Topic
Beaches & coast
10 stories tagged beaches & coast.
Under Canvas in Yosemite and Bears in Lake Tahoe
We have crossed oceans for mountains and water, from Lake Como to the Norwegian fjords, and then we had a few open days and stayed in our own California backyard. Yosemite and Lake Tahoe gave us granite walls, pine smell, cold blue water, and enough logistics to remind us that close to home does not mean effortless.
7 Days on the French Riviera: Cannes to Nice
Come with us on a 7-day French Riviera guide. We actually spent more than three weeks based in Cannes, which gave us time to explore the region slowly and understand what truly works. This itinerary reflects how we would structure a focused 7-day version of what we would plan if we did the trip again. At Durfee Travel Blog, we only share about places we have actually been. We plan the trip, live the detours, and tell you what was worth the time.
Half Moon's Bay - Moss Beach Distillery - an unexpected lunch find
It wasn't exactly *the plan*. The long way back to SFO from Santa Cruz allows for a quick trip up the coast to Half Moon Bay. If you haven't made this trip it provides some iconic ocean coastline views traveling North on Highway 1 - The Pacific Coast Highway. We made it to Half Moon Bay and decided to point the car vaguely west, past the usual Half Moon Bay bustle, chasing a rumor. A whisper of a place where the Pacific met Prohibition, where the waves crashed with the ghosts of rum runners. Moss Beach, they said. A name that sounded less like a destination and more like a warning, or perhaps a particularly melancholic poem.
Limestone Lullabies and Lunch by the Adriatic
It wasn't a choice, really. More like an insistent gravitational pull. One minute, I was navigating a maze of sun-baked streets, the next, the ground simply... ended. Not in a terrifying, cinematic cliffhanger way, but in a breathtaking, postcard-perfect plunge to the turquoise below. This is Polignano a Mare, a place that doesn't merely exist on the coast; it *is* the coast, carved and shaped by centuries of Adriatic whims. My travel philosophy usually involves a healthy dose of skepticism toward anything labeled 'charming.' Too often, it translates to 'overpriced and crowded.' But here? The charm felt earned, etched into every rough-hewn stone, every whitewashed wall clinging precariously to the cliff face. It whispered stories of fishermen, of lovers, of the sea's relentless embrace. And, if I'm being honest, I was already thinking about lunch.
Galápagos by Small Ship (7 Days, One Suitcase, Zero Repacking)
Galápagos Islands tour was an opportunity to see wildlife both on land and sea in an environment that continues to be thriving and as protected as possible. Traveling on a boat offered a way to see as much as possible without moving luggage from place to place.
Ayampe + Cerro Lobo + Guayaquil — Ocean Air, Birthday Pizza, and Prep for Galápagos
Guayaquil and Ayampe provide a different view of Ecuador. The Beach and a big city with a long history. Thanks to our duaghter's querido who helped us with Spanish when our English wasn't good enough, we had a great time.
Bora Bora: Beauty and the Beach
Spending time at the Bora Bora St. Regis was a spectacular moment to relax and restore.
Cinque Terre Coastal Paradise
The five coastal villages of Cinque Terre feel like stepping into a postcard. We chose to stay in Vernazza, which transforms from a bustling daytime destination to a serene evening haven. The highlight was an impromptu sunset concert where a local musician played classical piano on a hillside overlooking Riomaggiore as the Mediterranean turned golden.
Dramatic Coast & Ancient Wonders
The Amalfi Coast's dramatic beauty takes your breath away at every curve. Positano's pastel houses cascade down cliffs like a watercolor painting. Ravello's Villa Rufolo gardens offer spectacular views that inspired Wagner's music. Our journey to Pompeii was deeply moving - walking through perfectly preserved streets frozen in time by Vesuvius.
Puerto Nuevo Birthday Lobster Fest
We've always been drawn to the Pacific coast, so when Matt's birthday came around, we knew a one-day adventure to Baja was the perfect way to celebrate. Our destination was Puerto Nuevo, a favorite spot that never disappoints, especially on a quiet weekday. The easy drive from San Diego led us to a fantastic lobster and beer lunch. Better yet, the Fast Track SENTRI lane made the trip home just as effortless.