travel

Monument Valley in 48 hours

shaunaaguirre — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 18:41:49 +0000

Our 48 Hour adventure in Monument valley. It’s iconic landscape of sandstone towers, buttes, mesas and dunes provide a view that is unparalleled. You could easily just spend a few hours here and see the landmark sites but there is so much to do and see here that you should spend at least 48 hours in Monument Valley. History of Monument Valley Diné – The People This land is the land of the Diné. They believe that their people journeyed through three worlds in various forms before emerging from Mother Earth into this word, the Sparkling World. Anthropologists hypothesize that the Diné Split off from the Southern Athabaskan and began migrating into the Southwest around 200AD. They developed a rich and complex culture that still survives today. For more info on the Navajo Nation and Dine people visit www.navajopeople.com Modern History Prior to the 1920´s this valley was virtually unknown except by the Native Americans who migrated thru here. In the early 1920´s Harry and Leone Goulding bought a substantial piece of land near the monuments and set up a camp ground & trading post. During the Great Depression which hit this tribal community hard, the Gouldings, looking for a way to help bolster the local economy reached out to director John Ford to pitch the idea of making movies in The Valley. The idea stuck and production came quickly. Over the years, this valley has become the backdrop for dozens of movies. For more of this history visit www.Goulding’s.com Room with a view We stayed at The View which has a hotel, cabins and camping/Rv (dry) hook ups. The first night we stayed at the hotel. Every guest room has a balcony facing The Valley. The top floor has a recessed roof for star gazing. At night they project some of the old movies that were made in the area on the side of the restaurant with seating on the terrace. Sitting amongst the monuments and watching them on the huge screen simultaneously was a unique experience. We stumbled upon it and thought it was pretty cool (BYOB.) The second night we stayed in a cabin, and the view from there was even better. These cabins are small but have everything you need. We loved the feeling of seclusion they had and loved experiencing both places in our 48 hours in Monument Valley. Best ways to experience the Valley We have never been much for organized or guided tours but in the case of this site it is a necessity. Monument Valley is within the Navajo Nations Reservation so any exploration of the geological, historical and cultural landmarks must be done with a Navajo guide. Rest assured this experience is going to blow away your expectations and be far more fulfilling on so many levels, than you could have ever imagined. These tours made sure we got the most out of our 48 hours in Monument Valley. Explore the Valley floor by Horseback Our first morning there we took a 2 hour guided horse ride with “Sacred Monument Tours. Our guide Lauren was born, raised and lives in The Valley. He left for a few years to attend college and learn a trade and then returned. This is his home. The Diné guides have an intimate relationship with this land. They were very generous in sharing all of their stories with us. He told us that his Auntie lives under the 3 sisters butte and many of his relatives live within and under the buttes and mesas. He took the time to stop at picturesque locations to take our photos! They have riding tours for all experience levels and are a short walk from The View. Check them out at www.sacredmonumenttours.com Driving Tour In the evening we did a 3 hour sunset tour. We had driven the 17 mile loop the day before to check it out but doing it with a guide was a completely different experience. Our guíde Sharon took us to sites like the Sun’s Eye arch and ancient petroglyphs (rock art), the Ear of the Wind arch, the famous Totem Pole and Yei bi chei rock formations, John Fords Point and many more. We visited a traditional Navajo Hogan. A Diné woman demonstrated how they make yarn out of the sheep wool and told us beautiful stories about their culture. After talking to her more we discovered she was Loreńs (our horse ride guide) Auntie. She was so excited when we told her we had ridden with him in the morning. The tour wrapped with precise timing at a lookout spot just as the sun was setting. https://www.monumentvalleytribaltours.com A couple things to bring: Insider tips: Check out our other blogs on Arizona, New Mexico and more at https://48houradventures.com/category/arizona-southwest/

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San Diego ~ a look at our favorite beaches

shaunaaguirre — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 17:08:55 +0000

As avid beach goers, we hunt for the best beaches when we travel. We are fortunate to live in San Diego where there is an abundance of great beaches to visit. We will share our 5 favorite beaches in San Diego with you. Whether you’re looking for the perfect swimming /surfing beach or a long walk to watch the sunset, it’s all here. La Jolla Shores Considered one of the top 10 beaches in the Country, this beach has something for everyone. If you have kiddos, this is a perfect beach for them. The waves rarely get big here and the gentle shore break make it easily accessible for children. Because this area is a marine preserve, the snorkeling here is some of the best in the city. During the months of July thru September, the leopard sharks come here to spawn. You can find hundreds of them here. They are harmless to humans as they feed on clams, shrimp and fish eggs. They range in size from 1-4 feet and are an exciting site to see. The north end of the beach has a gentle wave that is perfect for the beginner surfer. In addition, there are several kayak rental places located close by. They offer kayak tours to the La Jolla caves. This is a bucket list experience for tourists and locals alike. to Torrey Pines If it’s a picturesque, long walk on the beach you crave, this is the storybook beach for you. From the Shores, you can walk for several miles to the North. You’ll pass by the Scripps Pier, flat rock beach and can go all the way to Torrey Pines state beach. Sunset’s from this beach are epic. It is not uncommon to see dolphins & seals playing in the waves. During the months of October – March the California Grey Whales are migrating and whale spotting is common. TPSB is accessible from the parking lot along California State Route 1 to the North of La Jolla, just South of Del Mar. The parking here is ample and provides easy access to the beach. Additionally, you’ll find plenty of public restrooms and fresh-water showers. The swimming here is fun! If you are into fishing, this is just North of the preserve and surf fishing is world-class. The presence of sandstone cliffs makes this an incredibly picturesque location. Just like The Shores, you will often see Dolphins, seals and during the whale migration, plenty of California Grey whales. If you’re looking for an amazing beachside hike, this is it. The trails that lead up from the parking lot allow for an easy yet scenic hike and end with a path down to the beach. OB is our “home” beach. Nestled in the quaint hippie community town of OB, this beach features “swim” only and “surf” only areas. There are many surf shops available nearby that offer rentals. This is a perfect beach for the beginner surfer. If you’re into swimming, the waves are generally small and a perfect place for kiddos to boogie board. Just to the south is the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier. Built in 1966, it is the longest concrete pier in the world and the second longest ocean pier in California. Stretching just under ½ mile long, you can enjoy a great walk while checking out the surfers in the waves below. Just a short walk to the North is the unique Dog’s beach. Everyday, you’ll find hundreds of dog owners with their fur children enjoying the waves, water and company of other dogs. One of our favorite places to ride bikes, Stand-up paddle and fish is Mission Bay Park. Mission Bay Park is the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country. Mission Bay boasts 27 miles of shoreline, 19 of which are sandy beaches with eight locations designated as official swimming areas. There are several landmark hotels that line the bay and offer private beaches, bonfire pits and beach front accommodations. At the west end is a network of channels and islands – a perfect spot for everyone from windsurfers to water- skiers. There are numerous places to swim or rent boats and paddle boards. Our favorite jump off point on the bay is Dana Landing. This location is a hub for all bay and ocean activities. They offer day rentals of everything from SUP’s, kayaks, small boats, jet skis and fishing charters. This one stop shop features beachwear, a full-service bait and tackle shop and one of the best deli’s in San Diego. Whether you’re looking for a great pair of sunglasses, flip flops or a place to stock up on sandwiches, beer and wine and snacks for your day on the water, The Dana Landing has it all! Coronado State beach No visit to San Diego is complete without a visit to the island of Coronado. You can get there two ways. A ferry ride from the docks at the Broadway street pier or a drive over the 200-foot-tall bridge. This is one of the most special places Southern California has to offer. Coronado state beach is set against the backdrop of the Hotel Del Coronado. This beach boasts miles of walking, great shelling, spectacular views of the Point Loma peninsula and at the North end, a great dog beach. Ferry Landing Marketplace offers a sandy beach area adjacent to fishing/ferry pier. With a grassy lawn and sweeping views of San Diego Bay, this is a great place to take in views of downtown San Diego while enjoying the tranquil waters of the bay. Coronado beach dunes Access to the main Coronado Beach is from the area near the “Hotel Del.” There are free parking spaces along Ocean Boulevard. This wide family-friendly beach gets crowded, but it is wide enough that you can find a place to spread out comfortably. Sometimes near the hotel there are elaborate large sandcastles to view and photograph. Apparently, sometime back in the 1980s, a city maintenance worker who cleaned up the beach sand with heavy equipment was trying to get rid of tons of seaweed washed on shore after a big storm. Having no place to dispose of it, he started piling sand over the seaweed, creating the dunes. However, in a fun twist, he decided to be creative and formed the dunes to spell out the word “Coronado.” Although only visible from the air, these dunes provide a fun place for children to play, a great place to exercise and are a historic piece of Coronado. While in San Diego, be sure to visit one of our favorite places, Old Town!

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Maui, HI ~ Our 3 favorite places to stay

shaunaaguirre — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:30:29 +0000

There are many VRBO condos and luxury resorts to choose from on the Island of Maui. We opt for the hotels that offer a more local experience reflective of the tranquil lifestyle of the Islands. Our first choice is the Best Western Pioneer Inn in Lahaina. This hotel harkens back to the days when Lahaina was one of the whaling capitals of the world. Built in 1901 and restored and remodeled, the rooms have private lanais. In addition, it sits across the street from the world-famous Banyan tree. The central location of this property offers a great jumping off spot for touring the north, east and west parts of the Island. In addition, just steps away from the hotel you have access to numerous recreation activities. You can take a whale watching tour or a day boat to Lanai. Scuba and snorkeling trips and world class fishing charters are easily accessible. They also have an entertaining bar that features live music on a regular basis (If you’re there say hi to our friend Donna who bartends here!) The Banyan Tree The banyan tree was planted in 1873. Since then it has grown to 60 feet tall, has 16 major trunks apart from the main one and the circumference of the tree covers almost two acres of land, making it one of the largest banyan trees in the world. At dusk, there are thousands of Myna birds that return to sleep for the night. The boisterous caterwauling is a spectacle to behold. Famed Grateful Dead front man Jerry Garcia spent many days painting the tree. There are multiple annual events that happen in the park surrounding the famous tree. Our favorite is Halloween night when Lahaina shuts down its main street and there is an epic costume contest under the tree. It’s one of the most fun Halloween events we’ve ever experienced. Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel Our second favorite is the Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel. This oceanfront hotel sits directly on the world-famous Kāʻanapali beach and features 11 acres of stunning tropical gardens and world-class ocean views. It is considered “Hawaii’s most Hawaiian hotel.” All of the oceanfront rooms have private, spacious lanai’s. You’ll be afforded long walks on the beach and the swimming here is fabulous. Just to the west of the resort is Black Rock, also known as Puʻu Kekaʻa, was once revered as a place where the spirits would leap from this world to the next. This area is a dynamic snorkeling and swimming area. The clear waters offer a fishbowl experience and it is a great spot for paddle boarding, swimming, snorkeling and if you’re adventurous, some cliff diving. From December to May, humpback whales travel to the protected waters of Kā’anapali, making it one of the top whale-watching destinations in the world. The Bamboo Inn, Hāna, Maui Thirdly, we can’t recommend the Bamboo Inn in Hāna enough. The Bamboo Inn offers three oceanfront accommodations, each with a breath-taking view looking across Hāna Bay toward the Waikoloa peninsula, the easternmost point on Maui. A trip out the Hana highway can be done in a day if you have time constraints but we recommend you take a whole day to get there and stay the night and spend a whole day returning. There are so many detours, side roads, hidden beaches and waterfalls along this road to Hāna. You really need 48 hours to experience it all. In this case, the destination is the lesser part of the trip and the journey is the real experience. Check out our other blogs featuring the best beaches, best hikes, best food and best sites Maui has to offer.

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La Paz, Baja Ca Sur, Mexico ~ Seals, Whale Sharks and the Sea of Cortez

shaunaaguirre — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 07:00:00 +0000

We booked this two-day getaway in La Paz, Mexico with a plan to swim with the whale sharks. Little did we know we would have one of our Best. Days. EVER! We checked into a corner room at Las Gaviotas Hotel. This hotel is a hidden gem. It has sixteen 1 & 2 bedroom apartments, fully furnished, great views and a block and a half off the Malecón (Malecón translates to “pier” in Spanish but is the common name for the boardwalk that stretches along the waterfront in Latin beach towns around the world.) Our hosts, the owners Linda & Chalo are incredibly gracious and offered a lot of local tips for us to pass on to you. They also have a stash of beach chairs and basic beach gear available to borrow. Just down on the Malecón at the end of the street is the restaurant Mariscos Los Laureles. The fresh whole fish and coconut shrimp are amazing. Honestly everything on the menu is divine. Swimming with seals & whale Sharks An early breakfast at Mariscos Bismarkcito fueled us up and we headed to the boat launch kiosk. There are many vendors that offer tours to swim with the whale sharks. You can get hustled by random guys on the Malecón but we chose to book thru one of the kiosks near the town’s Centro Plaza. We were able to book a “combo” that included an all day boat ride to swim with the seals, have lunch on an isolated beach and swim with the whale sharks for $150 each. We boarded the boat with about 10 other people and headed out on a 2 hour ride that was colder than we expected. Bryan’s pro-tip would be to make sure you pack some warm gear as being on the ocean all day can get chilly. Several people had dressed for a “beach” day and were caught off guard. Our first stop was Isla Espíritu Santo. There are several hundred seals that live on this Isla and we geared up and jumped in the water for a swim. It was an unforgettable experience and one we definitely recommend. Next stop, our captain pulled the boat up to Playa Enseñada Grande. This secluded beach ranks as one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever been to. Our Captain had made fresh ceviche and we ate tostadas on the beach and went for a swim. Top 5 beaches in La Paz, Mexico Playa Enseñada Grande: Access by boat charter. Secluded with no services. Turquoise waters for swimming. Playa Balandra: We took a bus out of the bus station in the center of town. R/T fare was $5 each. Unique beach with some fruit vendors and souvenir vendors on the beach. Minimal food and beverages available. Beautiful seafoam colored water and large sand bank so you can walk a hundred yards out into the water and still be knee deep. Playa El Coromuel: Just North on the Malecón, you come to a small bay with a pier where they have a couple of restaurants and bars. Nearby there are bathrooms and some little commercial spots where you can buy beverages and seafood. Caimancito Beach: 2 miles North of town. Hotel nearby for food and beverage purchases. Liked by the locals. Playa Pichilingue: 10 miles North of La Paz. Full services available. Beautiful swimming beach. Swimming with Whale Sharks Whale shark season is from October to February and planning a trip during this time will provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our guide was highly experienced in finding the Whale sharks and after scouting for less than 30 minutes she was able to put us up close and personal to a Whale shark. These docile animals are up to 20 feet long but be prepared to swim, it takes some effort to keep up with them. However, swimming next to them was an emotional and a once-in-a-life time experience. Top 5 restaurants in La Paz Mariscos Los Laureles: On the North end of the Malecón. Seriously some of the best seafood we’ve ever had. Los Bismarkcitos: On the Malecón with great view. Had an delicious breakfast here and the place is packed at night. Fresh seafood from local fishermen and reasonably priced. The Tailhunter Restaurant: Fresh seafood daily from local fishermen. You can also book day fishing charters here. Steinbeck’s at Costa Baja: Inspired by the award wining author who spent a lot of time in the Sea of Cortez. Great steak and seafood restaurant. A little pricey but worth an Uber trip to see this beautiful resort and enjoy a night of fine dining. Los Magueyes: Off the beaten path but great authentic Mexican food and some vegan options. La Paz, unlike Cabo still retains much of its small, authentic Baja Mexico town feeling. Day trips from here include Los Cabos & Todo Santos. We highly recommend you read two of the books written by John Steinbeck that are based on this quaint fishing town. The Pearl and Logs from the Sea of Cortez were written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and will give you a glimpse into what this area was like in the 1950’s when he was exploring here. Many of the places we visited are discussed in detail in these books. Be sure to check out our other blogs of places to visit in Baja, Ca. Sur.

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San Felipe, Baja Ca Sur, Mexico ~ a fishing village on the Sea of Cortez

shaunaaguirre — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 20:33:00 +0000

San Felipe has been a vacation destination for our family since we were children. This seaside fishing village sits on the north west side of the Sea of Cortez. From San Diego it is about a 4 hour drive and about a 6 hour drive from Phoenix or Los Angeles. This is our go-to spot whenever we are craving a quick Mexican get-away. Activities in San Felipe range from swimming, paddle boarding, snorkeling and fishing to just relaxing. The beaches in the center of town offer an abundance of rentals that include banana boats, sport fishing trips and kayaks. Because of it’s proximity to the desert, there are ample places to rent ATV’s to explore the off-road areas. There are a great deal of beaches to explore however, San Felipe experiences a huge tidal flow. At low tide the water can recede to over a mile out. Be sure to check your tide charts when planning your beach visits. South beach is one of our favorites. It’s just south of town and offers swimming with waves, snorkeling with lots of fish to see and shelling. However, if you head south on route 5 there are many more beaches that are less populated. Did someone say fish tacos? San Felipe is the birthplace of the fish taco. It is said that Ralph Rubio of Rubios restaurants got his original recipe from the fishermen in San Felipe. All along the Malecón are a series of open air taco shops that feature shrimp and fish tacos and other seafood selections. This is where we eat 90% of our meals when in San Felipe. We don’t specifically recommend one, just pop into the one that looks fun and enjoy some of the yummy fresh seafood. Our favorite places to stay Stella del Mar is about a mile south of town and has small single unit bungalows. There are 14 beachfront units that feature individual palapas that will provide shade during the day and a quiet place to watch the waves at night. The feature bar service to the palapas and the beach vendors pass by regularly selling palettes and souvenirs. The restaurant here is excellent and the machaca breakfast here is some of the best we’ve ever had. You can walk to town via the beach or taxi service is easily available. The El Cortez is a half a mile south of town and has charming rooms and easy access to a beautiful beach. There’s also a nice pool and a fun restaurant and bar with epic margaritas. Additionally, they have a rental service for everything you need. If you are looking for more upscale accommodations, you can find some out of town luxury condo rentals on VRBO. If you’re looking for Camping in San Felipe, there are many campgrounds and beaches that allow camping with beachfront views. On weekend nights, the Malecón erupts with activity. Families line the walkway and the parade of cars “cruising” the strip is nonstop. Street vendors are plentiful selling elotes, fresh churros and more. The music from the bands of mariachis cascades out over the crowd into the air. There is an overabundance of bars along the street where you can grab a beer and enjoy the spectacle. Valle de los gigantes (Valley of the giants) One of the more spectacular sites in San Felipe is about 20 minutes south of town on route 5 at Rancho Punto Estrella called the Valle de los gigantes (Valley of the giants.) This forest of Sahuaro cacti is a true gift of nature. Some of them reach as high as 50 feet into the sky. You can tour them from the car but you’ll definitely want to get out and walk around these magnificent species. Back in town there is some fantastic shopping. Here you can purchase everything from souvenirs to tapestries, textiles and hand-blown glass. San Felipe is charming town to get away to and relax, enjoy some remarkable food and make some great memories. Be sure to check out our blogs of La Paz and Puerto Peñasco for other Baja, Ca. Sur road-trips!

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San Francisco, Ca. ~ The top 5 sites to see in 48 hours

shaunaaguirre — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 16:41:00 +0000

Whether you’re planning several days or a quick weekend getaway, we’ll show you our favorite San Francisco sites. San Francisco is one of our favorite cities to explore on foot. From just about anywhere in the downtown area, you can easily access all of these locations. Fishermans Wharf Plan on spending several hours at Fishermans Wharf, as there is plenty to see within walking distance. This landmark San Francisco site, and tourist attraction has the super touristy places like Ripleys Believe it or not museum and endless souvenir shops to world class art galleries, retail stores and a wide variety of restaurants and live music clubs. There really is something for everyone here. Ghirardelli Square is a short walk and a visit to the chocolate factory will satisfy any sweet tooth. The central location offers a great jumping off spot to so many San Francisco sites and adventures. Tours leave from here for visits to Alcatraz and bay tours. You can drop into the Blue Mermaid Chowder house for some of the best corn and crab chowder ever. A short walk up the street to The Buena Vista for an Irish coffee or jumping on the Powell-Hyde cable car are all easily accessible from the Wharf. Bike the Bridge One of the best experiences the Bay city has to offer is a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. You can rent an electric bike at www.blazingsaddles.com. The path from there is easy to access and has minimal car traffic. The electric bikes make the hills easier to navigate and make this ride available to all levels of athletic skill. The ride will take you past the marina, Fort Point and over the bridge into Sausalito. From here you can either grab a ferry ride back to the city. Or if you’re up to it, do the return trip over the bridge. Be sure to budget plenty of time so you can stop along the bridge to enjoy the view and take some pictures. Alcatraz Island So many people visit San Francisco and never make it to Alcatraz Island. Do yourself a favor and make this a priority for your visit. Not only is the historic component compelling, the view from the island looking back at the city offers a unique perspective you can’t get anywhere else. Alcatraz was once home to the likes of Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelley, and Robert “The Birdman” Stroud. The audio tour that guides you through the federal prison will give you the background of these criminals and allow you to experience what their lives were like in lockdown. There are lots of great places for a picnic on the island. One of our favorite spots is just across the “yard.” There is a small door with a walkway and the view of the Golden Gate Bridge from here is magnificent. La Misión San Francisco Mission Dolores is the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco. The chain of Missions in California are such an important part of this states history. Located in the northwest area of the neighborhood, the mission was founded on June 29th, 1776 by Father Serra just days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The culture and history are incredibly rich in this neighborhood. And then, there’s the world class Mexican food! A favorite is the 50 year old La Taqueria, they basically invented the local taco and burrito style found here. One of the more emotionally moving sites in all of SF is here in Clarion Alley. Located between Mission and Valencia Streets and 17th and 18th Streets, the murals are painted by the Clarion Alley Mural Project. This space of free expression is a grass roots project started in 1992 and produces art that is socially engaging, controversial and powerful. Chinatown One of our favorite hotels in SF is the Hilton Financial District. Not only because it has a foot bridge to Portsmouth Square in the center of Chinatown but also because of the views of Alcatraz, the San Francisco Bay, and Coit Tower. It’s less than a mile from the Ferry Building, Union Square and Coit Tower. The Italian restaurants, the iconic City Lights book store and North Beach are just three blocks away. There is an unending amount of history in Chinatown, SF. The Golden Gate Fortune cookie factory is said to be where the cookie was invented and the machines used to make them are from another era as are the ladies working them. The buildings along Grant street still retain some of the magnificent Oriental architecture that built this community. The herb and produce stores feature items that are rare to see in an American city and the likes we’ve only seen in Chinatown, Honolulu. Dig deep and venture into the fish markets, food plazas and herb stores and you will get a truly memorable experience of this amazingly rich culture. Check out our blog on our favorite places to eat in SF!

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San Francisco, Ca ~ The best restaurants in 48 hours

shaunaaguirre — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 22:44:00 +0000

It’s no wonder that so many claim to leave their hearts in this magical city. There is so much to do and see here, you could easily spend a week and not run out of places to explore. But if your time is limited, we will show you how to make the best of your visit. These are our favorite places to eat in San Francisco. Our favorite places to eat & drink in San Francisco Sam Wo: We always made it a point to visit to this restaurant when it was in it’s original location where it had been since 1907. In 2005, it moved to it’s current location on Clay st. The food is still distinctively authentic and they serve some of our favorite noodles in the City. House of Prime Rib: There is no shortage of “foodie” steak houses in the Bay Area but if you’re looking for possibly the highest quality of corn-fed beef, this is it. Aliotos: This historic location dates back to 1932 and features some of the freshest shrimp, crab and seafood the bay has to offer. Molinari’s deli: Established in 1896, this bustling Italian deli in North Beach is the perfect place for stocking up on snacks and sandwiches for a picnic or to enjoy on your walk around town. Blue Mermaid chowder house & bar: Residing in the lobby of the Argonaut Hotel is the Blue Mermaid. Not only do the have some of the best chowder in all of SF, this is a great place to pop in for a quick lunch or stop by the bar for a beer or cocktail. The Buena Vista: No visit to San Francisco is complete without an Irish coffee at The Buena Vista. Serving this iconic drink since 1952, they’ve served more Irish Whiskey here than any bar in the Country. Sam Wo’s The oldest restaurant in Chinatown was built in 1907 by three Chinese immigrant brothers. The original 3-story building on Washington was erected shortly after the 1906 earthquake. For decades, every trip to SF included dinner at Sam Wo’s. The place was always packed and the energy was always lively. Often, there was a line out the door and down the street. The menu once said that the Chow Mien was the only good thing there and everything else sucked. It literally said that. In the 1980’s some notoriety was gained for being known locally as having the “Worlds rudest waiter!” Edsel Ford Fung became somewhat of a local legend. In 2012, the restaurant was shut down and the cost to reopen it in the original location became prohibitive. Fortuantely for all of us, the family didn’t give up and re-opened on Clay st. The food is tasty, reasonably priced and portions are large. We LOVE Sam Wo’s! House of Prime Rib Serving the best quality of beef available since 1949, The House of Prime rib is a dining experience not soon forgotten. Reservations are highly recommended and should be made as far out as possible. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is always buzzing and the aroma of the food will make you salivate as soon as you walk in. The use of the custom made chef carts allows service of your steak the moment it is cut. Salads are tossed table side in a spinning bowl above an ice bath and served ice cold. Even though the side dishes are limited, the creamed spinach is classically delicious as is the Yorkshire pudding. Be sure to arrive early for a pre-meal drink in the bar. Take a step back in time when drinks were strong, portions large and service was entertaining. Aliotos The Alioto’s family name is synonymous with Fishermans Wharf. This San Francisco landmark restaurant started as a fish stand in 1932 and has become a mainstay of the Wharf. Their highly talented seafood buy assures that only the best seafood is served. You’ll find traditional items like clam chowder, Dungeness crab and the calamari is some of the best in the city. The Seafood tower for two is an all-in experience. However, be sure to check out some of the Sicilian dishes that are made with years old recipes passed down through the Alioto family. Molinari’s Deli Since 1896, this small deli in North Beach has been serving locals and tourists en mass. It is always packed so be ready to stand in line. Service is fast so be sure you know what you want when you get to the front! The counter is staffed with a loud chattering group of guys who make huge, delicious sandwiches. Stock up your backpacks with fresh bread, some cold cuts and cheeses for a picnic later in the day. Blue Mermaid chowder house and bar Housed in the Argonaut hotel on Jefferson, this gold rush themed restaurant has the best Corn & Crab chowder you’ll ever have! Selections like the Wild Salmon, Rib Eye steak or Fishermans platter are beautifully presented and service is spot-on. On our most recent visit, we were lucky enough to be stuck inside during a rainstorm, which made it a storybook San Francisco afternoon. The Buena Vista An iconic cafe located in Ghirardelli Square overlooking Fishermans wharf and the Powell-Hyde cable car turn-around, has been serving Irish coffees since 1952. The history within these walls runs deep. To date they have served over 30 million Irish coffees. The recipe is pure perfection. We’ve tried Irish coffees at other places and none come close to this. They serve breakfast lunch and dinner. Everything on the menu pairs well with the Irish coffee. A stop here makes sense any time of day and you’ll be so happy you did. One of our favorite afternoons in SF was a rainy morning breakfast at The Buena Vista and then we jumped on the cable car and took a tour of the city. Check out our blog on our favorite sites to see in San Francisco!

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Puerto Peñasco, Baja Ca Sur, Mexico ~ 48 hours in a sleepy Mexican town

shaunaaguirre — Sun, 19 May 2019 03:44:42 +0000

One of our favorite Mexican weekend getaways is Puerto Peñasco. It’s about a 5 hour drive from San Diego and 4 hours from Phoenix or Tuscon. It sits on the Northeast corner of the Sea of Cortez directly across from San Felipe as a crow flies. Puerto Peñasco (or Rocky Point) was a town my father spent a lot of time in when he was young so it is really special to us. There are a dozen or so high-rise hotel/resorts to the north of the main town that are pretty much all the same place. They are all high-rise buildings with patios and ocean views. They have full amenities, restaurants, large pools, rental offices. You can book boat trips and rent beach gear at most of them. They all sit on a beautiful beach that goes for miles. There is snorkeling, swimming, shelling, and fishing. If you’re here for a beach vacation, they are perfect. The Dream Weaver Casitas Our favorite place to stay in Puerto Peñasco is the charming Dream Weaver Palapa Casitas. Their casitas sleep from 2-9 people. This little piece of paradise is located on of a small hill on the south side of Old Port and a block from the Malecón. Two of the casitas have a private balcony with a magnificent view of the Sea of Cortez. The location of the Dream Weaver puts you walking distance from restaurants, bars and shopping. The party on the Malecón at night emits the classic feeling of Old Mexico. Families line the walkway, mariachis play, street vendors with everything from souvenirs to elotes hawk their wares and the vibe is bewitching. Our favorite restaurants in Puerto Peñasco Max’s is on the Malecón and breakfast on the patio is a perfect way to start the day. The Point sits on stilts over the water. The fresh seafood is heavenly. Choices range from whole fish to shrimp stuffed avocado salad. The view is serene and it is a great spot to enjoy a delicious meal and a sunset. Pedros is a little hidden gem just off the Malecón. The quaint restaurant features fresh local seafood, great margaritas and excellent service. The Tekila bar is a tiki themed restaurants. There are a few tables on the back deck. Another great spot for a cocktail and sunset. We have two main things we love about Puerto Peñasco. Firstly, the fresh seafood. Secondly is the beaches. There are miles of them with easy access. There are many places to snorkel, swim and fish. Our 3 favorite beaches in Puerto Peñasco Sandy beach ~ There are a lot of activities available at this beautiful beach area, including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, water skiing, parasailing, jet skiing, surfing, fishing and more. Tucson Beach ~ Located in Cholla Bay this small stretch of beach is perfect for wading and swimming due to its very calm waters when the tide is in. When the tide is down it will reveal its rocky landscape where it’s common to see families of sea lions relaxing on these rock. Playa La Joya/Playa Encanto ~ These two beaches lie next to each other and are about 12 miles from Puerto Peñasco. Both of them offer beautiful scenery and serenity. They are the perfect beaches to go for a walk, swimming, shelling and relaxing in the sun. These two beaches are less inhabited than the others therefore, they are much more peaceful. When you visit Puerto Peñasco, be sure to bring a cooler. You’ll want to take home some of the fresh Mexican prawns that are available at the outdoor fish market in the middle of Old Puerto. Dozens of stalls line this street and the local fisherman have seafood fresh every morning. They’ll pack it in a double bag and give you some ice to keep it fresh for the ride home. Be sure to check out our other blogs of places to visit in Baja, Ca. Sur.

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Borrego Springs, Ca ~ Desert Wild flowers, camping & hiking

shaunaaguirre — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Borrego Springs, Ca is one of our favorite places to go for a day trip or a couple of nights. This desert town is a 2 hour drive from San Diego, Los Angeles and Palm Springs. It’s easy to get there and worth the journey. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California. Five hundred miles of dirt roads, twelve wilderness areas, and miles of hiking trails provide visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the California desert. The park is named after Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the Spanish name borrego or bighorn sheep. Everything from outback camping and off road trails to 4 star resorts, with luscious swimming pools, it’s all here! Our favorite places to stay in Borrego Springs There are some great hotels here. Depending on your budget, they range from motels to 4 star accommodations. Some of our favorites are: Palm Canyon hotel and RV Resort which has the feeling of an old western town. If you aren’t planning on being in the room much, it’s perfect, casual and has a cute bar/restaurant. The Borrego Valley Inn is lovely and each room has a patio/courtyard. This hotel is adults only so, very serene and picturesque. Our all-time favorite though is La Casa del Zorro. The accommodations here range from 1-3 bedroom casitas, many with their own pool to beautifully appointed deluxe suites with fireplaces. The restaurant and bar offer breakfast, lunch and dinner and sometimes live music. If camping is your vibe, Palm Canyon Campground has tent and RV camping. There is drinkable water, restrooms and coin operated showers. It sits at the entrance to Palm Canyon and the trailhead for one of our favorite hikes. This hike is 4 miles r/t and is easy for all ages. If you’re not into the campground scene, you can camp anywhere in the park. The best Wild flower viewing areas The peak season in Borrego early February thru late April when the desert wildflowers bloom. This is one of our favorite annual trips. The best flower viewing is usually in Henderson Canyon but it varies year to year and a quick stop at the visitors center in town will get you to the best bloom areas. Our favorite places to visit in Borrego Springs Some of our favorite places to go in Borrego Springs are Font’s Point, Slot Canyon, Coyote Canyon and the Pumpkin Patch, but you’ll need 4wd to get to them. If you don’t have 4wd, check out Palm Canyon, Henderson Canyon and all of the metal statues on DiGorgio road. As you drive around Borrego, you can’t miss the giant metal sculptures by artist Ricardo Breceda that are everywhere and have become a tourist destination on their own. We hope you get a chance to visit this special town.

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Santa Fe, NM ~ The Turquoise Trail

shaunaaguirre — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Santa Fe is one of my top 5 favorite cities in the world. We flew into Albuquerque and took the Turquoise Trail road to Santa Fe. If you want the fast road just head straight up the I 25N and it will take you right into Santa Fe. If you want to do some exploring on the way, take the I 40E to Hwy 14N. This is the Turquoise trail and will take you to the backside of the Sandia mountains. The hippie town of Madrid, NM Once you turn on Hwy 14N, it’s abut 35 minutes ’til you arrive in the town of Madrid. Madrid was once a coal mining town turned ghost town turned hippie art town. It was featured in the movie Wild Hogs and still retains some of the sites from the movie set. There are lots of souvenir shops, art galleries and a few restaurants. Our favorite is the Mine Shaft Tavern. The food is fantastic and the people watching is world-class. They also have a beer garden and live music on the weekends. Santa Fe Plaza The drive from Madrid to Santa Fe is about 40 minutes and takes you past some beautiful farms, the State penitentiary and several look out spots. Once you arrive in Santa Fe, there is so much to see and do. There are hundreds of art galleries, magnificent churches and amazing food. Our Favorite restaurant and our first stop is The Shed for some green chili. The Shed has been in operation since 1953 and at it’s current location since 1960. The food is authentic New Mexican food and the margaritas are amazing. No trip to Santa Fe is complete without a Frito Pie. Featured on the Food Network as “one of the best things I ever ate.” You have to visit the five & dime on the Plaza. Head to the food counter in the back and get yourself one, grab a bench in the Plaza and enjoy. We spent hours strolling around historic Santa Fe Plaza. Here you can browse shops and art galleries and learn about New Mexico’s history and the Native American Southwest. Be sure to visit the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi and the Loretto Chapel. If time allows, a trip to Georgia O’Keefe’s Ghost Ranch is a must. It’s about an hour drive from Santa Fe. This is where she lived and the subject of many of her paintings. You can make this a day trip or stay the night or a week! A world-class Japanese Spa By this time, we were ready for a massage and so we called ahead and booked a couples massage at Ten Thousand Waves. It’s about a 15 minute drive from Santa Fe and is a world-class Japanese spa. It has beautiful outdoor hot tubs, a cold plunge and some of the most serene massage rooms you will ever experience. Hands down, the hottest ticket in Santa Fe is Meow Wolf. This interactive art experience has become a national phenomenon. Be sure to book tickets in advance. For breakfast, we have two favorite spots. The French Pastry Shop and Creperie that has amazing pastries and crepes and the Burrito Company if you’re in the mood for more traditional NM food. We always stay at The Inn & Spa at Loretto. The pueblo style hotel has rooms with balconies, shopping and a world class spa. Santa Fe is an epic jump off spot for several day trips. Click here for the best 5 day trips. Check out our other blogs for exploring Northern New Mexico!

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