Location
Redondo Beach, CA
School
California State University - Long Beach, El Camino College
Expertise
Dangerous Travel Destinations, Southern California, Underrated Destinations
- Leslie travels multiple times a year, with her favorite destinations being Seattle, Paris, and London.
- She spends her free time exploring Southern California and its many beaches.
- She has documented her travels on her blog, "The Leslie Life," since 2019.
Experience
Before writing for Islands, Leslie wrote about domestic and international travel destinations for Explore. As a history and dark tourism enthusiast, she enjoys incorporating these facets into her articles. When she's not writing, you'll find Leslie at the beach or planning her next big trip. Her hobbies include reading and visiting historical (often creepy) sites.
Education
Leslie has a bachelor's degree in journalism from California State University, Long Beach, and an associate degree in social sciences from El Camino College.
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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Florida is full of charming spots, but close to the beach-filled coast is a friendly community with multiple parks and things to do for the whole family.
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After a tumultuous end, this amusement park in Maryland found new life when it was picked up by the National Park Service, now offering all sorts of amenities.
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Colorado's "Ruby of the Rockies" traded its coal mining boom for something far quieter, leaving behind a mountain village full of unexpected charm.
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Just beyond Savannah, this overlooked destination offers outlet shopping, standout local restaurants, aviation history, and family-friendly attractions.
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Long layovers don't have to be boring thanks to a newly opened airport lounge packed with gaming stations, free food, drinks, and unique amenities.
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This thriving Sacramento suburb is a California nature destination, with beautiful parks, a beloved botanical garden, a growing downtown, and friendly vibes.
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If you're cruising Route 66 and looking for a timeless destination with old-school diners and great eats, this Oklahoma town is definitely worth checking out.
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These six activities and places are great free things to do and visit in San Francisco aside from visiting and walking the Golden Gate Bridge.
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In the Great Lakes State, you don't have to travel far from the city for a peaceful, outdoorsy escape. Check out this one with plenty of waterfront appeal.
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This Southeast gem dripping with Americana vibes, with an enthusiastic staff serving lauded food, was named the most popular diner in the US
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Good eats and a unique museum await you in this village with honest-to-goodness Midwestern charm — and you hardly need to drive out of Cincinnati to get there.
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Many quarries have been used and lost over the years, but this particular ex-quarry has been transformed into a haven of nature nestled in central Virginia.
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Pennsylvania
By Leslie Veliz
This stunning mountain-lodge-style rest stop near the Pennsylvania-New York border offers lake views, informative displays, and clean bathrooms for travelers.
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Minnesota
By Leslie Veliz
A short drive from Minneapolis, this Minnesota getaway offers a major amusement park, a historic downtown, local restaurants, breweries, and more.
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Wisconsin
By Leslie Veliz
While the striking views of Lake Michigan are the main draw, this nature preserve near Milwaukee also has a rocky beach and several hiking trails.
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California
By Leslie Veliz
This California town gives you the chance to gamble at a casino, relax with a winery tour, or take your family to a local farm to meet some animals.
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California
By Leslie Veliz
Not far from Pasadena, you'll find a particularly charming piece of local history in the form of an old commercial structure that you can explore for free.
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Much of the Midwest is known for its German heritage, but some towns lean into that history more than others. This charming community in Ohio is one of them.
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Established in 2005, this is the only place in Baltimore, Maryland, where street art is legal. Explore this graffiti-covered site as a fun stop in the city.
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Louisiana
By Leslie Veliz
This Louisiana city, near Lafayette, gets less attention but is currently a rapidly-growing gem with a variety of shops, renowned local eats, and music.
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You'll need to bring either a small child or a grandparent to tote along this must-have item to a beautiful Sardinian beach following a devastating wildfire.
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This charming Indiana city offers a small-town atmosphere with waterfront recreation, local history, walkable streets, and retiree-friendly activities.
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Tucked along Ontario's Lake Erie shoreline, this underrated escape offers beach days, hiking trails, camping, paddling, and small-town charm.
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From shopping clothes to vintage finds, playing a round of golf, or diving into history at the heritage museum, this Michigan city has attractions for all ages.
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These sprawling gardens were once a working farm with 300 Jersey cows but are now home to thousands of native trees, grassland, and cultivated flowers.
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There's a change coming to one of the most iconic national monuments in Washington, D.C., and it will make the place more educational for guests.
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This hidden Ontario escape between Detroit and Toronto features quaint shopping, scenic conservation areas, and laid-back campground stays.
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