Endless art & beauty
Explore the nooks and crannies
The high desert is a wonderful region. It’s full of interesting places to explore and things to see. There is art to be found, beautiful landscapes, music, and eccentric people. It is a special place to spend a few days and discover by car and by foot. Enjoy.
Mama’s house
That real life resort life
Most of my time in Palm Springs is spent by the pool at mom’s house, so this won’t be the best guide for up to date restaurants and nightlife since there are constantly new places popping up. I like to chill in Palm Springs, enjoy the enigmatic mountain view (especially when it’s snowcapped in the winter) and make frequent explorations to the surrounding region. Oh, and it’s a stellar backdrop for a party if I do say so myself.
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Champagne brunch at Tropicale
The Reef Bar at Caliente Tropics
Monday night bingo at Ace Hotel
Walk main street
High desert - a must - see my guide
Salton Sea / Salvation Mountain
Date shake at Hadley Fruit Orchards
Oh this city
Bring me back again and again
Who could sum up New York in one list? It’s the best and most diverse city in the world. OK except the extreme summer and winter temps or when your subway train just never arrives. But when the city works, it WORKS. September in the city is magic. At least I can offer a few things that I’ve enjoyed over the years.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty
Roosevelt Island Tramway
Central Park
Times Square - a hell hole when you live there, totally fun to spend 10 minutes in as a visitor!
BK Jani spicy burger
Randolph Beer - bottomless brunch drinks!
Union Pool - for the taco truck
Soho
Williamsburg
Broadway musical
Empire State Building - touristy but fun!
Holiday window displays on 5th Ave
Home base for life
All the lobster rolls
There’s nothing quite like island life. The fresh seafood, country drives, beaches, and sunsets! It’s a little corner of the earth I’ll always return to, for family, good friends and wonderful culture. What a place to be born.
Lambert’s Cove
Menemsha
Squibnocket
Lucy Vincent
Big Rock Bite
Elizabeth Islands
Chowder on the ferry
Oak Bluffs painted houses
Sparkles in the sunshine
Foggy and cold, until it’s not!
OK, I left San Francisco in 2010, which is why I almost didn’t write a guide for it, but then, how could I not? SF was the big city of my formative years, shopping for homecoming dresses on Haight, concerts at the Fillmore on repeat, my first jobs, great friends, and of course, learning to always pack layers, because no matter how sunny the day begins, by 4pm in the city you’ll be in a cloud for sure. But SF on a sunny day just sparkles. It’s such a fun tiny city to show off to visitors, all wrapped up in a bow. So don’t come to this list for the latest hot spots, but hopefully you can find a few oldie but goodies!
Ferry building Farmer’s Market
California Academy of Sciences
Fisherman’s Wharf - seals & chowder in a bread bowl. Kinda like Times Square, awful when you live there, very fun when visiting
Little Italy
Chinatown
Castro
Crissy Field
Pork Store Cafe - eggs in a tasty nest!
Mission burritos
Point Reyes
East Bay - needs a whole other post!
