Picture It with Priscila

How to Spend 48 Hours in Kansas City

I have to admit that I kinda misbooked this trip. I was craving authentic BBQ, particularly baby back ribs, and thought that was a Kansas City special rather than a St. Louis special. Oh, my silly brain! Nevertheless, I still had a great girl’s trip with one of my best friends, we still got BBQ, and I got to visit a new city.

Why Go?

I don’t think Kansas City is on anybody’s bucket list, and unfortunately, I have to say that it kinda makes sense. I think there’s a lot of charm and culture if you grew up there or are there on a business trip, but I don’t think it has quite the number of unique gems nor the food culture that other cities have. Of course, things change all the time, and it will be fun to see how this city changes and grows over time.

Where to Stay?

A car is definitely needed to get around so there is no need to stay downtown if the budget doesn’t allow it. We stayed outside the city in actual Kansas in a nice AirBnb that was about 20 minutes from everything we wanted to do. I would just recommend you stay somewhere where parking is included or free. 

How to Get Around?

Like I mentioned earlier, a car is needed. Luckily, rental prices are reasonable (we paid ~$50/day) and gas is affordable (less than $3/gallon). AND we didn’t experience any traffic while we were there nor parking fees so it’s definitely the easiest way to get around especially since things are spaced out and there’s limited walking paths.

Day 1

The first day was mostly a travel day. We landed around 4, picked up our car, dropped our stuff off at the AirBnb, and got a last minute reservation at Farina. It’s a rustic Italian restaurant with a cold seafood bar. I recommend trying their spiedini if you won’t have a chance to visit Garozzo’s (originator of the spiedini). Otherwise, the pasta and drinks we got were good, but not the best. Afterwards, we drove to a close-by brewery, Brewery Emperial, before we headed back to get some rest. The brewery was quite spacious so there was plenty of seating and a good variety of beers to try! 

Day 2

We started the day with BBQ at the iconic Joe’s KC BBQ after getting some fall lattes at Messenger Coffee. We got burnt ends, pork ribs, sausage, and mac and cheese. While the meats were tender, there wasn’t as much flavor on them as when the BBQ sauce was added. The highlight was definitely the burnt ends though if you only have stomach space for one meat!

 

Afterwards, we headed to Worlds of Fun and rode all the roller coasters. We were there during a heat wave so luckily, the longest line we waited in was only 30ish minutes. From a ranking standpoint, I would put Prowler first (huge fan of wooden roller coasters), then Mamba, Patriot, Boomerang, and Zambezi Zinger last. I think there was a couple we missed, but it was either closed or too long of a wait. Honestly, this park is actually fairly well-themed and worth the visit if you’re in Kansas City and a theme park fan. 

After spending 4-5 hours in a theme park, we were ready for A/C and good food. We headed to Westport Cafe where I had the best scallop risotto I’ve ever had. The drinks were also fabulous and we learned why the bread pudding dessert was popular for a reason. I found this place via a random blog in my Google search. It was her favorite place and I thoroughly understood why! If you go to Kansas City, I highly recommend getting a reservation.

We also got a second dessert that night since we decided to stop by the popular Betty Rae’s since who doesn’t love ice cream?

Day 3

For our last day, we grabbed a sheep cheese charcuterie board at Green Dirt on Oak. It was really good and I believe we should have more charcuterie boards for brunches! 

Then, it was museum time! I convinced my friend to go to the The Museum of Toys and Miniatures and wow, it was way cooler than I thought it would be. It’s the largest collection of miniatures in the world and miniatures are really, really amazing! It’s amazing to know someone took so much time to literally recreate the same thing (same ratio AND still functional) but just way, way smaller. The upstairs was a collection of “regular” toys so you’ve got your old-timey, slightly creepy dolls, gaming consoles that existed when you were younger so you feel really old, and older board games that were cool to see! We got lucky on a free day, but I do think it’s a fun speciality museum that’s worth a stop if you’ve got time. It’s also close to Nelson Atkins, the fine art museum, so it would be possible to do both in one day if you’re really into museums. 

Extra Things To Do

If you’ve got extra time/days since opening hours are limited, here are my suggestions:

  • Activities
  • Food
  • Coffee Shops
    • Rochester Brewing & Roasting Company – Credit goes to my friend who is a coffee fan! She mentioned that they also have a stout made from their coffee and beers!
    • Origin Coi Nguon Coffeehouse – Credit goes to my friend who is a coffee fan! 
    • Parkville Coffee – Credit goes to my friend who is a coffee fan! 
    • Fitti’s Espresso – Credit goes to my friend who is a coffee fan! 
    • I also referred to this blog post for coffee suggestions! 
  • Breweries
    • Casual Animal Brewing – Credit goes to my friend who has visited plenty of breweries and has great taste! She mentioned that this place has a couple of dark beers, sours, ciders, alcoholic seltzers & ales.
    • Border Brewing Company – Credit goes to my friend who has visited plenty of breweries and has great taste! In addition to beers, she also mentioned that this place serves whiskey & cocktails. 

Final Thoughts

While I have a list of extra things to do, I was pretty content with my visit to Kansas City. I’m glad I went, but I don’t think I’ll be planning a revisit any time soon.

How to Spend 3 Days in Mendocino

I’ll be honest. I honestly had no idea about this place (aside from Mendocino Farms) until my friend suggested it as a potential destination. And honestly, we used this trip to also just relax and bond so I edited our actual itinerary into a more action-packed long weekend if you want to see as much as you can! 

Why Go?

Like I mentioned, I didn’t really have the highest expectations, but after having gone, seeing the coastal cliffs, eating the freshest seafood, and enjoying the small town charms, I can see why it’s such a gem of a place. Just be prepared for a long drive to and from the Bay Area although driving through Anderson Valley is a highlight in itself. 

Where to Stay?

My friend found a fantastic AirBnb and it became my first “glamping” stay. She’ll say it’s not, but I like to think it is! Take a look for yourself and book a stay if it strikes your fancy. The hosts were lovely and it was in a great location.

How to Get Around?

A car is definitely needed. Not only is it a drive from the airport through Anderson Valley to Mendocino, but the towns of Mendocino and Fort Bragg are also separated by a 20 minute drive. There was no public transportation that we saw and I doubt Uber/Lyft is a convenient option given how small the towns were.

Day 1

For the first day, the itinerary is shorter since it includes the drive from the airport in the Bay Area. Depending what time you fly in and start the drive, there are wineries in Anderson Valley to stop at. If you have even more time, I recommend visiting Glass Beach at Fort Bragg. Sure, it’s touristy but collecting sea glass is always fun and relaxing. If the beach isn’t your thing, there’s also a Sea Glass Museum in Fort Bragg that’s donation-based for entry.

For dinner, I recommend Cafe Beaujolais in the town of Mendocino. The special mussels that we had that day were the best mussels I’ve ever had in my entire life! They were sweet and fresh, unlike any other mussel I’ve had before. Afterwards, I recommend walking around the town – there’s an ice cream place for dessert, Frankie’s (mushroom flavor anyone?), or you can enjoy the view of the ocean from the various paths leading out from town.

Day 2

For the second day, head back up to the Fort Bragg area again for a really great seafood brunch in the Noyo Fishing Village! We started at the Princess Seafood Restaurant. The oysters were fresh, the crab sandwich was stuffed full of crab, the clam chowder was creamy and not too salty, and there was a great dessert selection as well! I think you can definitely find something for everybody here. Just a few steps away, there’s Sea Pal Cove which has fantastic fish and chips that are also not to be missed! My friend said it was the best fish and chips she ever had and she’s not even a fan of fish and chips normally so I think that says something! We also had their clam chowder and while it was chock full of clams, it was a bit salty for my taste.

After eating so much, a walk or hike might be nice! We got really lucky with our AirBnb where it had its own trails that we took advantage of. However, we were also looking at trails at the Russian Gulch State Park or the Van Damme State Park. For dinner, I recommend Ledford House – they have a daily 3 course meal that changes daily for $35. Hard to find a deal like that anywhere! The day we went, we had salad, fish cakes, and a crumble. Delightful! 

Day 3

Before leaving, enjoy one last brunch/lunch in Mendocino. I recommend Trillium Cafe. They rotate their California-centric menus to the season so you’ll always get something different. They also have a pastry chef so their desserts are top notch! My friend and I got 3 of them since they all sounded so good and they all were – the semifreddo and the “Dubai Bar” were our favorites though! 

On your way out of Mendocino County, if you’ve got time and didn’t have time on your way in, definitely spend some time at the wineries in Anderson Valley. We saw a lot of beautiful estates/wineries, but unfortunately didn’t have time for a visit aside from one place. I think we got really lucky though with Gowan’s. It’s a family owned business (on their sixth generation!) and they definitely treat you with family warmth! To boot, they also have award winning ciders that are refreshing and so easy to drink. And if you’re not a drinker, they also have a non-alcoholic cider and slushie! 

Extra Things To Do

I don’t have much in this section for Mendocino since I had a lovely time and felt like I did everything that I wanted. If you’re a bigger nature fan than me, you might want another day to hike, camp, or just be outdoors. If I were to go back, I would only want more time earlier or later to spend time in Anderson Valley and visit wineries. 

Final Thoughts

While it’s full of small town charm and coastal mountain views, I do think it bears a similar vibe in that sense with San Luis Obispo, which is 3.5 hours from Orange County. Therefore, instead of flying up to the Bay Area and then driving 3.5 hours, I would personally just drive to San Luis Obispo. However, if I were to go again, I would recommend flying into Sonoma for a shorter drive and spending more time in the area (i.e. combining a trip to Wine Country with Mendocino).

How to Spend 3 Days in San Francisco

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One of the best things about California is the number of different sceneries you can experience in a single day. SoCal may have Disneyland and Hollywood, but NorCal has redwoods and the state capital. San Francisco is a great weekend destination for SoCal residents to escape for a change in scenery and cooler temps!

Why Go?

I think San Francisco is a must-do for any city lover. It has iconic landmarks, fantastic museums, and a rich history. Think of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and cable cars!

Where to Stay?

I normally visit San Francisco to visit friends, but when I went with my family, we stayed at Hotel Nikko which was in a great central location with ample room space. It also had an indoor pool which was a really nice amenity. 

How to Get Around?

San Francisco is walkable but can get pretty hilly. For major attractions, there is normally a form of public transportation for a more economical option. However, if you don’t want to wait for a bus, Uber is the next best option. I wouldn’t recommend a car since the city can get pretty congested and parking is difficult to find (or pricey). 

Day 1

The first day is focused on the most iconic landmark in San Francisco – the Golden Gate Bridge. My favorite way to see it was to sign up for a free walking tour (but make sure to tip your guides!). Taking in the bridge while learning stories about its creation definitely made the visit more meaningful and educational. The tour I took was with San Francisco City Guides, and it was great! We also got to visit the gift shop before the tour and ended up on the bridge when the tour was done to walk a bit on the bridge. My favorite fact that I learned is that one end of the bridge is in the water while the other is on land. For some reason, I just never really paid attention to that! 

Afterwards, I would recommend continuing walking through the Presidio. My personal recommendation would be to walk towards the Walt Disney Family Museum. You’ll get to see a lot of archived artifacts from Walt Disney and his family and go through his life from moving to Hollywood, making movies, enduring studio struggles, and of course, creating Disneyland. My favorite piece was the Oscar bracelet he gave to his wife Lillian after winning for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. The final room with the big model of Disneyland though is jaw droppingly beautiful and fun to hunt for specific effects that are hidden within. However, if you’re not a Disney adult like I am, you can also aim to go see the Palace of the Fine Arts, hike or bike the trails, or hang out in Crissy Field and enjoy the Golden Gate Bridge beach views.

Day 2

Get ready to explore Chinatown in the morning on the second day! I recommend getting some dim sum for brunch before visiting the Cable Car Museum. It’s a free, short museum (30 minutes if you’re not a big museum person and about an hour to an hour and a half if you are since there are a lot of detailed placards), but it is a fun visit since cable cars are symbolically associated with San Francisco. 

After exploring the history of cable cars, head your way to Pier 39 or the Embarcadero area to board a boat to Alcatraz Island. Unfortunately, I don’t have fun facts for this place since I have yet to visit. It’s constantly on the list, but something else always comes up!

Day 3

For the third day, get ready to explore Golden Gate Park. It’s kind of like Balboa Park in San Diego where in addition to grassy areas, it is surrounded by museums such as the California Academy of Sciences or the deYoung Museum. The California Academy of Sciences is great if you have kids and if you don’t have kids because it has a planetarium AND an aquarium AND a rainforest! They’re also known to house an albino alligator, Claude, who’s pretty cool. The deYoung Museum is an art museum that I have yet to go to, but it looks like they focus on American art as well as international textile arts and costumes, African art, Oceanic art, and arts of the Americas. If museums are not your thing, they also have gardens such as the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden. 

 

Afterwards, you can take a quick look at the Painted Ladies on your way over to Mission District for murals, dinner, and drinks!

Where to Eat?

You may have noticed I didn’t include places to eat since I always have a growing list of places I want to try. Some of these get long lines so sometimes, the food is the destination. A few on the list…

  • Arsicault Bakery – known for the best croissant in the US
  • Brenda’s French Soul Food – if you’re craving some soul food
  • Garden Creamery – classic flavors and unique Asian-inspired flavors. I’ve actually had this one and can attest that it is delicious and in a great location to other restaurants.
  • Golden Boy Pizza – for when you want pizza
  • House of Prime Rib – it’s in the name! I’ve also been here and can say it’s always busy (you need a reservation like 6 months in advance) but you do get delicious prime rib and fantastic martinis!
  • Swan Oyster Depot – long line and cash only but a pretty iconic spot on social media

Extra Things To Do

If you’re intrigued, Lombard St is a famous windy road but I wouldn’t prioritize it as I rank it similar to the Painted Ladies. An attractive sight and a fun picture to take, but not much to do when you’re there. 

San Francisco is also filled with many other museums, filming locations (any Princess Diaries fans out there?), and LGBTQ+ history so I do recommend doing additional research if any of these subjects sound interesting. I tried to highlight the major attractions in my 3 day itinerary, but of course, edits are always encouraged! 

Final Thoughts

San Francisco definitely has a unique culture made of new tech and a rich history that is worth experiencing. It’s also a place to get great food and visit some iconic landmarks! What’s your favorite fun fact, experience, or memory in San Francisco? Mine is of my friends and family and the memories we made exploring this city together.