When people take a Southern California vacation there are usually two big stops on the itinerary: Disneyland and the beach. Huntington Beach is a favorite destination beacuse it combines the best of beach vacations with a convenient locale close to the Disney resort. Surrounded by a host of other popular coastal towns like Seal Beach, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach, the area is known for its eclectic shops and picturesque beach lifestyle. It also boasts an incredible surf, thanks to an effect caused by the nearby Catalina Island. Huntington Beach is also a quick drive to Knott’s Berry Farm and the assorted treasures of Long Beach: the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Queen Mary.

So you’ve got a solid list of sites to see, but where should you rest your weary head at the end of the day? Consider these Huntington Beach hotels:

• Shorebreak Hotel: Located in the downtown area of Huntington Beach, it’s both modern and pure laid-back California with surf-culture ambience, a yoga studio, ocean views, and romantic fire pits. It features the Zimzala Restaurant and Bar, complimentary wine and juice hour, and evening story-telling.
• The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa has a variety of dining options, including the casual Pete’s Sunset Grille, The Californian, and Mankota’s Grill with its poolside dining, fire pit glow, and views of the Pacific Ocean. Travelers with kids will enjoy Slyders Water Playground, Sunset Beach Bonfires, surf lessons, and Orange County wildlife tours.
• The Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, located on an 8.5 mile-stretch of the Pacific Ocean, has everything you’d want in a plush hotel. I’m inspired by “The Green Room,” an environmentally-friendly laundry facility free to all guests. The hotel is also pet-friendly: for a standard $75 non-refundable fee, their ”Wag at the Waterfront” program offers pet guests a bed, bowl, and treats. Pet sitting, walking, and the “It’s a Wonderful Dog’s Life Package“ are also available. Dog Beach is also less than two miles from the resort.

Whit Honea is a travel writer living in Seattle with his wife and two children. He packs light and travels often to far-away places, exotic lands and more than a few theme parks.

I recommend hiring a driver or renting a motorbike to Erlangga, in Denpasar, a one-stop shopping destination for all of the Balinese souvenirs, trinkets, and clothing imaginable. Items are cheap, no bargaining is required (like it was in tourist hubs Kuta and Seminyak, where we would often haggle 70% off asking prices). A hand-made Balinese sarong is a must-have. I hit the jackpot with a sassy summer dress that fit well in all the right places — it cost $2. How can you beat that?

After the outdoor market, refuel at my favorite restaurant in Bali, called Gubug Makan Mang Engking, located in Denpasar. Tables are positioned above a vast fishpond next to a hand-washing station that you’ll need after eating all their delectable seafood with your bare hands. I recommend ordering Udang Super, a sweet-and-sour barbecue shrimp, as well as Gurame Kecil, a whole fried fish; if you love it as much as I did, you’ll find yourself sucking the bones dry. It’s a good thing they had that hand-washing station!

I suggest staying at the luxurious Jayakarta Hotel and Resort in Seminyak because this beach club resort offers all you need on your singles’ beach vacations to look your best: a fitness room, sauna, and two large swimming pools. It overlooks the beach, is within walking distance from the club La Vida Loca, and is a short motorbike ride from other beach clubs like Double Six and a spicy salsa bar called Bahiana. Other beach club resorts in this area include the Oberoi Lombok and Puri Cendana Resort.

Brooke Lenzi enjoys discovering hot spots and hidden gems with the hopes of inspiring readers to pack their suitcases and hit the road.

I know a good Seattle vacation when I see one. That’s because I live in Seattle and spend a good portion of my time playing tour guide to friends and family who aren’t lucky enough to be local. I could plan a Seattle vacation in my sleep.

A lot of my guests are happy to stay on my couch, but there are times when Seattle hotels are the better option. If that’s the case, I always suggest the Edgewater. I could go on and on about how it is Seattle’s only waterfront hotel with a breathtaking view of Elliott Bay or its easy access to popular tourist attractions. But the fact is, I like the Edgewater because the Beatles stayed there, they now have a Beatles-themed suite and they host all kinds of cool Beatles events throughout the year. Beatles history trumps posh amenities any day in my book (but luckily the Edgewater has those, too).

But a great hotel is only the start to any vacation. There’s so many things that my guests ask to see on their Seattle vacation. These are the five most popular:

1. The Space Needle: No Seattle vacation is complete without a trip to the top of Seattle’s best-known landmark. And did you know, the elevators in the Space Needle travel at the same rate that rain falls from the sky?
2. Pike’s Place Market: Everyone wants to see the guys that throw the fish. I’ve been there countless times and I’ve never seen anyone that wasn’t amazed. I’ve also never seen them drop a fish.
3. The Underground Tour: Did you know that the current city of Seattle is actually the second version? It’s true. The first draft is directly underneath the current one and houses basement-level eateries, dance halls and storage. The Underground Tour walks guests through the history of Seattle and offers a unique view of the city.
4. Snoqualmie Falls: Two-hundred and sixty-eight feet high, this powerful waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in the Seattle area — and it’s free! The falls are roughly 30 minutes east of the city and are best known for their power plants and beautiful hiking area. Don’t be surprised if they look familiar — Snoqualmie Falls gained international fame for its appearance in the television series Twin Peaks.
5. Drink! This is the easiest request I ever get because it’s accessible anywhere from Seattle hotels and restaurants to the markets and the ballparks. People enjoying a Seattle vacation want to see the original Starbucks (and usually order something to validate the experience) and visit any and/or many of the popular microbreweries in the area. Coffee and beer are always big hits with tourists and locals alike.

Whit Honea is a travel writer living in Seattle with his wife and two children. He packs light and travels often to far-away places, exotic lands and more than a few theme parks.