Meet Lisha Riabinina | Photographer. Traveler. Travel Planner.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisha Riabinina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisha, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Honestly, I don’t see taking a risk as something risky. I know sounds funny but let me explain. I believe that the risk existed before you made your decision. You are evaluating the probability of success, troubleshooting, trying to force the obstacles, and measuring what would be the impact of the risk not paying off. Once you have made the decision to move forward, you shouldn’t view it as a risk anymore. It creates self-doubt and brings anxiety. Both will distract you from working to your maximum potential to achieve your goal.

I think it was Mark Zuckerberg who said: ”The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks”.

And I absolutely agree.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I create custom travel itineraries for clients who want to have a fantastic experience on their trip without the need to put days into the research and tailor the plan based on the specific type of traveler the client is. You will have a detailed plan with times and locations so you will never have to stand 20 minutes at the intersection googling “best places for dinner near me.”

But I also believe every plan is made to be broken, so there’s a lot of built-in flexibility. Not feeling like going out to eat today? Here’s a list of great restaurants to deliver. Want to go somewhere else instead of the suggested 3-mile waterfall hike? Here’s a list of drive-up observation points along the route.

I also share plenty of travel tips and itinerary ideas on my @weekendtripcreator Instagram. So come say hi if you are passionate about traveling and want to chat about your dream destination.

Earlier this month, I announced a group tour to Iceland that I am putting together in July 2023. I went there for the first time in June and fell in love with the place. As a result, I have the perfect full Ring Road itinerary that lets you see all the best things Iceland offers in just a week. But who knows, I might organize a small group tour somewhere in the US before that.

It’s funny that I’ve always been teased for needing a plan for everything, which made me feel sort of embarrassed that I do. And now, I turned it into something beautiful that helps people to travel better.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh my! This question is right up my alley since I plan trips for other people! I would need much more information to tailor a perfect plan for this fiend. Personally, I am a very active traveler and wouldn’t stay in one area if I had a full seven days. But let’s try to tone it down a little.

Day 1 – Take it easy
– Breakfast at Vibes Beach Cafe. Try Avo Smash Tartine or Breakfast Pizza.
– After breakfast, stroll Alamitos Peninsula and visit Rosie’s Dog Beach.
– During the day, visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, where you can easily spend an hour admiring jellyfish.
– Watch the sunset from the ShoreLine Aquatic Park.
– Finish the day with wine tasting and charcuterie board at District Wine.

Day 2 – Explore OC
– Pick up delicious cinnamon rolls at Cinnaholic.
– Head to Crystal Cove State Park for a hike with ocean views after breakfast.
– Drive another 10-20 minutes to Laguna Beach. There are endless possibilities when it comes to beautiful beaches in Laguna. My favorites are Victoria Beach, 1000 Steps Beach, and Treasure Island Beach.
– Have dinner at Vaca in Costa Mesa. One of the few really great Spanish restaurants in SoCal. Make sure to make a reservation in advance.

Day 3-5 – to San Francisco and back
I strongly suggest going on a road trip. I took every friend who visited me from out of the US on this trip, and I went myself more than five times.

Day 3 – Drive to Big Sur.
I have a lot of recommendations on what to see in Big Sur on my Instagram if you need additional inspiration.
Stay at Carmel Mission Inn for a night.

Day 4 – Drive to San Francisco
It will take you about 2 hours to get to SF, and if you start your day with an early breakfast at Rise Bakery, you will have the whole day to explore San Francisco.
You shouldn’t miss these: Alcazar Theatre, Golden Gate Overlook, Battery Spencer Overlook, Lombard Street, Pier 39, The Palace of Fine Arts, The Painted Ladies, and Chinatown.

Day 5 – Drive back to SoCal
You can take a quicker route and stay on 5 Freeway to get back in 6-ish hours.
Reward yourself with a delicious dinner with a view at The Bungalow Kitchen Belmont Shore.

Day 6 – Amuse yourself
Pick a theme park to visit so you can feel like a kid for a day and relax your mind after the road trip. Universal Studios or Disneyland will probably be your first choice but don’t overlook Six Flags and Knott’s Berry Farm if you want to bring some thrill into your trip.

Day 7 – Finish with an adventure or just be a tourist
I would personally spend the last day exploring Joshua Tree National Park. It is a little over 2 hours away from Long Beach by car, and it is worth seeing California from a different angle. After exploring beaches and cities, finding yourself in the desert will be exciting. Plus, you can stop by Palm Springs for lunch and a quick stroll. If you decide to do so, check out French Miso Cafe or Juniper Table.

If you are not feeling like driving for two hours one way but still want to have an exciting day, allow yourself to just be a tourist. Go to Santa Monica Pier, Getty Museum, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, or Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I don’t think I would be fiercely traveling the world if I had been raised in a different family. My parents always valued traveling, exploring, and experiences over things. My mom took me on my first international trip when I was eight. When I was 11 years old, my parents sent me to spend a month in New Jersey, and I flew from Saint Petersburg, Russia, to New York by myself (with a layover in Prague). My parents also always did their own research for trips and created their own itineraries.

Because of my parents, I not only grew up with a deep appreciation for traveling but I also believe that I can make any trip possible. No matter the destination, budget, visas, travel time, etc. if I want to travel somewhere, I will find the way.

Website: https://weekendtripcreator.com

Instagram: @weekendtripcreator

Other: TikTok: @weekendtripcreator