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A. Here in Southern California, you can't beat Palm Springs or Santa Barbara. I've always wanted to visit the old missions that line the coast, especially San Juan Capistrano. Maybe that will be my next weekend getaway!

Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A. Japan! Can you believe I've never been to Japan? I guess I assumed with my face, I would just automatically go at some point, but I guess I have to go buy a ticket like everyone else. My dad went once as a Fulbright Scholar and my mom went once on a vacation with her sister, but I've never gone.

Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A. A scarf is a miracle travel gadget to me. If you roll it up, it's a neck roll. If it's big enough, it's a light blanket. It's also a sleep mask. It can also act as a barrier for dirty pillows. And you never know when you're gonna need to cover your head, shoulders or arms in a sacred place. I have a documents wallet that I can't live without. It holds itineraries, loose coins, boarding passes and it never leaves my sight, except once accidentally on a ferry in Greece. I got it back in Mykonos. The other thing I love is my little snap valet tray. I set it up in every hotel room so that I always know where my important things are.

Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?

A. I cannot say no to a chicken-fried steak. I used to tour all over the U.S. with The Second City and our options were always diners, truck stops or a Denny's. I've never had a bad chicken-fried steak.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and travel writer. You can respond to this column by visiting her website at www.jaehakim.com. You may also follow "Go Away With..." on Twitter at @GoAwayWithJae where Jae-Ha Kim welcomes your questions and comments.)

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