Kris Ann Valdez is a Phoenix-based freelance journalist, born and raised in the Sonoran Desert, covering travel, food, and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in Business Insider, Matador Network, and Viator, among other outlets. You can find more of her writing at KrisAnnValdez.com and follow along on Instagram @krisannvaldezwrites, where she shares local finds, restaurant discoveries, and life in the Valley.