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If Schengen didn’t spoil the fun, my passport would bleed ink.
Having the pleasure of visiting faraway countries such as Estonia and Morocco and visiting global icons Cancun (where I am currently writing this), some might say I have traveled backwards.
Sure, it’s a lot easier to start in your own backyard, but there doesn’t seem to be a cure for my wanderlust itch, no matter how many times I scratch it.
That said, I still enjoy traveling around my own country as much as anyone else, but there’s no doubt that my experiences seem upside down to most.
Whether it’s my home state of California or heading up the coast to warmer shores, I don’t always have to check entry requirements when it comes time to book a trip.
I may be running low on passport pages, but there are five US destinations that bring me back every year for a myriad of reasons, so let’s start with my favorite and work our way down, shall we?
1) Nokomis: The Florida you wished still existed
Despite their world-renowned fame, neither Orlando nor Miami are great ambassadors for what Florida is really like.
Yes, people may prefer Disney’s oversized rodents to other oversized wildlife that wants to eat you, but not a Discovery Channel show, nor each It’s Florida, man episode accurately reflects the Florida I see year after year.
Nokomis is the perfect antidote to what some call Florida’s tourism overload, especially in Southwest Florida, home to the ever-busy Clearwater and Siesta Key.
Every time I vacation here (even in the middle of summer), there is always free front row parking and wide open white sandy beaches along the same beautiful water shared by both of the aforementioned beach towns.
Nokomis feels like Real Florida without being forced to mingle with retirees who clung to the past.
You know – lively tiki bars, crowd-free beaches, secret fishing spots and the perfect gateway to whiz through scenic canals that lead to nameless paradises like Stump’s pass And Midnight pass.
2) San Antonio: A party city that’s more fun than Vegas
Vegas has lost its luster.
That’s not to say that San Antonio is a direct comparison, but my non-existent fun meter shows that “San Antone” would be off the charts compared to Sin City.
And I’ve been to both cities several times…
A better comparison would be nearby Austin, another city that lost some of his charm. That’s what draws me back to San Antonio for years: it just keeps getting better, while other big cities are screwing it up somehow.
San Antonio doesn’t get the credit it deserves, despite being one of America’s largest cities, with a rich history and Spanish heritage.
There is no other cityscape so uniquely built with a river running through it and a proud, vibrant culture that permeates every corner in some form or another.
From historical Market Square to the guardrail-less one River walk that I’ve somehow never stumbled off course after a Texas-sized margarita is only scratching the surface of the delights of downtown.
San Antonio is super affordable across the board and quite dangerous in the sense that there really is no such thing as a bad meal, regardless of whether it’s a long-standing community food staple like Los Barrios or a trendy hotspot in the more modern area Pearl District.
3) San Francisco: the only west coast icon that lives up to the hype
No judgement, but I just don’t understand the hype surrounding LA. Having new ones will never do that.
It’s another one of those cities, like Vegas, where nothing feels real at times on an almost dystopian level.
Although, San Francisco?
It may be pricey, but it’s definitely worth a visit. In my opinion, there is no better Chinatown in America.
There is also no better Japantown.
There’s also no more obvious tourist trap that’s actually fun than Fisherman’s Wharf.
That said, plus its unparalleled beauty, no matter which waterfront viewpoint you find yourself in, you would be hard-pressed to find a city that encompasses culture, food, beauty, luxury and a multitude of things to see and do than San Fran.
The only knock is safety, a common topic of conversation among travelers. Personally, I’ve never felt out of place, but I also manage to avoid the zombie movie vibes of the Tenderloin District.
Whatever you do, make time for a visit Terracotta warrior – my favorite Asian restaurant on Planet Earth.
4) Mesilla: the secret time capsule of the southwest
Given all the UFO talk lately, I’m tempted to head back to Roswell and see what I missed.
But the truth is, the only New Mexico town I visit every year is little-known Mesilla.
My girlfriend and I have family in El Paso, Texas, but every time we visit, we “force” them to go to Mesilla. Their answer is always the same: “twist my arm”.
We purposely take the back roads of El Paso past beautiful pecan farms that no one seems to know about, in classic “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey” fashion.
But in this case it’s both.
Mesilla isn’t often discussed in travel circles, but it’s reminiscent of a city with a map in the microcosm of the Fort Worth Stockyards.
You will find a historic square with farmers markets on the weekend, renovated saloons that have been transformed into delicious steakhouses, cozy boutiques and nice museums that exhibit the downfall of Billy the Kid.
It really is a time capsule, but… Double Eagle‘s spicy margaritas only enhance it – at least that’s what I tell myself…
Not to mention, this region is completely underrated for its beautiful mountain hikes, wine country, and breweries.
5) Julian, CA: My annual weekend getaway
Speaking of time capsules, the rustic mountain town of Julian, just an hour or so outside my hometown of San Diego, is just as magical.
The reason I put it after Mesilla is for one reason: tourists now know about it.
It’s a full-fledged holiday destination rather than a secret hideaway.
Despite having no traffic lights, Julian is always green for a weekend getaway in any season, but in the summer when the tourists invade.
Its claim to fame has long been its crumbly pies. So much so that there are bakeries all over the main strip, each with its own twist and flavours.
This city alone is the reason I will one day soon be heading towards “diabeetus”, with ciders serving fun adult juices and bakeries whipping up sinfully delicious cakes.
Julian doesn’t have to be an in-and-out day out either. You can find plenty of cozy, simple places to stay, and almost the entire city is walkable.
