If it weren’t for Schengen killing the fun, my passport would be bleeding ink.
Having the pleasure of visiting far-flung countries such as Estonia and Morocco to global icons like Cancun (where I’m currently writing this), some might say I’ve travelled backwards.
Sure, it’s a lot easier to start in your own backyard, but there seems to be no remedy for my wanderlust itch, no matter how often I scratch it.
That said, I still love venturing around my own country just as much as the next person, but there’s no doubt my experiences seem topsy-turvy to most.
Whether it’s my home state of California or switching up coasts to warmer shores, I don’t always have to check entry requirements when it’s time to book a trip.
I may be running low on passport pages, but there are 5 U.S. destinations that draw me back each 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 Wish Still Existed
Despite its world-renowned fame, both Orlando and Miami aren’t great ambassadors for what Florida is really like.
Yes, people might prefer Disney’s oversized rodents over other oversized wildlife that wants to eat you, but no Discovery Channel show nor any It’s Florida, Man episode accurately reflects the Florida I see year after year.
Nokomis is the perfect antidote to what some may call Florida’s tourism overload, especially in Southwest Florida, home to always-busy Clearwater and Siesta Key.
Every time I’ve vacationed here (even in the heart of summer), there’s always free front row parking and wide-open white-sand shores lining the very same beautiful water shared by both aforementioned beach towns.
Nokomis feels like real Florida without being forced to mingle with retirees hanging on to yesteryear.
You know — lively tiki bars, crowd-free beaches, secret fishing spots, and the perfect gateway to whizz through scenic canals leading to no-name paradises like Stump’s Pass and Midnight Pass.
2) San Antonio: A Festive City More Fun Than Vegas
Vegas has lost its luster.
That’s not to say San Antonio is a direct comparison, but my nonexistent fun meter shows “San Antone” would be off the charts compared to Sin City.
And I’ve been to both cities multiples times…
A better comparison would be nearby Austin, another city that has lost some of its charm. That’s what has drawn me back to San Antonio for years — it only gets better, while other major cities screw it up somehow.
San Antonio doesn’t get the credit it deserves despite being one of America’s biggest cities, beaming with rich history and Hispanic heritage.
There’s no other cityscape built so uniquely with a river running through it and a proud, vibrant culture permeating at every corner in one form or another.
From historic Market Square to the guardrail-less River Walk that I’ve somehow never stumbled off-course after a Texas-sized margarita, that’s only scratching the surface for downtown’s delights.
San Antonio is super affordable across the board and quite dangerous in the sense that there’s truly no such thing as a bad meal, no matter if it’s a longstanding community staple like Los Barrios or a trendy hotspot in the more modern Pearl District.
3) San Francisco: The West Coast’s Only Icon That Lives Up To The Hype
No judgment, but I just don’t understand the hype on LA. New have, never will.
It’s yet another city, like Vegas, where nothing feels real to an almost dystopian level at times.
San Francisco, though?
It may be pricey, but it’s well worth visiting. In my mind, there’s no better Chinatown in America.
Nor is there a better Japantown.
Nor is there a better obvious tourist trap that’s actually enjoyable than the Fisherman’s Wharf.
All that said, plus factoring in its unmatched beauty, no matter which waterfront viewpoint you find yourself in, you’d 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 talking point among travelers. I’ve never felt out of place personally, but I also know to avoid the zombie-movie vibes of the Tenderloin District.
Whatever you do, make time to visit Terra Cotta Warrior — my favorite Asian restaurant on Planet Earth.
4) Mesilla: The Southwest’s Secret Time Capsule
Given all the UFO talk lately, I’m tempted to go back to Roswell and see what I missed.
But the truth is, the only New Mexico town I go out of my way to 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 response is always the same: “twist my arm”.
We purposely take El Paso’s backroads through beautiful pecan farms nobody seems to know about in a classic ‘it’s not the destination, it’s the journey’ type of way.
But in this case, it’s both.
Mesilla isn’t often discussed in travel circles, but it jams a lot in for a map-dot town in a Fort Worth Stockyards microcosm type of way.
You’ll find a historic plaza holding weekend farmers markets, revamped saloons turned into mouthwatering steakhouses, friendly boutiques, and fun museums showcasing Billy the Kid’s demise.
It’s truly 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 entirely underrated for gorgeous mountain hikes, wine country, and breweries.
5) Julian, CA: My Yearly 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 ranked it behind Mesilla is for one reason only: tourists know about it now..
It’s a full-fledged vacation destination instead of a secret hideaway.
Despite having no stoplights, Julian is always greenly for a weekend away every season but summer when tourists invade.
Its claim to fame has long been its crumbly pies. So much so, there are bakeries everywhere on the main strip, each with its own spin and flavors.
This town alone is the reason I’ll one day be on a fast track to “diabeetus” with ciders serving grown-up fun juice concoctions and bakeries whipping up sinfully delicious pies.
Julian doesn’t have to be an in-and-out day trip either. You can find plenty of cozy, down-home places to stay, and almost the whole town is walkable.
