CALIFORNIA:
FOOD & DRINK:
Sushi Yoshizumi, San Mateo: an intimate sushi experience with some of the best nigiri that I've ever had
Thee Parkside, San Francisco: awesome live music venue/outdoor beer garden/quick cheap bite place
Zeitgeist, San Francisco: the best outdoor beer venue in SF
Cellermaker, San Francisco: fantastic brewery with very creative beers done well
Shizen, San Francisco: mind-blowingly good vegan Japanese food (including sushi!)
True Laurel, San Francisco: the quirky home of the most inventive and delicious cocktails in the city
Rintaro, San Francisco: a beautiful izakaya serving delicious food (get the gyoza!)
Manna, San Francisco: possibly the best Korean in the bay area
Gao Viet Kitchen, San Mateo: great vietnamese fusion
Mingalaba, Burlingame: one of my favorite Burmese places in the bay area
Izakaya Yugen, Mountain View: my favorite ramen in the bay area
Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa: possibly the best brewery in the world (esp for IPA fans). Everything is delicious
San Gregorio General Store, San Gregorio: great cocktails by the beach
ADVENTURE:
Yosemite National Park: Stunning granite monoliths and one of my favorite places on earth. Go now.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park: A cute and quiet park with great Redwood trees. Do the Berry Creek loop.
Joshua Tree National Park: An alien desert land with great climbing.
WASHINGTON:
FOOD & DRINK:
Sushi Kashiba, Seattle: a Seattle sushi legend hosts a bombastic omakase. All the flavors are large and bold. Very different from a traditional edomae omakase but still delicious
Kamonegi, Seattle: traditionally made soba noodles. So good! Also go to their sister restaurant next door for great sake
Canon, Seattle: home of the best cocktail I've ever had: the campfire in Georgia
Harvest Beat, Seattle: innovative and delicious multi-course vegan restaurant
Maneki, Seattle: home of the first sushi bar in Seattle and is a wonderfully cozy Japanese restaurant
ADVENTURE:
Olympics National Park: An incredible mountains-meet-the-sea park with the best of both worlds.
Cascade Mountains: One of the best and most beautiful mountain areas, including those outside of the national park.
EXPERIENCES:
Predators of the Heart, Anacortes: a non-profit dedicated to rescuing predators. Get up close and personal with all sorts of creatures and hike/cuddle with wolves!