Alexis and I first connected on Instagram as two fellow transplants who love exploring this beautiful region and all these wonderful adventures! Photographing her sweet beautiful family, with two happy, energetic little girls, was a wonderful experience. Check out the gallery from her family’s beautiful session, and read on to learn more about Brits in the Bay & her insider tips for navigating the Bay Area!

Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your sweet family!

We're a family of four, Sam and I actually went to the same high school in England before we both headed off all over the place for university, jobs etc and finally getting together back in our home town 10 years later! We moved to Germany with our eldest daughter, Poppy, when she was a little over 2 and stayed there for about 2 1/2 years before heading over to the Bay in 2017 just after Kenna was born. 

What inspired you to create Brits in the Bay?

I’ve done a lot of moving about over the last decade and have learnt through it all that the people around you are what make the difference between having a fantastic experience and having an awful one. I believe in the power of community to make the world a kinder and more open place so I’m hoping that making my own community in Brits in the Bay will add to that!

What are a few of your best tips for an expat coming to live in the Bay area? 

-Get outside! The Bay Area is an expensive place to live, work and play but the outdoors is generally free and there is so much variety from rolling hills and woodlands to sandy beaches and dramatic rocky beaches with waterfalls. The weather is usually fab, so take advantage.

-Eat Mexican food! It’s amazing, there’s always something that you can make work for all sorts of different dietary restrictions, fussy kids, you name it they’ve got it covered, it’s available absolutely everywhere, and it’s great value!

-Join the Y! When you move far away from your usual support network it can be hard to find reliable childcare and activities and you can find yourself not getting enough me time. Babysitters, daycares etc can often lack the flexibility you want or need if all you’re after is just a couple of hours to drink a cup of tea while it’s still hot. The Y is reasonably inexpensive, has a fantastic program of activities for everyone and the kids club is an absolute sanity saver!

What's been the most fun about creating Brits in the Bay?

Definitely all the different people I’ve got to connect with and having the perfect excuse to get out and try different places, attractions and activities!

What’s your favorite local gem?

I love food, so my absolute favorite local gem is Holders Country Inn. For me, it’s everything I imagined America would be, lovely relaxed environment, fantastic service, ultimate comfort food. In fact, I’m going to head there for a cheeky birthday brunch next week!

What's your favorite place to go for an adventurous Saturday?

My ultimate slightly further away spot to head to is Roaring Camp Railroad. They do a fantastic steam train ride through the redwoods and it’s simply magical. We like to combine it with a trip into Felton to go to Taqueria Vallarta for lunch and then a very gentle hike in either Big Basin Redwoods State Park or Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

What's next for Brits in the Bay?

For now we’re going to continue exploring the Bay, sharing our adventures with our wonderful community and finding some fun ways to share their adventures too. We’d love to get some fab Brits in the Bay merchandise up and out there too but that’s a wee while off for now!

Where can readers go to connect with you and follow your adventures?

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest at @BritsintheBay or you can head over to our website at www.BritsintheBay.com. Please do pop by and say hello, we absolutely love hearing from people and finding out what they love about the Bay Area or how they like to add more adventure to their lives wherever that may be. 

Want more great photography info?

Check out my checklist filled with 30+ tips for great family photos! In this checklist I cover everything from what to bring, how to plan, how to dress, and what to expect. It is an invaluable resource for families planning photoshoots.

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