Road trip

I love running out of town to ignore my responsibilities. When life gets a bit too busy and overwhelming, or when a new semester is just about to begin, I like to go somewhere relaxing but still fun to get in a better headspace of calm and optimism.

After living in the Bay Area my whole life, I’ve learned California is filled with this variety. If you want to take a quick day or weekend trip, there are endless sceneries you can immerse yourself in. 

Santa Barbara has loads to offer in terms of great dining experiences, but what was most important to me was returning to these places that I have such fond memories of and reliving them with a new perspective.

If you want to get out of Berkeley for a day, San Luis Obispo, or SLO,  is a great place to escape to. According to Oprah, it’s America’s happiest city!

Do I go to the pool? Hit the gym? Stay in front of my AC unit until school starts? Take this quiz to find out what you should do this summer!

Every city has its charm, but no city is perfect. Regardless of the ups and downs, this sisters trip to Southern California is one that I will always remember.

I felt frozen in time. The only one left standing while the world went on around me. I would always be the one on the outskirts, the one on the outside looking in.

When I was in quarantine in my hometown, all I wanted to do was leave. However, four months into living on my own, I found myself yearning for home.

Over the weekend, I drove from my Central Valley town to sunny southern California. I knew it was going to be an experience because I was going to be alone and it was my first time driving there. Did everything go according to plan? No. Was it a turbulent time? Yes. I want to impart some wisdom from my 300-mile, five-hourlong drive to anyone planning to make a cross-state trip.

As a Southern Californian, I didn’t realize how much work goes into preparing my car to drive in a place where it regularly snows during the winter.