Zion National Park is the perfect weekend trip from Los Angeles any time of year, but it can be especially spectacular in the winter. One of the most popular parks, Zion National Park is definitely a must-visit in winter.

We spent the end of 2018 the same way that we spent the end of 2017, hiking. Griffith Park is one of our favorite hiking spots in Los Angeles because the views of Hollywood, downtown Los Angeles and the entire LA Basin are spectacular. There are so many trails throughout Griffith Park that you are sure to find new adventures each time you go.

Laguna Beach has some of my favorites beaches in all of California, if not the world. From the great scuba diving at Shaw's Cove to the sea caves at Thousand Steps beach to the castle tower at Victoria beach, there is so much to explore. Whether you are looking to capture a beautiful sunset or hang out with friends on the beach, make sure to do it in Laguna Beach.

Shaw's Cove in Laguna Beach is a small, beautiful cove that is popular with scuba dive classes for doing the PADI open water checkout dive. I always joke that the cove was named after me but it has been around longer than I have. However, it is where I did my checkout dives in May 2014, when I got scuba certified. It is also where Amanda had her first experience scuba diving in the open ocean.

The iconic Santa Monica Pier is a beauty no matter the time of day but sunset provides a great opportunity for some long exposure photography. The pier is home to Pacific Park, a small amusement park that includes, among other things, a roller coaster and ferris wheel. The ferris wheel is lit up with various light patterns that create beautiful designs during a long exposure photo.

Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the most beautiful places that you will find on the west coast, if not the world. On the all-star list of spots in Point Reyes, Alamere Falls tops the list and is one of my personal all-time favorites. Though it is quite a hike to get to, it is well worth the walk. The reward is a waterfall that ends on a beautiful deserted beach - Alamere Falls.

We spent a cold and rainy Black Friday in San Francisco this year. Having been to San Francisco many times now, this was the first time that I had the chance to see it while raining. Despite the weather, we found plenty of ways to see the sights that we wanted to see while staying warm and dry, relatively. It was actually nice not having crowds of people everywhere we went.