Paso Robles-Something Old, Something New

Going North, Paso Robles is 3 hours outside of L.A. Don't even think about taking the 5 up there.  If you want to actually enjoy yourself, take the 101.  I love the area and try to go as often as I can (which hasn't been too often lately).

There are certain things I always try to do when I go to Paso Robles and the surrounding areas.  I didn't get around to doing everything I usually do, but I marked some good ones off the list this time around.

I always go to Rotta Winery and do a tasting, if only to get just a sample of their Black Monnuka dessert sherry.  It may be the best dessert drink I have ever tried.  I bought some bottles to take home with me this time around. ;)

There are many other fantastic wineries in the region, I wish I had time to do a couple of more tastings, but that Black Monnuka draws me in every time.

I also always go to Full of Life Flatbread in Los Alamos, CA.  It just might be the best pizza I have ever eaten.  I love the town too. After having not visited for a number of years, I was happy to see that the town is growing and even has some new restaurants and bars.  I'd love to try them next time I go up.

I also always see the ocean- California's #1 roadside attraction.  Brian and I just happened to catch the tail end of a beautiful sunset.

There were a couple of new things that I did when I was in Paso that I really enjoyed!  I had not been to Paso in a couple of years, so this time around there were new places to go!

I went to a new Olive Oil Farm!

Kiler Ridge Olive Oil Farm had great scenery and a fantastic and informative tasting for only $5! It is great for taking a break between wine tastings. They even have a cute olive oil dog!   I would definitely go back the next time I'm in the area and get another tasting.

We also went to a relatively new brewery called BarrelHouse Brewing Company and sampled all of the beers that they had on tap.  Everything we tried was delicious.  They even have free pretzels and mustard to munch on while you're sipping your beers!

We were in a sampling mood, so we went to Vivant, the local cheese shop to see what they had.  We were introduced to the cheeses of Central Coast Creamery, which were absolutely fantastic.  We bought two hunks of cheese to take home with us.  Its too bad Central Coast Creamery does not have a tasting room.  I would be all over that in a second.  Their cheese is delicious.

I also went to The Ghostriders Tavern in Los Alamos for the first time.  It was not at all what I expected. I always thought there would be a plethora of burly bikers inside, and I was always kind of anxious to go in in the past. But we decided to check it out, and there were actually only a couple of regular looking folks in there. It was great being so empty, because it gave us plenty of room to play pool.

The last (actually first) thing I did for the first time in that area was visit the small town of Santa Margarita. There isn't much there, but they did have a cute cafe that Brian and I ate breakfast at, and a very decent antique store right next door.  I mean, where else in the world can you find a 1954 edition of Chinchilla News?

Paso Robles and the surrounding cities are places you wish you could stay at for just one more day.   If I had time I would go to the Madonna Inn for a fancy surf and turf dinner, check out the lavender farm in Los Olivos, and maybe do a couple of more wine tastings,  go antiquing in Los Alamos and try their new lunch spot Bell Street Farm.  Maybe if I was feeling adventurous, I would even go dancing in Santa Barbara!  Next time...

Dress + H&M

Shoes + Kelly & Katie

Joshua Tree Weekend Getaway

Joshua Tree is about two hours from Los Angeles, but it feels like a whole different world.  Brian and I have been on a roll when it comes to weekend camping trips lately, so when Brian's friends invited us to join them in Joshua Tree, we couldn't resist!

I did some research and realized that there were several points of interest along the way to JT that were worth checking out.

Our first stop was the in the unassuming little city of Rialto, CA. Right off of historic Route 66, you can find something you don't see everyday.  It is a very unique motel where all of the rooms are actually teepees! We didn't get to look inside the "teepees", but the outside was like nothing I have ever seen before.

Our next stop was the location of the first ever McDonalds. The actual restaurant was demolished, but the original sign is still there, as well as a commemorative museum.  The museum is small and needs a little work, but it was fun to walk through and see all of the old characters that McDonalds has had through the years.

Our last stop before Joshua Tree was the famous Cabazon Dinosaur roadside attraction that is right off of the 10 freeway.  I've been out that way a couple of times, but always managed to miss the dinos.  I finally got out to check them out, and they are really quite large.  It was a fun little photo opp!

Joshua Tree is calm and peaceful.  When the sun went down we could see so many stars!  Our group decided to star gaze, so we all laid out on huge boulders and looked up at the sky for a while. I think I saw 3 or 4 shooting stars that night. It was beautiful!

The next morning we decided to go rock hopping, because Joshua Tree has a ton of huge boulders.  We spent a good hour or two hopping around rocks before heading home.

c/o Brains Rigazzi

c/o Brains Rigazzi

It was great to see all of the little stops hidden around California, and Joshua Tree was as beautiful as ever.  I can't wait to go again!

Shirt + Forever 21

Shorts + Forever 21

Shoes + Aldo

Watts up?

 

I think my mom was the first person to tell me about Watts Towers. Many a hippie in her day had sojourned to the depths of South Central to see this magnificent work of art.  Ever since I found out about the towers, I knew that one day I would visit.  The visit I had this weekend was definitely long overdue, but I'm happy to say that I can finally scratch this little Los Angeles adventure off of the list!

I think the most amazing thing about this piece is that it was created by one person, Simon Rodia, who worked tirelessly for over thirty years to create his masterpiece.  Then, when it was done, he simply gave the ownership of the property to his neighbor and walked away,  leaving behind a legacy that in its own way, paid homage to the legacies of his heroes- Da Vinci, Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus.

Its really like nothing you have ever seen! Everyone in Los Angeles should give it a visit. Even if you are not from L.A., it is definitely worth your while to make a little detour over to Watts Towers.  Tours are $7 which includes access to a small art exhibit in their visitor center and a short documentary. To find out when you can go view the property, click here.

It was a hot day in Watts and we didn't eat any breakfast, so we decided to try Hawkins House of Burgers.  It was pretty damn tasty.  Brian really liked his fat egg cheese burger, and my fish sandwich was perfectly cooked.  The onion rings are awesome, too!

We decided that we were on a roll and so on the way home we stopped by another Los Angeles landmark, Randy's Donuts in Inglewood, Ca.  I love the 50s vibe, and don't be fooled by the kitschiness, these donuts are REALLY good. We got two jelly filled for two bucks!  Can't beat that. :)

Sunglasses + Vintage

80s shirt + Thrifted

Jean Skirt + Thrifted

Shoes + Vans

zoooooooommmmm ouuuuuuuuuuuutttttttttt  :)

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