National Parks are one of America’s most unique treasures—sprawling protected lands that encourage adventure and exploring nature for everyone. Welcome to Joshua Tree, an area of desert wilderness named after the native yucca brevifolia in southeastern California. Winter does bring cooler temperatures, but there’s still quite a bit of sunshine. 

Grab your friends and family and head out to picturesque Friday Harbor for Fall hikes, beer festivals, and more

Photo courtesy of Visitsanjuans.com

There’s nothing quite like Fall in the PNW – beautiful bright foliage, crisp morning air, and everything pumpkin spice (yes, all drinks and treats beyond Starbuck’s PSL are delish!). It’s my favorite time of year to get outside in Seattle, but it’s also a wonderful time to get out of the city, go offline, and spend some time out in nature.

It’s wedding season again! Every year, the majority of weddings cluster in late spring to early fall. For those who struggle while all your friends are getting married, you can find laughter and solace in this great tumblr. And for those getting married, it seems more and more common that newlyweds are choosing to delay their honeymoon until later in the year or even the following year.

There are certain red-hot destinations where everyone seems to flock these days. Intriguing Iceland is one; beautiful Banff is undoubtedly another. Whether it’s due to our current political climate, an exchange rate greatly favoring American travelers who head north or simply the pressing need to hang out among some of the nicest people on Earth, Canada seems the place to plan your next trip.

Getting on island time is truly a breeze when hopping over to Vashon for the day, weekend or a lengthier stay. Simply board the ferry in West Seattle (by car or bicycle), blink your eyes, and find yourself on a rural isle that’s roughly the size of Manhattan and marked by an artsy, carefree and hippie-tinged personality of its very own. If you only have 24 hours or so to explore Vashon, here are a couple gems you won’t want to miss. 

Getting to know this happenin’ zone’s waterside parks + trendsetting patios.

Ask any Vancouver resident their thoughts on Yaletown, a thriving neighborhood along the south side of downtown’s peninsula, and he or she likely has an opinion. Whether it’s a destination for weekend spin classes, a celebratory night on the town or simply enjoying some of the best people-watching around, it’s clear that this chic zone is a place to “see and be seen.”