5 Ways to Have a Hawaii Trip in Your Hometown

Whether it is a romantic weekend or Valentine's plans, here are five adventures you can do if you want to feel like you are taking a trip to the islands. 

1. Find a Japanese Tea Garden

On Oahu, there is the famed Byodo Temple.  Bring some zen into your life by crossing a beautiful bridge or watching the koi fish swim around. The United States has over 200 public Japanese gardens with one of the oldest located in Northern California, Hakone Gardens. You can take the Picnic Kit (from She Lives Aloha) or find your local sushi joint with a to-go pack. 

Byodo-In Temple, Kaneohe, Hawaii by @cjoudrey

2. Dine in or out at a restaurant with Hawaiian-style food

With over 9 million visitors a year to Hawaii, the demand for restaurants with an island flair has been increasing. Most major areas will have at least a restaurant or food truck dedicated to the flavors of the island. L & L Barbeque has over 200 locations on the mainland where you are always guaranteed to find chicken katsu, mac salad, spam musubi, and a can of Hawaiian Sun juice. If you are feeling adventurous, there are two cookbooks right now that can help you recreate the dishes in your own home, Aloha Kitchen and Cook Real Hawaii. Both offer a deeper understanding of the melding of cuisines on the islands.

3. Music and Festivals

Tiki Statue in Oahu

Pandora has great island tunes and many of the Hawaii-based stations can be streamed. Hawaii and Tiki are not synonymous, but you can check the best Tiki bars in America if you are looking for a place to catch some of that vacation magic. If you're looking for live Hawaiian music but can't make it off the mainland, then maybe it's worth the trek to the Aloha Festival in San Mateo, CA. 

4. Spas

Hawaii is home to some of the most beautiful spas, whether it be the Grand Wailea in Maui, the Anara Spa in Poipu, or the new Senses on Lanai. There’s nothing more peaceful than a relaxing massage and hearing the wind rustle through the palms while taking in the fragrances of natural products like the ones from Ola Tropical Apothecary. Don’t have time for a spa trip then pick up one of our limited-edition SLA Valentine’s Kits which have the Ola products in them. 

The view from the Grand Hyatt Poipu Beach Kauai

5. Go to the beach (even virtually)

One of the perks of living in Northern California is that the beach is never far away. Nothing says romance more than watching the sunset on the West Coast and feeling the sand beneath your toes. However, don’t forget to bring your  blankets because even summertime beach-going can be chilly. If you don’t live close to an ocean, what about a local lake or even a beautiful stream? Or, simply stream an amazing YouTube video in the background or watch one of the many shows set in Hawaii.

 I have often been surprised that my local supermarket has tropical flower bouquets. However, if you really want to spoil someone, order a bouquet from Tropical Flowers Express. While I was staying in Kauai, I could go to the Farmer’s Market and get lovely bouquets from them that easily lasted two weeks.

Bouquet picked up at the local farmer’s market on Kauai

Comment below on how you take a trip to Hawaii in your hometown.