My Top Travel Experiences of 2019

Well, here we are again: time for another year-end recap…and preparing to head into a new decade, too!

If you read through the opening paragraphs of all my years-in-review, I have a feeling I’ll start to sound like a broken record. But hey, what can I say? 2019 was indeed another great year.

Granted, it wasn’t a perfect year. (But are they ever?) There were some challenges, like when my anxiety finally erupted from that hole I buried it away in all those years ago, spewing back into my life like lava.

But I’ve been in therapy for four months now, and I’m remembering how much more rewarding and beneficial it is to actually work through my anxiety, rather than minimizing and hiding it.

My stepmom always says that, “therapy isn’t for the weak.” And let me tell you, she’s right about that—there’s nothing pretty or easy about this stuff. The bright side is that I feel so much lighter and more free than I did just a few months ago; it’s like a black cloud has been lifted off my soul.

Taking a hybrid approach to managing my anxiety this time around (cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, regular self care, connecting with nature, a bit of spirituality) has absolutely transformed the way I think about my mental and emotional health. And I’m feeling really good about that!

Anyways, enough about the one blight of the year (which has actually turned out to be yet another good thing); overall, 2019 was in fact a very positive, happy, and fun-filled period of time. I did a ton of California travel this year, and was able to cross some new destinations off my bucket list (like Yosemite) while also revising old favorites (like Napa).

I suppose if I had to pick one word to describe 2019, I would choose “stable.” Things were generally good; nothing too turbulent, momentous or unexpected happened. There was a lot of quality time with Derek, my family and friends, and more than a few incredible travel experiences along the way.

And you know what? I’ll take that! 2015, 2016 and 2017 were all BIG, busy years, with a lot of major life changes. Things slowed down a bit in 2018, but it was still a very action-packed year. I’m happy to accept a quieter, more predictable year for the first time in a long time.

With that, here’s an overview of what exactly I got up to in 2019:

Getting Off-the-Beaten-Path in Huahine

Huahine stole my heart from the moment our plane touched down on this little island of 6,000 people, isolated in the middle of the bright blue Pacific Ocean.

Huahine is easily the most pristine, untouched and enchanting island I’ve ever had the privilege of visiting. The majority of locals support themselves through fishing or small-scale farming, so much of the island is covered in dense jungle and overgrown farmland.

We fell in step with the slow pace of life on Huahine from day one: morning bike rides through coconut plantations, mid-day hammock naps, afternoon swims in the ocean, sunset cocktails by the water, falling asleep with the windows open when the stars come out…

…oh, and did I mention snorkeling with black-tip reef sharks, picnicking on a deserted motu, and lounging on postcard-perfect beaches that we had all to ourselves?!

Yep, Huahine is definitely my version of paradise, and was one of the undeniable highlights of 2019.

Read More:

• The Ultimate Huahine Travel Guide
• The Perfect 3 Day Huahine Itinerary

Soaking in Moorea’s Lush, Dramatic Landscapes

Moorea’s nickname is the “Magical Island,” and it’s all too easy to see why. This dreamy island is the poster-child of a South Pacific paradise—all bright blue lagoons, swaying palm trees, dramatic peaks and lush valleys.

We spent our days on Moorea road-tripping around the island, exploring fragrant pineapple fields, wading through crystal clear waters, and eating amazingly fresh seafood.

Every turn down Moorea’s winding roads yielded yet another breathtaking view; every beach we stumbled across somehow managed to be even more wildly beautiful than the last.

One of my personal highlights was staying in a cozy little overwater bungalow right on Cook’s Bay…for just $158 per night! Such a steal, considering that our private deck had some of the most stunning and dramatic views we saw on all of Moorea.

Read More:

• The Ultimate Moorea Travel Guide
• How to Spend 3 Perfect Days on Moorea
• French Polynesia on a Budget: It’s Easier Than You Think!

A Nature-Filled Weekend in Yosemite

It may have taken us two full years after moving to the Bay Area, but this summer Derek and I were finally able to cross off one of our biggest California bucket list items: Yosemite National Park.

The word that kept coming to mind as we explored Yosemite was “majestic.” The mountains, the trees, the waterfalls, the rivers—they’re all so powerful, grand, and wild within the park boundaries.

We spent three days marveling at iconic sights like El Capitan and Half Dome, and tackled the strenuous Upper Yosemite Falls trail. Our stay at the Yosemite Valley Lodge inside the national park was the cherry on top of a ridiculously fun weekend.

Read More:

• The First Timer’s Guide to Yosemite: What to Know Before You Visit
• 3 Day Yosemite Itinerary: How to Spend a Long Weekend in Yosemite

Diving Deeper into California’s Wine Culture

Before moving to California, I thought I knew about wine; in the nearly-three years that we’ve lived here, my knowledge of and appreciation for wine has skyrocketed to a whoooole new level.

Don’t get me wrong—despite having visited dozens and dozens of tasting rooms over the past several years, I definitely still consider myself very much a wine novice. But although my expertise is lacking, my passion for wine is totally there…and growing all the time!

In fact, I’ve even added a new wine travel category page to my site to organize my ever-growing collection of wine destination itineraries, reviews and stories.

This year—like every year since we moved to the Bay Area—was filled with multiple trips up to Napa and Sonoma, as well as plenty of local tastings in the Santa Cruz Mountains (my favorite under-the-radar California wine region).

Read More:

• How to Spend a Weekend in Downtown Napa: Wine Country’s Most Walkable Destination
• PSA: Downtown Napa is a Perfect Winter Getaway
• Our Red Carpet (& Red Wine) Experience in Napa: Participating in a Private Tasting
• Redwoods & Red Wine: A Guide to California’s Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Region

Glamping in a Treehouse on a Vineyard

Speaking of wine travel, another highlight from 2019 was staying in an amazing treehouse Airbnb on a working vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

After checking in, Derek and I spent all afternoon and evening cozied up in our little treehouse hideaway, only climbing down to use the bathroom and to enjoy a sunset stroll among the vines.

Mostly we soaked in the silence, which was broken only by an owl hooting in the distance or a twig snapping somewhere in the woods.

I loved leaning back in the Adirondack chair and looking up at the trees directly above us, with the wind rustling the leaves and the golden afternoon sunlight filtering through the branches. It was definitely one of the dreamiest, most romantic Airbnb stays we’ve ever had!

Read More:

• The Treehouse of Your Childhood Dreams: Glamping on a Northern California Vineyard

Visiting Family and Friends Across the U.S.

This year, I was lucky enough to explore multiple new U.S. destinations while visiting family and friends, and while traveling for various events.

These destinations included places like Charlottesville, VA for my cousin’s bachelorette (talk about an amazing under-the-radar wine destination!) and Jacksonville, FL for her wedding a few months later.

I also made several trips back home to Texas, to spend time with my family in Houston (one of my favorite U.S. cities) and at their beach house near Galveston. Derek and I also spent a week visiting his family in Greenville, SC for the Christmas holiday.

Sure, they’re not the most exotic destinations on this list…but I absolutely savor those moments spent with my loved ones. For me, sunset boat rides around the island at my family’s beach house, or standing beside my cousin during her wedding ceremony are 100% worthy of making my 2019 highlight reel.

Countless Northern California Adventures

In 2019, we simply took too many amazing day and weekend trips around Northern California to break them all down into separate summaries. Foggy mornings in Half Moon Bay, hikes through the redwood forest, sailing in the San Francisco Bay, snuggling baby goats in Pescadero…

I literally just commented to Derek this morning about how incredibly lucky I feel to have ended up here in Northern California. Growing up, I always felt called to the West Coast—even before I ever visited.

I daydreamed about what it would be like to move out here from the East Coast, and to be surrounded by dramatic rocky coastlines, majestic redwood forests, and the epic Sierra Nevada mountain range.

So the fact that we actually ended up here? Well, sometimes it just seems surreal that things worked out this way. I feel truly lucky and grateful to be here, and will always treasure our NorCal adventures.

Read More:

• A Perfect Day on the Bay: Sailing in San Francisco
• One Perfect Day in San Francisco’s Colorful & Diverse Mission District
• Walking the Redwood Loop Trail at Big Basin Redwoods State Park
• Day Trip to Half Moon Bay, California
• One Perfect Day in Pescadero, California
• 10 Best Weekend Getaways from San Jose, CA
• One Perfect Day in San Jose, California

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Looking back at the whole year laid out like this, it’s clear that I have a lot to be grateful for. Not just the many adventures I’ve had, but the people who were around to share in those adventures.

What’s ahead in 2020?

For the first time EVER, I actually have some travel planned for the following year! (I’m a notorious last-minute booker). In February 2020, Derek and I will be traveling to New Zealand!!

Outside of this exciting trip, I’m really not sure what 2020 will have in store for me—in terms of travel, or otherwise. I do predict that the coming year will be a time of many big changes…at least, I hope so!

Happy New Year to all of my family, friends, fellow bloggers and readers. I truly appreciate each and every one of you and am so excited to head into a new decade together.

(Pssst – you can also read my top travel highlights for 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015).

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What were some of your top highlights (travel or otherwise) from 2019? What are you most looking forward to in 2020?