Kate Orlando
Kate Orlando is a Los Angeles-based travel writer and creator who has spent 19 years exploring LA far beyond its tourist hotspots. After nearly two decades of living in the city, Kate has built deep, firsthand knowledge of Southern California's local food scene, lesser-known neighborhoods, and off-the-radar experiences that most visitors never find. For Only In Your State, she covers SoCal destinations with the conviction that the best travel stories happen when you travel like you live there — not like you're passing through.
Instead of Queenstown, This Hawaiʻi Town Is Where You Should Take Your Next Trip
From emerald cliffs rising above a crescent-shaped bay to a laid-back town surrounded by lush mountain scenery, Hanalei captures the same dramatic energy as Queenstown, with a slower, tropical rhythm.
Visit the Hidden Gem Small Town Right Next Door to Morro Bay State Park
Just minutes from Morro Bay State Park, this laid-back coastal town pairs estuary views and outdoor adventure with a walkable waterfront, fresh seafood, and the iconic silhouette of Morro Rock rising above the bay.
Instead of Zermatt, This Alaska Town Is Where You Should Take Your Next Trip
From glacier-carved peaks rising straight from the sea to quiet streets framed by the Chugach Mountains, Valdez delivers the same dramatic alpine beauty as Zermatt but with a raw, uncrowded Alaskan edge that feels more wild than polished.
Instead of St. Andrews, This California Town Is Where You Should Take Your Next Trip
With dramatic ocean bluffs, historic architecture, walkable streets, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere, Mendocino offers many of the same qualities travelers love about St. Andrews, without the overseas flight.
7 Waterfront Hawai’i Rentals So Stunning They Don’t Feel Real
From rainforest cabins with private waterfall pools to cliffside oceanfront homes and sandy beachfront condos, these waterfront rentals offer immersive island escapes where the sound of water, whether river, rain, or ocean, is always part of the experience.
This Walkable Coastal City in Ohio Is a Must-Visit Gem
From Maumee River waterfront parks and a lively downtown core to world-class museums, breweries, and historic districts all within a short walk, Toledo blends riverfront scenery and urban culture into one of Ohio’s most naturally walkable city experiences.
One of Kansas’ Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar
From an Oz Museum filled with movie history to a quiet park anchored by a historic windmill, Wamego blends small-town Kansas life with whimsical storytelling in a way that feels both unexpected and authentic.
One of Hawaii’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar
From indie bookstores and neighborhood cafés to shave ice stops and laid-back local charm, Kaimukī offers a refreshingly quirky side of Hawaiʻi that feels worlds away from Waikīkī’s crowds.
One of North Dakota’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar
Learn all about one of the quirkiest towns in North Dakota, filled with unique attractions and small-town charm. A hidden gem worth exploring.
One of Alaska’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar
From quirky local legends and rustic storefronts to glacier-fed rivers and unforgettable views of Denali, Talkeetna blends small-town charm with the kind of offbeat Alaska spirit travelers rarely forget.
