Before Aaron and I discovered we were expecting, we were planning to do a trip to Colombia. It had been on my bucket list for a while and we really wanted to go somewhere NEW! Unfortunately there is Zika there so when I found out I was pregnant, I realized that Colombia would be a no-go.

We still wanted to do a trip SOMEWHERE and decided that it would be our “babymoon”. I’m not sure who invented the whole babymoon thing but I am virtually tipping my hat to you right now. The whole concept is about spending time as a couple before your little one arrives and I couldn’t be more down for ANY excuse to go on a trip.

As much as we love trying new places, we were very limited on our options because of Zika so we decided to stick to the place we both love and are familiar with- CALI BABY!

We did three days in LA and three days in Palm Springs which gave us the perfect balance of exploring and relaxation! We visited our regular favourites- Alfred Coffee, Runyon Canyon, Escuela Tacquira, Malibu Cafe, Nobu Malibu, Gjusta in Venice but then tried some new spots like Norah, Republique ( for brunch), Ysabel and Backyard Bowls!

In LA, we stayed at the newly opened KIMPTON LA PEER! It was………..amazing! It is located a short 2 minute walk from Gracias Madre on Melrose and another 5 minute walk to the main hub on Santa Monica Blvd ( think PUMP and SUR). It is a small boutique hotel so you don’t have to worry about the place feeling overcrowded…ever! They also have an amazing on site restaurant and give you free coffee in the morning. My kind of place!

After three jam packed days, we moved onto Palm Springs where we checked into the infamous Parker Palm Springs aka my favourite hotel in the world ( next to Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives…because duh- Maldives). Our plan here was to just VEG by the pool and the hammocks that fill up secret garden nooks on the estate. We did just that

We did manage to explore Joshua Tree for one day though and as usual- it was magical. We watched the sunset and took in the high level vibes that come with visiting the desert. We then capped our night off by visiting Pioneertown ( a short drive off the main hub if you visit Joshua Tree). We went to Pappy and Harriet’s for dinner where we got the cheapest dinner from our trip and probably the most delish! The whole town is an old country movie set and this restaurant is the only functioning building amongst it. There is live bands performing every week and it is just a special experience overall!

Other places we hit up in Palm Springs that I would recommend: Norah’s for breakfast ( ok this place was in the Parker but it is by far the best breakfast in town!), Birba, SOPA at L’Horizon Hotel, Workshop and Native Foods Cafe ( for a healthy lunch!)We can’t wait to bring the baby to LA and Palm Springs as its the perfect place to travel around and see so many amazing things in a small vicinity!

There is also something about driving in California! Palm trees, ocean views, access to In and Out Drive Thru’s….ha!

We booked a Mazda X 5 as we wanted lots of space for our camera gear and luggage. It was so nice as we don’t own an SUV at home so we felt extra comfortable while cruising around ( the back seat may or may not have became a mini closet for me when i wanted to change outfits).  It also made us realize- since it was a Babymoon and all- that this would be a great car for our growing family. I could practically sleep in the trunk so would be pretty easy to change a baby back there!

Besides the functional features of the car, it looked damn good on the road! With a a panaromic sunroof and the fire red color, we felt pretty cool zipping around!

We started off in West Hollywood where the hotel valet staff even loved pulling up our car. We aren’t biased;)

We drove down to Malibu where we spent the day on the beach and were able to take in the sunset. The drive from West Hollywood to Malibu is a solid hour so we thought we would make a dent in the gas but we still had 3/4 of a tank!

After a few days in LA, we drove out to Palm Springs! This is a two hour drive and sometimes- not too fun- when are you dealing with LA traffic. However we had a great road trip out there as we listed to the in house Siruis Radio and still didn’t have to fill up the tank. It was smooth sailing the entire way.

I’ve done this road trip a few times before so was familiar with the drive. I do want to take a road trip further up the coast one day and hopefully make my way to Seattle! 

We arrived in Palm Springs and thought we would be parking the car for the next two nights as we love to bike around town but it was SOO HOT! It was 113 degrees by 10AM ( above average temperatures) so we stayed in the safe confines of the Mazda with blasted AC touring all the famous mid century houses and stopping for ice cream along the way.

The Madza got a bit of a break for two days when we sipped on cold drinks by the pool and spent some time relaxing but after two days of that, we were ready to hit the road again and head to Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree is about 40 minutes from Palm Springs but you truly feel like you are on another planet there. We entered the National Park just before sunset and zipped through the winding roads until we found the perfect view. We climbed on the roof to get a little higher, blasted our satelitte radio to some low key jams and took in the amazing energy that surrounded us. It was truly an amazing experience

We had the most well rounded So-Cal trip all thanks to Mazda!

My fiancé and I just came back from hanging out in Palm Springs and if I am going to Palm Springs- it means I am also going to hang out in Joshua Tree!

Now if you haven’t been to the desert, you need to go. It makes you feel like you are WORLDS away and offers a calmness like nowhere else. Whenever I do go to Joshua Tree though, I make sure to stop at The Integatron which is the weird dome/spaceship I am standing infront of in the photos above.

The Integatron was built by a man back in the 60’s who believed aliens came to him and told him to construct a white dome in this particular area. Call him crazy- but scientists have noted that the area where the dome is has high frequencies of positive energy and eons. Some people may not believe this but I definitely drank the koolaid.

The dome later sold and it is now being used as an escape for city dwellers. They offer daily “brain baths” which is just as good as it sounds. You take off your shoes,  head up to the top of the dome via ladder and lay down like you do in yoga except with cozy blankets and thicker mats. An instructor then starts to play Tibetan Sound bowls that generate the most amazing noises that allow you to slow your thoughts down. You listen to these sounds for 30 minutes and I would best describe the feeling as a state between sleeping and meditation. When you wake up- you truly feel like you slept for 3 days straight. Heading to Coachella soon? GO THERE IMMEDIATELY AFTER!

The grounds are also really cute with an entire hammock section, cozy couches and inspiring quotes that pop up in different areas.

Check it out here!

Dress: Forever 21

If you are on Instagram, there is a high chance that you have seen the photos from bloggers and tourists alike with this Pink Door! Located in Palm Springs, this house and door has become a popular destination over the last few years for people to come and snap photos infront of.  It’s been so popular, it even has it’s own hashtag now! Type in #thatpinkdoor on IG and you can see floods of people posing infront of it. See people- I am not alone here!

Although my fiancé was questioning my motives, once we arrived there- he was pretty happy we biked over to see it! It is just too pretty and the door itself is massively tall! I held myself back from knocking on the door and asking them if they were hiring a gardender or nanny!

Visit it yourself at: 1100 East Sierra Way

There is definitely a reason why celebrities flock to the peaceful and quaint seaside city of Malibu. It offers you the perfect balance of beach, mountains, good eats, relaxation and adventure. It is the most picturesque spot in Southern California and let’s not forget that Baywatch was filmed at the famous Zuma beach here. When you drive up the pacific coast highway to get here- you will be greeted with a sign that meets “27 Miles of Scenic Beauty” which pretty much sums it up.

MORNING

Wake up nice and early because that’s what people in Malibu do.  Head over to the Malibu Country Mart and grab a delicious breakfast at SunLife Organics. They have Acai Bowls. END OF STORY. Grab a juice for the road too while you are at it!   After that- window shop at some of the stores in there to walk off breakfast.

If you are wanting something that is more formal- drive up to the Café at Caliamigos Ranch. Although far- you can spend hours here brunching and exploring the grounds!

WORK OUT TIME!

10:00AM

Do some stretches and get ready to Hike one of the best trails in not only Malibu but in LA. The Los Liones trail has the best views of the ocean, the valleys and is a moderate climb ( you will for sure break a sweat but you do not need rock climbing gear!). You can see more of my favorite hikes in LA here to compare but I would definitely make sure to check this one out if you have a day in Malibu

SEASIDE LUNCH

1:00PM

At the very end of Malibu Pier, Malibu Farm Cafe serves fresh, organic salads, sandwiches, and breakfast in a cozy, gorgeously renovated room accented with wooden tables and white plank walls. This is not your typical (grubby) fishing pier seafood joint.

SURFS UP!

AFTERNOON

Take a few hours on a sunny afternoon to frolic in the ocean (or just lay out) at the ridiculously stunning Zuma Beach in Malibu. This is the quintessential Southern California hangout, where people from all over L.A. come to picnic, surf, and swim with friends and family on a wide, long stretch of uninterrupted shore. If you are looking for some more peace and quiet- head to another secluded beach further up the coast called El Matador State Beach ( second picture). It is famous for its 30 feet rock formations, tide pools and private atmosphere

SUNSET WATCHING AND SUSHI

7:00PM

There are few things better at sunset hour than a cocktail with a view of the ocean a few feet away. Nobu is the place for this. It’s almost like being in your own beachside modern  mansion , with sleek couches and glass balconies. Oh and let’s not forget about the most amazing sushi ever!

This is just a glimpse of Malibu and all that it has to offer! I would recommend spending a night here or two full days to really explore it all and not rush through everything. The best thing about Malibu is that it runs at a much slower pace than the rest of LA..take advantage of that

First you have to find parking in the small lot at the end of Beechwood Drive and follow the sign on the right for the Hollyridge Trail. Next, dodge all the horse poop from the Sunset Ranch Stables (remember #13: Sunset Ranch Horseback Riding?). Down the road, you’re gonna come across two junctions. Take a hairpin left at the first one and a right at the second. After that, you’re home free.

Your hard work is worth it. In 45 minutes, you’ll find yourself high above L.A.. To the right of the sign is the Hollywood Reservoir. To the left is Griffith Observatory and Downtown. Behind you is Glendale. When you reach the radio tower, climb the hill to get an even better view.

#2. LOS LIONES TRAIL

The Los Liones Canyon Trail is located in the Palisades near where Sunset meets the PCH. This shady hike takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, and rewards you with a beautiful panoramic view of the city. Parking is free either in one of the small lots or on the street.

HOW TO GET THERE From the Pacific Coast Highway, turn east onto Sunset Blvd. and left onto Los Liones Drive after 0.3 miles (the turn comes up quick, and it’s not a major intersection – so be careful!). The trailhead is clearly marked about 0.6 miles down Los Liones Drive, just before it makes a sharp turn to the west. There are several parking areas closer to Sunset Blvd, which have a short trail connecting them to the Los Liones Trail. You do not need to pay to park on the street inside Topanga State Park here.

#3. EAGLE ROCK HIKE

Not to be confused with Eagle Rock the city, Eagle Rock the hike is located in Topanga Canyon! This is a stunning, breath-taking hike that has become one of my favorites. The cherry on the gelato sundae is Eagle Rock itself–a mammoth precipice jutting out dangerously over the canyon. It’s insane. This is not for people afraid of heights!

We parked on the street just outside of the lot for free, but if that’s full you can also park for a fee in the lot. There were a lot of people parked there, but there are so many trails that you can take from the trail head that the hike didn’t seem overly crowded. No dogs are allowed on this hike. There is also no shade on the way to Eagle Rock, so bring protection. It took about an hour to get there. Once we were on the rock, we explored the little caves and crevices. Our expert hiking buddies Mike and Michelle were more surefooted than I was, and they went through a narrow hole to explore the other side of the rock.

Address: Paul Smith, 8221 Melrose Avenue (at North Harper Avenue)

Note: This wall has become so popular that there is actually a security guard monitoring it!

# 2. LACMA

Address: LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard (at South Fairfax Avenue)

Note: Highly recommend taking a whole day here and enjoying yourself!

# 3. GJELINA

Address: Gjelina, 1429 Abbot Kinney Boulevard (at Milwood Avenue)

Note: Do yourself a favor and eat here!

#4. MADE IN LA WALL

Address: Cisco Home, 8025 Melrose Avenue (at North Laurel Avenue)

Note: It is ok to not be born here

#5. HOLLYWOOD HIKE

Address: 3400 N Beechwood Drive

Note: You have to actually hike to the sign and begin at this address which is Sunset Ranch. Follow the path and swerve left and you will be there in about 45 minutes.

If you follow me on Instagram…you would see that I made my way to LA few weeks back for a couple of days. It has been a year since I said goodbye to my former city so it seemed about right to pay it a visit. I can’t believe it’s been a year already! Really scary.

It felt really good visiting all of my favourite places and trying out a few new ones. Everything felt familiar, comforting and….not real life.

Sorry for all the food shots….NO REGRETS!