I’m Valerie Mitchell, a native Southern California resident, full-time digital creator, and lifelong traveler. For over a decade, I’ve been exploring the West Coast and beyond, sharing honest, real-world travel guides, hotel reviews, and road trip itineraries designed for curious, adventure-seeking travelers.
Experiential Travel & Local Expertise
Based on a one-acre property in Silverado Canyon (Orange County, California), I have a deep love for our regional drive markets, coastal escapes, desert getaways, and national parks. Here on Valerie Was Here, you’ll find practical, human-tested travel insights focused on:
- Destinations & Road Trips: Detailed itineraries for weekend getaways, day trips, and scenic drives across Southern California, the West Coast, and international spots.
- Hotels & Resorts: Honest reviews of boutique lodging, desert retreats, family-friendly resorts, and staycations.
- Travel Gear & Books: Hands-on reviews of packing essentials, luggage, travel tech, and inspiring reads for your next journey.
A Digital Publisher Network
Valerie Was Here is part of my established digital publishing network. Longtime readers and brand partners know me from my two sister publications:
- MamaLikesThis.com (Established 2008) – Family lifestyle, crafts, printables, and entertainment reviews.
- MamaLikesToCook.com (Established 2012) – Approachable recipes, vegetarian cooking, kitchen gadgets, and garden-to-table tips.
This multi-site platform allows me to cross-promote travel experiences across food, family, and lifestyle channels to reach a broad, purchasing-ready audience.
Work with Valerie
I regularly partner with Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), hotel brands, PR agencies, and travel gear companies to create permanent, search-ranked content. I am open to professional opportunities, including:
- Individual & Group Hosted Media Trips / FAMs
- Sponsored Posts & Destination Spotlights
- Hotel, Resort & Venue Reviews
- Travel Gear & Book Reviews
Let’s Connect
Whether you’re looking to showcase a destination or have a travel-related partnership in mind, I’d love to hear from you!
Email: [email protected]