Travel

Places I traveled to, lived in, or kept going back to.

New York

Lived here from: June 2025 - Sept. 2026. I have liked New York more than I expected. A lot of that comes from how easy it is to get around, how dense the city feels, and how many parks and waterfront paths are built into daily life.

NYC favorites Food & Drink
8 places · Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey, and Beacon

Manhattan

  • Kisa Korean diner

    A great Korean restaurant that is different from the usual KBBQ and soft tofu soup. Just make one choice: Beef, Pork, or Squid. I ignore the veggie option.

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    A Korean main dish surrounded by seasonal banchan at Kisa
    Main dish with seasonal banchan
  • Pranakhon Thai

    My favorite Thai restaurant in the city. I highly recommend the Masaman Curry with Pork and the Khao Pad Neur. The fried rice in the Khao Pad Neur is so fragrant, and the steak is a delicious medium rare!

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    Khao Pad Neur with sliced medium-rare steak, fried rice, and an egg yolk
    Khao Pad Neur
    Masaman curry with pork served alongside jasmine rice
    Masaman Curry with Pork
  • Shinzo Omakase Omakase · Sushi

    Incredibly high-quality fish and pretty affordable at about $90 including tax and tip. No. 4, Gindara with Yuzu Pepper, was my favorite. It punches way above its class for the price.

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    Seared nigiri served on a bamboo board at Shinzo Omakase
    Nigiri topped with caviar at Shinzo Omakase
    Tuna nigiri with a green garnish at Shinzo Omakase
    Torched salmon nigiri topped with foie gras at Shinzo Omakase
    White fish nigiri seasoned with herbs at Shinzo Omakase
    Gindara nigiri with Yuzu Pepper at Shinzo Omakase
    No. 4: Gindara with Yuzu Pepper
    Nigiri topped with uni at Shinzo Omakase
    Silver-skinned fish nigiri with scallions at Shinzo Omakase
    Lightly seared white fish nigiri at Shinzo Omakase
    White fish nigiri served on a bamboo board at Shinzo Omakase
  • Wah Fung No. 1 Chinese barbecue

    Order the "Large Roasted Pork, Pig, and Duck." It costs less than $10 and is enough to feed two people (or for two meals!). It is delicious! Cash only. One of my favorite weekend solo lunch or dinner places.

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    The red storefront and service window at Wah Fung No. 1
    Wah Fung No. 1
    Roasted meats served over rice in a takeout container
    Large Roasted Pork, Pig, and Duck

Brooklyn

  • Caffè Panna Ice cream

    The best ice cream in the city. Get the regular size (I promise you can finish it!) with Red Flag, a scoop of your choice (they have rotating daily specials), panna (whipped cream), caramel, and graham crunch. They have locations near Union Square in Manhattan and in Williamsburg, but I think the Williamsburg location is the place that started it all.

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    A regular Caffè Panna ice cream topped with panna, caramel, and graham crunch
    Regular with panna, caramel, and graham crunch
  • Forma Pasta Italian · Pasta

    My favorite casual pasta place in the city. Fresh, affordable, and delicious. Ask for extra bread: one piece to munch on before your pasta comes out and another to soak up the delicious sauce. If you come in on a Saturday, I strongly recommend their Saturday special: Trofie. Otherwise, get the Pappardelle Bolognese. Both dishes are so rich!

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    A plate of Trofie in a rich tomato sauce served with focaccia
    Saturday special: Trofie
    Pappardelle Bolognese and another fresh pasta dish served with bread
    Pappardelle Bolognese (right)

New Jersey

  • Urban Taqueria Mexican · Tacos

    Urban Taqueria serves tacos I'd put up against LA tacos any day. Get a few Al Pastor tacos and one Tripe, then make use of their salsa bar. You can't beat the price either, at about $3.30 a taco!

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    Al Pastor and Tripe tacos with salsa, radishes, and lime at Urban Taqueria
    Al Pastor and Tripe tacos

Outside NYC

  • Meyer's Olde Dutch After-hike stop

    A great post-hike stop in Beacon. The fries are amazing!

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City Scape
Concrete Jungles

A collection of New York from rooftops, waterfronts, crowded streets, and late-night walks.

Rockefeller Center Christmas tree at night Lower Manhattan skyline at sunset from the waterfront Snow-covered Manhattan rooftops at dusk Rainy Manhattan skyline from a rooftop at night Times Square during a snowy night Midtown Manhattan skyline from above Washington Square Park fountain and arch Manhattan skyline glowing at night Midtown skyline across the river under the moon Lower Manhattan waterfront on a clear morning Red-brick Puck Building at a Manhattan intersection Manhattan avenue intersection at sunset New York Stock Exchange building at night Manhattan rooftops against a vivid sunset One World Trade Center from street level
Knicks Game Nights
Watching the Knicks in New York · June 2026

Watching the Knicks in New York with friends, then joining the crowds around Madison Square Garden and Midtown afterward.

Watch parties and Madison Square Garden

Fans react to the Knicks' game-winning tip-in while watching a projected game Knicks fans gathered around a crowded bar during the game Knicks fans walking through the nighttime crowd outside Madison Square Garden Dense crowd of Knicks fans near Penn Station after the game Friends leaning from a window above Seventh Avenue with the Empire State Building behind them Nighttime view of Madison Square Garden and the crowd from above

After the game

Knicks fans celebrating around a bus beneath smoke and city lights Knicks fans celebrating around buses beneath red lights in Midtown Crowd of Knicks fans filling a brightly lit Times Square Knicks fans gathered around buses under the billboards of Times Square Wide view of a large Knicks crowd on Eighth Avenue at night Knicks fans celebrating beneath a large screen on a Midtown street
Central Park
Trees and Open Space Surrounded by Skyscrapers

Central Park is one of the main reasons New York feels livable to me. I end up there a lot when I want a long walk or just a break from the rest of Manhattan.

Central Park view Central Park path
West Side Highway
My Favorite Running/Walking Path in Manhattan

The West Side Highway is one of my favorite places in Manhattan. It is one of the easiest places to walk, run, and look out over the river.

West Side Highway view Hudson River path West Side Highway at sunset
Cold Sprint to Beacon
1 Hour Train Ride from Heart of Manhattan to Open Nature

A train ride from Manhattan opens up into a long hike through rocky forest trails, Hudson River overlooks, and the climb toward Beacon. After the hike stop by Meyer's Olde Dutch, their fries are amazing!

Goldenrod moving in the late-afternoon light in the Hudson Highlands Panoramic view from the Beacon fire tower down to the Hudson River Pink blossoms along the wooded trail near Cold Spring Rocky overlook above the Hudson Valley Spring foliage framing the Hudson River Hudson River and surrounding hills from the trail Rocky forest trail between Cold Spring and Beacon Summer view over the Hudson River and valley View from the Beacon fire tower platform Alan at the Beacon fire tower overlook Late-day sunlight through trees near the trail

Los Angeles

Lived here from: Sept 2021 - June 2025 (minus the summers intern season). I learned a during the time in the city - how to be an adult, how to be self-sufficient, and how to find happiness.

UCLA
Alma Mater

Some of my favorite moments and places from my time at UCLA.

Royce Hall in the evening light The UCLA Botanical Garden The Enormous Activities Fair at UCLA The UCLA Law Library at night Alan with professors and a dog in a UCLA lecture hall
Running in Los Angeles
My favorite runs!

Some of my favorite places to run in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Marathon

Marathon corrals Running the marathon Marathon medal Marathon map

UCLA to Venice Beach

One of my favorite runs is UCLA to Venice Beach. I usually make it a half marathon by adding a few extra kilometers on the way back to Santa Monica Pier.

Beach Run selfie Alternate selfie Sunset Alternate sunset Waves Run map
Pacific Palisades
One of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done near Los Angeles

One of my favorite hikes near Los Angeles.

Golden-hour panorama over the hills and marine layer in Pacific Palisades Cloud carpet Hill view Jungle section Rock outcrop Selfie with clouds Trail selfie Sunset
Hollywood Sign and Griffith Park + Observatory
Hiking from Hollywood Reservoir to the Hollywood Sign to Griffith Observatory

One of my favorite long hikes in Los Angeles.

Downtown LA view Fog over the hills Hill trail Hollywood reservoir Observatory Hollywood sign Hiking map

Capital One Lounge / Landing

Airport lounge and dining notes.

JFK Capital One Lounge
John F. Kennedy International Airport

Views, food, and workspaces from the JFK Capital One Lounge.

Interior seating and bar at the JFK Capital One Lounge Lounge seat, small plates, and a drink overlooking the runway Laptop and breakfast set beside the lounge windows Breakfast and a laptop beside the lounge windows in the morning Breakfast dishes and drinks at the JFK Capital One Lounge
Vegas Capital One Lounge
Harry Reid International Airport

Food, drinks, and a workspace overlooking the Las Vegas airport concourse.

Food and drinks overlooking the Las Vegas airport concourse Laptop, tablet, and small plates at a window workspace Cocktail garnished with playing cards at the Vegas Capital One Lounge
DCA Capital One Landing
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

A spread of small plates and drinks at the DCA Capital One Landing.

Small plates and drinks at the DCA Capital One Landing

International Trips

Trips beyond the United States.

Vancouver & Garibaldi Provincial Park
August 30th - September 1st, 2025

A long weekend that moved from Vancouver's waterfront and Grouse Mountain to an alpine hike in Garibaldi Provincial Park, with stops at Peace Arch and White Rock along the way.

Vancouver Waterfront and Grouse Mountain

Sunset at the marina, seaplanes along the harbor, and the climb above Vancouver.

Vancouver skyline and marina beneath a sunset sky Harbour Air seaplanes on Vancouver's waterfront at sunset Gondola view over Vancouver and Burrard Inlet Friends at the top of the Grouse Grind Sunlight filtering through a tall forest on Grouse Mountain

Garibaldi Provincial Park

Open alpine trails, mountain ridges, and lakes below the glaciers.

Mount Garibaldi rising above an evergreen forest Rocky alpine trail facing a snow-capped mountain range Calm alpine lake reflecting trees in Garibaldi Provincial Park Alpine lake surrounded by rugged mountains Panoramic view of alpine lakes and glacier-carved peaks Friends beside an alpine lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park

Peace Arch and White Rock

Border landmarks, gardens, and a last stop by the water.

Peace Arch at the Canada–United States border British Columbia fountain at Peace Arch Provincial Park Canadian flag formed from red and white flowers Colorful garden and fountain near the Peace Arch Standing in the water at White Rock Beach

Food Stops

A few memorable meals between the city, hikes, and drive home.

Tonkatsu meal in Vancouver Tropical cocktail at a Vancouver restaurant Khao soi noodles served with Thai iced tea

Big Trips

Trips that felt bigger than a normal weekend away.

Hawaii
December 7th - December 13th, 2025

A week split between Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, with coastal hikes, boat rides, camping, beaches, and plenty of time near the water.

Nā Pali Coast

Coastal overlooks and a boat ride beneath the cliffs.

Nā Pali Coast cliffs above turquoise water Colorful ridges along the Nā Pali Coast Ocean view from a Kauaʻi coastal trail Friends speeding along the Nā Pali Coast by boat Friends on a boat along the Nā Pali Coast Selfie above Kalalau Valley on Kauaʻi

Canyons and Trails

Waimea Canyon, mountain ridges, coastal trails, and a waterfall tucked into the greenery.

Layered red and green cliffs of Waimea Canyon Friends at a Waimea Canyon overlook Kauaʻi coastline viewed from a forested trail Green mountain ridge on Kauaʻi Waterfall beside a tropical trail in Hawaii

Beaches, Bays, and Wildlife

Clear water, golden-hour beaches, sea turtles on the sand, and reef fish below the surface.

People wading into the clear water at Hanauma Bay Waves rolling onto an empty beach on Oʻahu's North Shore Hanauma Bay's turquoise water on Oʻahu Palm-lined Hawaiian beach in golden-hour light Sunset over a Hawaiian beach Hawaiian green sea turtle resting on the sand Hawaiian green sea turtles gathered along the shoreline Reef fish swimming underwater in Hawaii

Camping and Island Moments

A beachfront campsite at sunset, a friendly dog at Lydgate Beach Park, and a very large poke selection.

Tent at a beachfront campground during sunset Meeting a dog at Lydgate Beach Park on Kauaʻi Colorful poke selection at a local market
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
May 27th 2025

Lake Mead and Hoover Dam.

Lake Mead

I really liked swimming here. The water was warm and the desert backdrop made the whole place feel pretty different from anywhere else I had been.

Lake Mead

Hoover Dam

Much bigger in person than I expected.

Hoover Dam bridge Lake near the bridge Portrait at Hoover Dam
Grand Canyon National Park
May 26th 2025

We hiked from the rim down to the Colorado River and back in one day.

Grand Canyon panoramic view View at the top Selfie on the trail Colorado River Hike back up Warning sign Fitness data
Zion National Park
May 24th - May 25th 2025

Zion was one of my favorite stops from that trip.

The Narrows - May 24th 2025

Most of this hike was in the Virgin River.

Narrows canyon Waterfall in Zion Another view of the Narrows

Angels Landing - May 25th 2025

We did not get the permit for the full route, but the views were still worth it.

Top view Bridge over the river Canyon view Emerald Pools
Yosemite in Winter
January 18th - January 19th, 2025

A winter weekend in Yosemite Valley, moving from quiet meadows and granite overlooks to forest trails and frozen waterfalls.

Valley and Granite

Early light, open meadows, and Yosemite's granite walls rising above the valley.

Early light and a waterfall in Yosemite Valley Granite cliff rising above Yosemite Valley Half Dome framed by evergreen trees Boardwalk crossing a Yosemite meadow

Winter Trails

Snow changed the pace of the valley and made even the familiar viewpoints feel new.

Half Dome above a snow-dusted Yosemite Valley Hikers approaching a frozen waterfall on a snowy trail Evergreen forest in Yosemite during winter

Frozen Falls

The frozen falls were the standout: broad sheets of ice, small pockets of moving water, and hikers below for scale.

Wide view of a frozen Yosemite waterfall Ice formations on a frozen Yosemite waterfall Hiker standing beneath a frozen Yosemite waterfall

Weekend Trips

Short trips and quick weekends away.

Washington D.C.
May 8th - May 11th, 2026

A long weekend exploring Washington, D.C., from the trails of Rock Creek Park and Georgetown's campus to the monuments, museums, and landmarks around the National Mall.

Woodland stream in Rock Creek Park John Carroll statue at Georgetown University Stone museum building in Washington, D.C. Abraham Lincoln statue inside the Lincoln Memorial Modern embassy building behind a security fence Vaulted platform inside a Washington Metro station National Mall viewed from the Washington Monument United States Supreme Court building Arlington Memorial Bridge across the Potomac River United States Capitol under a cloudy sky Painted dome inside the United States Capitol
Multnomah Falls, Oregon
March 26th 2025

One of the most memorable stops from my Portland trip.

Water rushing down Multnomah Falls into the creek below Waterfall basin Columbia River overlook Multnomah Falls
Washington Park, Oregon
March 24th - March 25th 2025

A couple days in one of my favorite city parks.

Trees, Rivers, Trails

Arboretum Bridge Cityscape River nets Stream

Portland Japanese Garden

Japanese garden lake Stone garden Garden waterfall
Scorpion Bay, Santa Cruz Islands
March 20th - March 21st, 2025

A short trip with hikes, scuba, and a lot of coastline.

Coast cliffs Coastline Scuba diving Island fox Green coast Harbor Friends
Joshua Tree: Dark Skies
October 4th - October 6th, 2024

A desert weekend built around the changing light: an open horizon at sunset, followed by a late night among the boulders under a sky full of stars.

Desert Light

The colors along the horizon lingered well after the sun dropped behind the mountains.

Golden sunset above the desert near Joshua Tree Orange sunset behind a dark desert ridgeline

Dark Skies

After dark, the boulder formations turned into silhouettes and the stars became the main event.

Starry sky between Joshua Tree boulders Stars above silhouetted desert boulders Joshua tree and rocky ridgeline beneath the night sky Red-lit boulders beneath a starry sky Dense field of stars above Joshua Tree