Insiders view on Northern California

The Wanderers in conversation with Megan Parfitt

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place

One little known fact/trivia that everyone should know about when travelling to Northern California.

Redwood National Park in Humboldt County is home to the tallest tree in the world, which is a coast redwood at 379.1 feet. Six stories taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York.

What is a must buy when in Northern California?

The beer and wine – Northern California has award winning wine and beer!

One take-away after a visit to Northern California?

Just how green the landscape is…

What is your advice to first time travellers?

Get into the woods and take a hike. Even if it is a short, less than a mile hike, you will see the redwoods in their full grander when you walk amongst them.

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to Northern California.

A camera!

Definitely carry a camera as you will want to capture the beauty of the trees, the coast and the rolling green hills.

One activity anyone travelling to Northern California should not miss..

Kayaking – Whether it be on the coast of Mendocino or through the redwoods in Redwood National Park, it is a spectacular way to experience the beauty of the Northern California.

Where should anyone, travelling to Northern California definitely get their picture taken?

In front of a redwood.

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo of Northern California?

The best place to get a panoramic photo would be Trinidad. This small fishing village in Humboldt County is part of the California Coast National Monument and features a very photographic coastline with beautiful rock formations.

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise in Northern California?

For sunset, you can go anywhere along the coast. It is great place to catch the sun dipping down into the ocean.

Most romantic place to take a special someone to.

The Moonstone Grill overlooking Moonstone Beach in Trinidad, CA. The Moonstone Grill has 180 degree views of the beach and ocean below.

Best place to have local food?

Restaurant 301 in Old Town Eureka features local seasonal foods, some from their own gardens.

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend.

Dungeness crabs and oysters are plentiful along the Northern California Coast and are some of the best in the world.The best drink would have to be the beer made by the local microbreweries.

One place only the locals would know.

The ‘Lost Coast Scenic Drive’ takes you to California’s only coastal wilderness, where no development or major roads come near the ocean. This wild and spectacular scenic drive is the closest you can come to the Lost Coast without a backpack. Drive from Victorian Ferndale, through high alpine forests, to the water’s edge, along the northern edge of and then to the redwoods of Humboldt Redwoods State park.

The best bar and best place to catch up on a drink.

Any of the six microbreweries in Humboldt County. At each of them you can get tasters, small servings, of each of the microbrewery’s beers.

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see.

The Kinetic Grand Championship is a 3-day race over Memorial Day weekend in May along California’s northern coast from Arcata to Ferndale. Racers compete for glory in all variety of people-powered kinetic contraptions, pedalling along roads, the beach… even through the Humboldt Bay!

The things guide books won’t tell anyone about Northern California?

Where exactly to find the Roosevelt Elk in Redwood National Park.

Is there any particular month you would not recommend travel to Northern California and what would that reason be?

Perhaps March just because it is usually pretty rainy.

In one sentence, Northern California is a beautiful collection of small Victorian towns surrounded by the redwoods, the beautiful coast and productive, small organic farms.

Megan lives in Arcata California in Humboldt County along the Northern California coast. She grew up in Davis, California near Sacramento before serving five years in the U.S. Navy as a journalist. After serving in the Navy, she earned her degree in Recreation Administration, with an emphasis in travel and tourism, from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California.

When she is not working, she enjoys cooking, salsa dancing, hiking in Redwood National Park, white Water rafting on the Trinity River in Humboldt County and crabbing for Dungeness crab in Humboldt Bay.

Insiders view on Zanzibar

The Wanderers in conversation with Niall Anderson

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place.

One little known fact/trivia that everyone should know about when travelling to Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is home to the most endangered antelope in Africa – Ader’s Duiker.

They number less than 500 on the planet, and can be found in Jozani Forest and on Mnemba Island.

What is a must buy when in Zanzibar?

Kikois – the traditional and colourful, Zanzibari multi-purpose item of clothing that can be worn as a wrap, a scarf, head dress, or used simply as a blanket or throw.

One take-away after a visit to Zanzibar..

You will never see whiter sand or an ocean so turquoise blue!

What is your advice to first time travellers?

Bring lots of sunscreen!

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to…

Swimming costume…

One activity anyone travelling to Zanzibar should not miss!

A sunset Dhow cruise across the ocean.

Where should anyone, travelling to Zanzibar, definitely get their picture taken?

On a local Dhow sailing across the ocean

On the beach at Mnemba Island

Under water on the Mnemba house reef

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo?

The best place to get a panoramic photo is off a local Dhow sailing in the ocean, looking back at Zanzibar or Mnemba Island.

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise?

Sipping a cocktail on the beach at Mnemba Island!

Most romantic place to take a special someone to.

Mnemba Island – your private island!

Best place in Zanzibar to have local food?

Foradhani garden in Stone Town

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend?

Zanzibar Curry and a dawa!

A local cocktail made of vodka, lime and honey, ‘dawa’ means medicine, or poison in Swahili – Depends how much you drink!

One place only the locals would know.

Jozani Forest!

Zanzibar’s only national park, search for rare birds, Red Colobus monkey, Ader’s Duiker and Suni here.

The best pub and best place to catch up for a drink?

Sundowners with live music at Livingstone, or on the roof at Maru Maru hotel, both in Stone Town.

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see?

Sauti Busara, an annual African music festival, which takes place in historic Stone Town, attracting artists from all over the world. It had been dubbed the ‘friendliest festival on the planet’.

The things guide books will not tell anyone about Zanzibar?

The best samosas and biryani in East Africa can be bought at Passing Show, a local restaurant near Zanzibar port in Stone Town.

Is there any particular month you would not recommend travel to Zanzibar and what would that reason be?

April & May, as this is the rainy season in Zanzibar

In one sentence, Zanzibar is the exotic spice island.

Niall Anderson is the Regional Director for Tanzania with &Beyond, which he joined six years ago. Settled in Arusha, Niall takes on exciting challenges in leading teams around Tanzania.

Check out our package on Tanzania