An expert’s tips for traveling with wine, Oakland intel, and more great travel finds

Sunset’s future home: Oakland’s Jack London Square.
(Photo by Richard Cummins, via Getty Images.)

It’s time to plan your weekend! Here with inspiration: our 5 favorite travel finds of the week.

Come visit!With Sunset‘s move to Jack London Square, in Oakland, now mere months away, I’m seriously starting to stockpile Oakland intel. I loved local architects Daniel Scovill and Adam Winig’s guide to the city, on Design Sponge—and not just because they called out Jack London Square as a happening hood. See you there?

SipQ: Do you ever travel anywhere without wine?A: “Nope. River trips in Alaska, down in the Grand Canyon, anything; because, really, with a glass of wine, would you rather be sitting in the greatest restaurant 
in the world or the greatest amphitheater in the world?” So says wine importer Brian Larky in Food & Wine’s great, tips-filled interview about traveling with vino.

SpikeThe ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball (Aug. 18 – 23), in Long Beach, really heats up this weekend with Olympic-qualifying games, live music (The Mowgli’s, American Authors, Adam Lambert), and BBQs—all free to attend.

Beach volleyball pros kick up some sand in Long Beach.
(Photo by ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball.)

ListenLive indie rock along the Willamette makes for a pretty perfect summer day in Portland. Foster the People, Beirut, and Modest Mouse headline MusicfestNW this weekend (Aug. 21 – 23) in Waterfront Park.

Ride & HollerBack in pancake-flat Ohio, where I grew up, we didn’t have mountains to roam; we had rollercoasters. Amusement parks were our summer playground. As soon as I got a taste of the Western landscape, I made my move to California—but I still love a good manufactured thrill. That’s why I’m looking forward to this: the 10 must-ride rollercoasters of the West.

Looking for more travel inspiration? You can find past travel roundups here!