The city of Temecula is approximately 58 miles (93 km) north of downtown San Diego and 85 miles (137 km) southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Temecula is bordered by the city of Murrieta to the north and the Pechanga Indian Reservation and San Diego County to the south. Temecula had a population of 100,097 during the 2010 census and an estimated population of 114,761 as of July 1, 2019. It was incorporated on December 1, 1989

Lodging

We wanted to make sure we stayed at the wine county close to the wineries and the old town. We chose the South Coast Winery Resort and Spa and we loved the location. Great views as well not to mention the close proximity to more than a few other wineries as well. Right at the entrance of the resort, there is also a large grapefruit tree nursery which looked amazing. The hotel (and the wine county itself) during the winter season is not as beautiful as during the summer so have that in mind when planning. You definitely want to come and visit when everything is green! The resort looks great. They also offer balloon rides and various other unique experiences.

The resort is also about 15 minutes from Old Town and about 10 from various shopping plazas etc. Since we made our first visit during the winter season we are now planning another trip during the summer for that balloon ride and the green vistas :).

The resort food was not great during our stay. We did not like most of the dishes we tried. Their filet mignon was the only thing we actually liked. For breakfast, we did the Le Coffee Shop in the old town which was awesome. Great food and coffee. We did try the recommended Toast breakfast place but it was not nearly as good as Le Coffee in our opinion. For dinner, we loved the Hana Sushi #6. Probably one of the best sushi we have had in a long time. Here is a list of the resturants and breweries in the region.

Things To See

The main destinations for us in Temecula were the Old Town, the wine country wineries, and the Ricardo Breceda Gallery & Sculpture Garden. We did want to also do the balloon ride but postponed it for our next visit during the summer. We would do breakfast and lunch chilling in the Old Town and then spend some time in the wineries. Our stay felt short since we really enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and the beautiful views.

Wine Country

You can spend a few days wine tasting at the various beautiful wineries. A good amount of them have “transformed” to resorts and offer lodging and various other amenities as well. We visited during the winter season and all the great views were brown and dull vs green and beautiful. During the summer the wine country looks completely different. The wines we tried were pretty good and the atmosphere is very relaxing and great for a family getaway. For a list of the wineries and local shops click here.

The Old Town

We loved this place. Every breakfast during out stay at Temecula was in there. It gets very busy in the afternoon and the main street gets packed. Various old school bikers and classic rides can also be found traversing the city. Many buildings have that wild wild west look which we loved. You can walk across the town in about 30 mins. Overall it is a great to see place and we loved our time there.

Ricardo Breceda Gallery & Sculpture Garden

During our travels in California we started noticing these scrap metal statues at various locations. We found quite a few of them during our road trip to Anza Borego. It turns out in Temecula Ricardo Breceda (the sculptor) has his main gallery and office. That was an awesome surprise for us since we are big fans of his work. His gallery was about twenty minutes from our resort so it was no brainer to explore it. We also met him there. Very nice and humble artist. If you have a chance to visit his gallery do so you wound not be disappointed. It is an awesome place for kids as well.

Overall we truly enjoyed our stay in Temecula. The old town and the wine country are great places to relax and enjoy some time with family and loved ones. With the number of wineries there, it is certain you will find the right cup of wine for any occasion. Don’t forget also to try the balloon ride which this region is also known for.

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The only long drive part of the trip is the initial drive to the Napa Valley which is ~ six hours. We did it in this way since we are familiar with that drive already and we really wanted to get to Napa quickly. It just feels you are on a vacation once you are in Napa for some reason :). After that things are smooth and the ride is enjoyable to Lake Tahoe and Big Sur. So lets breakdown the stops.

LA to Napa Valley, CA ~6-hour drive

As I mentioned already this is the longest drive. It is also not the most interesting one. The main reason for us to want to get through it as quick as possible and start the next day fresh in Napa Valley. You can of course stay at a hotel somewhere in the middle and make it easier from the driving perspective. Once in Napa life is good and with a good meal and a glass of wine, your vacation has officially begun. At least it always feels that way for us when in that place. You can read more about our Napa Valley experience here as well as recommended places to stay.

Day 3 – Nappa Valley to Lake Tahoe, CA ~3-hour drive

Now that drive is a whole different story. Not very long and filled with great landscapes and vista points. It might take you more than three hours if you stop frequently (like we do) so have that in mind. Lake Tahoe was the main goal of our trip so we spend about five days there. You can read more about our Lake Tahoe experience here.

Day 7 – Lake Tahoe to Monterey, CA ~5-hour drive

You have tons of options here. Monterey, Carmel By The Sea, or even Napa Valley (again) are all great stops for the night. We were already familiar with Carmel so we decided to explore Monterey for a day. Also, we chose to drive more that day so we could have extra time the next one when driving through the Big Sur. You almost never have enough time to truly enjoy the Pacific Coast Highway. So many awesome vista points, trails, and beaches to visit. Anyway, before we get there here are a few of the shots we took from Monterey.

Day 8 – Monterey, Big Sur & San Luis Obispo, CA ~3-hour drive

After having a great breakfast in Monterey at the amazing Crapes of Brittany we drove through the one and only Big Sur. Although the Pacific Highway is one road, how you go about driving through it and where you stop is all up to you. We practically stop and almost every vista point and trail looking for another breathtaking view. One thing we found out is that the vista points at the beginning have more accessible coastal views than those closer to LA. They also have more interesting rock formations and less beach area. Just something to have in mind.

We stopped at the Rugged Point for lunch and then ended up spending the night and the most unusual hotel we have visited in CA. The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. The hotel is quite difficult to be described in one word.

So many colors and different styles. Each room has a different story and decor. Overall good place for one night and for the experience. The service was good overall. Food-wise we were not impressed at all. Few options close by that we could also recommend are Morro Bay and Pismo Beach. Both we have visited before and we liked as destinations and for things to see and explore.

Day 9 – San Luis Obispo to LA ~3-hour drive

Driving back depending on where you stayed you can either take your time or just get home and get ready for whatever is next on your schedule. We were not impressed that much by the Madonna Inn and since we have already been to Pismo Beach and Morro Bay decided to just get home and get ready for the next week.

Overall this was one of the better road trips we have done and by far the best in 2020 (so far). Great landscapes, awesome food, wine, and relaxation. Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe are hard to beat as a vacation destinations. Big Sur never disappoints with its beautiful coastal views. We absolutely had a blast. Hope you would too if you decide to use the same itinerary.

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Lodging

Our stay at Lake Tahoe was the last part of a road trip starting from LA and going through Napa Valley. We spend about 5 days near the Heavenly Tahoe Village in the Edgewood Tahoe Resort. An absolutely awesome hotel which we booked at a discount via the Five Star Alliance website. Right on the lake with great views, amenities, golf course, and service.

The number of choices when it comes to hotels and places to stay around Lake Tahoe is quite large. We picked the Edgewood Tahoe Resort since it was so close to the Heavenly Village and also was right on the lake. Price-wise there are significantly less expensive hotels in that vicinity. For us, Heavenly Village proximity however was key since we love the food and the shops there (more about those below).

Heavenly Village

One thing we remembered from our winter trip to Lake Tahoe was the awesome Heavenly Village. Its packed with great restaurants and gift shops and entertainment for all ages. Starbucks, Pizza, Burgers, Magic shows, ice skating (during the winter season) mini gold (during the summer season) you name it. Highly recommended. It has plenty of parking garages and places to park. There are quite a few hotels as well build around it since it really is the central point especially during the winter season.

Food

Heavenly Village was our favorite place to visit at launch and dinner time. By far the best pizza in town is at Base Camp Pizza. Awesome place! We loved every bite of every pizza there and we were there daily. Highly recommended. Another equally awesome place was California Burger Co. Their burgers and shakes were to die for. Between those two places and our hotel (plus the occasional Whole Foods trip for fruits), we were all set.

Things To See

It is hard to go over all the places to visit in Lake Tahoe. There are so many great nature trails, vistas, and things to do. We started with a few places we knew we had to see and from there did all the trials and vistas around them. Since we always travel with our son hiking for a very long time usually is somewhat of an issue :).

Emerald Bay / Emerald Bay State Park

Emerald Bay needs no introduction. It hosts one of the most beautiful vistas of Lake Tahoe. The actual stop you see on the photos is a very short climb from the parking lot so do not worry you do not need to go any extra hiking etc to get to that magnificent viewpoint. The only issue is the number of people there and finding a place to park.

It also has a great hiking trail called the Rubicon Trail down to the actual lake (and much further). There is an old castle there called Vikingsholm as well as a small beach. During our visit, the beach was packed and there were tons of boats in the lake as well. Probably it is a good idea to go there early if you are hoping to get a nice stop at the lake.

East Shore Trail

If you are into biking surrounded by nature and amazing views this is the trail for you. Brand new bike trail built around the coastal line of the lake. It is the start of a much bigger project which aims at surrounding a large part of the lake with a biking trail. We loved it. Bikes were not something we brought with us so we walked for about 2 miles and it was a great experience. If you plan to go there you should bring a bike or just rent one at the parking (there is a huge bike renting place). Overall one of the best and easy trails we experienced.

Sand Harbor

Sand Harbor is located along State Route 28, just three miles south of Incline Village. The area offers 55 acres of paradise – expansive sandy beaches, rocky coves, and panoramic views of the east shoreline.  Swimmers and scuba divers enjoy the interesting rock formations, gently sloping beaches, and Lake Tahoe’s trademark crystal clear water.

Sand Harbor was packed during our visit. Tons of people and kids jumping from rocks and enjoying the crystal clear waters. Arriving there early is a must if you are planning to spend a good amount on the beach or taking photos of the awesome rocks scattered everywhere. There is a large parking lot but it was completely full most of the time we drove by that side of the lake. Overall one of the best places to see the lake, its clear water, and the rock formations. There also were decent bathrooms and other amenities next to the parking lot which was great.

Camp Richardson

We passed through Camp Richardson and spend time exploring one of the trails there as well as spending some time on the beach. This was the most packed area we experienced during our trip. The famous restaurant there (The Beacon Bar & Grill) was booked an hour in advance, the beach was as full as it possibly could be and there were tons of boats and kayaks in the lake. Overall that was the happening place if you are looking for one in Lake Tahoe.

Incline Village Trail & Crystal Bay

We found this trail by accident while driving around the lake. We were really just looking for a place to park since literally every possible spot where a car could be parked was taken. In the end, we got a ticket since we parked on a spot from which the “No parking” spot was not visible at all. In any case, it was well worth the parking ticket. Great location with amazingly clear water views. Absolutely worth the time hiking to get to the bottom.

Fallen Leaf Lake

Fallen Leak Lake is a very interesting place. It is a smaller lake measuring approximately 2.9 miles (4.6 km) on the long axis and 0.9 miles (1.4 km) on the short axis. The lake was created by at least two glaciers that traveled northward down the Glen Alpine Valley. Another nice thing to see there is the Glen Alpine Falls on Glen Alpine Creek. Those are a short hike from Fallen Leaf Lake.

Conclusion

Lake Tahoe is a busy place regardless of the season. We have seen it during the winter and the summer seasons and during both it is packed. The nature and the amazing views are hard to beat. That with the combination of great food and drinks makes it an absolutely great vacation destination place. We truly enjoyed our stay there and would highly recommend it for a family getaway, road trip or a vacation.

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Death Valley is the largest, hottest, driest, and the park with the lowest elevation in North America. It is an absolutely amazing national park and almost always in the top five parks to visit in the USA. We went there during the worst possible time (end of August) and we truly understood why Furnace Creek was named so. It was the hottest place we have ever been to in our lives. When the wind was blowing it did not bring any joy … it felt like it brought molten lava on your skin. It was scorching hot, 120 degrees hot! The silver lining was that the park was practically empty and a few of the days we were there the weather was in the low 90s. Also, most of the places we wanted to see were the only ones there. Having the Racetrack Playa, Ubehebe Crater, etc only for us was truly priceless! No lines, no cars, no people, just you and the wilderness.

We drove from Los Angeles and it took us about five hours with some occasional traffic. Please note that although we were with 4×4 SUV (Subaru Forester) it was not sufficient to get us to some of the park attractions without upgrading the tires to all-terrain ones. Since we did not have these we suffered a punctured tire one of the days and we had to jump through hoops to fix it. On the next day, we just rented a Jeep with the right setup and we went whenever we wanted with zero concerns. This is especially true for the Racetrack Playa.

Quick Summary

• Sunset: See at Dante’s View
• Sunrise: See at Zabriskie Point
• Most Unique Attraction: The Racetrack Playa

Lodging

There are not many places to stay in the park. Right next to Furnace Creek there is an awesome hotel called The Inn at Death Valley. It looks and feels like an oasis in the desert. It has all the things you would expect from a four-star hotel and we truly enjoyed our stay there.

Things to see

The park is humongous. It has attractions to see which can easily take an entire day driving for a round trip. Some of them are packed and close to Furnace Creek but The Racetrack, Ubehebe Crater, and others would take you good three-plus hours one way to get to. Here are the things we were able to see and really enjoy:

Eureka Valley Sand Dunes

This trip is the one we had trouble with our 4×4 Subaru Forester. The road is rough and it does require all-terrain tires. The drive is long and there is no reception or super spotty one you can not rely on at all. So if you are going in that direction make sure you are properly equipped and have tons of water with you. Due to the fact it was so hot that day we reached the dunes but did not hike them etc. We were the only living souls there and it was truly a unique experience. During the winter season, this would be an absolute must-see attraction. Note that if you do not plan to hike the dunes this attraction might not be worth the risks during the summer.

Ubehebe Crater

The Ubehebe Crater is on the way to the Racetrack Playa and most of the people do both in one trip. It is absolutely worth stopping there. The view is magnificent. We visited this crater two times and both it was just us and the few birds flying over the crater. There are plenty of great views around the crater as well as hikes you could takedown. You also get an awesome view of the valley around the crater.

Racetrack Playa

This to us was the columniation of our adventure. It was a long drive on some unforgiving gravel/rocky roads but it was absolutely worth it. The Racetrack is famous for its flat valley and the rocks which leave tracks on the desert floor. Like they are alive and move on their own. It has been a mystery for quite some time.

Just like most of the other places we were the only human beings on the racetrack. It was truly ours for the few hours we stayed there and it felt magical. The fact that that day it also rained and the temperature was in the low 90s also helped! The drive is long and slow. You need a proper SUV with the right tires to make it. We rented a Jeep with all-terrain tires at Furnace Creek. They tell you when you get the car that you can not drive more than 10 miles per hour on the gravel road. They do not tell you right away however that more than 75% of the road is gravel/rocky road. Going there takes time since you also do not know exactly what to expect.

Note that the photos below do not show the bad sections of the road where you drive over small to medium size rocks. Driving more than 10 miles per hour felt risky on the way there and we kept it around that speed.

For those of you who still wonder how do those famous rocks move in the RaceTrack Playa here is the mystery explained. We witnessed the tracks ourselves. There were plenty of them all around the floor.

Artist’s Palette

This attraction is one of the few that are close to Furnace Creek and easy to reach. Roads are perfect and all you need is to pack and move out of the car to enjoy this beautiful landscape. Overall one of the better and more colorful attractions to see in the park.

Badwater Basin

We truly wanted to walk the mile or so “hike” and reach the end of the Badwater Basin but it was not realistic due to the 115 degrees weather that day. It is a unique walk and if the weather allows it we think it is worth it. This was by far the busiest place we encountered in the park. It is in close proximity to the Furnace Creek and can easily be visited in combination with other ones (like the Nature Bridge, Artist’s Palette, etc).

Devil’s Golf Course

It is not a real golf course of-course but it is truly a unique desert-like landscape. Everywhere you look there is only desert and dried land. It is just off the main road and can easily be combined with the Badwater Basin, Artist’s Palette and others to be visited in one day.

Dante’s View

By far the best view of the entire park is at Dante’s View. The road is great and well maintained. You can also visit the Zabriskie Point on your way. This also is the best place to enjoy the sunset and stargaze since it is at a high elevation (almost 5,500 ft). It does get busy so have that in mind. Especially if you plan to take pictures of the sunset make sure you are there early. Plenty of tripods with cameras were there on our arrival.

Zabriskie Point

On the road to Dante’s View, you can stop and see one of the better and more colorful mountain landscapes at Zabriskie Point. If you stay at The Inn it is 15 minutes drive. We visited this attraction two times since during the day it is very exposed and the shadows ruin the pictures. At sunrise, this was one of the best views we experienced in the park. The viewpoint has 360 degrees view of the different color hills and it is a nice place to just sit and relax enjoying the landscapes. With some coffee that is one of the best ways to start your morning while in the Desert Valley National Park.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

If you plan to climb any of the dunes in Death Valley our recommendation would be to try the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. They are very close to the main road and you can simply park and start hiking on the sand. There are bathrooms and plenty of parking there as well. Hiking the Eureka Sand Dunes is a lot harder and it takes hours to get to them via a harsh gravel/rocky road requiring special tires and 4×4 vehicles etc.

Rhyolite, Nevada

Death Valley is also famous for its ghost towns. One of them is Rhyolite. Although it’s not actually in the park or even in California. It’s just off of nearby border town Beatty, Nevada, and from 1905 to 1911 it was known as the “Queen City.” We visited the remains of this town on our way out of the park and we left it with mixed feelings. Most of the buildings had fences around them and you could not really get into any of them. There were a bunch of ghost statues and few abandoned cars etc but overall nothing like what we expected.

Conclusion

Overall Death Valley National Park was one of our most memorable adventures. The park is humongous and easy to get lost if you do not follow the main roads. The park during the summer is insanely hot and unwelcoming if you do not like (or can deal with) hot weather. The attractions are so unique and different that it makes it hard to compare with other parks in the USA. The main roads are in great condition and most of the places have proper signs. If you are into the off-road attractions Death Valley would not disappoint and can offer plenty of places to visit and enjoy. For us personally, Dante’s View and the Racetrack Playa were the most interesting and memorable attractions. The first one due to the 100-mile view of the park and the other since it is so unique and with so much history. Overall Death Valley is a blast and we highly recommend it!

Links

• Death Valley National Park Web Site
• Death Valley Wikipedia page / Weather & monthly temperatures
• The Inn at Death Valley Booking Page

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Road to Napa Valley

We flew to San Francisco and drove to Napa Valley. It was a mistake. Driving instead was the better choice. There are just so many places where you just want to stop and enjoy the view, relax, and take a deep breath. Missing on that for saving an hour now in retrospect seems like a planning oversight on our part.

One thing we did not make a mistake on was to skip the Golden Gate Bridge and its famous Vista Point. That we enjoyed a lot even with the extreme wind in our faces! Needless to say our plans to fly our drone there were completely ruined. We actually ended up going to the bridge two times since the weather was even worst the first time with mist & clouds completely covering the bridge. So if you considering that route and leaving from San Francisco make sure you stop at that point. It is worth it even if you do it twice due to the weather 🙂

Lodging

Napa Valley is a very busy place and you need to pre-book in advance. Especially if you want to stay close to the happening places or wineries. We booked very late and were lucky enough to find a good room at The Meritage Resort and Spa. The resort is located about five miles from downtown Napa. The location, rooms, breakfast, and amenities were great. We do recommend it and we would stay there again in the future.

Things to do

There are more than 450 wineries in the Napa Valley so not visiting at least some of them would be a crime! Many of them are tourist attractions with castles, fountains, and breathtaking scenery. Not to mention the amazing wines you can taste and enjoy while being there. We visited a few of the more famous wineries as well as some of the parks. We also spend a good amount of time in Napa as well as Sonoma Downtown areas.

Napa Downtown

Since it was just 5 miles from our hotel we started in downtown Napa. Filled with various high-end restaurants and with a riverside view we loved our time there. We would never forget our dinner at the Morimoto Napa. It will remain as one of the absolute best tasting meals we have ever tried. Absolutely blew away everything else we dared to taste during our trip or any other trip we have done in a long time.

We also spend some time walking the main streets and exploring the stores and small shops there. Most of the places were on the high-end price-wise which was expected. The chocolate and ice cream stores were top notch and we truly enjoyed those. You can also have a nice walk around the riverside or relax at the small park there. Overall a great small town with beautiful scenery, great bars, and restaurants with a focus on wine drinking and testing as I am sure you would have guessed by now. Prices are on the higher end however so have that in mind.

Right next to the downtown (crossing the Napa Valley Wine Train railroad) you can also find the Napa campus of the Culinary Institute of America. Unfortunately, when we were there it was completely closed (COVID 19). The property however looked beautiful. It was highly recommended to us. There are plenty of things to do there during its open hours so have that in mind when planning your itinerary and you are into wines and cooking.

In the plaza next to it, you can also find the Oxbow Public Market. A highly recommended place for groceries, lunch, and keepsakes. Plenty of places to eat and things to buy. If you are into oysters you should check the oyster bar they have inside. Overall we loved the place.

Sonoma Downtown

We felt that Sonoma Downtown was nicer and more relaxing overall than Napa Downtown. The beautiful parks and historic buildings really gave it a different atmosphere which we really liked. We spend some time at a few of the restaurants & shops there as well as relaxing at the main park enjoying some homemade ice cream.

Artesa Winery

This was one of the first wineries on our list due to the recommendations we got for its beauty and architecture. It was everything we were told to expect and more. Inside and out this winery is a beautiful piece of modern architecture. Various fountains & sculptures on the property as well as a great overview of the valley. Official link to the winery website.

Sterling Winery

Now not a lot of wineries at the Napa Valley can say that they have their own cable car on the premisses. Although we felt that wait times were not worth the cable car the end experience was unique and enjoyable once in the car itself. The architecture and state of the building were not up to par with the Artesa winery but the commanding view of the valley did impress us. Also, the entrance to the winery was especially beautiful. If you have a chance to go there make sure you do it in the afternoon where it is not as crazy and the road is empty. It is the perfect place for pictures. Official link to the winery website.

Castello di Amorosa Castle & Winery

This was our pick overall in terms of wines, atmosphere, and scenery. Everything about this winery screams Napa Valley. From the actual castle that it is to the breathtaking landscapes around it. We really could not leave and it seemed we were not alone. The place was really packed. It was closed for visits without reservations until 5 PM. It closes at 7 PM so if you have no reservation you have still a few hours in the afternoon. Once you go down to the underground level and taste the wines you really do not want to go or do anything else. The staff was super friendly and the store was packed with anything you can imagine related to wine. Highly recommended. Official link to the winery website.

Beringer Winery

Beringer was recommended to us as one of the most relaxing and kid-friendly wineries. It really was. Everything was laid out beautifully with playgrounds and various seating gardens. There was live music and quite a few families with children just enjoying their wine and conversations. Really great atmosphere which we truly enjoyed.
Official link to the winery website.

V. Sattui Winery

The least amount of time we spent was in the V. Sattui Winery since it was packed with events and we did not have a chance to really explore it. We did like the scenery and the atmosphere and the fact that both times we passed through it it was really busy speaks enough about the wine and cuisine offered there. It was family-friendly with more than a few gardens and places to sit and enjoy the wine. If you plan to explore and taste the wines make sure you buy the pass otherwise the experience is somewhat limited as the main area is closed.
Official link to the winery website.

The Valley

Overall Napa Valley is a beautiful place even without any visits and tours to the hundreds of wineries there. Just driving through it is an amazing experience. Miles of green vineyards intertwined with the yellow burned from the sun grass. We kept stopping every chance we got to just look and enjoy the landscapes. If you are wondering if you should spend the extra money on a Napa trip lets us make it easier for you. Do it! If you can realistically afford it … do it! It is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in the USA.

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Big Bear Lake was inhabited by the indigenous Serrano people for over 2,000 years before it was explored by Benjamin Wilson and his party. Once populated by only the natives and the grizzly bears, from which the area received its name. Grizzly bears were not found in the region after 1908. Today, there are black bears in the region since their introduction in 1933, and they are sometimes sighted in residential areas.

It is a very popular destination during almost all seasons. In the winter its ski resorts are packed and during the summer it is an amazing place for a family trip. We visited it during the month of May and the weather was perfect. The lake is by no means the size of the Crater Lake but its big brother is located quite high at 6,790 to 7,200 ft (2,070 to 2,190 m) elevation.

The city itself is significantly less crowded than during the winter season. If you want a relaxing time at the lake there are plenty of places to stop and fish or just relax. The Big Bear Lake Village is also a great place to spend time shopping and dining. There are plenty of restaurants for lunch and dinner as well as some quite nice desert locations.

The village itself is quite colorful. You can find a lot of handmade wooden statues of various animals placed around the main street. If you drive around the lake you would find that this is a common theme and many of the houses and businesses have those displayed next to their buildings. It gives the city a very unique vibe.

Food

If you are staying in any of the hotels/resorts and would like to have an amazing breakfast outside you should try the Grizzly Manor Cafe. We loved every single bite there and would absolutely recommend it. We found it by “Yelping” and it did not disappoint at all. It is always packed so have that in mind when you do your planning.

Getting there

Getting to Big Bear Lake is an adventure by itself. One filled with a long winding road and amazing views. If you have the time do not rush and spend some time at the many pullouts along the road. Some of the views there are really breathtaking.

Overall if you are in the mood of spending time outside and enjoying nature Big Bear Lake would not disappoint. During the winter season, the place is truly alive and buzzing with people. In the warmer months, it is much less busy and offers tons of outside activities. There are plenty of lodging places and more than a few highly rated restaurants.

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We “designed” the trip to have no more than three and a half hours drive each day. Since we are traveling with a small child more time than that spent in the car gets really tricky for us. Feel free to change and experiment with the locations. We decided to have our overnight stops in Moro Bay, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Pismo Beach. We left after 7 PM on Friday and came back on Monday. You could also leave on Saturday but we wanted to start fresh at Moro Bay and not drive that same day to Moro and then from it to Big Sur.

LA to Moro Bay, CA ~3 ½ hour drive

As we mentioned before we left on Friday around 7 PM so technically the first three and a half-hour drive was done then. We got to the hotel in Moro Bay around 11 PM. We spent more than half of the day there. You can read more about our Moro Bay experience here. In the afternoon we drove through the Big Sur and reached Carmel-by-the-Sea around 9 PM.

Day 1 – Moro Bay to Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA ~3 hour drive

The most beautiful and breathtaking views were as expected while driving through the Big Sur. The coastal views are something else. We were extremely lucky to actually drive through the entire Big Sur. As we found out less than a month before our trip a huge piece of it was entirely shut down for a very long time. Even google navigation still though it was closed and rerouted us most of the time to go through US 101 instead of US 1.

We stopped at Rugged Point to have lunch, rest, and explore the famous portal to Big Sur. The food was quite good and the views worth stopping for. As a matter of fact, we also stopped there on our way back.

We spent the night near Carmel-by-the-Sea and we were ready for more adventures the next day.

Day 2 – Carmel-by-the-Sea to Pismo Beach, CA ~3 hour drive

By design, we wanted to drive through Big Sur twice in two consecutive days. We just heard so much about it that we did not want to miss an opportunity to take photos, fly our drone as well as fully enjoy the views. This is why both days we basically spent driving on the same Highway 1 just in different directions.

Now we also drove through the famous 17-mile drive near the Carmel-by-the-Sea. Overall we were not impressed. We felt that the views were sub-par and the feeling that you are bothering people with double-digit million-dollar houses was always there. Plenty of high fences and walls on the way and you just feel like you are in someone else’s backyard. Not what we expected overall. It also was very crowded to a point where you had to wait to take a decent picture or even enjoy the view without people getting on your way. Here are some pictures from the 17-mile drive:

Now you can of course change the drive back to Pismo Beach as shown on the road trip map. Instead of Highway 1, you can go through US 101. It would be faster but far less picturesque. So after our second stop in two days at the Rugged Point for lunch, we continued to Pismo Beach. You can read more about our stay in Pismo Beach here.

Day 3 – Pismo Beach to LA ~ 3 hour drive

Note that when coming back from Big Sur if you are still on Highway 1 you will pass through San Simeon and the famous Elephant Seal viewpoint. If you have half an hour consider stopping there and seeing the extraordinary amount of seals that rest and chill on the beach. The best time to visit would be the end of and the beginning of the year. You can of course do this on your way to Big Sur instead of on your way back. We were there the second week of February and there was an insane number of seals resting there.

Overall this trip was an absolute blast. Plenty of driving but man it was worth it. The coastal views and the beautiful nature everywhere makes this one of the road trips everyone should experience when in California. If you are planning a trip do not hesitate to put Big Sur on your map. It is as good as advertised and more!

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Our Visit

We spend one day in Pismo on our way back from Big Sur. We really enjoyed the city. Spend most of the day around the pier and on the beach. Early in the morning we flew our drone around the pier and enjoyed the sunrise. After 9AM the pier really gets alive and quite busy. Once the sun is out all the stores and restaurants open and it is a great place to explore.

Food & Lodging

We stayed right on the coast line with a view of the ocean. The hotel was SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel and we definitely will go back. Great views, nice and cozy rooms, and awesome overall location. The hotel has few pools and it is also just a few mins drive from the pier and the beach.

As far as food is concerned there are more than a few highly rated places there for breakfast and lunch. We decided to try the Splash Cafe for its famous clam chowder. It did not disappoint as far as the clam chowder was concerned. It was really really good. However, we did not like the other dishes we tried so have that in mind if you are going there. Also, this place is crazy busy and if you are going afternoon to eat the line sometimes goes beyond a street block.

Another thing to consider is Pismo Beach is about one hour drive from San Simeon where the famous Elephant Seals lookout is located. The viewing area is right off of Highway 1 before you get to the Big Sur Coast. It is worth the stop. It is not every day you see that many seals in one place:

Overall Pismo Beach was worth visiting. The pier is awesome to sit and enjoy the coastal view. The restaurants are quite busy and the main street is packed. People are definitely enjoying their time in Pismo. It is also the perfect location to stay overnight if you are going to or coming back from Big Sur.

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Morro Bay is considered a must-see on your trip to Big Sur on State Route 1. We visited it as part of our road trip and it was the first location where we stayed overnight. The city is very relaxed and perfect for a few days stay. There are a lot of things to do there as well as more than a few great restaurants and bakeries.

Attractions

Morro Rock is a volcanic plug in Morro Bay, California, on the Pacific Coast at the entrance to Morro Bay harbor. A causeway connects it with the shore, making it a tied island. The rock is protected as the Morro Rock State Preserve.

Other than Morro Rock there are plenty of other things to do as well. Whale watching tours, cruises, various kayaks, and other water sports events are available. Our stay was only for a day so Morro Rock, the main street, and the beach were our main destinations.

Food & Lodging

We stayed at 456 Embarcadero Inn & Suites and we really liked the hotel. It is located right on the main street (Embarcadero) right next to most of the stores and restaurants. If you want to fly your drone or take pictures it is just a perfect location since across the street is basically the bay.

Food-wise there were plenty of options. Our favorite was Frankie & Lola’s Front Street Cafe. Their famous “french toast brûlée, soufflé flambé” was to die for. If you have a chance to be there for breakfast or lunch this desert is really something special.

Another packed place we passed by and very much recommended by the locals was Giovanni’s Fish Market. There was a line of people from the moment it opened which usually tells you all you need to know about the food there. They also had quite a long list of fresh fish, crab, etc.

Conclusion

Overall we really liked the relaxed feeling of Morro Bay. We would come back again to spend a few days exploring the city as well as spending some time on the beach. We felt that two full days would probably be sufficient to cover and experience fully the city and its attractions.

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The Arts District is strategically located near the center of Downtown LA making it easier accessible for alternate forms of transportation. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Gold Line station is located along Alameda St. The cross-section streets are along East First St. and East Temple St. The small neighborhood is also serviced by the Los Angeles Department of Transportations (LADOT) DASH bus making several stops on Hewitt St.

Influenced by the art on those buildings a lot of galleries have opened up to showcase some amazing pieces of art as well. Plenty of good places to eat, explore, and have fun. It has the same vibe and feels like Miami Wynwood although we give the advantage to Miami due to the huge variety of the artworks and sheer size. If you are a fan of graffiti art and street art overall this place and the one in Miami are an absolute must-see. We are huge fans of both and for us, it was a no-brainer.

Things To Do

Honestly, while there you should try to explore and see as much of the murals and street art as you can. Some of the pieces are just insane. I mean in some cases entire building facades were used as a canvas!

In other cases, they are just small, beautiful, and clever. Like two wings which by design are incomplete and out of place on a wall. But once you are next to them … its a masterpiece 🙂

And the work done is so precise and detailed that makes you wonder how is this even possible with a spray can? I mean the “Abuelita” mural must have taken those artists’ days to complete. Not to mention how do you see the entire picture when you are on a ladder working on the hair? Or the glasses? In any case, you would not be sorry for taking your time in LA to see these.

There are also quite a few museums that are free to the public:
Art Share LA, Hauser & Wirth, DENK Gallery, A+D Museum, etc.

Food

Once we got somewhat tired of all the picture taking and mural displays we went for a snack at Wurstkuche. This place is as good as it is hard to read! Exotic grilled sausages with meat combinations that we never thought possible. For example:

How about that? I mean never in my lifetime I would think that I will be eating a Rattlesnake & Rabbit sausage in Downtown LA. And believe me, it was absolutely amazing! The whole place was very nicely done with crazy sausage choices and a relaxing atmosphere.

Other places to eat include Church & State, Bestia, the Factory Kitchen, the Daily dose, Officine Brera, etc. For dessert, we tried the Pie Hole which was nice. Other options include Salt & Straw, Van Leeuwen Artisanal Ice Cream, Mikawaya, etc.

If you are looking for a drink then look no further. The Los Angeles Arts District has plenty to offer. There are quite a few great places like Angel City Brewery, Arts District Brewing Co, Pour Haus Wine Bar, Villains Tavern, Mumford Brewing Co, Eighty Two, etc.

Overall we loved it. We went to walk around and enjoy some street art, get a snack or two and maybe a beer … or two. It was everything we thought it would be and more 🙂

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