For Californians, Hawaii is an easy and efficient summer escape.  A roughly five-hour plane ride will land you in a tropical paradise, no passport required. While each of the islands offers its own array of treats, I’m partial to O’ahu. Growing up, I made a trip to the well-known tourist island nearly every summer to surf Waikiki (yes, I used to surf; yes, I was pretty good; no, I absolutely don’t do that anymore) and play by the hotel pools and in the roaring shore break. I loved breakfasts at The Royal Hawaiian and riding a catamaran out past the waves. These days, I still love Waikiki for its Rodeo-drive-meets-white-sand-beaches vibe and the busy ‘city’ streets that parallel the coastline. But as an adult and dining-lover, I’ve found that the most recommended restaurants and to-dos found on Google and other travel sites fail to illuminate my favorite aspects of the island. For instance, ‘Best O’ahu Restaurants’ lists seem to only highlight the fine dining locations on the Waikiki strip. And while I’ve found a gem or two within that list, more often, I am dissatisfied with the pricey prefix menus which don’t do the island’s seafood true justice (though the views are worth it). My experience, which has been aided by my friendship with a local who knows some hidden spots, has encouraged me to create my own O’ahu vacation ‘itinerary,’ an all-inclusive must-try list that reveals some not-so-hidden secrets. While I’ve excluded some to-dos which can be easily searched (ie. Best Hikes), this should map out a relaxing, luxurious, and quintessential island stay!