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colorful buildings in Porto Portugal, Porto train station, solo female travel in Portugalwire fence with a horse in a field in Salmon, Idaho, solo female travelview of buildings along a canal in venice, Italy, solo female travelyellow kayaking in fjords in Norway, Gudvangen, solo female travel in NorwayOrvieto Italy and the Duomo in Umbria, solo female travel in Italysawtooth mountains and a wood fence in fall near Stanley, Idaho, solo female travel, road tripThe Alhambra at sunset in spring with yellow flower, solo female travel in Spainblack dog looking at the view of an alpine lake, Williams Lake near Salmon, Idaho, dog travel

Travel, Design, and Creative Living
Through the Lens of an Architect

Created by a San Francisco based architect for design-minded travelers and creative professionals. Discover thoughtful travel guides, walking routes, practical tools, and inspiring places that help you travel well, live creatively, and work intentionally.

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    San Francisco sunrise, Coit Tower, North Beach, solo female travel and architecture

    Travel

    colorful homes on Jersey Street in Noe Valley

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    featured posts

    The Best Walk to Twin Peaks from Noe Valley: Hidden Stairs and City Views

    Crissy Beach with a dog, dog beaches in San Francisco, dog friendly San Francisco, Golden Gate bridge views with a dog

    Solo Female Travel with a Dog: Safety Tips, Planning & What to Expect

    Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park, looking at the Academy of Science and Sutro Tower in San Francisco

    Best Things to Do in Golden Gate Park: A Local’s Guide

    popular posts

    Granite at Watson Lake in Prescott, Arizona, things to do between Phoenix and Flagstaff

    Best Road Trip Stops Between Phoenix and Flagstaff: Sedona, Jerome, Prescott, Arcosanti & More

    New York City skyline, brooklyn bridge, girls trip destination

    The Best Girls Trip Destinations in the USA

    morning walk along Mirror Pond on the Deschutes River in downtown Bend, Oregon, walking bend oregon

    A Guide to Walking Bend, Oregon: Design, Trails, and Breweries

    recent posts

    Sunset view of Downtown San Francisco from Russian Hill

    Best Time to Visit San Francisco: A Local Architect’s Guide

    Bird dog pointing at Geese, Crissy field, off-leash dogs in San Francisco, things to do with a dog in San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge view

    San Francisco vs. Seattle for Dogs – Which City is Better?

    The view from Gas Works Park, best parks in Seattle

    Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Seattle: Parks, Beaches, Patios, and Day Trips

    Ballard Ave, historic District in Seattle, Seattle neighborhoods

    Ballard, Seattle: A Neighborhood Guide from an Architect

    The Spheres exterior, banana cart, Amazon Spheres, Seattle architecture, glass bubbes

    Seattle Architecture Guide: An Architect’s Favorite Buildings and Places

    The view from Kerry Park, Queen Anne views in Seattle, Seattle skyline

    Is a One Month Home Exchange Worth It? What I Learned Living in Seattle

    View from the Deception Pass Bridge, best day trip from Seattle, Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island

    Whidbey Island Day Trip from Seattle: Deception Pass, Coupeville & Beaches

    Overlooking Main Street in Ashland Oregon with pine trees in the background and historic brick buildings, charming town in Southern Oregon

    One Night in Ashland, Oregon: The Best Overnight Stop on a Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip

    Temple Square in Salt Lake City, SLC walking tour

    Salt Lake City – Self Guided Downtown Walking Tour

    instagram

    Some of my favorite moments in Seattle were the bu Some of my favorite moments in Seattle were the buildings I went inside. 

This one is the Seattle library, designed by Rem Koolhaas/OMA with LMN Architects.  The library is one of my favorite architectural experience in Seattle — not just because of the diamond-shaped glass and steel exterior, but because of how much there is to discover inside.

Neon yellow escalators, exposed circulation, the book spiral, the red floor, skyline views from the reading room, and so many beautifully coordinated technical details hiding in plain sight. It is one of those buildings that rewards wandering slowly.

My recommendation: take the escalators to the top, then meander your way down through the ramps, reading rooms, and unexpected spaces.
    Whidbey Island Day Trip - part 2 Spent the aftern Whidbey Island Day Trip - part 2

Spent the afternoon at Deception Pass. It’s a short hike down to North Beach. Then we continued on across the Deception Pass Bridge and back. Hiked part of the Goose Rock Perimeter trail before heading back to Seattle. The bridge is 180’ above the fast swirling currents below and the water really is turquoise in real life. I was uneasy walking on the bridge but everyone else seemed fine (including Pepper). 

You need a Discovery Pass to explore Deception Pass and dogs are allowed on leash.
    Day Trip to Whidbey Island - part 1 My favorite d Day Trip to Whidbey Island - part 1

My favorite day trip during my month in Seattle was to Whidbey Island. We took the Mukilteo Ferry to Clinton and started the day with a beach walk at Double Bluff Beach. Next was lunch in the adorable town of Coupeville.
    Would you trade homes with someone for an entire m Would you trade homes with someone for an entire month?

I did — and spent July living in Seattle through a @homeexchangecom. I swapped my San Francisco condo for a house in Ballard, brought Pepper with me, worked remotely, and explored the city slowly. I also got to spend time with friends and experience Seattle as if I was living there, not just visiting. 

Some things surprised me: how much more driving I did, how much I appreciated having a yard (maybe not a surprise), and how seeing another city’s everyday life made me appreciate my own neighborhood back home. 

I finally went through all my photos from the month and have a lot more to post about my month in Seattle, but here’s a little preview into what July looked like.
    One night in Ashland… On my recent road trip bet One night in Ashland… 

On my recent road trip between San Francisco and Seattle I was looking for a place to break up the long drive along I-5. Ashland, Oregon was exactly what I needed. Easy to get to, walkable, beautiful, and perfect for a road trip stop that felt like a mini-vacation. 
I wandered the historic downtown, had dinner along Ashland Creek, and let Pepper burn off her road trip energy at the Ashland Dog Park - along a creek! 
I stayed at the @ashlandspringshotel right in the heart of downtown and loved being able to walk straight from the hotel into downtown for dinner.
    After leaving Salt Lake City, I had a very quick t After leaving Salt Lake City, I had a very quick turnaround to prepare for my PNW summer - one day back in San Francisco to unpack, repack, and get my home ready for a month long home exchange, then two days on the road heading north to Seattle (with an overnight stop in Ashland). 

Before leaving SLC, I had the chance to visit @backcountry and choose some gear for my summer of hiking and exploring (gifted as part of my @hellotravelcon and @travelgoodsassociation experience)

Backcountry was the perfect stop before heading into the Pacific Northwest. I picked up an Osprey daypack and a The North Face vest to prepare for the hiking and cool morning walks I knew were ahead. 

Both have already become part of my everyday adventures - from road trips to hikes to exploring a new city at a slower pace. 

Thanks @backcountry for helping me gear up for this next chapter. 

1 - Hiking with @thespicypuppy and my new gear at Deception Pass
2 - Seattle views
3 - Pink triangle on Twin Peaks for pride in SF 
4 - Ashland
5&6 - Salt Lake City
7 - Backcountry store in SLC 
8 - Deception Pass
    Salt Lake City walking tour with Southwest Adventu Salt Lake City walking tour with Southwest Adventure Tours, part 2 of 2

As an architect, I love a good walking tour and discovering historic buildings. 

📍Kimpton Monaco
📍Capital Theater
📍Temple Square
📍Karrick Building
📍Eagle Gate Clock
📍Joseph Smith Building
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