My home state of California truly has a little bit of everything from beautiful beaches and charming coastal towns to mountains, wine country, deserts, and some of my favorite national parks. Here you’ll find my California travel guides filled with favorite places to stay, things to do, scenic spots, and easy itineraries for exploring the Golden State.
California
From the mountains of Lake Louise ~ where I spent Mother’s Day 2026 with my two daughters ~ to Vancouver, ski trips in Whistler, and road trips all the way to Quebec, Canada is a country I’ve loved exploring over the years. With its incredible scenery, beautiful cities, and endless outdoor adventures, there is still so much of Canada I can’t wait to see!
canada
Glacier National Park is easily one of my favorite national parks in the United States ~ I’ve visited twice in my lifetime and already know I’ll keep finding reasons to return. With its dramatic mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, incredible hiking trails, and scenery that somehow gets better around every bend, it’s called the “Crown of the Continent” for very good reason!
Glacier National Park
Grand Teton National Park holds some of my happiest childhood memories ~ I lived just two hours away in Idaho from ages 9 to 16 and spent nearly every summer weekend in the Tetons. Rising so dramatically straight from the valley floor, these massive peaks somehow look like they should be the tallest mountains in the country, and even after all these years, that view still takes my breath away.
Grand teton National Park
Massachusetts has become another special place for our family since our son moved here after graduating from college in 2022. We’ve been lucky enough to visit him in every season and have loved exploring more of this beautiful state along the way ~ from Boston and its historic neighborhoods to charming small towns, coastal escapes, and quintessential New England scenery.
Massachusetts
New England includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut ~ and while every state has its own charm, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine are especially magical during fall foliage season. Think scenic drives, covered bridges, charming small towns, mountain views, and some of the prettiest autumn scenery in the country.
New England
New York will always hold a special place in our hearts: my husband was born here, we lived here as newlyweds, welcomed our first daughter here, and now our youngest daughter has called New York City home since graduating from college in 2023. From favorite NYC hotels, restaurants, and things to do to beautiful getaways beyond the city, you’ll find plenty of ideas here for planning your own New York adventures.
New York
Home to five spectacular national parks, Utah is one of the best states in the country for an outdoor adventure. We visited every one of Utah’s Mighty Five with our kids when they were younger, and now we’re returning as empty nesters to experience these incredible landscapes all over again ~ with a slightly different perspective (and much nicer places to sleep!).
utah
With my family roots in Wisconsin, Door County was the perfect place for a Mother’s Day weekend with my mom and older sister a few years ago. With its charming waterfront towns, beautiful lake views, local shops, and relaxed pace, it’s a wonderful Midwest getaway ~ especially for a mother-daughter trip.
Wisconsin
Looking for a complete travel guide to Yosemite National Park? When to go, how long to stay, and where to stay in Yosemite NP! My husband and I spent two full days in Yosemite National Park last December (2021). And can I just say – any time you get the chance to spend time in […]
January 5, 2023
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December 20, 2021
Looking for how to spend two fall days in Mount Rainier National Park? This PNW National Park is a perfect place to spend a fall weekend. I haven’t really made a national park top ten list (yet). But this park would seriously be in my top five! If you haven’t had the opportunity to make […]
October 9, 2021
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August 5, 2021
