Finding good food in the Bay Area isn’t hard, narrowing it down to places actually worth your time and money is. This guide focuses on restaurants in San Francisco, San Jose, and the surrounding Bay Area  that we’ve personally eaten at, enjoyed, and continue to return to. Every spot listed here is based on firsthand experience, not online hype or one-time visits. This list is intentionally selective and updated over time  as we discover new places we genuinely like. Some are

Getting around the Bay Area can feel confusing at first, especially since San Francisco, San Jose, and surrounding cities are spread out rather than centered around one core. This guide breaks down how the region is laid out, how people typically move between cities, and which transportation options make the most sense depending on where you’re staying. The sections below focus on practical, real-world considerations , including public transportation, regional transit systems

There’s no shortage of things to do in the Bay Area, but not every experience is equally enjoyable once you’re actually there. This guide focuses on San Francisco, San Jose, and nearby Bay Area destinations  we’ve personally explored, not just places that look good online or show up on every generic list. The experiences below are based on firsthand visits and how they felt in practice, from completely free ways to explore the cities to paid activities that felt worth the tim

Choosing where to stay in the Bay Area can be one of the most confusing parts of planning a trip, especially since San Francisco, San Jose, and nearby cities all offer very different experiences. This guide is meant to help narrow down which areas make the most sense to stay in , rather than review individual hotels in detail. While we haven’t stayed at every hotel mentioned here, the recommendations below are based on location, walkability, transportation access, and how pra

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

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 Bay Area spans multiple cities, each offering a very different 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. During large events like Super Bowl 60 , travel patterns across the Bay Area change significantly. Hotels fill up quickly, prices fluctuate, and transportation between San Francisco, San

We’ve explored San Francisco from every angle and made it our mission to find the best Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints . These 10 spots...

Looking for a compact, travel-tested camera setup that fits in a carry-on and delivers professional-quality images? As a BFA-trained...

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

First Timers Guide to Yellowstone National Park! How to Get There, Must See Attractions, and a Free Two Day Itinerary!

Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States of America, spring school trips, history-buff dads forcing their tired and hungry kids to stare at museums, monuments, and memorials they know or care nothing about. is truly a place like no other . But with so much to see, how do you make the most of your time? That’s where a well-planned Washington DC itinerary  comes in. If you’re anything like us, visiting a place with so much to see and experience can feel overwhelming.

Oahu is the most visited Hawaiian island and home to Honolulu, the capital city, and a hub of beaches, history, and adventure. Whether...

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

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Nu'uanu Pali Overlook Oahu, known as “The Gathering Place,” is the most visited of all the Hawaiian Islands, welcoming nearly 6 million...

The Hawaiian island Maui is extremely diverse in landscape! From the world's largest dormant volcano to a rainforest, Maui has a lot to...

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

Planning a trip to Rome can be overwhelming!! There are so many sites with rich history, amazing art, and great food it can be hard to...