All posts by Mimi McFadden

Mimi founded The Atlas Heart to create a community of travelers inspired to see the world. The Atlas Heart is a space where you'll find anecdotes on slow travel, craft beer, outdoor adventures, and all the eccentric bits in between that this world has to offer.

101 Things to Do in Santa Cruz (From a Local)

May 2, 2019 Mimi McFadden

The best things to do in Santa Cruz from someone who grew up in the city! These are my favorite places to eat, visit, and local experiences to have around my hometown.

Having grown up in the city, my list for things to do in Santa Cruz could go on and on (especially in terms of places to eat!), but I tried my best to consolidate my recommendations to 101 things to experience in my hometown.

This list covers not just the city of Santa Cruz but the county as well, including places like Capitola, Aptos, and Felton. With around 276,000 residents these days, Santa Cruz County is becoming a bustling medium-sized hotspot in California. This also means that the city has gone through a ton of changes in the past decade or two.

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16 Best Maui Hikes: From the Road to Hana to Haleakala Volcano

April 27, 2019 Mimi McFadden

The best Maui hikes! From sunset ascents to the highest peak on the island and lush rainforests on the coast.

Out of the two islands I've been to in Hawaii, Maui is my favorite for its wild nature and less developed feel than Oahu. Some of these hikes might not be as popular as the ones you'll find on Oahu, but what they lack in people they make up for in pure natural beauty. Plus, hiking without a ton of people on the trail can be magical.

Although my favorite experience during my trip to Maui was my unique hike to the top of Haleakala Crater, where I was able to watch the sun set from above the clouds, I had plenty of unforgettable adventures on the Road to Hana and other parts of the island too. There are times you'll probably have to pinch yourself during a hike because the views all over Maui are that stunning.

These are my 16 favorite Maui hikes as well as a few practical tips for your trip and a look at the best spots to stay around the island. I'm sure you'll fall in love with Maui's nature as much as I did!

Happy adventuring!

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15 Best Sedona Hikes for All Hiking Levels

April 23, 2019 Mimi McFadden

The best Sedona hikes! From leisurely walks through vortexes to steep inclines and heart-thumping views of the famous red rocks.

Sedona is by far one of my favorite places to go hiking in Arizona. The natural beauty is hard to beat, right up there with the Grand Canyon, and the different types of terrain and number of trails make it a mecca for both rock climbers and hiking enthusiasts who are visiting Arizona.

Although Sedona has continuously become more crowded in recent years, there are still secluded trails that you can find amidst the more touristy ones. These are my picks for the best hiking trails in Sedona, no matter what level of hiker you are and what type of experience you're looking for.

Happy hiking!

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43 Things to Do in Lake Tahoe: The Ultimate Bucket List

April 19, 2019 Mimi McFadden

From the South to the North, these are the best things to do in Lake Tahoe, no matter what season you decide to visit.

Even though I grew up in California, only a few hours southwest of Tahoe, I didn’t visit Tahoe for the first time until I was 27. I had heard anecdotes about Tahoe trips throughout my childhood, but I somehow missed out on this California native rite of passage.

When I finally visited for the first time last year, I realized what all the hype was about. The lake was even more beautiful than the pictures made it seem, and the hushed natural scenery was an interesting juxtaposition with the casinos and busy streets of downtown South Lake Tahoe.

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17 Best Oahu Hikes: From Waterfalls to Coastal Views

April 13, 2019 Mimi McFadden

A guide to the best Oahu hikes to tackle while you’re soaking up that island sun, because every trip to the tropics should have a little adventure!

Oahu is an island geared for adventure – both on land and sea. Although there are plenty of water activities to partake in to your heart’s content, Oahu hikes are worth a day or two of exploration if you want to have the best combination of good views and a decent workout.

From waterfalls to pillboxes and coastal breezes, these are the top Oahu hikes I’d recommend for any hiker, in order of easiest to the most difficult trails.

Pack your rain jacket, prepare for the tropics and some of the best island viewpoints of your life. Welcome to Oahu!

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101 Things to Do in California | The Ultimate Bucket List (From a Local)

March 8, 2019 Mimi McFadden

There are countless options for things to do in California. It’s a state that offers so much in terms of varied landscapes – from the desert to the beach, mountains, and redwood forests.

Having lived in California for 23 of my 28 years, there’s a lot I love about this place I most recently moved back to and now call home.

And I’m not alone. In the US, California has been the place to move to, a state of transfers and outsiders who come here for the high standard of living, the beautiful coastline, or maybe to make it big, either in Hollywood or the tech industry in Silicon Valley.

California is a place for laid back vibes, dreamers, and outdoorsy folk. Although there are a lot of stereotypes when it comes to California (and Californians), you can’t put the people or the landscape in a box, it’s much too varied.

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Things to Do in Florence, Oregon

March 4, 2019 Mimi McFadden

Explore the small, coastal town of Florence. Discover things to do in Florence, Oregon and the best ways to immerse yourself in the local culture & natural beauty.

Note: this post contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free travel advice and tips.

The Oregon coast has its own kind of magic. I don’t recall ever coming across a coastal region that is as versatile, rugged, and serene. There are many hideaways waiting to be discovered in this underrated part of the world. Just last week I went to Pacific City to enjoy the silhouetted rocks, the dunes, and the craft beer that is uniquely Oregon. But that story is for another day. This blog is about my experience in Florence, and some of the things to do in Florence, Oregon.

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San Diego Hiking Guide: Torrey Pines Hike

February 26, 2019 Mimi McFadden

Torrey Pines Hike | San Diego, California

Note: this post contains affiliate links

If you’re looking for an easy hike in San Diego that offers drop dead gorgeous views of the glistening coastline, look no further than the Torrey Pines Hike.

I lived in San Diego for 5 years and luckily had a chance to tackle quite a few hikes around and just outside the city.

The thing is, San Diego is full of beautiful hikes and opportunities to get outside. It has fantastic weather year-round, and the city itself is full of outdoorsy people who love to get outside and tackle a new challenge on the trail.

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The 30 Best California Breweries to Visit

February 21, 2019 Mimi McFadden

Figueroa Mountain Brewing - Santa Barbara, California - 30 California Breweries to Visit

Note: this post contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free travel advice and tips.

A craft beer journey and road trip through the Golden State – your guide to the best California breweries to visit, from San Diego to Eureka.

With 570 California breweries up and down the state, the Golden State has more craft breweries than any other state in the USA. Born and raised in California, it is also the place where I had my first experience with craft beer – Arrogant Bastard from Stone Brewery to be exact.

California is known for its craft beer culture, specifically in San Diego and San Francisco, but there are so many other breweries within the state that are worth a stop.

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Wrap Up: January 2019

February 6, 2019 Mimi McFadden

Note: this post contains affiliate links

2019 started off at a full sprint. From ringing in my brother’s wedding on NYE, to my first trip of the year to Colorado, and leaning more into my love for all things San Francisco (even with the recent frigid Bay Area temperatures). I already have a good feeling about 2019.

This year has already thrown me a handful of challenges, reminding me to not get too comfortable in my new fixed life because there is still a whole lot of work to do in my business, my relationships, and my personal development. There is always room to grow, which I look forward to continuing to do throughout 2019.

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