Big Sur

The mystical California coastline between Santa Barbara and Carmel-by-the-Sea is a blend of dreamy mountains, jagged clliffs, stunning vistas and zero cell phone service. Connected by Route 1, this is the road-trip of a lifetime.

Big Sur is book-ended by Santa Barbara and Carmel-by-the-Sea, both worth stopovers on their own. Santa Barbara has incredible wine bars and Carmel-by-the Sea is an adorable storybook town.

EAT

Brass Bear Brewing and Bistro Craft beers at a casual eatery in downtown Santa Barbara.

Deetjens Restaurant

Nepenthe Enjoy dramatic views over lunch.

DRINK

Dawn’s Dream Winery Family-owned winery in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Area 5.1 Cool winery in Santa Barbara.

PLAY

Bixby Bridge The emblem of Big Sur.

Elephant Seal Vista Point Just outside San Simeon, park and get out at this view point to observe elephant seals sleeping on the beach.

Esalen Institute Hot Springs This healing center offers public bathing in its hot springs between 1am and 3am every night. Reservations must be made day-of, and are released each morning on their website at 9am.

Hearst Castle Located in San Simeon, book a tour or admire from afar.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Home to redwood trees and good for hiking.

Pismo Beach Spend a morning here and admire the beautiful, monarch butterflies.

Point Lobos State National Reserve Spend a morning or afternoon at this wild reserve.

McWay Falls An 80-foot-tall waterfall flowing year-round into the Pacific Ocean.

Solveng This Danish-style town is a delightful stop along the way from Santa Barbara to Pismo Beach. Visit any local pastry shop.

STAY

Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn Rustic, country-style inn and cabins. Recommended by a friend.

Ragged Point Inn Absolutely amazing views.

Treebones Restort Yurt-style glamping. Book way in advance. Recommended by a friend.

Big Sur

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Washington, DC

America’s capital is much more than the politics that fuel it. DC’s wide avenues, parks and green spaces, and free national museums and memorials make it especially deserving of a weekend (or week!) away.

Spring and fall are lovely in DC, while the summer is sweltering. The spring is spectacular when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom along the River Basin and Jefferson Memorial.

If staying for a few days, purchase a SmarTrip card to use the Metro and bus system. Metro fares are discounted with the card.

Nearly all of the Smithsonian Museums are free!

EAT

Ben’s Chili Bowl A historic spot serving up late night chili and hot dogs. Obama is a fan!

Bistrot du Coin The best mussels and fries in Dupont.

Lapis Chic and cozy Afghan bistro in Adams Morgan.

Matchbox Home-grown, fancy pizza chain. Try the mini burgers.

Old Ebbitt Grill Steps from the White House, this restaurant is a DC institution and known for its oysters

Perry’s Book the Sunday drag brunch.

Rasika Delicious Indian food with locations in West End and Penn Quarter.

Sakuramen Ramen Bar Tiny spot in Adams Morgan.

Thai X-ing Traditional Thai food in a charming row house on Florida Avenue.

Zorba’s Cafe Casual Greek restaurant in Dupont Circle.

DRINK

American Ice Company Trendy, industrial style bar on V Street.

The Blaguard Local dive in Adams Morgan that is one of the best pubs in the world.

Brixton Three-story British style pub with a roof deck.

Marvin Good music and dancing on U Street.

Masa 14 Asian-Latin fusion restaurant with a hip roof deck bar.

Nellie’s Sports Bar Late night fun.

PLAY

Botanic Garden Smithsonian greenhouse next to the Capital.

Capital Crescent Trail Walk or bike this 11 mile trail along the historic C & O Canal.

Capital Building and White House Tours Book through your local congressional office.

Crumbs & Whiskers Adorable cat cafe in Georgetown. All of the cats are rescues.

Eastern Market Local produce, meat and art in Capital Hill.

Georgetown Internationally known for it’s University (and cupcakes!), spend time walking the cobble-stoned streets of this charming, historic neighborhood.

Holocaust Memorial Museum A national, free museum where visitors can learn about genocide, the Holocaust and remember its victims. A very moving experience.

Meridian HIll Park A terraced, urban park with statues and fountains.

The National Mall Tour the different memorials here and do not miss the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial.

Nationals Park Catch a home baseball game at the Nationals’ stadium near Navy Yard.

National Museum of Natural History The jewel of the Smithsonian museum network. The Hope Diamond is on display!

National Portrait Gallery Smithsonian in the Penn Quarter.

Newseum Interactive, seven-story museum promoting freedom of speech and the American First Amendment. It takes visitors through the evolution of communication. This museum is private and not part of the Smithsonian network.

Rock Creek Park Hike or bike through this park running through the heart of the capital.

STAY

DC is relatively small and there are many good neighborhoods. To be close to food, shopping and nightlife, look for a hotel in Georgetown, Dupont or Penn Quarter (though it will come at a cost).

For a more authentic, local experience, we recommend staying at an Airbnb in Adams Morgan or Capital Hill. Adams Morgan is a diverse, bohemian area while Capital Hill is close to the National Mall and museums.

Washington, DC

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Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is the jewel of Baja California. Come for the sunshine and clear Pacific waters, and stay for the fantastic Mexican food!

The airport is a 45 minute drive from Cabos San Lucas. Take a taxi on arrival or arrange pick-up through your hotel or resort.

While many places will accept USD, keep small bills handy for tipping, souvenirs and boat tours. Alternatively, take out pesos from an ATM on arrival.

EAT

Hacienda Cocina y Cantina Celebrate something special here. The views of the beach, water and sunset are stunning and the food is excellent.

Koi This hole in the wall serves amazingly fresh sushi. Recommended by a friend.

Los Claros Tasty and cheap tacos!

Los Tres Gallos Romantic, old world Mexican restaurant.

DRINK

Bar Esquina Attached to Bahia Hotel, this place comes alive at night and is a hip hang.

Mango Deck Restaurant & Beach Bar Chill spot for sunset and happy hour drinks on Medano Beach.

PLAY

Medano Beach

Pelican's Rock and Lover's Beach Accessible only by water taxi, a round trip to this iconic spot will set you back $5 a person.

Snorkel and catamaran cruise We had a great afternoon cruise with SunRider Tours, and have heard excellent things about Cabo San Lucas Tours.

STAY

Avoid the spring break crowds and stay at a boutique hotel or classy resort near Medano Beach. Check out the Bahia Hotel and Beach House or its neighbor, the slightly more upscale Casa Dorada.

Cabo San Lucas

Guanacaste

Guanacaste is the northwestern-most province in Costa Rica. The region is incredibly diverse, boasting volcanoes and green mountains, dense rain forests and airy deciduous forests, lush sugarcane fields and peaceful beaches.

Liberia Airport is the gateway to Guanacaste and offers daily direct flights from major US cities.

Costa Ricans are known for their kindness and laid back personalities. They live by the code of “pura vida” and love using this term in greeting and farewell.

A quarter of the roads in Costa Rica are paved, making long distance travel bumpy and occasionally painful. While many areas are accessible without four-wheel drive, if you are renting a car reserve a four-wheel drive vehicle.

All beaches in Costa Rica are public, meaning that locals and neighbors are welcome on the beach connected to your resort. This is a boon as you will get a better priced massage on the beach than the resort spa.

EAT

Soda Viquez Excellent, traditional Costa Rican food in La Fortuna.

DRINK

Imperial The most popular beer in Costa Rica, Imperial is a home grown, American-style lager. It claims to be the world’s first “water positive” beer, meaning that it conserves water throughout the brewing process.

PLAY

Arenal Volcano National Park While Arenal has been active since 1968, hiking along its base is safe and offers extraordinary views on a clear day.

Balsa River whitewater rafting Admire the magic of Arenal’s forests while white water rafting class II and III rapids in the Rio Balsa.

Buena Vista del Rincon An eco and wellness adventure park near Ricon de la Vieja National Park that offers canopy zip-lining, horseback riding, natural hot springs and mud baths.

STAY

We loved the Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa and Resort near Arenal. While a bit outside of La Fortuna town (10 minute cab ride), it had lovely views of the volcano and a heated thermal water pool.

In Guanacaste we stayed at Dreams Las Mareas, an all-inclusive beach-side resort a few miles from the Honduran border and 1.5 hours from Liberia airport. While the property and our room were lovely, the food was ok. There are many other beach resorts in Guanacaste, but if you are looking for a more authentic trip we heard excellent things about Tamarindo, a coastal town in southern Guanacaste.

Guanacaste

Hawaii (The Big Island)

The largest, youngest and driest of Hawaii’s islands, The Big Island has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, miles of lava fields and active volcanos. It is still growing from eruptions and lava flows from the Mauna Loa and Kiluaea volcanoes.

Fly in and out of the Kona International Airport, located just 15 kilometers from Kona’s town center.

A rental car is needed to get from place to place.

EAT

Punalu’u Bake Shop Pick up malasada donuts from this bakery in Na’alehu on your way to Volcanoes National Park. These sugary, pillowy balls of goodness were brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants.

South Side Shaka Restaurant & Bar A simple restaurant and bar along Mamalahoa Highway in Na’alehu serving up authentic Hawaiian comfort food. It calls itself the “most southern bar in the USA”.

DRINK

Kona Blue Sky Coffee A shop and roastery in Holualoa offering tastings and tours of the tiny plantation next to the shop.

Kona Brewing Company Craft beer microbrewery in Kailua-Kona. Also has good food!

PLAY

Anaeho'omalu “A-Bay” Beach A stunning white sand beach sprinkled with palm trees.

Body Glove Cruises’ This sunset, dinner cruise from Kailua-Kona to Kealakekua Bay and back features a local historian who shares background on Hawaii, the island and historic sites along the coast.

Hapuna Beach One of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Do not miss its bleached sand.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Holualoa Village An eclectic, artsy little village in the hills above Kailua-Kona. A special ukulele shop that offers ukulele-building workshops lives here.

Magic Sands Beach Local beach south of Kailua-Kona town. Sea turtle spotting here.

Mauna Kea A dormant volcano with astronomical observatories at the summit. Go for sunset and stay for a bit of star-gazing. Bundle up, because of the elevation the temperatures are incredibly cold!

Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site Ruins of temples built by King Kamehameha.

STAY

Stay in Kailua-Kona town if you want to be close to restaurants and night life. Or one of the numerous resorts that dot the coastline nearby.

For a more authentic experience, consider renting a home with a view in the hills. We stayed at Hale Akala in Holualoa, a charming and historic Hawaiian plantation home and guest cottage. The Hale Akala ranch and main house were built and owned by Lindsay’s ancestors in the 19th century.

Hawaii (The Big Island)

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