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If I don’t tell you where this place is, you’d probably think I’m in a remote beach in Ireland, New Zealand or Kauia. But it’s actually just a stone’s throw away from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco- The Marin Headlands.

Not many people know of this place … tourists cross the Golden Gate Bridge, park their car and stop there to take photos of the bridge. In a way, I am sure locals prefer it this way. I’ve visited San Francisco over 20 times before I discovered this place through my friend Francis Rualo. 

I was featured by TV New Zealand when Lonely Planet picked New Zealand as one of its top destinations in 2015. I really enjoyed my trip to Auckland- seeing myself on TV was icing on the cake.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/new-zealand-recommended-gay-and-lesbian-tourists-video-6113375

Thanks TV NZ for the great coverage, and thanks New Zealand for the warm hospitality!

Escaped from the comforts of my hotel in Halfmoon Bay, California to drive north 18 miles to this lighthouse- Pigeon Point Lighthouse. The drive was spectacular. What I estimated as a 20 minute drive took two hours. I just had to stop at every cove to enjoy the view fly my drone (and answer questions from amused tourists about how the drone works).

When I got to the lighthouse, I was determined to get one of those shots that swoop in to the light house. Then I got nervous. But I did it anyway and both the lighthouse and the drone survived. (What a relief!)

Editing this video reminded me of how beautiful the world is. DO SOMETHING AMAZING THIS WEEKEND! I hope you take time to appreciate the beauty around us. HAPPY FRIDAY!

Here in Maui to do a shoot. With its seemingly endless white sand beaches, majestic palm trees, blue skies and perfect weather – everything is just picture perfect! Come join me and see what happens behind the scenes.

https://vimeo.com/123759560

The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay: The Standard of Luxury

When it was built over a decade ago, it set a new standard for casual sophistication and service in a state renowned for its world-class resorts. The hotel is dramatically set upon a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the only golf course by the sea in the Bay Area. The architecture can best be described as an oversized beach house in the Hamptons. It’s very understated and casual but elegant.

If you get a chance … stay for a few nights. It would be a vacation of a lifetime!

For more details: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/half-moon-bay

I met a guy at our hotel who suggested I visit Makena Beach. “Let’s put it this way,” he said, “I’ve been on Maui for 20 days and have spent time on this beach almost every single day.” With an endorsement like that, I had to see it for myself.

Having been around the entire island of Maui, I have to say that I agree with him. It’s become my favorite beach as well.

The sand is so pure, you sink as you walk through it.

The beach is very easy to find. Once you park, you will walk through a nice wooded area for about a third of a mile to get to the beach. From the woods, your first sight of the blue waters is stunning. This is what locals refer to as “The Big Beach” and it is about a mile long and has pure golden-white sand. In this area, there are several huge trees that you can use as shelter from the sun if you need a refuge. Because of the massive waves, there is a lifeguard on duty. This beach is not ideal if you want to snorkel or if you’re with small children – the waves are too unpredictable.

At the end of the north side of the beach is big lava rock that is ideal for taking photos. For the adventurous, there’s a path that goes over to the other side that will lead you to “The Little Beach.” This section of the beach is clothing optional. And if you walk further, you can get away from the crowd and discover a hiking path that leads to a rocky beach and a dramatic cliff. (Sorry folks, but no photography allowed!)

While this may not be the best “swimming” beach on Maui, it is definitely the best walking, lounging and hiking beach on the island. Come see for yourself!

The walk through the wooded area can be a refreshing break from the heat

It’s quite easy making friends with the locals

Your first sight of the ocean

Making my mark on the beach

Please feel free to share this story with your friends …

You won’t read much about Oakville, Ontario in travel magazines. And locals prefer it that way.

It is located 30 minutes from downtown Toronto (if there’s no traffic) and an hour’s drive from Niagara Falls, Oakville offers a little bit of something for everyone. Immerse yourself in beautiful Oakville. The most ideal time to visit is the summer …

There are many beautiful trails along the coast and it’s perfect for bird watching. Swans glide gracefully along its coast alongside different species of birds.

Come fly with me and see the beauty Oakville has to offer.

As an LA native, I will be the first to admit that Los Angeles can be an expensive city for tourists and locals. However, there are actually many FREE things to see and do here in Los Angeles. Here are 15 of them:

1) CHINATOWN: For great Chinese food and dimsum, head downtown to Chinatown. Its history started as a commercial center for Chinese businesses in Los Angeles in 1938. The area includes restaurants, vegetable and seafood markets, souvenir shops and art galleries.

2) FARMERS MARKET & THE GROVE: One of the oldest farmers market in the US is next to one of the prettiest and most picturesque mall – The Grove.

3) VENICE BEACH: This beach is quite unique. In many ways, it’s a throw-back to the 60s and 70s because not much have changed since. I love bringing guests here because it’s a fascinating place to watch people. The beach itself is wide and the boardwalk is full of little stalls selling all kinds of unique souvenirs, products and services. On weekends, there are a few street performers that will wow you! Great fun for a sunny day! However, it’s not the ideal beach for families.

4) HIKING IN LOS ANGELES: There are many hiking options. But if you are looking for sweeping views of Los Angeles, get in your exercise gear and take the Runyon Canyon route! The views from the top are incredible and definitely worth the hike. It’s the best place to see LA and go star sighting! (Shirtless Jake Gyllenhaal is a regular.) You have many hiking options available. Check out this link for a complete guide: http://hollywoodsigntrip.com

5) GETTY MUSEUM AND GETTY VILLA: The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and photography. The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Villa is dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. Admission is free at both museums.

6) VENICE CANALS: The Venice Canals are canals fashioned after the Venice canals in Italy and were built by Abbot Kinney in 1905. Beautiful place to check out if you’re in the area. Relax and take a nice stroll around the canals as you people watch and admire the homes that sit right in front of the “Venice” river.

7) SANTA MONICA BEACH AND 3rd STREET PROMENADE: Start off at 3rd St Promenade for some window shopping and people watching, then catch the sunset at the beach on Santa Monica Pier

8) OLVERA STREET: Referred to by many as the “birthplace of Los Angeles.” It is a Mexican Marketplace in Downtown LA that recreates a romantic “Old Los Angeles.” The area has some nice buildings housing a market with old structures, painted stalls, street vendors, souvenir vendors, restaurants and Mexican-themed gift shops. Many of the merchants on Olvera Street today are descended from the original vendors.

9) DISNEY CONCERT HALL: This amazing piece of architecture was designed by Frank Gehry and it’s worth the drive Downtown. The project was launched in 1987, when Lillian Disney, widow of Walt Disney, donated $50 million.

10) WALKING TOUR OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES: The Historic Downtown tour provides an overview of the historical and cultural landmarks of downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles landmarks are in this area, such as the LA City Hall, Pershing Square, LA Times Building, Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, City of Angels Cathedral, Central Library, Angels Flight, Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Union Station, Art Deco buildings along Broadway and the Bradbury Building.

11) HOLLYWOOD BLVD: The Hollywood Walk of Fame, which runs from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue was created as a tribute to artists working in the entertainment industry. Perfect for people watching.

12) GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY: Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos! Visitors can look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.

13) PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY DRIVE: This is one of the most beautiful drives you can take according to many guide books. Start in Santa Monica where the 10 freeway ends, and drive towards Pt. Mugu State Park some 32 miles away. See $40 million beach houses along the coast and great seafood restaurants. Many celebrities live in the area so don’t be surprised if you run into Dustin Hoffman, Pierce Brosnan, Steven Spielberg, Halle Berry, Ellen DeGeneres, Charlie Sheen and Janet Jackson.

14) WALKING TOUR OF BEVERLY HILLS: Start on Santa Monica Blvd at the Beverly Hills City Hall. Across the street is the beautifully restored Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Just around the corner is Edelweiss Chocolate. Remember that I Love Lucy episode where Lucy and Ethel were left to work a conveyor belt at the chocolate factory? Yup- it was all inspired by the chocolate conveyor belt system that still runs in the back of this charming little chocolate shop. From here, head west on Santa Monica Blvd and you’d pass by Sprinkles Cupcakes, The Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts and Sciences, Beverly Drive and the Electric Fountain on Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvd (In the 1995 movie Clueless, the fountain is where Cher had the epiphany that she is in love with Josh). Then see the Beverly Hilton, venue of the Golden Globes just across it. As you head east on Wilshire, window shop at luxes stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks 5th Ave. You’ll also see the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel, the hotel used in the hit movie Pretty Woman.

15) STAPLES CENTER: If you’re a sports fan, visit the Staples Center to see all the athlete statues. Statues outside the building are all in excellent condition and offers a great photo opportunity. Across the street is the Nokia Center and there are plenty of shops and restaurants in the surrounding area. It’s nice, clean, safe and easy to get to. (Last time I was there, I ran into Mark Cuban at the Marriott! He was super nice!)

How many of these places have you visited?

I was in Europe for the Holidays – took a road trip that started in Munich to St Gallen to Zurich to Vienna and ending in Budapest. I love love love love my family (in the Philippines), but Christmas in Europe is quite amazing. It’s cold, shops are all decorated for the holidays, the Christmas Markets are amazing, all tourist spots are empty and best of all- it is cheap. Flights to Europe (and hotels) cost half of a trip to the Philippines. A ticket to Europe from LA is only $800, and it’s $1700 to fly to Manila. Think about it!

Instead, I visit my family during low season. My family understands. (Or do they? LOL)

While on a business trip in Toronto, my client gave me a rather small hotel budget of $150 to $175/night. If you’ve ever been to Toronto, you know that the only way you can get a hotel room at that rate is to stay at the hotels/motels by the airport, right under the flight path of the planes.

Every trip, I would stay at different Toronto hotels hoping to find a place that I love- a hotel that is trendy, offers great service, cool ambiance, great value, and ideal for having clients over for  cocktails or coffee. I came across Gladstone Hotel through Travelocity and I was able to get a room for $150/night. For the price, the accommodations turned out to be fantastic.

Room 301: The Skygazer Room

The Gladstone Hotel was built in 1889 and named after Gladstone Avenue, next to the hotel. It was designed by local architect G.M. Miller in the Romanesque revival style. The Gladstone Hotel is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Toronto. The Gladstone is a fine example of a Victorian Hotel with beautiful plaster moldings in the grand hallways.

What makes the hotel unique is there is art space or gallery on every floor and each room has been designed by a Canadian artist.  It offers 37 one-of-a-kind hotel rooms from the winning artists. I stayed at room 301, otherwise known as “The Skygazer Room.” The room, decorated in all white furniture, sheets, curtains and accessories, has a meditative or pure ambiance created by the 3D wall treatment of specialized plaster relics shaped like parts of a robot. Yes, the rooms are quite small, but its character makes up for it.

Aside from the unique art hotel rooms, Gladstone Hotel has over 70 art exhibitions a year, 3 dedicated gallery spaces and 1 full-time Director of Exhibitions. Art is on display in all corners of the hotel which are open to the public like gallery spaces. The lobby and the lobby bar and restaurant are filled with interesting and cool guests. It has that music or art industry type scene, without being the least bit pretentious.

Since each room represents a different artist’s vision, no two stays will be the same! I can’t wait to visit again and discover other artworks.

Common Area is ideal for having guests over

Each floor has a gallery

Gallery and reception area on the 3rd floor

If you’re an art lover, you would love exploring each floor.

The bar on the first floor has so much character.

The restaurant is buzzing at night!

You have to take the elevator – it is quite an experience.
You can learn more about this hotel at: http://www.gladstonehotel.com