Exit to Savannah

I’d like to blow all of my credibility as an expert on visiting Savannah, Georgia right off the bat:

I’ve been there once for about two hours.

That being said, I loved every minute of it, took copious notes, and am eagerly planning my return.

I don’t know much about what to do in Savannah, Georgia – but I can tell you with confidence where you should start your trip to this small southern town.  (And you should listen to me because the second I pulled into Savannah I asked a tour guide where I should go if I only had an hour to spend there.  A novice who asks an expert is almost as good as an actual travel expert.)

Head to River Street.  Immediately.  River Street is the perfect place to spend an afternoon or a daytrip in Savannah.

Savannah River Street

River Street is a narrow cobblestone road that runs along the Savannah River on the northeast edge of town.  You’ll want to drive very slowly and watch for the trolly tours.  Trust me on the drive slowly bit.  (And also?  Wear a bra.  I’m serious.)  Street parking is limited, but you’ll find several small parking lots with reasonable meter rates.

River Walk long Savannah River

Although I pulled down River Street to find a place for lunch, I was instantly distracted by the river walk.  I live 20 minutes from the ocean and white sandy beaches.  I am not easily impressed by water, especially something as mundane as a river.

But something about this water and this river is so calming.  Words like “rolling” and “rambling” come to mind when you stand along the banks.  The bridge that spans the river and the massive ships that sail under it are beautiful.  I know this because I took approximately 152 pictures of said bridge and said ships.

Once I managed to tear myself away from the water, I found a new love across the street.  (What can I say?  I’m fickle.)

Gift shops.  No.  Gift boutiques.  Block after block of cute little storefronts with handmade jewelry, tacky souveneirs, and knick knacks galore.  You could spend hours wandering in and out of these shops.

River Street gift shops

Of course at some point, you’ll need to eat.  This is an especially good idea if that was the excuse you gave for driving 20 minutes out of your way in the first place.

River Street Restaurants

Apparently someone named Paula Deen has a restaurant in Savannah and she’s kind of a big deal.  But if you didn’t wake up early enough to get your name on a reservation list for dinner and you’d like to find a place you can walk in and get a meal, River Street offers several options.  All of them specialize in seafood.  Personally, I recommend River House Seafood & Bakery becase that’s the only place I ate in Savannah (and it was fabulous).

As you head further down River Street, you’ll find more shops, more places to walk, and a famous statue.

The Waving Girl Statue in Savannah

The Waving Girl Statue is a tribute to Florence Matus, a Savannah resident who used to live along the river and waved at the ships as they sailed by.  No one knows why she waved at the ships, but the story is part of local Savannah legend.

Spending time along River Street in Savannah is definitely more about seeing than it is doing.  Fortunately, “seeing” is often much less expensive than “doing”, which is why Savannah is a great place for a cheap vacation.  It’s a slow paced destination that can provide the perfect backdrop for a day of relaxation or a romantic getaway.

All photos by Britt Reints.

It’s common to be able to stand in one spot in Los Angeles and have a simultaneous view of the ocean and of snow-capped mountains.  ‘Tis the season for skiing and snowboarding, but for less physically ambitious powder lovers, the opportunity to frolick in the white stuff after just a short drive is too good to pass up.  The Big Bear and Mountain High areas are local favorites for a quick getaway to decent cold-weather sports and outdoor activities.

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchng

Now that we’re experiencing a cold snap and the Big Bear area is expected to receive 6-12 inches of snow, this seems to be the right time to check it out.  (First check the weather to make sure the big storms have passed and driving conditions are ideal.)  You can simply drive out to those areas, pull over to the side of the road where it looks safe and white, and play.

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchng

-Take 210 out to 30. Then you take 18 or 330 to Lake Arrowhead or Running Springs and Big Bear.  About 100 miles from LA, 2-3 hours.

-Drive up the Glendale Freeway and keep following Route 2 up into the mountains until you are in the snow. 45 minutes tops.

For more organized adventures, check out Mountain High Resort which offers snow tubing in addition to skiing and snowboarding, or Alpine Slide, home of the all-season tubing experience.  There are several smaller snow-play  resorts in the San Bernardino Mountains as well.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Johnson

While you’re up in the mountains, if you and your kids are enjoying yourselves, this is the time to get them on skis and try it out.  After all, falling from a short height is a lot less painful, so maybe they will grow up actually looking forward to skiing, instead of hating it and avoiding it because they tried too late in life and spent the whole first lesson on their bums.  Not that I know anyone who did that.  For sore tushies, a visit to the animal park might be a nice respite and take the focus off the pain.