I wish you were here

Destin is a small beach town full of fun attractions and activities. Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters. It is now a major tourist destination, started as a small fishing village. 

The city is on a peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay. This makes for beautiful beaches and views on both sides, facing the Gulf of Mexico and the bay.

The sand on Destin's beaches (and the rest of the Emerald Coast) is some of the whitest in the world. The sand comes from the Appalachian Mountains and is made of finely ground quartz crystal, giving sugar's appearance. 

Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolitan area with an amazing array of attractions and activities.

The best way to experience LA is by taking a walking tour through downtown, and surrounding areas, and then hopping on one of the Metro lines to places further away.

The best starting place for this walking tour is at Union Station, which is a transportation hub connecting LA with several major cities through Metrolink and with the whole nation via Amtrak.  
Start your walk by visiting El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument and Olvera Street (Calle Olvera). It is a short walk from Union Station's Alameda street exit.

This historic district was first established in 1781 and used to be the center of Los Angeles during Spanish and Mexican rule. It is home to many historic buildings and statues.

When I decided to visit Denver, the mile-high city, I expected to see forests, rivers, and snow-covered mountains, but I was disappointed when I landed. 

Denver, at first glance, looked like any other major city in the USA, with urban sprawl, a city center with tall buildings, and a sprinkle of parks. 

But my disappointment was short-lived as I explored this beautiful city and the Majestic Rockies a short drive away.
You can read more about Denver here, but this page is dedicated to the splendor of The Rocky Mountains National Park.

The park spans the Continental Divide and encompasses protected mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and alpine tundra. 

Dana Point is a small beach town in southern Orange County, California. It has one of the few harbors along the Orange County coast, with easy access via Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

The city is a popular destination for surfing, watersports, kayaking, swimming, hiking, and whale watching.
The Dana Point harbor is a busy place with many specialty shopping and dining experiences and the launching pad for many seafaring adventures. 

The harbor is also home to Baby Beach, with clam waters ideal for small children. While watching the kids play in the sand and the water, enjoy stunning cliffside panoramic views. 

This beach town's claim to fame is that it is the Gateway to the Channel Islands. But wait a minute, a few miles northwest of Oxnard, Ventura also claims to be the Gateway to the Channel Islands. So confusing!

But no, not really. They both have a lovely harbor with regular service to the Channel Islands, but I think Oxnard's harbor is more fun.

The channel islands harbor has an extensive canal system making it look and feel like Venice, Italy, or Venice, CA. You can even get gondola rides on those canals. 
On both sides of those canals, you can find homes with ramps, restaurants, and recreation areas. 

One of largest performing arts centers in the country is in downtown Los Angeles. 

The Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County (better known as The Music Center) is home to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theater, Mark Taper Forum, Roy and Edna Disney / CalArts Theatre, and Walt Disney Concert Hall.  

If you love classical music, ballet, opera, or theater, this is the place. 

The area around this large complex is walkable, with a metro station close by, a beautiful park, restaurants, coffee shops, and the iconic city hall building.

The District is a large open-air mall with many shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. 

How large, you ask? The mall covers comprise a million square feet and cross several streets.

It is an excellent place for OC residents to get their shopping done or enjoy a night out – or do both on the same day.

I stayed at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn on several occasions and loved every stay. 

The location is a little isolated from the main attractions, but it is a beautiful resort with many activities and entertainment options. 

If you stay here, you should plan on spending most of your time at the hotel and the surrounding area.