Amanda Around the Globe

Healdsburg: The Perfect Two Day Itinerary

Healdsburg is a small town located in Northern California, just an hour and a half north of San Francisco. Healdsburg, CA is best known for being a foodie and wine lovers dream destination, with multiple michelin star restaurants and hundreds of stunning wineries located in a town with a population of just twelve thousand people. This town has recently exploded into a tourist destination, even Lady Gaga has visited the area. I was born and raised in Healdsburg. I have a special place in my heart for this beautiful and quaint town. Read on for Healdsburg Perfect Two Day Itinerary.

Healdsburg: The Perfect Two Day Itinerary

Healdsburg is a popular getaway for those visiting San Francisco. It’s easily accessible and you can see and do a lot in a short time. I’d recommend staying in town, and planning a day of wineries outside of town, and a day of exploring the plaza and surroundings.

Healdsburg Where to Stay

I’ve visited a lot of hotels in the area, but I generally prefer airbnbs. This airbnb is located a short drive from the plaza, with three bedrooms and four beds, it’s a perfect base for a Healdsburg stay. This particular airbnb offers a beautiful kitchen, spacious living room, and a huge backyard complete with a garden, outside dining table, cornhole, fire pit and a lounge area. I stayed here with my mom and sisters in September 2022, and it was just perfect for us four gals.

If you prefer hotels, check out Hotel Healdsburg just off the plaza, Montage Healdsburg for a super luxe stay just outside of town, or the Harmon Guest House for a modern experience.

Healdsburg What to Do

For breakfast, I love a good coffee and pastry. The best coffee in town is hands down at Black Oak Coffee, a super cute and modern coffee shop located near the Healdsburg Plaza. They have some great pastries there, but I’d also recommend checking out Downtown Bakery for the best croissants, Costeaux Bakery for some real French influence, or The Parish for a sit down breakfast.

Hikers will want to check out the local trails in town, though the best and longest trails in the area are at Lake Sonoma (pictured below).

While in the plaza, check out all of the cute shops. Some of my favorites are Bon Ton Studio, Rete, and Gathered for cute clothes. There are some cute bookstores located in the plaza as well, check out Copperfields Books and Levin & Co.

For lunch in Healdsburg, check El Farolito for a cute sit down Mexican restaurant, Roof 106 for a fancy rooftop lunch, Little Saint for a plant-based meal, and Taqueria El Sombrero for a real local and super budget friendly burrito. Kin Smoke is a popular bbq spot and The Wurst is a cute beer garden with burgers and sausages.

Healdsburg Tasting Rooms

Marine Layer Tasting Room, located in Healdsburg Plaza

There are countless tasting rooms in Healdsburg. While tasting rooms in the vineyards are generally preferred, there are some tasting rooms in Healdsburg that should not be missed. Make sure to check out Marine Layer Wines (pictured above) – a super cute and trendy tasting room located right in the plaza, they serve some spectacular single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. My favorites are their Gravenstein Pinot Noir and the Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir. Some tasting rooms on my bucket list include Idlewild Wines for Italian wine lovers, and Cartograph for Riesling and Pinot Noir.

Wineries to Visit in Dry Creek Valley

Dry Creek Valley is the wine region of Healdsburg. This area is located less than 10 minutes drive from the Healdsburg Plaza, and this region is home to some gorgeous wineries. Small, boutique wineries that do low production are my jam. Some of my favorites in this area include Lambert Bridge Winery (this is where I worked for a year when I was back in the US), Cast Wines (pictured below), Reeve Wines, Unti Vineyards, and A. Rafanelli (they have a lot of history in the area).

tasting at Cast Wines in Dry Creek Valley

Most wineries are now operating by appointment only, and they do tend to book up quickly on the weekends. It’s best to make reservations at least two weeks in advance. The most popular time to visit wine country is during harvest, in September and October. Keep that in mind while planning your trip. This is a great time to visit as you may get to see grapes coming into the winery and being processed, which is a great opportunity to learn more about wine making.

Tips for wine tasting in Dry Creek Valley:

  • plan for two hours at each winery – small wineries usually offer intimate tasting experiences
  • have lunch in between tastings
  • two tastings is the perfect day, any more reservations that this could result in rushed tastings

For lunch between reservations, check out Dry Creek General Store. They make amazing sandwiches and salads, and they have a really cute outside eating area. This is the only spot that offers food in this area. If you have time for a sit down restaurant lunch, check out Diavola Pizzeria in Geyserville (a 10-min drive from Dry Creek) for amazing and authentic Italian pizzas.

What to do Around Healdsburg

Healdsburg really is a dream for food and wine lovers. It’s a super small town that it isn’t well known for visitors from outside of California – yet. It’s the perfect spot to spend a weekend relaxing, drinking good wine, and spending quality time with friends or loved ones. What would you do out of this Healdsburg Perfect Two Day Itinerary?

Let me know if you’ve been to Healdsburg, or if it’s on your bucket list!

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Sedona Where to Stay

Planning a trip to Sedona but not sure where to stay? Check out this conveniently located 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom airbnb located in South Sedona. The link for this airbnb is located at the bottom of this post.

Sedona Where to Stay

This airbnb was perfect for my mom and I, we had plenty of space and loved that we had a comfy common area to enjoy cheese boards in the afternoons while reading and editing photos.

Sedona Where to Stay

Sedona Where to Stay

Sedona Where to Stay

The beds were super comfy and I slept so well – we had a lot of lazy mornings! The airbnb unit in each room plus the fans helped so much during the warm summer nights.

The house includes three bedrooms; two of them with queen beds, and the master bedroom includes a king sized bed with an ensuite bathroom. The kitchen came with everything we needed to make meals, afternoon cheese boards, and late night snacks.

Sedona Where to Stay

Sedona Where to Stay

Best part about this airbnb? Definitely the views. A few nights, we sat outside with drinks in hand while the sun went down over the red rocks. It is also super close to this gorgeous church, Chapel of the Holy Cross. Walk from the airbnb to this chapel for sunset. The gate to the chapel closes around 5pm, but there are still lots of photo ops from outside of the gate.

Sedona Chapel of Holy Cross

This church is walking distance from the airbnb. The neighborhood is so cute and has amazing views during the sunset.

Check out the airbnb here if this is somewhere you’d like to stay!

Sedona Chapel of the Holy Cross

Best Time to Visit Sedona

Sedona is in the desert of Arizona, so it gets very hot during the summer. The best time to visit Sedona is the spring or the fall. Spring and Fall will have moderate temperatures, versus the 100 degree days in the summer or the snow in the winter. The spring and fall will be best for hikers, spending time outside during the day.

 

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How to Visit Point Reyes, California

Point Reyes is a National Park located about an hour and a half from San Francisco. I visited Point Reyes in early June 2022, and found the best things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore. This is how to visit Point Reyes in half a day.

What to do in Point Reyes

It would be easy to spend a few days in Point Reyes, there is so much to do. However, most people only have a day or two to spend in this National Park. These are the top sights to see in Point Reyes National Park.

Point Reyes Must See Stops

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Point Reyes FAQ

But first, let’s get through some FAQ’s:

  • How far is Point Reyes from San Francisco? It’s about 1.5 hours drive North of San Francisco.
  • How to pronounce Point Reyes? As a local, I pronounce it like “Point Rays”
  • Is Point Reyes dog friendly / does Point Reyes allow dogs? A few beaches and trails are dog-friendly, check out the Point Reyes National Park website for more info
  • How to visit Point Reyes? There are a few bus stops, but realistically you will need a car – public transport is not the best around this area
  • Are Point Reyes beaches open? Yes, a lot of them are! Make sure you check out the website for the Point Reyes National Park before planning your visit, as closures are listed there.

Point Reyes Shipwreck

If you’re a photographer, head to the Point Reyes Shipwreck for some epic photos. You’ll have to park across the street from the Inverness Store. There is no official parking lot for this stop, so just find any old public parking spot.

Point Reyes Shipwreck

Head to the back of the parking lot of the Inverness Store (it might feel a bit sketch but trust me), and once you can see beyond the side fence, you’ll easily spot the shipwreck. Bring some waterproof boots if you’re visiting at high tide. There isn’t a ton to do here, you probably won’t need more than 20-30 mins at the most.

Point Reyes Shipwreck

 

Cypress Tree Tunnel

You can find this spot by searching “Cypress Tree Tunnel” in Google maps. It’s located in Inverness, so don’t be alarmed when it doesn’t say Point Reyes. This spot is a gorgeous place for photography lovers! Park on the side of the road, take your photos, and then walk to the radio station building at the end of the road. Plan 30-45 mins here, it’s a quick stop but you may need to wait for other people to move around before you can get your photos.

Cypress Tree Tunnel Point Reyes

Cypress Tree Tunnel

Cypress Tree Tunnel

 

Elephant Seal Overlook

Drive a bit further to the Chimney Rock Trailhead parking lot. Once parked, walk toward the water and see the sign for the elephant seal overlook. This is a short 5 min walk to an overlook, where you can see the elephant seals in the distance.

Elephant Seal Overlook Trail

Chimney Rock Trail

This is a hike you do not want to miss in Point Reyes! It’s a short one, just 1.75 miles (2.8 km) round trip. The views at the end are spectacular, especially if you know what to look for.

The trail starts with a walk under a cypress grove, after that you’ll be able to see a historic house and a large field. Views are great and you may even spot a deer or two from here.

Chimney Rock Trail Point Reyes

Chimney Rock Trail Point Reyes

Once you’re up on the hill at the end of the trail, turn around and you’ll be able to spot the Pacific Ocean on one side of the cliff and Drake’s Bay on the other side.

Chimney Rock Trail Point Reyes

Chimney Rock Hike Point Reyes

Chimney Rock Hike Point Reyes

Chimney Rock Trail Point Reyes Views

This hike is a great way to finish off the day! Make sure to plan enough time as the fog does start to roll in around sunset.

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How to Visit Point Reyes

Point Reyes Must See Stops

Cypress Tree Tunnel Point Reyes

 

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One Day in Yosemite National Park: Spring Edition

I visited Yosemite National Park at the end of April 2022. There are so many details about visiting Yosemite that you’ll need to know before you visit (we will go through all of that in this post), but one of the most important things to note is that a lot of the roads and viewpoints are still closed in the spring. It is possible to see a lot of Yosemite Valley in one day, but note that a lot of the park may still be closed off depending on when you visit. Check out the national parks’ website for more information.

One Day in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite 1 Day Itinerary in Spring: Where to Stay

It is possible to stay in Yosemite Valley, and if that is within your budget, I’d highly recommend doing that as it will save you so much driving time. I visited as a solo traveler, so I went with a more budget friendly accomodation in Ahwahnee (just 30 mins from the entrance to Yosemite). The hotels inside Yosemite National Park are super conveniently located, but they do book out far in advance and they are more pricey. The best located accommodation inside Yosemite is definitely Yosemite Valley Lodge. Other options are Curry Village, the Ahwahnee, or camping at one of the many campsites in the park.

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I stayed in this super cute micro cabin, which is one of my favorite airbnb’s I’ve ever booked. It was perfect for what I needed. The cabin is located in a campground, so there are shared bathrooms, but I hardly ever saw another person in there and the bathrooms are super clean. I was really comfortable here and I would definitely recommend a stay here! It’s really affordable but it does take about an hour and a half to get into Yosemite Valley from here, so this might not be the best if you’re not a morning person.

What to See with 1 Day in Yosemite

There is so much to see in Yosemite National Park, it can be overwhelming to try to narrow it down to one day. This is what I’d recommend if you only have one day in Yosemite National Park. See the bottom of this post for a quick view version of this itinerary.

One Day in Yosemite National Park

You’ll want to get an early start to maximize your day and avoid the crowds entering the park. I’d recommend trying to get to the entrance of the park around 8am or earlier. Yosemite Valley is an hour drive from the entrance to the park. Start the day off with a hike to Vernal Falls – this is a gorgeous hike with a lot of beautiful views. The hike is only about 3 miles, but you will have walk a mile from the Curry Village parking lot to the trail head, which brings the total walking distance to 5 miles. Bring lots of water, snacks and a full battery for your camera. This hike is gorgeous but very steep, lots of people had walking poles. See this post for more information on this hike (and lots more photos!).

Yosemite 1 Day Itinerary Vernal Falls

Yosemite 1 Day Itinerary Vernal Falls

Plan for 2 hours for the hike, as you’ll want to stop for a few breaks along the way.

If you are an avid hiker, you can extend this hike and go all the way to Nevada Falls.

Once you finish this hike and are back at the trailhead, it’s a short walk to Mirror Lake if you feel up to it. The walk from the trailhead to Mirror Lake is about one mile (2 miles round trip). For a longer walk, take the 5 mile loop from the trailhead around the lake and back.

If you didn’t bring lunch, stop for a sandwich, a drink and maybe some dessert (you’ve earned it!) at Meadow Grille in Curry Village. This restaurant is open seasonally. If the kitchen isn’t open, they also sell prepackaged sandwiches, salads and wraps. There is a bar in the same building, where you can get a cold beer on tap, or a wine.

Yosemite Viewpoints You Don’t Want to Miss

There are so many viewpoints to see in Yosemite National Park, it’s hard to narrow it down. The great thing about Yosemite is that most of the viewpoints are just off the side of the road. You can easily make it to the following viewpoints in half a day in Yosemite.

Cooks Meadow Loop

This is a great place to set up a little picnic and take a break with insane views. It’s an easy walking loop with 360 degree views of Yosemite Valley. Make sure to check out Berg Bridge and the Yosemite Chapel.

One Day in Yosemite Cooks Valley Loop

Lower Yosemite Falls

This one is a short  5 min walk from the parking lot. It gets busy as it is stroller and wheelchair accessible. The view is stunning from the bottom of the falls. The parking lot for Lower Yosemite Falls is also a great place to base yourself for a trip to the Yosemite Valley Visitors Center, where you can grab a souvenir, a cold drink, or some snacks.

Lower Yosemite Falls

Lower Yosemite Falls

Lower Yosemite Falls

Hanging Valley Viewpoint

Stop at this viewpoint along the Merced River on your way to Tunnel View for some great views of Bridalveil Falls and the river. It’s an easy stop, you’ll only need 5-10 mins here.

El Capitan Meadow

Check out El Capitan Meadow to see the famous rock from a distance, or park in the lot closer to the base for a better view of the climbers.

One Day in Yosemite El Capitan Base

Tunnel View

Tunnel View is one of the most popular viewpoints in Yosemite for a reason – from here you can see so much of the park, including Bridal Veil Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome. It’s a great spot to stop for sunset as it’s on the way out of the park.

Tunnel View Yosemite

Tunnel View Yosemite

Important Notes for Visiting Yosemite

Make sure to check out the Yosemite National Parks website ahead of time to check if you need a permit to enter Yosemite (the permit system begins May 20, 2022, and is a seasonal requirement. That website will also show road closures throughout the park. During the spring, it’s common to experience road closures.

I’d also recommend avoiding Yosemite National Park during the weekends. I was in the area from Friday to Saturday in April 2022. The parking lots were so busy on the Saturday that I was looking for a parking spot for almost an hour near Yosemite Lower Falls. If you must visit on a weekend, I’d recommend starting very early – at sunrise, if possible – to avoid crowds.

Yosemite

The entrance to the park is about an hours drive from Yosemite Valley. That means that staying 30 mins outside the park entrance will give you an hour and a half drive from your accommodation to Yosemite Valley.

Park fees have increased this year. When I visited in April 2022, the park fees were as follows. Note that when I visited, the entrance kiosks only accepted cards (no cash).

  • $35 per car, per day (private vehicles only)
  • $25 per person (if arriving by bus)
  • $80 for annual national parks pass (this allows you into all US National Parks for one year)

Quick View of this One Day Itinerary for Yosemite National Park

  • arrive to Curry Village parking lot before 9am
  • hike Vernal Falls – 5 miles total from parking lot
  • walk to Mirror Lake if feeling adventurous – two miles round trip from parking lot
  • lunch at Curry Village
  • viewpoints (in order): Cooks Meadow Loop, Lower Yosemite Falls, Hanging Valley Viewpoint, El Capitan Meadow
  • sunset at Tunnel View (get there at least an hour prior to sunset for parking)

Unique Yosemite Stay Micro Cabin

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That’s the full one day itinerary for Yosemite National Park! What was most helpful for you from this post? Anything you’d like to add? Please let me know in the comments!

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Micro Cabin Yosemite: A Unique Stay in Yosemite Micro Cabin

Unique Yosemite Stay Airbnb Micro Cabin

When traveling, I am always on the lookout for unique places to stay. When I found this micro cabin located just outside of Yosemite, I knew that I had to stay there on my trip to Yosemite National Park. This is a full review of the Micro Cabin in Yosemite that I stayed at.

Unique Yosemite Stay Micro Cabin

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Micro Cabin in Yosemite: The Property & Amenities

I found this micro cabin on airbnb, it is operated through a campsite called Sierra Meadows. The cabins are located about 30 mins from the entrance to Yosemite. This means it’s an hour and a half drive to get to Yosemite Valley from the cabin. I didn’t mind the drive, and I loved coming back to this adorable cabin located on a beautiful 1300 acre property. Part of the property used to be a golf course, and it is now being replanted with a drought tolerant mix of wildflowers and plants. See more about the property here.

Micro Cabin Yosemite Glamping

The property is dog friendly and has a swimming pool. They also offer bicycles free of charge. This allows you to explore the property a bit easier. There are six miles of cement hiking trails to follow on property, lots of lookouts, and it’s a great place to spot wildlife and do some bird watching.

Glamping in Yosemite: Let’s talk about the Bathrooms

This is a campground, and the micro cabins do not include individual bathrooms. The shared bathroom is located in between the two rows of cabins. This was what I was most hesitant about, but the reviews eased my worry. Once I was able to see the bathrooms for myself, I realized the reviews were all accurate. The bathrooms are very well kept up, super clean, and huge. I hardly ever saw another person in there.

Yosemite Micro Cabin

There are three stalls, three sinks, and three showers. The showers got really warm very quickly. Inside the cabin was a little basket with towels, washcloths, and shower shoes. The cabins  also come equipped with robes, hair dryers, a pour over coffee maker, AC and heater (this was amazing for cold nights), and LED lanterns for trips to the bathroom during the night.

You’ll find a tap for filtered water in the bathroom. This was super handy to fill up my water bottles for days in Yosemite.

There is also a little information packet in the room. It lists the best restaurants in town, and where to get anything you may need.

Yosemite Micro Cabin: My Experience

The micro cabin is not only super cute. It also has the perfect amount of privacy and space. I loved the deck in the front, and the inside is the perfect size for a solo traveler or a couple. I had plenty of space as a solo traveler, though it might be a bit tight if you had two large suitcases. The memory foam, queen sized bed was super comfy. I had a great night’s sleep both nights that I stayed.

Yosemite Micro Cabin

The only bad part of my experience was that I didn’t stay longer. I spent both full days that I had in Yosemite (check out my one day itinerary for Yosemite here), but there is so much to see on this property that I would have loved to spend a day here, relaxing on the patio, swimming in the pool, and walking the trails.

Unique Yosemite Stay Micro Cabin

Book this property directly through the Sierra Meadows website here. I found it through this listing on airbnb. I recommend booking direct if possible, as it is usually less expensive and more of the funds go directly to the property.

What do you think? Would you stay here? Let me know in the comments!

Make sure to check out my other posts from Yosemite:

 

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