Laurie's light travel travel tips

When I was 27 I shared a house in a town called Fairfax, California, tucked so far into the woods in Marin County that I never really even knew where it was till I went to look at it. I'd grown up in the Bay Area , but Fairfax had never been on my radar. Near this quaint, Goldilocksesque town is the bike-friendly San Anselmo. I'd ride my bike there at least each weekend to go have a latte and peruse adorable stores. Tucked in the heart of Marin, you're apt to find a celeb or two around here -- purportedly, the late Robin Williams would frequent a bike store in town -- as well as super toned and environmentally friendly upscale locals. Warning: this town is really white. The latest census shows that more than 90 percent of the town is Caucasian, but as long as you can hang with that, know that Californians are some of the most open-minded people in the U.S. Whether you're gay, Latino, bi, Thai, pierced, handicapped, or just socially awkward, never fear: roll on into Sa...

The following article was first published on Examiner.com Feb. 6, 2016. New Englanders looking for a sustainable travel destination should consider San Francisco. While yes, the carbon footprint of the flight is great, you can offset that; and if you're lucky, you'll fly the eco-friendly and fun Virgin America, the first domestic airline to offer such offsets. San Francisco: where does one begin? It's this examiner's hometown so there is bias, of course, but arguably, in a state known for its environmental awareness and activism, San Francisco sets the bar. But where do you stay? There are several options, but for anyone looking for the quintessential  San Francisco experience, only one hotel will do: Stanford Court. Nestled atop Nob Hill just steps from Union Square, the 393-room hotel is close to many modes of public transportation (BART, Super Shuttle, buses), and accessed by cab, Uber, or by, yes, cable car. Staying here you'll enjoy a charmed visit as y...