Places worth the trip
What’s happening, where to stay, and what to book. Pick a destination, or let me plan the whole thing for you.
Disclosure: I’m a certified Fora Travel Advisor and I use affiliate links for hotels, tours and activities, including Viator and GetYourGuide. If you book through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Huntington Beach, California
What’s happening
Pacific Airshow: Sunday, October 4 to Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- When: Three days, with flying generally from about 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: On the beach along Pacific Coast Highway, near The Waterfront Beach Resort.
- The show: Military demos and aerobatics, with the USAF Thunderbirds headlining. Performers can change, so check the official lineup before you go.
- Tickets: Free viewing is available from public spots along the shoreline. Ticketed areas start around $10 for general admission, and premium hospitality starts around $170.
- Getting around: Parking is limited and PCH gets busy. Walking or biking is best, and there is a free bike valet near The Strand.
Details verified September 25, 2026 from the official Pacific Airshow site. Always confirm times and prices before you go.
Where to stay
For airshow weekend, location matters more than anything. Oceanfront resorts can offer premium viewing right from the property, and there are more budget-friendly hotels a short ride or walk away. Rooms fill up and prices climb near the dates, so book early.
OCEANFRONT PICK
The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel
Right across from the sand, with two pools, water slides, beachfront fire pits and an easy walk to the pier. This is about as close to airshow viewing as a hotel gets.
BOUTIQUE PICK
Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort
The closest hotel to the pier itself, with a surfer-chic feel, firepits, and a rooftop pier-view restaurant. Right in the middle of the Main Street scene.
Things to do
Make it more than one afternoon. Nearby Newport Beach offers whale watching, fishing trips, and its own film festival every October, and Huntington Beach has the pier, surf lessons and the beach itself.
- Surf lesson: Surf City USA earned its name honestly. Group and private lessons are available right off the pier.
- Huntington Beach Pier: Stretching 1,850 feet into the Pacific, with shops, Ruby’s Surf City Diner at the end, and some of the best sunset views on the coast.
- Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve: A quiet wetland walk a few minutes north, good for birdwatching and a break from the beach crowds.
Want it planned for you? Tell me your dates and budget and I’ll check stays and build your weekend.
Newport Beach, California
What’s happening
Newport Beach Film Festival: October 15 to 22, 2026
- What it is: The 27th annual festival, with more than 50,000 attendees expected. Eight days of screenings, world premieres, awards contenders and international spotlights, plus programming on food, design, music and family films.
- Where: Venues across Newport Beach. Opening night galas are October 15 at Regal Edwards Big Newport and Fashion Island, with Main Stage events at Fashion Island October 16 to 18.
- Don’t miss: The Honors event and Variety’s “10 Actors to Watch” program on October 18.
- Tickets: On sale now through the festival’s official site.
Details verified September 25, 2026 from Orange Coast magazine and the official Newport Beach Film Festival site. Confirm the current schedule before you go.
Where to stay
Festival week fills up fast, especially near Fashion Island where most of the Main Stage events happen. Staying in Newport Beach itself keeps you close to the venues; staying in nearby Huntington Beach or Costa Mesa is a budget-friendly alternative with an easy drive in. My Huntington Beach picks above both work well for this, about a 15-minute drive to Fashion Island.
Things to do
Beyond the festival, Newport Beach is built for a slow, scenic day: Balboa Island for a walk and a frozen banana, a sunset gondola ride around the harbor, or hiking the bluffs at Crystal Cove. Fashion Island rounds it out for shopping and dinner.
Want it planned for you? Tell me your dates and budget and I’ll check stays and build your weekend.
Oahu, Hawaii
What’s happening
Honolulu Marathon: Sunday, December 13, 2026
- Race day: The start is at 5:00 a.m. on Ala Moana Boulevard, and the finish is at Kapiolani Park near Diamond Head.
- Who it’s for: There is no time limit and no qualifying time, so walkers and first-timers are welcome. Spectators enjoy it too.
- Race expo: Hawaii Convention Center, December 10 to 12 (packet pickup).
Details verified September 23, 2026 from the official Honolulu Marathon site. Confirm expo hours before you go.
Where to stay
Waikiki keeps you close to the course, so it’s the smart choice for marathon weekend. For a quieter trip, look at Kailua, the North Shore or Ko Olina. I break down each area, plus my personal resort and hostel picks, in my Oahu guide and my marathon-weekend stay guide.
Things to do
- Diamond Head sunrise hike: A steep but short climb for one of the best views on the island. Go early, before the heat and the crowds.
- Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay: A protected marine reserve with calm, clear water. It closes Mondays and Tuesdays for reef recovery, and reservations sell out, so book ahead.
- Pearl Harbor: The USS Arizona Memorial is free, but timed tickets go fast. Book well in advance or add a guided tour that handles the logistics for you.
- North Shore day trip: Haleiwa town, shrimp trucks, and big winter waves at Pipeline and Waimea Bay.
Paris, France
What’s happening
Christmas in Paris: mid-November 2026 to early January 2027
- Champs-Élysées illuminations: The avenue’s trees are strung with lights from mid-November through early January, lit nightly from around 5 p.m.
- Tuileries Christmas Market: One of the largest in Paris, with a Ferris wheel, carousels and food stalls in the Tuileries Gardens. Expected mid-November through early January (dates are typically confirmed closer to the season).
- Smaller markets: Notre-Dame, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Montmartre each run their own smaller, neighborhood-style markets through December.
Details verified September 27, 2026. Exact market dates are usually finalized in November, so confirm before you go.
Where to stay
Choosing your neighborhood comes first, from Left Bank boutiques to palace luxury. Read Where to Stay in Paris for my picks by travel style.
Things to do
- Seine river cruise: An easy way to see the major landmarks lit up at night, especially festive during the holiday season.
- Skip-the-line museum entry: The Louvre and Musée d’Orsay both get crowded fast; a timed-entry ticket saves real time.
- Food tour in Le Marais: A good way to eat your way through pastry shops, falafel stands and wine bars with someone who knows the neighborhood.
- Day trip to Versailles: The palace and gardens are a straightforward train ride from central Paris, worth a full day.
Perks I can get you if you book through me
- Fora client rates: special rates at select partner hotels that can be better than the publicly listed price (savings vary by hotel and dates).
- Fora perks: hotel credits, daily breakfast, welcome amenities, and upgrades or extended check-in and check-out when available.
- A real person on your side: I research, compare, and book, so you skip the hours of open tabs.
- Help when plans change: support before and during your trip.
Perks vary by hotel, cruise line, and dates, and change often. I confirm what’s currently available before you book.
Find a stay anywhere
Search the map for hotels near any event or destination. Prefer a custom pick? See my Curated Stays.
More places, more stories
Where I love to wander when I’m not planning trips for others: coffee shops, museums, parks and the design and architecture that make a place feel unique. Follow along on the Buslife blog.