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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Want to immerse yourself in San Antonio's creative culture? If so, you've got to visit this stunning, hidden away treasure with a uniquely magical atmosphere.
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If you're looking for a unique travel experience to explore shops, museums, and local Canadian flavor, this town outside Ontario is a short trip from Detroit.
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This restaurant in the Indianapolis metro offers an intimate dining experience with only 35 seats and a rotating menu offering homemade, seasonal fare.
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Travel Gear
By Leslie Veliz
While sporting vintage luggage may sound like a chic way to travel, the reality of lugging around old suitcases might make you rethink your purchase.
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Charlotte, North Carolina, has become something of a pizza hub, and a lot of locals consider this mom-and-pop joint to be one of the city's most underrated.
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Air Travel
By Leslie Veliz
Aretha Franklin performed hundreds of memorable concerts in her career, but she had one travel fear that made things more challenging for her.
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Houston, Texas
By Leslie Veliz
This Houston, Texas, neighborhood might be quiet, but it's full of history and art and has barbecue that impressed even the late Anthony Bourdain.
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Sip cocktails in a 1920s-style speakeasy, dine on seasonal fare at a Michelin-recognized restaurant, and explore urban greenways in this district near Uptown.
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Travel Guides
By Leslie Veliz
These abandoned hotels across the world reveal how once-popular travel destinations fell into decline, from coastal resorts to city high-rises.
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From German-inspired wurst breakfast sandwiches to upscale crab eggs Benedict, here the top-rated San Francisco brunch spots with waterfront views.
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For the best champagne bar experiences in New York City, these four unique and highly-rated spots are absolute must-visits.
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If you're looking for a sandwich place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, you'll want to check out this hole-in-the-wall restaurant that is well-loved for its subs.
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New Mexico
By Leslie Veliz
Conveniently connected to other Southwest hubs, this New Mexico city features a lengthy, unexpected rock-and-roll history and family-friendly attractions.
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Louisiana
By Leslie Veliz
New Orleans is famous for its food, but some of its most memorable meals come from tiny hole-in-the-wall eateries visited and praised by Anthony Bourdain.
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The Rhine Valley is home to Europe's Best Winery in 2025, where you can catch an event, tour a 900 year-old cellar, and sip wine at a restaurant in the palace.
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Milwaukee has an esteemed coffee scene, and these local favorites are worth visiting for their unique charms and delicious specialty drinks.
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A nationally recognized Indianapolis brunch spot is shifting to a Southern "meat-and-three" concept, bringing a new comfort-food tradition to Indiana diners.
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California
By Leslie Veliz
Looking for a quiet Northern California getaway? These charming riverside retreats offer outdoor adventures, small-town charm, and local flavor.
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You wouldn't swipe a historic relic while sightseeing, would you? Here are four cases of people who did, then made amends upon realizing their wrongdoing.
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California
By Leslie Veliz
Orange County, California, has a wide array of interesting and delicious restaurants, and we've got a list of five of the most acclaimed and beloved.
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Portland, Oregon
By Leslie Veliz
Uncover Portland's early morning food scene through these five restaurants that are lauded for their incredible brunch menus and unique ambiance.
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Hungry before takeoff? Here are the airport dining spots travelers love most at Harry Reid International Airport, from breakfast to steakhouse eats.
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Charleston is overflowing with great restaurants, and if you're in the mood for some Texas barbecue, this spot on the Peninsula needs to be on your radar.
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Atlanta, Georgia
By Leslie Veliz
From neighborhood favorites to nationally recognized roasters, these Atlanta coffee shops stand out based on research from food publications and reviews.
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Sacramento is home to plenty of expensive eateries, but these five restaurants make it easy to plan a romantic dinner without upsetting your wallet.
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Napa Valley hotels can be pricey. These well-reviewed budget-friendly stays offer lower nightly rates without sacrificing location or comfort.
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Festivals
By Leslie Veliz
Celebrity chefs, award-winning food, and vibrant musical events await at the Caribbean's most multi-sensory five-day culinary festival near Nassau, Bahamas.
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