While most people go North of SF just for drinking in Napa, there's actually so much more to wine country than that! Santa Rosa is one of my favorite spots, right on the edge of wine country, with so many little towns all around and plenty of delicious food and beautiful sites.

In its past life, the Sandman was a motel, but it has since transformed into a chic, hipster, Palm-Springs-esque beauty, with a sunlit lodge-like lobby, cute retro rooms, and the most beautiful pool house you'll ever see.

Kimpton's newest location is also it's most luxurious. La Peer is located right off Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, and I was lucky enough to stay there during my last trip to LA. And guess what... I'M OBSESSED.

2017 was an epic year. The things that were good were really good, and the things that were bad were pretty darn bad. Some things that happened this year:

During my trip to the Napa Valley Film Fest, I had the incredible opportunity to stay at Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa! I'd never heard of this hotel before, and the name threw me off a bit, but oh my gosh, it's the cutest, hipster kitsch-iest, comfiest hotel with rooms that are made to look and feel like motorhomes, but in the best possible way.

Little-known fact about me: I'm not a huge fan of fiction in movies and books. Nor do I drink alcohol. So, Julia, why did you want to go to the Napa Valley Film Fest, you ask? Because: nature, gorgeous venues, documentaries, food presentations, and celebs ... duh.