I wish you were here

The sprawling Seattle metropolitan area is surrounded by water, mountains, and lakes in the Pacific state of Washington – and home to a lot of history and culture.

From the iconic Space Needle tower to the historic Pike Place Market and from the waterfront restaurants to Mount Rainier covered with snow, everywhere you look, there is something new to see or adventures to be had.

A visit to Seattle would not be complete without exploring downtown on foot, riding the Monorail, spinning around on the Great Wheel, dining on the waterfront, or finding unique gifts at Pike Place Market.

Interesting Facts: The Seattle area has been continuously inhabited for at least 4,000 years.

SVRA stands for State Vehicular Recreation Area, which really means lots of fun and adventure for you and I.

Oceano Dunes is around 3 hours drive north of Los Angeles CA - right next to Pismo Beach. The beautiful scenery along the way will make those 3 hours pass quickly.

Oceano Dunes is my favorite off-road adventure place. It has everything going for it. The weather is always perfect (or at least acceptable), it has lots of sand dunes, it is right on the beach and it is right next to a very beautiful beach city: Pismo Beach – with restaurants, shops, beaches and hotels.

Chamonix is the base camp for anyone wishing to explore the French Alps and the region in general. It sits at the base of Europe’s highest peak, Mon Blanc and at the intersection of France, Italy and Switzerland.

This unique location makes it a major tourist attraction with crowds swelling during the winter season and also in July and August.

San Jose is the capital of Silicon Valley and the third largest city in Northern California. 

The city is home to many of the world's biggest tech firms and is considered one of the wealthiest major cities in the world, with the third-highest GDP per capita and the fifth-most expensive housing market. 

It is home to one of the world's largest overseas Vietnamese populations, a Hispanic community that makes up over 40% of the city's residents, and historic Japanese and Portuguese neighborhoods.

San Jose sits at the southern tip of San Francisco Bay in Santa Clara County and is considered a gateway to the city by the bay.

You can find a lot to do in San Jose, but it could be your base camp for more fun in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Monterey.

Here are some of my favorite attractions in the area:

Visiting the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle is like stepping into a grand temple of coffee.

Situated in the vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood, this flagship location isn't just another Starbucks; it’s an immersive experience into what makes Starbucks unique, especially when compared to its regular stores.