Stillwater Bar and Grill, Pebble Beach Golf Links.
One of the best parts about going to college in a place like NYC, is that you are likely to become friends with people from all over the country and world. I did! I have had roommates from Turkey to Miami - and that's just who I have lived with. My friend list touches many more spots on the map. Many of us have spread wings and moved out of NY at this point, but now I have plenty of friends to visit all over the globe. My latest trip brought me to California to visit my close friend Jenna in Carmel Valley.
I flew into LAX, with the intent to hit up as many stops as I could in 48 hours before renting a car and heading north to Jenna. My quick detour through LA included sightseeing and an evening visit with another great friend, Keli. The first portion of the trip I spent primarily solo, walking around Melrose and Robertson Blvd, and stopping for coffee at the insta famous Alfred's Coffee. Dinner for me was a burger at the Chateau Marmont's, Bar Marmont. It was a perfect place to dine alone in LA- if you are up for that sort of thing. I ate at a table close to the small bar upon entrance and then shifted to the main bar for a beer and DJ tunes before heading out. The following morning began with a trip to the Trails Cafe in Griffith Park for an outdoor brunch before hiking to the top of the mountain to visit the Observatory. The sweeping views of Hollywood along the trail, are a must see. Later, my agenda transformed into a relaxing late afternoon sipping bubbly at the Cabana Cafe at The Beverly Hills Hotel. This is worth a visit for anyone that is obsessed with palm leaf patterns and everything green and pink, like me. Make sure to walk through the lobby. I will be wallpapering similarly...some day. My night came to a close with my friend Keli at The Other Room on Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach, before heading to an art opening nearby. Sunday morning came way early and off I headed North in the Jeep. I stopped briefly along the way in Morro Bay to see the famous rock and grab some views of the coast along my drive. The day was a bit' rainy and gloomy, but it felt beautiful with cool air blowing and sea lions hanging in the harbor. I had clam chowder for lunch at a dockside restaurant, bought a small bag of salt water taffy from the walk up window candy shop, and continued on my way.
After a good six hours in the car, I had finally reached my destination to Carmel Valley. The remaining four days of my trip were spent primarily outdoors with some driving along the beautiful wide ranging coastline. As a tried and true East Coast girl, it was eye opening to explore the large cliffs of Northern California for the first time. It was incredible to see the spread out terrain that hugs the Pacific Ocean. We walked the trail at Point Lobos, more trails in Big Sur and shopped at the Phoenix gift shop at the Nepenthe Restaurant there. Talk about an eclectic, beautiful, and thoughtful assortment of products. I bought a gorgeous hand embroidered table cloth with fringe trim that makes me smile when I think about it. Jenna, Nikki, (Jenna's Mom) and I spent a late afternoon wine tasting in Carmel Valley at Cowgirl Winery and Georis Tasting Room. There wasn't a wine I didn't like, shocking! Cowgirl has an assortment of gifts and trinkets to shop while sipping on a glass of wine. I brought home a super cute graphic sweatshirt that says "Rosé All Day". Lastly, the trip would not have been complete without a drive through Pebble Beach and a quick hello to the golfers on the green.
What a whirlwind of a week. Coffee talk and mid day strolls went by all too quickly. Back to the Right coast. Cheers until next time Jenna and Lefty! Love and miss you already. xo RCN
