Author Profile: Tamara Wilcox

Rome is a city of great civic and religious history, ancient architecture, and modern significance. You can see and appreciate much of it in only three...   view more

There are so many things about Seattle that have left imprints on my mind and senses. It really is impossible to narrow my favorites down to five. Yet, here I...   view more

San Francisco is a very popular city to visit. With these tips and tricks, you can save time and money while exploring the city with little or no...   view more

These are not the touristy, expensive attractions -- but the fun and free places that San Diego locals take their guests to, over and over...   view more

San Diego is one of the top 25 destination cities in the United States. Think that makes it an expensive place to visit? It certainly doesn't have to be...check out these best free things to...   view more

There's an entire day's worth of fun activities to do right along San Diego's waterfront -- most within walking distance. And the views are...   view more

Florence, Italy is a beautiful city. It’s old. It’s classy. It’s unforgettable. And with only 24 hours in Florence, you can do a lot (and save money) if you use these...   view more

Making a list of 10 reasons you should visit San Diego is simple. I could have come up with a hundred. But here’s my short list of the most compelling reasons why San Diego, California should be your next...   view more

Milan is a city rich in medieval history, art, culture, and great food. Even if you have only one day, there's a lot you can...   view more

You can see and stand where great historical events occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Check out this one-day family-friendly itinerary for history...   view more

Paris & chocolate -- a perfect pairing! Enjoy this chocolate walk route that takes you to the oldest and most famous Parisian...   view more

Arles has many interesting things to do and see! It is well worth a full day in your itinerary. We visited in March, when the temperatures were a little cool, and it was rather windy, but we still enjoyed beautiful...   view more

Ready for our Del Mar exploration?! Here’s our ‘Dine & Do’ experience in beautiful Del Mar, California. Tucked between the San Dieguito Lagoon at the north end of Del Mar and the Pacific Ocean is the James Scripps Bluff Preserve and Del Mar Dog Beach (or San Dieguito River...   view more

Big Bear Lake, California, is both a mountain lake and the city on its south shore. While it is famous for its two ski resorts — Snow Summit and Bear Mountain — Big Bear Lake is actually a four-season getaway...   view more

Tacoma’s Museum of Glass might not be at the top of your must-see list. But it should be. Until I began seeing photos online of Chihuly’s glass sculptures, I hadn’t really thought much about glass as an art medium at...   view more

I spent 15 glorious days in Italy last year, and my agenda was full of amazing places to go and things to see. But, in my OCD way of trying to fit in just one more thing, I had my nose glued to a google map, calculating what was halfway between two cities…and how far off the route it...   view more

Why search for art and architecture in Provo, Utah? Provo, Utah is a university town rich with history and nestled in the Wasatch Mountains. It’s also a melting pot of diverse cultures and languages as students from all over the world are drawn to Brigham Young...   view more

San Diego beaches have much to offer: beautiful scenery, mild climate, lots of sunny days, nice sand, and all kinds of great activities. I’ve lived in San Diego 27 years, and in that time, I’ve seen them...   view more

Ready for another ‘Dine & Do’ adventure? This time, we’re reviewing things to do and places to eat in Encinitas, California — another of the beautiful beach cities along historic Highway...   view more

I first heard about Diamond Valley Lake about 14 years ago, when construction on the dams was completed and it was filled with water. I thought, “Cool! A new lake!” But it was only recently, on a hosted trip to San Jacinto Valley, that I learned what makes it so...   view more

I recently had the opportunity to visit Hemet, California. It’s not the first city you think of when you think of California. I mean, it’s not Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego. Unless you live within 100 miles of it, you probably haven’t heard of...   view more

My last trip to Orlando was a short one. My husband and I primarily went to visit my grandmother, and it wasn’t our first visit there. Everyone knows that when you go to Orlando, you’re probably going to visit one or more of the big amusement...   view more

If you’re heading to any major city in Arizona from southern California (Carlsbad or further south), you’ll be driving on a route that takes you through Yuma, the southwest gateway of Arizona. A lot of people start their trips planning to blast through to points...   view more

From downtown San Diego, you can look across the harbor and see the island of Coronado and the beautiful arching bridge that connects it to the mainland. Unless you make your way there, you won’t know what you’re missing. But Coronado is one of the best kept secrets of San...   view more

Oceanside has taken art to a new level, and you can take advantage of it by visiting their First Friday Art Walk. Every month on the first Friday, from 5 to 9 pm, the streets come alive with live music, artists, food, and lots of art displays…and it’s all...   view more

It’s time for another ‘Dine & Do’ date idea! This time, my husband and I spent some time in beautiful La Jolla, CA. While La Jolla is actually part of San Diego and not its own city, it is well-known as one of the swankiest neighborhoods in southern...   view more

Unique and free in San Diego? If you’re asking, “What should I do in San Diego?”, a long-time resident might be the best qualified to answer. Who else will know the best tourist sites, the best attractions, the hidden gems, unique things to do, and everything that’s...   view more

Claremont, California, is a humble city about 30 miles east of Los Angeles. I say ‘humble’ because it isn’t pretentious at all. In fact, you might just feel that its qualities and attractions are rather understated. But I assure you that the residents of Claremont have a good thing...   view more

You’re going to love this walking tour of Claremont, California, because it showcases some of the town’s most delicious treats. Known as the beautiful ‘City of Trees’ and home to the Claremont Colleges, Claremont is also a foodies’...   view more

The sleek and modern city of Toronto came up on our radar when we decided to explore closer to home. It’s the largest city in Canada, and a flight from southern California to Toronto is less than five...   view more

Perhaps I should have titled this “Confessions of a Converted Travel Foodie.” Would you like to know why I had to take a culinary tour in...   view more

Rancho Bernardo lies within the city limits of San Diego, created as a master-planned community nestled among canyons and rolling hills. Temperatures are temperate, although a bit warmer than on the San Diego...   view more

Are you heading to Cozumel, Mexico, on a cruise? Perhaps you’re not quite sure what you can or should do in just one day. Actually, just part of a day, because you may only have 6 to 8...   view more

Spokane is located in eastern Washington near the border of Idaho, only 34 miles from Coeur D’Alene. It is home to several colleges, including Gonzaga University, Whitworth college, Spokane Falls Community College, and the Riverpoint campus of Washington State...   view more

I’ve lived in California for 29 years and I just visited downtown Los Angeles for the first time! Don’t wait as long as I did, and when you go, be sure to take a walking tour of the downtown historic area first. There is so much to see, history to learn, and fun things to do,...   view more

I’ve had the opportunity to visit Little Italy many times, and each time, I discover something new. It is time to share with you why I think your visit to downtown San Diego should include Little...   view more

I recently visited Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, for the first time on a getaway with my husband. While we had a wonderful time, I kept thinking it was a place our kids would have loved! So now I’m sharing why I believe Coeur D’Alene is one of the best places to take your...   view more

In the northern Idaho panhandle is a beautiful lake called Lake Pend Oreille. On its shore is the city of Sandpoint, and on a mountain overlooking the lake, you’ll find Schweitzer...   view more

I’ve lived in San Diego nearly 30 years. When I want to go out on a date or take visitors into town, I usually head down to San Diego’s waterfront. It doesn’t seem to matter how many times I’ve been, because I always see something...   view more

With it’s seventy-two miles of shoreline, expansive lake, and equally majestic mountains, Lake Tahoe has it all! I hadn’t been back since I was a kid, so our little family decided to take a spontaneous trip to check out the beauty of Lake...   view more

Wondering where you can get the best views of San Diego? Try checking out the best of San Diego’s rooftops! Follow us on a tour of the best downtown San Diego rooftop “nests” where you can savor a birdseye view while also dining and...   view more

I’m going to tell you about a town called Wallace, in northern Idaho’s panhandle. It’s a curious tale — full of inspiration, grit, and tenacity. And how the Wallace of today still reflects those same qualities and more. Keep reading to see why it’s a town you’ll love,...   view more

Costa Mesa is the perfect city for a romantic getaway. It’s a central location from which you can easily explore beaches and amusement parks...   view more

The park is full of majestic oak trees, a winding stream and bridges, an old-fashioned gazebo, and a real operating steam train. Old Poway Park also hosts a historic museum, the Templars Hall (built in 1886), the Porter House, and the Nelson House, built between 1915 and...   view more

In Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, you will delighted by all the charming shops, galleries, and restaurants. They are housed in cottages that all look rather European. With cobblestone walkways, hidden courtyards, shapely Monterey pines and lots of gardens, it is definitely very...   view more

Sometimes, a city warrants much more time than you have to visit. That was certainly the case with Limerick, Ireland. We had just flown into the Shannon airport and were making our way to Tralee to catch a performance of the National Folk Theatre of...   view more

I purchased a walking tour for two — for my husband and I. And since it was such a fun way to rediscover La Jolla, I thought I’d let you in on my newest...   view more

One thing that makes southern California so amazing is the plethora of locations from which you can view a beautiful sunset. Over the years, I have amassed quite the collection of San Diego’s best...   view more

Laguna Beach has so much to offer — pretty much something for everyone. It’s easy to social distance here because there are so many outdoor options. Well, let me just get to the point!. Read on for my 5 reasons to go to Laguna...   view more

I jumped on the invitation to stay in Mesa, AZ for a few nights. It didn’t hurt that the weather was warm and beautiful as well. Since I’d never been before, I was excited to see what Mesa has to offer. I filled the days with some incredible moments in Mesa, so now I’m sharing them with...   view more

If you were to make a list of things to do in Lakeside, it wouldn’t include beaches and theme parks, because there aren’t any. But what it WILL include is lakes and mountains, impressive parks, a historic main street, ranches, rodeos, and some great eats. And that’s just for...   view more

If you’re looking for things to do in La Mesa, CA, I hope this will help. It may be overlooked as just another bedroom community of San Diego, but you can’t spend all your time at the beach! There’s so much more to do and it’s worth the time to explore inland. So…what makes La Mesa a fun place to visit? Read on to learn about at least 8 things to do in La Mesa — great for individuals, couples, or...   view more

If you haven’t been, there are a plethora of reasons you should discover Savannah. First and foremost is its beauty. Perched on the banks of the Savannah River, there are beautiful views along the water, in the city itself, and in the outlying islands. Another aspect you can discover in Savannah is its historic importance, as it played a crucial part in early American history. And finally, you can’t go wrong if all you want to do is discover amazing southern cuisine in...   view more

An exciting getaway doesn’t need to be long or expensive. In fact, enjoying several short travel escapes over the course of a year might be more fun for the variety they provide. At least, that’s what we were banking on when we planned to spend one day in San Antonio. Yes, just one...   view more

Leucadia is a beautiful coastal community in northern San Diego County. Established by a group of English spiritualists in the late 1800’s, it was named after the Greek island of Lefkada. Today it is a vibrant and diverse community of surfers, artists, musicians, families, and retirees. Leucadia might be most known for its thriving art scene, with numerous galleries, studios, and boutiques showcasing the work of local artists. The streets are also adorned with colorful murals, adding to the...   view more

Just about halfway between Nashville and Chattanooga, is the town of Manchester, TN. With a population of about 12K, it is the perfect size to have small-town vibes along with plenty of great things to see and do. It’s a secret most residents keep pretty well, but now that I’ve been there, I’m sharing with you. When you go to visit Manchester TN, and explore all that it has to offer, please don’t tell them I sent...   view more

Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, is located at the north end of the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. It is popular because it is the closest beach for residents of Arizona, and is often referred to as Arizona’s Beach. Sunny every day with almost no rain at all, Puerto Peñasco offers “summer” and beaches year-round. A lot of retired US citizens also make their homes here, so most residents speak at least some English. Whether you live in Arizona or southern California, there...   view more

Glenwood Springs, Colorado is a wonderful place to visit. Haven’t heard of it? It’s the cutest and trendiest little town in the mountains, at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers. There’s something for everyone in Glenwood Springs, from river rafting, soaking in hot springs, fishing, hiking, cycling, shopping, restaurants, and even a theme park. While you can drive here, the closest airport is about an hour away in Aspen, CO and the fare is about $400 RT plus car rental....   view more

There’s plenty to do and see in San Diego, regardless of the time of year. But I’m going to focus on seven days of activities you might especially enjoy if you’ve just left frigid temperatures! I suggest focusing on visiting several beaches, gardens, parks, and of course viewing some gorgeous sunsets. I’ve included suggested activities as well as recommendations for restaurants. Just keep reading for a week’s worth of sightseeing you can easily customize to your own...   view more

Nestled in Utah’s picturesque Heber Valley, Heber City offers a delightful blend of small-town charm, artistic discovery, and stunning outdoor beauty. Spending a day in Heber City is a fantastic way to experience a vibrant community with rich history and growing arts. My husband and I recently spent a memorable day here, and we’re excited to share our itinerary and tips so you can plan your own perfect...   view more

On a cross-country road trip from Salt Lake City, Utah to Atlanta, Georgia, my husband and I stopped in Kearney, Nebraska. After finding so many wonderful things to see and do here, we put together this guide to sights in Kearney so you can enjoy it too. Nestled in the heart of Nebraska’s Great Plains, Kearney (pronounced Car-knee) offers a rich tapestry of experiences that tell the story of America’s westward expansion and the enduring spirit of the...   view more

Lincoln offers remarkable opportunities to explore Nebraska’s cultural and architectural heritage without spending a dime. From world-class museums and historic districts to beautiful gardens and distinctive buildings, the city provides an impressive array of experiences for visitors interested in art, nature, and...   view more

Nestled along the Chattahoochee River just north of Atlanta, Roswell offers a delightful escape into Georgia’s antebellum past and natural beauty. A daytrip to Roswell makes a perfect excursion from Atlanta where my husband and I are serving a church mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...   view more