I wish you were here

We love visiting San Diego, so we end up going there several times a year. We like SeaWorld, the Zoo, Balboa Park, Old Town, Downtown, La Jolla and Seaport Village – to name a few.

We usually drive to San Diego and back the same day. Occasionally we stay overnight at a hotel. Some of our favorite hotels are the Manchester Grand Hyatt or Comfort Inn and Suites (kid’s room). Read more about San Diego here.

This year we decided to try something new: Camping at the KOA San Diego Metro, located in Chula Vista. The location is close to many area attractions and shopping which makes it ideal for our base camp.

The Botanic Gardens, located north of San Diego, offer a wonderful opportunity for families to spend time exploring an array of plants from various global environments and learning about the ecosystems they inhabit.

Recently, after the gardens reopened post the Covid-19 shutdown, I visited with my family on a Saturday. Although not all exhibits were open, the reduced crowd made our visit more pleasant.

Downtown Fullerton is packed with shops, vintage stores, and some of the best restaurants in Orange County. Whether you're in the mood for craft cocktails, authentic Italian pizza, or Michelin-rated cuisine, Fullerton has it all.

Here is a comprehensive guide to the best restaurants in Downtown Fullerton, showcasing the city's diverse and vibrant dining scene. 

It highlights top fine dining establishments like Summit House and The Cellar, known for their elegant atmospheres and expertly crafted dishes. 

The guide also explores casual and international cuisine, featuring authentic Neapolitan pizza at Fuoco Pizzeria Napoletana, Michelin-recognized South Asian flavors at Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen, and Mediterranean delights at Les Amis Restaurant. Each restaurant review includes must-try dishes, insider tips, and a food critic’s take, making this a valuable resource for food lovers exploring Fullerton.

Looking for the perfect day trip to shake up your Scandinavian itinerary? It takes less than 40 minutes to leap from the bustling streets of Copenhagen into Sweden’s most dynamic coastal city. Your journey begins with a stunning train ride across the iconic Øresund Bridge, an engineering marvel where the tracks seem to slice directly across the strait's open, sparkling blue waters.

In the historic heart of the city, you can step back in time at Lilla Torg, a charming 16th-century cobblestone square packed with vibrant half-timbered houses and bustling outdoor cafes. Just a short distance away, the architectural landscape shifts dramatically at the Turning Torso, a towering residential skyscraper that twists a full 90 degrees to anchor the ultra-modern, eco-friendly Western Harbor district.

To round out the adventure, you can explore Malmö Castle (Malmöhus)—the oldest surviving Renaissance castle in the Nordic region—which sits framed by a historic moat and the lush community gardens of Slottsträdgården.

Tucked away just steps from the bustle of Beacon Street, the Boston Athenæum offers a unique blend of library, museum, and historic sanctuary. With its red doors and understated facade, it’s easy to pass by without realizing the depth of culture and history housed inside. But stepping through those doors opens up a world of quiet elegance and intellectual tradition.

A Library, a Museum—or Both?

The Boston Athenæum is one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States, founded in 1807. It operates on a subscription-based membership, which supports the preservation of its collections and historic spaces. While members have access to all floors, visitors can purchase an $8 day pass to explore the first floor, which is more than enough to get a sense of the building’s grandeur.