It is officially summer, and with that, peak daydream season! Warm temps with meals alfresco transport me to destinations all over the globe in my mind. Unfortunately whisking away to worldly hotspots on a whim isn't always an option. Today I forced myself to find a bit of France at my fingertips.

Desperate for my daydreams, we took a drive up into Beverly Hills to Greystone Mansion instantly transporting us into the French countryside. Strolling the grounds is completely free and the views expansive. The next time you need to escape the city and flirt with your French fantasies, make your way to Greystone Mansion.

Preserve Your Penny:

Exploring the Mansions grounds are free!
Parking on site is free!

xx

Sara De

Facing the wind //  Photo By: Ciurdars — Facing the wind // Photo By: Ciurdars

Fort Point is the perfect place in San Francisco to get an up close and personal view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Deemed a National Historic Site in 1970 by President Nixon, this FREE attraction boasts a lot more than just stunning views, but a storied past to boot!

The strong brick structure (then adobe) was erected in 1794 by Spanish Military forces thwarting off any opposition seeking claim on Bay territory. In 1821, Mexico won independence from Spain, but did not maintain the fort on the coast as they moved inland toward Sonoma. The US occupied the fort after their victory in the Mexican-American War.

This site has seen the US through early victories, Civil War, and World Wars. It is a BEAUTIFUL structure architecturally. Its strong exterior leads into a many tiered maze above. Walking through the corners of the fort, you feel as if you are in Medieval times. The open-air stair cases, spiral you from floor to floor. The roof being the least appealing of them all requires you to look up, only into the face of one of the worlds most iconic giants.

Parking is easy and with many other SF attractions near by like, Crissy Fields and the Walt Disney Family museum, this is a perfect place to spot off for the best shots.