Skagway ended up being our favorite port stop on our Alaska cruise, and a big reason why was time. Unlike other Alaska ports that feel rushed, Skagway gave us a full day from early morning until evening, which meant we could explore town at a relaxed pace and  still fit in a long, adventure-heavy excursion. We spent the morning wandering historic downtown, trying local food, and soaking in the Gold Rush atmosphere before heading out on our Chilkoot Trail hike and float tour.

Is $90 worth it to rent six pieces of clothing for a month? That’s the question I asked myself before placing my first Nuuly order. I had an upcoming weeklong Alaskan cruise and needed warm layers, cozy sweaters, and cold-weather staples, items I realistically wouldn’t wear again once I returned home. Buying brand-new pieces for a single trip felt wasteful (and expensive), especially for bulky cold-weather clothing that would sit in my closet the rest of the year. Renting se

Juneau was one of the ports we were most excited to visit on our Alaska cruise, mainly because it’s home to one of the most famous glaciers in the state. Instead of booking an expensive cruise-line excursion, we decided to explore independently by renting a car for the day, and it ended up being one of the best decisions of the trip. Because Juneau port days often start later in the day and run into the evening, time can feel more limited than it looks on the schedule. That

When our Alaska cruise docked in Skagway, we signed up for what was described as a scenic hike along part of the historic Chilkoot Trail, followed by a river float and a drive to the White Pass summit. It sounded like the perfect mix of light adventure and sightseeing, active, but not extreme. It ended up being the most memorable shore excursion of our Alaska cruise. What we expected to be a moderately active outing turned into a more immersive, off-the-beaten-path experienc

Flying in the day before our Alaska cruise ended up being one of the best decisions we made for the entire trip. Instead of stressing about delays or rushing straight from airport to port, we gave ourselves a full day to settle in, explore a little, and ease into vacation mode. Seattle turned out to be the perfect city for this, walkable, scenic, and full of tasty food stops that didn’t require reservations or tight planning. We landed early in the morning, headed straight in

Alaska cruises are one of the most efficient ways to experience multiple Alaskan destinations in a single trip, but planning the right one takes more strategy than most people expect. Your departure city, itinerary, ship, port times, and excursion choices can completely change the value of your trip. This hub is designed to make planning simpler by keeping all of our Alaskan cruise posts in one place. Each guide below focuses on one specific decision, whether that’s choosing

We sailed a 7-night Alaska itinerary aboard the Norwegian Encore to see how this large, modern ship actually performs on one of the most scenic (and weather-dependent) cruise routes in the world. Alaska cruises can look deceptively affordable at booking, but between add-ons, excursions, and onboard upsells, the experience can vary wildly depending on how you plan. This review focuses on what the Norwegian Encore was really like, pricing, cabin experience, food, onboard atmosp

Planning your first Alaska cruise can feel overwhelming, there are too many ships, too many itineraries, and a million add-ons that can quietly double the cost of your trip. We just completed our first Alaska cruise on the Norwegian Encore , and this guide breaks down everything we wish we had known before sailing. Inside, you’ll learn how to pick the right starting city  (Seattle vs Vancouver vs Anchorage-area ports), the best time of year  to go based on weather and pricing

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.

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

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