Things To Do

Kailua Beach

Public bathrooms and parking lot available. Swimmable and near Kayak/SUP rentals.

Waimea Valley

Botanical gardens and swimmable waterfall. Farmers markets and community festivals.

Kualoa Ranch

Dune buggy and horseback tours as well as other activities on property. Walk through the valleys where Jurrasic Park scenes and other movies were filmed. Would be muddy but super fun on a rainy day.

Kualoa Regional Park

pristine calm waters of Kaneohe Bay and surrounding mountain views. Public restrooms and parking. Great for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and unplugging.

Ala Moana Regional Park

Best beach in "town" for swimming. Drive up and relax. Parking and public restrooms. Running paths. Outdoor exercise classes always going on.

Kaimana Beach

Parking is a little trickier and no bathrooms, but this is the best place to chill and swim at the end of Waikiki Beach.

Mokuleia

Go alllllll the way down and pull up to park along the sand and pick a beach spot. Unplug. Currents can get rough but cannot beat the scenery. Jenn's favorite beach. No restrooms. Minimal cell service.

Waimea Bay Beach

When the waves aren't huge this is a great snorkeling spot all the way to the left of the "jumping rock". During the peak winter months this is where big wave surfing competition "The Eddie" happens. Parking available but can be tough on the weekends. Can also pay to park across the street at Waimea Valley Botanical Garden and walk over.

Ka‘ena Point

Hike out to the albatross sanctuary (inside the gate at the end, just let yourself in). Monk seals resting and turtles nesting. About a 2 hour round trip walk along dusty flat/rocky path. Fully exposed to sun. Incredible ocean and mountain views.

Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail

Paved trail about an hour round trip or can be more if you take your time for whale watching points. Full sun exposure. Steep, good workout. Park at the trail head or out on the main road and walk in.

Lanikai Pillbox Trail

You will likely have to park at Kailua Beach and walk about a half mile to the trail head, due to new parking restrictions. Slippery gravel and steep. Quick- about 45 minutes round trip depending on how much time you spend on the top. Full sun exposure. Incredible views of "The Mokes" twin islands and all of East Oahu.

Haleiwa

Adorable classic North Shore town center with local shops and restaurants/cafes. Matsumoto Shave Ice. Bonzai Bowls/Haleiwa Bowls for Acai bowls. Farm to Barn Cafe. Bonzai Sushi. Beautiful artwork, jewelry, surf, and clothing shops. Great for souveneirs.

Don Quijote Honolulu

If Costco and a fancy Japanese grocery store had a baby.... Also has the best selection of local made gifts, snacks, coffees for a great price. Novelty international items like Korean skincare and supplements of all price points and Japanese treats. Worth the trip.

Polynesian Cultural Center

Great Rainy-Day Activity. Think Disney/Epcott but for the Polynesian Islands. Each "Island" has cultural demonstrations and performances which you can spend most of the day doing. There is a nighttime performance of Breath of Ha that is amazing production quality and beautiful dance and fire show. Also a quality Luau that I have heard good feedback about, which can be done before or in addition to the night show.

Green World Coffee Farm

Kahuku Farms

North Shore family farm tours showing cultivation of various products and produce.

CLIMB Works Keana Farms Zipline Tour

ʻEhukai Pillbox Trail

Starts a little muddy - at the back of the Ehukai Elementary School parking lot. All ages can do, but mildly steep parts holding onto ropes (due to muddy/gravel dirt conditions). Takes about an hour and a half round trip. Goes through a forested area and ends at pillboxes with a view of North Shore. Directly across from the famous "Sunset Beach" at Bonzai Pipeline Surf Break (Ehukai Beach Park).

Kaʻiwi Shoreline Trail

Flat and traverses the beach and inlets. Gorgeous views. Can be hot and sunny. No bathrooms. Out and back, can go as far as the lighthouse trail down the road, or can keep it to the immediate shoreline. 1-5 miles depending on what you want to do.

Ko Olina

Public parking at Lagoon 1 (formerly Paradise Lagoon) and Lagoon 4 by the marina. Also Parking in the "town center" next to Monkey Pod Restaurant (highly recommend). You can go to any of the resorts to eat and access their lagoons in back. Bring beach chairs and a change of clothes for a nice meal. I like to go to Four Seasons and walk along the tidepools in back and then eat at Mina's Fish House. The spa at Disney Aulani resort is AMAZING.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Best snorkeling on Oahu. Have to go on the portal to reserve tickets a few days in advance at 7am. Closed on Monday/Tuesday to let the wildlife rest. You can BYO or rent snorkel gear.

The Beach House by 604

Awesome beach restaurant next door to Pokai Bay (where we will have the post-wedding beach potluck on Sunday).

The Smoking Boar and the Coconut

Best kept secret of North Shore, family owned roadside restaurant. Blink and you will miss it. Fantastic local style food.

Kaneohe Sandbar

Boating and fishing tours out to Sandbar where you can Stand-Up-Paddle, kayak, snorkel, party...surrounded by mountains and water. Half-day activity. Worth it.

Waiahole Poi Factory

Family owned by Uncle Cal and his 'ohana on their farm lands. BEST example of Hawaiian traditional food. Sweet Lady of Waiahole dessert is OMGGGG.

Little Plumeria Farms

Largest plumeria farm on Oahu. Local family owned.

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden

Some of the most spectacular mountain and garden views you will ever see in your life. Free. Drive through or take many of the walking paths. Learn about the plants at the educational center.

Mauʻumae Ridge Trail (Puʻu Lanipō)

Jenn's favorite after work ridge trail with spectacular views. Hike to The Bench and back in about 45 minutes, or keep going for a while (it eventually gets really sketchy as it leads up to the mountain summit connection, so just take the hint about when to turn around). Park in the neighborhood at the trail head which is a chain link fence next to someone's yard.

The Crouching Lion

Beautiful rejuvinated local restaurant on the water. So darn good.

Foodland Pupukea

The only large grocery store up North Shore. Stock up on the way to your airbnb.

Pūpūkea Beach Park

Tidepools for snorkeling. Wear ocean footwear due to spikey urchins and be very careful. Food Trucks across the street.

Kaunala Trail

2.5-4 mile beautiful trail for all ages. Much greenery and fern forest views. ALLLLLL the way up till you can't go anymore at the top of the pupukea mountain road.

Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site

Important cultural site. Place of worship and learning delineated by ancient rock walls. Views of Waimea Valley below. Leave fruit or flower offerings when you go. Do not climb the walls or enter the interior. Heed the signage. Be respectful.

Hau Tree

Awesome little restaurant in the Kaimana Beach Hotel. On the beach. Prime sunset spot.

Duke's Waikiki

Live music daily. Fantastic mai tai cocktails and local plates. Yes it is touristy and crazy busy, but it's a great vibe and you can always sit at the bar for full menu or wait out on the beach for a table.

Cirque du Soleil 'Auana

New show that highlights Polynesian culture. Really fantastic.

HIDEOUT

Lanai bar in the Laylow Hotel. Great local music acts nightly. Great food and drinks.

Hana Koa Brewing Co.

Solid local brewery and food.

Maui Brewing Co. Kailua

Live music. Good food and brews.

TANE VEGAN IZAKAYA

Banzai Sushi Bar

Kona Brewing Hawaii Kai

Haleiwa Joe's Haiku Gardens

Beautiful steakhouse in a jungle setting. Tiki torches. It's a vibe.

Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi

Restaurant on the beach at Turtle Bay. Excellent food. Casual or date night vibe.

Lei Lei's Bar & Grill

Open 7am-9pm on the golf course at Turtle Bay. Best option for breakfast restaurant (aside from the coffee and smoothie shop inside of the resort) as well as casual lunch. They also have live music at night.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

If you feel called to go, please anticipate that this will take a full half day (due to parking, security, ticket times, and tours).

Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi

A wonderful organization with volunteering days and educational programs.

Papahana Kuaola

Educational and volunteer center down the road from Jenn's home. A wonderful place to spend the day getting muddy and being in nature.

Old Waialua Sugar Mill

Shops and cafes.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Food Trucks next to the beach

Waiola Shave Ice

Leonard's Bakery

Ted's Bakery

Liliha Bakery

OG bake shop and diner. Try the "cocoa puffs" (cream puffs with chantilly cream or green tea filling).

Ala Moana Center

Massive open air shopping mall with everything from local brands to Balenciaga as well as a central stage for local performing groups daily.

North Shore Stables

Horseback trail rides and ATV riding tours.

Pālehua Trail Rides

Beautiful trail riding in the Waianae mountain range with views of West Oahu coast

Royal Hawaiian Center

Shopping center next to the famed "pink hotel" Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach. Cultural classess such as hula and lei making most days of the week. Free to the public.

Sea Life Park Hawaii

Sea Life rehabilitation center made famous in "Fifty First Dates" where Adam Sandler worked as an animal caretaker.

Doraku Sushi Kaka'ako

Keālia Trail

Trail begins at the back of the air field, park in public parking there and walk past the vintage plane hull to the trail head. Plenty of switchbacks and a steep rise gives way to views of the entire north shore. WOWWWW. Picnic area up top.

The Hibachi

Doesn't look like much from the outside, but this is a great spot for poke and other bowls. Cold beer and wine in the fridge. Take to the beach or eat in the small outdoor area.

Protea Thrift

Jenn's friend Lori's shop that carries many high end thrift/buy-back local fashions.

Bishop Museum

Hawaiian history and science musem. Very high yeild. Rotating exhibits. Can spend a whole day there. Great for a rainy day.

Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA)

Great for a rainy day. Beautiful art installations. Also independent films at the Doris Duke Theater.

Capitol Modern: the Hawaii State Art Museum

Free. Rotating exhibits. Often has free friday night events.

Byodo-In Temple

Next door to Jenn's house. Massive Buddhist temple in the mountains. $5 donation on entry. High yeild gift shop.

Surf N Sea

Stand up paddle board down the river in Haleiwa. Super beautiful. Rent from the surf shop and go out back to grab your board and paddle. Launch from the beach there. Go in the late afternoon/before sunset for maximum green seaturtle action.

ʻAiea Loop Trailhead

5 mile loop trail with gradual incline. Great for all abilities. Goes through guava forest, fern forest, and jungle terrain. Takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.

Lulumahu Falls

Park at the trail head out on the road. Walk through a bamboo maze to reach a reservoir in the mountains which continues on through rain forest and along a stream to end at a waterfall. Follow on All Trails but as long as you're going up stream you're in good shape. CAUTION with water crossings after heavy rains. Involves some mild rock scrambles.

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

Owned by my patient's family. Famous garlic shrimp. Many food trucks surrounding it.

Mānoa Chocolate & Wine Bar

Chocolate and wine tastings, Cacao Farm Tours, and shop.