Are years flying by faster and faster or is it just me? I cannot believe 2017 is almost over, but nonetheless it’s time to reflect on the past before making way for 2018. This year I set myself the goal of doing a #tripamonth (some people call it #take12trips). I didn’t want having a full time job to slow me down from pursuing outside passions (aka travel). This goal was so close to being accomplished, but I did not leave town in December.
Can’t be mad about that, though–we had family visiting and we all know it’s not where you are but who you’re with that matters 🙂 Work obligations on top of not wanting to deal with moving around over Christmas also impacted our travel-less December. Some months of the year we did more than one trip, so I feel like I can cut myself a bit of slack and say it was a successful #tripamonth year… So here is a review of where 2017 took me! I also added the links to all the blogs that resulted from each trip if you want to relive any of them with me before we say hello to 2018 🙂
January: started 2017 in NYC with family which was so epic.
Summer vs. Winter: NYC Edition
February: went on an amazing girls trip to Arizona.
Here’s Why You Should Visit the Grand Canyon in February (with photos)
How To Spend 4 Days Adventuring Through Arizona
March: found couple heaven and learned how to ski in Big Bear.
Why I Don’t Want to Tell You Where We Stayed in Big Bear
April: went to Indianapolis for a wedding with a pit stop at Purdue; also went to LA for a concert and hockey game.
no posts resulted, oh my!
May: left the country for the only time this year and drove around Iceland with my bestie; also snuck over to San Francisco for a quick weekend over Memorial Day.
What It’s Really Like Driving Around Iceland
Street Art Spotlight: Reykjavik
Strange in the Best Way: Iceland Through Stories and Photos
Another Weekend Spent Falling in Love with San Francisco
June: went to Chicago for a wedding, and I fell even more in love with that city.
no post resulted! Highlights included Cubs game and rooftop bars overlooking Millennium Park and Lincoln Park
July: got a taste of island life when we stayed overnight just off the coast of LA on Catalina Island.
How We Found Ourselves on Catalina Island
August: spent a fun weekend with friends in Redondo Beach.
We spent a lot of time over the summer enjoying home… I wrote this post about all the reasons I love Solana Beach.
September: returned to a really special spot in Big Bear, hung out with friends in D.C. and got our NYC fix yet again; visited LA another time for a girls weekend.
The Top 6 Reasons I Have a Crush on Alpenhorn B&B
Culture, Concrete, & Calories: 5 Amazing Days in NYC
How to See the Best of D.C. in a Day
What Traveling Somewhere You Don’t Like Can Teach You
October: blissful weekend in San Francisco over Halloween.
The Best Way to Check Sausalito Off Your Bucket List
Where to Have a Great Meal in San Francisco
November: Miami which I’m still smiling about.
An Expat’s Top Reasons to Tailgate when You Visit the U.S.
Miami for Couples: First Timers’ Guide to a Hot Weekend
December: exploring San Diego and discovering more local favorites
We also had many friends and family come visit us in San Diego throughout the year, so we were always doing something fun. It still feels like I’m on vacation even though I live here. I’ll share my San Diego specific posts below.
9 Delightful Ways To Have The Best San Diego Summer
5 Things To Do in San Diego When it’s Raining
3 Unique Spots for Your Next San Diego Brunch
Travel Awards
I spent some time reflecting on all these trips and wanted to break them down a bit more for anyone interested.
Most Peaceful: Iceland, runner up Big Bear
Most Impressive View: Grand Canyon, runner up Iceland
Most Fun: Miami, runner up NYC
Place That was Just OK: LA, runner up Catalina Island
Place with the Best Food: San Francisco, runner up Chicago
Favorite Bucket List Activity: Blue Lagoon in Iceland, runner up National Archives Museum in D.C.
Favorite Accommodation: Alpenhorn Bed and Breakfast in Big Bear, runner up Kimpton EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami
Place I Want to Return to the Most: Miami, runner up NYC (can never get enough of that city)
Places Visited More Than Once: NYC, San Francisco, LA, Big Bear
Favorites in San Diego: Karl Strauss Sunday Brunch, runner up El Prez rooftop bar
2017 was such a great travel-filled year, and I can’t wait to see what 2018 brings!
What were your most memorable travel moments of 2017? Would you do the #tripamonth challenge?
You make me want to travel more!