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Location : Kanab, UT Parking : Parking lot at trailhead, no fee Trail type : Out and Back Trail Length : 2 miles rt Elevation Gain : 183 ft Difficulty : Easy Trails traversed : The Belly Of The Dragon tunnel and unnamed trail behind it. AllTrails Link : https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/the-belly-of-the-dragon Pro Tip : Wear sturdy shoes with deep treads and ankle support. Headlamp required. The Belly Of The Dragon tunnel and trailhead is located about 20 minutes north of Kanab, UT. The tunnel acts as a drainage to direct the rain water from the upper canyons to the North Fork River. It is an adventurous and cool hike, walking through the tunnel full of unique rock formations, lighted only by your headlamp, and then on a "wash" trail all the way to a canyon wall. >> Got a question about The Belly Of The Dragon that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. Parking : Parking is a dirt pullout by the side of Hwy 89. The lot is small, and doesnt hold more than 20 cars max. But since it is a short hike, the lot never gets full, as cars keep coming in and out. When we went on a Saturday evening at 5pm, there were only two other cars in the lot. Looking from the inside out at the entrance of the tunnel The Trail : The trailhead starts at the mouth of the tunnel. There are a couple of large concrete steps to jump off of, in order to enter the tunnel. The tunnel itself is dark, short, and man-made. It is a very unique experience walking into it, and traversing through it, before exiting out on to a trail in a canyon. The floor of the tunnel is extremely rocky and uneven. So good ankle support shoes are required. Cool rock formation inside the cave/tunnel The other end of the tunnel Once you exit the tunnel, the trail is primarily a wash. It winds around in a canyon, until you hit a dead end against the canyon wall. Turn around and trace your way back through the tunnel and to the parking lot. This trail, past the tunnel, is quite boring and can be skipped, as the highlight of the hike is the Belly Of The Dragon. If you do continue on the trail, there are trail offshoots to the right, closer to the deadend pictured below, that take you further into the canyon. Dead end of the trail In summary, this is a super easy hike, fun for the whole family, and a hidden gem of Southern Utah. >> Got a question about The Belly Of The Dragon that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending.

Location : Kanab, UT Parking : Parking lot at trailhead, no fee Trail type : Out and Back Trail Length : 1.4 miles rt Elevation Gain : 124 ft Difficulty : Moderate - strenuous Trails traversed : Sand Caves Trail AllTrails Link : https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/sand-caves--2 Pro Tip : Wear sturdy shoes with deep treads and ankle support. Plan for a picnic in the cave, but remember to pack all your garbage out with you. The Kanab Sand Caves are off the beaten path from the more popular hikes and sights around Kanab, UT. They are located just 6 miles from the city of Kanab on highway 89. The caves are perched high on top of a rocky hill and can be seen from the highway. Although AllTrails has categorized this hike as moderate, we felt it was trending towards strenuous, as it required scrambling over a rock wall, which was almost vertical in some places. View of the sand caves from the highway and parking lot >> Got a question about the Kanab Sand Caves that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. Parking : The no-fee parking lot is easy to find with Google Maps, and it is right by the side of the highway, next to the huge Best Friends sign. The lot is large and when we went on a Saturday in September, at 6pm, it was almost empty. The Trail : Sand Caves trailhead right next to the parking lot and is marked by a sign. The first part of the trail is flat and is actually a wash, and meanders by the side of the highway. The trail is covered with fine, pink sand, reminiscent of the pink sand from the Coral Sand Dunes nearby. As you follow the trail, look to the right and notice the impressive striations along the hillside. As you near the sand caves, it gets more and more difficult to follow the trail. At the bottom of the rocky hill that leads to the sand caves, the trail completely disappears, leaving you to trailblaze on your own. This second part of the trail, which requires scrambling up a rocky hill, is strenuous, bordering at being dangerous and treacherous. I do not recommend climbing this rock wall with kids, or if you are not fit, do not have coordination or balance, or if you are not wearing shoes with good grip. The rock wall ahead of you is steep with many horizontal layers, with very little foothold. There is no easy way to climb this hill, other than scrambling up, sometimes on all fours. Watch your footing at every step, and place your foot where there is no sand. Scrambling on all fours Once you reach the caves, you will be rewarded with great views from the top. There are 7 caves in all, the floor of which is covered with sand. The caves are beautiful, but it was sad to see it vandalized with graffiti and carvings in the wall. There are beautiful yellow, black and white striations all along the sandstone wall. This is a great photo op and a nice picnic spot. Entrance to the caves Natural striations on the sandstone wall marred by human carvings. View from each "window" After you are done exploring the beautiful caves, make your way back the same way you came up. I found the easiest route down was to identify the areas with least angle and slide down on my butt. The treacherous way back down Unsure which route to take down Once you have reached firm ground, it is easy to backtrack along the trail, to where you parked your car. In summary, this is a super cool and fine hike, if you are in for some adventure and dont mind the scrambling. The place is hardly crowded, making it a great hidden gem of Southern Utah. >> Got a question about the Kanab Sand Caves that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending.

Location : Orderville, UT Parking : Parking lot at trailhead, no fee Trail type : Out and Back Trail Length : 2 miles rt Elevation Gain : 492 ft Difficulty : Easy Trails traversed : Red Hollow Trail AllTrails Link : https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/red-hollow-trail Pro Tip : Most of the hike is on loose sand. Wear appropriate shoes. Red Hollow Trail is a short easy trail located about an hours drive from Kanab, UT. Almost the entire trail is sandy and along the wash of the Red Hollow stream. >> Got a question about the Red Canyon Slot Canyon that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. Parking : Finding the trailhead is a little tricky. Follow the directions mentioned in AllTrails. Although we parked at the point where the unpaved road intersects with Red Hollow Drive, we did notice a parking lot further up on the unpaved road, about a quarter mile from Red Hollow Drive. The Trail : Once you reach the parking lot on the unpaved road, continue straight on a trail overgrown with weeds, past a horse stable to the right, until you hit the sandy wash. Hike up on the wash for about a mile or so, towards the white Elkhart Cliffs. At the start of the trail the fine sand is white in color. As you get closer to the Red Hollow slot canyon, you will notice the sand turning pink in color. The sand is deep in many places, making the going a little slow. Soon the white cliffs star giving way to red canyon walls and you will find yourself in the middle of a narrow slot canyon, with not more than 2-3 ft distance between the walls. The colors are vibrant here, and the canyon stays true to its name. But this slot canyon is a small one, and it ends suddenly in a 10 ft dry fall. When done exploring Red Hollow, just return down the wash the way you came in. The evening sun enhanced the colors of the canyon walls Did you know this way of climbing up the canyon wall is called "Chimneying" ? In summary, this hike is a very easy one, great for families with small children and the elderly. This little known trail is not crowded, as it is only popular amongst the locals. It is a good deviation, if you are in the area to explore Bryce or Zion NP.

Location : Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area, Kanab, UT Parking : Parking lot at trailhead, permit required Trail type : Out and Back Trail Length : 6 miles rt Elevation Gain : 616 ft Difficulty : Easy Trails traversed : Wire Pass Slot Canyon to Buckskin Gulch slot canyon AllTrails Link : https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/wire-pass-to-buckskin-gulch--2 Pro Tip : This trail involves hiking through sand, wet mud and scrambling over rocks. Wear appropriate shoes with ankle support and deep treads. Buckskin gulch in Southern Utah, near Kanab, is the longest slot canyon in the United States, and probably the longest in the world - 21 miles long! Unlike its famous counterparts, the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in Arizona, this slot canyon is little-known, and hence does not require a guide to take you around the canyon and explain all the formations. Access to the slot canyon is via Wire Pass Slot canyon, and requires a day permit, which can be easily obtained at https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/10006175 >> Got a question about the Wire Pass Slot Canyon or Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. Parking: Parking is at the trailhead of Wire Pass Slot Canyon trail. To reach the parking, you will need to drive down a narrow, rocky, unpaved road for 8 miles. This can be done with a sedan or a mini van. However, if the road is wet, do not attempt to drive in any car other than a 4x4, as there are multiple streams to cross along the way to the parking lot. There are porter potties available at the parking lot. Also, make sure you sign in, providing your permit number, before starting your hike. The Trail : The easiest (and fastest) way to access Buckskin Gulch canyon is via the Wire Pass trailhead, which intersects Buckskin Gulch. The trailhead is along a dry, sandy wash, and is unshaded for about a mile and a half. Along the way you pass many sandstone walls with interesting, horizontal layers carved in. "Pride Rock" along Wire Pass Trail This layered rock formation marked the entrance to the Wire Pass Slot Canyon You will soon know you are entering Wire Pass Canyon when the landscape turns beautiful and photogenic and the sandstone walls turn into reddish-orange color which look really pretty under the right sunlight. Play of light on the canyon walls Walking through this slot canyon will be like navigating through an adult obstacle course, what with fallen boulders and tree trunks in your path. But that just adds to the overall fun and adventure to this hike. Navigating through the canyon was like an obstacle race! A tree trunk stuck between the canyon walls overhead When we went, in mid September of 2022, a huge rock had fallen and blocked a portion of the Wire Pass Slot Canyon, due to which we had to follow a detour to climb over and out of the canyon, to get to the other side, in order to enter Buckskin Gulch canyon. This detour required scrambling on all fours over a steep canyon wall, and is not recommended for folks who are not fit or sure-footed. I did hear that the Park ranger often installs a ladder for folks to cross over the boulder in Wire Pass, but ever so often, the ladder gets washed away by flash floods. View of Wire Pass Slot Canyon from above The detour resulted in a lot of scrambling up and down the sandstone walls. Once we completed the detour route, we were in Buckskin Gulch territory! The canyon walls were redder than before and the sandstone formations on the walls were really impressive. The first formation you see is the "amphitheater" - a huge shallow cave carved into the wall, giving the entire place a surreal feel. This is the widest portion of the canyon, after which the walls slowly start to close in on you, as you hike deeper into the canyon. "The Amphitheater" Alas, within a short distance, our hike had to come to an end, as the ground got very muddy due to the recent rains, and hikers who were ahead of us were returning as they encountered knee deep mud along the trail. The hike back up over the detour wall was just as adventurous as the hike down, but this time, a kind soul (a guide) had installed a rope with which we could repel upwards. In summary, this is an easy hike for people of all ages. We saw a guided group of 70+ year olds on the trail, as well as fit backpackers and families with pets and little ones. We came across a number of park rangers monitoring the trail for flash floods or for hikers who need assistance. We were immensely impressed with both slot canyons, even though we had to turn back due to the fallen boulder and the muddy trail. I highly recommend this hike, if you are in the Zion/Kanab/Bryce area and you have a morning to spare. Below are more pictures taken during this hike. >> Got a question about the Wire Pass Slot Canyon or Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending.

Location : Zion Nation Park, UT Parking : Park at Visitor Center, take shuttle to trailhead Trail type : Out and Back Trail Length : Varies Elevation Gain : 193 ft Difficulty : Easy Trails traversed : The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk + Zion Narrows Bottom Up to Big Springs AllTrails Link : https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/the-zion-narrows-riverside-walk , https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/zion-narrows-trail-to-imlay-temple-and-big-spring Pro Tip : Wear ankle support hiking boots. Hiking poles (wooden sticks) are available at the start of the Narrows hike. You dont need to rent any special shoes or equipment in Springdale. The Narrows is one of the most iconic hikes in Zion National Park and Southern Utah, It is so named as it is the narrowest spot in Zion Canyon. This hike is like none other anywhere in the United States, as it requires hiking through the waters of the Virgin River in a rocky canyon with walls a thousand feet tall. Water levels can vary from ankle deep to chest high, and as with all slot canyons, caution should be used and the weather forecast should be checked. Hiking the Zion Narrows has always been in my bucket list for many, many years. Not having had the time to do it during my first two trips in the mid 90s and mid 2000s, I made it a mandatory goal of mine to visit Zion when we found ourselves in Kanab in September of 2022. >> Got a question about the Zion Narrows that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. Parking: From March to November, the Zion Shuttle service is operational throughout the park. During this period, visitors are expected to park at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center or in the town of Springdale, and access the various points in the park via the shuttle. The very last stop on the shuttle route, stop #9 at the Temple of Sinawava, is where you would need to get off to access the trail to the Narrows. Flush toilets and water stations are available at the shuttle stop which is directly across from the trailhead. The Trail: The Narrows can be accessed via the Riverside Walk. The Riverside walk trail starts at the Shuttle Stop #9 (Temple of Sinawava). It is an easy and almost flat, mile long walk to the start of the Narrows. The picturesque, well paved trail meanders through the canyon, with the Virgin River flowing on one side, and the tall canyon walls on the other. Many benches have been strategically placed along the trail for the weary traveler. As you walk on the path, you will notice people returning from the opposite direction with wet clothes and shoes. This indicates you are getting close to the start of the Narrows. The trail dead ends where the Narrows begin. There are steps to the left of the trail that lead to the water. On the banks of the river, to the right of the stairs, you will notice a number of wooden poles left by previous hikers. Grab one of the poles, tighten your shoe laces and head into the water. "Modeling" my hiking pole and ankle length boots When we hiked in the late afternoon in mid September, the water temperature wasnt too cold. In fact, it was just right for the warm day. I have read that if you go early in the morning, to beat the crowds, the water can be icy cold. We got lucky with the water temperature, but not so lucky with the crowds. There were lots of people all along the Narrows, no matter how much further we went. The rocky river bed The hike in the Narrows was like nothing I had done before. You basically hike up the Virgin River, against the currents. In mid September, when we went, the water level came only up to my shins in most places. There were spots where the water came up to chest level, but we could easily circumnavigate around those areas and avoid getting fully soaked. Most of the hike involved crisscrossing from one side of the river bank to the other. Crossing from one side of the river bed to the other The river bed is covered with slippery rocks of various sizes and shapes. So it is imperative you wear ankle length boots and watch every step you take in the water. But also, take time to look up, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the river gushing between 1000ft tall sandstone cliffs towering over you. The towering walls of the canyon on either side of the river This is the kind of scenery that makes the Narrows the uniquely unforgettable adventure that it’s known for. Within the first half a mile, you will come across Mystery Falls. The amount of water in the falls, of course, depends on whether it had recently rained or not. Most folks turn back at this point. Mystery Falls We hiked for about 2 miles in the river, hoping to get away from the crowds. But the crowd didnt seem to thin down, no matter how far we went. After about 2 miles, when we reached the bend in the river, we turned around and headed back to the starting point. Since we were walking in the same direction of the current, our hike back took much less time. Another reason for that could be that we didnt stop to take as many pictures as we did when we were hiking in. When we reached the trailhead, we gave our poles to a couple of elderly ladies who were bravely trudging along without a hiking stick. Our walk back to the shuttle stop, along the Riverside trail was uneventful. Despite many warnings of long lines, we were able to board a waiting shuttle bus within minutes of reaching the stop. In summary, this easy upstream hike from the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop, is suitable for people of all ages, just as long as you watch your footing on the slipper rocks. No permits are required (as of 2022), and the views and experience are like no other! >> Got a question about the Zion Narrows that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending.

Location : Monument Valley on Utah-Arizona Border Trail type : Loop Trail Length : 4 miles Difficulty : Moderate Trails traversed : Wildcat trail Monument Valley is one of the most underrated parks in Arizona and Utah. The overwhelming red landscape with sandstone masterpieces will make you feel that you are on Mars. One of the most memorable sunset and sunrise I have ever seen have been in this park. Despite its vastness, Monument Valley Park offers only one self-guided trail, which is the Wildcat Trail. But the route covers some world-class scenery as it takes hikers for a walk through the world-famous Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte. The trail starts and ends at Indian Route 92, which is at the northwest corner of the Visitors Center parking lot. Although the route is flat for the most part, you will have to trudge through fine sand over a short, steep uphill section, due to which this hike has been rated as moderate. Along the trail you will see the buttes this park is famous for, up in the distance. You will feel like you stepped back in time into the Wild West. If you would like to extend your hike, you can even circle around one of the buttes to experience their majesty as they tower over you. You will pass by a number of interesting looking dead tree trunks and if you are lucky you may even come upon the skeletal remains of cattle. The trail is well defined with very low foot traffic, but fully exposed with no shade. It is best explored during the cooler months of Spring and Fall. Below are a few pictures taken during our hike.

In December of 2021, we took a quick trip down to the Florida Keys for the Holiday Season. The Keys are a series of islands off the southern tip of the Florida coastline, with a single freeway spanning over 100 miles of land. The climate is temperate most time of the year, and with emerald green waters and swaying palm trees, the Florida Keys an ideal vacation destination within the United States with a Caribbean island feel. While the most well-known is Key West, the southernmost island and the closest spot in the US to Cuba, Key Largo and Marathon are the most commercialized, with numerous hotel options. We stayed in Key Largo, which is situated in the northern section of the Florida Keys but is a large island located roughly equidistant to downtown Miami and Key West. From Key Largo, we were able to access all of the top destinations within a 2 hours drive. Where to Stay : We stayed at the Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo, a popular resort for scuba diving and snorkeling, and while neither I nor my family knows how to scuba dive, we still appreciated the amenities of this resort. They offered free kayaks and bicycles to hotel guests, which we used to explore the island, had direct beach access with wonderful sunset views, and had scuba diving lessons and certification for those interested. Sunset at Amoray Dive Resort Key West: Downtown Key West is about a two hour drive from Key Largo, but is well worth the trip. The Florida Stories free mobile app has a great audio walking tour of the downtown area, taking you to all the popular sites along Duval Street and explaining the history of the island. Duval Street is the heart of downtown Key West, with lots of bustling souvenir shops and restaurants. Conch fritters are a delicacy of the island, but my daughter was unfortunately disappointed by their bland taste and texture. Conch fritters at Key West's famous "Conch Shack" You can't go to Key West without taking a picture of the infamous "Southernmost Point of the Continental US" monument, though watch out for the long lines of tourists waiting to take their picture as well. Southernmost point of the United States "marker" Key West has a beautiful lighthouse located a few blocks from the southernmost point, built in 1848 to help military and commercial vessels navigate the shallow, reef-laden waters off the Florida Keys. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1969 by the US Coast guard, and now serves as a museum. Key West Lighthouse You can't visit Key West and not stop at Fort Zachary Taylor Beach, hailed as one of the best beached in the Keys. Its warm waters and beginner-friendly off-shore snorkeling are worth the visit. Fort Zachary Beach The best spot for sunset in Key West is Mallory Square. Here they have a Sunset Celebration every evening with local vendors and street performers entertaining the crowds of tourists as they wait for the sun to set. A couple of pictures of sunset at Mallory Square Sombrero Beach: Sombrero Beach is the most popular free beach in the Keys. Known for its white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees, this beach fills up fast on a warm day. It is located about an hour south of Key Largo in Marathon Key and has about a mile of white sandy beaches to walk along. Supposedly there are small friendly fish that swim around the rocks near the beach, but we were unable to see them with our snorkeling gear. Sombrero Beach John Pennekamp State Park: John Pennekamp State Park is located in the heart of Key Largo and was less than a mile away from our resort. It has kayaks and paddleboards for hourly rental as well as snorkeling boat tours. We rented a double kayak and spent an hour kayaking through the mangroves. It was absolutely beautiful as the waters were calm and the trails were easy to follow. The water was clear enough to spot schools of fish swimming beneath us and we could see the mossy rocks that covered the ocean floor. The beach at John Pennekamp is known for a Spanish shipwreck located about a hundred feet off the shore of the beach. Marked by a buoy, it is a popular attraction to swim up to and can be viewed underwater with a snorkel. My daughter decided to swim up to it and was surprised to see a plaque underwater next to the shipwreck reading "Mock Spanish Shipwreck," as we had originally been told this was a genuine historic wreck. Kayaking at John Pennekamp State Park Places to Eat: Being a primarily vegetarian family, it was sometimes hard to find a place to eat as seafood is the primary cuisine in the Keys. Hideout in Key Largo is a laid-back diner perfect for eggs and pancake breakfast. We couldnt get enough of Pinecrest Bakery in Key Largo, a Cuban cafe with great Cuban coffee and pastries. Fortunately, we found Pinecrest Bakery at a number of locations near Miami, where we got our daily sugar fix with their extra sweet cafe con leche. We saw great sunset views at Lorelei's, rated one of the best restaurants in the keys for sunsets. Lorelei's is a popular beachside restaurant in Islamorada with seating on their patio or on the beach and live music every night. The wait time can be long but the sunset view on a clear evening makes it worth it. Reservations are hard to come by, and this restaurant starts getting filled by 4pm for dinner! Cotton candy skies at Lorelai's at sunset. Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill is in Key Largo and has great American food served on their beachside patio, with a tiki bar and a lively atmosphere. This restaurant also offers exquisite sunset views and is easier to find a table, when compared to Lorelai's. Sunset at Jimmy Johnsons Big Chill All in all, the Florida Keys is an excellent place to spend a tropical vacation without having to pay $$$ or worry about travel restrictions to visit the Tropics. Consider this travel destination for your next vacation.

We had always viewed Miami as a “been there done that” kind of city as we had visited it multiple times and hit all the major tourist attractions. However on this trip we quickly realized that the Miami of the 2000s and the Miami of 2022 were two vastly different cities. Below are some of the "off-the-beaten-track" points of interest in Miami and South Beach which will surely be of interest to the repeat visitor. Where To Stay We decided to stay at South Beach, the party central of Miami, filled with more booze, beaches, and fake butts than in any other part of the East Coast. We stayed at the Ocean Reef Suites, a boutique hotel that was conveniently located only a 2-minute walk from the beach and provided complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas to their guests. Breakfast is included with each stay. South Beach Miami Beach, a slender, nine-mile-long barrier island along the Atlantic Ocean, is divided into three distinct neighborhoods. South Beach is the most popular of the three, bustling with bars and restaurants, souvenir shops, art deco buildings and a vibrant nightlife. You could spend a whole week on South Beach and still wouldnt have visited all the restaurants and bars on Ocean Drive, which is the main strip. What To Do Segway Tour : we found the best way to see South Beach was on a quick segway tour. We joined an hour-long segway tour that took you all along Ocean Drive and all the way down to the South Pointe Pier. South Beach: The warm blue-green water of South Beach draws crowds from all over the world. Along with its sandy strands and swaying palms, the beach is dotted with art deco lifeguard towers, each unique and different from the next. The beach gets extremely crowded during the daytime but is almost deserted in the early hours, making it the perfect spot to watch the sun rise. Sunrise over the Atlantic on a cloudy morning The art deco lifeguard towers of South Beach South Pointe Pier: This pier is at the southernmost point of South Beach and offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the skyscrapers of Miami to the west. During sunset, the area is popular with locals taking their evening walks or yoga enthusiasts trying to find their zen at the end of the day. A yogi practicing Shirshasana on the lawn of South Beach Pier. The Betsy "Orb": "The Betsy Orb" is an art installation in the form of an egg-shaped third-floor skybridge that links two hotels across a back alley on Ocean Court. It is more dramatic at nighttime when it is lighted up and draws many an Instagrammer for that elusive selfie. Where To Eat Naked Taco : This was our personal favorites were Naked Taco, a veggie-friendly Mexican restaurant at the corner of a busy street, but with hardly any wait time, despite how busy it looked. Like the name suggests, their veggie tacos and tableside guac were awesome. Il Pastiaolo : an Italian restaurant that serves cacio e pepe tableside in a large cheese wheel. They had the usual vegetarian Italian fare, which we did not regret. Nikki Beach : Nikki Beach is a luxury beach club with global locations, made popular by Instagram influencers. While the food and drinks were good and the restaurant gave off an exclusive vibe, the price tag on the experience wasn’t necessarily worth it. At Nikki Beach Versace Mansion : South Beach and Miami are havens for “designer dining” and we made sure to take advantage of it. Our hotel was 3 minutes away from the infamous Versace Mansion. As fans of the show “​​The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” we were so excited at the opportunity to visit the inside of this iconic house. The Mansion along the main strip of South Beach The Versace Mansion has been converted into a part-restaurant and part-hotel, with the restaurant in the courtyard overlooking the 24 karat gold tiled pool serving lunch and dinner. In front of the 24karat gold tiled pool We made lunch reservations less than a week in advance for the three-course meal with a choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert included in the price. There were multiple vegetarian options that were even more delicious than the dry chicken Sonia ordered, and we were pleased with the overall experience. A meal at the Versace Mansion is definitely a must-do the next time you visit Miami. Three course meal at Varsace Mansion Miami What To Do Overall, we were pleasantly surprised to see how much Miami and South Beach had developed over the last 18 years and loved all the new experiences we got to have on this trip. Little Havana : Little Havana is a region of Miami with a heavy Cuban population and influence. While Little Havana is a large region, a majority of the restaurants and tourist attractions are along 8th street or Calle Ocho. Starting at the Bay of Pigs Monument we walked down 8th street, stopping to buy mojitos and fresh coconut water from local vendors. We stopped by Azucar Ice Cream, a famous Cuban ice cream shop with many unique flavors, and it did not disappoint. We loved the strong Cuban influence that was present throughout Little Havana, from the food to the clothing to the street murals. Sights around Little Havana Bayfront Park / Miami Riverwalk : The Riverwalk is a lovely landscaped trail along the Miami River which winds through the downtown area and among modern skyscrapers. You can get awesome pictures of the multi-storied apartment complexes that make up the magnificent Miami skyline, especially at night. The Riverwalk starts at Brickell shopping center where you can also grab a ride on the Skyview Miami, which is a 200 ft ferris wheel offering unparalleled views of downtown Miami. View of Downtown Miami from the Riverwalk Venetian Causeway : The Venetian Causeway consists of 12 bridges that connect the 11 man-made Venetian Islands which lie in the Biscayane Bay between Miami Beach and Miami. It is a very nice area to walk, especially at night with views of the Miami skyline and Biscayane Bay. Venetian causeway to the left, with the view of Miami skyline Miami Design District : The Miami Design District is where creativity meets fashion. The District houses some of the biggest flagship designer stores such as Fendi, Hermes, Dior, Cartier and Louis Vuitton, surrounded by some of the best architecture and public artwork in the country. A stroll around the district followed by a dining experience at one of the renowned eateries is always a must while in Miami. The many art installations of Miami Fashion District Key Biscayane Beach : While eating and sightseeing were a major part of our trip, we obviously found time to spend on the beautiful Miami beaches. We loved the warm bright blue waters of South Beach but the beaches were extremely crowded. We took a quick trip to Key Biscayne Beach, primarily to recreate an old picture from 2003, and found the beach to be comparatively less crowded but the water a bit cooler. But with the historic lighthouse in the backdrop, this beach proved to be the most scenic one on our trip. Where To Eat House Of Dior : Outside of South Beach, we found more couture cuisine in the fashion district of Miami at the Dior store. This multi-level House of Dior has a small rooftop cafe with a pricey menu. The line for the cafe forms about a half-hour before the store even opens, yet the hype was unfortunately not worth it. While the rooftop ambiance was quaint and everything from the plates to the cutlery to the cushion covers was branded with the Dior logo, the food and drinks were overpriced and bland. The food serving sizes are minuscule and the drinks lacked sweetness or flavor, and everything was once again branded with an edible form of the Dior logo. You can go here for the photo-op but don’t expect to leave with a full belly. In summary, Miami and South Beach are vibrant and fun holiday destinations which are forever changing with the times. Be it a repeat tourist or a first-timer, Miami has something for everyone and is bound to become a favorite holiday spot for the traveler in you.

I have made it my mission to try as many "unique stays" as Airbnb has to offer, so when I came across the opportunity to stay in a lighthouse with a group of fun-loving friends, I knew we had to try it out. Montara Lighthouse is a functional lighthouse that has multiple guesthouses on the property. Located in Montara, CA, it is about an hours drive from anywhere in the Bay Area. Its proximity made it the perfect location for a weekend getaway. Prior to COVID the lighthouse operated as an hostel. Post-COVID, the hostel has been converted into a private Airbnb. What was unique about Montara Lighthouse is that the public cannot gain access to the lighthouse unless one stays in one of the airbnb accommodation on the property. They have 3 different rental options: a 2-bedroom private suite that sleeps 6 people, a 2-bedroom surfside house that sleeps 12 people, and a 4-bedroom sea lodge that sleeps 16 people. >> Got a question about Montara Lighthouse AirBnB that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. We were a group of 14 so we booked the Sea Lodge. Since it was previously a hostel, all of the beds were bunked. Out of the 4 rooms, one contained 2 sets of twin bunks, one contained 3 sets of twin bunks, and the other two had king beds with a twin bunk overhead. There was one bathroom attached to one of the king bedrooms and another bathroom in the hall. The lodge had a kitchen that was fully stocked with all necessary kitchen items (pots, plates, coffee maker, etc), and a common area with a large couch and dining table. The lodge was just enough space for all 14 of us, but it definitely got cramped at times, especially when it came to sharing 2 full bathrooms. However, the best part of the lodge was by far the view. View from the kitchen area Dining Area View of the sunset from the Sea Lodge The lighthouse and the lodge are located at the edge of a cliff and offer stunning views of the ocean and the coastline. There was a trail next to the lighthouse that led to a private beach with an abundance of pristine shells to collect and sea coves to explore at low tide. View of the cliffs and the private beach There were a number of sea caves to explore on the private beach at low tide. In the mornings, we drank tea and practiced yoga under the lighthouse. Early morning yoga by the Montara Lighthouse Enjoying morning tea by the lighthouse on a foggy morning Just outside the lighthouse property, a trail along the edge of the cliffs ran parallel to the coastline providing spectacular views of the rugged cliffs and the crashing waves. We also went on a long walk along the trail to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve where we saw sea lions basking in the sun on the beach and a beautiful grove of cypress trees. Harbor seals sunbathing at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Early morning walk through the cypress trees at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve The lodge was also a short drive away from Pillar Point Beach where some of us rented kayaks while the others chilled on the beach. Kayaking at Pillar Point Beach The Airbnb was definitely a unique stay and a wonderful and nearby experience for a large group. The hosts were very kind and accommodating. The views we woke up to were to die for, and we hated leaving at the end of a fun weekend.

If you are experiencing zoom fatigue, want to break away from the norm, or just want to escape from civilization, I have a perfect place for you : A mountaintop yurt in the middle of nowhere in the Santa Cruz mountains. This is a great glamping experience perfect for a couple, and gets booked months in advance. >> Got a question about Santa Cruz Yurt AirBnB that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. As seen in the picture above and video below, this yurt is HUGE. It has a small kitchen area, a luxurious queen size bed and a comfortable couch made cozy by an old-fashioned gas fireplace. The yurt is decorated beautifully, with hints of spirituality and mindfulness in everything you see. There is ample natural light with a glass dome at the top, and windows all around. Although this place is great to disconnect from the digital world, wifi is available and the signal is strong throughout the yurt. The outdoor open-air shower and pit toilet remind you that this is a glamping experience, and not a resort style stay. The yurt is located on Summit Road in Watsonville. Surrounded by redwoods, the view of the starry sky at night is magical. It is adjacent to the tranquil Kim Son Buddhist Temple, and you are sometimes woken to the sound of gongs and chanting by the monks. The number of giant sized Buddhist statues that adorn the temple premise is astounding. At times peacocks wander on the premise and so do a number of deer. A mile down on Summit Road is Mt.Madonna Center and Sankata Mochana Hanuman temple, another spiritual place worth a visit. The closest grocery store is 30 minutes away in Watsonville, so come prepared with food and all necessities. If you do feel the need to get back to civilization or want to go out for a nice dinner, Watsonville has a quaint little downtown. We tried Ellas At The Airport for Italian dinner one night, and as the name indicates, the restaurant is located in the small Watsonville airport. It was fun watching small aircrafts land and take off as we ate dinner. Need to stay active? Mt.Madonna County Park is just a few miles down Summit Road. It offers a number of trails for every ability and elevation. BlackHawk-Ridge-Sprig Trail loop is the most popular trail in the park. We started out on it, missed a turn and ended up curating our own loop across a number of trails. This park of redwoods is massive and but well marked. And the enormity of the Redwoods always astounds me no matter how many times I hike through them. So the next time you are in the mood for a romantic getaway, or just want to be lost in nature, do consider this hidden gem of a place. You can thank me later!

It is no surprise that San Francisco offers some of the world's best selections of international cuisine. Hence there are many companies that offer guided food tours throughout the city, often for a hefty price. As locals, we felt we decided to curate our own food tour to expand our palette and try all the food San Francisco has to offer. While the SF Ferry Building is a popular tourist destination that we have frequented many times, we have surprisingly tried very few of the restaurants there. So our darling daughter did some research and created a DIY Food Tasting Tour of the Ferry Building. The key to our food tour was ordering only 1 or 2 items from each restaurant so we did not fill up too quickly. >> Got a question about SF Ferry Building Food Tour that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. Red Bay Coffee: This was our first stop on our food tour, and we tried the Saigon Latte. This latte is made with condensed milk that adds a pleasant sweetness to the drink without being overpowering or sickly sweet. Even though we are not the biggest coffee drinkers, we thoroughly enjoyed this latte, as the beans were not over roasted, the drink was not too sweet, and the coffee was warm enough. Le Bonta Italiane: Our next stop was a small pop-up stand outside of The Village Market store in the Ferry Building. It was a young boy at a small folding table selling beautiful Italian donuts. Filled with various flavors of cream and topped with powdered sugar, these sweet treats were delicious to look at and to taste. They came in custard, raspberry, pistachio, and Nutella flavors and we opted for the pistachio. While the filling was light, creamy, and not too sweet, the texture of the donut itself was a bit too chewy for my liking. Nothing beats the light airiness of a Krispy Kreme donut, but this Italian donut was still delicious and quickly devoured by our family. ACME Bread Co: While there are many bakeries in the Ferry Building, ACME Bread Co is definitely at the top of that list. We got a cheese and jalapeno turnover that was to die for. The pastry was buttery and flaky and the filling had a nice kick to it and wasn't overly cheesy. ACME Bread also sells a wide variety of fresh-baked bread and pastries, and we took a few loaves home that were also delicious. El Porteno Empanadas: El Porteno is an empanada stand that offers a selection of both meat and vegetarian empanadas. While we love empanadas, it is often difficult to find vegetarian ones, so we were thrilled by the variety at El Porteno. We tried the Champinones and the Humita empanadas that were filled with mushrooms and cheese, and sweet corn and red peppers, respectively. Both had a buttery crisp pastry crust and very flavorful fillings but the Humita was definitely our favorite. El Porteno has many more vegetarian and meat empanadas that are all worth trying, but they do sell out later in the day so try to go before noon. Humphrey Slocombe: Humphrey Slocombe Ice Cream had rave reviews online and was consistently listed as a must-eat place in the Ferry Building. We ordered the Secret Breakfast Sundae, their #1 best seller, and were unfortunately quite disappointed. The Secret Breakfast Sundae consisted of two scoops of secret breakfast ice cream - a bourbon ice cream with cornflakes mixed in, topped with frosted cornflakes and a bourbon caramel glaze. The ice cream had a bitter bourbon taste to it, and the cornflakes mixed in had a grainy soggy texture that was not very enjoyable. We were disappointed by this sundae, given the hype it received, but this restaurant had the longest line out of all the places we visited. So it is clearly popular for some reason. Grande Creperie: Our second to last stop was Grande Creperie, a cute crepe bistro with outdoor seating that offered great views of the Bay Bridge. We tried the Verte crepe which was filled with broccoli, arugula, cucumbers, ricotta, and Calabrian chili. What made this crepe unique was its dark brown color as it was made with buckwheat which gave it a different but enjoyable flavor. While we wish the filling was distributed more evenly throughout the crepe and wish there was some more flavor overall, we were satisfied by this light snack. Dandelion Chocolate: We ended our food tour with a stop at Dandelion Chocolate, a bean-to-bar chocolate factory. While they have larger locations throughout the city, the one in the ferry building served mainly coffee and chocolate-based drinks as well as a few chocolate pastries and desserts. We tried their frozen hot chocolate drink and were surprised by the lack of sweetness and the slight bitterness from the cacao seeds. You could tell that there were not any processed ingredients that went into this drink as the fresh flavor of the cacao seeds was very distinct. Overall, we were glad that we got to try a wide variety of the food that the Ferry Building had to offer and were mostly satisfied with everything we ate. A DIY food tour such as this is a great way to experience food from all over the world, without getting bogged down by restaurant choices and reservations.

San Francisco is a haven of great photography spots - you just have to know where to look! Grab your favorite model and head to any of the places below to take some great photos. >> Got a question about any of these SF Photo locations that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. Bernal Heights Park: Bernal Heights Park is a small hillside park nestled in a South San Francisco neighborhood that offers 360 degree views of the city. There are many small ledges that give the illusion of one sitting at the edge of a cliff, with the entire city in the background. The short climb up this hill is definitely worth it for the views and the photos. Mildred Howard's Frame: Located behind the Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, this art installation frames a view of the Bay Bridge with the ships in front of it. It is an enlarged version of an antique Rococo style frame. This unique piece of art will beautifully frame any model. Andy Goldsworthy's Woodline: There is a small eucalyptus grove in the Presidio in San Fran which has been made famous by Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line. This unique outdoor art installation of fallen eucalyptus wooden branches laid in a zigzag pattern gives the whole area a magical atmosphere. Son & Garden Restaurant : This restaurant, on Polk St, is all about the visuals. The atmosphere is fun, the decor is very feminine and fancy, and the food is equally pretty. The flower wall is the most popular spot in the restaurant to take pictures. Mission Dolores Park: Dolores Park, located in vibrant Mission District, is one of San Francisco's most popular parks. It is a great spot to have a picnic lunch with view of the impressive city skyline in front of you. Legion of Honor: Legion of Honor is an art museum located near Lands End. While the inside of the museum has a vast collection of impressive artwork, the exterior of the museum is just as beautiful. The Grecian columns provide an elegant backdrop for photos for any occasion, and the museum is located on a hill that overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge. Whether it's a prom, birthday, or wedding photoshoot, this location should be at the top of your list. Mosaic Steps: It is no secret that there are many beautiful mosaic tiled staircases around San Francisco. You may have seen the 16th avenue stairs of San Francisco. You may have even seen the lesser-known Hidden Garden stairs. But did you know there were 5 other such stairs hidden all over the city? Lincoln Park Steps Location: 32nd Avenue, between California Street and the Lincoln Park Golf Course My favorite of all the stairs, due to the vibrance and clarity of the design. This was the shortest and the widest of the 7 mosaic steps. This was first built in the early 1900s but has been redone since. The artwork on the tiles represents plants and trees surrounding the stairs. Athens Avalon Greenspace Location: Avalon Avenue and Athens Street This colorful staircase with a simple design is nestled in a quiet neighborhood and is surrounded by a lovely garden to complement the stairs. Tompkins Stairway Location: Nevada Street and Tompkins Avenue We loved the pop of colors in this zigzag pattern of tiles. This project, called “Created by neighbors — for neighbors,” transformed a “once trash-covered hillside” into a safe park that serves as a community green space in Bernal Heights. Kenny Alley Location: Mission Street, between France and Italy Avenues Although not very well maintained, it is yet another short flight of stairs (47 steps), the design depicts a waterfall. Can you see it? Flights of the Fancy Steps Location: Innes Ave and Arelious Walker Street This beautiful flight of stairs, found in an underdeveloped, industrial area of the city (Hunter Point) was the most poorly maintained of all the 7 stairs. The tile designs represent Native American and Central American artwork. Hidden Garden Steps Location: 15th Avenue and Kirkham Street The second most popular stairs in the city depict our world’s colorful nature, with a combination of vivid flowers and insects. The entirety of this set of stairs is hidden between several buildings, earning its name of hidden garden steps. 16th Avenue Tiled Steps/Moraga Steps Location: 16th Avenue and Moraga Street Last, but not least, this is the most popular of all the 7 stairways and has now become a major tourist attraction. Inspired by similar stairs in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, the mosaic panels depict the world: starting from the ocean at the bottom, climbing all the way up to the sun, detailing animals, fish, and shells along the way.