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Ladies and gentlemen, we are happy to report that summer is over. Yes, you read that correctly. Summer is great and all, but looking at all the white clothes can be blinding (and sometimes looking at all the equally pale skin can make you wish you were blind). Fall is where it's at, and just because Labor Day has passed does not mean you cannot still travel. Sperry, makers of iconic waterside footwear, brings you this guide for great fall destinations.
Vancouver, B.C.
If you’ve got a passport, and want a different Pacific Northwest experience, then you cannot miss with Vancouver—a waterfront metropolis surrounded by some of the most majestic scenery on earth. The city’s Stanley Park may be just outside of its bustling downtown, but it contains forests that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time a few centuries. To re-live some more recent history, visit the former Olympic Village from the 2010 Winter Games, now an eco-conscious residential district. On the same theme, be sure to visit Whistler Olympic Park, where off-season attractions include bike and horseback trails.
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara is associated with money and class, and rightly so, but what makes it such a desirable place to live is the exact thing that makes it a brilliant place to visit for people from all walks of life: the ocean. Fall is the perfect time to surf the Santa Barbara beaches, and you might even spot the tail end of the humpback or blue whale migration. While you’re there, head down to nearby Carpinteria, where a resident population of harbor seals maxes and relaxes throughout the year. Even if you’re not into marine mammals, there are few better ways to score points with your girl than to throw a baby seal into the mix.
Portland, ME
Head east for both fall foliage and some off-peak waterfront fun. Portland is just urban enough to keep city-dwellers stimulated, but is so steeped in small-town charm it’s ridiculous. After a day strolling Peak’s Island in Casco Bay, enjoy a meal at Local 188, where the menu is made up of farm-to-table seasonal offerings and the walls are hung with local art. Afterward, head over to LFK to kick back with a microbrew.
Boston, MA
Boston is the unique cosmopolitan destination that allows you to fully experience a New England fall. You can stroll or bike through the Charles River Basin, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, swing through the Boston branch of Charles River Canoe and Kayak to experience the river up close. No trip to Boston would be complete without a trip to Fenway, which offers guided tours daily. But if the Red Sox rally for the post-season, good luck getting tickets to a game.
Annapolis, MD
Situated between Baltimore and Washington, DC, Annapolis offers all the best of Maryland. While there, be sure to get yourself out on a sailboat in Chesapeake Bay, one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the U.S. Annapolis is, of course, home to the U.S. Naval Academy, which is well worth touring if you’re into either history or the military. The best places to stuff your face with crab are Mike’s, Cantler’s, and Buddy’s, but this is Maryland, so the options are plentiful.