Get to know travel guru and content creator Kara Patajo, aka Your Northwestie Bestie

Kara Patajo, ’19, is a travel blogger and author of “52 Weekends in the Pacific Northwest,” a collection of year-round travel destinations.

Photo by Kara Patajo | Interview by Caitlin Klask

I can't remember not wanting to go to the UW. My dad went there, and he was the first person in his family to go to college. There’s a picture of me at age 4 or 5 on Halloween,  wearing a little UW cheer uniform. So years later, it was really exciting when I got my acceptance letter.

I really enjoyed my time at the UW. The Daily was my first job ever. After I wrote my first article, I framed my paycheck. I was so proud of it. It’s still hanging at my parents’ house somewhere. And seeing your work in print…that feeling never gets old. 

I was doing the research for “52 Weekends” before I knew it was book research, creating content for social media for my blog. I believe in following your passions, because they might lead somewhere beyond your wildest dreams. 

When it comes to travel, I love the quiet, shoulder seasons. You get a better value plus less crowds in fall and spring. One of my favorite parts of writing the book is having the opportunity to highlight so many local businesses, many of which are located in destinations which are very seasonal. Supporting local is important, so let’s keep the love going year-round! 

As a collector of travel books myself, I knew that Sasquatch Books was the publisher that resonated with me. So, I took the leap and sent in a proposal (DIY-style, figuring it out as I went). Everything came together quickly after that; the first draft was done in 2.5 months, compiling research from the last 5 years or so. 

There are so many different styles of travel, and I wanted to achieve a balance that would suit different people. There have been a lot of retirees buying the book, which is not the same as my Instagram audience. Families, transplants to the area, people just getting gifts, too.  

Her advice to aspiring writers: You don’t necessarily have to take a traditional path. If you’re consistent, it can lead to great things. 

Her ideas for a weekend at the UW: 

  • Rent a canoe from the Waterfront Activities Center and row to Union Bay Natural Area or the Arboretum. 
  • Check out the Burke Museum. 
  • Hop on a seaplane to see the UW from a new perspective. 
  • Grab a latte from Café Allegro. 
  • Or, head downtown and grab a matcha from More Coffee, and head inside Metsker Maps for travel guides and accessories.