From girls going on boys weekend to crashing a sabbatical to staying home and doing nothing, my Memorial Day weekend 2017 plans have been in flux for weeks—and they still are. I want to go somewhere, but somewhere Nali can go, that’s an easy drive, and is cheap. Easy, right? Nah, I’ll probably end up staycationing. In case any Southern Californians are also dreaming up last-minute Memorial Day travel plans, here’s what I’m looking at:
MEXICO!
Potentially dicey for three girls rolling solo, starts with a 3-hour drive, leave early am Saturday. Arrive in Rosarito, drop bags at Hacienda Rancho Santini, and proceed to eat all the foods: katherinebelarmino.com/2014/07/rosarito-beach-restaurants aka eat all the lobsters. And tacos. All the homemade amazing tortillas. Enjoy beach time.
SUNDAY, head to Valle de Guadalupe which is “the Napa of Mexico” which is to say it’s probably a lot more like Temecula … nonetheless WINE!! agringoinmexico.com/2014/04/07/valle-de-guadalupe-spend-a-great-day-in-bajas-wine-country
OJAI
Dirty hippie mecca, right? Featuring what is sure to be a terrible drive through LA, but otherwise meets my conditions. orangecoast.com/features/farm-table-ojai-foodie-road-trip/
Campsites are sold out at nearby Lake Casitas …
… but that wouldn’t matter if we were backpacking to some hot springs, right?? norcalhiker.com/backpacking-sespe-hot-springs It’s 15 miles out and 15 back, so too much for poor Nali unless we broke it up—but given her recent hiking aptitude, could be too much no matter what.
CAMPING IN ARIZONA
Farther than I wanted to drive but great-looking hikes. theoutbound.com/chaco/the-best-waterfall-hikes-in-arizona
CAMPING IN BAKERSFIELD
Wind Wolves Preserve >>> referred by my fab realtor Sarah Sitar.
STAYCATION!
Despite the over-used name, there are plenty of places I’ve yet to explore in the wide world that is Orange County—and I never go to LA if I can help it—and for it being what convinced me to move to the beach, I don’t spend nearly enough time in San Diego. If I stay, this is on my list:
OC
- Brunch at JFAT in Dana Point, because I’ve been wanting to
eatdrink their Meal Mary, an epic Bloody Mary, for forever. - Wine tasting at J Grady Select (shhhhh it’s the new hush-hush cool-kids tasting spot, and you’d never know it from the website—intentional?! Ooooooh so sneaky)
- See the secret Laguna Beach lighthouse…
- Surf, dangit. Straight outside my house.
LA
- Norton Simon Museum – honestly, no idea why this museum is tickling my fancy right now. But it is.
- Grab a workout (and beer next door!) at my friend’s new studio in DTLA: Sanctuary Fitness.
- See my baby cousins that I love.
SD
- Lion’s Den Tattoo Studio – owned by a friend, not sayin’ I’m thinking tattoos but I just wanna see my buddy!
- Uhhhh … other cool San Diego stuff? Breweries? Breweries!
Friends: Anything I’m missing from this list—potential road trips or staycation spots?!