Alex and I have been talking about posting our personal travels on the blog for a while, and I think this Cali road trip 100% deserves to be remembered so I’m going to start with it. Alex wasn’t a part of this one, but he’s preparing a fun blog post about his rock climbing trip to Seneca Rocks, WV, so stay tuned.
Last year Liza, Katia and I started a tradition of annual girls trip. Each year one of us chooses the location. Liza chose Florida last year, it was Katia’s turn this year and she’s always wanted to go to Cali, so we decided to make it one for the books. We went down the coastal route 1 from San Francisco to San Diego. Below is a very general itinerary, but we packed it with all the activities we’re all passionate about (lots of wineries, seafood, palm trees, hockey, good music, and fun adventures). California was amazing – with overwhelmingly beautiful landscapes, cliffs, ocean, fun and friendly people, good wine, and most importantly – we had good company!
There were multiple happy moments throughout the trip. During our last night, when we were drinking Calypsos at Waterbar in San Diego, with the craziest sunset I’ve ever seen, we were trying to pick one highlight from each day. And we all agreed that it was impossible. Each city we visited had a different vibe, but all equally beautiful and unique. The road trip itself was breathtaking and if I were to ever recommend anyone to go to Cali – it’d be to definitely go down the coastal freeway.
Hot Air Balloon ride was magical (also much cheaper than in Maryland!). Our pilot (is that what you call them?) was straight out of fairy tale book, with so much charm and passion for his craft. We learned that when riding a hot air balloon ride, you go pretty much where the wind takes you, and no ride is the same. Seems obvious, but also surreal. With all the technology available, we were in a wicker basket with a big flame over our heads.
No photos or words will do justice to Cali’s landscapes. I felt truly disconnected from everything when we went camping at Lime Kiln Park (Big Sur). Our campsite was on the cliff overlooking the ocean, and even though there were people around, we couldn’t hear anything but the sound of waves and campfire. The sky was gorgeous, and our deep conversations were occasionally interrupted by the sightings of shooting stars.
The beauty of this trip is that no matter how many times you do it, it will be different each time. And I’m looking forward to repeating it. There are over 600 wineries in Napa Valley, so that is already a good reason to return! 😀
Who will guess where our girls trip is going to be next year?!
Day 1. San Francisco
Started with a lunch in Waterbar (best seafood and Bloody Marys)
Boat cruise to Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz
Press Club wine bar
Secret Improv Society (first improv show for all of us and it was amazing! I’m taking Improv classes next year)
Day 2. San Francisco to Napa Valley
Mission Dolores Park in SF
Domaine Carneros winery in NV
Day 3. Napa Valley to Big Sur
Started our morning at 7 am with Hot Air Balloon Ride at Domaine Chandon
10 am Brunch with mimosas
Castello di Amorosa winery tour (Fourth generation winemaker Dario Sattui built an authentically styled 13th-century Tuscan castle winery to honor his Italian heritage and deep love for medieval architecture. Highly recommend visiting!)
Road trip to Lime Kiln (Big Sur) where we camped. Milky Way, shooting stars, good wine, and fire are the best combination.
Day 4. Big Sur to Santa Barbara
Amazing views
Lunch at Ragged Point
Monarch Butterfly Grove
Red Piano and Wildcat Lounge in Santa Barbara
Day 5. Santa Barbara to LA
Stearns Wharf in SB
Breathtaking views driving to and through Malibu
Bad traffic in LA
Then the highlight of the night was West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval (Katia was Holtby, Liza was the Stanley Cup, and I was Ovechkin. I think we pulled it off!)
Oh, and good friends from DC (that moved to LA) joined us. Waving at you, Vika and Ira!
Finished the night at Rainbow Bar & Grill where Canadian hockey fans joined us
Day 6. Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory (so wish we had more time there!)
Venice Beach
Drum’n’Bass show at The Study (DJ Aphrodite)
Day 7. Los Angeles to San Diego
Wedding dress shopping for Liza in LA
Equinox at Carlsbad (because Katia)
Stayed in Ocean Beach
Day 8. San Diego
La Jolla – ocean kayaking in fog (saw sea lions!)
Another Waterbar in SD
2 out of 3 of us missed the flight back 😀
I think we managed to combine all the things that we love in one trip. I don’t know how, but it happened. #annualgirlstrip
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