School
University of Colorado at Boulder
Expertise
Budget travel, Road trips, Western USA travel
- Kelley was a part of the inaugural travel writing team at Wealth of Geeks.
- Her favorite travel articles so far have allowed her to share her knowledge on the sights of San Diego, "America's Finest City," and surrounding areas.
- She has traveled extensively around the United States and aims to visit all 50 states within the next three years.
Experience
Kelley has more than 20 years of writing and editing experience. She served as both assistant and associate editor at Mortgage Originator magazine, a former trade magazine servicing the mortgage brokerage industry. She's also written about dog-friendly travel for Examiner.com and her alumni publication, The Coloradan. For the last three years, she has been a full-time nomad living as a house sitter and can provide knowledge on budget travel and road trips. She is also an event planner and scenic photographer, working on a memoir and a series of personal essays.
Education
Kelley has a bachelor's degree in news-editorial journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Islands content is created by a team of veteran writers and editors passionate about travel. Outside experts with deep field knowledge sometimes inform our work with additional context and perspectives by way of exclusive commentary. Our goal is to offer readers well-rounded and diverse articles that inform, entertain, and inspire.
Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process is available here.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
Visit this charming city along Highway 101 in California, where you can enjoy great public green spaces, visit nearby wineries, and soak up its charm.
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The largest sand dune trail on the Oregon Coast, a unique outdoor experience, is a wildly scenic hike that ends at a crowd-free beach on the ocean.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
If you want to visit Yosemite National Park but also want to live it up while you're there, you can check out this resort that lets you do both.
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While Baltimore and Washington D.C. are practically tourist magnets, fans of food and juicy tidbits of history can get their fill in this town instead.
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Hidden in Northern California, this remote forest escape offers soaring redwoods, protected wildlife habitat, and a quieter nature experience.
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Not far from Oregon's rugged coastline is a delightful mountain town that's perfect for a quiet getaway surrounded by nature and lots of tasty bites.
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This scenic Oregon city in the Cascade Mountain foothills not far from Portland is filled with local shops, delicious eats, and outdoor adventures.
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Restaurants
By Kelley Dukat
Craving a Parisian cafe experience without crossing the Atlantic? One San Diego neighborhood destination captures the atmosphere, flavors and charm of France.
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Oregon travelers looking for kayaking, trout fishing, RV camping, and dune adventures will find plenty to explore at this freshwater retreat.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
Home to the state's first town founded and governed by African Americans, this historic park offers a look into the past and a quiet campground.
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Washington
By Kelley Dukat
Tough to ask for much more than a relaxing day at a beautiful lake, especially one that has plenty of activities to offer and stunning views of a mountain peak.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
California's mountains are an unsung hero for the outdoorsy types, and luckily there's a stunning community nestled between Bakersfield and Los Angeles.
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With a $5 entrance fee and stellar visitor reviews, this restored military base offers a brilliant glimpse into frontier life amid the California Gold Rush.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
Our local writer is sharing these perfect day trips outside San Diego (and Los Angeles), ranging from beaches to deserts to historic little towns.
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Learn about Illinois’ unique, presidential past at this historic little riverside city, surrounded by woodlands you can explore nearby.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
If you're looking for a less crowded spot in California's Mojave Desert, you can head to this designated wilderness area and really get away from it all.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
Between Los Angeles and San Diego is a lovely California nature preserve with lakes, trails, wildlife, mountain views, and family-friendly activities.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are two of California's iconic destinations, and you can find a nature preserve full of trails, mountains, and birds between them.
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This understated Colorado community has a tumultuous past, but proved itself resilient, standing as a quintessential Rocky Mountain town frozen in time.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are two of California's iconic destinations, and you can find a nature preserve full of trails, mountains, and birds between them.
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This scenic, artificial lake in Texas, located between Austin and Lubbock, is a secluded nature haven known for fishing and other water activities.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
Willows, California offers accessible small-town vibes and historic west-coast charm, complete with museums, shopping, and wildlife galore.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
California is famous for its picturesque piers. We take a look at the longest pier, a walkable landmark that's a haven for fishing and relaxation.
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California
By Kelley Dukat
Planning a trip to San Diego, Califronia? Don’t miss these five must-visit spots, complete with tips and expert insight from a local writer.
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Arizona may be known for desert, but it also has plenty of mountains. A great place to see some is this small, friendly community (with an awesome museum, too).
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You don't have to travel far from Portland to get outside. Go fishing, hiking, swimming, and more at this pretty lake setting within a county park.
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While it may not be the most well-known city in Oregon, people close to retirement age gravitate toward it because of its quiet (and budget-friendly) vibe.
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