Last week my boyfriend and I flew from LAX to the gorgeous and woodsy Missoula, Montana for our good friends Jake & Jill’s wedding. Their wedding was one of the most beautiful and fun weddings we’ve been to, and they sure know how to throw a party! Their entire event from start to finish was Pinterest board worthy, and you can tell how truly adored they are by how many wonderful people attended (and how many new friends we made!). If you’re interested, check out the hashtag #jakeandjillwedupthehill on Instagram for some snaps of their wedding.
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I would give you an overview about what we did in Missoula but we mostly just did fun wedding-related festivities with our friends, and I would give you an overview of where we stayed in Missoula, but we stayed at an RV park, which brings me to… ​

​Just this past July 2017, the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook trail opened, giving Yellowstone visitors an incredible bird's-eye view of one of the most incredible geysers in the park. To get the views like the ones above, you will want to park at the Fairy Falls trailhead (just a couple of miles south from Midway Geyser Spring, and just a few miles north of the Old Faithful area - you can’t miss the “Fairy Falls” signs for parking). Once you park at the Fairy Falls trailhead, you’ll want to cross over the river and follow the signs to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. The total distance of this hike is just 2 miles roundtrip, with a descent ascent. 

​You’ll want to make sure you do this hike in the early-mid afternoon so that there’s less steam coming off the center of the geyser and you can see it in its entirety (if we did this hike at around 9am we probably wouldn’t have seen the entire blue center of the spring due to the heavy steam rolling off of it in the early morning hours. We did this hike later on in the afternoon when the temperature outside had warmed up a bit, and we were met with picture-perfect views). This detour is 100% worth it, and I’d highly recommend any Yellowstone visitors to pay it a visit!

At the end of our geyser-filled day, and after checking into Fishing Bridge RV park (more on this below), we walked over to the gorgeous Yellowstone Lake just in time to enjoy the sunset. Sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the sun fall behind pink skies and mountains could not have been a better way to end our adventurous day #2 in Yellowstone!

For more information on Yellowstone Lake, you can visit: http://yellowstone.net/intro/yellowstone-lake/ ​

Day #3 was our final day in Yellowstone before making the drive back to Missoula, MT, and we decided to sleep in a little later this morning and have a slower start to our day. As we woke up to a brisk, peaceful morning and made our coffee, I couldn’t stop chatting about how much I loved the RV life - and I really meant it! Everything about RV-ing for us was so comfortable, fun, and easy. Neither of us had ever rented an RV before, but we knew we were hooked after this first-time adventure, we were already starting to talk about the next time we’d rent one. @Cruise America - want to hire us to travel around the country and write/photograph our experiences? Hit a girl up, if you do!
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Anyways, on to day #3 adventures - To get from Fishing Bridge to the Grand Canyon (our last Yellowstone stop of the trip), there’s only one way - and it’s a gorgeous one at that! - which is driving through Hayden Valley. As you drive through the winding roads, you will be greeted with miles and miles of gorgeous valley floor, a lazy stretch of the Yellowstone River, and most likely (multiple) animal sightings. This lush, green valley is know as the place to see wildlife in the park. We only saw bison and a fox during our drive through this area, but there are commonly both elk and bear sightings here. The only downside about Hayden Valley is that we drove through it pretty quickly it seemed, and I craved more of it. Coming from the bustling city of LA, the terrain here was such a different experience for us, and we truly loved it. ​

​Peru was the 13th country I have visited, and the first country that I've been to in South America. Overall, it was a magical, surreal, overwhelming, inspiring, fun, and incredibly memorable experience. The food, the people (and the sweet and furry alpacas!), each special place we visited, the history, the art, the music, the culture, and the architecture - ahhhh...I truly have so many amazing memories from this one-of-a-kind country! This was my most memorable Getaway from LA to date, and I had so much fun composing this blog post and choosing which pictures to share on social media (not an easy task, I might add, since everything was so beautiful).

But, although there were many beautiful and picturesque moments (much, much more to come below!) - there were also some more unfortunate ones... Let me get the icky stuff out of the way first here -- When traveling to Cusco (the second city we visited - more on this later), I experienced a nauseating mix of altitude sickness (Cusco is at almost 12,000 ft. elevation, and altitude sickness typically effects people starting at about 9,000 ft.) and food poisoning/a bad stomach bug. Later in the trip, I had a bad (and apparently, very rare) reaction to the altitude medication and woke up one morning unable to see anything clearly - it was like I was underwater and my eyes were unable to focus on anything. It was terrifying! I ended up going to a hospital in Cusco, and they couldn't find anything wrong with me (my very blurry vision was my only symptom, and it was bizarre since I have almost 20/20 vision normally). I then took an "ambulance" (more of a transportation van) from the hospital to an eye specialist who said my vision was fine but that I was having a reaction to the medicine I was taking and to stop taking it immediately. It took me about 48 hours to get the majority of my vision back, and about a full week to recover completely. I am so thankful that it wasn't more serious and that I was able to make a full recovery. I will truly never take my eyesight for granted! An interesting side note: my total health fees were about $130 US. It definitely makes you think about healthcare in the US vs. healthcare in other countries...

Anyways, throughout this blog post I'll be sharing plenty of travel tips, background information & history, and many pictures from the three incredible places I visited in Peru: Lima, Cusco, and Aguascalientes/Machu Picchu. If you have any questions about any of the information in this Getaway from LA travel guide, feel free to comment on this blog post and I'll make sure to respond to you!

Lima, founded in 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, is the capitol and the largest city in Peru. Many folks agree that Lima is one of the most interesting cities to visit in South America, and it's rich in agriculture, architecture, history, and culture. While Lima was officially founded in 1535, the first inhabitants settled here roughly 10,000 years ago and were fishermen and hunter and gatherers. Today, the most commonly spoken language in Lima (and most of Peru) is Spanish (83.9% of the population), followed by Quechua (13.2%) and Aymara (1.8%) - both indigenous languages.

Lima is located in the central coastal part of the country of Peru, on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Lima has a population of almost 9 million, making it the third-most-populated city in the Americas. The weather here is just about perfect - warm, comfortable, and dry throughout the year - and it's actually one of the driest capitol cities in the world. Now that you've gotten a quick glimpse into the history and current conditions of Lima, below you will find an overview of the "must see" areas in this sprawling city.

​The Miraflores neighborhood and beach is one of the first things you'll want to check out when you are visiting Lima. It's one of Lima's nicest "suburbs" and has a lot to offer both visitors and locals alike. Here you will want to kick back and relax, go shopping, people watch, hit the beach, and of course - eat delicious foods and have a cocktail or two (the Pisco Sour is "Peru's drink" - you'll be able to get them just about everywhere!). 

Right next to the area of Miraflores is the beautiful Barranco neighborhood. Barranco in Lima reminded me of Los Angeles's Arts District or New York's SoHo neighborhood. It's colorful, eclectic, edgy, and artsy, and it's no surprise to me that it's dubbed Lima's "hippest neighborhood." It's full of coffee shops, art galleries and museums, historic buildings, and delicious, locally-owned restaurants. All of the buildings in Barranco were once colonial mansions of Lima's most elite residents. The streets are FULL of incredible street art - colorful murals and detailed paintings - and brightly colored buildings line its cobble-stoned streets. You'll want to have your camera ready at each and every turn in this neighborhood. 

Huaca Pucllana was built in 5th century Lima out of many, small adobe bricks. This was built to be both an administrative (trade, activities, political and community matters), and ceremonial (religious expression and religious ceremonies) center for the inhabitants of Lima. There were also many houses built in this archaeological complex, and modern archaeologists have discovered many remains of life here - from textiles, ceramics, bones, mummies, tools, weapons, and more - which help historians study what daily life of the inhabitants may have been like all of those many years ago. Today this is one of the most significant ancient monuments in Lima. You can take a tour of the ruins during the day or at night, or you can dine at the restaurant here (what we did), and walk around a bit afterward/stop into the small museum on-site. The restaurant is absolutely delicious (they serve all local products and very tasty Peruvian specialty dishes) and the ruin views from your dinner table are simply unbeatable. 

For more information about the restaurant looking over the ruins at Huaca Pucllana and to make a reservation, visit this website:

http://www.resthuacapucllana.com/en/ 

For more information about booking a tour here, visit this website:

http://huacapucllanamiraflores.pe/

​​We stayed at the Arawi Lima Miraflores Hotel. For more information about this hotel, visit: 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294316-d3418235-Reviews-Arawi_Lima_Miraflores_Hotel-Lima_Lima_Region.html

To fly from Lima to Cusco, we booked a flight on Peruvian Airlines. It was only about an hour flight, and the views from the plane windows were gorgeous.

​Cusco (sometimes spelled Cuzco) is a 1-hour flight from the capital city of Peru, Lima. It's located in the midst of the Andes Mountain in the south of Peru and has a striking altitude of 11,152 feet above sea level. Altitude sickness generally starts affecting people at 8,000 feet or higher, so I'd recommend going to your doctor and discuss whether to get altitude sickness meds before you go - but be careful, and read my story above (beginning of this blog post) on my reaction from Diamox. You can also rely on coco tea and coco candies when you arrive in Cusco to help you acclimate - which many people do, including my whole family - but I'd discuss this with a medical expert before you go.

Cusco is today known for its Spanish colonial architecture and Inca archaeological remains, but it was once the capital of the Inca Empire under the ruler Pachacutec. The Spaniards conquered the city in the 16th century and built churches and palaces all over most of the Inca ruins here (although you can still experience the original ruins in the following areas: Choquequirao, Saysayhuamán, Kenko, Tambomachay, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu). It is very-well known by visitors and tourists as being the gateway city to the infamous Macchu Pichu (although you still have to take a 4-hour train ride there from Cusco), and you should plan for a full few days here to be able to acclimate to the high altitude and explore some of the most note-worthy sights. 

The city of Cusco was so different than the capitol city of Lima. Instead of large crowds, horns honking, dense traffic, and large buildings of vibrant colors, Cusco had quiet cobblestone streets, adorable alleyways, and constant alpaca-crossings. It's an incredibly breath-taking city - with its stunning architecture, special hidden gems, and breath-taking views. Cusco's Inca and Spanish culture and history lives in each and every nook and cranny of the city, and it truly has a magical, small-town feel to it all.

Cusco's main square - Plaza de Armas - is the center of the city of Cusco. It's a bustling square full of both locals and visitors paying a visit to the historic buildings, dining at restaurants, perusing shops, grabbing drinks at local coffee shops and bars, people watching, and more. Most of the big events and festivals that take place in Cusco are located in the Plaza de Armas. The square is full of gorgeous Spanish-style architecture, with bits and pieces of Inca designs still standing from before the city was conquered. ​

I would highly recommend taking the 15 minute taxi ride from the city center up to Cristo Blanco de Sacsayhuaman. Cristo Blanco (which translates to "white Christ") is a large, white statue of Jesus Christ and can be seen from almost any point in Cusco. The statue closely resembles Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue, but is a much smaller version. The statue lights up brightly at night, and we had a beautiful view of it from our hotel, Rumi Punku. When you visit Cristo Blanco, you will also be greeted with breath-taking 360 degree views of Cusco - this is definitely the best view in the city! Each day, the clouds in Cusco were large and fluffy, which made for a beautiful backdrop as they floated gently above the Andes Mountains.

Just a 10 minute walk from Cristo Blanco is the Inca archaeological site of Saqsayhuman. I was too tired/naseaus from the high altitude to make the walk over there, but some of my family members were able to visit, and they really enjoyed exploring the ruins (even though it started pouring rain on them!). Saqsayhuman covers 400 square meters and features impressive stonework from when the Inca's inhabited this area, before they were conquered by the Spanish. I'd recommend you check out both of these impressive sights, since they are so close together, and it's an easy 10-15 minute taxi ride here from the city center of Cusco.

The San Pedro Market is just a short walk from the main square/Plaza de Armas. This is a very large, traditional Peruvian marketplace with many items for both locals and visitors to purchase. You can find everything here from fresh juice, vegetables, fruit, grains, meat, tapestries, linens, dolls, jewelry, scarves, purses, knick-knacks of all types, and so much more! ​

During our first few days in Cusco, we stayed at the beautiful Hotel Rumi Punku. For more information on this hotel, visit:

www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294314-d318593-Reviews-Hotel_Rumi_Punku-Cusco_Cusco_Region.html

When we returned to Cusco after visiting Machu Picchu, we stayed at the Ninos Hotel Meloc (pictured above). This is an incredibly special hotel because all profits from the rooms, food (which was some of the most delicious we had in Cusco), and the gift shop, benefit local children in great need. Their website shares, "By choosing Niños Hotel for your accommodation in Cusco, you support the Niños Unidos Peruanos Foundation, as your support helps provide, for 600 underprivileged children of Cusco and in other villages, one to two healthy meals a day, medical and dental care, homework support, and a pleasant, caring environment in which not only to fulfill basic needs such as a shower, but a place to express their creativity." For more information about this hotel, visit:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294314-d316205-Reviews-Ninos_Hotel_Meloc-Cusco_Cusco_Region.html

To get from Cusco to Aguascalientes/Machu Picchu, we took a 4-hour train ride (this is the easiest way to get there - or it's a 3 day bus ride from Lima - yikes!). The train rides both there and back were absolutely lovely, enjoyable, and even relaxing! For more information about booking your train ride from Cusco to Aguascalientes and back, visit either of these two websites: http://www.perurail.com/ or http://incarail.com/

​And, now... the moment I was most excited for when visiting Peru: visiting the infamous Inca archaeological site of Machu Picchu! As I explained previously, to get to Machu Picchu, we took a 4-hour train ride from Cusco to Aguascalientes. Aguascalientes & Machu Picchu are at an altitude of about 8,000 ft., and we were all pretty acclimated to the high altitude thanks to our few days spent in Cusco, so this part of the trip I felt the most well (thank goodness, since I was most excited about this). 

Aguascalientes is a very small town at the base of Machu Picchu, and this was by far my favorite town that I visited in Peru. Train tracks run down the middle of the town, and the little kids are so brave and carefree here - they play and play until a train comes roaring into town and they run off of the train tracks giggling at the very last second. The town also has a large running river that flows through it, and you can hear the calming sound of rushing water as you walk along the dirt roads and cobblestone alleyways. The families that live here were so warm and welcoming, and each night we were there, the entire community came together in the center of the city to play music, dance, and sing. I was taking cell phone video of teenagers dancing in their traditional Peruvian wear, and one of the young men grabbed my hand and pulled me into the circle to dance! I was trying to keep up with the steps, my heart was racing, and I was smiling bigger than I had all trip - this was a moment I will never forget! This town was nothing short of magical, and it felt like we were on the set of a movie. Aguascalientes is also home to delicious restaurants and a large marketplace to peruse and buy hand-made, local souvenirs from. 

From Aguascalientes, there are only to ways to enter Machu Picchu: 1) to hike in (it takes about an hour to hike up the many stairs), or 2) take the bus up the steep, winding road. I opted for the bus each day (more details on the bus ride are below in the Travel & Accommodations section). Once you enter the site (you need a ticket for each day you enter - more details below), you will need to walk/climb stairs for about 20 minutes before you reach the base/top of Machu Picchu. 

The first time I climbed up the stairs and opened my eyes to see Machu Picchu I could almost feel my heart stop. It was emotional, powerful, awe-inspiring... and so much more beautiful in person than in pictures. Even the best pictures do not do Machu Picchu justice, and it is something you physically need to see and experience to believe. Machu Picchu is surrounded 360 degrees by the grandiose Andes Mountains, many of which are covered by thick clouds since they are so tall in height. On our first day here, a thick fog rolled in and out of the surrounding mountains, which made for beautiful pictures. On our second day we had bright, sunny skies, with large clouds lingering in the far away distance.

We hired a guide once we were in Machu Picchu on day #2 to show us around the Inca ruins and explain Machu Picchu's fascinating history to us (I would highly recommend everyone to go on a tour here - it does not take long and there is no better way to learn about the site than from someone who knows the history very well). Exploring the Incan ruins, that historians believe date back to roughly 1450 AD, was absolutely incredible. Machu Picchu is believed to have been a royal estate or sacred religious site for elite leaders. Our tour guide shared with us that the Incas built this empire in a very secret location (on the top of a mountain, surrounded by huge cliffs, and with only one main entrance), to impress the gods. The site is made up of more than 150 stone buildings (including residential houses and temples), a farming area, a royal district, and a sacred area. It was fascinating to hear how the Inca’s built this village from the ground up and the challenges they faced while doing so in this location. The site was abandoned in the 16th century, and historians believe it was either due to a smallpox epidemic or due to the Inca's leaving the site on their own from fear of being conquered by the Spanish (who had recently invaded Cusco nearby). 

American archaeologist Hiram Bingham "rediscovered" Machu Picchu in 1911, although local Peruvian’s already knew about the site and were using it for farming and other purposes. But, when the rest of the world learned about this note-worthy sight due to Bingham’s best-selling book, “The Lost City of the Incas,” tourists began to flock here. Unfortunately, Bingham illegally smuggled many artifacts from Machu Picchu back to Yale University in the United States to study them. This led to a 100-year old legal battle between Peru and the US, until the Peruvian government filed a lawsuit and lobbied President Obama for the return of all of the stolen items. 

Machu Picchu certainly has an interesting history behind it, and today, hundreds of thousands of travelers pay it a visit. It is no surprise to me that this sight was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 80's. This ancient sight is simply incredible to visit and explore, and I'd recommend everyone to visit at least once in their lifetime if you have the opportunity!

​We stayed at the lovely Tierra Viva Machu Picchu hotel in Aguascalientes. For more information, visit

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g304036-d1148615-Reviews-Tierra_Viva_Machu_Picchu-Aguas_Calientes_Sacred_Valley_Cusco_Region.html

You will need to purchase a separate ticket for each day that you want to visit Machu Picchu. Visit this link for more information on purchasing your tickets: 

thriftynomads.com/how-to-buy-machu-picchu-tickets-online/#How_to_buy_Machu_Picchu_tickets_online

You will also need to purchase bus tickets for each way (there and back), and you can do this near the main bus stop in Aguascalientes (you can't miss it - the town is very small - and you can easily ask someone if you for any reason can't find it!). The bus ride from Aguascalientes to Machu Picchu is only about 15-20 minutes, but it's on a very windy and steep road, so be ready!

​Overall, Peru was the most memorable Getaway from LA I've experienced to date! I will cherish the memories I made here for as long as I live. Even with the minor unfortunate moments and being sick a few days during the trip, I am so grateful to have had the experience of visiting and exploring this country, and I can't wait to go back again some day. If you have any questions about my trip to Peru, feel free to comment and I will reply to you. Until my next Getaway from LA - bon voyage and happy exploring, my friends!

Growing up in Southern California and only even living here and in Arizona, the concept of a “white Christmas” seems pretty foreign to me. I love the idea of waking up and looking outside to a backyard covered in a blanket of snow, sipping hot cocoa by a warm fireplace, and seeing snowflakes fall quietly on tall pine trees outside, covering them ever so gently. Ahhhhh. But, since I probably won’t get this in Los Angeles anytime too soon, I knew I’d have to “Getaway from LA” to experience my dream white Christmas. A few months ago, my boyfriend mentioned to me that someone he knew had gone to Banff, Canada over the summer and showed me pictures online from a quick Google search. I immediately fell IN LOVE with the beauty of this national park and quaint town, and just a few weeks later we booked Banff for Christmas. I was overjoyed and began counting down the days to our trip. I started shopping for wintery things (what do you mean I can’t wear my converse in the snow?!) and found snow boots, a warm winter coat, and warm winter accessories to bring with me. I was finally going to get my white Christmas! Our “Getaway from LA” trip to Banff exceeded our expectations (and I was expecting a lot!), and to date, it’s been one of the most beautiful and enjoyable places I’ve ever been to. Below I’ll be sharing with you details on how you can take a “Getaway from LA” trip to Banff, or travel there from wherever you’re coming from! 

Getting to Banff from LA:

From LAX, you will need to book a flight to Calgary, Canada (YYC is the airport code). You can find direct flights on Air Canada, and it's about a 3.5 hour direct flight. Don't forget that you will need a passport to fly to Canada. From YYC, you will take a shuttle to the city of Banff. I'd recommend this over taking a cab because you will save money and both of the airport shuttles we took were convenient, comfortable, and all around a great deal. The shuttle ride from YYC to Banff will take about 1.5 - 2 hours depending on road conditions. Airport shuttles that I would recommend are the Brewster or the Banff Airporter (both you can research and book online). They will drop off/pick up directly from your hotel in Banff, making the trip easy and hassle-free for you! I will include more information about the accomodations in Banff and where we stayed toward the end of this post under the "Accomodations" section.  

Banff is an adorably quaint town full of hotels, shops and boutiques, and delicious places to eat and drink, all in an incredibly picturesque setting, smack dab in the middle of the Canadian Rockies. The townsite is located in Banff National Park and is in the province of Alberta, Canada. Banff National Park covers 6,500 square kilometers and is home to a wide variety of wildlife including bears, elk, fox, and more. The town of Banff covers 2.5 square miles and has an elevation of 4,537 feet, making it the highest town in Canada. Banff is the perfect little town to stay in because it’s easy to walk everywhere within the town and you can take taxis or buses to any of the nearby National Park adventures you’re interested in! Read on for ideas on what to do when you visit Banff in the wintertime. 

Banff Ave. is the heart of the town of Banff. It’s the one main street in town, home to delicious places to eat, fun places to drink, great variety of shops to browse, warm and cozy coffee shops, and more. No matter what time of day it is, whatever you need during your stay in Banff you will find here. We loved walking around in the morning with a hot cup of coffee, stopping in to the souvenir shops and boutiques, and marveling in the picturesque setting of it all. The giant, jagged, snow-covered mountain in the background made for a great backdrop as we strolled along and took it all in (and tried not to freeze). Our favorite coffee shops were Whitebark and Second Cup, favorite restaurants were Maple Leaf Grill and Carlitos Pizzeria, and favorite bars were Banff Brew Co. and Wild Bills Saloon. There really wasn’t any restaurant that wasn’t delicious, and overall, spending time on Banff Ave. was one of the most enjoyable aspects of our trip! 

On Christmas day we woke up to the gorgeous white Christmas I hoped for, minus the fresh snow falling, which was actually a blessing because instead we were gifted with the must beautiful and clear winter day. The Banff Sightseeing Gondola was one of the adventures I was most excited about in Banff - I love the adrenaline rush I get from tall heights and seeing impressive landscapes make me feel so small yet so inspired. The Banff Sightseeing Gondola is located just 5 minutes from the Downtown Banff, on the shoulder of Sulphur Mountain, and costs about $40 US for a roundtrip ticket. Each gondola seats 4 people total and takes about 10 minutes one-way. Once you get to the top of the gondola ride, you can enjoy views from the main sight-seeing decks and walk around at your leisure. You can also walk 1km on the Banff Skywalk to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site and Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station, a higher deck with even more impressive views. I would highly recommend going on a clear day because the views from the top are BREATHTAKING! You’ll see 360 degree views of Banff, the Bow Valley, and the Canadian Rockies, all at an altitude of 7,486 feet above sea level. If you visit in the winter, definitely make sure to bundle up. On the day we visited it was -24 degrees C/-11 degrees F at the top of the gondola - aka very, VERY cold! Lastly, in case you’re in need of a caffeine pick-me-up or a snack, there is a Starbucks at the base of the gondola and a restaurant at the top.

Be prepared to be amazed by nature’s incredible beauty - you will feel like you’re on top of the world when you’re at the top of the Banff Sightseeing Gondola! Click here for more information about booking this adventure.

I had seen pictures of Lake Louise at the Fairmont Chateau hotel online during the Spring/Summer months and the water was the brightest blue color I had ever seen in nature. I was disappointed I wouldn't be able to experience the lake at it's most beautiful, but I was so excited when my boyfriend told me that the lake completely freezes over in the winter and you are then able to ice skate on it. How cool is that?! It was my first time skating on a completely natural ice skating rink, and we had so much fun! The ice was slightly uneven so it was more challenging to skate on it, but you just couldn't beat the gorgeous setting and backdrop of snowy, tree topped mountains at each and every turn. 

Skate rentals are available at The Fairmont in Chateau Mountain Sports, located next to the front desk lobby. You can rent ice skates for 2 hours for about $13 per person or you can also rent them for an entire day. We opted for the 2 hour rental, and it's good we did because we only skated for about 45 minutes before we got tired, hungry, and needed some warming up inside. Luckily, the Fairmont Chateau has delicious eateries inside after you finish your ice skating adventure, and the hotel itself is beautiful to stroll around. You don't need to stay at the hotel to visit, ice skate, eat, etc., but if you can afford it, this may be a hotel you need to add to your travel bucketlist! It's apparently one of the most iconic hotels in the world, and the Fairmont hotel line itself has an excellent reputation. They also get an A+ in my book since they had a full "ice bar" outside made entirely of ice (even the benches in the bar) and served hot alcoholic beverages like mulled wine and coffee with Baileys. Yum! The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is about a 45 minute drive from Banff, and we decided to take the Brewster bus from our hotel for $15 roundtrip - totally worth it. 

It's no surprise to me that the Huffington Post claimed Lake Louise as "World's Best Skating Rink" in 2014, and I would HIGHLY recommend you put this on your agenda if you visit Banff in the winter months! Click here for more information about the Fairmont Lake Louise and the activities and restaurants it offers to both guests and visitors. 

While we were visiting Banff, we really wanted to go dog sledding but we majorly failed on trying to book this too late (all of the tours were booked up through mid-January when we started looking them up in mid-December. Oops.). So, we opted for a sleigh ride instead from Warner Stables, just about a 10 minute cab ride from downtown Banff. Upon arrival, I loved seeing Warner Stables barn in a bright red color with the snowy and foggy sky as a backdrop. It was a picture-perfect moment in our Canadian winter wonderland. Once we got all checked in and settled, the sleigh ride was about 45 minutes total, and we sleighed through snowy meadows and woods while wrapped up in warm wool blankets. There were about 10 other people on our sleigh ride, but we were lucky to grab the front row so had beautiful views throughout the ride. It was really, really cold on this day, but our horses King and Kong were troopers and led us on a memorable, Christmas-y adventure. Click here to check out more information about the tour we went on. 

Surprise Corner is only a 5 minute drive from Downtown Banff (any cab can easily take you here, or you can get more information from the Visitor Center if you'd like to drive there on your own) and has one of the most beautiful views in Banff – of the historic Fairmont Baff Springs Hotel. This is one of the most famous hotels in the world and is known as the “Castle in the Rockies.” Marilyn Monroe even stayed here in the 1950’s! The hotel sits at the base of Sulphur Mountain and is surrounded by tall hillsides and thousands of beautiful, tall pine trees. We just stopped by for a short walk and a few quick pictures, and it was definitely worth the detour. The view was incredible, and it truly looked like a castle in the middle of the woods, perfectly fit for a queen. So, I guess I’ll be moving in! 

Since Banff is a small resort town, there are plenty of hotel options for you to choose from when you plan your visit. I typically look at Expedia and TripAdvisor before I book accomodations abroad, and we definitely lucked out with the Banff hotel we found online. We stayed at the High Country Inn, and all around, it was lovely! It had a big heated pool, two jacuzzi’s, a very helpful lobby staff who could answer all of our questions, a delicious Italian/Swiss restaurant attached to it, and rooms were cozy and comfortable. The location was perfect, which is always what’s most important to me. We were able to easily walk down Banff Ave. and it was only about a 5-10 minute walk to the center of Downtown, which was wonderful – especially in the freezing temps! I’d recommend you check out hotels online and if High Country Inn has availability for the dates you’re interested, I’d highly recommend staying here! 

Oh, Canada! is all I can think to say to try and explain how much I loved Banff National Park. I truly fell in love with it! Not only was the town and park incredibly gorgeous (I am still drooling over all of the pictures - there are so many that are postcard worthy!), but the city itself was so enjoyable and fun to stay in. I loved being able to walk all throughout Banff Ave. for anything we needed and also appreciated how easy it was to take a taxi to any of the nearby adventures. Everyone that we interacted with throughout our stay were so nice, friendly, and helpful, and the entire town felt so warm despite the freezing temps. This has been my favorite "Getaway from LA" to date, and I can't wait to visit again, but in the Spring or Summer next time! Thanks for following along with this snowy adventure, and if you decide to plan your own "Getaway from LA" to Banff, I can pretty much guarantee you'll be glad you did! 

Happy adventuring,
Jordan

A new year has arrived for me, and I turned the big 2-7 on Saturday, November 5. This year for my birthday I wasn't interested in the idea of planning and organizing any sort of big celebration, but I decided to plan a weekend Getaway from LA. instead. There are so many places to visit that are within driving distance from LA, and Joshua Tree National Park has been on my bucketlist for quite some time now. Now that I went on a Getaway from LA trip for my birthday this past weekend, I hope to continue doing this for the years to come! It was just my love and I for the weekend, and we had such a fun, adventurous, relaxing and all around memorable weekend that I already can't wait to go back.

Joshua Tree National Park is a 1,234 square mile protected area in Southern California, roughly 130 miles inland from Los Angeles (about a 2.5 hour drive). It's known for it's sprawling desert landscapes, unique giant rock formations, and of course, Joshua Trees. Joshua Trees are funky, unique, and beautiful looking, and I read online that they were named by Mormon pioneers after the prophet Joshua because the branches of the tree reminded them of him waving his arms, welcoming people to the promised land. Joshua Trees can grow up to 45 feet high and live up to 900-1,000 years. They only grow up to an inch per year, which is a reminder to me, and to all of us, that growth is a process and that the sweetest things in life take time. Being in Joshua Tree reminded me to be patient with myself as I grow, be patient with others as they grow, and to accept that living a good life is a journey rather than an "OK, I've arrived and I'm good to go now!" My goals for this new year of my life are to stop trying to have everything figured out at once, but to learn to embrace this journey and all of the uncertainties that come with it. I have a feeling that 27 is going to be a good one. 

We drove from LA to the desert on Friday night and stayed at a Best Western in Twenty Nine Palms. We woke up early Saturday morning and headed into town, making our first stop at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center. I'd highly recommend you also make a stop here as well, as the center is only 5 miles from the Park West Entrance (the most popular entrance) and you will be able to get a map and ask any questions about visiting the park. We only planned to spend half a day in the park, and the employees at the Visitor Center were very helpful in letting us know about the highlights of the park from the West Entrance and the "must see" spots for first-timers. From the Visitor Center, you will drive about 5 miles to the Park West Entrance. You will pay $20 to enter the park, or you can buy a National Park Annual Pass for $80 (which is what I did as a birthday present to myself - can't wait to explore more National Parks this year!). As you drive into the park, be prepared to fall in love with the thousands of Joshua Trees and amazing cliffs/rock formations at each and every turn!

The Visitor Center is located at 6554 Park Boulevard, Joshua Tree, CA 92256.

Click here to read more about Joshua Tree National Park and the various entrance locations.

​The first stop we made after entering the park was the Hidden Valley Trail, about a 20 minute drive from the West Entrance. I read online that this was the perfect location to start your Joshua Tree park adventure, as it has a little bit of everything: plenty of Joshua Trees, awesome looking rock formations, views of courageous folks scaling the huge boulders and cliff sides, and an easy, 1 mile loop hiking trail. The trail is well-marked, easy to follow, and I'd say it was more of a natural walk than an actual hike. It was pretty warm out when we went, so I'd recommend bringing sunscreen, wearing a hat, and of course, bringing a camera to take pictures of the beauty surrounding you at each and every step!

Click here to read more about the various trails in Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park's highest viewpoint, the Keys View, lets visitors get an interesting panoramic view of the Coachella Valley. You'll see the Salton Sea, Palm Springs, and the San Andreas fault from the lookout point. This viewing point is only about a 15 minute drive from the main road and is easy to park at and hop out and quickly enjoy the views. Also, the drive from the main road to Keys View was one of my favorite in the park! There are Joshua Trees everywhere in the park, but this stretch of road in particular was FILLED with Joshua Trees of all sizes lining the roads. The dirve had me ooh-ing and ahh-ing pretty much the whole time. 

Click here to read more about the Keys View at Joshua Tree Natl. Park.

Skull Rock (named because, well, it looks like a giant skull!) is located right along the main road, and you can park on the shoulder of the road to hop out and advantage of a photo opp. If you're feeling adventurous like we were, stay around for a while to explore the jumbo rocks surrounding Skull Rock. You can see huge, bubbling rock formations as far as the eye can see, and the landscape was pretty incredible. It felt like we were either on Mars/another planet or on a Flintstones movie set. We jumped around and adventured until we were pretty tired and our road trip snacks were calling our names (and you betcha I got the good stuff - cheetohs, chocolate, peanut butter pretzels, trailmix, chips, etc.), so we headed back to the car. This was definitely one of the highlights in the park for me!

While I loved MANY things about Joshua Tree National Park and truly can't wait to go back, the Cholla Cactus Garden was hands down my favorite thing we saw and experienced (well, other than the Joshua Trees themselves). The Cholla Cactus Garden is filled with unusual, ombre-colored cacti that look like they should be on another planet. It almost felt like we were walking through an unusual underwater reef - but on dry land. You can follow a short quarter of a mile trail through this garden and it is all pretty mesmerizing - but make sure to stay on the path! My boyfriend meandered just outside of the trail and he got many cacti pricks caught in the bottom of his shoes - oops. Also, don't touch the cacti! I was reading online that the pricks are extremely painful and difficult to remove from your skin. I would recommend anyone and everyone to visit the Cholla Cactus Garden when you visit the park, and be prepared to fall in love with these cute little creatures! 

Click here to read more about the Cholla Cactus Garden.

When I visited LACMA about a year ago, I fell in love with Noah Purifoy's Junk Dada art exhibit. In the 1960's Noah would search the streets post-Watts riots in LA to collect materials to create incredible, politically charged pieces of art. All of his work at LACMA is so colorful and full of varying textures and materials. I found it amazing that he literally turned trash into treasure to ignite thoughts, feelings, and reactions in others. So, when I heard that he also had an outdoor sculpture exhibit in Joshua Tree, I knew I had to stop by. It was only a 10 minute drive from downtown Joshua Tree and was well worth the detour. Noah began creating this sculpture garden when he moved to the Mohave Desert in the 1980's. This sculpture garden covers quite a bit of land (it took us about an hour to walk through the entire landscape covered) and has been constructed entirely out of junked materials. His art is unique, thought-provoking, and sometimes just plain bizarre, but man, we loved it. From intricate sculptures made out of toilets, blown out rubber tires, broken computers, burnt furniture, and SO much more, there are plenty of unique pieces of art for you to see and experience here - many of which are politically and socially charged. Noah intended for these sculptures to become part of the desert environment in which they live and to decay naturally over time.

While Noah Purifoy died in 2004 (RIP), his art will continue to live on in museums, in nature, and in the creative minds of those he inspires. Today, the Noah Purifoy Foundation continues to keep his vision and his works alive. The Noah Purifoy Outdoor Sculpture Garden is located at 63030 Blair Lane, Joshua Tree, California 92252. It is free to enter.

Click here to read more about this unique outdoor art exhibit. 

We stayed in the most lovely and beautifully designed AirBnB small home, complete with a full kitchen, comfortable bedroom, and a gorgeous living room with a record player (our favorite feature - we had it playing almost non-stop). I loved staying here because it was just enough space for two people, had a beautiful backyard with large patio to drink our morning coffee on, was less than 1 mile from downtown Joshua Tree, and only about 10 minutes from the West Entrance of the park. And, did I mention it was super adorable? Also, our host was wonderful and provided us with recommendations on what to do/where to eat while we were in town. Thanks for everything, Becky! 

Click here see if the the same AirBnB home we stayed at is available for your visit.

Overall, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Joshua Tree. I was blown away by this incredible, beautiful, sprawling National Park and the small, adorable, and eclectic town of Joshua Tree just outside of the park's West Entrance. I loved how peaceful it all was, how the pace of life physically felt slower than life in LA, how clear the night sky was to see thousands of stars (and my first time seeing the Milky Way! See picture below.), and how the weekend was the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Thank you Joshua Tree for a wonderful birthday Getaway From LA, and thank you to YOU for reading this blog post! I hope you get the opportunity to one day explore this one-of-a-kind Natl. park and special town.

Until my next Getaway From LA!
-Jordan

“You’re going to Sacramento? Is there anything to do there?” I was recently asked when sharing that I was visiting Sacramento for a wedding and making a long weekend getaway from it. “Well....Of course! If you’re wiling to look for things to do!” was my response – or somethin’ like that. And basically, it’s true. Time after time I find that when you seek adventure – you will find it. And, I was caught off guard in this moment because Sacramento is California’s state capitol! Of course there is PLENTY to do there, and I am grateful to have visited this historical, beautiful, tasty (their restaurant scene is fabulous), tree-filled (truly – so. many. trees.), and eclectic and urban city.
 
Like I mentioned, I visited Sacramento specifically to attend a wedding, which was located in Loomis and was absolutely stunning and full of love. I drove up to Sacramento from Los Angeles on a Thursday evening and returned Sunday (it was about a six hour drive), so I had roughly ~48 hours to enjoy and explore this city. Before visiting Sacramento I mapped out the top things I wanted to see and do and researched which neighborhoods I wanted to visit, as I do before embarking on most vacations or getaways. As I entered Sacramento I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect and wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy the city compared to L.A., but when I left Sacramento I couldn’t help but think, “I loved that city.”
 
Although I was only in town for a short while, I appreciated how intimate Sacramento felt (we could walk most places, which is difficult to do in L.A.), how many trees there were (according to Wikipedia, Sac is the city with the most trees per capita in the world), the public/street art, the restaurants/bars/wineries, and the unique places to see and experience. While the weekend was filled with exploring, we also were smart to not plan TOO much and to enjoy the days and experience what we wanted to in that particular moment. From exploring historic old town, to visiting the state capitol building, to checking out the up-and-coming midtown, to kicking back and relaxing in Sacramento’s little known wine country, this was a Getaway From L.A. I’d recommend. Below you will find an overview of things I’d recommend doing when visiting California’s capital city. Enjoy!

Whether you’re in Sacramento for just a short time or are exploring for a few days, visiting Old Town Sacramento is a must. From the pictures above, you can probably imagine why it felt like I was walking through a Hollywood movie set while exploring this charming and historical neighborhood. From the old time architecture, to the wooden sidewalks, to the cobblestone streets, it definitely makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the Gold Rush era. There were people of all ages (including many families with children) walking around, stopping at the quaint shops, grabbing a bite to eat, and visiting museums (click HERE for all of the many museums and attractions in Old Town).
 
Here’s some history according to Old Town’s official website, “In 1839 John Sutter arrived on the shore of the American River near its confluence with the Sacramento River. With the promise of a Mexican land grant, Sutter and his landing party established Sutter’s Fort. As the settlement grew and became permanent, it attracted other businessmen looking for opportunities. Sutter and the people he attracted created a commercial center in the area, but it was the Gold Rush in 1848 that created the City of Sacramento.”
 
We were limited on time so we were unable to visit any museums (I would have liked to visit the California State Railroad Museum, the original Sutter's Fort, & take a horse and carriage ride), but I’d recommend stopping by Danny’s for mini donuts (delicious and made fresh right before your eyes), District Coffee for a tasty caffeine boost, and then walking around the town while you enjoy both. You can walk through the whole neighborhood in about 15-30 minutes, and it’s worth it to see it all. 

The California State Capitol Building is another must see when visiting Sacramento, as Sacramento is THE capitol of California! This building was constructed from 1860-1874 and today remains the home to California’s government, including current Governor Jerry Brown. This building is open to the public daily, and while you can’t exactly pop into Mr. Brown’s office to say hello, you can explore the museum that takes up a good portion of the capitol building. As you walk through the museum area (enter at either the side or back doors of the capitol), you will see a variety of government official’s offices from the early 1900’s, the California Assembly Chamber, libraries, and other interesting exhibits. Both the exterior and interior designs were picturesque, with beautiful and neoclassical tiling, colors, and artwork. Admission is free, and you can walk around and explore on your own or take a guided tour for free, offered every hour on the hour. Open daily from 9:00am-5:00pm, you can visit the State Capitol building/museum at 1315 10th St, Sacramento, CA 95814, and click here for more information. 

When I was browsing things to do and see in Sacramento, I kept seeing "Midtown this" and "Midtown that." From a very popular weekly farmer's market, to chic coffee shops on every corner, to a fantastic restaurant scene (it was hard to choose where to go with limited time!), to eclectic bookstores and boutiques, it's no surprise to me that this is currently the trendiest neighborhood in Sac. And it sure is colorful! It reminded me of a mixture of Portland and the Arts District in DTLA. As I've mentioned many times before on my blog, I'm a big fan of public art and street art. Not only does it help beautify a city, but it also gives artists and creatives a public platform to express themselves and their communities.The public art and street art above is located at BloodSource; 1608 Q St. Restaurants we thoroughly enjoyed in this neighborhood include Iron Horse Tavern for dinner and Magpie for brunch. I'd also recommend stopping by University of Beer for a cold brew (they have over 100 beers on tap - more than any other bar in Sacramento) and Shady Lady for a late night cocktail or two, if that's your thang.

This neighborhood has their own beautifully curated Instagram page and official website that I'd recommend you check out before you plan your visit. 

Oh my, oh Maui! This recent trip was truly a Getaway from L.A. to remember. A group of friends and I recently flew from L.A. to Maui, Hawaii to attend one our good friends’ wedding (#LucilleLuau) on Friday, July 1. Since we were flying out to attend this wedding (which was truly so beautiful, full of love, and a ton of fun!) we all decided to extend our stay and turn this trip into a longer vacation. Maui is one of five Hawaiian Islands and is approximately a 5-hour flight from Los Angeles. It’s the second largest island in Hawaii and has a population of about 160,000. It’s known as the “Valley Isle” and millions of people visit Maui each year for its beautiful white sandy beaches, picturesque sunsets, and adventures galore. GoHawaii.com shares, “From the scenic slopes of fertile Upcountry Maui to beaches that have repeatedly been voted among the best in the world, a visit to the Valley Isle recharges the senses. But like every good magic trick, you’ll have to see it for yourself to believe it.” Sounds pretty special, eh?

My friends and I are all adventure seekers and love trying new things, so we scheduled a variety of activities throughout the trip. I definitely wish I would have had more time to relax on this trip (the only real “relaxing day” we had turned out to be pretty stressful/a downer because there was a fire in Maui and we were stuck in Lahaina from 2:00pm-9:00pm and then it took us 5.5 hours to drive 15 miles…Yikes!). The next vacation I go on I’m going to better balance adventurous activities and relaxation (spa day, anyone?) because the introvert in me was pretty wiped out by the end of the trip. The activities we participated in were AWESOME, though, and I am so grateful to have shared these beautiful experiences with some of my best friends. Below you will find an overview of the sights I’d recommend seeing in Maui if you are planning a trip here, and I hope the information presented is both interesting to read and helpful to you!

If you’re looking for a calm, not-too-crowded, picturesque beach for relaxing, snorkeling, and grabbing a delicious bite to eat afterward, I’d recommend checking out Napili Bay. Apparently it’s somewhat of a “secret spot” in Maui and cannot be seen from driving on the main road. We went snorkeling and the waters were much calmer and clearer here than they were at some of the more popular beaches in Maui that we visited. I saw a variety of fish of all shapes, sizes, and colors, but unfortunately, didn’t see any turtles here. There are definitely some that hang around here, though, because the majority of my group I was with saw and swam with them! I loved how quiet and peaceful the beach was, how there were very minimal waves, and how crystal clear blue the water was. On two different occasions on this trip we visited the Sea House Restaurant at Napili Bay, and it was delicious (although somewhat pricey) both times. It was super easy to walk right up and grab a table with a beautiful view – no reservations are needed and they have an awesome happy hour from 2:00pm-4:30pm daily.

Click here for more detailed information about Napili Beach in Maui (you do not need to stay at the resort to visit the beach – as long as you park on any of the nearby side roads and not at the resort).

Click here for more information about the Sea House Restaurant.

The Hana Highway is a 64-mile-long stretch of Hawaii Routes 36 and 360 which connects Kahului with the town of Hana in east Maui, full of incredible stops and sights along the way. It was a bit difficult for me to put the greatness of Road to Hana into words. So, instead, I will share with you some information from the Road to Hana website:

"The Road to Hana is more than just a great drive through a beautiful area of Maui. Most visitors tend to zip to and from Hana with a checklist of sights to photograph. This is the wrong way to do it. Do your due diligence beforehand, decide on a few locations that look the most intriguing, and take your time at each location.

In order to truly experience Hana, it helps to know more about the history and legends of the area. You may find out that there are legendary stories associated with each spot where Gods have left their mark and historic battles have been fought.

Transport yourself not only to Hana, but back in time to the historic moments and legendary tales that shape the islands."

Road to Hana was the activity I was most excited for in Maui. I had seen this drive featured on travel shows, adventure and tourism blogs, and on social media, and each and every time I saw something new, I would become fascinated with this drive and all of the beauty it’s home to. My only disappointment from this trip to Maui is that we did not spend nearly enough time here. It wasn’t our fault, though, because we were super delayed on our trek there due to the fire I mentioned previously. We aimed to depart from our condo by 8:00am but ended up leaving around 12:30pm because we were so drained from the day before. This drastically cut into our exploring time (aka: hours of sunlight) so we had to settle on only seeing a few key sites. This adventure was entirely worth it, and the drive was SO green and lush and the sights truly incredible. From the warm sandy beaches, to stopping by fruit and coffee stands on the side of the road, to some badass hikes, to jumping into natural pools – there is truly somethin’ for everyone on the Road to Hana, and I just wish I could have experienced more of it. I hope that if you get the chance to visit, you have more time to explore (and drive safe out there! The roads sure are windy), and I hope you enjoy reading more on the incredible sites we visited on the Road to Hana below.

Also - click here for all of the information you need to know about the Road to Hana!

The Pipiwai Trail is a 4 mile (takes about 2.5 hours total) roundtrip hike that takes you to Makahiku Falls, up through the majestic Bamboo Forest and finally up to the beautiful, lush, 400-feet tall Waimoku Falls. This trail is truly the greenest trail I’ve ever experienced and some moments of it were absolutely breathtaking, making you feel like you were in Narnia or some sort of fairy tale.

The trail was pretty muddy and somewhat rainy when we went, so I would suggest wearing comfortable hiking shoes and comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. I also can’t forget to share with you a very important tip: bring bug spray! My friends and I forgot to put bug spray on before the hike and this was a big mistake. About a week later I still had itchy and uncomfortable bug bites lining my calves and thighs. Also, keep in mind that each car will need to pay $20 to enter Haleakala National Park, where the head of the Pipiwai Trail is located. Since this trail is at the end of Road to Hana, this is a great spot to start with. After you complete this hike you will then be able to assess how much daylight you have left and then can map out the rest of the stops and adventures for the duration of the day.

Click here for more information about the The Pipiwai Trail.

As you begin your trek through the Pipiwai Trail, after about a mile you will encounter the Bamboo Forest. Don’t worry about missing it – once you see it, you will see it! There are large bamboo stalks (some up to 100 feet tall) as far as the eye can see – or at least for 0.5 miles. This was truly one of the most incredible sights I’ve seen and experienced. Being completely surrounded by tall bamboo stalks makes you feel like you’re smack dab in the middle of a Tarzan movie…or the rainforest, which I guess isn’t too far off base! Make sure you stop to look up as you trek through the bamboo forest – the way the stalks grow their prickly leaves at the top and all come together is quite the sight to see. I was surprised at how dark and quiet it was in the Bamboo Forest, as the bamboo stalks shade you almost entirely from the sun. I am so glad we hiked through the Pipiwai Trail – the Bamboo Forest isn’t a sight I’ll be forgetting about anytime soon.

Click here for more information about the The Pipiwai Trail, which is where the Bamboo Forest is located. Click here to read more information about the Bamboo Forest.

As I mentioned previously, the Pipiwai Trail ends at the beautiful, lush, 400-feet tall Waimoku Falls. You can’t do much at the waterfall except for admire its beauty because there is no swimming permitted at the bottom of the falls (safety first, my friends). This is a great spot to take some pictures with your friends, re-apply sunscreen/bug spray, hydrate, and eat a snack before hiking back down the same way you came in.

Click here for more information about the The Pipiwai Trail.

I had never before been to a black sand beach, so I was REALLY excited to check out Pa'iloa Beach at Wai’anapanapa State Park on the Road to Hana. Upon entering the park, I pretty much fell in love at first sight! The black sand found on this beach comes from lava and volcanic rock, and it was much thicker than the sand you’d find on a typical beach. I loved how lush and green it was at Pa'iloa Beach, right up to the black sand and beautiful glistening turquoise waters. It’s interesting to note that the translation for Wai'anapanapa is "glistening water" or "water flashing rainbow hues” – and the name surely does not lie. As you walk onto Pa’iloa Beach, you will see “lava tubes” that you can climb through (large, natural cave-like rock formations), large rocks that you can trek up if you so desire, incredible jagged coastline views, and plenty of beach to kick back and relax on with your group. If you stopped here earlier in the day it would be an ideal picnic spot!

From the Hana Highway, you will turn onto Wai’anapanapa Road and follow this to find plenty of free public parking available in a large lot. Click here to read more information about Wai’anapanapa State Park.

Overall, this Getaway from L.A. trip to Maui, Hawaii was full of beautiful sights, fun adventures, good times, and great friends. I’d highly recommend you vacation to Maui if you get the chance, and I hope you found this blog post helpful. Until my next Getaway From L.A. adventure - bon voyage, my friends! 

Deer roaming through the prettiest green meadows I’ve ever seen, zero cell phone reception, the sound of 500 feet high water falls, birds chirpin’ their tunes, and an overall sense of tranquility and slow-paced life… YEP, I am definitely not in Los Angeles anymore. Welcome to Yosemite. :)
​
Our Earth is truly one big, incredible planet, full of some of the most breath-taking and jaw-dropping scenery, sprawling landscapes, and precious wildlife. And Yosemite National Park is 100% proof of this. Last week I ventured to Yosemite National Park with my partner, to join my family in our annual vacation to this majestic location. Yosemite National Park is about a 5.5 hour drive from Los Angeles, and is home to almost 1,200 square miles of beautiful scenery – including VERY high cliffs surrounding the valley floor, HUGE waterfalls, gigantic sequoia trees, and beautiful wildlife at each and every turn.  For this Getaway from L.A. post, I’ll share the basics on where we stayed and what we did, and will wrap up with a few extra tips/things to know before you plan your next Getaway from L.A.

To be totally honest and candid with you, I’ve never been a big fan of camping. As much as I love adventures, the great outdoors, and am all about livin’ life to the fullest – sleeping on the dirt in a sleeping bag with limited access to various resources isn’t what I would typically describe as a “vacation.” I do, though, like to “glamp,” which is basically glamorous camping. Please note, though, that I am not referring to staying in a lodge or a fancy bungalow – I mean a tent cabin that only has a concrete floor, a wire cot with a thin mattress, and tent walls – found at the super awesome Housekeeping Camp in the Yosemite Valley. The tent cabins have the bare necessities, with a covered space outside of the cabin with some metal shelfs, a long metal table that can be used for a cooking/storage area, and a round table with benches where you can eat your meals. This is truly the ideal accommodation for those who like being outdoors but don’t want to deal with the effort that goes into setting up a tent. Clean bathrooms can be found throughout the camp, as well as showers and a small convenience store with snacks, drinks, etc.

From all corners of Housekeeping Camp, you’ll see amazing views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and the giant cliffs that surround Yosemite Valley. There are sandy beaches with a beautiful river flowing through it on the edge of the camp, and you’ll often see deer (and hopefully no bears!) roaming peacefully through the campsite in the early morning hours.

I’ve stayed at Housekeeping Camp multiple times now and truly wouldn’t want to stay anywhere else in Yosemite Valley. It is important to note, though, that this glamp site is very popular and tent cabins should be reserved up to ONE YEAR before you plan to visit. Click here to see the rates and availability in Housekeeping Camp, and for all other accommodations in Yosemite (ranging from “real” camping to staying in a lodge/hotel), click here.

As you drive into Yosemite Valley and basically anywhere you turn once you’re in the Valley, you’ll be enamored by the 360 degree views of this National Park’s raw, untouched beauty. If you want to enjoy the best view in the valley, though, I’d highly recommend you make the 45-minute drive up to Glacier Point. There is a large parking lot at the top of Glacier Point, but you can also take a bus up here if you’d rather not worry about finding a spot (although we didn’t have any issue with this). Once you’re up here, prepare to be absolutely amazed! You can see the entire valley floor, from Vernal and Nevada Falls, to the infamous Half Dome, to the miles and miles of tree-covered mountains and cliff sides. I do need to mention that Glacier Point is only accessible by car from approximately late May through October or November, due to weather conditions, so make you plan accordingly. In my opinion, this is truly the best place in all of Yosemite National Park to kick back, relax, and enjoy the stunning scenery. For more information on Glacier Point, click here.

Since our time in Yosemite was limited, I was on a mission to find a challenging day-hike with beautiful views. I figured that if we got in a solid day of strenuous activity, that we could then enjoy other more relaxing activities during our “down time” – like picnicking riverside, riding our bikes through meadows or “meadowing” as we liked to call it, and hangin’ out with my fam. We decided on hiking the Panorama Trail, a roughly 6-hour hike that covers 9 miles from the top of Glacier Point to the Yosemite Valley floor. The hike is mostly downhill but also has one section of steep uphill switch backs to conquer. This hike was perfect for us because we got to see THREE waterfalls - Illilouette Falls, Vernal Falls, and Nevada Falls up close and personal, and also got to experience stunning views of upper Yosemite Falls and the iconic Half Dome. I especially liked this hike because the trailhead is located at Glacier Point, so as you begin to make your way down the side of the mountain, there is something beautiful to see at every turn. It was at times overwhelming! You betcha I was ooh-ing and ahh-ing all over the darn place. The Panorama Trail in Yosemite is one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite National Park, and for good reason.

While this hike was absolutely beautiful and the waterfalls were SO impressive (and kind of frightening!) to see so close and hear their thunderous falls, it was definitely a challenging hike. It was mostly downhill, which as you can imagine, puts a good amount of strain on just about every joint and muscle in your body. Also, we decided to go down the Mist Trail rather than the longer John Muir Trail, and it was VERY misty (I guess it gets its name for a reason!), and the steps were pretty slippery as we made our way down. I mayyy have had to tell myself, “I’m wet, cold, and tired, but I am OK!” so that I wouldn’t panic on my way down. Thus, I was very relieved (and soaked with the chilly Vernal Falls mist) when we made it to the base of Vernal Falls. My body was aching pretty badly by the end of the hike, and the 1 mile walk back to our camp pretty much wore me the heck out. But, it was entirely worth it (and I’m saying this while I’m still sore a full 5 days after the hike)!

For all of the information you need regarding the Panorama Trail, click here.
For information on the many other hikes in Yosemite National Park, click here.

Overall, Yosemite makes for a fantastic, memorable, and completely “disconnected” Getaway From L.A. that I would highly encourage any and all adventure-loving individuals to visit and explore. Here are a few final tips/things to know before you go:
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1. Keep in mind that the entrance fee into the park per vehicle is $30. This entrance fee is good for 7 days max.
2. Cell phone reception is VERY limited in the valley. We had no reception where we stayed at Housekeeping Camp. Luckily, both Half Dome Village and Yosemite Village have free Wi-Fi at their various restaurants and outdoor spaces.
3. Bring bug spray! Don’t forget to wear it day and night.
4. Be aware of the weather conditions common in each season before you plan your visit. According to Yosemite’s website, “Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May (and over 75% between November and March). Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.)”
5. This probably goes without saying, but I’d highly recommend thoroughly reviewing Yosemite’s website to review as much information as possible before you begin to plan your visit.

Finally, before I bid you adieu, I wanted to mention that Yosemite has become more accessible over the years. For more information, download the park's accessibility guide, which describes access to areas, facilities, and services for people with disabilities. In addition, the Deaf Services Program is dedicated to connecting the Deaf community to everything Yosemite has to offer. Finally, there is a visual guide to visiting Yosemite Valley for people with aphasia. (This information was found on Yosemite National Park’s official website.)

I hope you found this write-up helpful, and I also hope you’ll continue to following along with my adventures, both in L.A. and beyond. Who knows where I’ll Getaway from LA to next? Stay tuned!

Over Memorial Day weekend, I attended a picture-perfect and very fun wedding with my partner in the gorgeous city of Cancún, Mexico. When we were first invited, I was so excited that this wonderful couple (who I didn’t actually meet until the wedding weekend, but yes, they are truly wonderful!) chose Cancún for their destination wedding. Visiting this city on the Yucatán Peninsula, bordering the Caribbean Sea, has been on my bucketlist for years, and I’m so glad that I finally had a perfect reason to make the journey here. Cancún is about a 5 hour direct flight from Los Angeles (would highly recommend flying direct if you are able to – we connected both ways which resulted in long travel days). Since we were flying all the way down to this area for the wedding, we tacked on a few extra days to this trip to both relax and explore more of this beautiful and historic Mexican area.

People who are somewhat familiar with Mexico travel probably know that Cancun is home to beautiful white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, and gigantic resorts surrounding them. Cancun is also known for being a popular spring break destination due to its lively nightlife and club scene …which we did not partake in during this vacation. As I grow older (and maybe wiser?), huge nightclubs are losing their appeal, and I’d rather spend my time, energy, and money on exploring a new location, learning about our world, and making new memories with those I love. So, while Cancun is most prominently known for its picture perfect beaches and bumpin’ nightlife, many do not know, or can appreciate, that Cancun also hosts a variety of amazing and unique adventures.

For the purpose of this Getaway from L.A. post, I will mostly be focusing on our journey just outside of Cancun to the Yucatán state, where we visited Chichen Itza and the incredible xenotes. But, before we get started on the adventures we took on this trip, I wanted to share with you a few quick details about where we stayed. The beautiful wedding we attended was located at Finest Playa Mujeres, an all-inclusive resort away from the more popular “hotel zone” of Cancun. It was my first time at an all-inclusive, which made the whole experience that much more exciting. What do you mean I don’t have to pay for anything here? Room service 24/7? Swim up pool bar? A fully stocked mini-fridge at all times? Ahhhhh, this must be what true “paradise” is like! The service here was impeccable (think greeted with a glass of champagne and moist toilette…), and we actually did not leave the resort grounds at all during our stay there – simply because there was no need to. The beach was equipped with activity rentals (think paddle boards, snorkel gear, mini pontoon boats, etc.), there were over 10 restaurants on site, and there were various pools throughout the grounds of the resort. Truly the finest resort I've stayed at to date, here are some pictures of the beautiful Finest Playa Mujeres:

During the second half of our trip we stayed at Beachscape Kin Ha Villas & Suites (about $120/night). We had activities planned during the day time so we just needed a comfortable place to rest our heads at night. Beachscape Kin Ha turned out to be much more than this, though, and the beach here was absolutely beautiful! Here are some pictures:

Alright, now on to the adventures! A few years ago I read about Mexico’s Xenotes on one of my favorite travel blogs. Xenotes (pronounced seh-no-tehs) are huge natural sinkholes where cave ceilings have collapsed. I immediately added this to my bucketlist, not sure at the time if/when I’d actually make it here. When coordinating this destination wedding weekend with my partner, I was on a mission to dedicating a full day to visit the incredibly breath-taking xenotes. Luckily, after doing some research online like the planner that I am, I stumped upon the Cancun Adventure Tour website. When browsing the Cancun Adventure Tour website, I remember feeling overwhelmed because there were SO many awesome-looking tours presented. After looking closely at them all, we ended up choosing the Xichen Clasico Tour for $71 per person, which was the CHEAPEST Chichen Itza/Xenote tour I found online. The tour fee includes this entire itinerary:

Itinerary
- Pick up from hotels in Cancun and Riviera Maya
- Transportation to Chichen Itza.
- Guide tour at the archaeological site with expert bilingual guide (1.45 hrs.)
- Free time at Chichen Itza (1.15 hrs)
- Transportation to Cenote Ik Kil (10 minutes)
- Free time for swimming at the Cenote (50 min)
- Buffet lunch at Ik Kil Restaurant (1.15 hrs)
- Back to Cancun and Riviera Maya
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It was a long (!) day, it was much warmer here inland than it was on the coast of Cancun, and it definitely took a lot of energy to make it through all of the activities... but it was 100% worth it. The bus was, thankfully, air conditioned and the tour guides were absolutely fantastic, friendly, and funny. Although you will stop for a buffet lunch at the Xenote, I’d recommend bringing snacks and water for throughout the day. 

As I previously explained, xenotes/cenotes (pronounced seh-no-tehs) are huge natural sinkholes where cave ceilings have collapsed. According to Lonely Planet, “The Mayans revered cenotes because they were a water source in dry times; the name cenote means 'sacred well'. Mayans settled villages around these spiritual wells and believed that they were a portal to speak with the gods. Today you can still see why cenotes held the Mayans in awe. Swimming in the pristine waters feels like stepping into prehistory, where giant tropical trees and vines form wild cathedral walls leading up to shafts of sunlight.” It's interesting to note that cenotes were also sometimes used by the ancient Maya for sacrificial offerings.

From the top of the cenote, all you can see is a huge hole in the earth, surrounded by a variety of beautiful green plants and vegetation. Huge vines, overgrown plants, and flowers line the 85-feet-high limestone rock walls, making this one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen – both the view at the top and at the bottom/inside of it. When you arrive, get ready for an adventure – there are 90 wet, slippery stairs total from the top of the cenote to the bottom. The cenote is about 60 meters (200 ft) in diameter and about 50 meters deep (150 feet). The large pool of water in the cenote is fresh and a beautiful dark blue color, and you’re likely to see large cat fish swimming around you. You’ll be able to swim in the sinkhole at your leisure and if you so desire, climb up a few more stairs to jump off of a cliff into the dark, deep waters.

I was simply in love with this xenote and would highly recommend you add this, or the various other xenotes in Mexico, to your bucketlist. The xenote is so huge, mysterious, and captivating that you will want to take a TON of pictures and will want to spend much more time there than you are allotted. There are many xenotes throughout the Yucatan region of Mexico, but Ik Kil is supposedly the most impressive. I’d absolutely love to visit more of them if I get a chance to go back to Cancun in the future.

I was so excited that in addition to Xenote Ik Kil, our tour bus would also be making a stop at Chichen Itza, one of the seven new wonders of the world. Chichen Itza is one of the largest Mayan cities ever built, and it’s pretty interesting to think that from around 600 A.D. to the 1200s, this was a city full of families, their stories, traditions, and cultures, and bustling LIFE! According to Chichen Itza’s official website: “Chichen Itza, which means “at the mouth of the well of Itza,” is the 2nd most visited archeological site of Mexico today. The Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen-Itza which known as “El Castillo” (the castle), is one of the new seven wonders of the world elected in 2007. It is exactly 24 m. high considering the upper platform. Apart from the Kukulkan Pyramid, in Chichen Itza there many other archaeological sites to visit, all carrying traces from Mayan Culture in many ways.”

We went on an hour guided tour of the grounds to learn about some of the highlights of this ancient city and then got to explore on our own for about an hour. We walked completely around the iconic large step pyramid and through the grounds of the Temple of the Warriors, the Observatory, and the Ball Game Court. We were in awe of the remains of these ruins, paying close attention to the Maya and Toltec artistic detail in some of the stone monuments. It’s no surprise at all to me that Chichen Itza attracts millions of visitors each year.

After a wonderful (and very hot) day of exploring the ruins of this ancient civilization, we headed back onto the bus and made our 2.5-3 hour journey back to the hotel zone of Cancun. While this escapade was a very long day, it was absolutely worth it, and I’m so grateful to have checked some spectacular items off of my bucketlist. If you do get a chance to visit Cancun or the Yucatan area of Mexico, I’d highly recommend you click HERE to book this adventure tour or choose another one to your liking.

Overall, our trip to Cancun was a whirlwind vacation that resulted in some pretty epic adventures, many new friends (thanks to the beautiful wedding we attended), and amazing, once-in-a-lifetime memories. If you’re thinking about planning your next tropical Getaway From L.A., I’d highly recommend adding Cancun to your list of options! From the picturesque beaches, to the endless opportunities for adventure, to the relaxing resorts – it truly seems like there’s something for everyone here.

​Te amo, Cancun.

​Welcome to my first Getaway From L.A. post! If you have been following along with my Instagram and blog, you know that my favorite thing to do is explore new places, document my journey with pictures and helpful tips, and then share with you about my experiences. I’ve been wanting to expand my blog to incorporate travels outside of L.A. and figured this was the perfect time to start since I have just returned from a weekend getaway to a beautiful city on the Central Coast of California. So, from now on, I’ll be sharing information and pictures from each trip I take from Los Angeles, whether it’s a mini weekend getaway like in this case, or a more extended vacation.

One of the things I love most about Los Angeles is the endless road trips you can take to discover nearby places, whether it’s a week-long trip or a 24-hour escape. The California & West Coast adventures we can have are endless! My boyfriend and I decided to take an LA detour and explore San Luis Obispo (SLO as the locals call it), a city about 190 miles north of Los Angeles. We were only in SLO for two days, so we packed in as many fun adventures as we could, and after exploring this unique and eclectic city, I’m not surprised at all that National Geographic named it the “Happiest Place in America.” Below you will find pictures and ideas for you on fun and unique things to do in this special Central Coast city! 

Can you say pretty in pink?! When my boyfriend said we were stopping at The Madonna Inn for brunch, I figured it was a hotel inspired by THE Madonna. But nope, haha, it was built in 1958 and is named after the man who built it, Alex Madonna. This unique and extravagant hotel has the prettiest decor, which is a reason enough to stop by and be amazed by the grandiose interior. I love that some of the hotel room names are Love Nest, Cloud Nine, and Just Heaven – pretty fitting since we were visiting on Valentine’s Day! The brunch menu was reasonably priced, as were the mimosas. Click here to see the restaurant’s menu. Brunch reservations are not needed; you can walk right in and get seated fairly quickly – the restaurant is large and has ample seating room. Make sure to check out the selection of gourmet cakes when you are finished brunching, and pay the restrooms downstairs a visit to see even more lavish décor. The Madonna Inn is located at 100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

One of the highlights of this weekend getaway for me was wine tasting in the beautiful Edna Valley, only a few minute drive from downtown SLO. Los Angeles isn’t exactly what I would refer to as “green” or “lush,” so I loved driving through the rolling green hills and beautiful vineyards that stretched for miles and miles throughout the valley. We enjoyed tastings at both Wolff Vineyards and Kynsi Winery, although only Wolff Vineyards is pictured above. It was definitely our favorite from the 7 wines we were able to taste, the panoramic views, the décor of the tasting room, and beautiful and relaxing outside patio. This was such a romantic outing for my boyfriend and I, but would also be fun for a girls trip for a special occasion. Reservations are also not needed here, and the winery is open daily for tastings from 11:00am-5:00pm. Tastings are $10, but are waved if you buy a bottle of wine. Great deal! Wolff Vineyards is located at 6238 Orcutt Rd; San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

Downtown SLO was buzzing with fun energy on a Sunday afternoon, and it’s no surprise considering that Cal Poly University is just around the corner. From restaurants, bars, boutiques, sweet and coffee shops, and so much more – there’s something for everyone here. We ate lunch at SLO Pasty Company and then got the most deeelicious ice cream from Doc Burstein’s Ice Cream Lab. We also made a stop at the infamous Bubblegum Alley (located at the 700 block of Higuera Street) and it was… interesting. Honestly, it really grosses me out that there is an entire alleyway dedicated to people’s chewed gum. But I guess it’s fascinating nonetheless. Whoever started this truly had an idea that stuck (pun intended) because there are layers upon layers of chewed gum lining the concrete walls. We walked throughout the alley way, making sure to not get too close to any of the ABC gum, blew some bubbles, and left our mark.

Most definitely the highlight of our romantic getaway was watching the sunset at Montana De Oro State Park. The name means "Mountain of Gold" and comes from the golden wildflowers found throughout the park grounds. As we made our way into the park, we stopped and parked at a small pullover section that fit about 7-10 cars. It’s shortly past the main recreation area where the majority of people park, but it leads you much closer to the cliffs. From about a five-10 minute walk into the forest area, we discovered one of the most beautiful coastline views I’ve ever experienced. We trekked around the Bluff Trail until we came upon a somewhat steep cliff side that led directly to the beach. Because it was so steep, we had to sit down and SLIDE down the entire side of the mountain. Although I was completely covered in sand and was constantly alternating between panicking and laughing, it was SO much fun and made for the perfect random adventure to end our day. Tip: go barefoot but bring solid hiking shoes - my high top converse were not the ideal shoes for this situation.

Once we made our way down to the coast, I fell completely in love with SO MANY THINGS. The jagged edges of the huge rock formations all over the beach. The black sand. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore. The fact that there was almost no one else there. Ahhh. It was so perfect. From the jagged edges of the cliffs and tide pools, the amazing views from the top of the cliffs, and sun setting perfectly over the Pacific Ocean, Mantana De Oro truly lives up to its name – it’s pure gold. Definitely a must see in SLO.

On our way from SLO to meet some friends for brunch in Pismo, we stopped for a post-coffee and donut walk along the cliffs along Shell Beach. We parked right outside of The Cliff’s Resort (2757 Shell Beach Rd, Pismo Beach, CA 93449), which we have also heard has a great brunch, as an FYI. We strolled along the paved walking path right next to the cliffs and the panoramic views were gorgeous. It was not as beautiful as Montana De Oro, but much less sandy and easier to access :) I would love to eat (or stay at!) the Cliff’s Resort during the next trip up here.

​Grub at Woodstock’s Pizza, grab donuts from Slo Donut Company, and get your caffeine fix from Black Horse Espresso (was way too busy eating to take pictures of any of these spots - opps!) 

Overall, I truly loved this “Getaway from L.A.” and can’t want to go back and explore more of this incredibly eclectic Central Coast city. Readers Digest said it best about SLO - “Business signs are unobtrusive by law, fewer than 11% of residents smoke—the lowest rate in the U.S.—there are lots of bike lanes, and the city’s plaza draws throngs of people for free concerts on summer Fridays. What’s not to love?” Yup, I’m lovin’ it.

Still on my SLO bucket list is hiking Bishop Peak, visiting Avila Beach, and eating BBQ at Firestone Grill. Have any other recommendations for my next trip or for others wanting to plan a SLO getaway? Feel free to leave any questions, thoughts, or ideas in the comments section!

Until my next getaway from LA adventure, thanks for tuning in!