road trip
Always updating~CALI ROAD~TRIPS. You'll find lots of vegan & gluten free choices, boutique hotels and markets + travel essentials to shop.
A ❥ marks my favorites
MALIBU, VENICE & SANTA MONICA~LOCAL LOVE
STAYCATION~ Malibu Surfrider @thesurfridermalibu A beautiful boutique hotel + a lobby shop filled with everything I want and a stunning rooftop patio OR a new spot Hotel June @hoteljunemalibu if you want to SPLURGE ~ The Proper in Santa Monica
@santamonicaproper
INDULGE~Surya Spa at the Proper ❥
COFFEE~Go Get em Tiger for great Cold Matcha + @lalalandkindcafe for a delicious latte menu both on Montana avenue in Santa Monica. Grab a coffee & stroll the cute shops
EAT~@malibufarm I love either location at the pier ❥ or take a drive up to Calamigos Ranch and stay/eat/coffee @calamigosguestranch @themalibucafe @salooncoffeeco
DRINK~Juneshine Co. on Main st. @juneshineco
Golden Hour at Paloma in Venice
BREAD~ @breadblok Gluten Free + vegan options and the best shortbread cookies ever in life! ❥
FLOWERS~Sunday & Wednesday farmers market in Santa Monica. Malibu ~Sunday. Gjusta flowers in Venice
TACOS~ @mercadosantamonica ❥ZEN~ @themindry Dreamy space with lovely gifts & zen
I haven't been yet but Den Mother Wellness looks dreamy @denmotherwellness
STROLL~ Zuma beach in Malibu
MARKET CRUSH~@brentwoodcountrymart @farmshopca
Lady & Larder ~ Cutest little market on Pico in Santa monica
Gjusta market in Venice
PACK~https://www.daydreamerswanted.com/products/ali-lamu-malibu-bag
GO NORTH -
OJAI
SLEEP~ Ojai Rancho Inn by @sheltersocialclub
Ojai Valley Inn @ojaivalleyinn
Lavender Inn~@lavenderInn Bed & Breakfast
Caravan Outpost @caravanoutpostojai
COFFEE~ Beacon Coffee @beaconcoffee 211 W. Ojai Ave.
(best GF & vegan pastries) ❥
EAT~ Hip Vegan @hvojai 201 N. Montgomery St. ❥
The Nest @thenestojai for cauliflower tacos
The Duchess @thedutchessojai
The Duchess @thedutchessojai
Rory's place
The Oak at Ojai Valley Inn
Boccalis~family owned Italian
PIZZA ~Pinyon @pinyonojai
SHOP~In the Field @inthefieldojai 730 E. Ojai
Noted 423 e. ojai ave. #102 @noted.ojai
deKor & Co @dekor.living
Fern's General Store (next to Nest) @fernsgeneralstore
Summer Camp @shopsummercamp 1020 W. Ojai Ave.
Tipple & Ramble @tippleandramble + drink wine 315 N. Montgomery St.
Bungalow by Fig @bungalowojai 109 N. Montgomery St.
Blue 209 W. Ojai (next to Beacon) @blue_ojai
GARDEN~ Forage @forageojai 152 Baldwin Rd.
Found 203 Studio~203 N. Ventura St.
Cutest plant store ~Plant Based @shopplantbased
YOGA~Light & Space @lightandspaceyoga 915 E. Ojai Ave.
STROLL~Farmers Market @ojaifarmersmarket Sundays
BOOKS~ @bartsbooksojai
MARKET CRUSH~Rainbow Market 211 E. Matilija
PACK~ Travel size fragrance
BIG SUR~
SLEEP~rustic Treebones @treebonesresort
Sort of rustic~Glamping at Ventana @ventanabigsur
Posh rustic~Post Ranch Inn @postranchinn
COFFEE~Big Sur Bakery
EAT~Big Sur Bakery @bigsurbakery @bigsurroadhouse
The Village Big Sur @thevillagebigsur
ZEN~Esalen one of my fav places. Yoga, baths, serenity, teachings and the yummiest food @esalen ❥
PACK~ travel journal
SANTA BARBARA~
SLEEP~So many choices. Depends on your vibe. The Kimpton Canary looks beautiful. Lots of choices on Airbnb or stay in Montecito ~ I am going to check out @hideawaysantabarbara next time or try @hotelcalifornian 36 State Street
EAT Loquita~ @loquitasb 202 State Street
VEGAN Mesa Verde~I haven't been in 2 years but I was obsessed with this place. Plant based. Alta mesa area. 1919 Cliff Drive @mesaverdesb
BREAD~ @oat_bakery
Helena Avenue Bakery @helenaavenuebakery 131 Anacapa
DRINK~ Municipal Wines @muniwine 22 Anacapa St. + a plethora of wine bars in the Funk Zone
Potek Winery ~406 E. Haley St. #1 at The Mill which looks like it needs to be on the list as well. I'll try these coffee spots and get back to you. @themillsb
Juice~@juiceranch 33 Park Way right around the corner from Backyard Bowls which has the best Acai Bowls and smoothies @backyardbowls
COFFEE~Lilac Cafe along with Vegan/GF breads & pastries. 1017 State ST.
Dune Coffee @dunecoffee
Merci Montecito @mercimontecito
Merci Montecito @mercimontecito
SHOP~ Peruse this cute little stationary/ gift store while you're waiting for you Back Yard Bowls @foliopressandpaperie
In Montecito~ @montecitocountrymart
YOGA~@yogasoup
CACTUS~ Lotusland..on the FOMO list
MARKET CRUSH~Savoy Wines 18 West Anapamu @savoycafeanddeli
STROLL~Farmers markets Tues & Saturday
WANDER~Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is one of the prettiest churches I have ever seen. Def worth a little jaunt to Montecito. 1300 E. Valley Road. The Santa Barbara Courthouse
PACK~ travel essentials
SUMMERLAND~
On your way to Santa Barbara make a stop into Summerland. There are some amazing new cool shops + coffee
These were my favorite spots for a quick stop along the way~
COFFEE ~@fieldandfort your first stop off the freeway. Grab a coffee and wander the kitchen essentials and well curated shop and/or Sit outside and enjoy a beautiful pastry and coffee...but don't sit long because just down the street is more spectacular shopping. 2580 Lillie ❥
SHOP~
Cactus, candles and gifts @botanik_summerland Peruse the little garden and take home a cactus or two. 2329 Lillie
Porch is a must see for rugs, books and design @porch_summerland
And this place is just dreamy @thewellsummerland So much inspiration, antiques and little nooks to shop. Textiles, furniture, candles, antiques, rugs and garden delights.
STAY~If you decide to spend the night before your next stop and/or if you decide you're going to redecorate your whole house and need more time...(after perusing the above shops) This place looks cute @staygoldensummerland
DRINK~ @summerlandwine
QUICK DETOUR ~to Los Alamos, Los Olivos & Solvang
LOS ALAMOS & Surrounds
SLEEP~ I finally just stayed at the Hotel Inez and it is even better in person than IG. It's so clean and the staff is so nice. Highly recommend. Grab bikes and go on an adventure.
The Landsby~ Solvang @thelandsby
The Bodega House ~ Los Alamos @thebodegahouse
Skyview @skyviewlosalamos (I stayed here when it was still a its a roadside motel and I haven't been back. There was a time when the accommodations in Los Alamos were slim pickings. I am so glad someone decided to update this quaint little place. I've heard great things about their onsite restaurant Norman as well.
The Alamo by @sheltersocialclub They did an amazing job with this renovation. It's so cute now. The first time I stopped into Los Alamos my friend and I looked at this hotel and said thank god we didn't choose this one, it looks like escaped convicts are hiding out in there....true story! Now it's adorable & cozy just like all of the hotels in the Shelter Social Club family.
SPLURGE~The Inn at Matteir's Tavern~Los Olivos
Pizza~Full of life 225 Bell St @fulloflifefoods
Worth the hype @sykitchen
Bells @bellslosalamos 406 Bell St. this is new for me so I will add it to the see ya soon list.
Suggested by locals @barlecote
Municipal Wine Makers 425 Bell St. ~so cute
Babi's Beer Emporium & Sister property Casa Dumetz right next door ~388 Bell Street
Plus a plethora of beautiful wineries & tasting room. So far my fav tasting rooms are @liquidfarm @storyofsoilwine
SHOP~ There are so many cute shops in Santa Ynez and Los Olivos ~Just wander + check out @globaleyeshop
New & super cute in Los Alamos @campover
@elderflatfarm
STROLL~Bell Street.. just one long street to see it all. At the beginning or end depending on where you come in, you can also stroll the Depot Antique Mall.
PACK~Bucket list journal
SONOMA + MENDOCINO + MARIN + SLO COMBO PLATE~
SLEEP~All of these places were booked because I was planning last minute but they all look amazing for someone not planning last minute!!
Glen Ellen~ Beltane Ranch @beltaneranch
Calistoga~ Brannan Cottage Inn
I did stay at Brannan Cottage Inn and it was adorable, clean, nice staff, bikes and a coffee bar @brannancottageinn ❥
I did stay at Brannan Cottage Inn and it was adorable, clean, nice staff, bikes and a coffee bar @brannancottageinn ❥
@thebungalowscalistoga rode my bike past these and they looked cute
Healdsburg~ Cottages at Healdsburg @cottagesathealdsburg
The Madrona @themadrona
The Madrona @themadrona
Forestville~Farmhouse Inn @farmhouse_inn
Jenner~Timber Cove @timbercoveresort dog friendly, great food and beautiful sunset
Mendocino~I stayed Glendeven Inn-I would definitely recommend The Beach Trail cottage. If you like Glamping try Mendocino Grove. The Four Sisters Inn group has some cozy stays right in town. I did not stay at these, just admired them from the outside. Super convenient as they are all right in the middle of town. @foursistersinns Blue Door Inns. The newest in town is the Nicholson House @NICHOLSON_HOUSE and down the street towards Ft. Bragg is the Newport Ranch @innatnewportranch
Santa Rosa~The Warrington House on Airbnb looks amazing
Elk~Harbor House Inn + eat. I did drop in and it is stunning.
Sea Ranch~Sea Ranch Lodge @thesearanchlodge
Marshall~The Coal and Feed. Home rental. Looks amazing
Inverness~The A frame on @airbnb (it's black-you've seen it)
Cambria~White Water. A reimagined road side stop. Had to see what all the hype was about...because you know ..FOMO! @whitewatercambria
Paso Robles~ @pasoroblesvacationrentals Lots to choose from here
https://pasoroblesvacationrentals.com + these look cute @stablesinnpaso
plus a new one FARMHOUSE + dogs @farmhousepaso
COFFEE~
Sebastopol~Acre Coffee, Taylor Lane
Healdsburg~Black Oak Coffee @blackoakcoffee
Mendocino~The Waiting Room by Cafe Beaujolais ❥
Point Arena~Little Green Bean Roastery
EAT~
Healdsburg~Chalkboard, Barndiva, Campofina & Little Saint (vegan) , Troubadour
Mendocino~Fog Eater ❥(a wonderful vegan & GF experience) , Good life bakery, Ravens at the Stanford Inn @stanford_inn, Cafe Beaujolais @cafe.beaujolai + The Brickery and The Waiting Room
Santa Rosa~I heard Spinster Sisters is good but didn't have a chance to go
Inverness~Saltwater Oyster & Depot (really cute)
Tomales Bay~Blink and you'll miss the whole town but they have a couple of cute places including ~Route One
Calistoga~Vegan choices at Lovina @lovinacalistoga
Napa~ @myccasa Vegan tacos
Napa~ @myccasa Vegan tacos
SHOP~
Sebastopol~The Barlow + shop + food + wine + stroll @thebarlow707 (such a cool concept + eats + wine tasting + another cute grocery store~COMMUNITY
Antique Society @antiquesociety.sebastopol
Concord~Elsie Green @elsie_green ❥
Mendocino~Folklore (the cutest shop in town), Village Sock Shop (for OG crew Mendocino socks) @villagesockshop
Pt. Reyes~Captain Oko (it wasn't open but It looks really cool) @captainokodesign
Inverness~Gallery by Tom Biagini @tombiagini
Olema~Tamaone @t_a_m_a_o_n_e art & pottery + dreamy goods
San Anselmo~@beachhousestyle Beach + Vintage
Mill Valley~Lulu Design Studio @luludesignsjewelry +stroll all the cute places to eat etc at The Lumberyard. The Goods down the street has gorgeous cashmere throws and shawls. @thegoodsmv
Larkspur~ Marin country mart @marincountrymart Bring your credit card (s) so much good stuff to shop & eat
Cambria~Slabtown Mercantile (lovely curation) @slabtownmercantile + The shops at the Garden Shed
Napa~@jeffriesgeneral
Napa~@jeffriesgeneral
STROLL~
Mendocino~The whole town + the beaches and state parks
Cambria~The beach boardwalk (across from all of the hotels on Moonstone beach)
FLOWERS & CACTUS~
Sebastopol~California Sister @californiasister/
Cambria~Grow in the Garden Shed shops and Sea + Green @cambria_gardenshed
SMOOTHIE LOVE~
Healdsburg~The Nectary @thenectary
Cambria~The Hidden Kitchen + Gluten free waffles @hiddenkitchencalifornia + Cayucos . If I wasn't vegan, I would drive up to either location for the waffles. They look unbelievable. Do it !!
Paso Robles~ @neighborhood_acai
BREAD ~ BAKERY~ DONUTS
Healdsburg~Quail & Condor (cutest little bakery) @quailandcondor
Mendocino~Mendocino baking company @mendocinogf
Mill Valley~ @flourcraft Gluten Free bakery ❥
Marin Country Mart~Johnny Doughnuts
Napa~Monday Bakery
DRINK~
Everywhere..you're in wine country
Healdsburg~BloodRoot Wines @bloodrootwines , Bar brava Napa~ @outlandnapa
MARKET CRUSH~ I have a thing for markets
Mendocino~Corners of the Mouth
Santa Rosa~Miracle Plum
Healdsburg~Oakville grocery, Dry Creek General Store
Point Arena~The Co-op Arena Market
Elk~Elk Store & Matson Mercantile
Olema~Due West Tavern & Market
Pt. Reyes~Palace Market
Valley Ford~Cheese & Creamery
Cambria~Soto's True Earth Market
PACK~Wanderlust Journal & Camp cards to send from the road
GO SOUTH-
SAN DIEGO~
SLEEP~So many options in DT San Diego like Kimpton & The guild. The Oris in La Jolla looks pretty. You've got many choices including VRBO & Airbnb as well
EAT~ Just stroll Little Italy for all kinds of eating, drinking and cafe inspiration
SWEETS~Devils Dozen 2001 Kettner @devilsdozendonuts
COFFEE~Communal Coffee all locations are cute North & South Park + Oceanside
@communalcoffee + gifts + flowers ❥
2335 University Ave. & 2221 Fern
The Grounds Bean Bar 1571 La Playa @thegroundsbeanbar
FLOWERS~Native Poppy 3009 Grape Street @native_poppy
PACK~ beach towel
ENCINITAS/Oceanside~
SLEEP~Don't sleep near the railroad tracks or PCH. Do find something quiet near the beach. Check out Airbnb or a place I am curious about @twelvesensesretreat and Inn at Moonlight Beach or check out @mintandseacottages
The prettiest airbnb @ilovedasmod in Encinitas
Surfhouse Boutique Hotel @surfhouseadventures I have stayed here because it's dog friendly. It can be a bit noisy because of the road but other than that, it's very cute. The Green Room in Oceanside is also dog friendly. @thegreenroomhotel
EAT~So many choices here! @herbandsea @restaurant.valentina @birdseyekitchen these were all recommended.
VEGAN EATS~ Choice in Carlsbad & Encinitas. The Plot in Oceanside all dog friendly. Good on ya Organic + market and wine lounge. ❥
SWEETS~ Adorable little window serving homemade ice cream in waffle cone tacos + vegan and GF available @littlefoxcupsandcones ❥
Donuts~Broad Street Dough Co. Encintas & The Goods in Carlsbad both have GF & VEGAN options ❥
COFFEE~There are a lot of coffee shops in Encinitas and surrounds so here are just a few that I had time to try @coffeecoffeeleucadia 970 N. Coast
@betterbuzz 578 S. Coast @loftycoffeeco 90 N. Coast
Also Oceanside on your way~ @risingco coffee + locally curated goods
FLOWERS~Plant Beach Farm is the cutest little farm store + flowers. @plant_beach
Luecadia Floral & Plant. (in the same complex as Threadspun)
Sunday Farmers Market. Plants and pots in abundance at @shopwithlandmark
Look at pretty flowers at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad. @the_flower_fields (seasonal)
SHOP~ Definitely check out Threadspun @threadspun. Well curated shop with ceramics, jewelry, cards and generally cool stuff. Vuori clothing is based in Encinitas so if you've been wondering about the coveted workout pants-try them on at the local shop. @vuoriclothing
PACK ~ Tote for beach + shopping
JOSHUA TREE~
SLEEP~I think the best ideas are these homestays/airbnb when it comes to Joshua tree.
Some favs on IG~ @thejoshuatreehouse
SHOP~
Mojave Flea~Yucca Valley @mojaveflea
Acme 5 Lifestyle~ 55870 Twentynine Palms Hwy
Industry of All Nations @industryofallnations
Shop Wheelhouse @shop_wheelhouse
COFFEE~Joshua Tree Coffee 61738 Twentynine Palms Hwy
Mas O Menos 66031 29 Palms Hwy. JT @masomenosbar
EAT~ La Copine 848 Old Womans Spring Rd. @lacopinekitchen
Dez Fine Food~Grab & Go @dezfinefood
Natural Sisters Cafe~ @thenaturalsisterscafe
Kitchen in the Desert @kitcheninthedesert29
6427 Mesquite, 29 Palms
CACTUS~@cactus_mart
ZEN~Meditation at @integratronofficial
STROLL~The park obviously
Farmers market on Sat.
and Wild bread Bakery @wildbreadbakery
MARKET CRUSH~
Wine and Rock shop @wineandrockshop
Provisions, skin care & Organic Grocer @holisticranch
Joshua Tree Bottleshop @joshuatreebottleshop
Desierto Alto @desierto_alto
PACK~ Travel size fragrance
PALM SPRINGS
SLEEP~All time favorite @korakia ❥
The have all been recommended or I have stayed @lasarenavillas @parkerpalmsprings @holidayhouseps
EAT~Azucar @azucarpalmsprings at La Serena Villas
339 S. Belardo Road
Birba @birbaps 622 N. Palm Canyon
WANDER~Take a hike at Indian Canyons.
The Living Desert @thelivingdesert
SHOP~
Soukie Modern Rugs @soukiemodern 1345 N. Palm Canyon
and my favorite~ Thick as Thieves @shopthieves ❥
183 S. Indian Canyon Dr.
Mojave Flea Trading Post @mojaveflea
COFFEE~Ernest Coffee @ernestcoffee 1101 N. Palm Canyon
Cafe la Jefa @cafelajefa
SWEETS~Kreem @ilovekreem 170 E. Palm Canyon
CACTUS~Mariscal Cactus & Succulents
MARKET CRUSH~On the Mark @onthemarkpalmsprings 111 N. Palm Canyon
LAGUNA BEACH & OC~
SLEEP~Hotel Joaquin @hoteljoaquin love the vibe, the pool, the bikes and the food
Casa Laguna Hotel @casalagunahotel Beautiful Spanish style, lovely pool, gorgeous design, great hospitality. ❥
or @lacasahotellb A historic hotel right in the middle of LB. Spanish style rooms and a roof-top bar
Splurge ~Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort Away from PCH so it's very quiet. Trolley to beach. Amazing pool areas. Beautiful rooms with luxurious bath tubs. Spa, juice, golf..basically you don't need to leave
EAT~ Malibu Farm @malibufarmlido Newport Beach Lido Village I'm a huge fan of Malibu Farm
Gracias Madre~@graciasmadresocal ❥
Coastal Kitchen @coastalkitchendanapoint ~recommended by a local.
Laguna~ @eatahba
TACOS~ looking for recs
SHOP~LALA @kerrycassill 1145 S. Coast Hwy
@the.garage.collective 1524 S. Coast Hwy Cutest store in Laguna. So many treasures!!
Cutest little farmers market + quality goods @thesalthorse ❥
Ligne Blanche~@ligneblancheca Dreamy tops, dresses, linens , bags & more
1175 South Coast Highway. Lovely French owner with great taste.
STROLL~Farmers market Sat ~521 Forest Ave. Catch my friend @breadartisanbakery + purple roses at the flower stand
Heisler Park~lovely walk along the cliffs
SAND~Prettiest beaches & coves. Victoria beach. Thousand steps for exercise (really only 220). The Strand. Divers Cove. Crescent Bay. Table Rock. Totuava
COFFEE~ Laguna Coffee Co @lagunacoffeeco (recommended by my friend who owns the Bread Artisan Bakery)
Anastasia Cafe @anastasiacafelaguna another local likes Anastasia
SMOOTHIES~SEJUICED Organic Juice bar. Newport Beach + juices, bowls and drive to NP worthy gluten free & vegan avocado toast @sejuiced ❥
The Stand~OG Vegan spot. 238 Thalia Street. @thestandlaguna for smoothies
MARKET CRUSH~ Sapphire Laguna 1200 S. Coast Hwy.
PACK~ travel bag
More inspiration found at my travel IG~ @keeplefttravel Inspired by travels driving on the other side + the surprises, synchronicity and adventures that await when you make that left turn when you planned to go right..