Tuesday, August 25, 2015

California Part One - Beach Views

I've finally caught myself up on life and have gotten some photos together to start sharing our California trip.  Like I've said many times before around here - travel posts are my favorite to write and my favorite to read.  One of my favorite things about this little space of mine is having a scrapbook to look back on.  I haven't quite decided the layout of the vacation posts but I'll be sharing a little at a time for the next couple weeks or so mainly because the posts take a little longer to get together and if you're not into travel posts - then I won't bore you all at once just once or twice a week :)

Some posts might be just one day or some might be a few at once - we shall see.  I know California is a place we'll most definitely be back to - possibly fairly soon so at the bottom of the posts I'll have some specifics of places we were or things we did in case anyone else is thinking about visiting these destinations.

So, let's get started…

Day One - Travel/Beach Day
We set out for California on the first flight Saturday morning (on schedule, thank goodness!) and enjoyed a few morning cocktails before a mix of reading/napping/listening to music/chatting.  I personally don't really mind flying and taking that time to just disconnect and relax - it can be somewhat peaceful… sometimes.


When we planned the trip we knew we wanted to get a couple days in at the beach and after some thinking we went for easy over our first choice and picked to just stay in Santa Monica so our transfer to Beverly Hills would be easy.  (We've already got our eye on a cute inn in Malibu that we found on this trip for our next visit)  

beach dress: lilly pulitzer {long sleeve version} // hat: similar style

It was straight to the beach when we arrived - literally.  We changed in the lobby and got out in that sun asap.  We stopped at the beach bar first for a quick lunch because with the time difference we were starving.  Then it was a few uninterrupted hours enjoying the sea breeze.


I wish it was my anniversary (okay, actually anniversary trip) every day! Flowers, wine and a cheese plate as a surprise from the husband and champagne with chocolate covered strawberries as a treat from the hotel - we were ready to celebrate and enjoy.


Staying at the beach requires a beach view - right?! I loved having our little balcony to enjoy the view, the sound of the ocean and the nice breeze.


We enjoyed the cheese plate on the balcony as a pre-dinner appetizer and then quickly got ready for an early dinner.


Tonight we were dining just down the street and al fresco at that so we enjoyed walking along the beach path on the way home from dinner (we hopped a ride in the hotel car to get there) after enjoying delicious steaks and sides (including mac and cheese, of course!) and a watermelon martini (or a few) for me and some scotch for Derek.


I think we were ready for bed by about 9:30 this night - I remember being so happy to have my head hit the pillow and excited to wake up adjusted to west coast time the next day.

dress: lilly pulitzer {similar style} // earrings: nordstrom

Day Two - Malibu
Sunday brought us spending the full day in Malibu.  There isn't overly a lot to do in this beautiful space and there is plenty of gorgeous valley/hills area as well - needless to say, we loved the area. Our main activity of the day was taking a malibu wine tour to three different wineries which we loved.  Our guide, Kat, did the best job and we had a great time being "off the beaten path" of Malibu and not only tasting wines but sightseeing the area as well.

We woke up at 6:30am this morning, ha! As the week went on we would start waking up later and later but on this morning I didn't even mind the earliness - it was a perfect time for some reading on the balcony and an early breakfast - why don't they serve breakfast tacos more often at home?! Delicious!



We started our tour in the morning and our first stop was Rosenthal Wineries tasting room, which was right on the edge of Malibu.  We both tasted about eight wines - the same menu of a mix of reds/whites/sparkling with some cheese/meats and crackers to taste.


One of the views from a little bit higher up into the valley/mountain area that gives a gorgeous ocean view in the background.  It was a beautiful clear day on the day we went - probably only in the high 70's.



Our second stop was to Saddlerock Ranch and we decided if we lived in the area we would spend many afternoons here - it was completely filled with people just to enjoy the scenery and afternoon.  We had picked up some sandwiches and salads to bring along for a picnic lunch which we were able to enjoy in this beautiful setting.

dress: lilly pulitzer {similar style} // sunglasses: tory burch // earrings: kate spade

With our sandwiches we enjoyed our wine tasting menus - just whites for me and just reds for Derek, which is what each of us prefer more so it worked out well. 


Since it was a private tour we had as much time as we'd like at each spot just to wander around and definitely will be remembering this great space for our next trip back.


As I mentioned before, we also did a little sightseeing as it took some time to get from each winery to the next.  We passed the main strip in Malibu including the pier area, the main restaurants and we passed some celebrity homes including Cher and Charlie Sheen (who our tour guide used to live next to) and some beautiful settings.

At one point Kat said, "are you a fan of The Bachelor - I can take you by the mansion" - I probably couldn't say "Yes!" quick enough and accepted her rose and that opportunity on the way to our final winery she stopped us so we could see the upper back part of the mansion (the famous pool was out of our view) but this was definitely a highlight to see.


Our last stop for the day was to Stonehaus Winery near the West Lake Village area (we'd love to explore this town more next time) and another gorgeous setting.


Like the other two wineries, this one was a little different (it was fun to enjoy a different type of tasting at each) We each picked a specific type of wine to try three of - I tried three types of their pinot grigio, of course!


We had time to walk through their gardens and check out the grapes - they had their grape vines right on the property (the other two places had their main vineyards located separately from their tasting areas).


I was in love with the carrier for the glasses as well as how they were presented.  The pours were heavy and the wine was delicious.


The wine tour was definitely one of my highlights of the trip and I hope to visit a few of the wineries again on a future trip to experience again.


Once we were done we decided to spend what was left of the afternoon on the deck at Nobu right on the beach in Malibu.  We scored a great little couch area and had a great time meeting/chatting with a couple from close by in New Jersey as well as one of the waitresses at Lisa Vanderpump's SUR Restaurant.


Helpful Links… 
Fairmont Mirmar Hotel & Bungalows
Boa Steakhouse 
Fig
Rosenthal: The Malibu Estate
Saddlerock Ranch
The-Stonehaus
Nobu

Just putting this post together has me wanting to go back asap already - I guess reliving via part two tomorrow will have to do for now…

43 comments:

  1. This is a trip that Gary and I are looking to do probably next year!! I love the colorful dresses you're wearing and going from plane to beach sounded heavenly on your first day! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  2. OMG so many things to comment on! You look gorgeous the WHOLE trip and my favorite look was the night look on day one #BEAUTIFUL! It looks like the winery was SO fun and The Bachelor Mansion?! STOP, I would've died! Glad y'all had such a great time on day 1 & 2. Excited for more!

    Linds @ Not A Mom

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  3. Oh wow! I want to add this to our bucket list. I've only ever been to San Fran and it was a short trip. Those anniversary surprises in your room were too cute! And i loved all of your outfits!

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  4. Santa Monica is beautiful! Did you go out on the pier? I only spent a day in Santa Monica last time I went to CA but loved it. Malibu looks pretty, too!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  5. Beautiful! It looks like such a great time! I haven't been to Malibu in years, but would definitely love to go back…and add some of these places to our "must-do" list. I always say that I will live in NYC and Malibu in my next life! ;)

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  6. Loved your travel post and now I'm ready to go to Cally! Glad I'm not the only one that has to adjust to the time when traveling! When we went to Hawaii this spring, our trip was nearly over by the time we got adjusted! :(

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  7. I used to live out that direction and I had no idea there were wineries!!! You guys are so good at just relaxing on vacation! And YES! anniversary trips are totally the best!! I can't wait till mine next week!! Can't wait to hear more about yours!

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  8. I love winery tours and tastings, and I had no idea there were so many wineries in the Malibu area! Starting off with a beach day seemed like the perfect way to ease into your vacation. Can't wait to read about the rest of your time in Cali!

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  9. Gorgeous pictures, and you already know I'm loving all of your colorful dresses! You guys look like you're in heaven, and that wine tasting looks awesome <3

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  10. Love both dresses you wore! I bet that wine tour was so much fun! Your view from your hotel and dinner were both so gorgeous! I can't wait to see what else you two did on vacation!

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  11. Love everything about this post!! Dying to visit California! SO AWESOME that you saw the Bachelor mansion ahhh!! You look gorgeous xoxox

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  12. Beautiful! You guys look really relaxed and looks like you got a nice tan! So cool you got to see The Bachelor mansion!!!! Was it in a remote area?

    ~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
    acutelifestyle.blogspot.com

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  13. Ahh so jealous of your trip, it looks amazing! And I need that wine flight right now. All your Lilly attire is so cute too, you look gorgeous!
    <3, Pamela
    Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  14. Wow this trip looks amazing and it's just the beginning! Can't believe you got to see the Bachelor mansion! So much fun!

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  15. what a great trip--love your pics so far--perfect anniversary trip! can't wait for MORE :)

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  16. This trip already sounds like heaven! I can't wait to read more about it. All of the wine has me drooling and wanting some at 9:45 am lol

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  17. Oh my goodness, this makes me want to drop everything and head that way, right now. Sounds like you guys had a fabulous start to your anniversary trip. The wine tour sounds amazing...all those places look awesome! Cannot wait to hear more!

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  18. Looks like such a great start to your vacation! A multi-stop winery tour sounds and looks awesome. And yes, I agree more people need to serve breakfast tacos. ;)

    xo, Carly - soak and simmer

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  19. This makes me ache for all things California - I'd move there in a heartbeat if Ryan agreed! I love that you got to see The Bachelor mansion, how fun! And, heck yes to all the wine - my kinda vacation. :)

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  20. I could definitely spend a week on the beach right about now! Love all the pictures! Looks like you guys had a great time!

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  21. Looks like SUCH a fun time, lady! I love that y'all just went straight on the beach, that's SOOO something I would do!

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  22. So fun! I'm ready to go back too! I need to spend much more time in Santa Barbara!

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  23. Santa Monica is one of my favorite places! But all of SoCal is amazing. Sounds like a fabulous trip so far. Your wine tour sounds like something I would LOVE to do. One of these days, we'll make a trip back out there and I'll have to check out these wineries for sure! Great pics as well!

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  24. Looks like you guys had a fantastic time! I love Malibu!! We went last year for my cousin's wedding (he married Matthew Perry's sister... yes, THE Matthew Perry from Friends - eeks!) and we had a blast! Their wedding was actually in Ojai, CA which is just outside of Malibu, and may I say that Ojai is absolutely fantastic! You definitely need to add it to your list of travels!

    And OMG I'm so jealous that you got to see the Bachelor mansion! AAAAH!

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  25. Love all the pics and of course all the Lilly. I can't wait to hear more about your trip. We're looking to go out to CA at the end of this year so we can go to Disneyland and all of Lisa Vanderpump's restaurants :)

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  26. Well how perfect is this. This morning I literally just booked a trip to California for this fall! Your trip looked AMAZING!!!!!!

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  27. Oh my gosh, what a great start to y'all's trip! Your view from the balcony is fantastic, and all of that wine is making me thirsty ;)

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  28. How fantastic! I am drooling at all of the yummy wine and omg breakfast tacos are everything!!

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  29. What a fun trip! I wouldn't have been able to say yes to the bachelor mansion fast enough either!! So cool! Loving all of your Lilly dresses, too!

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  30. What a fun trip! Beach view rooms with a balcony are so nice to have, so relaxing! I'm dying over the wine glass holders, so cool! And I'm super jealous that you got to see The Bachelor mansion!! Can't wait to see what else y'all did!

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  31. The beach looks lovely at this time of year. What a great way to celebrate an anniversary. You are looking tan too :)

    liz jo @ sundays with sophie

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  32. Pinot grigio is my favorite wine! Yum! I would totally want to go see the Bachelor mansion and I don't even watch it!

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  33. What an amazing trip!! The food, the wine, the views...makes me miss California. Love your colorful dress too!

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  34. Looks like a beautiful trip- we hope to do that one eventually!

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  35. Those views are amazing!! The wine tours look like so much fun! And breakfast tacos....great idea! What a fun anniversary trip! :) Can't wait to read more!

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  36. LOVE that you saw the bachelor mansion. My friend and I saw it too and it's so cool to see it in person :)

    Looks like you guys had a great trip!

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  37. I'm a day behind but I loved hearing about your trip!! Those wineries look absolutely amazing... I want to go!! And of course I would've wanted to see the Bachelor house too, how funny!

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  38. 1. You are gorgeous and I love all of your clothes!! 2. Your pictures are amazing and the view of the beach - in love!! 3. Love all the wine tours! So much fun!!!

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  39. Can't beat California wine tasting! If you are ever farther north in California both the Livermore Valley and Monterey County both have some fabulous wine tasting. I can point you in the right direction as I have spent many days wine tasting there. Probably too many!

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  40. Beautiful!! Love the surprises once you gr there. Wine tasting sounds amazing! I'd love to go to CA just for that.

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  41. I have been waiting for your recap, those views are absolutely beautiful and I am loving all your Lilly! What a fun anniversary trip! Xo, Stephanie

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