Stranger In This Town 
About
Hey mister can you tell me what this world’s about? It might just help me out… I’m Becky Mahan – born and raised in San Diego, a true California girl at heart, and a hopeless dreamer. I have a BA in Journalism from California State University, Northridge. I was set loose from 18 years of schooling fully educated, but knowing nothing about what life is truly about (though I thought I did)…. Read More
Accolades
Happening in San Diego
I'm a Community Ambassador for Gogobot San Diego. Discover the city's hidden gems with my team as we travel our city! Click here to learn more
COMING UP:
SUNDAY, JAN. 18th - Rock Climbing Adventure
TUESDAY, JAN. 27th - Street Self Defense: Kav Maga
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Sometimes, we all just need a good motivational pep talk to inspire us to get out there and see the world. We let so many excuses get in the way of us following our dreams, and it helps to remind ourselves why we should ignore them. Here are some of my favorite quotes about why it’s important to travel, what you benefit from it, and why you should go NOW. Enjoy: 1…. Read More
The number one piece of advice my friends, family, and readers ask me for when they are planning a trip is how I pack so lightly – or how I travel for so long with so little. It’s true, I’ve spent weeks on the road in Europe, New Zealand, and Australia with just one backpack on my back. When I traveled “down undah” for six weeks, I brought one carry-on-sized backpack and… Read More
In 2013, I shared my favorite apps for digital nomads. With smartphones and apps growing in leaps and bounds, I’m overdue to share my latest favorites. Some are still the same since 2013, while I’ve added several others to my arsenal since then. Apps not only make our lives easier and more connected, they are a great benefit to backpackers who want to travel light. I love telling my parents and older… Read More
As you all know, I am the lead ambassador for the San Diego community of Gogobot, a travel network I feel very passionately about. One of the perks of my role is getting to explore new restaurants, bars, activities, and adventures in my own hometown – and bringing the community together with me! This past week, our community had the utmost pleasure of enjoying a full menu tasting at Greystone the Steakhouse… Read More
Do you have some free time in your week or weekends? Are you looking to make some extra cash for the holidays? We’re looking for tenacious, sociable people to join our Gogobot San Diego Street Team! You’ll be introducing Gogobot to local businesses (mostly restaurants, bars, pubs, etc.) and distributing decal stickers to them for their shop windows. You should be a member of Gogobot and be able to explain our mission… Read More
Happy October! It’s my favorite time of year – the weather will cool off soon (seriously, it’s San Diego, it’s the hottest month of the year), and pumpkins are already making their debut in candles, coffee, potpourri, pies, anything the commercial industry can think of. The September challenge was a bit slow, as I think the month was busy. These next few months are going to be busy as well, so maybe… Read More
As ambitious as I may be, I have yet to see the whole world. (I know; someday.) In fact, when it comes down to it, I’ve probably seen about 2% or less. I’ve done a fair share of traveling for a 25-year-old with no trust fund, but the world is gigundo. Like, monstro status. When people ask where my favorite place in the world is, I can only select from the teeny pool of where I’ve been.
Happy September, everyone! What did you all think of the first challenge in August? Kevin, our winner, was inspiring in his decision to go for a hot-air balloon….especially considering his fear of open heights! It’s time for the next challenge, and I’m stoked to see new people have entered this time around! There are some really cool things on there, too. I’ve shared the list below for inspiration — if you haven’t… Read More
Summer may have “officially” ended, but in San Diego it’s still going strong. GogobotSD has a packed month ahead, and you can join in on the fun! Friday – Sunday, 9/12-9/14/14: San Diego Travel Festival The SD Trav Fest will feature guest speakers (including San Diego Community Manager Tiffany Melone), exhibits and panels from the travel industry, a movie night, and city tours. GogobotSD users get 15% off any paid ticket with promo… Read More
Woo hoo!! Are you all as excited as I am? I’ve been chomping at the bit to get this Kick the Bucket List contest started, and it’s finally here! Everyone who emailed me their “pledge” for their August activities has the rest of the month to go out there and get ‘er done. There are some really cool things on there, too. I’ve shared the list below for inspiration — if you… Read More
Can you believe it’s August already?! OY! And this humidity in San Diego has been pretty intense…though it strangely reminds me in a fond way of northeastern Australia. At least we aren’t in the Cairns rainforest! August is set to be another awesome month for Gogobot San Diego, and we’ve got great events lined up. Check them out if you’re in town and looking for a fun, easy way to meet fellow… Read More
Happy July, friends! I hope you are all enjoying the best of summer – barbecues, the beach, pools, family and friends time, and plenty of relaxation. Here in San Diego, the month is literally heating up – and there are so many things to do in this great city, I can’t keep them all straight! My team at Gogobot San Diego has arranged a great lineup of events in July, so check… Read More
In the heart of the Czech Republic, Prague is a vibrant, bustling city – full of history, political undertones, and a jubilant expression of freedom in post-Communist times. In a time when the political center of Europe is shifting (and the Euro is flailing), Prague is growing – and thriving. Of its nearly 1.3 million residents, most are young, ambitious, and educated intellectuals fluent in Czech and English. Visit as an American… Read More
The sight of the bleached skull shakes me from my stupor, as I spot it from the window of the truck’s cab. After miles and miles of barren desert, cactus skeletons, and the shimmering mirage of the sea in the remote distance, my eyes have started to glaze over. I am bored of playing games on my iPad, and have become a victim to the monotony of the landscape, drifting off into… Read More
Sydney is the third most expensive city in the world, according to 2013 statistics, which place it behind Japan’s Osaka and Tokyo. A strong Australian dollar means the country’s unofficial capital can easily bleed your pockets. The good news is, as with any big city, there is still plenty left to do on a budget. For my first Big Five City Guide feature, I tackled this cosmopolis based on my recent adventures… Read More
The Great Barrier Reef. Known all over the world as the beautiful, colorful, long-stretching spanse of coral reef off the eastern coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is as famous as an A-List Hollywood celebrity. Millions of tourists flock to the underwater marvel on hundreds of sailing vessels and organized tours every year, rendering it one of the most visited natural wonders on the planet. It’s a World Heritage Site, one… Read More
I’ve been in Cairns for almost a week now, and apart from a wild rainforest adventure, things have been pretty slow. I’ve been catching up on work, relaxing and going out with new friends from the hostel, and taking full advantage of $3 beers from reception. With the lack of blog content the past week, I thought it was a good time to share some of the remaining material from New Zealand…. Read More
It’s early. The day is barely 8 hours old, and the sun has already crept into the sky, painting everything a shimmery golden glow. There is no sound of a human-inhabited morning – no chatter, no honking cars, no rumbling trains. Instead, there is the rhythmic crash of the surf far below the cliff on which I am standing. Waves are washing up onto the shore of a golden, untouched beach that… Read More
One of the adventures on which I was most excited to embark before I left for my journey through Middle Earth was that of trekking through Tongariro National Park – home to Peter Jackson’s manifestation of Mordor and Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings. I’m not even a big LOTR fan. It’s Harry Potter all the way. Ahem. But, with that said, I’ve seen the movies and I’m reading The Hobbit,… Read More
They say it’s the most beautiful place on the planet. Mysterious, mystical, and stunningly gorgeous without even trying to be, the misnamed Milford Sound (technically, it’s a fjord) is one of Earth’s natural wonders. Rugged cliffs rise dramatically out of dark, cold waters, while a cast of marine life including dolphins, seals, and penguins call it home. Rain creates frequent waterfalls that wash sediment off the cliff sides down into the seawater,… Read More
Happy Friday, friends! It’s an absolutely gorgeous day in San Diego – bright, warm sunshine mingled with an ever-so-slight crispness in the air that makes everything feel so fresh. It’s the kind of weather that makes me so happy. The other reason I’m happy is that 2015 is shaping up to be one AWESOME year on the travel front: I’ve got a few trips planned so far (Iceland, Ireland, and London to… Read More
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