Dusk settles over Hilo Bay, turning the sky a deep violet and the lingering wisps of clouds the same soft pink as the frangipani that scent the air. In the distance canoes glide across the calm waters, muddling the sky's iridescent reflection. A man gingerly hops across lava rocks, then deftly tosses his fishing net. Local kids perform flips and cannonballs off old stone diving towers.
Across the county, shops and markets brim with goods drawn straight from the sea and soil, crafted by the people who live closest to both. These small producers - farmers, fishers, beekeepers and artisans - are turning the region's harvests into gifts that carry the essence of the coast: jams made from rescued fruit, sea glass shaped by the surf, lavender grown in sun-drenched valleys. Whether you're wandering a farmers market in Pacific Grove or stopping by a family-run shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, you'll find plenty of ways to take home a taste or a whiff of Monterey.
Copenhagen has an impressive résumé when it comes to high-quality living. This year, the Happy City Index ranked Copenhagen as the world's happiest city, based on factors like health, mobility, and environment. Plus, the World Happiness Report named Denmark the second-happiest country in 2025. After spending a week there on a solo trip getting a small taste of the Danish city and talking with locals, I think I understand why.
The city moves fast, sounds loud, and never really sleeps. Every neighborhood feels different. You can walk through busy streets full of yellow taxis and then suddenly find yourself in a quiet park or a street full of murals and small cafés. If you're visiting for the first time or just coming back, New York always feels new. Here are some of the best things to do, plus a few day trips that will make your visit even better.
Sunset After Dark is a new community market in San Francisco's Sunset District. It's a celebration of local food, culture, and small businesses. The inaugural event will turn three blocks of Irving Street into a lively, family-friendly street festival with food vendors, performances, music, a rib eating contest, raffle prizes, and one night only food collaborations from local businesses. Sunset After Dark is being organized by Dear Community and Smokin' D's with the support of local merchants, parent teacher associations, and individuals from the community.
One of my favorite restaurants is Milk & Honey in Harlan, Iowa, a small town in the western part of the state. The restaurant is run by Ellen Walsh-Rosmann, who is also a farmer and a mother. Milk & Honey has a delicious homemade strawberry jam that's way better than the normal mediocre corn syrup-based jam packets served at most diners. Their skillets include chorizo made from pork raised on Ellen's farm.
If you live in the greater Los Angeles area, it's likely you have a defining San Fernando Valley moment or routine. Those can include waiting 30 minutes at Glendale's Porto's for savory potato balls or meat pies. Or perhaps that's flying out of Southern California's top-ranked airport, Hollywood Burbank, at least according to Fodor's Travel Guide. Maybe you melted your face off in Woodland Hills, the hottest city in all the county, or unsuccessfully tried to reverse parallel park there.
