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After visiting a Peruvian restaurant in Oranjestad recommended by an Afar traveler, we were advised to take a trip out to San Nicolas. Hopping on public transit we made our way to this town where we thought we would find Baby Beach however San Nicolas has no beach front (it’s a former oil refinery town). What we found was Charlie’s Bar (a true hoarder’s paradise brimming with character), a street music festival and very friendly locals. It was a great trip!

One of California’s most significant historical landmarks, this statue marks the spot where Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo became the first European to set foot on the west coast of the United States. Every year at the end of September, actors re-create this historic moment as part of the Cabrillo Festival. If you don’t happen to be in San Diego then, there’s still plenty to explore here, including the two-mile Bayside Trail through tide pools and coastal sage habitat. Cabrillo died in the Channel Islands not long after coming ashore, but he lives forever in the large limestone statue here—near which you can also enjoy stunning 360-degree views of San Diego, the Pacific Ocean, Mexico, and the surrounding mountains.

San Francisco’s seven hills and extensive coastline offer plenty of impressive views; why not enjoy them with a delicious meal or bubbly drink? The Burger Bar on the top floor of Macy’s and the Rotunda at Neiman Marcus overlook Union Square. Bay-side eateries like Epic Roasthouse offer travelers water views, while the Cliff House (shown) and the Beach Chalet are right on top of Ocean Beach. To see the city glittering at night, visit the Top of the Mark bar at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel or the Americano at the Hotel Vitale, in full view of the Bay Bridge’s Bay Lights.

Wander along Octavia Street in Hayes Valley and you’ll probably notice the open space at its center dotted with renovated shipping containers; though it may sound like it wouldn’t be a retail hot spot, it definitely is. Proxy is a temporary two-block project that “aims to mobilize a flexible environment of food, art, culture, and retail,” which means that businesses develop, evolve, and move in and out of the shipping containers that serve as their storefronts. In this way, the businesses mirror the contemporary cultural curiosities and the vast diversity within San Francisco. Juicing is popular right now—visit Juice Shop. Artisan ice cream and coffee are renowned throughout the city—have some at Smitten Ice Cream or Ritual Coffee Roasters. San Franciscans care about their health and fitness—work out at Basic Training or take a bike tour of the city with Streets of San Francisco Bike Tours. Visit the website—or better yet, the two blocks of Proxy itself—to get to know all the current vendors and art installations, and keep an eye out for the outdoor movie screen going up this summer.

This vibrant and friendly shop, just around the corner from Piazza San Marco, offers an eclectic mix of San Marco flags in every size, Murano glass jewelry, wax stamps, and colorful art pigments.

Driving between Globe and Show Low in the White Mountains east of Phoenix, US 60 curves and descends dramatically into the Salt River Canyon. Some call it the ‘mini Grand Canyon.’ The highway snakes down some 2000 feet before climbing back up... Spring brings snowmelt and whitewater rafting...by late summer, the monsoon rains are keeping the river muddy and turbulent...Several parking areas allow you to pull off the two-lane road; breathe in the views, stretch your legs on Apache land.

Few airports put as much thought into traveler’s well-being as San Francisco International. The Berman Reflection Room, one of many unique spaces, provides, “A center for quiet self-reflection and meditation.” Free from distractions—technology, talking and noise—here you can just take a moment to decompress. Easily accessible, pre-security in the main international hall, it can be a meaningful stop before a long journey or after saying goodbye.

Hailed as one of the country’s first true boutique hotels, Hotel San José started its life as a 1930s tourist court and became a 1950s roadside motel before falling into disrepair in a bad part of town. In the mid-1990s, Liz Lambert bought it and transformed it into a minimalist, mid-century–inspired hot spot, the first of her distinctive Bunkhouse hotels, and the South Congress neighborhood changed with it. Although it’s now a must-visit for out-of-town hipsters (and its bar a hangout for trendy locals), the hotel stays true to its roots; a majority of the furniture was made by local artisans from reclaimed wood and Texas leather, the three most affordable rooms have a shared bath, and Lambert’s experience renovating the hotel and contributing to the neighborhood’s gentrification prompted her to make the documentary The Last Days of the San Jose.

Nowadays, SoCo is Austin’s hottest neighborhood, and Hotel San José is in the heart of the action, hosting local and touring bands in its courtyard and parking lot, and offering some of the city’s best coffee at Jo’s, its affiliated café. Plan to spend at least one evening making new friends over Shiner Bocks at the long tables in the courtyard lounge.

This is the neighborhood spot for the entire town of San Sebastián under the age of 40. Whether it’s an 8 o’clock shot of espresso, a mid-morning toast with tomato and olive oil, or a beer at 7pm, this place is always hopping with people. It’s the perfect place for conversation, people-watching, and Wi-Fi. Their toast and their homemade cakes are outstanding.

The urban beaches of San Sebastián necessitate a chic swimsuit. If you forgot yours, or simply want a swimwear souvenir, Goiuri is the hands-down best swimsuit shop in town. They offer flattering suits of all types, with a mix-and-match ideology that makes finding a fab fit super easy.

If you want to discover Haight Ashbury from a true “insider,” then consider the Flower Power Tour created and given by the ebullient Izu Interlandi. Izu is not a native to the hippie district of Haights Ashbury in San Francisco, but she could very well write a book about it. Her love for the area and the joy of meeting and personally connecting with the legends of the area –including the Grateful Dead, Allen Ginsburg and Janis Joplin — bubbles over like champagne. She will take you through it all--from the Grateful Dead house to where Janis Joplin lived, and leave you feeling sad you are not from that era. She’s an original and one of San Francisco’s best. I discovered Izu through Trafalgar’s distinctive insider experiences guided vacation of San Francisco and Napa Valley, and have been a fan ever since. Walking tours don’t get more fun or memorable than this!

I recall this church from my elementary school days but it wasn’t until I visited the site when I was older that I fully appreciated it. The mission is one of the oldest European settlements in Orange County and boasts so much historical significance for the area. A few hours spent visiting the crumbling mission gives a better understanding of how things were back in the 18th century. You will find a pavilion of ruins on one end, but fully functional buildings on the other end with a museum, a small chapel, and educational programs for children and adults. It is the seventh of 21 missions in California, and one of the most beautiful.

Botanika is one of San Sebastián‘s best local spots to just BE. Especially if you consider yourself slightly hip, ride a fixed gear, are a NOLA-phile, or enjoy café food with a vegetarian bent. The private garden overlooks the river that runs through the city. It’s off the beaten path but a wonderful spot to meet interesting locals and enjoy a beer or coffee.

Located on the beautiful San Antonio River, the Witte Museum is “where nature, science, and culture meet,” according to its description. Visitors can marvel at dinosaurs, witness how people lived thousands of years ago, explore Texas wildlife in the newly renovated Susan Naylor Center, or dive deep into history in the Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg Texas Heritage Center. In the H-E-B Body Adventure building, children can experience four floors’ worth of immersive exhibits about health, wellness, and well-being.

One of the great pleasures of traveling in Mexico is visiting traditional local markets, which sell everything from produce and household goods to handcrafts and textiles. In San Jose del Cabo, the local artisans’ market, or Plaza Artesanos, is open daily. Vendors sell a variety of handmade goods, including rugs, pottery, clothing, and jewelry.