Writing

I was a traveler first—and this fact continues to impact my writing.

The vacation periods from my teaching job were always used for overseas exploration. Never one for a cursory glance at a destination, I lived and worked in Munich for a year and used a second leave of absence for one long, life-changing loop around the Pacific Rim. My bio offers more info, but the point is that I was a traveler before I became a writer—not the other way around. Considering this, I guess it's not surprising that I enjoy writing for real travelers—for people who want to experience a destination, not just look at it. For people who want to interact with local residents and explore the natural surroundings.

I also lived in Australia and New Zealand and spent significant amounts of time in other Pacific Rim countries. By then, I’d perfected the art of delving beyond the obvious. In fact, I rarely write about "top" tourist attractions, unless it’s to reveal a fresh perspective or a way to go behind the scene. I’m happiest when I can write about hidden gems and the road less traveled and share insider info with my readers.

While I went solo on my earlier trips, I'm now married to photographer Richard Adams. We specialize in story/photo packages for magazines and newspapers and make our own arrangements, rather than accept press trip invitations.

Since I became the Travel Editor of Ranch & Coast, San Diego’s luxury lifestyle magazine, in 2004, we have explored exotic destinations around the globe for R&C and other freelance markets.

In spite of our extensive overseas experience, I've probably written more about San Diego than any other destination. I love sharing the  "scoop" on my hometown with would-be visitors and helping them get the most out of their stay. To this end, I’ve recently started About La Jolla, a blog that’s full of insider information on my backyard.

I'm equally capable of writing about New Zealand—my home-away-from-home for many years. In addition to telling travelers about this country's highlights, I also enjoy describing the lesser-known beauty spots, off-beat places to stay and dine, and recreational options that are popular with local residents. I've spent so much time in New Zealand that one reviewer recently labeled me a "Californian Kiwiphile."

Whenever it's appropriate, I like to write in a casual, first-person style, mixing sense-of-place descriptions with anecdotes and useful information. Click here for links to a selection of clips. My bio has a complete list of published writing.

— Elizabeth Hansen

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