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By working for international conferences in Washington, DC and New York City, I've met a ton of high school students who were visiting the US, most for the first time.
"Ally, you didn't tell us they charge you more than what it says on the price tag!" they said. It took me a second to realize they were talking about sales tax. I'm just so used to it; I forgot it would be something the students may not know about.
Here are 12 tips for visiting the United States for the first time:
This isn't just any beach town. With its own flair and attitude, Pacific Beach has a different feel compared to others in Southern California, and this neighborhood is a must during any visit to San Diego. I had been to SD (La Jolla and Coronado) previously when I was younger with family, though it was nice to re-visit the city in my 20s - I have some friends that live there that could show me around, as well as get some beach time in!
San Diego Pacific Beach
Because, obviously. :)
(This was taken on Fourth of July, my friends said it was much more crowded than nomal!)
Pier San Diego Pacific Beach
Beautiful homes, beautiful views, and people watching (or surfer watching).
Acai bowl copy
A Southern California classic - quality Mexican food. It is close to the border, after all! Head to Oscar's or, well, pretty much anywhere for a bite. There is no shortage of good Mexican food in San Diego.
You'll also find acai bowls everywhere, from coffee shops to cafes to Mexican restaurants. My favorite was from PB Beach Cafe on Garnet - the agave nectar, coconut flakes, and blackberries set this one far ahead of the rest. I'd even go as much to say it's the best acai bowl I've ever had!
Spend your Saturday (or any day, we won't judge) having a cold one outdoors. There's an abundance of rooftop lounges and outdoor patios by or near the beach, so you can't go wrong here.
Take the casual daytime buzz from the beach bar and head into the night. You'll definitely see people of all ages, especially in their 20s-30s, out and about.
While these things to do could be done in many places, experiencing it in Pacific Beach is simply different - it's cool, relaxed, and unique, in my opinion!
Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.
It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!
While the weather in Phoenix, Arizona tends to be straightforward most of the year - blue skies, sun, and major heat - sometimes storms are thrown into the mix. The storm could be a monsoon, a 10-30 minute downpour that temporarily floods the streets in the summer, a haboob, a thick wall of dust that travels through town, or even just your average rainstorm.
The skies look the coolest during the calm before the storm, especially at sunset. Check out these photos taken right before a thunderstorm and you'll see why.
Sunsets are also fun to edit. This photo was taken at the same spot, on a different night.
Edited with Mextures app before uploaded to Instagram.
hiking in arizona
The Southwest USA is filled with red rocks and natural wonders that look like they'd be from a different planet. It's amazing how beautiful our world is. Within the USA alone you can go hiking through pretty much every terrain imaginable.
While lush forests are the first to come to mind when you think "hike," you may (or may not) be surprised that the only plants you'll see on Phoenix hikes are wispy trees and cacti.
Three fun Phoenix area hikes include Camelback, Papago, and Pinnacle Peak.
Difficulty: Intermediate (Cholla Trail) or Advanced (Echo Canyon Trail)
View from top of Camelback
Phoenix's most popular hiking spot is Camelback. Situated next to Downtown Scottsdale just northeast of Phoenix, it provides easy access in terms of getting there from anywhere in the Phoenix area, especially if you're staying in Scottsdale.
The Cholla Trail provides great exercise for those in shape but still provides a challenge. Echo Canyon is said to be for those more experienced.
Hiking Camelback Mountain
Difficulty: Easy
Papago Mountain Phoenix
Papago is more of a rock formation that you can walk around on than a mountain and is a great spot for checking out views of Downtown Phoenix from afar.While the address is technically Phoenix, Papago is more in the Tempe area.
Young kids and families with dogs were easily able to get around this area.
DSC_0178
Difficulty: Moderate-intermediate
Pinnacle Peak Hike Scottsdale AZ
Situated in North Scottsdale, Pinnacle Peak is a good spot that provides variety to hikers. Parts of the trail are more flat, parts of it are steep, and there are good lookout points along the way. If you're in Phoenix from out of town, you'll love all the cacti scattered up close around the well-maintained trail.
The intensity varies at times - while you definitely get more of a workout on Pinnacle than Papago, it's not as difficult as the Cholla Trail on Camelback.
Pinnacle Peak Arizona
If you don't live in a big city, a trip to New York will have you awestruck at all the skyscrapers. Rooftop patios, bars, restaurants - you name it - on a nice day, these are some of the best places to be if you're looking for a nice view. Here are some photos from my hotel in Midtown that provided panoramic views of tall buildings - you don't have to look out at Rockefeller or the Empire State Building (or pay $$$) for views like this.
Sunday brunch is one of my favorite weekend activities. There's something so relaxing in catching up with friends mid-morning with a nice meal and a mimosa.
My friends and I were on the hunt of doing just that during our Sunday in New York City and ended up at Friend of a Farmer in Gramercy.
This restaurant has "farm fresh" food and has a charming country feel. From the second you step inside, it feels like you're transported temporarily from the city to a quiet country home.
While one of the servers was a little short with us, the others we interacted with were very kind and helpful. Right when we were about to grab a seat at the bar, a table opened up.
We sat in the upstairs side portion of the restaurant which was decorated with baskets, pots and pans, and other old-town-feel trinkets.
To start, we ordered lemon bread with apple butter.
For our meals we each got a different type of stuffed omelet. Each omelet came in a hot griddle with potatoes and sauces on the side. And of course, the girls got mimosas.
That mimosa was seriously the best I've ever had. Maybe it was because the orange juice tasted extremely fresh, or maybe it was because the restaurants I've had mimosas at previously are trying to disguise a $10 glass of Korbel and Minute Made.
Keep in mind that the bar doesn't open until noon - we were sat around 11:45-ish so our mimosas didn't come right away, which was totally fine, though something you'll want to keep in mind if you get there earlier in the day.
While it was a little pricier than what I'm used to back home - $36 each, including tip - (though that is to be expected from New York), I'd definitely return on a future visit to New York. The combination of the fresh mimosa, hearty omelet, and lemon bread should be enough for anyone to try out this place in the city.
Address: 77 Irving Pl., #1, New York, NY 10003
Manhattan's most famous park is Central Park, though there are many other public gardens around New York City. Bryant Park is a smaller square of bliss, surrounded by skyscrapers yet still embodying a tranquil break from the bustle. Located between Times Square and Grand Central Terminal, you're also sure to spot it if you're in that part of the neighborhood. My friend and I had a lovely break in the park, where we took photos, people watched, and relaxed on some porch swings.
