As Summer Comes to an End...Here are some California Travels on a Budget

As summer comes to an end, I thought I'd share a little of what did this summer. I didn't get to go on a major summer vacation, but I was able to do some great weekend trips around California. Luckily California has great weather, so you can still visit these places now! Here are some great destinations to visit that won't break the bank:

1) Hearst Castle - San Simeon, CA

I've never been to Hearst Castle before, but this is a must see. With ceilings and paintings imported from Europe, the castle is absolutely breathtaking and definitely rivals the castles in Europe. The views are especially gorgeous since the castle is up on the cliff right across from the ocean. I would definitely take a weekend trip here to enjoy the beach town and amazing grounds.  

2) Wineries - Napa, CA

If you're looking for a relaxing weekend full of great wine, great food, and breathtaking scenery, head to Napa and its surrounding cities. Full of wineries and fabulous restaurants, Napa allows you to eat and drink your way into relaxation. Some of my favorite wineries are Domaine Chandon, Domaine Carneros, Mondavi, and Sterling. Chandon and Carneros are especially perfect if you love sparkling wines. Some great spots to grab a bite are Bouchon, Ad Hoc, and Boon Fly Cafe.

3) Paradise Cove - Malibu, CA

Malibu is my favorite beach town. It has the best beaches and usually isn't too crowded. One of my favorite places to go in Malibu is Paradise Cove; a private beach where you can bring your own alcohol (no hard alcohol) and also rent cabanas, chairs, or day beds. There is also a restaurant on the premises with great nachos and tropical drinks. This is a great place to come with a group of fun friends. You can seriously lounge here all day, especially if you get one of their day beds, which I highly recommend!

My Favorites - Paris

Paris is one of the greatest cities in the world. It is by far my favorite city to visit and here are some reasons why:

Macarons

From Laduree to Pierre Herme, Paris has the BEST macarons. They do not even compare to the ones here. The Parisian macarons are so soft and flavorful. My favorite would have to be the creme brulee macarons at Pierre Herme.

Food

Yes macarons are amazing, but we still need real food and Paris has great options to choose from. From the cafes to the brasseries, almost everything you eat in Paris is AMAZING. My go to staple food items in Paris are: steak frites, croque monsieur, and baguettes. For the best steak frites, visit L'Entrocote.

Shopping

Once you have eaten the amazing Parisian food, it is time to hit the streets and do some shopping. Paris is the fashion capital of the world after all. I go to Paris for Chanel. There is something about it that makes you feel great. If you are ever in Paris, you must visit the flagship Chanel store.

Chanel isn't the only thing Paris shopping has to offer. The department stores, such as Printemps, are enormous and offer everything you could possibly want from any designer. You will also find great little boutiques just walking around. I stumbled upon many treasures just exploring the different neighborhoods of Paris.

There you have it. Paris is the best city in the world. It has great food and great shopping, but most of all it has macarons!



Another weekend ends

Another fabulous weekend is over. I spent the weekend going to some of my favorite spots around LA. If you live in LA or if you are ever in the area make sure you hit up these great places:

For going out, hit up the Huntley hotel in Santa Monica. Their penthouse bar is a great spot to grab drinks.

For high end shopping or just some window shopping and people watching, grab some coffee and take a stroll down rodeo drive. You might see a Bugatti on the side of the road.

After seeing some fabulous clothes and cars, grab some brunch at joans on third. Their short rib sandwich is amazing. Then come back to reality and do some shopping at the Beverly Center.

These are a couple of my favorite places. More to come...