Capri

Capri, Italy. Yes, I know you've heard of it. Maybe seen pictures of its idyllic coasts? Dreamt of taking a dip in its crystal clear aqua blue water? Gotten a postcard from its too-beautiful-to-be true blue grotto? The truth is, Capri may just be paradise. 19 miles off the coast of Italy, with hotels nestled in cliffs and some of the most breathtaking views you'll ever see, lies the isle of Capri. This is where the rich & famous come to vacation (I saw Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon & their twins walking the town shops while I was there this summer!) and there are many reasons why. Its beauty and its exclusivity make it a top-notch destination for any Amalfi Coast trip. I went to Capri for the first time at the young age of 12 with my family just for the day on our 2 week trek around Europe. It was my first time to Europe and I remember telling my mom as soon as we set foot on the Isle of Capri, "This is my favorite place in the world." Well, as you probably can already tell from my blog- I don't know how to play favorites when it comes to traveling. But, if I had to choose, Capri is definitely in my top 5.

So, that was my first experience with Capri. My second was another day trip with my family, while on a cruise through the Italian Riviera and the third, and most memorable, time I've ever been to Capri was last summer. We chose to forego the usual island day trip that most people do and stay two nights and three days on the island, truly experiencing everything Capri has to offer with an overnight stay. Sure I had fallen in love with Capri before with the daytrips, but THIS is the way to see Capri. 

Get yourself a hotel toppled on the cliffs of the italian riviera, spend days taking hikes from the heights of the isle all the way down to the water, swimming in the blue grotto (see pic), and tasting the incredible italian wines. 

Sound like perfection? Let's plan a trip.

staying on the island:

Hotel Weber Ambassador

We stayed in this darling hotel. It's in an area of the island called Marina Piccola, and they have a hotel shuttle that picks you up from the marina down on the water and brings you all the way up the cliffs to the hotel. The hotel has beach access which is great and also a pool overlooking the coast. I mean.. talk about good location. 

http://www.hotelweber.com/

La Minerva

JK Place

This boutique hotel is ranked #1 on tripadvisor, and it looks pretty darn close to perfect. Capri exclusivity at its finest, this hotel only hosts 18 rooms and is located on a pedestrian area overlooking the sea in the center of Capri. Talk about tranquility!

http://www.laminervacapri.com/

JK Place 

Looking for luxury and the best-of-the-best? Look no further than the JK Place Capri. At 22 years old, I can still only dream about staying in hotels like this (around $1200+ a night) but maybe you're planning a honeymoon or a special occasion? Or maybe you're a celeb... Have fun and stow me in your carry on?

http://www.jkcapri.com/ 

for the hikers

We hiked every day while we were in Capri!! Gotta burn off all those pizzas and glasses of italian vino! This is the hiking path we did, and it is stunning.

Me in Capri

Via Krupp. A stone hiking path originally laid out on the island in 1902! It features majestic views that you won't get anywhere else! Ask your hotel to lead you to where it starts! It takes you from the top of the island all the way down to the water so don't forget your swim suit! 

Took this from our hike on Via Krupp!

for the foodie  

The food in Capri is all delicious. After all, it is Italy. When have you ever had bad Italian food? The center of the island is very small and definitely full of eager italian waiters who would love to have you sit outside of their restaurant, so take your pick. We ate at a few different delicous local eateries, each time just walking around, looking at menus and meeting people until we found one we decided on. 

Pizza Aurora. One pizza place in particular sticks out to me that we went to - I still dream of their pizza. It's right off the square so if you're in Capri, eat here and think of me! The picture is of my dad and I holding our delish pizzas!

18-20 Via Fuorlovado, Island of Capri

for the view 

La Terraza di Lucculo

For the best view in Capri, you just gotta go to this restaurant. Located in Anacapri (the other side of the Island from Capri), the picture says it all. 

via G Orlandi 4 | Baia de Napoli, 80071 Anacapri, Island of Capri, Italy

for the shoppers

Shopping is everywhere in Capri- you can't miss it! A little expensive, but definitely fun to explore all that the island has to offer. Especially, as my mom's 120-lb suitcase on our way back from the Amalfi Coast will tell you, the Italian pottery. If you're going to shop as much as I did, make sure you've mastered the Italian phrase for 'how much does this cost?': "Quanto costa?" 

for the tourist

First of all, if you're going just for the day, you're going to be taking one of the hourly ferries from either Naples or Sorrento. Make sure you plan ahead so you get a full day on the island! Once you take the funicular up to the top of the island (where the town is), you can walk around, shop, get lunch, or take the hike I listed. It's a small town, so not much planning is required before you get there... but there is one thing you definitely need to make sure you see: 

The Blue Grotto. It's on every traveler's bucket list to see the unbelievably blue water in Capri's famous grotto. Pictured here, but unreal in real life. Tours will take you on a gondola into the cave. But if you go early in the morning (and in the summer!!) and you can even swim in there. Unreal experience and a gorgeous part of Capri.

Hope that's a good start to your next trip to my favorite Italian isle. Have fun and drink some limoncello for me! Arrivaderci, amicis!!!  

follow the best of Jetset Christina's travels on instagram

on twitter @jetsetchristina

& on facebook

Charleston, SC

 Conde Nast Traveler magazine recently took on the daunting task of ranking the best cities in the world.  Seems easy, right? But this year, the prestigious Best City in the World award wasn't granted to London, Paris, Tokyo, Rome or New York City. It wasn't even given to the beautiful city by the bay, San Francisco. Taking many people by surprise (but not anyone who's been there), It was Charleston, South Carolina that took the crown. 

                     

Charleston. The epitome of southern charm, where time stands still and days wind down by sipping sweet tea on front porch swings. Charleston. Where horse-drawn carriages roam the streets and you can smell the white magnolias from a mile away. Where every southern bride dreams of getting married, and where most people would kill for a house on Battery Street.  (Don't bet on being able to buy one, as Charlestonian families usually come from centuries of wealth and southern royalty). Charleston is the charm of the South. From the sweeter-than-sweet-tea locals, to the stately and historical old Southern colonial homes.  I love Charleston for all of these reasons and more, and, honestly, I can't get enough of this city. Going to school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill left me a short 4 1/2 hours away from this amazing place, so I got there quite a few times, and always had a different experience. With groups of friends, I love the nightlife and the beaches. With my girls, I looove the shopping. With my family, I love the top-notch southern dining and just taking in the history & beauty of the city. Charleston has so much to offer for everyone- so it's no surprise that Conde Nast voted it #1. 

So, now that I've convinced you to plan your next trip to this southern paradise ASAP let's talk about what y'all will do when you get there..

for the tourist

So much charm and so little to do? Hardly. Charleston is jam-packed with something for everyone... Here are a few of my favorites:

Boone Hall Plantation: Beautiful and historical plantations are a must for visiting the South. This tour is GREAT! You'll learn all about slavery and true southern history- it is incredible. Not to mention the set of the Notebook and Forrest Gump. Did I just lose my credibility? I swear I went for the history! I mean the stories were almost as great as seeing the Notebook mansion where Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds got married this summer.  But seriously, gorgeous plantation and a great tour. 1235 Long Point Road, Charleston, SC. 

The Historic Charleston City Market - Go to this flea market is in central Charleston and you'll find anything and everything to bring back for all your loved ones! Open 365 days a year, you'll find pottery, charleston's famous sweetgrass baskets, paintings, jewelry and more. Definitely worth checking out.

The famous Charleston Ghost Tours- Prepare to be freaked out! With history comes... haunted mansions??? I am way too much of a scaredy-cat to have tried this tour myself but I have heard fantastic things. Everyone who has been has sworn to me it's a must do in the city. Check it out at bulldogtours.com

for the girls 

Shopping on King Street

Oh, King Street. Where my wallet goes to cry. Some of the best shopping, ever. Boutiques line the street, with cute bars and restaurants too (so the boys can watch football and drink beer while you shop)

Charleston Cooks. What better way to experience the culinary history of the South than to take a cooking class! I haven't done this yet, but it's definitely on my list.... especially because I'm pretty sure my boyfriend who grew up in the Carolinas may stop dating me if I don't learn how to make fried chicken or shrimp & grits :)

where to stay

for couples: 

Two Meeting Street Inn.

Want to feel like you were born into southern royalty? Stay at this inn on Charleston's famous Meeting street. The mansion was originally built in the 1800s as a gift from a father to his daughter on her wedding day (cough...Dad-- start planning my mansion?)  and is the ultimate southern experience in a charming Charleston inn. Your vacay is only complete with their daily afternoon tea on the wraparound porch surrounded by the majestic draping trees. Pictured to the left. 2 Meeting Street; twomeetingstreet.com or 888-723-7322. 

for the family:

The Sanctuary. 

My family and I stayed here for a weekend and had the best time. It is about 30 minutes away from the city on Kiawah Island-- a secluded little beach town. This hotel definitely lives up to its name, with a prime relaxed feel and an impeccable property. The girls will find their sanctuary on the beach and the guys will love the 2012 PGA Championship golf course. 

It's a huge hotel with lots of great amenities and activities perfect for the fam. When we were here we rented bikes right outside the hotel lobby and rode them all along the beach and around the island (see picture)!!! That's right you west-coasters, the beaches in the South are famous for their sand hard and flat enough that you can ride a bike right on the edge of the waves. Very cool. http://www.kiawahresort.com/accommodations/the-sanctuary/

  

for luxury

Wentworth Mansion. If you want to splurge on a true luxury hotel, the 5 Star Wentworth Mansion is your place. It was named the  2012 #1 Small City Hotel by Travel & Leisure, and the #12 Best Hotel In the World, truly defining decadence and romance. Originally a Charleston home built in the 1800's, it embodies the charm, relaxation, and history unique to the city. You'll even stay in what used to be the bedrooms of the family that built the elaborate mansion.  Luxury at its finest. http://www.wentworthmansion.com/


Charleston Place

With it's hard-to-beat central location on Meeting Street, this stately hotel is definitely the prime place to stay in Charleston. Across the street from the market and adjacent to King Street, it's one of the central hotels of the city. You should definitely stay here if you don't mind spending a little more for location-location-location.  http://www.charlestonplace.com/web/ocha/charleston_place.jsp

brilliance on a budget

French Quarter Inn. 
This hotel is right downtown by the market. Great location and a charming hotel! The French Quarter Inn is raved about on almost any travel site you go to, and the reviews don't lie! Southern hospitality, a great location, and prices that won't bust your wallet?! Recipe for a great trip. www.fqicharleston.com

for the foodie

Poogan's Porch.

Oh my this restaurant is good! I'm talkin' finger lickin' down-home-country-cookin-on-the-cutest-southern-porch-y'all-have-ever-seen good.  Fried chicken, biscuits, sweet tea glazed salmon, fried pimento cheese, local seafood, filet mignon .... this menu has everything you could ever want and more that you'd ever thought you'd try (fried alligator salad? Only in the south). You won't be disappointed. http://www.poogansporch.com/ open brunch, lunch & dinner

Slightly North of Broad (SNOB) 

This contemporary southern american bistro is a Charleston staple. From scallops to Carolina flounder to lamb to shrimp and grits, a great menu that'll leave your mouth watering. But wait- you haven't heard the desserts. Sour cream apple pie? Banana cream pie? Creme brulee? You're already dialing the restaurant to get a reservation, aren't you... 

192 E Bay St, Charleston, SC  (843) 723-3424 slightlynorthofbroad.net

Social Wine Bar. 

This wine bar/restaurant is the perfect place to grab a late dinner and let it take you into the Charleston nightlife. Delicious food, and even better wines. The vibe is young and fun, but definitely upscale, and the bar has received much acclaim, from Best Wine Selection, to Best Happy Hour, to Best Upscale Bar by the Charleston City Paper.  If wine's not your thing, sit back and relax with Charleston's signature beer- Palmetto- it's delicious! 
We actually rented Social's whole private upstairs that overlooks the restaurant for a fraternity formal dinner--- so much fun to have the whole upstairs to ourselves but also be able to go down to the main bar/restaurant -- definitely think about Social for private events as well!

http://socialwinebar.com/

for going out

The nightlife in Charleston is awesome. Lots of live music, sporty pubs, upscale bars, and a lot of good looking people just looking to have a good time. Although it's easy to just walk the main streets of Charleston and find some great hotspots, here are a couple of my favorites to get your night started:

Blind Tiger Pub. 

When a bunch of friends and I went to this bar, we were expecting a small pub... but walk further into this seemingly neighborhood pub and you get to the most beautiful (and packed) big patio outdoor bar area that truly makes this bar as fun as it is. Not gonna lie, it feels kind of like an old historical English courtyard mixed with a jungle.  It is so cool. And, of course, as we all know, outdoor bars are just better. Sunday brunch with $3 mimosas, bellinis (my fave) and bloody mary's until 3pm!  36-38 Broad Street, Charleston, SC.

Wet Willie's.

The most delicious drink selection you could ever ask for. It's got the Spring Break vibe, with black lights and loud music to match, and close to 20 different delicious alcoholic slushies to choose from. You know you're having fun when you start ordering the "call a cab". 209 E Bay St, Charleston, SC.

Mad River Bar & Grille.  This bar is actually a transformed church!!! Complete with original windows and sky-high ceilings! Live music, lots of TVs, great drink specials, and an extremely unique space make this bar the hot spot it is. After all, how many times can you say you've gotten drunk in a church?
32 N Market St, Charleston, SC madrivercharleston.com

Folly Beach

know before you go

Spring and fall are the best times for Charleston, but there really is no bad time to go to this city. It is absolutely stunning year-round. 

Charleston is very walkable. It's small, and you'll find yourself walking all around it, getting lost in the magnificent architecture and cobblestone streets.  

If you want to stay on the beach, you'll have to stay 15-20 min outside of the city. Check out Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island, Folly Beach or Mt. Pleasant.  All are so awesome.The ideal would definitely be to stay a couple days in historical Charleston and a couple on the beautiful beaches.  

I may just have to agree with Conde Nast... Charleston may be my favorite city in the world, too. Well, at least until next post.

follow the best of Jetset Christina's travels on instagram

on twitter @jetsetchristina

& like my page on facebook

San Francisco

So I figured why not kick off this blog with the place I call home. San Francisco. 

Business Week's #1 Best City in America : Where Tony Bennett left his heart,  and where the Journey sun shines on the bay. I grew up across the Bay Bridge from the city, and have spent my entire life exploring this amazing Bay Area. With so much to do in and around the city, how could you not fall in love with SF?! Everywhere I go around the world, as soon as I tell people I'm from San Francisco, travelers rejoice in talking to me all about their "favorite city". If you haven't explored the hilly streets of San Francisco, seen the waves crash under the Golden Gate Bridge, seen Union Square light up around the holidays, been a part of the World Series Championship celebratory masses and dined in the #3 Best City in the World for foodies, you better start planning your trip now. Here are all my travel tips & tricks to get you started! 

for the tourist

Fisherman's Wharf. Definitely a must-do. Full of too-touristy-but-still-awesome attractions like Pier 39, home to SF's famous hundreds of Sea Lions who make their home on the pier (so fun to watch). Grab yourself a bread bowl of the best clam chowder you'll ever eat and walk the wharf. You'll instantly feel the San Fran charm.

Alcatraz. Known for it's beauty, it's history, and it's infamy. This tour is renowned as the best in SF. It's a must-do for most tourists. Alcatraz was historically a prison home to famous inmates such as Al Capone, and the wealth of stories on the island will make your spine shiver and astound you.

Golden Gate Bridge. Of course this is a must-see. Many days in SF are foggy, so if you get a clear day- go see the Golden Gate. You can bike across it, walk across it, or just see the beautiful views on either side of it. 

Palace of Fine Arts. This a tourist spot, for sure, but it is a gorgeous place to sightsee. Built in 1915, the architecture of the Palace of Fine Arts is just magical. With a big lake, ducks, and beautiful places to sit, it definitely makes for a great date spot. Also the sight of Alfred Hitchock's movie Vertigo! 

Sausalito. A short ferry ride from the city, Sausalito is a beautiful quaint town to walk around. Make sure you go on a clear day, because the views of the city from the other side of the bay are awesome!

Cable cars! Cable cars are all over the city- and they are a must-do in San Francisco! They've been around since the 1800's and they're such a fun way to get around SF. 

for the local

You think you've been everywhere, right? You're an expert at the SF scene... but have you played tourist and rode around on a cable car? Walked across the golden gate? Lunched in Sausalito? Playing tourist in the places we call home can be one of the best ways to travel. 

                          

for the foodie

Where to eat? This is a loaded question we locals deal with every day. San Francisco is always named in the top foodie cities in the world, and for good reason. The restaurant scene is bustling in this city, and it is all about farm-to-table food with eclectic and flavorful twists. With so, so many choices, and new, incredible restaurants opening all the time, how could you possibly choose?! I'm here to help. My family and friends love giving me that daunting task because, not to be cocky, but I am very, very good at finding the amazing dining experiences that SF has to offer... Here are my faves: 

Tadich Grill. This is a San Francisco original. By far, the go-to seafood restaurant in the city . Located in the financial district, this SF staple has been around for... brace yourself... 160 years! They don't take reservations so expect a wait, but it is SO worth it. Every fresh fish you can imagine, with San Francisco Sourdough bread and an awesomely traditional SF-vibe. You just gotta go here! 240 California Street. tadichgrill.com  

Kokkari . Hands down my favorite restaurant in SF right now. Hard to get a reservation, but it really doesn't get any better than their gourmet mediterranean food. Order the perfectly rotisseried lamb skewers, the melt-in-your-mouth spanikopita and a bottle of greek white wine and you will think you've up and gone to Santorini. 

Nopa. Nopa is another one of my very favorite restaurants. Nopa, with their seasonally changing menu and TO-DIE-FOR avocado toast, has just about everyone from locals to tourists alike vying for a spot in their impossible to get a reservation dining room. So how do you get in? You call or opentable a reservation exactly 1 month in advance. Beware, though, because there are people who stay up until midnight on the dot just to snag a table. It's a crazy game out there for SF foodies. www.nopasf.com

The Mill. SF and sourdough bread go together like foggy days and hot cups of coffee. The Mill, a coffee shop featuring the indescribably delicious Josey Baker sourdough bread, is a must stop on your trip to SF. The mill uses their mill to grind up the finest quality whole grain flour fresh every day mixed with the same sourdough starter that Josey the Baker (whose real last name is Baker!) got from his friend George's grandma. You're going to love this place.  http://www.themillsf.com/

Octavia. Octavia is quickly becoming THE restaurant of 2015. Just opened in April, and it is already a hot spot. From renowned chef Melissa Perello, you can expect nothing but the best. The crusty whole wheat sourdough bread and the soft boiled deviled egg are easy highlights of the meal, but every farm-to-table dish will leave your mouth salivating for more. http://www.octavia-sf.com/

Wayfare Tavern. Tyler Florence's SF restaurant is an incredible contemporary take on old american cuisine. You walk in and feel like you've stepped back fifty years and walked into a true American classic restaurant.  Wayfare constantly has celebrities and famous people walk through its doors, and there's a reason why. The menu features a lot of choices from steak to tuna carpaccio to the best burger you'll ever have. Perfect atmosphere, perfect food. You won't be disappointed. 

Wayfare Tavern. 558 Sacramento Street 415 772 9060

Flour + Water. WOW WOW WOW is all I have to say about this Californian-Italian restaurant that is taking over the foodie scene of San Francisco. For starters, I have never had better pasta in my life, but it doesn't stop there. Their menu is always changing, and whether it's fresh fish or a perfectly seasoned steak or the pasta that made them famous that you order, I guarantee you this place will blow you away. I ended up getting their cookbook and cannot wait to try and master some of three-time James Beard finalist and chef and owner Thomas McNaughton's amazing skills.  www.flourandwater.com

Elephant Sushi. This small Russian Hill gem generally boasts a 2 hour wait almost every night. Why? Because it's that good. This is my girlfriends' and my go-to girls night spot because the chardonnay is good and the rolls are even better. Order the White-Out roll and the Flaming Seabass.  (415) 440-1905 www.elephantsushi.com

Blowfish Sushi. To Die For. Now isn't that just the best restaurant name you've ever heard?! Sake and Sushi in the Mission's hippest restaurant. Get the "guacamole". It is heaven in your mouth. Plus Happy Hour 5-7p.m. Monday-Friday. Need I say more?
Blowfish Sushi To Die For. 2170 Bryant (at 20th st), 285-3848, www.blowfishsushi.com

Slanted Door. This Vietnamese fusion restaurant is so, so cool. With floor-to-ceiling windows with a priceless view of the bay, the atmosphere is top notch and the food is nationally-acclaimed incredible. Their amazing teas are my favorite, so take advantage of the afternoon high tea! 
1 Ferry Building #3, San Francisco, CA www.slanteddoor.com  

The SF Farmers market
Hosted at the Ferry Building in the Embarcadero (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays), this is more than your average farmer's market. Sure you have all your usual fresh fruit and prime CA grown produce (did you know that CA grows nearly half of the US's fruit, nuts, and vegetables? Not to mention our wineeeee) but this Farmer's Market has so much more. Food trucks, wine tastings, Cowgirl Creamery Cheese Shop (amazing), and an all around awesome atmosphere. If you're wondering where everyone in San Francisco is on Saturday mornings- it's here!
Ferry Building Marketplace. One Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Sweet Maple

A great breakfast spot in Pac Heights. Famous for their "Millionaire's Bacon" a delicious slow roasted thick sliced bacon decadent in brown sugar and maple flavors, this SF local favorite is packed on weekends- but well worth the wait. Omelettes, benedicts, french toast, pancakes, and anything else you could possibly imagine. Trust me and go here right away if you're in SF for breakfast or brunch... guaranteed to be one of the best breakfasts you'll ever have. YUM! 2101 Sutter Street (415) 655-9169

for the happy hour  

Smuggler's Cove
Consistently rated one of the top bars in the world, this tiki bar is one of the coolest spots in the city. An unassuming, unmarked, sketchy door opens up to this awesome south-pacific-themed bar. I love this place. They have about a million different rum cocktails that are all amazing. Also Kanye/Kim went here the last time they were in SF. SO YOU KNOW it's cool. 

Nick's Crispy Tacos

Taco Tuesdays at Nick's Crispy Tacos in Russian Hill are all the rage. $2 tacos and $18 pitchers of delicious margaritas plus taking place in a nightclub make taco tuesdays at Nick's hard to beat. The lines can get long, but it's worth it. Lots of TVs too for sports-watchers! Call ahead of time for a booth (up to 10 people)  

Rouge Night Club. 1500 Broadway (Polk St.) San Francisco, CA 415-409-8226

The Tipsy Pig

My favorite SF bar by far. Located in the Marina, the Tipsy Pig serves up some of the best drinks in the city. You can't go wrong ordering their famous 'strawberry fields' -- a delicious drink with fresh strawberries and strawberry puree infused with vodka... all served up to you in a traditional mason jar. With incredibly delicious and unique cocktails that will keep you wanting more and more, Tipsy is definitely going to keep you tipsy.  Take your drink out to their starlit patio and enjoy a true SF local favorite. This amazing bar is actually also included in the prestigious SF ChronicleTop 100 restaurants- so don't think it's just hyped for the drinks!! Go for dinner and definitely order the incredible bbq pork sliders and homemade sweet potato fries! 

Keep in mind, Mon-Weds Tipsy has half price wine bottles from 5-7pm, as if you needed another excuse for wine wednesday (and monday, and tuesday). 

The Ramp

For brunch specials, I love the Ramp in Potrero Hill.  It's a local favorite, right on the water, and they have the best crab eggs benedict and crazy-good bloody mary's! Dine alfresco on the water with a great, casual atmosphere unique to San Francisco. Brunch is Sat/Sun 9:30am-4pm but they also have Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4pm-7:30pm. Did I mention dollar oysters?!

855 Terry A Francois Boulevard. San Francisco, CA 94158. (415)621-2378. www.theramprestaurant.com  

Latin America Club

Located in SF's foodie-paradise, the Mission, Latin America club has the best (and strongest) margaritas in town, if not the world. an awesome bar with pinatas lining the ceiling and latin american decorations creating an ambiance that screams fiesta.  3286 22nd street. San Francisco, CA

for the culture 

Make like an SF local and go see a Giants game! We are crazy about our Giants, who have won three of the last five World Series. Our ballpark is beautifully set on the water, with restaurants and bars all around it (definitely get a drink across the street from the stadium at MoMo's!) AT&T Park was just built in 2004, so the facilities are incredible and the atmosphere is always fun and exciting. Don't forget to wear your orange and black! 

for the view 

Point Bonita Lighthouse. This lighthouse was built in 1855 and is at the foot of the gorgeous Marin Headlands on the Pacific Coast. Not far from the Golden Gate, it holds some of the most beautiful views of the city and of the coast. If it's windy, prepare to feel like youre going to get swept right off into the raging Pacific waves, but it sure is a gorgeous sight. Also, just a forewarning- there is an (optional) woodbridge to get from the gorgeous cliffs to the lighthouse, pretty scary but perfect for the thrillseeker in all of you! 

Top of the Mark. Located at the very top of the luxurious Mark Hopkins hotel, this is a world-renowned favorite for the most beautiful panoramic vistas of the city. Go for brunch, lunch, dinner, or celebrate with someone you love with the most gorgeous setting for what's sure to be a memorable night.   Cocktails served weekends until 12:30, weekdays till 11:30. Their famous Sunday Champagne brunch starts at 10am- but you need a reservation! 19th Floor, 1 Nob Hill Place, San Francisco, CA 415 392 3434

Coit Tower. One of the mainstays of the SF skyline, Coit Tower hosts some of the most gorgeous panoramic views of the city, and, on a clear day, the whole bay area.

Angel Island. You have to take a ferry to get there, but it's cheap and painless. Once you're on the island, you can rent a bike and bike the beautiful trails that make up the entire island (no cars, just hikers and bikers).  It is sooo much fun and not only do you get a great workout but you are guaranteed some of the greatest views of the bay- from the bay!   

know before you go 

The weather in SF is mild year-round, but the best time to visit SF in my opinion is in the fall. September and October are our gorgeous Indian summer months where most of the days are a gorgeous 75 and sunny.  If you come in the summer, bring a jacket! The fog that socks in the peninsula of the city will leave you chilly, chilly, chilly some days! There's a reason all the tourist shops sell a TON of SF-emblemed jackets and tourist sweatshirts-- people aren't expecting the crisp, foggy weather in the summer!

for the explorer 
If you're staying a while, you may need to get outside of the city. Here are my top three Bay Area day trips:

Napa. Rent a car and drive to Napa (about an hour away) for the day. A post on Napa to come, but with wine tasting, amazing food, and gorgeous vineyards, there is no place like Napa. It's a must if you come to SF.

Carmel/Big Sur. Big Sur, as if the picture doesn't explain it all, is one of the most stunning views you will ever see in your life. Scary driving for miles on the cliffs of California make for one of the best adventures (I took the picture to the right this summer!). Have lunch at Nepenthe restaurant, which boasts sweeping views of Big Sur and delicious burgers, salads, and fries.  Carmel, at the base of Big Sur, is one of the most charming beach towns in California. Home to the world famous spectacular Pebble Beach Golf Course (a must see for golfers and non-golfers alike). Walk the town, stay in one of the charming inns, and feel instantly relaxed. 

Highway 1. 
Travel & Leisure calls it the Best Roadtrip in America, and I've yet to meet anyone who would disagree. This drive-of-a-lifetime starts at Big Sur and ends in Los Angeles in Southern California, tiptoeing the coast of California the whole way. It is STUNNING, in a word. If you have the chance to do this trip, or at least to drive the beginning of it, do it. My boyfriend and I did the whole trip this summer from San Diego to San Francisco and it was such a spectacular and romantic roadtrip. Most memorable moment? Driving the winding cliffs as the sun was setting all-too-quickly...I wasn't sure we'd make it to the end before it was pitch black/before we drove off a cliff, but we ended up getting to Carmel and off the cliffs just as the sun completely set behind the horizon. Thrilling, but gorgeous. See: Travel & Leisure's Guide to Highway 1 

So get out there and explore my city by the bay & let me know how it goes! 

Follow me on instagram

& like my page on Facebook!

Why I love to travel

How many times have you found yourself planning a trip and reaching out to everyone you know for travel tips-- from where to eat, to where to stay, to where to explore! I gotcha covered. I'm a 24-year-old recent college grad living in the San Francisco Bay Area working hard but always playing harder. I have been to 50 countries and counting and I blame thank my constant case of wanderlust on my equally-as-addicted-to-traveling family. I grew up always exploring and seeing new worlds from the innocent and impressionable eyes of a kid. But it wasn't until college that I truly discovered what it meant to travel, and not just vacation. In the Spring of 2010, I was admitted to the study abroad program Semester at Sea, and my life has never been the same since. It was that Spring that I boarded a ship with 500 students for a semester of immersing ourselves in the cultures of Japan, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Mauritius, South Africa, Ghana and Brazil. We took classes on the ship but our main focus for four months circumnavigating our big world was to travel. Not to see places, but to understand people, not to sightsee, but to explore, not to be tourists, but to be adventurers. We had about a week, sometimes more, in each port. We wouldn't have classes while in port, so we were left to create our own travel plans.  It was the most incredible experience a college student could ask for. After my voyage on Semester at Sea, I shared with my friends and family my concluding thoughts and how the trip had changed me incredibly. I learned some really important travel lessons while trekking across the globe that I thought I'd share with you all: 

1. Never let your age get larger than the number of countries you have been to.
2. Meet people wherever you go. Participate in their culture, learn their history. Be a traveler, not a tourist.

3. Trust people, even in the most dangerous countries in the world, trust the good in people, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

4.  Spend your money! I know this sounds naive, but when you're on vacation, buy everything you want to, eat everything you want to, drink (almost) everything you want to! This may be your only chance to get everything you possibly can from this new place, so make the most of it!

5. Always learn phrases of the language if you're going to a different country. Even if you're bad at it, it's always a conversation starter!

6. Dont be afraid to get lost. The most amazing times come from when you have no idea where you're going and you fully step outside of your comfort zone.

7. Do things even when you're tired--you won't get another chance.

8. Travel with great friends, or someone you love.

9. Keep your feet on the ground. I personally love running in new cities, so get out and run or walk the city, or go out of your way to see things off the beaten track. You'll see so much more than you would in a car or a taxi. 

10. Be thankful. Even if I'm going somewhere just for the weekend, there is nothing like the gratitude I have to be able to do what I love and get out there and see the world.

11. Smile. Always. It's universal. Plus, when you're traveling, what is there not to smile about?

Ravello, Italy 2012

follow me on instagram

follow my travel tweets on twitter @jetsetchristina

like my page on facebook