I have so much to share about my recent road trip up California’s beautiful coastline that I can’t possibly fit into one post so I’m splitting it into two. This first post will be all about where we stayed, what to eat and must-see stops. I found a ton of local green beauty items on my trek, so in my next post I’ll give you details about what they were and where you can find those shopping stops too. Stay tuned!
My love for California is infinite. I travel there whenever I can. I was so excited when our friends planned their magical wedding there in September near Lake Tahoe to give us an excuse to go. We decided to make a vacation out of it and road trip up Highway 1 from LA to get there. Let me tell you, it was A LOT of driving but with so many stops you barely notice it. We spent 5 days making the trek but I definitely would have liked to have had at least 2 more. It would be a fantastic 10-day trip, but 10 days off is a luxury usually afforded for trips to places like Europe (if it’s in the budget), amiright? There was so much to pack into 5 days we definitely didn’t see everything we could have but we maximized our time pretty well. It helped that I did a ton of research ahead of time so I was able to weed out anything that wasn’t worth it and also so I could find those things that are off the beaten path a bit, I like feeling like a local when I visit places.
STOP 1: LA (overnight stop)
EAT
Mendocino Farms
We flew into LA and landed around lunchtime so obviously the priority (after finding our hotel) was finding food. We decided on Mendocino Farms, which primarily serves sandwiches and salads made from the best locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. You can read all about each farm and business they source from on their website. Everything on the menu looks fabulous and fresh, it was hard to decide what to get!
Alfred Tea
Admittedly I HAD to stop here because the entire place is cloaked in pink. It’s not green-related but their tea is damn good. I got at sparking strawberry herbal tea and it was max refreshing. Also, their wit is incredible – I mean a sign that says, “Can’t we all just get oolong”? I just can’t with the puns.
Sidecar Donuts
This was a top-priority stop and it didn’t disappoint. Donuts here are scratch made with fresh, seasonal, all natural ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible and no preservatives ever. We tried huckleberry (because the color was gorgeous), guava glazed and Saigon Cinnamon Crumb – I can’t pick a favorite!
Burger Lounge
This was not far from our hotel in Santa Monica and was nice for a quick bite. The burgers were delicious, the fries were perfectly crisp (I don’t eat fries often so they were a treat!) and the lavender mint lemonade was so refreshing. Burgers here are made with grass-fed beef, free-range turkey, organic quinoa or sustainable fish. They also have organic salads if you’re in the mood for that.
Flower Child
I want to move in here! The décor is magnificent. It’s like my dreams come to life. I specifically stopped here to take a picture of the bathroom – lol! But then got lemonade too because I couldn’t be that girl (it was fantastic, btw). Like the décor, everything here is thoughtfully made using local and sustainable sources. The ingredients are often organic and are always fresh and all natural. There are a ton of vegetarian and vegan options too.
STAY
Palihouse Santa Monica
Ok, for real I want to move in here. This is a boutique hotel in a historical Santa Monica building whose past life (since 1927) includes a hotel and apartments before being transformed back to this beauty. Suites are unique and expertly designed. Cool side note: the elevators appear original – the tiny kind with two doors to slide open. The lobby has a coffee bar and serves breakfast, lunch and snacks. There is an oasis of a courtyard out back and another out front with bacci ball. It’s also only a short distance from the beach.
DO
So because I love tourist-ing and cheesy things, I had to visit Hollywood and the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as see the handprints in cement at the Chinese Theater. Total tourist traps but I have no shame, I love the allure and glamour of old Hollywood so seeing Marilyn Monroe’s handprints was a dream. If you’re looking for a cool (and standard) photo op, the light post art installation called “Urban Lights” at the entrance of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is pretty cool.
STOP 2: Ojai
EAT:
Farmer & the Cook
We didn’t’ stay in Ojai but just made a detour because I’d heard it was a cute little town with some great shops. After hitting a few stores we stopped here for lunch. This is a locals place for sure. It’s a quaint Mexican café and market whose menu is all vegetarian (with vegan options), organic, natural and handmade. I got the huarache, which was incredible and full of cheesy, veggie deliciousness atop a thick fried tortilla. They have a large patio and a small market inside selling goods from house and home to beauty and snacks.
Noso Vita
This café is the perfect spot to stop and chill. Serving espresso drinks, craft brewed keg coffee, food, beer and wine. What I stopped here for though, was the Teamotions tea https://www.teamotionstea.com/. It’s tea made with all-natural whole leaf teas, organic flavorings and the star ingredient – adaptogen herbs. These are herbs that effectively and beneficially help normalize systems of the body. They restore balance, fight stress and strengthen the body. Each blend is carefully crafted to bring the sipper specific emotions. Blends include “Discover Joy”, “Seek Peace” and “Have Hope”. I tried the “Find Strength” blend since that’s what I’m on the quest for with my fertility journey. It’s herbs support fortitude and prevent mental exhaustion. I’ve gotta get myself more of this!
SHOP:
Since I’ll have another post detailing shops stopped at I’ll just mention them here:
Fig
deKor&Co
In The Field
Summer Camp
STOP 3: Santa Barbara (overnight stop)
EAT
Nook
This place serves redefined “soul-food” in the form of unique burgers (we have a theme going), house made sausages and other entrees with flair. There is a great beer selection too if that’s your thing. They have a quaint patio with stools that butt up to a windows of the bar counter so you can relax and enjoy the Santa Barbara vibe while chatting with the local bartender.
Rori’s Creamery
This place had me at organic ice cream! I knew I had to stop and my instinct was right in leading me there. Not only are the ice creams made with organic dairy from a local farm but the herbs, flowers and fruits used are locally found too! I got the pistachio black pepper flavor, which is flavored genuinely with only whole California grown pistachios. Let me tell you, that was easily the BEST pistachio ice cream I’ve ever had (and I’m a self-proclaimed connoisseur of pistachio ice creams). This was located inside of the Santa Barbara Public Market which had a ton of other food goods, wine and beer worth checking out. http://sbpublicmarket.com/
Honorable Mention:
Recipes Organic Bakery
We weren’t able to stop here but if we had more time I would definitely go back and try one of their touted cinnamon rolls.
STAY
Inn on Summer Hill
This bed and breakfast was a perfect respite before our long driving day. We could see the ocean from our balconies, although, it is situated next to a highway so the traffic noise overpowered any wave noise, but that didn’t impede on my enjoyment of the view. If you have time, the beach is just a skip away so you could spend the day there and come back just in time for the wine and hors d’oeuvres in the afternoon. They also have scrumptious desserts in the evening and a delicious breakfast of local fresh ingredients each morning.
DO
Old Mission Santa Barbara
We stopped at the Old Mission Santa Barbara (founded in 1786) to get our history on and also because it’s a beautiful piece of architecture. It’s a quick informative tour of one of the first missions in the area and makes for some great pictures. Did you know that missions were created to convert Native Americans to Christianity? Interesting historical tidbit.
Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market
We were lucky enough to be in town on the day that the farmer’s market was open in the downtown area. It was abundant and packed with all kinds of beautiful fresh produce, food goods and personal care/beauty items. If we were staying longer we definitely would have sourced some picnic goods for a trip to the beach.
Municipal Winemakers
Stop here for a wine tasting or pick up a bottle to relax after a long day – that’s what we did. The labels drew me in with their bright, bold graphics and the wine itself convinced me to buy the full bottle. They have some unique varietals and some standbys too. It’s locally made in Santa Barbara county and the staff was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, letting us try before buying.
STOP 3: Nipoma, California
DO
Luffa Farm
We made a few noteworthy stops on the way to Big Sur and the Luffa Farm was one of them. You know those crusty, straw-like loofas you can buy at the store? These are nothing like them! They may come from the same type of plant but here at the Luffa Farm they grow and farm these naturally and organically as possible to produce a soft, luxurious and not-at-all scratchy sponge to help you exfoliate gently. These sponges last longer too as they can be washed and still retain their structure. They give free and very educational tours so you can see the Luffas at all stages of growth. They also have a gift shop you purchase the Luffas and other bath and body products in.
STOP 4: San Louis Obispo
EAT
Slo Provisions
We stopped here for lunch and had the most delicious and rustic sandwiches. Ingredients are local and from small-batch purveyors and you can taste the quality. I loved the airy and bright décor as well as the shop goods they had for purchase – many local food goods.
STAY/EAT/DO
Madonna Inn
I wanted to stay here very badly because, well, this place is the perfect intersection of gawdy, chic and pink-all-over – my inner alter ego to a T. However, it didn’t work in our plans so I settled for a quick stop to have some of their world-famous pink champagne cake that’s topped with glorious pink chocolate curls. I LOVE cake and this slice exceeded my standards – definitely worth the stop. If you’re able to stay here you should partake in the unique experience they offer. Each of the 110 rooms is decorated differently to a theme. My dream is to stay in the pink room that has pink glitter wallpaper – maybe next time!
DO
Bubble Gum Alley
This is gross but also beautiful, in a weird way. It’s said to have started in the 1960’s and still continues today. It makes for a fun touristy photo-op. Add a piece to the madness while you’re there.
SHOP
Left Field
This was another beautifully curated store filled with unique art, pottery, tons of succulents/plants and literal gems, stones and rocks for self-discovery or home décor. It was open-air and light-filled with an art gallery connected next door.
STOP 5: Big Sur (overnight stay)
EAT
Nepenthe
There aren’t a lot of restaurant choices when you get into Big Sur but the few options are good ones, most especially this one. This restaurant sits atop a cliff and has incredible views of the ocean. You can sit outside overlooking the cliff or on the patio or you can sit inside and still take in the gorgeous views. Sunset is a popular time to be there, for obvious reasons, and that’s about the time we showed up. We were able to see it and then decided to sit inside since it was chilly. Everything is prepared fresh and made with natural ingredients. I got a beet salad that was so artfully prepared I didn’t want to eat it but I did and it was delicious.
Big Sur Bakery
We stopped here for lunch and enjoyed tasty sandwiches served on handmade bread with house-made pickled vegetables on the perfectly sunny patio. The quality and care put into the food here was very evident. The restaurant is set in a small little house built in 1936 and encourages the slow-down lifestyle that the food they create mimics.
STAY
Glen Oaks
This was one of my favorite stays of the trip. From the fireside rooms, to the modern/rustic décor this lodging nestled among the redwoods is a real retreat. They had organic bath linens, natural and organic bath products, the most comfortable pillows, yoga mats in the room, included donuts for breakfast in their across-the-street café and a hiking trail on the property that winds through the beautiful trees. Stay here for sure!
DO
Elephant Seals
This was found as we headed into the Big Sur area and was SO worth a stop, especially if you love animals like me. We initially didn’t notice anything but walked a bit further down a path and discovered 100’s of huge Elephant Seals just sunning and barking on the beach. It was such a cool sight.
McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
One of the most popular stops of the area I’m sure because it’s picturesque and has a beautiful natural waterfall down on the beach that you can overlook from the cliff above. It costs to get into the park but I think the views were totally worth it.
TRAVEL TIPS
Big Sur is much more remote than the rest of the drive. Here are my tips so you don’t end up lost in chaos:
- Be sure your phones are charged and you have a charge cord or put on airplane – mine was searching for signals the whole time with not a lot of luck.
- Bring an old fashioned map or pre download one to your phone because again signal strength is next to obsolete for GPS especially in certain areas
- Fill up on gas ahead of time or pay over $6.00/gallon :/
- If you get motion sickness in cars, be sure to bring the Dramamine because this was the windiest part of the trip and the altitude increases.
- Travel during the day so you can see all of the breath-taking scenery.
- Plan extra time into your drive because you’ll want to stop everywhere for pictures.
- Bring snacks and water because there are few places to stop.
- Bring layers of clothing because it gets chilly and is much windier than I expected.
STOP 6: Caramel-By-The-Sea
We only made a quick pass through here but it’s such a quaint little town with a downtown reminiscent of a European village that it’s worth a stop.
STOP 7: Santa Cruz (overnight stop)
EAT
Earthbelly
This place serves 100% non-GMO and organic food ranging from pizza and pasta to salads and burgers. The bakery and desert items were very tempting but we settled on pizzas since it was dinner and all (but I almost went back for the cookies). The roasted butternut squash and Spanish chorizo pizza was the bomb! So tasty!
The Penny Ice Creamery
I have zero regrets about noshing on this ice cream. We got an apple spice and crème fraiche flavor that was divine. All of the flavors are unique and thoughtful so I’m sure you can’t go wrong with any of them. The ice cream here is made from scratch with organic and seasonal ingredients and they follow sustainable business practices. Win-win!
DO
Capitola Beach Houses
A colorful row of beach houses that makes for a great photo op.
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
I generally stay away from amusement parks but this one is fun, colorful and right by the ocean. We compromised by going before hours so it wasn’t crawling with rowdies and therefore were able to snap uninterrupted pics.
STOP 8: Lake Tahoe
We actually just did a quick drive around this beauty on the way to the wedding but it peaked my interest so I’m sure we’ll get back there some day for a real visit. Based on my quick views, I’d recommend you make a visit too.
That concludes our jam-packed California road trip. Have you stopped at any of these fabulous places or have other recommendations for travelers heading that way? Do tell!
