California
Japan
Tips for Surviving Crowds in Kyoto, Japan
No city has been as impacted by Japan’s rising tourism numbers as Kyoto. Crowds during cherry blossom and fall colors seasons can be oppressive, as can national holidays and school breaks. In this post, we’ll offer a sober appraisal of the congestion you might face in Kyoto, plus ways to survive and avoid the worst […]
France
Pantheon Info: Paris, France Tips
Pantheon is a church-like building in Paris, France’s Latin Quarter that now serves as a tourist attraction and mausoleum. In this post, we’ll share photos from the Pantheon, tips & info for visiting, and review whether it’s worth your time and money. Originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve and to house the reliquary […]
National Parks
My Sunrise Hike at Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park is a U.S. National Park in Northern California, south of San Francisco and an hour inland from Monterey Bay. It’s known mostly for its stunning rock-spires formed by an extinct volcano and an abundance of California Condors. Pinnacles was established as the United States’ 59th National Park, elevating it from a National […]
Universal Studios
2018 Universal Studios Japan Tips & Strategy Guide
In this guide to Universal Studios Japan, we’ll offer tips & tricks for visiting this very popular theme park in Osaka. Due to its location, size, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, USJ is a busy park. This strategy is essential for avoiding crowds at Universal Studios Japan…so you don’t wait in a 240-minute […]
Hawaii
Merriman’s: Top 10 Restaurant in United States?
On our last visit to Hawaii, we dined at Merriman’s for one of the best meals we’ve ever had. So, when TripAdvisor released their Travelers’ Choice Awards, I was not too surprised to see it rank #10. (Along with another favorite of ours, Victoria & Albert’s in Walt Disney World, which ranked #2.) In this […]
Yosemite Firefall Photography & Viewing Tips
/20 Comments/in Photography, Tips & Tricks California, Yosemite /by Tom BrickerYosemite National Park’s Firefall at Horsetail Fall is a natural phenomenon visible for about 3 weeks each year in February. This post offers tips based upon my experiences, plus updates on the parking and viewing procedures for 2019, recent California weather patterns, and how both could effect the Firefall. (Last updated February 13, 2019.) First, […]