Bay Area Travel Writers

3 weeks ago | batw.org | Ginny Prior

A warm, sunny day was the backdrop for another successful BATW mixer on May 30th. The regional mixers bring members together in a relaxed atmosphere to swap travel stories and hear destination updates. The location of the end of May mixer was 5 Spiced Kitchen in Montclair Village in the Oakland Hills. The restaurant has a quiet bar area and great happy hour (drinks are $4 beers, $6 wines and $10 cocktails), along with delicious Asian-fusion food. The next regional mixer is July 10 in San Rafael.

4 weeks ago | batw.org | Ginny Prior

Faith Adiele will lead Rethinking Travel Writing, a Zoom course running Saturdays from September 6 to October 4, 1–3 p.m. EST. The course blends craft with critique, challenging colonial narratives of travel. Guest speakers include Bani Amor (Sept 6), Noo Saro-Wiwa (Sept 13), Carey Baraka (Sept 20), and Pier Nirandara (Sept 27).

4 weeks ago | batw.org | Ginny Prior

SOUTH TAHOE AMPED FOR SUMMER SEASON WITH SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATIONS, NEW ATTRACTIONS AND RESTAURANTSMay 15, 2025 (SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev.) – Lake Tahoe’s South Shore offers a fresh supply of ideas on activities, entertainment, and where to stay, play, dine, and shop this summer: VisitLakeTahoe.com.

4 weeks ago | batw.org | Ginny Prior

Summertime and the living is easy…especially in San Rafael. Let’s gather for a sunny Marin County mixer on Thursday, July 10, at 5-7. We’ll rise above the worries of the day for no-host drinks and bites at Above Fifth, the rooftop bar at the AC Hotel at the corner of Fifth Avenue and B Street. After we socialize, BATW and Elks Lodge member Ruth Carlson will lead a small group up the hill (about two blocks) to the San Rafael Elks Lodge for a drink in their friendly bar.

4 weeks ago | batw.org | Ginny Prior

Kim Bardakian is the founder of BarCom Communications and co-founder of Town Love—two ventures rooted in community, creativity, and connection. Through BarCom, Kim offers strategic communications and community outreach, drawing on 25+ years of experience in media, events, and relationship building. Her work has supported organizations like Visit Oakland, Ronald McDonald House, Northeastern University Oakland and more.