Three of the best vacation spots in the United States offer everything you could want in your break from the everyday. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting each one, and some I return to year after year. From the cultural gem of San Francisco to the serene beaches of Fripp Island, SC to the pastoral landscapes of the historic island of Jamestown, RI, you just might fall in love with one and make it an annual escape.
San Francisco & Sonoma
One of the most iconic cities in the U.S. is also within a day’s drive of some of the most beautiful countryside the world has to offer. San Francisco is a great place to get away and just wander around. Bring your walking shoes and explore places like the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Chinatown and Alcatraz. My wife and I especially loved walking up the crookedest street in the world, Lombard Street. The view from the top is well worth the effort!
One of the most magical places I visited with my wife on our way out of San Francisco is Muir Woods. Named for the one of our country’s most beloved naturalists, John Muir, this park will leave you in absolute awe of Nature’s beauty with it’s grove of lofty redwoods.
Finally, once your feet are exhausted, take a day or two and drive through the picturesque landscape of Sonoma Valley. Stop at some of the vineyards for a wine tasting, visit the quaint town of Sonoma, and most of all just relax. My personal favorite winery is an especially fun Rabbit Ridge in the Russian River Valley. The people who run the place were so welcoming, and their wine is second to none!
Fripp Island, SC
The last stop on one of South Carolina’s long and winding Low Country roads, Fripp Island is a beautiful private island with majestic scenery unmatched anywhere. You’ll find 100-year-old live oak trees lining the Island’s one main road, marsh land that seems to go on forever, and some of the best shrimp you’ve ever tasted. Fripp Island’s beaches are as expansive and quiet as you’ll find anywhere. Contrast that with nearby Hilton Head Island’s busy, crowded beaches. On Fripp Island, you may have a couple of hundred yards between you and the next beach towel. But when you do run into someone, they’re sure to be the friendliest person you’ve met in a while.
Jamestown, RI
Jamestown is nestled between Rhode Island’s mainland and the island of Newport. Once a predominately agricultural island, Jamestown’s unique beauty is found in its rolling hills that slope right down to the ocean on both sides of this long, thin island. If you have children, take them to Sweet Berry Farms to pick strawberries, blueberries, corn, pumpkins or whatever is in season. The owners are friendly and the food from their little store is the freshest you’ve ever eaten. While you’re on Jamestown, make sure you visit Beavertail Lighthouse that overlooks the crashing waves of Narragansett Bay. Located at the southernmost tip of Jamestown, Beavertail Lighthouse stands on the site of America’s third oldest lighthouse. When I need a break from writing my insurance blog, this is where I love to vacation.
Conclusion
The next time you need to get away, choose from three of the best vacation spots in the U.S., San Francisco, Fripp Island and Jamestown. You’re sure to find a bit of culture, beauty, serenity and history. What more could you want on a vacation?