One of the best ways to get panoramic views of Lake Tahoe is from above, and the Heavenly Gondola in South Lake Tahoe is one of the easiest (and most popular) ways to do it. This scenic ride takes you 2.4 miles up the mountain , where you’ll find multiple observation points overlooking the lake, hiking trails, restaurants, and summer activities like zip lines, outdoor games, and the Heavenly Mountain Coaster . In the winter, it doubles as a gateway to a snow sports paradise.

Let’s Glow SF has become a new holiday tradition in San Francisco, with this year marking its fifth year in the city. Eight iconic buildings across downtown light up with animated projections, turning the area into a festive outdoor art walk. We’ve loved the energy it brings to the city over the years, and this time we wanted to make a full night out of it, walking between installations and stopping at nearby holiday-themed bars along the way. By mapping out the projection lo

The Hotel del Coronado  is one of California’s most historic beachfront resorts, a San Diego landmark that’s been welcoming guests since 1888. Located right on Coronado Beach , this property blends luxury with coastal charm and draws visitors year-round for its ocean views, high-end dining, and family-friendly atmosphere. We stayed here in early December to experience both the resort and its well-known holiday festivities, including the massive Christmas tree in the lobby and

We stayed at the Sheraton Universal Hotel during a December weekend trip centered around Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk’s Christmas lights. Since our plan was to spend nearly all our time at the park, convenience was the top priority, and the Sheraton sits just up the hill from Universal with both a free shuttle and a walkable path to the entrance. We paid $456.30 total for two nights , which came out to about $228 per night before taxes and fees . For a hotel locat

Universal Studios Hollywood transforms every winter into a park-wide holiday celebration filled with lights, music, and exclusive seasonal entertainment. The biggest highlights, Grinchmas  and The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle , bring special shows, character meet-and-greets, and festive décor that make the park feel completely different from any other time of year. We visited last holiday season and are updating this guide with 2025 pricing, hours, and seasonal offer

The Nevada City Victorian Christmas Market is one of Northern California’s most charming small-town holiday events, transforming this historic Gold Rush town into a Dickens-style Christmas village. Hosted by the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, the streets fill with artisans, vintage-costumed performers, carolers, mulled wine stands, and holiday lights, all creating a warm and nostalgic December atmosphere. This guide covers everything you need to know for 2025, including eve

The National Exchange Hotel in Nevada City , California, is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels west of the Rockies and remains the most atmospheric place to stay in Gold Country. Fully restored in recent years, the property blends Victorian-era architecture with modern touches, offering a boutique stay right in the center of downtown. We booked a stay here during the Nevada City Victorian Christmas Market , which made the experience even more immersive. The hotel

Christmas in San Francisco is one of our absolute favorite times of the year, and after spending last December hopping between light shows, Christmas markets, Victorian-themed fairs, and waterfront celebrations , we couldn’t wait to update this guide for 2025. The city comes alive in a way that’s hard to capture unless you’ve been here, street choirs echoing through Union Square, the scent of roasted chestnuts at the Dickens Fair, projection-mapped buildings glowing across do

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

We’ve explored San Francisco from every angle and made it our mission to find the best Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints . These 10 spots offer unique and diverse views of the bridge, and are where we take our friends and family when they visit. Whether you want a family photo or a dramatic sunset backdrop, these are our favorite places to see and photograph the Golden Gate Bridge! San Francisco Side Quick takeaway:  The San Francisco side gives you the most variety, from dramati

The San Francisco Ferry Building  is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, located along the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street. Originally built in 1898 as a major transit hub for ferries crossing San Francisco Bay, the building has gone through decades of change, including a period where it was partially hidden beneath an elevated freeway. Today, thanks to major renovations in 2003 and again in 2023, the Ferry Building has been transformed into a food-focused marke

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

If you’re searching for California’s Great America reviews or wondering whether this Bay Area theme park is still worth visiting, you’re not alone. With rising prices, limited recent park updates, and ongoing rumors about the park’s long-term future , many locals and visitors are questioning whether it’s still worth the time and money. We visited California’s Great America ourselves on a weekday to see how the park actually stacks up today. In this review, we’re breaking dow

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

Visiting Alcatraz Island  is one of the most popular things to do in San Francisco, but choosing the right  tour can make a big difference in your experience. The former prison is now part of the National Park Service, and the only way to visit is by ferry operated by Alcatraz City Cruises , which must be booked in advance. When purchasing tickets, you’ll need to choose between an Alcatraz day tour  or an Alcatraz night tour , and while both include ferry transportation and a

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

This is our full review of the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City , one of the closest hotels to Universal Studios Hollywood. We spent $351.82 for two nights in a king room, plus $99 for two nights of self-parking, and break down what you actually get for the price. The hotel is within walking distance of the park entrance, offers a free shuttle, and is about 35–50 minutes from LAX depending on traffic. If you’re considering this hotel for a Universal Studios trip, here’s eve

Planning a stay at Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown ? We spent one night here in a king room to see whether this IHG hotel is worth the price. We paid $305.61 for the room  plus a $54 valet parking fee , which is the only on-site parking option. The hotel sits in the heart of Downtown LA, surrounded by skyscrapers, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Popular spots like Crypto.com Arena , L.A. Live , The Broad , and the Fashion District  are all within a short drive,

Planning a trip to Monterey, California? This Monterey travel guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect visit, what to do, where to stay, how to get there, and whether Monterey is worth visiting.  Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a Highway 1 road trip, Monterey Bay offers coastal views, fresh seafood, scenic drives, and wildlife experiences you won’t find anywhere else. In this guide, you’ll find our best tips based on dozens of personal trips over the

Whale watching is one of our favorite things to do in Monterey, California , and it’s an experience we’ve now done multiple times. Every time family or friends visit, it’s the first activity we recommend, and we’ve seen whales on every single trip . Monterey Bay is one of the best places in California to spot whales in their natural habitat, making it a memorable experience for all ages. On this particular trip, Elijah’s parents were visiting from out of state, and we wanted