Meet Lilia Grabenstein | Traveler and Musician

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

Hi Lilia, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I caught the travel bug after studying abroad in Italy in 2015, and I have been exploring as much as I can since then. From that point I’ve traveled solo, lived in Thailand from 2018 to 2019, then moved back to the U.S.. I lived in Virginia before taking a spontaneous job opportunity in Colorado in 2020. Living in the mountains gave me the chance to try new activities and embrace a different pace of life.

When Instagram reels started trending, I found myself inspired by the sound bites I was hearing and began pairing them with video clips from my life in CO and my travels. I shared these reels on my personal (then public) account, and many of them gained traction through the algorithm. In early 2023, shorty after moving to San Diego, I created a travel page on Instagram. Since then, I’ve been sharing local spots and hidden gems around San Diego, Southern California, and beyond.

What should our readers know about your business?
Building my travel page has been such a rewarding experience, giving me the chance to explore more of San Diego and the surrounding areas while connecting with others through Instagram. So far, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with over 50 businesses, and I’m looking forward to working with many more. My page is not focused on only one niche like just food or just activities. I share many things to do around town, restaurants to try, workshops and classes to take, and more.

Having done a lot of solo travel over the years, I love sharing my perspective and encouraging anyone who might feel hesitant to get out there and experience the world—whether it’s in their own city or somewhere far away. Consistency has been key in growing my page. It can be discouraging when a post you’ve worked hard on doesn’t perform well, but I’ve learned that the algorithm isn’t always predictable. You just have to keep posting and moving forward, which pays off.

I want people to know that if they truly want to travel and try new experiences, but are nervous because of finances or having to do it solo- you absolutely can make it happen even if it feels out of reach.

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?
If my best friend was visiting San Diego, I would be sure to show her all of my favorite spots! The first day she arrives, I would take her to sunset cliffs in Ocean Beach to see the sunset. We would then go get a casual dinner at Crack Shack in Pacific Beach. The second day would be a Balboa Park day where we can walk through the Spanish Village Arts Center, the rose garden, check out a museum or two, the Botanical Building and end the afternoon with some lunch at The Prado at Balboa park. In the evening I would take her to The Lafayette to check out the beautiful hotel, grab a drink, and eat at Quixote. On the third day we could get breakfast at Madi in Normal Heights and head to Seaport Village to walk along the harbor and maybe even ride bikes down that way. We could have a late lunch at Malibu Farms in Seaport Village. That evening we would go to Gaslamp and have dinner at Zama and either go to dance at Cafe Sevilla or check out the amazing dueling piano show at The Shout House.

On the fourth day, I would take my friend to InsideOut for brunch in Hillcrest (usually decorated with a theme) and then to the Hillcrest Farmers Market (on Sundays). From there we could go to Coronado to check out the beach, get drinks at the new rooftop bar called Dive, and get dinner at The Henry in Coronado. On day five, I would take my friend to La Jolla in the morning. We would start with coffee and a pastry at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, take a little hike at Torrey Pines, then check out La Jolla Cove. At La Jolla Cove we would go see the seals and dip our feet in the water. That evening we could eat in Little Italy at Barbusa, which is one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego.

On day six, we would have a beach day where we walk the boardwalk in Mission and Pacific Beach, lay out in the sun, and maybe play some beach volleyball. We can get tacos on the boardwalk! Later we can grab ice cream at Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream in Pacific Beach. In the evening we could eat on the rooftop at Pueblo in Pacific Beach. On the last day, I would of course take my friend to North Park to grab coffee at Lovesong Coffee and walk around North Park on 30th St. We would go to Pigment and Verbatim Books. We could get some small plates at Nomade and check out the listening bar on Adam’s Ave before she departs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents have always been incredibly supportive of my travels and encouraged me to follow my own path. I was fortunate to travel with my family growing up, which exposed me to different cultures and places early on. Their love for adventure and willingness to try new things influenced my own approach to life and travel. When I decided to move to Thailand in 2018, they supported the decision and knew it would be a valuable experience. Like any journey, mine has come with challenges, and my parents have been there for me every step of the way. Without their support, I don’t think I would have had the confidence to travel on my own as much as I have.

As for mentorship, my sister has been a big influence—especially when it comes to consistency and building a brand on Instagram. She runs a collage art page with a large following, and watching her dedication and work ethic has been incredibly inspiring. She’s shown me that with passion and persistence, success is possible, and that motivation has carried over into my own efforts with my travel page.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socalwanderer.lg?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==