Every year, I take two to three international trips a year and get a few domestic trips in, too. While I make a decent salary and am pretty good with my money, I also have a large student loan payment along with Bay Area rent to deal with each month. With large financial commitments, I have gotten good at traveling at a price point that works with my life. Because I love to travel (especially in warm climates) making sure that I can weave travel ...
Travel
Puerto Vallarta Weekend Getaway
I love Mexico, so when we were deciding where to go for my 30th birthday 25th birthday anniversary, I knew I wanted to visit Mexico. I’d heard great things about Puerto Vallarta, so after a bit of research, I knew it would be the perfect place to go for a quick weekend getaway.We stayed at The Westin Puerto Vallarta. I was impressed with the hotel grounds, there were beautiful, tropical plants everywhere! The room was well-maintained, and the ...
Resort Life vs. Living Like a Local
I recently spent a long weekend in Puerto Vallarta and did something I haven’t done in years – stayed in a resort. Since trying out Airbnb a few years ago, I hadn’t ventured back into the land of hotels for personal travel. After my first time - a condo in Miami, I was hooked by the affordability and access it provided. While I do still stay in hotels during work travel, Airbnbs have been my preferred lodging for personal travel. This trip ...
5 Tips for Traveling with Natural Hair
As I am getting ready to take offfor Puerto Vallarta for a long weekend of fun in the sun, I am reminded of the joys of traveling curly. I’m serious! Since transitioning to natural hair a few years ago, quickly grew to love my hair and can’t imagine going back. For all my girls who also have a cabinet full of products, combs, and all sorts of other curly hair doodads, it may seem daunting to bring your entire routine along. No fear though, as a ...
Exploring San Diego – A Long Weekend of Food & Fun
This post is long overdue, but I had such a great weekend in San Diego about a month ago, that the experience is stuck in my mind. Rodney and I love visiting places we can explore on foot, and this city has so much to offer! Here’s a look at our long weekend in San Diego.Where we stayedMy motto is usually - save on the accommodations so I can splurge on explorations. Since we were in town over a holiday weekend, it was a challenge to find ...
An Urban Oasis: The Sequoia Bayview Trail
Did you know there are many hiking trails right in Oakland? While I do like to get out and explore the bay area and California trails, one of my favorite trails is right here in Oakland. The Sequoia Bayview Trail, apart of Joaquin Miller Park, is a cool trail that offers great scenery and just the right amount of challenging hills - and is only a 10-minute drive from downtown Oakland! Redwood Groves One of my favorite things about this trail, ...
Mexico City: Traveling While Black
First and foremost, I highly recommend Mexico City for any traveler! After spending a week in this massive and beautiful city, it has already climbed back up to the top my travel list. From the food to the historical sites and architecture, it was truly an unforgettable week. That being said, I highly recommend Mexico City as a must-visit destination for black travelers. The sprawling city has so much to offer, and my experience was one of ...
Bay Area Day Trip: Hike to Alamere Falls
This weekend, Rodney and I - and some of our friends headed up to Point Reyes to tackle the hike to Alamere Falls. I’d heard great things about this hike and really it’s hard for me to turn down any hike that will take me along the coast and then to a picturesque waterfall. The Hike To get to the waterfall, you must start at the Palomarin Trailhead. It is about an hour and 30-minute drive from Oakland to get to the trailhead, and I highly ...