In 2025, Amanda and I celebrated ten years of marriage. Ten years, two kids, and a dozen stamps in our passports later, we found ourselves at a crossroads of celebration. A decade of marriage is a milestone that demands both reflection and adventure. For our 10th anniversary, we decided to blend the two: the sun-soaked luxury of Cabo San Lucas followed by the nostalgic, cliffside charm of San Diego. It wasn’t just a trip; it was a celebration of how far we’ve come as a duo, and the beautiful chaos of the family we’ve built along the way.
Hacienda Beach Club & Residence
A FIVE-STAR BEACHFRONT PARADISE IN CABO
The hotel was a great experience — they were very attentive and had the best accommodations. We spent the days posted up at the pool and ocean. The staff was gracious to set us up beach chairs and toys in both spots.
Disciples in the Storm
The hotel organized a quaint private boat tour of the arches at sunset. On the surface {of the waters :)} This was a great set up. With two little ones, having our own tour boat gave us the needed flexibility to adjust the route/timing of the excursion. This came in handy once we went around the arches on the wide-open waters of the mighty Pacific Ocean. The boat was rocking a good bit and my oldest son reacted like Jesus’ disciples in the midst of the storm.
There is a specific kind of 'parent-photographer' adrenaline that kicks in when the golden hour light hits the Cabo arches perfectly, but your toddler is convinced the Pacific is trying to swallow the boat. Balancing a Sony a7iv in one hand and a nervous three-year-old in the other is the ultimate test of image stabilization. Despite the 'storm,' those frames of the fading evening light remain some of my favorites from the trip—a reminder that the best shots often come from the most unscripted moments.
Massive with fading evening light near the arches in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. December 2025
The view of the arches at Sunset was truly spectacular — An awesome birthday gift for yours truly.
Lover’s beach on the right side of the photo
Famous Cabo Arch — You can see a flock of seals on the bottom left portion of the photo
We traded the turquoise tranquility of the Hacienda for the familiar Pacific breeze of Southern California. There’s a different energy to a multi-stop trip; if Cabo was about slowing down to the pace of the tides, San Diego was about the joy of the 'great American road trip'—starting with the winding, salt-sprayed streets of La Jolla.
La Jolla, San Diego
La Jolla is a stunning coastal neighborhood of San Diego known for its dramatic cliffs, turquoise coves, and laid-back elegance. It blends natural beauty with walkable village streets, sea lions sunning on the rocks, and some of the best ocean views in Southern California.
Sunset at Scripps Park - A scenic point for viewing in La Jolla
Coronado Beach
Hotel Del Coronado
Del for the Holidays
The Hotel Del Coronado is a masterclass in architecture, but during the holidays, it turns into something out of a storybook. Capturing the red turrets against the San Diego blue required a bit of a 'film-esque' eye. I wanted these images to feel like the memories we’ll look back on in another ten years—warm, timeless, and full of salt air.
From the private docks of Cabo to the sea lions of La Jolla, this 10th-anniversary trek reminded us why we travel. It’s rarely about the perfect itinerary and always about the stories we tell afterward.
Are you planning a milestone trip with your little ones? I’d love to hear where you're headed—or if you have questions about the gear I used to capture this journey, drop a comment below.