California Dreamin' Road Trip

                                "Travel brings power and love back into your life." 
                                                                                                         Rumi

Alpine Glow over the Sierra Nevada's

During one of our many phone chats in late spring, Mom asked if I’d like to go to California with her to see my niece play volleyball?  Yes!  I still was able to take advantage of JetBlue’s generous gift.  I explained to Mom that I thought I’d stay longer and indulge in a “bucket list item.”  It was quickly decided that the trip would progress from my going alone to a Mom –Daughters Road Trip.  Route 1: The Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Cruz to San Diego, here we come!

Lobby of the Village @ Squaw Resort

Need I say more?

My Sister has been in the hospitality world for most of her life, and been living in the Tahoe area for many years, so we were the recipients of some wonderful places to stay.  We began at the Village at Squaw Valley, sitting at the base of Squaw Mountain.  Truly beautiful.   After spending a lovely four days visiting, watching volleyball, and 

Sand Rock Farm

First stop, Santa Cruz.  A long leisurely day driving from Truckee to Santa Cruz brought us to one of my sister and her family’s favorite areas.  After exploring the beach, enjoying lunch on the pier we made our way to Sand Rock Farm B&B in Aptos; owned by dear friends of my sister.  After settling in to this truly beautiful place, we then had a great dinner at Paradise Beach Grille in Capitola.  Following a long, lazy, delicious breakfast we, a bit reluctantly, said our goodbyes to hit the Road again.

Beach in Carmel

Big Sur

Oh, all the accolades of the majestic scenery along that infamous   We meandered through the shops of Carmel for awhile.  Visiting Nepenthe, meaning “no sorrow”, in Big Sur and its lovely gift shop where Mom found a treasure that will hopefully always remind her of our special trip, and the fact that she did all the driving that day along the Big Sur coast of California!   Stopping briefly at the Hearst Castle, we marveled that people really did live this way in this country. (reminiscent of the Estates in Newport, close to home.)  We hit our home for the evening at the Fogcatcher Inn right on Moonstone Beach of Cambria.  Another delightful dinner downtown was thoroughly enjoyed at Linn’s.  Before heading out the next day my sister and I enjoyed a beautiful walk along the boardwalk lining the beach amongst wildflowers and cypress.

Rt.1 are all true.

Santa Barbara

Continuing on our treck south, ooing and ahing with the beauty of it all, we settled into the Hotel Santa Barbara and meandered it’s Main Street (State Street) where Mom happily discovered a great Marshall’s!  We traveled by trolley bus down to the Pier for a bite to eat at the Wine Room on Stearns Wharf.  Having met quite the “Lady” on the trolley bus ride back who regaled us with the fact we must do the first Thursday Art Walk, we did, for a bit.

Mission at San Juan Capistrano

On the final day of our Road trip we coasted through Santa Monica, on our way to San Juan Capistrano.  We had a lovely stroll around the infamous Mission, where we actually did get to see a few of the swallows!  

San Diego

Honestly, our stay in San Diego was a bit of a bust.  We were tired, hungry, and the hotel that looked so promising online was anything but.  Finally after a late light dinner, we decided we simply had to find another place.  The positive note on that is I tried out the app “Hotel Tonight” for the first time which did deliver on a clean place to stay at a great price near the airport.

So, although not everything was “perfect” it was a magical trip.  The talks, the laughter, and yes, even some tears, provided for a most memorable time with two of the best Ladies I know.  Priceless!.