Artwork at the African Marketplace in Leimert Park
Over the past few years there has been a push to shop, eat and live a locally sustainable life. In urban areas folks are making container gardens, raising chickens, and hitting neighborhood farmers markets in an attempt to save the planet and live healthier lives, but what about travel?
Do you travel locally?
When people usually think of traveling they picture boarding a plane, cruise ship, or hopping in their car for a long road trip. But what about excursions that just take a few hours or a day?
Growing up, my family and I took several day trips, usually to the beach. Living in southern California meant that we could pop over to the coast and explore the tide pools, look for crabs, and practice racing along the shore virtually any time we wanted.
My father was a P.E. teacher so he’d love to take us somewhere and get us nice and tired before heading home. My mother, on the other, hand filled our weekends with trips to the museum and musical performances. And although my parents were by no means rich, we regularly took car trips to Las Vegas, San Diego, the Mexican border, and flew to Ohio yearly to see the rest of our family.
But just about every weekend I could count on going somewhere and getting out of the house. And we had a great time.
Le kid & I on the road.
As I’ve gotten older, travel has meant taking longer trips across the country or across the Pond. But now that I’m a parent (ok, I’ve been a parent for 6 years now lol), my goal is to expose my son to as many things—locally and abroad—that I possibly can. Most of the time that means sticking close to home and seeing things in our backyard…and we’ve been pretty good at doing that, but this year I’d like to do more.
In the coming weeks le kid and I will venture to San Diego and check out the brand new Children’s Museum, head into the desert to check out Palm Springs’ Living Desert Zoo, and hit up L.A.’s own historic Olvera Street. I’d also like to check out some of the wineries in Temecula and Santa Barbara, and maybe even venture up to Napa for a weekend.
One thing is for sure, I’m no longer feeling down about not being able to hop on a plane at the drop of a hat because I realize there’s so much to see and do right here.
What about you guys…do you travel locally? Ever act like a tourist in your own city?
That artwork with the afro is AMAZING! I need that in my life!
I’m in love with my city, NYC! Totally agree with being a tourist in your own town. Adds to the spice and excitement of your day to day life. Happy New Year!
Thanks Kali…I love NYC too (i miss living there lol).
That artwork with the afro is AMAZING! I need that in my life!
I’m in love with my city, NYC! Totally agree with being a tourist in your own town. Adds to the spice and excitement of your day to day life. Happy New Year!
Thanks Kali…I love NYC too (i miss living there lol).
As much as I love hopping on an airplane to head to distant lands, I thoroughly enjoy being a tourist in my own city, state, and country, and take full advantage of it every chance I get. Every weekend is a mini vacation for me, to the extent that most errands/chores are done during the week so that my weekends are free for me to explore. Most days I just need a tank of gas and a picnic and I’m off to explore my city, especially since it is Los Angeles and there’s so much variety in what one can do here. These staycations never get old… try it!
I need more picnics in my life. I’m stealing this!
As much as I love hopping on an airplane to head to distant lands, I thoroughly enjoy being a tourist in my own city, state, and country, and take full advantage of it every chance I get. Every weekend is a mini vacation for me, to the extent that most errands/chores are done during the week so that my weekends are free for me to explore. Most days I just need a tank of gas and a picnic and I’m off to explore my city, especially since it is Los Angeles and there’s so much variety in what one can do here. These staycations never get old… try it!
I need more picnics in my life. I’m stealing this!
I am day trip girl… and I LOVE IT! My day trips include trips to the Jersey Shore, New York City, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. What I absolutely love doing is looking at the travel channel and searching for different landmarks they suggest located in NJ. Thanks to the travel channel, I’ve visited local museums I’ve never heard of before, legendary diners, and the greatest food trucks in the area!
I never thought of using the travel or food channel as my guide. Great ideas!
I am day trip girl… and I LOVE IT! My day trips include trips to the Jersey Shore, New York City, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. What I absolutely love doing is looking at the travel channel and searching for different landmarks they suggest located in NJ. Thanks to the travel channel, I’ve visited local museums I’ve never heard of before, legendary diners, and the greatest food trucks in the area!
I never thought of using the travel or food channel as my guide. Great ideas!
Some other ideas for day tripping in the OC ; The Great Park has a giant helium balloon that takes you hundreds of feet off the ground and a carousel, both free! The OC Zoo at Irvine Park exclusively displays the animals found in our own backyards and the Southern California wilderness. They have docent tours that educate you on all the animals too! Near the Zoo is a wilderness center and pony rides!
Ans since you are visiting Santa Barbara, don’t miss out on the little town of Solvang, Le Kid will love the Bavarian theming!
Great ideas, TJ…I’d never heard of The Great Park before, and anything that’s FREE I’m on it!!
Some other ideas for day tripping in the OC ; The Great Park has a giant helium balloon that takes you hundreds of feet off the ground and a carousel, both free! The OC Zoo at Irvine Park exclusively displays the animals found in our own backyards and the Southern California wilderness. They have docent tours that educate you on all the animals too! Near the Zoo is a wilderness center and pony rides!
Ans since you are visiting Santa Barbara, don’t miss out on the little town of Solvang, Le Kid will love the Bavarian theming!
Great ideas, TJ…I’d never heard of The Great Park before, and anything that’s FREE I’m on it!!
Sadly, I haven’t played tourist enough in my hometown of Toronto! It’s ridiculous that I know places in Europe like the back of my hand but have barely explored Canada, my country of birth. I really need to change that!
Girl, I LOVED T dot. O (granted I was only there for a day, but still…lol). I’ll def be back, and you should totally explore!
Sadly, I haven’t played tourist enough in my hometown of Toronto! It’s ridiculous that I know places in Europe like the back of my hand but have barely explored Canada, my country of birth. I really need to change that!
Girl, I LOVED T dot. O (granted I was only there for a day, but still…lol). I’ll def be back, and you should totally explore!