About
About Jonathan Sacks
Hi! I’m Jonathan Sacks, the creator of Everybody Hates A Tourist. I love sharing my travel experiences with the world, especially relating to my favorite things, such as eating, drinking, and learning history.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed traveling and writing. All of my travel articles are based on my own firsthand travel experiences and are thoroughly researched. Here are all of my favorite articles from over the years.
I’ve been a finalist for several awards, including Best Storytelling at the 2021 Traverse Creator Awards, Best Written Piece at the 2023 Traverse Creator Awards, and Best Food & Beverage Creator at the 2025 TBEX Travel Creator Awards. I’m also a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) and the International Food, Wine, & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).
I’m based in San Francisco, California, and the Washington, DC, area. I was born in NYC, then grew up in Arizona. I also spent a couple of years in Glasgow, Scotland, during my college years.
I’ve traveled to 53 countries and territories, as well as 41 states in the USA. Here are more details about where I’ve visited.
Want to work with me? Awesome! Find out how here.
My Travel Philosophy
I believe in travel that is as considerate and responsible as possible. While no travel can ever be perfectly ethical, I do believe that at the very least, everyone should be respectful of the people and the cultures of the places they visit (including the places they live!). Travel is an opportunity to learn and have new experiences.
Travel is also a privilege. I know not everyone has the means to do so. I’m sometimes asked how I can afford to travel as much as I do, and my best answer is value travel. Value doesn’t mean being cheap. Value is getting the most out of your budget, whatever that may be. I’m good at finding hotel deals, and I enjoy using airline miles to fly in business and first class. Working remotely also gives me flexibility. Where I do like to splurge is on local experiences.
Traveling to a place is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try their food and drink while learning about their history and customs. When will you get that opportunity again? Eat where the locals eat. Drink where the locals drink. Walk or climb to the highest point to get that great view. Go to a local sporting event. Learn some history. Venture to the neighborhoods where the locals live. Look up. Look down. Don’t be afraid to get lost every now and then. You’ll be glad you did. – Jon
About Everybody Hates A Tourist
I started Everybody Hates A Tourist in 2012. Everybody Hates A Tourist focuses on cultural travel, including food, drinks, history, entertainment, and more.
The name references a line from Pulp’s classic song “Common People.”
Everybody hates a tourist, especially one who thinks it’s all such a laugh
The name is sort of a joke, but also sort of a reminder that traveling is more than just going somewhere different. It’s also about being open to new experiences, getting to know a place, and not judging it just because it is not what you’re used to. To me, that’s the best part of travel.
I do all of the traveling, eating, drinking, and writing for the site. Every article is based on my own experiences and research. There’s no AI slop here. Everybody Hates A Tourist is by humans, for humans.
For more details about the site, including how to work with me, go here.