What even is a travel influencer?
What does it mean to be a travel influencer? I get asked that a lot.
And you know what? I’m not sure what it means to other travel influencers, but this is what it means to me.
My whole life was centered around travel. I was born in a small city outside Los Angeles but very quickly at 2 years old I started traveling between LA and Vigan (a small rural town in the Philippines) every year until I was 7.
I started grade school at a small mountain town called Baguio and I went to an international school (which meant opportunities to meet a diverse range of people in an otherwise not so diverse country, especially in a small city called Baguio).
I moved back to LA and still I was always on the road. We had a home in Las Vegas and my grandfather would always bring me along for the ride.
I had no real definition of home, but I knew that traveling always made me feel like I was at home.
I never went to school — and I was notorious for missing school because I was out of town or I just simply chose to hang out with my mom instead and read travel blogs while at cafes.
I knew I wanted to travel and I knew I wanted to be something like Anthony Bourdain. The term “influencer” sucks and although it is technically what I am, it’s all that I’m not.
To me, my job is centered around changing the way you would look at a place. To make you say, ‘wow, never saw it that way before.’
My job is to change the way you view travel. My job is to photograph and edit photos/videos that make you feel like you’re someplace else.
My job is to talk about beautiful places that are more than pretty places to stay, but take you out of your comfort zone.
My job is to inspire you to get out of your comfort zone and book a one way trip to Europe or South America or wherever your heart desires.
My job is more than just being online and sharing the top 5 different places to eat at in San Francisco, it’s more profound than simple video edits of me eating/doing my skincare, it’s like a diary into my heart and my world.
The term “influencer” dilutes the depth that I’m trying to create with my content, with my platform, with my life.
Did that answer your question?
Life of a San Francisco Influencer: A Recap of November 2023
November went by so incredibly fast, and it was jam packed just like September and October. I had a hard time balancing both By Nica Lina and She’s Out of Town, very much so that I started searching for a video editor to help with BNL content. The search hasn’t ended yet, so if you happen to be a video editor or know of any, please shoot me an email at nica@bynicalina.com!
November 2 | Lingua Franca Grand Opening Event at Marin Country Mart
I got invited to the Lingua Franca Grand Opening Event and had a decent time viewing the store, its new products, and indulging in some small bites. I love grand opening events because usually it’s a great opportunity to build a better relationship with the brand, to meet the founder, and meet other people who value the brand.
However if I had to be completely honest, the event was a waste of time. I loved following and keeping up with Lingua Franca up until the event (and was super excited to see that I was invited to the grand opening!), and I quickly felt the energy and vibe. I don’t want to speak on it too much, but I ended up unsubscribing from the newsletter and unfollowing the brand + its founder. It just wasn’t.. that welcoming of a brand and not something I’d like to share with my audience.
It’s unfortunate, but it’s good at the same time, as I really did get to know the brand from a more personal perspective.
I went to Sephora and Target afterwards and treated myself to some new products + bins to start packing our belongings because we’re moving!!!
November 4 | Spending the Day at Flour & Branch + Lunch in Chinatown
I absolutely love spending my Friday/Saturday mornings at Flour & Branch. I always find that this is my peaceful time of the week and the perfect way to wrap up everything and move on to the weekend. I had a micro-influencer come in and she was my model for the day! I love seeing everyone come in and enjoy the bakery. Everything Lauren (the founder) makes is absolutely delicious. I can’t stress it enough, I’m so grateful to have them as a client for She’s Out of Town.
Afterward, my boyfriend and I had lunch at a yummy dim sum spot in Chinatown! I haven’t been to Chinatown since I was in college, I was actually so stunned I’ve lived here for almost a year now and haven’t gone once! Afterwards we indulged in some yummy egg white tarts, then headed over to Fillmore to pick up a gift from Le Labo for my boyfriend.
November 5 | My Boyfriend’s 25th Birthday!
Today was a special day as it was my boyfriend’s 25th birthday! He started the day by running a half marathon and then we later had lunch at the Tailor’s Son in Pacific Heights. It was a great day to say the least.
November 6-8 | Working at the Alila Ventana Big Sur
I worked with the Alila Ventana Big Sur for a couple of days and I was so ecstatic about this trip. It’s days like this when I feel so, so grateful for what I do. My boyfriend came along with me and we both enjoyed the property so much. Everyone I met at the property felt like seeing an old friend. This is definitely a place that I’ll return to for years and years to come.
Being here really was such a treat and I felt immensely proud of myself for all the work I’ve put in to get this point in my career.
It wasn’t too long ago when I used to drive up and down the coast in my old car and dream of being where I am now.
November 8-9 | Working with Visit Carmel by the Sea
Another proud moment was welcoming Visit Carmel by the Sea as a client for She’s Out of Town! I’ll be going here once a month creating content for all of their restaurants.
Such a pinch me moment. I still cannot believe that I get to work with them. This is one of my favorite little coastal towns ever. Ever since I was a little girl, stopping by Carmel by the Sea was such a treat for me. Now I get to go here for work and meet so many different people, work with different restaurants, and ahhh. I just am so grateful.
November 10 | Spending the Day at Flour & Branch + Working on Brand Deals
I spent my afternoon at Flour & Branch creating content for them as well as decompressing from the week. It was a very eventful week to say the least, but boy was I exhausted! Afterwards, I went home and created content for some brand deals I had for By Nica Lina.
It’s weeks like this where I realize how difficult it can be to manage my personal life, my life as an influencer, and my life as a business owner. I can’t wait to get to the point where I can get help for a few tasks! Until then, it’ll be me and lots of coffee.
November 11 | Sezáne Influencer Fall Showroom Event
I’ve fallen in L O V E with Sezáne this year. I really do think it’s because of my French bob hairdo that I’ve been rocking these last few months now. It was such a fun event, and I LOVED that it took place in the morning. They had pastries, coffee, and small bites for us. It was so lovely seeing other influencers as well. I always see influencer events as little coworker mingle events, so I get super excited for them! It’s really not all that often that I get to see other influencers in the city, and I’m rarely in town to coordinate brunches and hang outs. I hope to have more time for that in the new year!
November 13 | Filming for Brand Deals + Discovering My Favorite Vietnamese Restaurant in San Francisco
I spent the entire day at home resting and filming content for a couple of brand deals that I had. I love days when they’re spent at home, they’re my favorite!
I ended off the day with dinner at Anh Hong in the Outer Richmond, my new favorite Vietnamese restaurant here in the city. Oh my stars, everything was absolutely delicious! We ordered so many meals and left feeling so full and happy.
November 14 | Celebrating Our 1 Year Anniversary& Spending the Day in Half Moon Bay
Ugh such an eventful month! It was my boyfriend and I’s one year anniversary. This is my first ever one year anniversary with anyone I’ve ever been with. I really have never had a serious relationship until now and every single day I’m so grateful to wake up to Ejay and have him as my boyfriend. He’s really the bestest person in the entire world.
November 16 | Getting My Brows Laminated & Spending the Day in Half Moon Bay
Getting my eyebrows laminated is one of my favorite self care activities to do. I go every 6 weeks in Pacifica inside Malaya Studios. I go to Susie Stylez for my brow needs AND therapy. It’s so fun seeing her, spending time with her, as well as giving my brows a facelift. If you ever see her, let her know I sent you and she’ll honor $10 off!
I started getting my eyebrows laminated when I was in Sweden over the summer and was hooked. It is such a game changer and really changes up your entire look. Now, I cannot live without it!
After I got my brows done, my boyfriend and I went to Soul Grind Coffee in Pacifica then had early dinner at Breakwater Barbecue. Needless to say, we devoured every single thing we ordered. So delicious!
November 17 | Creating Thanksgiving Content at Flour & Branch + Date Night at Pacific Heights
Another day at Flour & Branch! I created content featuring their holiday menu items. It was APEC week so it was just honestly an odd week in the city. I also noticed my car mirror got damaged while I was working inside the bakery. ):
Ejay and I went to The Little Shucker in Pacific Heights for date night and it was such a fun night out. We’re both so obsessed with oysters and we remembered passing by the restaurant and loving the vibe of the interior. It was a 10/10 and we are definitely going back again!
November 18 | A Slow Day at Home
I spent the day at home packing for a week long trip ahead. I received a beautiful handmade vase by Voyage Decor and it is just absolutely beautiful. Ejay also got me flowers when he went out for errands so that made my day!
November 19 | Driving to Los Angeles & Staying at the Garland
Our week long trip began with a few days in my home city, Los Angeles! We checked into the Garland for a few nights, which is this retro boutique hotel in North Hollywood. I loved the vibe of the hotel. It was so eclectic and beautifully decorated for the fall season. Our first meal in Los Angeles was of course, some hand rolls from Kazunori!
November 20 | Hanging Out in Echo Park & Silverlake
My favorite parts of Los Angeles are Echo Park Silverlake, and the Arts District and to be frank, they’re the best parts of LA. It as a particularly warm day and it felt so nice to bask in the sunshine. We spent the day shopping and going to our favorite places in the neighborhoods. Afterwards, I went to go hang out with my friend Anthony and we all went to a wine bar afterward! We finished the day by having dinner at the Garland!
November 21 | Driving to Long Beach & Eating at CIR Lounge
Long Beach is one of those places that I just do not know anything about. I never really explored it growing up! However ever since Ejay and I started dating, I’ve been getting to explore the city more little by little. We stayed at his sister’s apartment and ate at CIR Lounge, a really hip and delicious upscale restaurant in Fountain Valley.
I honestly was not expecting this restaurant to be so delicious and in the middle of Fountain Valley!
November 22-26 | Visiting Mom in San Diego
After Long Beach, we spent a few days in San Diego at my mom’s. We celebrated Thanksgiving, explored the city, and just had a relaxing time.
November 26 | Driving Home from San Diego
It was time to drive home from San Diego and back home to San Francisco. We made a pit stop in Long Beach for some coffee at Mangette. I absolutely loved the cafe, it was so aesthetically pleasing and they made a killer orange spice latte. I definitely will return when I’m visiting Long Beach. They also own a beautiful wine bar next door that my boyfriend is a huge fan of, so I’ll have to visit that as well!
November 27 | Filming & Shooting for Brand Deals
I spent the day at home relaxing as well as filming/shooting for a couple of brand partnerships I had. I really wanted to decompress after the trip so I just stayed home!
November 28 | Matcha Craving satisfied at Kiss of Matcha
I spent another day at home filming for a couple brand deals as well as shooting some product photography, then went out to shoot for another brand deal. Since the holidays are fast approaching, I have been bombarded by holiday brand deals, and while I’m not complaining, it has kept me busy on top of client work for She’s Out of Town!
I ended off the day by treating my boyfriend and I to some yummy matcha dessert from Kiss of Matcha in the Richmond. I ordered a matcha oat milk latte, matcha ice cream, and these really squishy rice balls! I loved every single sip and bite and was in matcha heaven!
November 29 | Trying Banana Milk for the First Time
I spent the day at home filming a couple of videos for some brand deals I had, and treated myself to a bottle of banana milk by Rosa Brothers! This was DELICIOUS. I had been eyeing the bottle of banana milk for weeks and knew I had to try it!
November 30 | Flour & Branch + Making A New Friend
I spent the last day of the month at Flour & Branch, creating content for the month of December! I stopped by Target to pick up some Christmas decor to place all over the store! I also made a new friend while I was creating content, and used her in the content as well. It was a really fun and productive day to say the least!
And that concludes my November recap as a San Francisco influencer!
As you can tell, it was quite the busy month and I barely had any time to catch my breath. Looking forward to sharing with you December!
