Hello and Happy Monday!
This past weekend basically felt like summer here, it was crazy! And the timing couldn’t have been more perfect because my best friend Michelle came down for a visit. In just 48 hours, we covered a LOT of ground, both by foot and by car, ate like queens, and had the best time!
Saturday morning, we started off slowly with some coffee and a small breakfast at home before setting out for a beach walk in Santa Monica. After an hour or so of that (it was HOT), we decided to grab iced coffees at my favorite spot along Main Street, Dogtown Coffee. My absolutely favorite drink of all time is there Salty Dog – it’s an iced coffee with salted caramel foam. (Also I must’ve forgotten to snap a photo so that’s one from the last time I was there…oops!)
Post-coffee and walking, we headed to Pono Burger nearby for lunch. I’d been once before on a date with Alex almost three years ago, so it was nice to go back!
They obviously have some seriously amazing burgers, but we also tried their homemade potato chips, avocado dip, sweet potato fries with bacon aioli, superfood burger collard wrap. All were absolutely delicious!! I also love that everything is locally and sustainably sourced, not to mention affordable!
The afternoon took us down to Orange County where we would spend the next few hours walking along THAT beach (I told you we covered a lot of ground!) and grabbing some chocolate covered bananas – that’s the specialty down there, so if you ever go, you HAVE to try one. It’s such a refreshing treat and it’s lighter than ice cream, so perfect for the afternoon!
It felt incredible to get some Vitamin D and be a little bit active at the same time. I swear, walking with friends is my absolute favorite because you can sneak some movement in, get some fresh air, AND catch up at the same time. I can’t think of anything better!!
We then grabbed a glass of rosé at a little restaurant along the water, ventured to a nearby restaurant for some fish tacos, then headed to our hotel in Newport Beach to unwind. We stayed at the Newport Beach Bayview Marriott and though I didn’t snap any photos, that hotel was absolutely perfect for our girls’ getaway! They had a hot tub and we somehow managed to get a suite?
In the morning, we stopped at Starbucks for some lattés and then went farther south to Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna. Though it’s a bit of a drive, it’s so worth the extra time. I’ve been there once before, but basically you go down a thousand steps or so (hence the name?) and get to this stunning cliffside beach that’s only accessible by those stairs or to people who live on the cliff (in some seriously incredible homes!).
We walked along the beach there and got to go into the caves, which are only accessible during low tide and SO cool. It reminded me of Hawaii or Lagos, Portugal. The coastline is just breathtaking there. Plus, there’s free parking, which is not so easy to find!
Next up – Banzai Bowls! The wait was super long, but worth it. I got a pitaya bowl with spinach, hemp milk, kiwi, strawberry, banana and granola. So refreshing on a hot day!
From there, we strolled along the main street in Laguna Beach and did some window shopping before heading to Bear Flag Fish Co. for some fish burritos. I went to Bear Flag almost 8 years ago and have literally been dreaming about it ever since. There’s a reason this place is PACKED – the fish is super fresh, the options are amazing, and it’s reasonably priced. It may or may not be a good thing we don’t have one closer to my house?
After that, we drove back up to LA so I could drop Michelle off at LAX. Goodbyes are always so hard for me, but luckily I’ll be seeing her at her bachelorette party in just a few months. I miss her already though, that’s for sure. Being an adult and having friends live so far away is hard, I’m sure you can relate!!
Anyway, thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you had a great weekend!! Even if you don’t have guests in town, I highly recommend going on an adventure in your own city when you have time??
xo Jordan
