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Members of the Month

San Juan Islands at Sunset Katie Jones-Spyhopper Travels

San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau

Say farewell to worry and stress and say hello to the mellow islands vibe, a temperate year-round climate, and long, lazy hours of doing just what you want. Count on temperatures around 70° in the summer and 40° in the winter. A happy confluence of weather systems also accounts for the high level of air quality you’ll appreciate across the San Juans. So relax—you’re on “island time” now!

What is your destination most known for?

Hop a ferry to the San Juan Islands of Washington State and feel the tension disappear. Nestled between the three popular Northwest cities of Seattle, WA, Vancouver, B.C., and Victoria, B.C., the San Juans are a perfect detour destination for anyone looking to balance the adrenaline rush of city life with the serenity of island time. You won't find fast food, stoplights or Jet Skis, you will find hidden forest paths, sweeping shorelines, tide-to-table dining, enclaves of creative vitality, and a mosaic of wildlife. A bald eagle surveying his dominion from the top of a snag, sea lions sunning themselves on the rocks, and the orca draping a strand of kelp around her fluke.


During this season, what are some must-see attractions?

Fall is one of the best seasons to be in the San Juan Islands. With a crisp sea breeze nipping the coast and golden sunlight bathing inland farms, visiting in autumn is a unique island experience. The temperature, though, is still temperate, just cool enough to throw a jacket over your sweater. The abundant forests give you an almost fairy-tale feeling, especially when the morning fog curls its tendrils around the evergreens. The beaches are rarely crowded and made for strolling hand-in-hand, perhaps tucking a piece of sea glass or two in your pockets. Fall is one of the best seasons to be hiking in the San Juans, where deciduous trees sport a riot of reds, brilliant oranges, and golden yellows. Inside Moran State Park on Orcas Island, the 3-mile trail to Cascade Falls winds between Douglas firs and Bigleaf maples – creating stunning contrasts of color against a lush green backdrop. Perfect for beginning hikers and dogs on leashes, it’s a fall escape for the whole family. Cascade Falls is a 40-foot waterfall, the largest in the San Juans, and the perfect reward after a 420-foot elevation gain. It’s also a time to savor – savor the food, music, and natural beauty of Orcas, Lopez, and San Juan Islands. Create a feast for two from the freshest of ingredients found at a farmers’ market or co-op – grown or raised steps from your front door.
Pack your spirit of adventure, prepare to pamper yourself and your partner, and discover a moveable feast for the senses.


What hidden gem should not be missed when visiting your destination?

The San Juan Islands are world-famous for watching whales in the wild, especially orcas. They're amazing, certainly, but are only one part of a rich ecological tapestry. In recent years, the number of humpback whales coming into the Salish Sea keep breaking the previous year's record, with September and October as some of the4 best months. It's a different experience than Hawaii or Alaska, and every bit as unique. Additionally, the Islands are part of the Puget Loop of the Pacific Flyway, with a wide variety of migrating birds, some only in the fall and winter like trumpeter swans, short-eared owls, and waterbirds like bufflehead ducks and northern pintails. So it's not so much a specific place that's the hidden gem, but the fall wildlife experience.


What’s one feature that can’t be missed when visiting your website?

Check out the Stewardship hub in the top menu bar - it provides all the resources needed to help travelers care for the San Juans during their visit.


How did you learn about NATJA, and why did you join?

The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau was already a member when I joined the staff, and I have maintained the membership so I can maintain the connections that have already been built and foster new media relationships.


Is there anything else you feel travel media should know about your destination?

My focus is on storytelling that ventures outside of the usual "where to eat/stay/play," such as making connections with locals, or coming to the Islands for a digital detox or an analog vacation, or because you want to get into a new pastime like birding, yoga, foraging, etc.

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Kathryn Reed

Kathryn Reed

Writing is an important part of who I am. But it’s travel and the outdoors that feed my soul. I worked as a reporter and editor for a number of prestigious publications before publishing my own online newspaper—Lake Tahoe News—for nine years. Today, I am a freelance writer and author of the books: "Sleeping with Strangers: An Airbnb Host’s Life in Lake Tahoe and Mexico", "Lake Tahoe Trails For All Seasons: Must-Do Hiking and Snowshoe Treks", "The Dirt Around Lake Tahoe: Must-Do Scenic Hikes", "Snowshoeing Around Lake Tahoe: Must-Do Scenic Treks". When I’m not on the computer, I am walking dogs at the humane society to get my dog fix after losing my 19-year-old AJ, or playing tennis, hiking, biking, or out discovering new places. After three years of splitting my time between South Lake Tahoe, California, and Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, I moved to Chico, California, in March 2021 for family reasons. I had moved to South Lake Tahoe in 2002 from the San Francisco Bay Area where I had been an editor at the San Francisco Chronicle.

What got you into travel journalism?

It wasn't intentional. I realized I wanted to share my experiences with others.


What’s the most challenging part of being a travel journalist?

Remembering it's OK to not always be taking notes.


What is the most rewarding aspect of travel journalism?

Learning. Which I think is one of the most rewarding aspects about travel even if you aren't writing about it. It's also knowing you are bringing a part of the world to people who may never have the opportunity (or even the desire) to go where you are, but they still want to know about what you are writing about.


What is something you wish people knew about travel journalism?

It's work; it's not all fun and games. It's also not always about actually traveling. I believe travel journalism can also be a local-regional-state-national business story about the travel (aka tourism) industry.


How have your cross-cultural experiences shaped your point of view of the world?

It's made me more understanding, patient and thoughtful.


What have you enjoyed most about being a NATJA member?

Feeling like I'm part of a community.

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Ed Coleman

Ed Coleman

Ed and his partner Jenn, are the creative force behind the website Coleman Concierge. Ed is a nationally syndicated travel writer who has garnered numerous awards for his travel writing and featured in Business Insider, HuffPost UK, and numerous state tourism boards. Ed deeply believes in the transformational power of travel, and their website encourages everyone to step outside their comfort zone and seek adventure.

What got you into travel journalism?

I’ve always loved writing. On my first date with Jenn, I probably bored her with all the details of a science fiction book I was writing, so storytelling has clearly been part of me for a long time. I’ve also always loved travel and adventure. As Jenn and I started imagining our “Life 2.0,” travel journalism became a way to combine those passions while helping people travel better. We especially wanted to promote sustainable tourism and show how travel dollars can support local communities, protect wildlife and preserve the places we love. At its best, tourism gives destinations a sustainable economic alternative to things like logging, hunting or resource extraction. If our stories can inspire a great trip while also helping protect a place for the future, that’s the kind of travel journalism I want to do.


What’s the most challenging part of being a travel journalist?

The hardest part is balancing the experience with the work. Travel journalism can look glamorous from the outside, but while everyone else is enjoying the sunset, the meal or the adventure, we’re thinking about photos, notes, interviews, video and the story we still need to write. There’s also a responsibility to be honest. We want to support destinations and partners, but we also owe our readers useful, trustworthy information. Finding that balance while still being present enough to actually experience a place is probably the biggest challenge.


What is the most rewarding aspect of travel journalism?

The most rewarding part is knowing that a story can make a real difference. It might inspire someone to take a trip they never thought was possible, help a small business connect with new visitors, or bring attention to a person or a destination doing tourism the right way. I also love that travel journalism gives us a reason to keep learning. Every trip introduces us to new people, cultures, landscapes, and ideas, and then we get to turn those experiences into stories that can help others travel more thoughtfully and confidently.


What is something you wish people knew about travel journalism?

I wish people knew how much work happens behind the scenes. Travel journalism is not just taking a free trip, snapping a few photos and posting about it. There is research, pitching, planning, interviewing, photography, video, editing, writing, SEO, social media and often months of follow-up after the trip is over. The destination may be incredible, but we are still working while we are there. That said, getting to tell meaningful stories about amazing places and people makes all of that work worthwhile.


How have your cross-cultural experiences shaped your point of view of the world?

Travel has made the world feel both much bigger and much smaller. In Tanzania, we saw how deeply community, conservation and tourism can be connected. In Finland, we experienced a culture that values simplicity, nature and slowing down in ways that felt very different from home. In Sri Lanka and Alaska, we were reminded again that people can build meaningful lives around completely different landscapes, traditions and rhythms. Those experiences have made me more curious and less likely to assume there is only one right way to live. They have also reinforced why responsible travel matters. The best trips do more than introduce you to a new place. They challenge your assumptions and change the way you understand your own world.


What have you enjoyed most about being a NATJA member?

What I’ve enjoyed most about NATJA is the sense of community. Travel journalism can be a surprisingly solitary profession, so it is valuable to have a network of people who understand the work, the challenges and the strange rhythm of this career. I’ve also appreciated the opportunities to learn from other journalists, connect with destinations and industry partners, and be part of a group that genuinely cares about telling better travel stories. NATJA has helped make a very big industry feel much more personal.

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State of Nayarit Ministry of Tourism - Surfing in Sayulita

State of Nayarit Ministry of Tourism

Nayarit is a diverse state on Mexico’s Pacific coast, where more than 200 miles of coastline meet the Sierra Madre mountains, historic communities and rich Indigenous traditions. Home to Riviera Nayarit, nine Pueblos Mágicos and renowned destinations such as Punta de Mita, Sayulita and San Blas, Nayarit combines world-class luxury, outdoor adventure, gastronomy, biodiversity and authentic cultural experiences.

What is your destination most known for?

Nayarit is best known for its spectacular Pacific coastline and Riviera Nayarit, home to destinations such as Punta de Mita and Sayulita, world-class luxury resorts, surfing, sailing and exceptional gastronomy. Beyond the beaches, the state is increasingly recognized for its nine Pueblos Mágicos, Wixárika and Cora cultures, biodiversity, community tourism and outdoor adventure, offering travelers a side of Mexico that combines luxury with authentic cultural and natural experiences.


During this season, what are some must-see attractions?

During fall and winter, Nayarit is ideal for combining nature, culture and outdoor adventure. Must-see experiences include humpback whale watching, the Marietas Islands, San Blas and La Tovara, and Nayarit’s nine Pueblos Mágicos. The season is also perfect for sailing, parasailing, paragliding, hiking and surfing, particularly in Bahía de Banderas, recently designated Mexico’s first Surf Capital, further strengthening Nayarit’s reputation as one of Mexico’s leading outdoor and adventure destinations.


What hidden gem should not be missed when visiting your destination?

One feature that can’t be missed is Nayarit’s incredible diversity beyond the resort experience. Travelers can go from the luxury and beaches of Punta de Mita to surfing in Sayulita, cultural experiences in San Pancho, hidden beaches and natural sanctuaries—all along more than 200 miles of Pacific coastline. It’s the ability to combine luxury, nature, culture, gastronomy and adventure in one trip that truly sets Riviera Nayarit apart.


What’s one feature that can’t be missed when visiting your website?

https://www.rivieranayarit.com/activities/


How did you learn about NATJA, and why did you join?

Gustavo Rivas-Solis, our director, has been a member since 2014


Is there anything else you feel travel media should know about your destination?

Nayarit is much more than a beach destination. Beyond its 200 miles of Pacific coastline, the state offers nine Pueblos Mágicos, 70+ community and creative tourism experiences, rich Wixárika and Cora traditions, exceptional gastronomy, biodiversity and adventure. New luxury hotels and growing international connectivity through Tepic–Riviera Nayarit International Airport are also opening new opportunities for travelers to explore the state.

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