Day trip travel guide: Cayucos, California

I recently took a day trip to the coastal town of Cayucos here in California. It is a super small town with a lot of life and just perfect for a weekend getaway. I've visited a handful of times before but I never got to know it as well as I did this time. Usually, it's full of tourists on weekends during the Summer (duh?) but this time, despite it being Saturday, it was nearly empty and it was quite nice to be able to walk the sidewalks without having to make room for everyone else (I'm not usually selfish, I promise, but I am a fast walker so, well, don't judge me).

Obviously, being a coastal vacation town, there's a lot of entertaining stuff to do that you don't usually get to do IRL (surfing, kayaking... who am I kidding, I don't do that stuff even on vacation but it sure looks like fun and it's nice to know it's there if I ever get brave enough). Usually, I go the antique shopping route because this town has a couple of large antique malls, so it's always fun to step back in time and browse through all the old stuff that I recognize from all the classic films I religiously watch (there's some pretty random stuff out there).





Once you're done browsing these antique malls, your stomach will inevitably start growling and the good news is that there's a variety of eateries to choose from. After a quick google search, because millennials and their technology, I opted to try Duckie's Chowder House, a short distance from the pier. Being the predictable soul that I am, I ordered fish & chips and iced tea with a side of clam chowder (which, honestly, used to be as weird-looking to me as sushi still is, #sorrynotsorry- Duckies clam chowder is award-winning, by the way, and I definitely can assure you it's the best one I've tasted in the little time I've been eating clam chowder) and I inhaled it all in a matter of 5 minutes (you know, I'm all about living in the moment).




After stuffing my face, it was time to roll myself out like Violet Beauregarde ("Violet, you're turning violet, Violet!") and take a short walk on the pier. It was golden hour and literally the most perfect lighting and scene I'd witnessed in such a long time. You know that rare feeling you get that all is right with the world? That's what overcame me at this moment.

There's still quite a bit I want to do the next time I visit Cayucos. I've got my eye on their famous Brown Butter Cookie Company as well as Ocean Front Pizza, because there's nothing that brings more happiness in this world than cookies and pizza (and dogs), don't even try arguing with me.



In true Cinderella style, I wanted to get home before midnight so that was all I got up to this time around. It was a memorable day (despite the 8,000 photos I took to help me remember the day because one day I'll be 90) and I am already looking forward to returning soon. If you're in California and need a weekend trip, this is definitely one to make. If you're not from California but are just visiting, I'd stop here for lunch if you're passing through. Let me know if you've been to Cayucos before or if you'd like to visit someday, because...because, I'm just nosy like that!

Hometown Glory: A trip to Northern California

Over the past week, I took a little bit of a break from the online world (except for Instagram because, duh what is life if I can't take a peek at everyone's #ootds and flatlays) and traveled back to my small hometown in Northern California. 

My hometown is, I guess you could say, more than just one town, because of close proximity to each other, it's more of a cluster of hometowns since I spent so much of my youth in each of the separate towns.

Many of you might be able to relate: when you leave your hometown, you tell yourself you'll never feel the need to come back (except for the yearly visit to relatives or if you're horrible like me, you only visit every 5 years) and nothing was ever more important than escaping for good. My hometown(s) is no London or Paris (far from it, actually) but when living there, it was way too easy to notice only the negative aspects of it. 

The last trip to my hometown was about 4 years ago and it was a blurry memory of anything but happiness. This time, however, it was an unexpected delight and everything that a visit to one's hometown should be. I visited all my old favorite places (landmarks and restaurants) and saw some old faces including many relatives that I hope to see more often. It was just such a pleasant experience from start to finish that- can you believe it- I actually didn't want return to my current home!

I finally saw my hometown for what it's been all along- both good and bad- but mostly just good: a small community filled with (mostly) friendly laid back people, agriculture in abundance and warm sunshiney weather (the way it should be this time of year). It was nice to see grass again and feel the warm breezes. It was nice to be given a free bag for your purchases at a store rather than having to pay 10 cents for it. It was nice to see so many beautiful old architectural structures. It's weird to think about but so much of what I love and appreciate now is because of what I grew up knowing in my hometown community (i.e. farming/fresh produce, old homes, small towns).

Of course, I won't say I'll be moving back any time soon, if ever, but at least I'll always have a place to call home...

The trail of 100 Giants

After a 2 week trip into the wilderness, I'm not gonna lie, I'm extremely glad to be back to a normal life with wifi (#firstworldproblems, eh?). I like to think I love nature a bit more than the average person but even I am prone to cabin fever now and then. 

However, a recent venture into the trail of 100 trees in the Sequoia National Forest was an unforgettable and humbling experience. Trees that are as tall as dinosaurs (and probably nearly as old, too- well kinda but not really) almost makes being human seem like a very insignificant thing. How could these trees survive life for so long even during extreme droughts? You should see these trees that are literally located on top of the world (seriously, you have to take a long winding road to see them but thankfully it's not too winding unless you get car sick easily...).

I was literally speechless upon seeing the enchanting meadows that graced me with their presence- straight out of a scene from Bambi, I tell you (except, you know, not animated). I probably would have lied down in the center of a meadow had it not been for all the bees buzzing around the charming yellow flowers (oh well, I suppose they were there first...).

So basically, what I'm trying to say is that if you come to California, after the excitement of Hollywood and Disneyland wears off (because honestly, it will), a visit to the trail of 100 giants is, well, a 100x more magical than any man-made attraction...

California Mission Santa Ines

Here in California, most elementary schools teach students about the California Missions which are a group of 21 Catholic churches spread throughout the state that were built in the late 1700's to mid 1800's. You can see a list of all the Missions here. They are all quite unique.

One of the required school projects in 4th grade was to create a miniature model of one of the Missions of our choice. It was such a fun art project- I still have mine because basically I'm a hoarder like that. The Mission I created is called San Luis Rey de Francia and unfortunately I have yet to see it in person but it's definitely a goal of mine- I hope to see all of the California Missions eventually.

Mission Santa Ines is located in Solvang and it's honestly the most beautiful one I've seen yet. The grounds are so pretty with so much sunlight and vivid flowers all around. I completely forgot to go into the actual main chapel area but I did go into the gift shop. Even if you're not religious, I think the Missions are such nice places to visit because they represent so much of California's history (the good and the bad) and especially if you studied them in 4th grade you're more likely to have a special connection to them (or maybe that's just me...)

A visit to Solvang, California

It's official: I think I've found my new favorite touristy spot in California. It's called Solvang and it's advertised as the Danish Capital of America. Incredibly quaint, charming, and colorful are all perfect words to describe this hidden little gem of a town. I'd been here once or twice before back when I was a young teenager and could care less about windmills and cozy bakeries. Admittedly, I don't know much about Denmark (once again I'm sure Google will save the day) but if it's anything like Solvang portrays, I could definitely see myself visiting the actual country someday. I don't think most of you Europeans would be as interested in a town like this (especially if you're right next door to Denmark or even the Netherlands) but for us deprived Californians, it's the next best thing.

If you're not aware, I sort of have a mini obsession with wooden shoes and Solvang proudly displays clogs wherever they get the chance including this gigantic one located right outside their main shoe store. In case you're wondering, I definitely took this opportunity to wear my red Swedish Hasbeens (pictured below the big clog photo) and proudly stomped around the busy streets. If that doesn't scream tourist, I don't know what does. But wearing my clogs in Solvang was nothing short of exciting. I saw another lady wearing her clogs (they looked like ones from Lotta from Stockholm) and I kinda wanted to be her bff.

In summary, be sure to visit Solvang especially if you're a Californian (you're most likely not more than a few hours drive away) or if you're visiting California for a couple of weeks and have time to spare. Like I said, if you're from Europe, you might not be as excited to see a town tourist trap like this but really, I'll leave it up to you to decide...

Morro Bay Kite Festival

Can you remember the last time you flew a kite? I definitely haven't since childhood. I guess it's one of those activities that you either enjoy or just completely forget about. I think I was too young to enjoy and appreciate the art of kite flying for the longest time. But when I heard about this Kite Festival, having been to it before, I knew watching a bunch of people flying kites would be the next best thing to actually doing it myself. I also am such a fan of the ridiculous amount of bright colors floating in the sky. Also, can I just mention that it was an abnormally gray and windy day (hence the bundled up look) and though wind is my least favorite weather, I quickly remembered that kites would be nothing without the it (oh, duh). 

Oh! And take a look at that photo with the seagull- the poor little guy was literally struggling to fly against the wind (or maybe he thought the kites were a bunch of strange birds that were trying to out fly him). He (she?) finally gave up and just took to resting on top of an ice cream truck (smart bird). 

On a side-note, I got some real jeans for the first time in my life recently and I love them so much, I don't even want to take them off to throw them in the wash (but of course, you know, I do- most of the time ;) )

Outfit details: Jacket- Forever 21 (old)//Scarf- TJ Maxx//Levi Jeans via Kohl's

A visit to Kernville

This is officially the longest time I've gone without posting on here (thanks for your patience, by the way!) and I wish I could say I felt relaxed and rejuvenated while on "break" but I didn't. I missed being able to post on here- it is such a creative outlet for me. The only reason I couldn't post is because I was literally in the middle of nowhere and although I had planned to use wi-fi at a local library, it turns out, that particular library isn't quite up to date in that area of technology yet. SO, I had to rely on free internet from Burger King. It's so ridiculous how anxious I felt at first without the internet. Towards the end of my break, I was getting more used to being without it (and managed to go through a total of 9 books). Still, I'm glad to be back to having internet access and am definitely looking into a mobile hotspot for next time...

So part of my visit into the wilderness consisted of a visit to Kernville, a tiny old gold mining town in Kern County. It's a cute little town that's nice to visit for a day if you're looking to go Antique shopping, lounge by the Kern river and grab a bite to eat. It's quaint and peaceful- not words that you often associate with California. The photos pretty much speak for themselves. 

I have to say, I think maybe I've visited tiny towns like this a little too often because I hate to admit, I felt a bit bored after a while, a bit closed in (the town is only accessible through a long winding mountainous road). Don't get me wrong, I still appreciate the scenery very much but you know, I think I wouldn't mind stepping foot in a more urban area soon ...just for a change. :)

More posts about this area are here, here, and here.