Sea to Sequoia

03/09/2024

There's a reason Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is referred to as the crown jewel of the California State Park system! Here's everything you should know before visiting.

Known as the crown jewel of the California State Parks, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is worth a visit. Here's what you need to know to plan your trip.

01/09/2024

I didn’t have a Euro summer, but I did go to Folktale Winery…which is kind of the same vibe, right?
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Spent a sunny Friday afternoon in beautiful Carmel listening to some live music while enjoying a flight of wine at Folktale’s wine garden!
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If you go, get some salt & vinegar potatoes to snack on (they say it pairs great with their 2023 sauvignon blanc. I say it pairs great with everything).
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30/08/2024

Le Petit Pali on 8th Ave (and it’s sister, Le Petit Pali on Ocean Ave) is one of the newest boutique hotels in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Here is my honest review based on my stay this summer!

Le Petit Pali at 8th Ave is a charming hotel in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. I loved the thoughtful amenities, gorgeous design, and champagne breakfast.

25/08/2024

If you have just one day to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea, this itinerary includes the spots you need to check out!

During a day trip to Carmel, spend your time strolling down Ocean Avenue, hiking at Point Lobos, wine tasting, indulging in great good and more.

20/08/2024

Spend a relaxing getaway strolling down Ocean Avenue, visiting Carmel Beach, exploring the local wine scene, and more. Here are the best things to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA!

https://seatosequoia.com/things-to-do-carmel-by-the-sea/

Walk along the coast, indulge in the fine dining scene, stroll through the charming town, and more. Here are the best things to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA.

13/08/2024

There’s no better place for a picture-perfect getaway on the coast than Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 🌊
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Spend your trip:
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⇢ Window shopping on Ocean Avenue
⇢ Walking along Scenic Road for gorgeous coastal views
⇢ Hiking at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
⇢ Grabbing a drink at Bud’s at La Playa Hotel
⇢ Visiting Folktale Winery & Vineyards
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I have a full post on the best things to do in Carmel up on the blog! Find it out seatosequoia.com (linked in bio!).

09/08/2024

Experience 1920s Malibu with a tour of the Adamson House - located right off the Pacific Coast Highway and just steps from the beach! Here's what you need to know before visiting.

The stunning Adamson House in Malibu, California is one of my favorite spots along the Southern California coast. Located right off Pacific Coast Highway (and just steps from the beach!), this gem of a house is just as beautiful as...

04/08/2024

There's no better place than Malibu for a relaxing weekend getaway in SoCal. Here's my complete itinerary, with suggestions on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay!

The perfect weekend in Malibu will include hiking, visiting a local winery, and spending time at the beach. Here's the ultimate 2-day itinerary.

02/03/2024

One thing I love about living in LA? The beach, the mountains, and the desert are all within driving distance.
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The city is surrounded by some of California’s best destinations, which makes it super easy to plan a weekend getaway!
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Lately, some of my favorite spots for a little city escape have been Santa Barbara, Encinitas, Paso Robles, Idyllwild, and the Santa Ynez Valley.
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To my California friends: where is your go-to getaway destination??
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If you’re looking for a little travel inspiration, I just published a guide on the best weekend getaways from Los Angeles! Find it here: https://seatosequoia.com/weekend-getaways-from-los-angeles/
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21/12/2023

Now that the unbearable heat of the summer and early fall is finally over, it's the perfect time to visit Joshua Tree! I've created a guide outlining 10 of the best hikes in Joshua Tree worth checking out during your visit.

Joshua Tree National park has amazing trails for all skill levels. Here are the best hikes in Joshua Tree worth adding to your itinerary.

14/12/2023

Craving a laid-back Southern California day trip? Take a look at Carlsbad! In my Carlsbad day trip itinerary, I've included the must-do activities, including a bike ride along the coast, a stop at a brewery, and a stroll through the charming seaside town.

Carlsbad, CA is the ultimate destination for a coastal day trip in SoCal. Here is my guide on how to plan the perfect Carlsbad day trip.

08/12/2023

LA may not be a winter wonderland, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the season! Here is a roundup of the best Christmas activities in Los Angeles to help you get in the holiday spirit!

Excited for the most wonderful time of the year? Here are the top holiday events and Christmas activities in Los Angeles to enjoy this year!

04/11/2023

Wine, beaches, great food, beautiful architecture...what more could you want? If you're in need of a quick California getaway, take a look at my guide on how to spend a weekend in Santa Barbara.

If you're craving a trip in a beautiful California destination, head to Santa Barbara! Here's my guide to a Santa Barbara weekend getaway.

25/10/2023

New post up on the blog: the best day trips from San Diego by train! Ditch the car for the day and explore some of the most charming coastal towns in Southern California 🚆

Take a train ride up the coast to explore all that California has to offer! Here is my guide to the best day trips from San Diego by train.

21/10/2023

One thing I love about Joshua Tree: you can see so much of the park in just one day! Here's my guide to the ultimate day trip to Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree is the perfect destination for anyone looking to enjoy a day outdoors. Check out my guide on the ultimate Joshua Tree day trip!

16/10/2023

If you’re in the Southern California area, consider planning a day trip to Lake Arrowhead! The charming mountain town is perfect around this time of year — it’s one of the best places to catch some fall foliage!

Planning a Lake Arrowhead day trip? This guide goes over some of the best things to do in Lake Arrowhead. Hikes, places to eat, and more!

10/10/2023

Idyllwild is always a good idea - but it is especially magical in the fall! If you want to plan a weekend getaway in this California mountain town, take a look at my guide on the best things to do in Idyllwild.

Need a weekend getaway? Here's a comprehensive guide to the best things to do Idyllwild, CA, as well as recommendations on where to stay!

06/10/2023

It may be hot in LA, but that's not stopping me from celebrating autumn! Here's my 2023 guide on the best fall activities in Los Angeles.

Ready for autumn? Check out this comprehensive guide on the Los Angeles fall activities that you won't want to miss in 2023!

05/08/2023

Wildflowers + pretty ocean cliffs = my happy place.
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📍Montaña de Oro State Park
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01/08/2023

If you're in need of a little weekend getaway in California, Paso Robles is the perfect destination 🍷
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My Paso Robles weekend guide is up on the blog! It includes wine tasting (obviously), hot springs, lots and lots of good food, and more. Find it here: https://seatosequoia.com/paso-robles-weekend-itinerary/
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19/06/2023

Who here has been to a movie screening at a cemetery? 🙋🏼‍♀️
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Now that summer is (almost) officially here, screenings with Cinespia are in full swing! Watching a movie under the stars at Hollywood Forever Cemetery is one of my all-time favorite summertime activities in LA.
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(Side note: if a screening at a cemetery is a hell no for you, they also host them at The Greek Theater and Los Angeles State Historic Park)
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08/06/2023

Nearly a year after visiting, my Zurich guide is finally up on the blog!
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This 2-day itinerary includes museums, churches, walks through Old Town and along Lake Zurich, and of course, amazing food (swipe for one of my favorite meals in Switzerland at Dapur).
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Check it out: https://seatosequoia.com/zurich-in-two-days/
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13/04/2023

If you have summer plans to visit San Diego, don't forget to stop by Encinitas!
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I just updated an old blog post with some new info on the best things to do in this laidback beach town. Check it out here: https://seatosequoia.com/things-to-do-in-encinitas/
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03/04/2023

Now that the rain has FINALLY calmed down…there’s no better time to visit Solvang!
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Planning a trip? Here are the activities you can’t miss:
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⇢ Feed the ostriches at Ostrichland USA
⇢ Walk through town and check out the iconic windmill
⇢ Do a wine tasting at one of the local wineries (I recommend Rusack!)
⇢ Grab a sweet treat at Birkholm’s Bakery and Cafe
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You can find my full Solvang day trip guide here: https://seatosequoia.com/day-trip-solvang/
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19/02/2023

It’s almost time!
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The flower blooms in California are going to be incredible this year, so I’m excited to make a trip back to Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve (less than an hour and a half drive from Los Angeles)!
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Thinking about visiting? I’ve updated my Antelope Valley guide for the 2023 season. It includes everything you need to know before visiting - check it out on seatosequoia.com!
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15/02/2023

Calling all LA friends (or anyone planning a visit)!
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If you like fun & cheap activities (…who doesn’t?), I highly recommend doing a self-guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House (built between 1919 and 1921) in Barnsdall Art Park!
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Here’s the kicker: you can’t take photos inside! You’ll just have to trust me when I say its worth the visitl (or you can head to the website to check out official photos).
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Bonus: you get to wear fun & fashionable shoe covers (swipe to the last photo).
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While it’s easier to snag self-guided tour tickets now than it was when the property first reopened in August 2022, you’ll still need to book your reservation online in advance. Adult tickets are just $7!
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09/02/2023

It's almost officially the BEST time of year to visit Joshua Tree!
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From March through early/mid May, you can expect pleasant temperatures (before the insane heat of the summer), and will get to see plenty of desert flowers!
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Who's planning a trip this spring? If you are, I have a weekend trip guide up on seatosequoia.com!
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📍Cholla Cactus Garden - be sure to visit during sunrise or sunset!
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21/11/2022

One of my favorite spots to visit in Los Angeles!
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LA may not have the most amazing parks, but it does know how to do gardens right. If you'll be in the area soon, be sure to check out the beautiful Huntington Gardens in Pasadena!
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There are 16 themed gardens spread out across about 130 acres of land. Two of my personal favorites are the Desert Garden and the Chinese Garden.
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Pro tip: the garden has a free admission day the first Thursday of every month! You'll need to reserve your ticket in advance online. Tickets become available a week before.
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17/11/2022

If you’re visiting Zurich, you absolutely won’t want to skip a climb up one of the two towers at Grossmünster, where you’ll get incredible views of the city.
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It’s a bit of a narrow climb at the beginning, and you will have to make your way up 187 steps — but it’s 100% worth it!
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In order to have the best experience, I suggest getting to the church right when it opens, and immediately buying your ticket to go up the tower. This will help you avoid some of the crowds!
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There’s no fee to enter the church itself, but it costs 5 CHF to climb the tower. It’s cash only, so make sure you have some Swiss francs on hand!
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05/10/2022

Just throwing it back to the early Instagram days with that classic artsy coffee shot ☕️
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If you’re a coffee lover, you’ll have no shortage of amazing cafes in Zurich. Here are my top three picks:
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⇢ Cafe Henrici: This cafe is located in Zurich’s Old Town, and is the perfect spot for enjoying the historic architecture and cobblestone streets. The Diablo Espresso Macchiato is AMAZING, and they also have a really great açaí bowl.
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⇢ Café & Conditorei 1842: Definitely the most unique atmosphere of the three! This ornately decorated baroque-style cafe is located in a multi-story 13th century building. They serve not just coffee, but also cakes, baked goods, chocolate, and more! It’s also in Old Town, just a short walk down the street from Cafe Henrici.
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⇢ Babu’s: So nice I went there twice! This bakery and coffee shop is a really nice stop for coffee, a quick bite to eat, or a full on breakfast or brunch. Babu’s also has a great açaí bowl (didn’t expect to have so many açaí bowls while in Switzerland, but here we are)
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