The West Coast of the United States is a popular road trip destination among tourists and locals. Driving from South to North (or vice versa) will offer spectacular views, amazing national parks and vibrant cities. From Los Angeles to San Francisco you’ll either drive along the scenic and legendarily Highway 1, or along the faster inland route Highway 101. One of California’s most beautiful cities lies along the way: Santa Barbara.

It’s not for nothing that Santa Barbara is a fancied wedding destination and a popular weekend getaway for towners. There are plenty of reasons: the superb location along the ocean, the beautiful beaches of its surroundings, the European-Mediterranean architecture and of course the hiking trails. Santa Barbara offers some of the best day-hikes in California.

Beach Hikes In Santa Barbara.

A hike along Santa Barbara’s beautiful coastline is a must. Clifftop trails offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Harbor seals are a common sight and if you’re lucky, dolphins and even whales can be seen not far from shore. Some of the hikes are along the beach while others are on the top of beachside bluffs. Watch out for high tide through, because some of the beach trails can be inaccessible or your return trip can be cutoff during high tide.

Santa Barbara has some amazing beached along the Central California coastline with a Mediterranean feel.

The Golden State is the perfect getaway spot.

Watching the surfers while walking along the coastline of Santa Barbara can be really relaxing.

Mountain Hikes In Santa Barbara.

Just behind Santa Barbara County lie the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains. This range forms a stunning green backdrop for the American Riviera as Santa Barbara is often referred to. There are many trails along these mountains, visiting quiet canyons & waterfalls, and several tranquil overlooks with stunning ocean views. Keep an eye out for poison oak and bring plenty of water!

An early morning hike in the mountains of Santa Barbara County is strongly recommended to soak up the atmosphere and to recharge your batteries.

Whether you’re experienced, or prefer shorter walks, Santa Barbara offers hikes for every fitness level.

It’s said that the four-hour-drive to Key West is more beautiful than the city itself. That’s probably because it represents two worlds: The Key West that’s visited by hundreds of (cruise ship) tourists each day, who spend the afternoon at the bars along Duval Street, then buy a T-shirt and move on. And then there’s the Key West, that reflects a typical American small town as well as a tropical island, where time seems to stands still and you can simply enjoy life. It’s not for nothing that it was Ernest Hemingway’s safe haven, who lived here for over ten years.

Within walking distance to his house, you’ll come across Key West’s most famous attraction: the red-black-yellow striped buoy in front of which everyone wants a photo. We weren’t willing to wait in line with 20 other people, instead we walked through the cities beautiful little streets and enjoyed examining the cute, French styled houses with wooden outer walls, open porches and folding doors.

All in all Key West is definitely worth a weekend trip. You’ll find whatever your heart desires, except paradise beaches. The road trip down along the Keys, the cozy atmosphere and the interesting architecture won’t disappoint you, promise!

Beautiful beaches are a rare sight in Key West, but you’ll come across a couple of nice piers on the contrary.

Each house in Key West looks different, but then again similar. It’s well worth it to walk through the many streets of the city.

Key West houses are often surrounded by lathe-turned picket fences that wrap around the entire structure. Blooming bushes add a visual pop and fresh contrast to fancifully painted homes.

Key West houses feature fanciful elements like slim columns topped with decorative wooden details.

You don’t have to walk a long way to spot chickens and roosters in Key West. You hear them crowing and see them strutting everywhere. They weave in and out of traffic and through outdoor cafes all over town.

You’ll find many cute little shops all over Key West.

Louvered shutters protect against severe tropical heat while encouraging air circulation inside the home. A full-sized front porch creates a perfect shady spot to enjoy the outdoor view.

Welcome To The Magic City.

Miami is a wild city known for glamour, cruise ships, cubans, beautiful people, parties and of course Miami Beach. The Magic City is a highlight for everyone visiting the United States. Here, you’ll come across the comfort and easiness from the southern states, an exiting night life, a cultural centre and an impressive skyline.

Miami Beach Has No Boundaries.

Miami Beach can be whatever you want it to be: easy-going, fun, stylish, gay, straight, family friendly or a singles playground. One comes to Miami Beach to have fun in the sun. On the southernmost tip of Miami you’ll be able to shop ’til you drop, enjoy the cultural aspects, dance until dawn and eat the most delicious meals.

From A Beach Village To A Megacity.

No matter if you want explore the new/renovated stylish hotels Gale, Lord Balfour or SLS South Beach for an after party, heavenly dine at the restaurants Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, Khong River House, Tongue & Cheek or Juvia, or rather visit old-school Miami Beach with its pastel coloured art deco buildings and museums, you’ll get your money’s worth.

Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road are known as great shopping-, nightlife- and food-hotspots, therefore you’ll come across a great variety of to-do possibilities. But if you rather want to enjoy kilometre long white sand beaches, then you’ve definitely come to the right spot in town! Miami Beach is the last station before the Caribbean and it sure feels that way. Sunbathing at South Beach is a Must-Do for any visitor. And the famous lifeguard towers in bright yellow, blue and pink, stripped or spotted are worth a walk up and down the beach at least once. Just as much as swimming in the warm, turquoise ocean is a must, observing the beautiful, trained and sometimes famous people should be on your to-do list.

A Few Tips For The Perfect Miami Vacation:

• It’s best to get around Miami Beach by Bike. Get a Citi Bike card and you’re good to go.
• Spend an evening on a rooftop bar/restaurant – Miami at night is amazing!
• If you want to eat healthy & fairly pricey, check out Juice & Java on Washington Avenue.
• Be sure to spend a weekend in Key West, the road trip alone will be worth your while.

Miami Beach has developed into an urban centre, with all it benefits that a small beach village and a megacity offers. We really enjoyed our stay here, yet we’re definitely not the ideal Miami vacationers. If you love adventure, action, jungle, trekking, and especially affordable hotels and good food, then Miami is probably a destination you’ll just want to visit for a layover or quick get-away. Not to give you the wrong idea: we had fun in the sun, but all in all, Asia is more our piece of cake. Even so, Miami still deserves the title Pearl of Florida.

Miami Beach offers everything you expect from a bustling city.

The beach on Miami is to die for. Really. They seem endlessly long and are great for sunbathing, jogging and relaxing.

The best way to explore Miami Beach is by bicycle. A Citi Bike card is all you need to get around the area.

The Beacon Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel on Ocean Drive, right next to South Beach.

The Colony Hotel is a well known landmark on Ocean Drive in Miami.

Beautiful people wander along the beaches of Miami, posing and taking selfies…

The lifeguard towers along Miami Beach are famous and deserve the attention.

The Miami Beach Boardwalk begins at Indian Beach Park at 46th Street and Collins Ave and continues through the Ocean Drive Promenade to 5th Street. The distance between 46th street and 5th street is approximately 6,5 kilometres – the perfect distance for a nice jog or stroll.

You have an amazing view of Miami’s skyline from Watson Island.

Watson Island is the right sport for photos of the Miami skyline.

Extremely calming. Extraordinary. Peaceful. Mysterious. And beautiful.

Have a great weekend everyone!

1.) Tell us a little bit about yourself and how your passion for travelling started.

I’m Edna, a 23-year-old American and serial expat. Since first moving abroad at 18, I’ve lived in China, Singapore, and Paris; and traveled extensively through Asia and Australia. I can’t remember a time where I didn’t love traveling – I went on my first international flight at nine months old and have been hooked since.

2.) When did you decide to hit the road? Was it hard to take that step? What preparations and arrangements did you have to make during the planning period?

The first time I moved abroad was in 2008, when I spent almost a year and a half in China. In 2010, two weeks after graduating, I left the US for good and moved to Singapore on a whim. Neither move was hard at all and I made very little plans: I set up online banking to pay my bills from overseas, and gave my mom power of attorney.

3.) Where & how do you celebrate Christmas?

It’s different every year. In China I celebrated with friends and a large dinner. In Singapore I celebrated only with my fiancé and a picnic in the Botanical Gardens. In Australia I spent the day with one of my best friends and his family. However, no matter where I am, I always make sure to Skype my family at home on Christmas Day.

4.) How do you stay in touch with family and friends? Do you write postcards?

I use Google Voice and Skype, and I always send a postcard to my parents from each city I visit. But they also “stay in touch” with me by checking my twitter account. I’m not the greatest at calling and emailing but I always update my twitter, so that’s how they stay up to date on my adventures and make sure I’m alive.

5.) Are you planning on traveling for the rest of your life or would you like to settle down sometime (by settling down we mean finding a place to come home to)?

I’d like to settle down eventually, though not until my 30s. Even then, I’ll probably still travel quite often from wherever my home base is.

6.) If you could choose one city/country for living, which one would it be? Please give us a little explanation (weather, people, etc.).

Shanghai. It’s my second home; I love everything about the city. My parents are from Shanghai so I’ve spent nearly every summer there since I was born. I understand the dialect, I know the neighborhoods, I adore the food, and the city never fails to thrill me.

7.) Where are you right now and how did you get there?

Paris. I flew here on a long, long flight from Sydney.

8.) Travelling is expensive … so how do you get from A to B?

In Asia it wasn’t too expensive thanks to all the budget airlines – I once got a roundtrip flight to Borneo for 48 USD! For my more expensive trips, some were covered by work, and others were booked using frequent flyer miles. And for the rest, like US-Australia, I just had to bite the bullet and charge it to my credit card.

9.) Do you use a travel guide (Lonely Planet, etc.)? If so, please tell us which one … if not, why?

I do – usually Lonely Planet or Wikitravel – to get an idea of a place. I’m super flexible, but I like to at least create a bare-bones skeleton of an itinerary first. I might follow it, I might not, but I like to have somewhere to start and letting the rest of the trip change or fall into place from there.

10.) What does a perfect day on your trip look like? What season is it? Are you inside or outdoors? Are you in a city or in the middle of nowhere?

My perfect day would involve lots of food, preferably an athletic activity (bicycle tour, rock climbing, anything adventurous), and good weather. Spring or fall is ideal. I’m definitely a big city girl, but I also enjoy places full of natural beauty (like the islands of Thailand or the rice fields of Bali).

11.) Name three spots from your last adventure, which you’d probably not find in a guidebook but you could recommend to travellers. Tell us what’s special about them.

These might be in guidebooks anyway, but here are three of my favorite finds from my last adventure in Ireland:

1.) Number 31: The coziest B&B in Dublin.

2.) Elephant and Castle: Surprisingly amazing chicken wings and Irish breakfast, especially given its location in Temple Bar.

3.) Guinness Storehouse: I realize this is in every guidebook, but here’s a tip: time your visit so that you get to the Gravity Bar just before dusk. That way you get to enjoy your free pint while watching the sun set over the city.

12.) Where & how do you write your blog articles? Do you start with a rough draft or get right to it?

I free-write, and edit as I go, usually after every few sentences. I’m a perfectionist though, so the constant editing means I’ll spend hours writing and rewriting a post before I finally hit publish.

13.) What’s your favorite local dish? Where does it come from? Can you cook it & what are the main ingredients?

Too many to choose from, though pad thai and Chinese noodles are definitely in the top five. Main ingredients in both are noodles…that much I know. Obviously, I’m not the greatest cook.

14.) How much does 1 liter (or one gallon) of milk and petrol cost today?

Not sure since I don’t drive and I buy milk in bulk (you can buy milk in bulk in Paris!) – but I think both hover around $3.15 these days.

15.) On which device to you answer this questionnaire and what shoes are you wearing (if possible please add a picture )?

13” MacBook Air, and my trusty Chucks.

16.) Last but not least: What does “home” mean to you?

Luckily my parents and relatives have lived in the same cities my entire life, so this question has never been hard for me to answer: “Home” is where my family is. I’ll always consider Pennsylvania and Shanghai home.

Want to be a part of this series?

If you want to be a part of our series, just go to the “Home Sweet Home” article and download the appropriate questionnaire. We’d really like to read your stories :)

Participants so far:

#1: Ulli Maier
#2: Nisa Maier
#3: Shvyia Nath
#4: Rika Huang
#5: Yvonne Zagermann
#6: Dario Endara
#7: Bird
#8: Roy van den Bos
#9: Monica Stott
#10: Doris Neubauer
#11: Amanda Slavinsky
#12: Edna
#13: Casper Oppenhuis de Jong
#14: Ashley Abroad
#15: Inma Gregorio

Yosemite National Park, the High Sierra, and the Eastern Sierra are some of the most beautiful places on earth. Ever since Shawn Reeder serendipitously won a trip to Yosemite when he was 18, the beautiful Range of Light has captured his heart and become his home.

Earth’s treasures are unevenly spread; some lie deep in the crust (unattainable for humans), others slumber near the surface. This means bad luck for environmentalists and blessings for the extractive industry. They approach with heavy machines and rip the landscape apart.

The American photographer J. Henry Fair displayed some of these scars in a fantastic photo series called “Industrial Scars”, for which he is well known around the world. Apart from being a photographer, he is also an environmental activist and co-founder and director of the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC).  The WCC promotes wolf conservation by teaching about wolves, their relationship to the environment, and the human role in protecting their future. He works for environmental organizations such as NRDC, Rainforest Alliance or Greenpeace.

About his work he states:

“My work is a response to my vision of society. I see our culture as being addicted to petroleum and the unsustainable consumption of other natural resources, which seems to portend a future of scarcity. My vision is of a different possibility, arrived at through careful husbandry of resources and adjustment of our desires and consumption patterns toward a future of health and plenty. To gear our civilization toward sustainability does not necessitate sacrifice today, as many naysayers would argue, but simply adjustment. There are many societies existing at present that have a standard of living at least as high as ours while consuming and polluting a fraction of what is the norm in the United States. As an artist with a message, one asks oneself: how do I translate my message to my medium such that it will effect the change I want?
At first, I photographed “ugly” things; which is, in essence, throwing the issue in people’s faces. Over time, I began to photograph all these things with an eye to making them both beautiful and frightening simultaneously, a seemingly irreconcilable mission, but actually quite achievable given the subject matter.”

Here are some of his photos (my personal favourite):

The forested mountains, valleys and streams that once stood here are now buried beneath the overburden from mountaintop removal coal mining. It is leveled and then sprayed with a mixture of grass seed and fertilizer – Kayford Mountain, West Virginia.

Removal of Overburden from blasting – Kayford Mountain, West Virginia

Caustic lake – Darrow, Louisiana.

Outlet pipe from phosphate waste impoundment – Lakeland, Florida.

Sulphur stacks at an oil sands upgrader facility – Fort Murray, Canada.

The inside of a holding tank at an oil sands upgrader facility – Fort McMurray, Canada.