A Free (or Nearly Free) Day in LA: Testing Out Public Transit and Chasing the City's Best No-Cost Stops
After a decade in Southern California, we finally tried an all-Metro, mostly-free day in LA — parking once at Union Station and hitting Little Tokyo, Grand Central Market, The Last Bookstore, the LA Central Library, and The Broad. It turned out to be one of our favorite days in the city yet, and we're sharing exactly how we did it (plus the tips we wish we'd known beforehand).
California's Best-Kept Secret Isn't a Beach - It's This Mission
Stone ruins, ringing bells, and koi fish you can feed — Mission San Juan Capistrano is proof that jaw-dropping history doesn't require a plane ticket. Here's everything I discovered wandering through this 250-year-old hidden gem, plus a few tips before you go.
A Local's Guide to Balboa Park: San Diego's Green Heart
Built for a world's fair more than a century ago, Balboa Park has grown into one of San Diego's most magical corners — 1,200+ acres of gardens, fountains, and Spanish Colonial architecture holding 17 museums. Whether you're a member who bounces between galleries on a whim or just want a free afternoon among cherry blossoms and koi ponds, this park has a way of slowing the whole city down. Here's everything you need to see, do, and know before you go.
Glen Ivy: The Five-Star Hidden Gem You Could Live in SoCal for Years and Never Find 🌿
You could live in Southern California for years and never hear about Glen Ivy — and that's exactly what makes it so special. This adults-only hot springs resort is relaxing without ever feeling too "zen to have fun," with mud baths, floating pools, and zero nickel-and-diming along the way. Trust us, it's a five-star hidden gem worth the trip.