Stroll the many beaches of Pacifica in Northern California at sunset.

Are you visiting Pacifica for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in this Northern California oceanfront oasis.

Visitors from out of town will be blown away by the natural beauty of this area.  Pacifica offers surfing at Linda Mar Beach, hiking along Mori’s Point or exploring the many parks that are protected by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, one of the world’s largest urban parks,  providing unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean.

For more ocean views, check out San Pedro Valley Park. Located in Park Pacifica, this ethereal, vista-packed trail brings wonderful solitude and views of the ocean. If the fog factor sends you indoors, Ocean Yoga offers daily classes for yoga enthusiasts of all levels.

Walk to the top of Sweeney Ridge, the discovery site of the San Francisco Bay Area. Not looking for exercise? Milagra Ridge offers spectacular views, without the uphill climb.

Too bad Gaspar de Portola didn’t have an iPhone  back in 1769 when he came upon the famous peak at Sweeney Ridge. Bring your camera here, as this is the discovery site of the Bay Area by de Portola.  If you are not feeling adventurous for a serious hike, you can stroll the many beaches at sunset.  The town has oceanfront lodging if you decide to to stay for the evening and listen to the lullaby of the ocean waves.

Hiking along an oceanfront trail in Pacifica, California

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in Pacifica

If you are looking for great local cuisine, I recommend watching the sunset over dinner at Nicks Restaurant in Rockaway Beach. Gorilla BBQ in Vallemar is famous for its Pork Ribs and a stint on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  Barolo has an extensive wine list paired with delectable Italian cuisine and Tam’s Chinese Honey and Walnut Prawns are not to be missed.

The best item on the menu at Granuccis is the Sea Bass.  The place for the best hamburger is Rockin’ Robs, voted by Rand McNally as one of the best stops for a burger and milkshake.

Looking for cheap food in Pacifica? Go to the oceanfront Taco Bell in Linda Mar Beach which was rated #9 on The Travel Channel’s World Best Fast Food Stops.

Go to Café Pacifica a great coffee and fresh pastries. Or Salada Beach Café and High Tides for a delicious breakfast.

Nona’s Kitchen, High Tides, or La Playa are the places for expensive meals that are worth the price.

Enjoy a night out on the town? Try  A Grape in the Fog for wine followed by dinner at Barolo.

The Frontierland Park offers a great place to take your family for a picnic and enjoy the annual Fourth of July Festival fireworks display.  Or, take the kids to Pacifica Skate Park – a free and safe skateboarding mecca located behind the Pacifica Community Center.

Watch pelicans and dolphins from Pacifica's Pier

In Pacifica,  try your hand at fishing or watch the dolphins and pelicans cruise by from the Pacifica Pier.

Looking for a little exercise?  Walk along Mori Point or the many beaches, or take a surfing lesson at Linda Mar Beach.  Sharp Park Golf Course is an ocean side jewel, designed by Alistar MacKenzie who was also responsible for the Augusta National Gold Course in Georgia, where the Masters Tournament is played.

Have you visited Sam's Castle in Pacifica, California - what a trip

Have you heard about Sam’s Castle? Run by the Pacifica Historical Society, the castle was built in 1908 by Henry Harrison McClosky. Thanks to the Sam Mazza Foundation you can visit this former brothel, speakeasy, and party palace. Watch out for the ghosts. I’ve heard the castle is haunted. If you are a museum or theater lover, Pacifica’s best museum is the Sanchez Art Center.   The best theater performances are performed by the Pacifica Spindrift Players.

Plenty to See and Do in Pacific, California

In the springtime foodies should attend Taste of Pacifica, held at Nick’s Restaurant in Rockaway. This annual event showcases a lot of  Pacifica’s wonderful restaurants.

In the fall, make plans to attend Sept. 23 – Fandango Dinner and Dance at the Sanchez Adobe benefiting the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce.  This is the kick-off to Fog Fest (details below) and is a festive, Spanish themed dinner dance.

Sept. 24, 25 – 26th Annual Annual Pacific Coast Fog Festival on Palmetto Avenue in Pacifica.  The festival was created in 1986 to promote Pacifica’s coastal climate, and includes a parade, sand castle contest and marching band competition.  Arts and crafts booths, food, and the famous FogCutter cocktail define this street fair extravaganza.

Oct. 17 – The Golf Tournament at Sharp Park Golf Course includes 18 holes of golf (best ball), lunch and dinner at the course, along with awards and prizes.

Pacifiica also has the Coastside Farmer’s Market at Rockaway Beach, held from 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

Take a surfing lesson at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, California

Celebrate Fog in Pacifica at Pacific Coast Fog Fest

Did you know that Pacifica is known for its annual celebration of Northern California coastal living? Plan a visit to Pacific Coast Fog Fest (September 24 & 25) In the fall. The Festival includes the Discover Pacifica Parade, a sand castle contest and a marching band competition.

Come for bowling at Sea Bowl during the winter or have a glass of wine at Grape in the Fog.  The wine bar has events most Wednesday and Sunday nights.

Insider Tip: Check out the Sanchez Adobe, an historic site built in the 1840’s.  The Adobe is open to the public Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.  Admission is free for children under 6.  A $1.00 donation is requested of all other visitors.  Take your kids to Rancho Days at the Sanchez Adobe.

Did you know that San Francisco is located just 15 minutes north of  Pacifica, in Northern California? You’ll want to discover Pacifica for yourself on foot.  Hike the many trails and stroll the beaches.

Don’t miss Frontierland Park or an overnight stay by the ocean in Rockaway Beach if you have kids traveling with you.  The skatepark and the Segway tour along the ocean bluffs are great family friendly activities.

Have you been to Pacifica? What are your favorite things to do in Pacifica, California? To learn more about Pacifica, Visit Pacifica’s website.

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Thanks to Pacifica Visitor’s Center for assistance with this post and photos.

Pacifica

Visiting colorful Curacao? Save time for a trip to Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Are you visiting Curaçao for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in dushi Korsou – the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao.

Did you know that downtown Willemstad, in the Dutch Caribbean of Curacao, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

If you are looking for typical Curaçaon cuisine, I recommend Jaanchie’s on the West end of the island.

Looking for a quiet place to escape and unplug from the digital world? Check out one of the beautiful beaches on the western part of the island.

When you come to Curacao, takes pictures at the Floating Market in Willemstad

When you come to Curaçao, take your picture on the floating bridge in front of the colorful Handelskade.

The best item on the menu at Restaurant La Bahia, is the Keshi Yena (Stuffed Gouda Cheese).

Seeing a lot of Iguanas on the island? Curaçao is best known for Iguana soup – oh my!

Plenty of Iguanas to be found in Curacao

Looking for cheap and authentic food in Curaçao, go to Marshe Bieuw, the Old Market, in downtown Willemstad – where the locals eat.

For quality Swiss and French cuisine, go to the five star Bistro Le Clochard.

In Curaçao, take your picture with an ostrich at the Ostrich Farm!

For your best pictures and viewing, walk to the top of Riffort Village.

The Fort Nassau offers great views and Handleskade is the best place to watch or experience the Heineken Regatta Curacao.

In Curaçao, outdoor enthusiasts will want to hike Christoffel Park or hop on one of Eric’s ATVs.

Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the Jan Thiel walkway.

If you are a museum lover, Curaçao’s best museum is Kura Hulanda Museum.

Ready to enjoy a night out on the town? For a night of dancing, go to Mambo Beach.

Eat authentic Curacao food at Marshe Bieuw in Willemstad, Curacao

The Truk’i Pan  – a food truck,  is the spot for late night dining.

K-Pasa, offers movie reviews and will keep you posted on what’s happening in Curaçao.

You can tell a lot about Curaçao from visiting and watching Carnival, the island’s Mardi Gras!

In the spring you should attend Curaçao Kite Festival.

In the summer you should plan a trip with Substation Curaçao.

Did you know that Curaçao is known for its annual North Sea Jazz Festival? Plan a visit to Curaçao in the fall, this Labor Day weekend.

Come to Curaçao for pagaras and firework events in the winter – all the local business participate.

Visit Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Willemstad, Curacao. The oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere.

Insider Tip:  Check out the often over-looked Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Curaçao. The oldest synagogue still in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere.

Go to Landhuis Daniel for a great breakfast treat or coffee.

If you are looking for a dolphin experience, just outside of Willemstad you can visit Dolphin Academy, and have lunch at the Seaside Terrace.

Do you plan to travel around the entire island of Curacao? You’ll need to rent a car. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Curacao, which offers transportation to the resort from the airport and an inexpensive shuttle service to downtown Willemstad.

Don’t miss the Sea Aquarium if you have kids traveling with you.

What are your favorite things to do in one of the Caribbean ABC islands of Auruba, Bonaire and Curacao?

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Thanks to Curacao Tourism for assistance with this post. I was a guest of Hyatt Regency Curacao.

Come to Hawaii's Big Island, Get Your Picture Taken with King Kamehameha

My favorite tips and locations for the Big Island in Hawaii.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park! (HVNP)

When I crave Big Island cuisine, I turn to Hilo Farmers Market.

To escape work I go to  Kalapana. I like the Hawaiian Lava Daily blog for what’s currently happening with the lava flow. The official site is the County of Hawaii site.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at Waianuhea Inn in Honokaaa.

If you come to the Kohala Coast, get your picture taken by the plume coming from Halemaumau Crater, or the black sand beach at Kalapana or the King Kamehameha statue in Kapaau.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Hilo Bay Cafe, get the Blue Bay Burger.

The Kohala Coast is my one stop shop for adventure. On my recent visit I swam with dolphins and sea turtles, went horseback riding, took a helicopter ride over lava flows and watched my friends go zip-lining!

Go on a horseback riding vacation on Hawaii's Big Island

When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I go to Café 100.

For a huge splurge, I go to Monette’s at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

Photo ops on the Big Island include HVNP, sunsets on the Kohala Coast, boats and giant cleats on Kailua Pier, Ahuena Heiau, the Puna coastline, Hapuna Beach, Puukohola Heiau, the pastures and ranches of Waimea and sunsets at Mauna Kea summit.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Mauna Kea.

The most random thing about the Kohala Coast is the Kona Coffee & Cultural Festival – this is its 40^th year.

On the Big Island, an active day outdoors involves walking or hiking the Kilauea Iki Trail, HVNP, horseback riding, swimming with dolphins and sea turtles or surfing.

My favorite walking route is the Ala Kahakai Trail along the Kohala Coast or Queen Liliuokalani Park in Hilo.

The Big Island’s best museums are Imiloa Astronomy Center and Lyman Museum.

Kona Village for an authentic Hawaiian Luau

For a night of dancing, go to Lulu’s in Kona.

Ken’s House of Pancakes in Hilo is the spot for late night dining.

To find out what’s going on a night or on weekends, read the  Hawaii Tribune Herald –Saturday section has the Calendar of Events. West Hawaii Today and Big Island Weekly, as well.

You can tell a lot about Hawaii’s Big Island from visiting the Kohala Coast
and watching Outrigger canoe racing events.

In the spring you should attend Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, if you can get tickets!

In the summer you should attend Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Races in Kona and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament in Kona.

In the fall you should visit Kona coffee country.

In the winter you should go to Mauna Kea. The volcano could be covered in snow!

Hidden gem on Hawaii's Big Island is the Love Pond at Mauna Lani Resort

A hidden gem on the Kohala Coast is Love Pond at the Mauna Lani Resort.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to the Island Lava Java on Alii Drive in Kona

In Hilo you can visit Rainbow Falls or Akaka Falls, just outside of Hilo. Have lunch at the Hilo Bay Café, or What’s Shakin’ in Pepeekeo.

The best way to see the Kohala Coast is by car and helicopter.  You are able to walk around in Hilo and Kona, but to get around the island, you gotta have a car.

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss: going to Hapuna Beach State Park or to Imiloa Astronomy Center.

What are your favorite things to do on Hawaii’s Big Island?

Take a helicopter ride over Hawaii's Kohala Coast and flowing lava

Thanks to Big Island Visitors Bureau and Jessica Ferracane of Irondog Communications for assistance with this post. You may also follow the Hawaiian Island on Twitter or become a Facebook Fan of Hawaii. I was a guest of Big Island Visitors Bureau. Article, YouTube video and photos by Nancy D. Brown

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