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After a long drive from New Orleans, we didn't have much energy left in us to explore Knoxville. From the quick drive through downtown and people watching from our hotel patio, this rather small city is extremely clean, well-kept, and lively. We made a quick stop here to cut our drive to New York City. Our choice to stay at The Tennessean Hotel was a perfect one. The hotel has been nominated by Travel & Leisure for the "2021 World's Best Award" and it's easy to understand why. In this boutique hotel, the staff immediately knows your name and greets you accordingly throughout your stay. The rooms have extra-large showers, probably the largest ones I have seen in my travels, along with other unique touches like ambient lighting, incredibly soft linens, enormously fluffy towels, and modern decor. The stellar service is what stands out most at this hotel though. The entire staff goes above and beyond to make sure each guest feels welcomed and appreciated. The Drawing Room When we walked into the restaurant we thought we stumbled upon the hotel's bar. Surprisingly, the swanky dining room is furnished with leather armchairs and elegant couches instead of conventional dining room furniture. The bartender whipped up a perfect old-fashioned that arrived at the table smoking, a beautiful presentation indeed! The menu is small but the flavors were big in the dishes we ordered. The kitchen even prepared a special dish for the vegetarians in our group. The Drawing Room is a great place to unwind, enjoy a cocktail, and nibble on some great food. I wish we were able to see more of Knoxville because at a quick glimpse it looks like this city has a lot to offer. However, we have to move quickly to get back to NYC and the road is calling our name! Unfortunately, I don’t have much to recommend or share from our short stop here beyond where to lodge. I truly hope to have another opportunity to explore Knoxville in a future visit.

They say "third time's a charm" and this well-used saying certainly applied during our third visit to Austin. The first time I visited Austin was during SXSW when the city is packed with out-of-town visitors clogging the sidewalks. The second time was in September of 2020 at the start of the pandemic when the city seemed to struggle with how to best deal with the new restrictions while attempting to cope with having liberties and freedoms taken away. This third time, however, the locals seemed happier and better equipped to deal with the neverending presence of the virus. In fact, with the new "no mask mandate" recently implemented in Texas, most people walk around unmasked which is a stark contrast from the vibe we encountered here back in September. We really enjoyed this last visit and have a new sense of the city and all it offers. Please see my post detailing our last visit to Austin here where I highlighted some great meals and sites during our September visit. Below I will share some new places and activities we discovered in this third round. I hope you'll enjoy the additional tips on what to see and do on your next visit to this fun and activity-filled city. Just Walk I always say that the best way to get to know a city is by walking its streets. There are many adorable neighborhoods in Austin each offering a colorful character. Take a stroll on South Congress, Guadalupe Street, South Lamar, Rainey Street, and West 6th Street. I found these streets to be full of flavor, lively restaurants, colorful murals, and interesting shops. One of the things I admire most about Austin is the abundant patches of greenery located throughout the city, most notably in Zilker Park, which is expansive and very active. Rent a Bike We rented bikes at Barton Springs Bike Rental who offers very reasonable rates and great service. We rode the ten-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake which is truly a great way to explore the city and get a sense of downtown's architecture, the locals who flock to the trails for their fitness routines, and the coveted lake which is filled with kayakers and SUPers. The trails are fairly easy with only a couple of steep inclines and can be completed in under two hours. The ride around the lake truly delivers a beautiful perspective of the city. Pass over the Pedestrian Bridge Locals love this bridge and proudly recommend it to visitors. While it's a small bridge, the views are quite pretty. There is lush vegetation on both sides of the structure and strikingly blue waters below. It's a welcoming oasis in the middle of the city. Feast at a Food Truck Like Portland, Austin takes their food trucks seriously and you can find them all over town. From taco trucks to burger trucks to even dessert trucks, everything you'll crave will be satiated. Dine, Drink or Enjoy a Decadent Treat Austin really does have a fantastic food scene. We didn't pass any restaurant chains here. All the restaurants are just adorable with creative decor and welcoming patios. Below are some highlights from this third visit. Josephine House You know that Josephine House is a great find when locals keep pointing you in its direction. This corner restaurant has a vibrant outdoor patio, doting staff, excellent cocktails, and a fantastic menu that will appease all food lovers. You'll love the vibe here and you will find yourself recommending it to others as well. Nightcap You'll absolutely love your cocktails at Nightcap. Drinks are paired with great music and a lively crowd. The mixologists do a fantastic job creating creative cocktails that are well-balanced and delicious. My "ghost 'em gurl" signature cocktail, with Dulce Vida tequila, pineapple, lime Cointreau, ghost pepper nectar, jalapeño, and hibiscus, made me rethink whether ghosting someone is really a bad thing after all. Amy's Ice-Cream During our last visit to Austin, we checked out Amy's Ice-Cream on South Congress. During this current visit, we made a couple of stops to their West 6th location which we much preferred since you can actually enter the space, interact with the staff, and watch them mix the ingredients to prepare your perfect scoop. Their Rainbow Rock flavor is one of the dreamiest I've ever had. Since they change their flavors daily, don't be dismayed if it isn't available on the day you visit. Just ask them to combine their (not so) standard sweet cream flavor with sprinkles and mini marshmallows. It. Is. Life. Changing. Swedish Hill A neighborhood staple, Swedish Hill is always bustling. They bake their bread and pastries onsite and have a full menu of sandwiches and pastries to enjoy on their cute patio or to-go. I was easily hooked on their creamy iced-lattes and couldn't resist a daily visit to get my caffeine fix. Lodging Definitely stay in the city if you can as this will give you easy access to all the great neighborhoods. We absolutely loved our Airbnb rental in the Clarksville neighborhood of Austin which offered us a plethora of restaurants, bars, and shops right at our doorstep. In fact, I think that staying in this neighborhood played a big part in reshaping our experience in Austin. By staying here, we finally got the charm of the city. This five-bedroom home was extremely clean, well-stocked, and perfectly located. You'll find everything you need just a few steps away. I am so thankful that we gave Austin another try. We truly had a wonderful experience this time around. Sometimes, the timing of our explorations certainly plays a role in our perspectives. Between the large lake holding the city together, the beautiful parks, tons of trails, never-ending options of restaurants, and adorable shops, I finally get the buzz. I hope you get to check it out and experience it for yourself too!

We decided to skip the typical tourist agenda while in New Orleans and instead experienced life as locals for the two wonderful nights we explored this colorful city. The folks here are some of the happiest we have met along our road trip through the USA. Service at every single opportunity was at its most hospitable. New Orleans is the kind of place where no one is in a hurry, life is chill, food is fantastic, and although there obviously still is a disparity between the rich and poor, it is kept to a minimum. Those who live in the heart of the city live side by side, despite their income level, in "double shotgun" homes (think railroad-style apartments in a house version) whose facades cannot be altered in order to preserve the historic architecture. Everyone seems to know one another. There is no pretentiousness in the air. Life here is about simple living with deep relationships, great music, and incredible food. The weather this time of year is perfection. We really had the best time during our visit. We did make one stop on Bourbon Street on our first night in town. It is ridden with tourists, drunks, and sketchy characters. We actually hated it and left immedietly. We also drove through The French Quarter during daylight and found it to be extremely crowded and overwhelmingly geared towards tourists. Luckily we found the best ways to explore the city, the true life of the city outside the more famous areas, which I will share with you below. Book a Private Bike Tour with Confederacy of Cruisers This slow-paced and easy three-hour bike tour will take you on a journey through New Orlean's "French Side" and load you up with the city's history while leading you through colorful neighborhoods. The sites we encountered, and the facts we learned, really immersed us in the flavor of New Orleans. There were no tourists to be found on this itinerary. Our tour guide, Jeff, is a New York native who moved here after falling in love with the culture and people. Jeff seemed to know everyone in the Marigny Bywater area that we rode through and had a story to tell about each of his friends that we encountered along the way. A ride with the Confederacy of Cruisers was the highlight of our trip. You definitely do not want to miss the opportunity to see the local side of the city. Listen to Live Music on Frenchman Street Outside of the main French Quarter District is a beautiful little street lined with colorful bars, restaurants, and tunes of talented musicians. This part of town has no crowds or tourists and instead offers lots of insight into life in the city. Locals get together at places like d.b.a. (run by NYC folks) and clog the storefront, gathering together on the sidewalk to watch musicians jam away on just the other side of the street. It's just so cool to see people standing around a sidewalk, with a drink in hand, dancing to the tunes of musicians in the middle of the afternoon. Even cooler is watching drivers pass through the crowded street with patience and zero signs of annoyance that pedestrians are standing in their way. I'm telling you, life here is chill baby. Find Banksy Banksy left behind eleven pieces when he visited New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately, many of them got accidentally torn down or purposefully defaced. You can still find a couple of intact pieces in the heart of the city. "Umbrella Girl" can be found on St. Claude Avenue and Kerlerec Street. "The Grafitti Eradicator" can be found on Clio and Carondelet Streets. Venture Out to the Garden District This charming part of the city boasts huge, historical homes and lavish mansions around Audobon Park and St. Charles Avenue, on the Mardi Gras parade route. Magazine Street is lined with restaurants, bars, and cute boutiques. The neighborhood is also home to Tulane University. You'll love watching the locals strolling in the park and you’ll equally enjoy passing the gigantic homes in this "American part" of the city. Unlike the "French Side" of town, houses here have large lots, expansive patios, and a surplus of square footage. Visiting this area provides a completely different perspective to life in New Orleans along with a tangible context of how life changed in the city after the American Revolution, which is most notable in the architectural changes. Binge on Beignets Beignets are an essential part of the food scene in New Orleans. These flaky, square-shaped, fried doughs are just heavenly. There is a lot of controversy around where to find the best beignets in the city. Many people rave about the ones served at Cafe Du Monde. However, if you're like me, and refuse to wait in line for over an hour then trust me on this, skip it. What most tourists don't know is that locals swear by Loretta's beignets. After binging on several to find the best ones, I can personally attest that no beignet in New Orleans' can compete with hers. Loretta is a New Orleans native who uses her family recipe to make beignets on a per-order-basis. That's right, none are pre-made so you can expect a hot, steamy, insanely delicious beignet every time. Along with the traditional flavor, please make sure to order a few of her signature praline beignets (out of this world!) and savory crab-filled beignets (OMG). These things are unreal. You can either wait in line with the tourists at Cafe Du Monde or Cafe Beignet or walk right up to the counter of Loretta's where the locals like to hang for beignets that will blow you away. Explore the American and French Sides New Orleans is packed with history mainly of its days influenced by France's control of the region. The city is split into two sections: French (pre-American Revolution) and American (post-American Revolution). The differences in architecture and design of the city are obvious and immediately noticeable. The best way to observe the period changes is simply by walking through the downtown area and exploring both sides of Canal Street. Eat. All. Day. Long. Cajun. Creole. Gumbo. Beignets. Crawfish. Po' Boys. Biscuits. The food scene here is like no other and you could, no joke, spend at least two weeks here exploring the culinary scene. We only had two nights so I knew that my researching skills had to be flawless, with little room for error in such a short visit. I am excited to share that I was spot on in selecting our eating destinations and I am even more excited to share them with you! Parkway For the best-fried shrimp po'boys, this is your place. The sandwiches are loaded with shrimp. Like with each bite, five shrimp will drop to the floor. This is a messy meal but just stuff your face into the stuffed baguette dripping in creole mustard, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and wild-local shrimp. Although this restaurant is outside of the main hub of the city, expect a long line or call your order in for pick-up to enjoy in a local park like we did. Willa Jean For great service and biscuits, this is your place. Breakfast in this modern and vibrant setting was the perfect way to start the day. Willa Jean whips up every biscuit variety you can think of. We opted for a fried chicken biscuit with tabasco honey, a plain biscuit with jam and butter, and an egg biscuit with pimiento cheese. Yum. Yum. Yum. Make sure to also order their delectable banana bread which is served warm, slightly seared, and will leave you oohing and aahing after each bite. Palace Cafe There are some meals that you'll never forget. Palace Cafe will offer you one of these rare experiences. When I look at the blurry pictures below I am reminded of how excited I was to devour the dishes presented to us that I didn't even take the time to check the quality of the images! Rest assured, I did check the quality of the food and it is outstanding. The crabmeat cheesecake in a pecan crust is unreal. Have you ever heard of such a thing? We also indulged ourselves on the shrimp remoulade prepared with Gulf shrimp, remoulade, fried green tomato, romaine lettuce, and chopped egg. Even the fried oyster salad was one of the most memorable salads. Really everything here is just so delicious. Make sure to end your meal with their famous table-side prepared banana foster. You'll be talking about it for days. Restaurant R'Evolution This special place makes our top ten best restaurant list in the USA. The service in this fine dining restaurant is impeccable. The cajun inspired food is flawless. The pricier-than-usual bill is worth every penny as every bite from start to finish will leave your palate doing a happy dance. Death by Gumbo is the dish that put this restaurant on the map. Because of the meats in it (I do not eat meat and really wanted in on the gumbo action!) we ordered the seafood gumbo instead, which in my opinion couldn't be any more delicious. We also enjoyed a lovely green salad with champagne vinegarette, dry age steak tartare with quail yolk, blue crab beignets that I just cannot describe in words, ricotta gnocchi with lobster which almost made our heads explode with pleasurable sensations, the special seared sea bass of the evening which was perfectly cooked, the Steen's Cane vinegar pie that was eaten in less than sixty seconds, and the dessert of the evening: carrot cake in caramel ganache. This was the perfect place to celebrate our last Friday night on the road before wrapping up this road trip. I will never forget this restaurant and I am certain you won't either. Stay at a Historic Hotel The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf-Astoria Hotel is exactly where you'll want to stay while visiting New Orleans. In true New Orleans fashion, the staff is cheerful, dotting, and accommodating in every way. The location is central to both the American and French sides of the city's hub. The hotel's three restaurants are sceny and lively. The outdoor pool has beautiful cityscape views and a fun bar staff that serves generous pours. The rooms are beautiful and spacious. Guest rooms are stocked with Salvatore Ferragamo products which I have only scene once before at The Portrait Hotel in Firenze. This hotel oozes old world class in a laid back, welcoming manner. Two nights went by too quickly. Our first visit to New Orleans years ago was mainly spent in the French Quarter so we had the impression that two nights would be enough on this second visit. However, upon discovering the other, more authentic side of the city, we had a hard time peeling away. We could have easily spent a few more nights immersed in the beautiful vibe here. Note to self: next time, stay at least four nights. I can't wait to hear about your New Orleans adventures! Please let me know if I missed any other under-the-radar sites to add to our next visit becaus will absolutely be back.

With each visit to Santa Fe, I become more enthralled with the city. On this third visit, there was still so much left to discover in this land of adobe homes, art galore, desert landscapes, and spectacular scenery. Every building and every structure blends perfectly into our beautiful earth. The city is drenched in a rich history that continues to celebrate the strong influences of the Native American and Mexican cultures that are woven into the culinary, music, textile, architectural, and artistic scenes that thrive here. There is a soothing element when in Santa Fe, an instant calming effect upon my soul and spirit. This is one of my favorite cities in the United States and one I hope to continue to revisit and further explore. In October we spent two weeks in Santa Fe and you can read about our highlights from that visit here. Below I will share with you some additional discoveries and insights on places to visit, dine, and experience when in this magical part of the USA. Please read both posts for a comprehensive list of places to visit while in the area. La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs Hundreds of petroglyphs remain intact from the 13th-17th centuries when the Puebloan people inhabited the areas. Experiencing this area is more than satisfying in many ways. Firstly, the scenery is breathtaking. The desert landscape spans for miles until hitting a horizon lined with mountain peaks. Secondly, the hike to the marked rocks is quite adventurous, and not so easy to find. Trekkers are easily deterred by the path, which is comprised of a jungle of rocks that make visitors second guess the very clearly marked white arrow pointing to the right direction all along. Just follow the arrows exactly as they are, despite the tendency to question whether you will be heading in the right direction. If you follow the white arrows they will loyally take you to the top of the cliff, through a steep and unpaved rocky trail to the very top where the petroglyphs will greet you and share their stories. Finally, the most exciting part of this excursion is obviously the connection to the people of the land who left these carved drawings hundreds of years ago and imaging what life was like for them while trying to decipher some of the cryptic imagery. La Cienguilla Petroglyphs are a wonderful escapade to be enjoyed just twenty minutes outside of downtown Santa Fe. Pecos National Historical Park Just outside of Santa Fe is a well-preserved national park that tells the story of the 2,000 Puebloan people that once lived in this vast space surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This park holds so much history beyond the Puebloans. The Spaniards tried to conquer the area, ultimately failing when the Puebloans revolted. Many explorers and traders passed through on the Santa Fe Trail and well-known Route 66. This area bursts with a rich past, most notably through the remains of the Pecos Puebloan village. The Pecos National Historical Park offers free access to a clean, easy trail through the ruins with opportunities to interact with the landmarks. We were able to climb down into a Kiva, an underground gathering site, and walk through what remains of a Spanish church built by missionaries. Also, the surrounding landscape is alone worth a visit. A Drive Down the Turquoise Trail This historic trail spans through fifty miles of breathtaking scenery and will take you through some surprisingly quirky art colonies in areas that have once been abandoned mining towns. This is at least a half-day trip that you don't want to miss when visiting Santa Fe. We had such a wonderful time discovering the not-so-ghostly towns along the route. Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid) is a colorfully revived mining town packed with galleries, turquoise jewelry stores, a cafe called Java Junction (with great lattes!), restaurants, small lodges, and loads of character. This town is right smack in the middle of nowhere and certainly deserves more attention. The best part is speaking with the shop owners and locals. Make sure to get to know them and ask them how they arrived in Madrid, each one will have an interesting story to share. I absolutely adore this town and everything about it. (Note: Tinker Town Museum, packed with whimsical wooden western figurines, is approximately a twenty-minute drive outside of Madrid towards Alberquerque). Shugarman Chocolate, Madrid You know I am obsessed with local chocolate shops. I waited very patiently for Shugarman's Little Chocolate Shop to open later in the day on a Sunday. They specialize in chocolate turtles and interesting chocolate bark creations, like the margarita salt/lemon/cashew dark chocolate bark that I ordered, which was delicious. The husband and wife team run the shop and bring a lot of character to the experience. Harvey moved from the East Coast upon falling in love with Madrid during a visit in 2012. Anthony Bourdain also visited this shop. Make sure to stop by and see what all the sweet buzz is about for yourself. Mineshaft Tavern, Madrid This tavern dates back to 1895 and is one of Madrid's biggest draws. The dining institution has become a mecca not only for bikers but for artists, musicians, and movie stars who visit this historic site, which many folks claim is haunted. Mineshaft Tavern serves a mean Mad Chili burger that absolutely deserves its hype! My favorite part of the meal was chatting with Tina, our server, who lives off the grid in the nearby hills and has the cutest southern drawl. Connie's Photo Park, Madrid Connie's Photo Park is run by Connie herself who painted all the fun cutout boards for visitors to enjoy for just a suggested donation of $2 per person. She is another interesting person to speak to. A native of Keywest, Florida, Connie moved to the area thirty years ago and hasn't left since. Ten years ago she purchased two lots and turned them into a bright and cheerful art exhibit that makes people happy. She has big dreams for these lots and I hope to one day return to see her visions manifest. Cerrillos, on the Turquoise Trail Cerrillos was once considered the capital of New Mexico and lives to tell the story of its Old West roots. This tiny town is a scene out of a western movie with dirt roads and all. The buildings that line the main street literally look like they haven't been touched since the 1850s during the town's mining peak. This place is of another era and will leave you wondering about the history of its past, and current, dwellers. Origami in the Garden, on the Turquoise Trail Unfortunately, this incredible outdoor sculpture garden, packed with Origami inspiration, is closed until 2023. However, you can still pull over to view some of the road-side masterpieces. Dining Santa Fe has one of the most incredible food scenes in the country. There are a plethora of fantastic options, mostly Mexican-inspired, to be enjoyed at every price point. With each visit, food was always an essential part of our experience in Santa Fe. Here are our favorites from this time around. La Choza Restaurant This colorful restaurant is loved by locals. By 5:00 pm, their dinner opening time, there was already a long line of patrons waiting to be seated. La Choza is the sister restaurant of The Shed (which I wrote about in our previous visit) and both deliver fantastic Mexican fare. One of the more creative dishes at La Choza is the green chili clam chowder. This dish is soo good. I also ordered my first sopapilla here and can't believe I have missed this my entire life. The kitchen stuffs the fluffy, crispy dough with beans and cheese and tops it with a spicy Rojo sauce. I devoured this dish even though I was already stuffed with their insanely loaded nachos and the clam chowder. In fact, we made a return visit as I found myself craving more of this fantastic dish. Their margaritas are well balanced too bringing together a perfect meal. Zacatlan If you ever dream of a brunch that masterfully whips up flautas, chilaquiles, and huevos rancheros in a harmonically authentic way, Zacatlan is your place. From the moment you enter the bright restaurant, you'll be warmed by their thoughtful touches of fresh flowers throughout their space along with their cheerful greetings. Their mole sauce is out of this world with a perfectly deep, rich, and spicy homemade creation. We absolutely loved our experience here. La Boca If you find yourself itching for delicious Spanish tapas then La Boca will satisfy all your cravings. In fact, for those of you who have traveled to Barcelona, you'll feel right back in Barca as this restaurant recreates the most delicious Spanish flavors in their small dishes to be shared by your group. As usual, we couldn't resist ordering a bunch of menu items and seriously devoured every morsel. On our tasting agenda was grilled artichoke with queso de Cabra, cauliflower trio of BBQ harissa, baked in manchego, and fried with aioli, patatas bravas, bruschetta cooked with mushrooms and cream, shrimp tacos with pimento sauce, vegetable paella, and roasted red peppers with queso de Cabra pintxos. The blood orange sangria was a perfect complement to our meal. This place is awesome and left us talking about our meal here for days. Clafoutis I am obsessed with this bakery and make multiple stops here with each visit to Santa Fe. This French bakery is as close to France as you will get in the USA. Each morning their case is filled with freshly bakes quiches, pastries, and sandwiches. The staff greets you in French and throws around lots of "merci beaucoups" and "comment ca vas". My morning addiction in Santa Fe is a creamy latte paired with a pain au chocolate at Clafoutis. I seriously cannot imagine a better way to start the day. Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina I was really excited to check out this cantina that has a cult following but must admit, we were really disappointed with their food. All five of us agreed that we experienced just an overall bad meal here. The reason I am including Coyote Cafe on this list is that it would make a great spot for evening margaritas and delicious nachos. The ambiance is the highlight here delivering a lively atmosphere with graffiti walls, colorful decor, and pumping music. We tried to stop by one evening but it was packed with others who surely were enjoying these great qualities of the restaurant. The rooftop deck is the coveted seating area which offers great sunset views and of people walking by below. Come by for cocktails and a great vibe, but trust me on this, stay away from anything but the nachos. Terra Restaurant The Four Seasons The setting at this secluded property is truly an experience in itself. Tucked away in the desert, away from everything but mountain ranges, this Four Seasons property is one of the nicest we have ever visited. Terra Restaurant prepares Traditional American cuisine dishes with a Mexican flare. The cucumber quinoa salad with cherry heirloom tomato, red quinoa, smoked queso fresco, chayote, cilantro, chili-lime vinaigrette, and smoked queso fresco was a delight. The crispy Brussels sprouts, grilled swordfish Ajillo, and build your own pasta dishes were unanimously a hit as well. The highlight was in the dessert finale. The Mexican chocolate mousse is an outstanding, perfectly prepared combination of hazelnut praline pastry cream, black sesame tuile, dark cherry, and Mexican chocolate pop rocks. The chocolate pop rocks is a truly brilliant culinary creation that I, personally, have never seen on a menu before. A meal here should certainly be on your list of masterful dining experiences while in the Santa Fe area. Kakawa Well-loved for their decadent chocolate elixirs, Kakawa prepares exquisite chocolate drinks, in six indulgent flavors, and a host of delicious chocolate truffles as well. Their Mexican hot chocolate is so intense, even for me, who always loves a spicy kick. I couldn't decide if I could sip an entire cup of that hot stuff and the barista quickly offered to create a blend of the Mexican chocolate with their house favorite, the contemporary, which created a beautiful result. Their truffles also come in wonderful flavors like milk chocolate lime mezcal, goat cheese and sage, cherry chili, and green chili margarita truffles. Since I had this treasure just a few steps from our rental home I was fortunate enough to get acquainted with their fantastic flavors of chocolate creations. You can also pick up some of their products off their retail shelf to take a piece of this heaven home with you. Lodging The pictures barely capture this gorgeous adobe home in Santa Fe. Every single part of the home is appointed with beautiful southwestern touches and details. The art collection throughout the home adds to the serene ambiance created by the woods and earthen colors that permeate the space. The house is modern, possibly just renovated, yet it maintains a classic adobe decor and we just never wanted to leave. I can't stress enough how perfect this four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath home, with indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and every detail you could ever hope for in a vacation rental, is. You will make wonderful memories here. We had some other sites on our list that we were unable to get to due to weather conditions or work issues that came up. An afternoon day trip to Chimayo was on our list followed by dinner at Rancho de Chimayo. We also had to cancel a day trip to Taos which is an absolutely stunning city with a spectacularly scenic drive 90 minutes outside of Santa Fe. We have visited Taos before and loved it so much we hoped to catch it a second time during this visit. I highly recommend a drive there taking the high road on the way to Taos and the low road on the way back to Santa Fe. Also, make sure to stop on the Rio Grande Bridge on the way for some breathtaking vistas. Finally, no visit to Taos is complete without a visit to Taos Pueblo Village where natives continue to reside in the traditions of their ancestors who have lived in the area for almost one thousand years. Santa Fe continues to be one of my favorite cities in the United States. Its art and culinary scene are unmatched. The colors of the city that blend into the desert landscapes are soothing and inspiring. Luckily, it is a hard-to-access city that requires a flight from any large city which keeps it less crowded and one of America's best-kept secrets.

Yesterday my goal was to write about the importance of lining up our intentions with the ultimate results that they deliver. I quickly realized the irony in that the very thing I wrote about was a failed lesson on my end. My intention to share a positive learning lesson did not line up with the negative impact that ensued. After posting, I wrote the mom that I referenced, notifying her of the article with the hopes of letting her know that there are no hard feelings and that nothing was taken personally so that she would approach reading it with the proper lens. I let her know that my goal was to share how we can all personally improve by being aware of the impact we often unknowingly make. I really did try to line up my intention and impact by reaching out to her shortly after publishing my thoughts to avoid any hurt feelings on her end. From that moment, I became the recipient of cruel comments, hurtful jabs, and direct insults. I was also blocked from texting her, she unsubscribed from my blog, and unfollowed me (while also removing me as her follower) from Instagram. Never ever did I expect such a reaction. Yes, I was fully aware of the possibility that perhaps she may be taken aback and caught off guard by my article. That's why I immediately wrote her to provide some context to my post. I never thought, however, that by being truthful about an experience and the ways that I experienced them, I would then be completely canceled out. Not only was the opportunity to respond to very wounding comments taken away from me, but I have also been removed from ever being allowed to contact her again. Cancel culture at its finest. This whole experience has left me distraught and upset. I am saddened that I triggered someone to react so negatively when the intention was to trigger positive, introspective contemplation of how all of us are guilty of not lining up our intentions with our actions. I am frustrated that I was so misread and misunderstood. I am most upset that as mature adults we can no longer agree to have different perspectives. Are we really so willing to completely shut people out over differing perspectives? So, yesterday I learned the hard way how easy it is to be tuned out for actually trying harder than ever to be tuned in. I now need to figure out how my message was so easily derailed. So what have I learned from this encounter? 1) I have learned that sometimes no matter how hard we try to line up our intentions with their actual outcomes, it's just not always possible to do so. 2) I now realize that although I really thought that I have arrived at a wonderful place of no longer taking things personally, I still totally do. I have much more work to do in this area. 3) I acknowledge that I need to come to terms with the fact that most people do not handle any criticism well and that sadly very few adults are emotionally mature enough to be able to accept another perspective without getting defensive. This is making me question how safe we all really feel being honest with one another. If the consequences are as grand as being insulted followed by being shut out entirely, how could any of us feel safe to express our feelings? It seems so much easier to go about our days with a smile on our faces and robotically interact with one another. Luckily, I am not yet at that point nor is it on my destination list. 4) I now know that my words may resonate with some of you and trigger you in the best ways possible while others may be negatively triggered by my points of view. Some of you kindly share how you relate to my posts or how I inspire you in some ways. On the other hand, yesterday I learned that some of you may have the direct opposite experience when reading my words. I am more aware of this now but please understand that I must continue to be honest in how I feel in order for me to figure out what I need to. My intention is never to hurt anyone. 5) Sadly, I learned that seemingly stable adults can easily be pushed to the brink and are so ready to unleash insults, direct blows, and threats. Then, with the push of a few buttons, they can shut you up and discard you. Poof! People are complex. Life is hard. Growing up is a process. I still stand firmly in my position that we can simplify situations and experiences by just practicing awareness and holding ourselves accountable when we mess up. I screwed up yesterday by writing about an aspiration that ironically was executed in the most opposite way possible. But I was truthful in my intentions and hold myself accountable for the poor delivery. More importantly, I never even considered canceling her out because I disapproved of her behavior. This blog documents my journey. It's my story. You may have a totally different lens when reading my posts. I do hope though, that occasionally I evoke in you a new way of looking at things as I continue to figure out my own life with all of its enigmas, characters, and experiences. In fact, I hope that occasionally we can figure things out together. Putting my thoughts into words is merely a vehicle for me to sort things out. Please don't jump into the new trend of canceling out others just because you may strongly disagree with them. If we can't be respected for our points of view and not allowed to have a voice, then we'll end up in a society of inauthentic people fearing the repercussions that await if their truth is spoken. Cancel culture sucks. I bore a tiny, miniscule brunt of its wrath. There are people out there standing up for much more meaningful values that are removed from their job positions, forced into humiliating apologies, publicly rebuked, and worst of all scared to ever share their views again. Can we agree to disagree? Can we agree that sometimes we just screw up and that being given the leeway to do so allows us to evolve and grow? Can we support one another in our journeys? I am still processing the hurtful and unexpected reaction to yesterday's post. I am definitely trying to explore the ways I have played a role in her extreme outburst. Since I can't speak with her, I am speaking to you. Thank you for giving me the support and space to grow, evolve, and express myself. More so, thank you for not canceling me out of your lives, even when you disagree with me most.

Our spaceship is soon landing back on earth and I can't help feeling like an alien. It's been over a year since we have been home in New York City and so much has changed. Mostly, I have changed. With these new changes come wonderful things yet they also bring me a struggle of how to reconnect with those I was once tethered to in my daily life. We've barely had any face-to-face human contact with our friends on this road trip. Early on we met up with friends in Texas and California but that was months ago. By coincidence, we ended up in Santa Fe with another family we know from NYC. What started as joyous feelings and the exciting creation of many plans to hike, share a holiday, and get our girls together, who have become good friends, oddly turned into a situation full of drama, broken plans, and disappointment. My daughter who is truly the sweetest, kindest, and most thoughtful ten-year-old you will ever meet, was forced to face so much disappointment in the wake of her friend's mother who just couldn't keep the plans we made for the girls to spend time together. This morning they had plans to meet, which were once again broken, and my daughter's awareness of how something so simple can turn into something so complicated has affected her too much. Last night she waited so patiently for her friend's mother to confirm their playdate today, as promised. She went to bed unsettled for the second night in a row. This morning she woke up at 4:00 am hoping to receive a text from me that their plan to see each other is actually on. But it isn't. So, that's the quick background. The deeper, more purposeful meaning I take from all this is the realization that while we are all human beings with the best intentions if our resulting impact is negative, what good do our positive intentions mean? We can't just walk around claiming we have good intentions while not practicing the awareness of converting them into good actions. In this case, while the mom I am referring to had the best intentions to connect our daughters, who both mutually wanted more than anything to spend time together, her delivery was poor. She put my ten-year-old on a roller coaster ride of three broken plans in four days. As a ten-year-old should be in this situation, my daughter was confused and couldn't make sense of why the plans could not be fulfilled. As usual, there were many discussions around not taking things personally and the importance of practicing awareness so that we don't make others feel hurt or upset. But deep down inside, I felt sad that a ten-year-old needs to learn these lessons so soon. She just wanted a play date that was promised to her. She craved connection with a friend after being relationship starved for the past eight months on the road. Now, in no way do I think this mother is a horrible person. Nor do I think that she is aware of how deeply her lack of ability to carry out her commitment impacted my daughter, and ultimately my family as we all had to talk her through this situation. Instead, this is my point, the message I am trying to get across: while we lay on one side of a situation we often have no window into how our actions are unfolding on just the other side of the door. While we may think something is no big deal, someone on the other side is experiencing the complete opposite. The only possible way to line up our intentions with our actions is to also include awareness; we must ask ourselves how does this affects that. Without awareness, we blindly convince ourselves that we have good intentions and that we have no responsibility for their actual outcome. If our intentions are good, then we are good, right? Wrong. This lesson has taught me, and I am so eager to share it with you too, that it is crucial that we consciously ensure that our intentions line up with the actual impact they make. We really must take responsibility for our actions and not justify our choices, even when they hurt others. I don't want to feel like an alien. I want to experience a completely natural flow with my fellow humans. However, I refuse to dumb down my awareness of how my words and actions affect others. I refuse to be less sensitive because we already have too many hardened people walking around hurt and let down. I refuse to have my daughter think even for one second that any of this had anything to do with her. I refuse to believe that anyone reading this wouldn't take a moment to truly reflect on whether our intentions line up with our actions because I do believe we all have the best intentions and therefore want the most positive outcomes. I wholeheartedly believe that there will be at least one dozen people who walk away from this post, asking themselves regularly, "do my intentions line up with my impact?" and that those people will positively affect dozens of others. So, my question to you is will you be one of those dozens whose intention lines up with their actions? It's never too late to recalibrate. This journey has taken me to such faraway places both physically and spiritually yet I feel closer to home than ever. Suddenly leaving home, one year ago, does continue to feel otherworldly. At the same time, I feel more grounded than ever. I intend to balance these opposing experiences hoping that the impact will be one where I can inspire others to think more deeply about their purpose, their fears, their impact. Really, I am taking you along my journey as I try to figure out all these things myself. I am in no way an expert in human behavior but I do want to expertly be the best human I can be. Thank you for joining me on this journey to work through how we can be the best versions of ourselves, on planet earth.

Yesterday I experienced what most would label as a bad day. It came as a surprise as I have been in pretty good spirits the past few months. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, all the tools I've been pocketing that have given me the skills needed to practice awareness, positivity, and mindfulness just slipped away. Right at dawn, I noticed my meditation practice was off but I didn't pay too much attention to it not being as useful as usual. Then, as part of my early morning educational routine, I watched an interview with Oprah and the monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, who beautifully shared his views on peace, compassion, and ways to deeply connect with ourselves and others. Normally, a talk like this would carry me through the day. But not yesterday. The gloomy mood began with the resistance of my older son refusing to at least attempt implementing a schedule to help his day have more structure. In these crazy remote-learning days, we find that he isn't challenging himself as much as he could be. Regardless of how hard I tried to convince him that a set schedule is a key to a successful and productive day, even referencing several accomplished people who swear by the importance of doing so, he just refused to listen. Then, while trying to watch a video together which explains how to select classes for the Fall at his new high school, my impatience was further tested. He kept wanting to skip through slides, moving the cursor all over the screen, standing up to "shoot hoops" with table placemats. Miraculously, I somehow didn't lose my cool... yet. During my pleading of him to focus, Instacart rang our doorbell. My husband, sitting in just the other room, was calmly typing away through all this as if no doorbells were ringing, no children were yelling, or no signs of a mother struggling on the verge of tears, were all happening in one room over. When that bell rang, it served as my warning that I was about to snap. Being aware of the delicate moment, I nicely asked my care-free husband to accept the delivery. He happily did so and even put the groceries away. Another potentially volatile moment diffused, or so I thought. In poor timing, my daughter joined the chaos by overreacting when I wanted to review something with her to give her the feedback that she asked for. I just couldn't contain myself anymore. During the one-hour window that I just described in this short paragraph, I felt like I was in crazy land and wanted out. That's when I snapped. My mind traveled to all these unattractive places: the tower of tears, the palace of pathetic, the fort of frustration. I was SO irate that my son couldn't sit still and be attentive while we were making decisions for his life, beyond irritated that my husband could sit through my pleas for my son to concentrate AND a delivery doorbell without intervening. I was more than annoyed by my daughter's huge fuss about me simply wanting to review her project with her. So that you don't wrongly assume that my middle one was an angel, I should clarify that he, too, was in on the plan to torture me yesterday. During lunch, while I was trying to get a smile out of him, he kept telling me to "stop" and repeatedly pointed out that I'm "not funny". Jeez, thanks. I actually think I am pretty funny. Yesterday I was mad. Mad at all of them. Then it occurred to me that I was actually infuriated with myself. More so, I was disconcerted that I caved into anger and a thought process that would only serve me negatively. Disappointed that I allowed myself to wallow in my contempt. In fact, I consciously decided not to snap out of it and instead encouraged myself to continue down the path of bitterness which is the complete opposite of everything I have been learning and practicing the past several months. In an odd turn of events, rather than rebuking myself for faltering, I learned that I actually wanted to revel in a little resentment and so I permitted myself to do so. I reminded myself that I am a pretty awesome mom. I also allowed myself to have a tantrum once every few months which usually results from months of tapping into my deepest reserves of tolerance and compassion. Magically, I was no longer upset at myself. Furthermore, I was determined to show my nonchalant crew that sometimes mom actually DOES get impacted by their behaviors and that she can't always be happy-go-lucky. They needed to know that people get PISSED OFF when you push them too much. In my case, yesterday they pushed me off the cliff and I had zero guilt over taking the plunge. The beautiful outcome of yesterday's scenario is that for the first time in my role as a mother, I didn't beat myself up over yelling nor did I blame myself for overreacting. Instead, I granted myself the freedom to be angry, to not speak to them for the first hour of our sightseeing excursion, and to be OK with being upset. My daughter was the first one to come to me to apologize for her earlier behavior. Her beautiful spirit quickly drew me back into a world of love that saved us from the silence we all sulked in. Then my sons chimed in. By dinner time, we were all back to the chatty, not-stop-conversing group that we are. My husband, on the other hand, I didn't forgive quite as quickly. Despite his several attempts to apologize for checking out while I was struggling to swim, I needed him to know just a little bit longer that I could follow his lead and conveniently check out too. So, what's the lesson here? What did I learn from yesterday's tumultuous mood? I learned that sometimes a bad day is actually a good day. I learned that it is perfectly fine to stray from a certain path, in my case a road towards positivity and patience, in order to regain direction. Most importantly I learned to never torture myself again when I do lose my way. In reality, I wasn't lost at all and needed to take that detour to find what I was looking for yesterday: permission to be flawed, freedom to be angry, and the liberty to teach my family that mom has feelings too. Unless you are Thich Nhat Hanh, it is impossible to always remain grounded, nonreactive, and even-keeled. Sometimes we need to be wrong so that we could ultimately be right. Maybe, just maybe, sometimes it is acceptable to just have a bad day.

Are you aware of your daily movements and motions and how they impact others around you or do you more easily fall into the rhythm of your days without consciously knowing how you impact the lives of others? Do you even want to make an imprint or is your main goal to just get through the day with as little friction as possible? A few days ago I received a message from someone that I never met expressing deep words of gratitude regarding my behavior towards her daughter. She held on to her words for one entire year before finally reaching out to me to share how I positively influenced her daughter's life. I mean WOW. Tears streamed down my face as I read, and reread her message, sharing how my "kindness" affected her family. Honestly, I can't say I did anything worth mentioning to receive this message. There isn't anything notable I did that I could share with you to be worthy of her words. Something did suddenly click though; even our most basic acts of kindness and generosity make a huge impact on others. Sometimes others may express the impact made right away, sometimes they may express it one year later, and sometimes they may never express it at all, but rest assured that every move we make affects someone around us. Her message served as a powerful reminder of how crucial it is that as human beings, we think beyond ourselves and make it a habit to make reaching out to others an integral part of our daily routines. After reading her note, I knew more than ever to continue living immersed in my rooted values of letting others know that they are truly cared for, no matter how often I may feel overlooked and regardless of how regularly my gestures are unreciprocated because the biggest joys in my life have often come directly from fulfilled acts of kindness. My ten-year-old daughter was dying to share with her friends that we are moving to San Diego. I asked her to refrain from sharing the news until it was official. I didn't think she would make it and started to consider whether my request was unfair or unrealistic. Yet, she waited five whole weeks to finally release her well-contained excitement only to receive "cool" or "wow" as responses from her friends. Now, luckily she is a very well-adjusted child, and I already prepared her for the dull responses she would likely receive, which allowed her to maturely accept the lack of enthusiasm from her friends. She is totally fine with their non-reactions. It is me that spent some time deliberating their unsupportive responses. I could easily blow their reactions off as "no biggie" since they came from children. Except that I received the same responses (or lack of) from their adult parents. So then I started to wonder more deeply, why do so many of us have our head up our ass? Do we even realize that we are losing touch with a deeper purpose in our lives by floating through life? Are we aware that we are raising children who are on the path to become adults who will also one day only deeply care about their own lives? How do we change our behaviors when our intentions are so good and we all deep down do genuinely care about others? What I have learned over the years is that small gestures really do go a long way. When someone mentions their birthday is coming up, I immediately put it in my calendar with a yearly reminder so I don't forget to send birthday wishes the following years. When someone mentions an important date, I put that in my calendar too so that I can easily follow up. If someone does not have family nearby to celebrate a holiday with, I always make sure to invite them to our holiday table. If someone sends an email about a charity they are raising money for, I always donate something. If someone sends me a text or an email, I always respond. If someone posts happy news on Instagram, I always send good wishes, even if I don't know them, and especially if I do. If someone endures surgery, I send flowers. You get the point. Now, I am not in any way sharing this to prove how "wonderful" of a human being I am. I am sharing this to show you how easy it is to reach out to others and make a small impact just by showing you care. If you train yourself to immediately note in your calendar all the life circumstances people face around you, then you will never forget to spread kindness and brighten other people's lives. You will always make a positive impact. For those of you who are parents, your children will quickly take note and will follow the same path of altruism and generosity. I can attest that this will bring them much greater fulfillment and happiness than a full schedule of self-serving after-school activities. Our son once mentioned how he reaches out to all his friends on their birthdays but none of them send wishes his way on his own birthday. I reminded him that this is not a sign that they don't care about him, it is just a reminder that they are not well trained in facilitating acts of kindness nor have they been taught to think beyond their own lives. I also pointed out that although it sucks that they don't reach out to wish him a happy birthday, it is more noteworthy to focus on what an awesome friend he is to never forget theirs and that they are surely touched by his thoughtfulness. Why are we here if we don't allow ourselves to really be here? What are we teaching our children by modeling self-serving behaviors and not stressing the importance of how to care for others? Is our purpose in life really just to work hard, earn as much money as possible, raise children who will be accepted into Ivy-league schools so that they too can simply have successful careers and earn a lot of money? Is this really what we are working towards? In my heart, I know we all want a happy life and happy lives for our kids. But how many of us also want a happy life for our friends, community members, and even strangers? How far are we willing to cast our nets beyond our immediate circle? If we act out the proposition that everyone matters (a great directive by Jordan Peterson), our families will benefit, our communities will thrive, our world will prosper. But it starts with each and every one of us committing to the awareness of the positive, and negative, impacts we make through our behaviors and what we prioritize in our lives. One small act of kindness leaves a long-lasting mark. I am so grateful to the mom who sent me the beautiful message, one year later, thanking me for the most basic acts of kindness of merely making sure her daughter felt like she had our family to turn to, while she was away from hers during her first year in college. Every single day we continuously make positive, and negative, impacts on those around us. You're going to make an impact. You are making an impact each and every moment of your life. Even by choosing to sit out on a moment when you can reach out, just by choosing to put that opportunity in the back of your mind, you are making a negative impact. So, the real question is, not whether you will make an impact but what kind of impact will you choose to make this minute, this hour, this day, this week, this year? I truly hope that you choose the path of consciously making a positive impact and in return, reap the benefits of the wonderful blessings that come your way just by putting a smile on someone else's face.

A stop in San Diego during our road trip is one that truly changed our lives. We were so quickly mesmerized by the city's enchanting beauty that we instantly decided to make a permanent move here. This magical city lured us to leave our home in New York City, where we have lived for the past twenty-three years, with its sights and sounds of nature. That's how utterly powerful the beauty of San Diego is. It is a true paradise on California's southern tip that makes it almost impossible for visitors to leave. Surprisingly San Diego is huge relative to its population of 3.4 million residents. Coming from a city with 8.4 million people, mostly cramped together, the space seems endless here. There are more than enough activities, neighborhoods, encounters with nature, restaurants, etc... for everyone to enjoy without feeling overly crowded. The sky is always blue, the sun is always shining, and you can hop through many attractive and lively neighborhoods without ever leaving the coast's side. After four weeks we just couldn't peel ourselves away from this utopic city and extended our visit for two more weeks and then knowing we never wanted to leave, we decided to call it home. Below is my vetted list of the Top 23 things to do when visiting San Diego. 1. LINGER IN LA JOLLA FOR AS LONG AS YOU CAN La Jolla is the only town in San Diego that has earned its own zip code because there truly is nowhere on the continent like it. Known as "The Jewel City", this coastal city has endless sparkle with no limits on sunshine, nature, and a beautifully slow pace that comes with beachside living. There are countless activities to enjoy in this part of San Diego without ever having to leave. Tune in with Nature at La Jolla Cove for Sunset, Sea, & Seals Have you ever seen seals in the wild and heard their cacophonous communications up close and personal? Whether you have, or have not, spending time in La Jolla Cove is an experience not to be missed. This picturesque cove is surrounded by cliffs with waters that are protected by a marine reserve. You'll often spot scuba divers and swimmers entering the waters to revel in the rich marine life underneath the surface. Throughout the year there are dozens of seals perched on the rocks and cliffs of the coves playing, fighting, sleeping, and shouting out constantly. Although these mammals sure aren't quiet, they are fascinating creatures to watch. It is possible to observe them within a couple of feet but mind your manners and never try to pet them as they can be aggressive. These guys are magical any time of day but there is something extra mesmerizing about watching them as the sun sets into the horizon. Swim or Sunset Watch with the Locals at La Jolla Shores You'll find many others congregating here during each part of the day whether it's to soak in some sun, let their dogs free for frisbee catching, side-by-side walks with feet in the sand, or for a good old swim in the sea. From sand crabs to stingrays, the shore is filled with wildlife. Make sure to practice the shuffle when you enter the water to avoid those painful stingray jabs. My suggestion is to pack a blanket, some snacks, and wine, and just watch the sun's last moments of the day as she paints the sky in spectacular colors. Surrender to the Scenery at a Secret Beach Black's Beach may not be a complete secret but its difficult-to-access location keeps the crowds away. Driving down the long and steep path is only granted to residents of the La Jolla Farms community. Everyone else must park on top, along the street, and trek down the long, steep path, but it's the coming back up that's the challenge that keeps most locals heading to nearby La Jolla Shores instead. There are droves of surfers who are willing to shlep their boards up and down this difficult path to ride the waves with stunning cliffs in the backdrops. This is a little piece of heaven that's worth working towards. Pack a light picnic and plant your feet in the sand, you won't want to ever leave. This is my favorite La Jolla beach and I have a feeling you will agree. Bask in the Beautiful Flavors of Bobboi Gelato Using organic, seasonal ingredients to whip up traditional and non-traditional flavors, Bobboi rocks in the gelato flavor department. You can enjoy their creamy and creative scoops in La Jolla and Little Italy. With flavors like banana rum, salted caramel, rose almond, charcoal vanilla, and coconut chocolate chips you cannot ever make a wrong choice. They also have vegan flavors. Oh, and they are one of the few fun gelaterias that allow you to have two flavors in a small cup. I personally always love enjoying a couple of flavors at once while keeping my calorie count as low as possible. Pamper Yourself with Great Coffee in a Cozy Garden Pannikin serves perfectly brewed coffee along with a delicious menu of breakfast and lunch items to be savored in their adorable outdoor space which has been converted into a charming garden. The Wi-Fi signal is strong, and so is their coffee, so definitely head over to get some work done in their inspiring space. To top it all off, they also sell the most delicious baked goods from pastries to sourdough bread that is seriously out of this world. You'll want to make daily visits here. You'll see. Bring Out the Bohemian in You to Bird Rock Bird Rock is a quirky seaside community in La Jolla that boasts a much more laid-back, beach bum feel despite its massive waterfront homes. The homes here are striking with many of them lucky enough to have direct views of the Pacific Ocean. There are no retail chains, well, besides a CVS and a Starbucks, along the main shopping strip. The real magic awaits in the several access points to the beach where you can get lost watching the surfers connecting with the sea, scuba divers entering a world underneath the waters, and the constant crashing waves along the cliff sides. Flip flops are welcomed here along with outdoor yoga on Riffs Yoga Studio's lovely deck followed by a cup of Joe at award-winning Bird Rock Coffee Roasters where organic beans are an obvious choice. Have Fun with Fresh Food in the Farmer's Market The La Jolla Farmer's Market is held every Sunday from 9:00 am -1:00 pm and is jam-packed with locals stocking up on fresh produce for the week. There is an awesome section of food vendors serving insanely delicious bites from the best grilled-cheese sandwiches to Mexican avocado toasts. You'll want to hop from vendor to vendor and get a little bit of everything to walk over to the park where you can nibble on your selections. Some of our favorites are Casa Ocho, Chaupain Bakery, Gourmet Tamales, Grill Cheese Station, and Masala Cottage but I can't imagine you'll go wrong at any station. Oh, and make sure to pick up some berries at one of the farm stands, they are by far the best we've ever had! We bought a huge crate of strawberries each Sunday that are just the reddest, sweetest and juiciest. 2. STAY FIT WITH THE LOCALS The California sun, landscapes, and fresh produce inspire locals to stay fit and healthy. There are hundreds of gyms to choose from in the San Diego area and dozens of options in La Jolla. You'll easily find anything you fancy from private trainers to yoga studios to pilates reformers. We really enjoyed the SoulCycle in the UTC neighborhood of La Jolla. It is located in a beautiful outdoor mall, Westfield, and they have bikes set up outdoors, under a tent, so you can ride with fresh air in your face. Also, the headphones they provide allow you to adjust the volume of the music which I found helped me zone out more than usual. Another La Jolla workout favorite is BXNG CLUB, a massive facility with two boxing rings, a jiu-jitsu space, a gym with cardio and strength training equipment, a pilates studio, and every type of fitness class you can imagine on the schedule. We loved the class line-ups here, the friendly staff, and the many offerings to choose from. Our favorite was the Burn class led by Erica. She is one fierce lady who will make sure you get what you asked for: a crazy burn! Ask about their discounted one-month membership with unlimited access to the club. 3. SOUJORN BY THE SEA The Pacific Ocean is one of the biggest draws in California. San Diego has many lovely coastal towns to choose from like Del Mar and Encinitas. We chose to anchor ourselves in La Jolla because we love the hundreds of shops and restaurants along Girard Street and Prospect Street and its proximity to the sea. It is rare to find a city in California that is so pedestrian-friendly with a plethora of activities to access by foot. We got really lucky with our Airbnb rental as it was in a perfect location for our first four weeks in La Jolla. The hosts were wonderful, the house was light-filled and extremely well-stocked lacking nothing. It is an ideal fit for large families or multiple families/couples traveling together, as there are seven bedrooms, a game room, a beautiful outdoor area, and four bathrooms. Most importantly walking to the village and coast was an easy stroll making everything super convenient. I should also mention that the hosts are amazing fellow humans. Since there are so many lodging options with proximity to the sea in the San Diego area, you'll pick the one that best fits your needs and budget but pick one by the water. Having stunning beach vistas regularly during your visit will be the highlight of your trip. For our last two weeks, we rented a lovely house one block from the beach and main street of the Bird Rock neighborhood of La Jolla. We booked the four-bedroom home through 710 Vacation Rentals who have a great portfolio of rental homes in the area. The house was bright, clean, and had great ocean views with the sounds of the waves playing melodically throughout the day. Everything we ever needed was within walking distance adding to the wonderful experience of our stay here. 4. LIVE IT UP IN LITTLE ITALY I've lived in New York City for twenty-three years and have been to the city's Little Italy neighborhood maybe three times. It's ridden with tourists and has never quite delivered an authentic Italian experience for me. On the flip side, Little Italy in San Diego is a local's haven brimming with people from all over the city coming together for outstanding food, excellent espresso, and non-stop people watching. This part of town is oozing with great vibes and energy. You'll want to take a leisurely stroll through the streets, stop for a coffee at Piazza della Famiglia, and grab some great Italian grub at one of the many bustling restaurants. 5. WANDER AROUND WATERFRONT PARK This beautifully designed park was constructed with the intent of allowing San Diegans and outside visitors to lay in the green grass, under the blue skies, and in front of the aqua waters to unwind and relax. There are several waterfront restaurants and historic fishing boats, and even submarines, along the promenade. I think you'll much prefer basking in the sunshine, kicking back with your personally curated stash of snacks, and simply be reminded of how stunning this city is. 6. GET GOING TO GASMLAMP QUARTER You must make a stop in this historic district while visiting San Diego. The sidewalks are lined with restaurants filled with patrons and the music blasting from their speakers. Beautiful architecture houses a variety of well-known names, like Nobu and Sugar Factory, and many locally run establishments too. The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation gives tours of the area ranging from ghost tours and paranormal investigations to walking tours that focus on the history of the area, one that very much includes Wyatt Earp's decade here as a local. The cobblestone streets along with the still-standing structures that were erected in the 1800s make for a great place to wander. You'll especially love the juxtapositioning of old and new buildings along with the modern San Diego skyline. In the middle of Downtown San Diego, right off the Gaslamp Quarter, you'll find Petco Park, home of the Padres. This baseball stadium is in mint condition inside a well-kept park surrounded by apartment complexes. Some lucky tenants on higher floors have access to free games during the season right out their windows! Off-season stop by to enjoy the city views, feel the energy of past games that still linger in the air, or stop by for some shade under a tree to rest those tired feet from all the walking you'll do around the downtown area. 7. GET LOST IN THE GARDENS OF BALBOA PARK This 1,200-acre park in the middle of San Diego houses several theaters, museums, gardens, walking paths, open space areas, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The park is extremely well kept with no litter in sight and lacks the sketchy characters that often come with city parks, at least the ones I am used to in New York City. There is so much to do here, you will need to make multiple visits to experience all the park offers. For a great, free, day at the park, I suggest visiting the stunning Balboa Park Gardens. We easily spent a couple of hours strolling through the perfectly manicured gardens, each one successfully transporting us to wonderful memories, like walks through Spain or the deserts of New Mexico, all the while never leaving the grounds of San Diego. Keep in mind, the Japanese Friendship Garden does charge an admission fee, but the others are completely accessible free of charge and full of beauty. 8. EXPLORE ENCINITAS Encinitas is another vibrant coastal town in San Diego brimming with active locals surfing, cycling, running, playing beach volleyball, and strolling along Main Street. There are tons to do in this lively city and if you have the time you might find yourself making more than one visit here. Get your zen on at the Meditation Gardens (which were unfortunately closed during our visit) but you must visit if they are open while you are in town. The gardens are a wonderful place to find inspiration or do some soul-searching among koi ponds and beach vistas. The center also offers ongoing meditation classes and spiritual retreats. Explore a lesser-known part of the coast at Stonesteps Beach, strikingly gorgeous throughout the day. There are steep stairs that lead down into the water. During low tide, you can walk along the stone-filled shore, along the large cliffs, towards Moonlight Beach, the more well-known and visited part of the coast. At high-tide you can watch the Pacific Ocean dance gracefully towards the shore, sometimes using all her might as she crashes violently. Mix in with the locals at Moonlight State Beach, a great spot to watch surfers catching some waves, fitness buffs jogging along the coast, families setting up their grills for a day of fun in the sun, friends playing a match of volleyball, and lifeguards monitoring people of all ages enjoying a swim. This is a full-service beach with restrooms and even a grassy area. Find the only two boats out of the water in the residential part of town. In 1928 Miles Minor Kellogg built two unusual homes, Encinitas Boat Houses, in the shapes of boats on a residential street out of recyclable materials. There are people currently living in them so be mindful of their privacy when you visit but it's worth a stop to see how one man's quirky artistic vision has survived almost a century later. Find inspiration in Dave's Rock Garden. In 2015 Dave decided he was tired of the unkept, city-owned lot adjacent to his property that was constantly filled with trash and weeds. He decided to clean up the land and give it a makeover by turning it into a community-loved rock garden decorated with succulents and hand-painted rocks by the thousands of visitors who have made their way. Make sure to chat with Dave when you visit, he loves sharing his story and may even invite you to paint a rock and leave behind a message. He is another example of a wonderful human being who has made a positive dent in our world. Dig into Doughnuts at Broad Street Dough Co, which is hands down the best doughnut bakery in the USA. There are so many incredible choices your head will spin. Rest assured, it is impossible to make a wrong choice here. We planned on taking our doughnuts home to enjoy later in the day but when I was handed a warm box of just-made doughnuts we grabbed a seat and dug into three of the outrageously incredible six flavors we chose: The Monmouth (vanilla & oreo), Wake and Bake (coffee & mini chocolate chips), Queen Bee (Bavarian cream, jelly, caramel & sea salt), Mulberry Street (cannoli cream & powdered sugar), Broad Street (chocolate, pretzels, peanuts & caramel), and Funky Monkey (banana & chocolate). Seriously, these doughnuts will blow your socks off. Stroll down the city's main street on S. Coast Highway for an endless stretch of retail shops and restaurants. You'll love the energy here and the notable equal mix of ages enjoying the chill vibe of this wonderful neighborhood. Everything from high-end designer retail stores to crunchy vegan restaurants and even vintage car dealers, take hold of this colorful stretch of sidewalks that are just a few steps away from the beach. Encinitas surely has its own culture of California living and it offers a beautiful lifestyle indeed. 9. GET YOUR GOAT YOGA GROOVE ON If you've never experienced goat yoga, there's no better place to have an adorable goat in your face as you dip into a downward dog than at Sugar Sweet Farm. Located in the farmlands outside of Encinitas you're guaranteed a wonderful experience on the family-run, sprawling farm. This is an activity that is great for all ages. 10. MEANDER THROUGH MISSION BEACH Mission Beach has a lovely promenade along the sea that is reminiscent of Venice, CA. Packed with runners, bikers, skateboarders, skaters, and strollers, the strip is super fun to walk on while people watching and enjoying the gorgeous views of the Pacific. While there, a stop to Belmont Park can't be missed for some good old-fashioned theme park thrills. From go-Karts to miniature golf or roller-coasters to arcades, the park appeals to all ages and thrill-seeking levels. Although it's a rather small amusement park, it definitely delivers big fun. 11. STAY CURRENT ON THE THRIVING MEXICAN CULTURE The Barrio Logan neighborhood has gone through some major changes over the years. Once known as a lesser-desired area in San Diego, the area is now booming with art and shopping thanks to the mostly Mexican populated area that fought for this area to be protected and invested in. Chicano Park, in Barrio Logan, boasts more than eighty vibrant and passionate murals over seven acres. The artists convey powerful messages of love, justice, peace, and many commemorations of those loved and lost. If you follow the path under the I-5 you will cross hundreds more of these impactful works of art. If you have time, head over to Las Cuatro Milpas for the best tacos, at least from what I hear. We arrived at 11:30 am on a Monday and there was already a line of at least forty people waiting to be served by this well-known taco stand. Unfortunately, we didn't have the patience to wait but perhaps you'd like to give it a try and let me know if it's worthy of all the buzz. 12. LINGER ON CORONADO ISLAND FOR THE DAY Just on the other side of downtown's skyline awaits a small island that will transport you for the day. Coronado Island is extremely well-maintained, bicycle and golf-cart-friendly, and boasts a stunning coastline. Plan to relax here for several hours, there is plenty to do! Within minutes of arriving you'll feel like you've been on vacation for a week. Orange Avenue is the island's main street designed with an upscale feel in mind. The strip is packed with restaurants and shops of all types. Rent a bike to explore the island at Wheel Fun Rentals. For some great laughs, rent a surrey, which is how we chose to roll through the island. Although there aren't many bike lanes, the roads are pretty empty and the rental company provides maps with the best roads to take. You can also ride along the promenade for some great views, people watching, and great vantage points of the iconic Hotel del Coronado. Really take your time on the boardwalk. The beaches here are rather spectacular. Some sections have rolling dunes, others have rocky landscapes, and some parts have the greenest grass sprouting with wildflowers growing right out of the sand. Definitely slow down the pace on this gorgeous stretch because you will certainly notice things you missed while zipping by on wheels. No sunny day by the sea would be complete without a scoop of ice-cream. MooTime Creamery seriously serves the creamiest scoop in a fun, retro space that welcomes its visitors with a statue of Elvis and a big cow. 13. DISCOVER DEL MAR BY SUNSET This coastal town cannot be missed while in San Diego. Del Mar is known as one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods, yet it is casual and unassuming. Whether you wander along the sidewalks of Camino Del Mar for some shopping inspiration in one of the many boutiques that line the street or prefer to stroll along the boardwalk of Powerhouse Park & Beach to find inspiration in nature, you will find yourself walking endlessly here as the beauty abounds everywhere. Of course, Del Mar is also famous for its horseracing, but I think it should be most famous for its epic sunset viewing at Torrey Pines State Beach or Sunset Seat. If you decide to pay homage to the sun at either park, arrive early as many others line up to salute her into the night at the end of each day. 14. SOAK IN STUNNING SOLANA BEACH Clearly, there are no shortages of attractive beach towns in San Diego. Each one has its own unique charm and you'll just love getting to know all these little coastal cities. Solana Beach is just a twenty-five-minute drive from downtown San Diego and totally worth the short trek. Fletcher Cove Beach Park is a picturesque, grassy park with basketball courts, picnic tables, and stunning ocean views. There is easy access to the sand for a barefoot stroll or you can opt to keep your shoes on and admire the scenery from the paved path above. At Cedros Design District you'll find 85 merchants showcasing their fine jewelry, one-of-a-kind curations, and unique fashion lines along with cafes, art galleries, and restaurants. This hip district is a great place to shop, play, and waste the day. The town oozes charm and charisma. Each store truly has its own personality, the streets are lined with artistic touches and vibrant colors, and the sea is just a few steps away. As far as I'm concerned, a visit to Solana Beach is a must when visiting San Diego. 15. TAKE A HIKE You'll probably need an entire year in San Diego to get through all the hiking trails in the city. Seriously, there are so many options to connect with the gorgeous surroundings, for all levels. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of my favorites. The park offers about ten trails all perched on top of cliffs overlooking the ocean. The views here will leave you breathless; and so will some of the paths. The Parry Grove trail takes you down (and back up) 118 steep steps while the North Grove trail is flat, easy to walk and hugs the Pacific Ocean throughout the trail. Note that admission into the park costs $15 per car giving access to parking by each trailhead. There were plenty of people who opted for free parking outside of the park and hiked their way up instead. The Beach Trail is a moderate 1.8-mile hike in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve with lots of stairs to climb on your loop back towards the parking lot. It boasts spectacular views and the trails are less crowded than some of the other ones at the park. Walking this trail is pretty special as it allows you to grasp the varying heights of the cliffs as well as the natural formations on the surrounding rocks. There are even some wildflowers along the way! La Jolla Natural Park This hike is not easy by any means as the ascension is a non-stop one-mile climb to the top that will ultimately lead you to one of La Jolla's best-kept secrets making the difficult hike totally worth it. The sweeping views are some of the most beautiful vistas of the coastline. You'll have forty-two acres of preserved land all to yourself wishing there was someone around to pinch you because it will feel like a dream. 16. FLY LIKE A BIRD OR WATCH OTHERS SOAR THROUGH THE SKY The Torrey Pines Glideport has paragliders and hand gliders launching off the cliff, hundreds of feet over the ocean, throughout the day. Grab a drink and a bite at the Cliff Hanger Cafe and watch as the experts prep their equipment and test the winds before running into flying mode. The colors of their parachutes gliding through the bluest of skies over the neverending sea below is a sight not to be missed. Some brave newbies always join for tandem flights and it's hard not to feel butterflies of excitement while witnessing them enjoy this magical experience. Flights are coordinated with Mother Nature, there are no exact launching times or schedules. Gliders take off throughout the day but you'll need to be prepared to sit back, relax, and wait an hour or so in between wind changes. It's worth the wait and maybe in the waiting process, you'll decide to take a flight too. 17. LEAVE SAN DIEGO TO EXPLORE THE NEARBY COASTAL CITIES JUST NORTH OF IT My idea of an ideal day trip is hopping in the car and driving north of San Diego to explore the many stunning coastal cities that are within a 90-minute drive. Take a day to enjoy town hopping while stopping for strolls and bites along the way. Below are glimpses into our favorite beach towns south of Los Angeles. San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna, Balboa Island, and Newport Beach are dotted along the sea and each offers a unique character and charm. Take a day to explore these towns and soak in their vibrant flavors. Dana Point Harbor has a small shopping village along its marina that is definitely worth a visit. Musicians were singing away to the crowds that gathered, diners were happily conversing at their tables with wine in hand, and many visitors were simply enjoying a beautiful walk along the promenade. Make sure to stop in Chocolate Soldier to pop one of their "melt-aways" in your mouth for some pure bliss! You can make a quick stop in Laguna Beach as you hop the coastal towns listed above or you can indulge in an entire day spent just here (which is what we did!). Since it is only an hour and fifteen minutes away from San Diego, Laguna Beach makes for a perfect day trip to Paradise. For the quintessential beach town vibe, ridiculously gorgeous stretches of sand, and swimmable beaches, beautifully maintained parks, and promenades, visiting Laguna Beach makes the list of best things to do while in San Diego. Between a dip in the sea, a walk along Heisler Park, visits to the countless art galleries the city is known for, and a bite to eat in any of the many restaurants, you will easily spend a full day here making the hour drive well worth it. If you don't have time for a full-day excursion, include it in your drive up the coast and hop out of your car for a quick walk along Heisler Park. The sites will make a mark in your dreams for months ahead. Lunch or dinner at The Deck will get you as close to the sand as possible. With the wind in your hair, the music blasting, and the waves crashing, you will literally feel like you are worlds away from any responsibilities, troubles, or worries. No joke, the grilled cheese sandwich here is to die for. The food happens to be absolutely delicious, it is no surprise that this is one of Laguna Beach's most popular grub spots. Balboa Island exudes New England charm. This is one of my favorite towns along the sea north of San Diego. Enjoy walking along the marina and the town's sidewalks which are filled with unique boutiques and colorful shops. This place is just so charming and quirky, you'll instantly fall in love! No visit to Balboa Island would be complete without a stop at Sugar N' Spice for a custom-made frozen banana. I excitedly ordered a banana dipped in dark chocolate with salted caramel and roasted coconut. YUM, YUM, YUM. You can choose from any chocolate dipping flavor and dozens of fun toppings to create the perfect masterpiece. Newport Beach is a popular destination but in my humble opinion the city is too large and spread out to maintain a similarly charming experience as the other listed towns do. One thing we did really enjoy in Newport Beach was our delicious dinner at A Restaurant. This iconic establishment has been serving fresh, seasonal ingredients since 1926 and successfully serves mainly steak and seafood with fantastic service, presentation, and flavors. 18. LEARN ABOUT THE CITY'S HISTORY IN HISTORIC OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO A state-run park preserving the first Spanish-occupied town in San Diego with original structures still intact from the mid-1800s, Old Town San Diego is one of the city's most visited parks. The mile-long enclave is filled with restaurants, markets, live shows, and even ghost tours. Visitors can tour La Casa de Estudillo, one of the largest examples of a large Spanish- Mexican house in California. The guides are enthusiastic about sharing information on the home's history so feel free to ask as many questions as you have! There is also a blacksmith in the park who is passionate about his craft and will walk you through iron shaping. Visiting here is truly an educational experience and best of all, it's free! Make sure to make your way to Nibble Chocolate tucked behind a courtyard at the park's entrance. Their vegan, organic chocolate is outstanding. You must try their Mexican spicy truffle, it is so decadent with quite the kick to it. Their ground Peruvian hot chocolate is also delicious and a great purchase for some homemade hot chocolates. Next, head to nearby Presidio Park where the Mexicans fought the Spaniards in the 1800s and used the fort as the capital during their rule of Baja California. It's a remarkable structure that stands strong and well preserved all these years later. 19. OBSERVE THE ODDBALLS IN OCEAN BEACH Many of the folks attracted to this super laid-back beach town are odd, in the best way possible! From surfers to sidewalk musicians to hippies dancing in the park, you will find all types here. There is a sketchy and grimy element too, in a Coney-Island-kind-of- way. The characters here are a big part of the scenery and people watching lovers will find a haven in Ocean Beach. In addition to the interesting crowds, you'll find San Diego's largest pier (and boy is it long!), tons of bars and restaurants, and markets throughout the week selling anything from fresh produce to incense and beaded jewelry. Ocean Beach is very different from the other coastal towns that made my list and should not be missed to get a well-rounded feel for the different neighborhoods along the shores of San Diego and how much they vary in personality and flavor. 20. STARE INTO THE MOST SENSATIONAL SUNSET We have been fortunate enough to view many sunsets. The ones at Sunset Cliffs are unforgettable. Firstly, hundreds of people gather to pay homage to the sun. There is a spiritual uniting of folks who take time out of their day to pay tribute to the magnificent wonders of our planet. The energy in itself is magical. The sun glows extra brightly here, unobstructed, as it slowly begins to hide into the horizon. As it makes its way towards a new day, everything around it seems to glow - the earth, the sky, the sea. Bring a blanket, grab a spot, and count your blessings. Here the sun will remind you just how lucky you are. Sunset Cliffs also offers an easy 1.5-mile hike that hugs the coast. It is filled with vegetation and breathtaking views. There are plenty of spots along the cliff to find refuge from anything and anyone in the world. This is a place where nothing gets between you and the Pacific Ocean. If you're looking for added adventure, there is a narrow path along the cliff that will take you down to the sand to a secluded place on our planet that is the epitome of picturesque perfection. 21. PLEASE YOUR SENSES AT PACIFIC BEACH By 9:30 am on a Saturday this place was bustling with runners, skaters, cyclists, and surfers. In fact, there were more surfers congregated here than any other coastal communities we explored in the San Diego area. In addition to the active fitness enthusiasts moving quickly down the promenade, there was a community yoga class held with a couple of hundred yogis holding their warrior pose while facing the sea. There was also a street market with vendors selling their politics. Yup, that's right. From "recall Newsom" booths to BLM booths to pro-Trump ones, all viewpoints were covered. Seriously, this place was booming with activity. You'll easily spend a couple of hours here strolling along the sea and soaking in the surrounding beauty. Before leaving the shore, make sure to head over to The Baked Bear for customized cookie sandwiches. You'll get to pick from a huge selection of freshly baked cookies for your sandwich (you can even choose two different cookies to make your top/bottom!), then you'll choose your ice-cream flavor and toppings too! and then you get to watch them hot press your creation. Holy Moly if this doesn't bring out the kid in you, nothing will! More inland and up the hill, you'll find Kerry Sessions Park, a lovely stretch of greenery packed with soccer players, fitness buffs, unleashed dogs, and simply put, great energy. The park is rightfully known for its outstanding skyline views. Grab a blanket and a shaded spot under a tree, kick back, and enjoy the vistas! 22. PONDER OVER NATURE'S PERFECTION AT POINT LOMA On this spectacular peninsula, you will quickly grasp the magnitude of the Pacific Ocean. From the Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center, you'll witness infinite shades of blue as the sea stretches into eternity. Watch in wonder as boats sail by with downtown San Diego in the backdrop along with the iconic Coronado Bridge in clear view. The views are epic throughout the park so just follow the paths and the sea for an extremely memorable experience. If you can, plan your visit with low-tide at the Point Loma Tide Pools where you'll be able to see the bountiful sea life up close and personal. Remember to respect Mother Nature- look but don't touch! For those of you, who like me, have a weird affinity to lighthouses, you'll love the Old Point Loma Lighthouse (make sure to read about its history on the nearby plaques). There is plenty to explore, discover and experience on this peaceful peninsula so make sure to head on over during your San Diego visit. 23. DISCOVER DELICIOUS DINING Please note that I only share the spots that I feel strongly about recommending. There were a few restaurants that we dined in during our San Diego visit that in my opinion are not worthy of a recommendation. I omitted these less-desirable spots entirely (I prefer to never write bad reviews, as reviews are only a matter of opinion and I would never want to hurt someone's business). Rest assured, that the establishments highlighted below are delicious while offering a worthy ambiance as well. Enjoy! Eddie V's, La Jolla You don't want to miss a meal at Eddie V's. Not only is their menu comprised of sensational seafood dishes, but the outdoor patio also offers magnificent panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean that are hard to beat. Years ago we were obsessed with their Kung Pao calamari and six years later we continue to be huge fans of this staple. The truffled mac & cheese is outstanding and is served with a generous portion of truffle shavings, the Brussels sprouts with peanuts and Korean glaze is divine, the yellowtail sashimi will melt in your mouth, and the parmesan-crusted sole will leave you yearning for more. Seriously, this place consistently delivers perfect dishes with fantastic views. Bernini's Bistro, La Jolla This quaint bistro is a local favorite that proudly bears its title of "top 10% restaurants in the world". Although I definitely don't agree that the food is that good, I mean top 10% in the world is no joke, I do think their pizzas and salads are delicious and memorable. Bernini's Bistro offers a large menu including pasta, seafood, and steaks but they really stand out with their woodfired pizzas topped with interesting combinations of ingredients. The Meditteranean pie topped with spinach, feta cheese, artichoke, roasted red peppers, and kalamata olives is terrific. I am not a crust fan but this place nails the art of crust making. Even their Margherita pizza stood out as really really good. You should also try their salads as we were truly impressed with their crunchy ahi tuna salad and Ceaser salad both of which were packed with crunchy, fresh veggies. For a perfect pie, this is your place. The Taco Stand, La Jolla I never knew I am capable of eating as much as I stuffed my face with at The Taco Stand. You won't be able to stop yourself from taking bite after bite of the Mexican street food made at this neighborhood favorite. There is always a line down the street with eager diners waiting to be fed. I, myself, devoured one batter-fried fish taco, one grilled fish taco, Mexican corn, and a bean and cheese burrito. I am still impressed with myself. Their hot sauces are all homemade and absolutely yummy and their handmade tortillas are exceptional. TIP: Call your order in ahead of time to avoid the long lines. Catania, La Jolla For well-prepared Italian cuisine and a beautiful view of the sun setting over La Jolla Village, head over to Catania. You'll love each bite of the traditional Italian dishes that are proudly served here. We truly enjoyed the arancini appetizer, beet and burrata salad, roasted cauliflower, gluten-free pasta, and their absolutely incredible thin crust oven-baked pizza. They have many hard to resist pizza options but we ultimately chose the Margherita, an artichoke, black olive, fontina, garlic, and smoked mozzarella pie, and the wild mushroom pizza with garlic confit, chili, and burrata cheese. We asked them to throw a couple of eggs on the latter. Can you say DELISH??? You will! Don Bravo Grill, Bird Rock (La Jolla) Californians love their tacos and there are tons of taco joints on every street. A local sent us running to Don Bravo's which we would have easily missed. At first glance, some may judge it as a "hole in the wall" but let me tell you this cantina in Bird Rock makes some seriously incredible Mexican fare and its small outdoor patio even has superb beach views. For a quintessential California experience, eating here is a must. Their fish tacos are uh-mazing, make sure to top them off with their homemade green salsa and habanero sauce too (if you like it spicy as I do). Their chicken and steak tacos are also outstanding and so are their loaded nachos and burritos. This is a no-frills place but for authentic Mexican street food at a very reasonable price, it's not to be overlooked. We couldn't resist making several return visits. Beaumont's, Bird Rock The thing that stands out most at Beaumont's is the fantastic service. The staff gives off happy vibes that set the tone for this beachy establishment which serves California cuisine on a colorful outdoor patio. The menu offers plenty of delicious veggie options along with staples like burgers and, of course, fish tacos. The mushroom kung pao was outstanding, we have never seen this creative dish on a menu before. We also really loved our halibut tacos, Beaumont's burgers, cauliflower appetizer, crispy Brussel sprouts, tofu with rice pilaf and string beans, and cauliflower steak with seasonal vegetables. Locals flock to this neighborhood institution so be sure to make a reservation in advance. Union Kitchen & Tap, Encinitas You will love the menu, service, and vibe at this lively establishment in Encinitas. The brunch dishes we ordered were a huge hit. Union Kitchen & Tap is well-loved by locals for their daily specials and happy hours. Everything we ordered was delicious. It helps that eggs are thrown onto every dish, making them so much yummier. I highly recommend their avocado toast, truffle fries, and mushroom flatbread. Wash them down with one of the great brunch cocktails on the menu. Kick back and enjoy the coastal vibe of Encinitas as you dig into delicious dishes. L'Auberge, Del Mar We have made many fond memories here watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean while sipping cocktails by a fireplace. This is my favorite place in Del Mar, and possibly one of my favorites in all of San Diego. Unfortunately, when we arrived on this trip, their deck was under construction and the alternate patio did not offer ocean views. However, it did offer as equally incredible cocktails and bites as we remembered. The shrimp bao and spicy, fried calamari are just perfect. Coupled with a cocktail and great company under the California sky, you'll be so happy that you stopped by. Madeleine Café & Bakery, Solana Beach For a little taste of France by the Pacific Ocean, breakfast or lunch at Madeleine Café & Bakery is highly recommended in between your shopping rounds in the Cedros Design District. This casual cafe delivers authentic French fare with freshly baked croissants, sweet & savory crepes, quiches, and fantastic french fries. The owner takes your order at the counter with his thick accent which only adds to the experience of an authentically delicious French meal. Hodad's, Ocean Beach Known to serve San Diego's best hamburgers, Hodad's is an institution. This small burger joint explodes with character and brims with the eclectic decor of surfboards, license plates, and stickers galore. Once a surfer's favorite burger dive is now loved by all. I'm a vegetarian and was thrilled to see a veggie burger on the menu. I loved that they do not use the ubiquitous impossible burger patty and that they fill the bun with all the toppings you'd find on a regular burger. Sipping it down with a thick and creamy vanilla milkshake by the beach is what I call perfection! Juniper & Ivy, Little Italy When fresh ingredients presented with creative twists come together with great flavors, presentation, and service, a truly harmonious experience erupts. At Juniper & Ivy you can expect each dish to be infused with seasonal ingredients, dedicated creativity, and passion. The staff has mastered the art of juggling the fine line of being present and available without hovering or being overwhelming. The menu is designed for plates to be shared, which is the best way to experience as many dishes as possible anyway, right? Some of the major highlights of our meal included the blackened yellowtail tostadas, the caramelized madeleines with housemade pimento cheese, the halibut Crudo with pineapple and coconut snow, the beets and burrata salad with strawberries, the grilled cabbage with an Asian flair, the potato and cheddar ravioli with cured egg yolk and smoked mushrooms, and the herb gnocchi. For dessert, do not miss their Yodel which is a creative interpretation of the yodels of your childhood filled with marshmallow cream, graham crumble, strawberry puree, and smoked chocolate ganache. Simply put, you definitely want to make a reservation here. Barbusa, Little Italy You'll devour your dinner at Barbusa. Boy, this place delivers a delicious dining experience. The tempura squash blossom filled with Quattro Formaggi and apricot chili jam paired with a crisp glass of Falanghina is a match made in heaven. This starter set the tone for an incredible culinary experience ahead. The handmade plates of pasta were perfectly prepared with the most incredible sauces. Those gnocchi balls, little nuggets of love, topped with Pomodoro and burrata. Bravo! The Frutti di Mare spaghetti dish is out of this world, you'll have an extremely difficult time resisting the urge to lick your plate. The fettucini with caramelized onion topped with a farm-fresh egg. Oh my. Seriously, make sure to enjoy a meal here. Kono's Surf Club, Pacific Beach This place is an institution. By 9:00 am expect a very long line filled with eager patrons willing to wait as long as necessary to get their hands on some grub at Kono's Surf Club. You'll love the large portions of delicious breakfast items at a very reasonable cost. The five of us gobbled up five dishes and waters for under $55. The homemade tortillas used to wrap their legendary breakfast burritos are one of a kind. Stop by this casual neighborhood favorite to see what all the worthy buzz is about. Bali Hai, Shelter Island The food and beverages at Bali Hai are pretty good but the fantastic view and ambiance are the big draw here. Live music fills the air of this sprawling Polynesian restaurant that can rightfully claim access to the most stunning views of the San Diego skyline, especially during sunset when the sun's glow lights the skyscrapers in golden hues. This place will make you feel like you're a world away on an exotic vacation. It's fun, it's lively, and with the coastal breeze in your hair, you will find yourself smiling throughout your meal. We are nearing almost seven and a half months of our journey exploring the USA. We have been blessed to discover our country and develop a new, deep love for its unlimited beauty. There are such varying landscapes, people, personalities, cultures, and climates from state to state, each perfect in their own unique way. Yet, somehow San Diego had a magnetic pull on us, not letting us leave its grasp. Our road trip stop here was the most impactful one of our more than 230 days on the road. I truly hope that you will one day have the opportunity to visit and experience first-hand why this place is so special. The biggest lesson of our journey on the road is that we will never know what other opportunities are out there without exploration. Any kind of exploration, whether it be physical or spiritual, is crucial in transforming and evolving as human beings. Please take the time to explore yourselves, others, and the world, as much as you can and as deeply as you may. You will never know what is available to you without learning what is "out there" or "within you". And in order to discover this, you need to do some searching. So whether you get out and drive or go in and soul search, just explore. There's something worth discovering that you don't yet know about but it will change your life forever once you find it.

The unexpected paths this road trip has taken us on have been overwhelmingly surprising in every way. With no plan at its inception, beyond driving through the country, we headed out on July 19th not knowing where exactly life would take us. One of the biggest lessons we can extract from this journey is the importance of immersing ourselves in the present and not consuming ourselves with a destination or the abstract concept of our future. Here we are 230 days later making a big, life-changing decision to move across the country, realizing that the universe gently guided us in this direction all along. After twenty-three years living in New York City, we never imagined that embarking on our road trip would be the beginning to the end of our life in the city we called home for so long. We had absolutely no expectations or desire to leave the very place our roots were so firmly planted in. In fact, we often laughed at how we could never leave NYC because we would feel like aliens anywhere else, always standing out with our impatience of slower paces, lack of conveniences, and the obvious discomfort in the space and solitude that life outside of a big city brings. Yet, after seven months of traveling through the most breathtaking landscapes, developing a relationship with nature that is unbreakable, and fully taking the time to explore our country and our souls, we now feel that if we returned to a life in Manhattan, it is there that we would ironically find ourselves no longer fitting in. After not too much deliberation, we have decided to launch into new beginnings, new opportunities, and new experiences and create a life for ourselves in La Jolla, San Diego. In all honesty, after connecting with nature in the deepest ways possible, I cannot imagine returning to a concrete jungle, despite all the wild energy and excitement New York City brings. We absolutely love NYC and are beyond grateful for the beautiful twenty-three years we proudly called it home but one thing I have learned on this journey is that it is ok, and even healthy, to love something profoundly yet not allow that deep love to hold us back from loving something else equally. Now that we have stepped away from the social norms and lived an entire year as nomads, it suddenly feels very important to me to face change, physical and spiritual ones, in this life we get to live only once. Yes, we can easily continue a lovely life in Manhattan where we have an apartment we adore that we have lived in for twelve years, a great circle of friends, sidewalks that inevitably lead to encounters with people we know on a daily basis, incredible schools for our children, and just an overall blessed and comfortable life. We can also push ourselves beyond complacency and comfort, reinvent ourselves in new environments, and begin a new chapter in our lives that will hopefully lead us to more growth and personal evolvement. There are many fears that creep into my mind trying to desperately dissuade me from moving forward with a relocation. For one, our children are in the top schools in Manhattan. Our oldest son is in one of the top schools in the nation. This coveted spot was a hard one to relinquish. With deeper contemplation I realized, does it really matter if he goes from the 36th best school in the country to the 491st best school in the country? Isn't top 4% good enough these days? It's funny how we get so trapped in our minds by these constructs we have allowed the outside world to lure us into believing as truths. Then, came the fears of taking our children away from friends they have grown up with who they love. Were we being selfish by removing them from the comforts they have grown accustomed to? The truth is, they will make new friends and the more honest reality is that by not moving for this very reason we would actually be robbing them of so many other experiences that they just cannot get in city living, in addition to sending the message that we should always remain in our comfort zones. The fact that two of our three kids genuinely want to move to La Jolla does make the move a heck of a lot easier though. In fact, both of them expressed interest in creating a life in San Diego immediately upon arrival. Finally, and this was our biggest obstacle, the cut-throat and insane real estate market in La Jolla kept beating us down at every turn. There were only seven rental homes available on the market, in the size range we were looking for, and none of them quite spoke to us. We ultimately found two homes we would enjoy living in and they both quickly slipped through our fingers. From there every viable option seemed to fall through. Devastated and almost willing to give up, even desperately considering to snatch one of the ones we did not like, my husband cleverly pointed out that we are falling into the trap of attachment, the very thing we gloriously left behind in the city while hitting the road. Why were we becoming so glued to the idea of locking in one home for seven months until we were ready to make a purchase? Did we really want to pay an exorbitant amount of rent on something we didn't even like? We started looking at Airbnb short-term rentals with the realization that we have been extremely happy bouncing around for the last several months and that continuing to do so for just a few months longer wouldn't be disruptive in any way. Then, all our short-term options ran into obstacles as well, like owners changing their minds about summer availability because they decided to use their home during peak season. We had one rough week of constant friction. Then, ironically, the very first home we looked at when we first arrived in La Jolla, came back into our lives and worked out! Whew! Why La Jolla out of all the gorgeous places we visited on our trip? Simply put, it's magic. There is so much to see and do in this coastal city while always being in the inspirational and encouraging embrace of nature. The skies are constantly clear and the weather is just perfection. Unlike some other magnificent places we discovered along the road trip, San Diego also meets most of our requirements in places that we could live in like great schools, centrist political views, a thriving Jewish population (as minorities that continuously bear the brunt of the most directed hate crimes each year, being around other Jews is always something we have to consider), thriving industries, and an abundance of great state university options that raise the odds of my children staying nearby. In all honesty, I can't think of one reason not to move to San Diego. Ok, maybe I can: the earthquakes. But here they come again, the fears and anticipations into the future that try to impact the decisions I make in the present. In this thought process, I have to remind myself that Manhattan is due for an earthquake "soon" as well. Also, the salt in the air has been doing rather crazy things to my hair and I'm not quite sure what to do with my new, wild mane. Otherwise, San Diego is certainly my idea of paradise. So, here we are, moving across the country beginning August 1st with just our suitcases and a short-term rental lined up (through December 15th). From there, everything will just fall into place. While the unknown is exhilarating, it definitely comes with a list of reasons not to take the plunge, but one thing I have mastered on this journey is to not make any room for those creepy little bugs of fear that like to infiltrate our minds. Instead of focusing on the dozens of reasons we shouldn't move I choose to focus on the hundreds of reasons we should. Mostly, as I view my life as a movie where I am the director, I just know that my movie will be a lot more interesting with new challenges, obstacles, changes, and growths. When I look back on my movie, I want to make sure it is the most colorful and exciting one of my career. Staying in one place for the rest of my life may prevent me from the feature film I am hoping for. New York City, you have given us the best twenty-three years of my life. Roads of the USA, thank you for all the lessons along the 230 days that we have followed your lead. San Diego, here we come!

It's March. A new month has arrived, one that will lead us into Spring and if we are fully conscious and aware we may begin to notice a rebirth in ourselves along with the gardens that will begin to bloom around us. I haven't had much to write in February mainly because I was deeply immersed in setting my intentions for the seeds I hope to plant in the months ahead. In February I continued my new rituals of rising at 5:00 am to journal, meditate, and watch educational and inspirational interviews before leaving the house at 6:30 am to head to the gym. I also continued my streak of reading one book per week, which has probably been one of the most rewarding things I have done for myself throughout my journey. My February book reads include: The Fifth Agreement by Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz Independent Ed by Edward Burns The Post Office, by Charles Bukowski More Myself, by Alicia Keys Exposing myself to a variety of genres and thinkers has really broadened my horizons and reshaped the ways I have been thinking of my own life. At the start of this road trip, I was so broken and badly wounded by failed relationships and my poor choices in the friends I chose to focus my energy on. Since the summer of 2019, I was spiraling into a world where everything was taken personally and my sensitivity meter was on overdrive. Here I am, nineteen months later, slowly healing. The words I have allowed to infiltrate my mind, through the books I have bonded with over the months, have definitely played a role in my recovery. The Fifth Agreement confirms my truth about being the directors of our own lives while respectfully accepting the stories others make for themselves. Independent Ed reminded me of the power of perseverance and the beauty that lies in vulnerability which is sadly a trait I shy away from (note to self: learn to be vulnerable). The Post Office offered me more than the perspective of a drunken, sexually charged post office worker. Instead, it highlighted the obstacles we all hit as humans that fatigue us and how the people we meet along the way can truly drain us. More Myself inspired me to continue searching, transforming, listening to my instincts, and being a better advocate for myself. Wrapping myself in the arms of these authors/characters has pushed me to think deeper, draft and revise my purpose, and continue being a source of light to others. When we were in Snowbird, UT in January, a friend shipped a beautifully scented candle to our hotel with a note reminding me to continue to "be the light". This candle is lit each morning during my morning rituals and is a driving force in setting my intentions for the day. I can't believe I not so long ago consciously dimmed because of a few self-centered, unaware people that crossed my path. In February, I also added some new daily pleasures into my life. I began boxing, which I adore, and met with a boxing trainer each Friday. In the ways of Wim Hof, I began ending my showers with freezing cold water - something I never ever thought I could do. He swears by the healing properties of cold water and has tons of science to back up his claim, so I thought "why not?". I must admit, the two minutes under the cold water is invigorating and rejuvenating - I literally shout and scream in a twisted delight. I make sure to spend time outdoors every single day. Being in San Diego, where the weather is perfect in February, made for easy excursions along the shore and in the sunshine. Even on those afternoons when I felt too tired, I pushed myself to get outside and never regretted the decision to do so. My biggest breakthrough in February was the realization that I wanted to give back beyond donating to charities and volunteering my time. Yes, I will definitely continue to give back in these important ways as well, but I felt a need to serve others on a more personal level. After witnessing hand gliders soaring through the skies over the Pacific Ocean, I felt a great sense of gratitude for all the freedom I have had over the past seven months. I wanted to give back and gift others with unique life experiences too. It suddenly felt important that I would help others share some of the same life-changing experiences that I enjoyed throughout the journey on our USA road trip. So, I began a monthly live drawing where I will gift one lucky winner an excursion or life experience of their choice (up to $300). The idea filled me with excitement at the prospect of being a part of helping someone else fulfill a dream. I can't imagine a better way for myself to feel fulfilled than to bring happiness and positive changes into someone else's life. Finally, in March of 2020, at the very start of the pandemic, a friend invited me to join Deepak Chopra's 21 Days of Abundance Challenge. Since we were stuck in a house, in quarantine, away from the world I figured I would join. I was a diligent listener and student. I loyally practiced the 21 days of meditations (I never meditated before) and exercises. Then when it ended, I continued with my normal life, or so I thought and didn't meditate anymore. Last month, someone on the Chopra's Challenge WhatsApp group mentioned that she wasn't able to start the 21 Days last year and wanted to give it a try one year later wondering if anyone wanted to join her. I realized that, without even noticing, those 21 Days were a catalyst of the most unexpected year ahead. From there came the idea of an unplanned, unlimited road trip which led to deep thinking and soul searching, which led to early morning rituals, which led to avid reading, which led to helping others meet their dreams, which led to... What a chain reaction! February was fantastic. March greets me patiently ready to gently nudge me into more personal and spiritual growth. I have no specific goals for March but something tells me that through continued discovery more beautiful changes are ahead. Wishing you all a wonderful end to winter and a celebratory welcoming of Spring. Here's to new beginnings and may the warmer weather ahead keep your hearts warm and your spiritual gardens blooming.

I make a batch of homemade granola every week. My kids gobble it up and I am thrilled they do since it is packed with nutrients and super easy to make. This is a staple in our house and I am excited to share it with you! Feel free to swap out the nuts and seeds below with your favorites. I have used almonds, macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts as well as chia seeds. Any combination is delicious, you can't go wrong. Ingredients: 32oz rolled oats 2/3 cup pepita seeds (unsalted) 1 cup sunflower seeds (unsalted) 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 2/3 cup flax seeds 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup chopped pecans 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (I use Ghiradelli 72%) 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/3 cup sunflower oil OR canola oil 1/3 cup agave 1/2 cup orange juice Steps: pre-heat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit Add oats, seeds, coconut, nuts, salt, and cinnamon to a large baking sheet. In a separate bowl whisk together the oil, vanilla, agave, and orange juice. Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture in the tray. Mix really well to eliminate any large, wet clumps. Make sure to mix well. Place the tray in the oven and bake for ten minutes. Remove from oven, mix granola well, and put back in the oven for another ten minutes. The granola should be nice and golden. If necessary, continue baking for a few extra minutes to establish thorough baking. Remove from the oven and immediately add the dried cranberries. Mix well. I like to do this because the heat of the granola softens the cranberries a bit. Set aside on the counter until completely cooled. Add the chocolate chips. Mix well. Place the granola in a sealed large Ziploc bag, Tupperware, or cookie jar. Any sealed storage will keep it fresh for at least a week if it makes it that long! Serving Ideas: My kids eat the granola as they would enjoy cereal and eat it out of a bowl with milk. They also love it mixed in with yogurt and honey. Enjoy!