share

Muir Woods National Monument is one of the most popular nature destinations near San Francisco, known for its towering coastal redwood trees and easy-to-walk forest trails. Located just 30–45 minutes north of the city in Marin County , it’s an accessible day trip for visitors who want a break from the city without venturing far. While you don’t need a reservation to enter Muir Woods , you do need one if you plan to park a car or take the shuttle . This guide breaks down eve

With California's Great America expected to close after the 2027 season, you might be searching for California's Great America reviews to decide whether this Bay Area theme park is still worth visiting before it's gone. Located in Santa Clara, California, Great America has been a longtime destination for roller coasters, family rides, and summer fun. But is it worth spending the time and money on one last trip? We visited California's Great America, and in this firsthand revi

One of the most unexpected free things to do in Los Angeles is joining a live TV audience, and yes, it’s completely legitimate. We signed up for audience tickets through On-Camera Audiences , showed up to a real studio taping, and ended up spending a day watching television get made from behind the scenes. If you’ve ever seen the phrase “This program films one day a week in front of a live studio audience” and wondered how people actually get those seats, this post breaks it

Whale watching is one of the most unforgettable things to do in San Diego, especially during blue whale season. We headed out on the water hoping to catch a glimpse of the largest animals on Earth, and quickly realized just how rare and incredible this experience truly is. Each year from mid-June through September, blue whales migrate through the waters off the coast of San Diego to feed on krill. These massive marine mammals can grow over 70 feet long and weigh more than 200

Trying to decide between the Alcatraz day tour and night tour? Both take you inside the famous former prison and include the Cellhouse audio tour, but the experience is surprisingly different. The day tour offers more flexibility to explore the island at your own pace, while the night tour features smaller crowds, a more atmospheric setting, and special evening programs that aren't offered during the day. So, which is better, and is the Alcatraz night tour worth the extra cos

Universal Studios Hollywood Globe Los Angeles, California, home to movie stars, $30 smoothies, and some of the country’s most iconic...

Is the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City worth staying at for a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood? Its location is one of the biggest selling points, with the theme park within walking distance and a complimentary shuttle available. However, there are some additional costs to consider, especially if you're bringing a car or expecting breakfast to be included. Parking at the Hilton Universal City isn't free, and breakfast generally costs extra unless it's included in your bo