I appreciate my hole-in-the-walls and fun-for-free beach excursions, but SoCal isn’t SoCal without some floss, no? With that in mind, I had been itching to check out Rancho Valencia ever since I moved to San Diego and got wind of this sprawling, glossy property located in one of America’s wealthiest neighborhoods, Rancho Santa Fe.
The award-winning hotel is comprised of suites, villas, a luxury spa, fine dining restaurant, croquet lawn, and equestrian-themed bar, all of which together has earned it the number one spot on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best hotels in America. When you pull up to its Veladora restaurant, you can’t even see where all the cushy accommodations are. That’s how wide this place stretches.
Lofty title aside, would you just look at that design? Spanish-style architecture, bougainvillea to the left and right, and a perfectly pristine attention to detail. And that’s just the space allocated to the resort’s restaurant.
In my latest piece for San Diego Magazine, I’m sharing nine picks from the neighborhood of Bonita, a south San Diego nook with diverse menus, surprisingly country-like landscapes, and gorgeous strudels. Thanks to Katherine Belarmino, a Bonita resident and blogger at Travel the World, for her help with this!
Yes, I’m going to Cabo tomorrow! The idea hatched just a month ago within a few days of deciding that Eaman and I really needed a vacation. It’s the quickest I’ve ever planned a trip, and I’m so, so excited.
As I mentioned here, I’ve been burned out. A new work schedule and my mom’s surgery have been recent stressors, but both events made me realize how the last 2.5 years of freelance hustling and being the supportive sounding board for a boyfriend creating a start-up had taken a toll on me, on Eaman, on our relationship, on our health, you name it. I’ve been exhausted, eating poorly, becoming increasingly forgetful, and worst of all, anxious. There were some mornings I had to turn on talk radio just so I could drown out the to-do lists running through my head or go to evening yoga because I was starting to have mini panic attacks every day at 5:30pm. And seeing my mom in the E.R., coping with a broken ankle and then surgery, made me realize that I needed to take care of my physical and mental health. I needed a vacation.
Around this time, I was also reaching out to a few girlfriends, all of whom are successful business owners. Quite simply I asked them, “How do you do it without pulling out your hair?” All of their tips had a common thread of traveling. One had just come back from a trip, another was about to leave for one, and the third travels so frequently (for fun) that she might as well be a travel writer. One of them explained that she just books a trip for the future so she’s committed. Leading up to it, she makes tweaks—maybe less shopping or less eating out—and it’s worth it because getting that change of scenery is rejuvenating. We’re all struggling, we’re all hustling, and we all don’t quite have the funds, but they all seem to make it work, so why can’t I?
For 2.5 years, I’ve been really hard on myself, whether it was talking myself out of going to the movies or getting a manicure because I thought I had to save money. Well yes, I do need to save money, but I also need to take care of myself, lest I want another epic meltdown.
Visiting family is not a vacation. Weddings are not a vacation. Press trips, while great and I know I’m lucky, are not a vacation. Two-day weekend getaways are not a vacation. I needed something longer.
So one day last month, feeling totally worn out from my anxiety, I texted Eaman that we needed to book a trip asap. To my surprise, he was 100 percent on board. (Usually one of us checks the other when it comes to finances.) And before we knew it, we decided on Mexico, then Cabo (big ups to Alaska Airlines for affordable direct flights!), then found this relatively cheap and secluded eco-resort. All of a sudden everything was booked.
I’ve packed sunscreen, my swimsuit, books, and a big floppy hat. I may or may not Instagram. I may or may not blog about it. But finally, I am doing something good for me, and it already feels right. (Cabo was under hurricane watch this past weekend—”Blanca” was the earliest-in-season tropical cyclone to make landfall in the Baja peninsula—but it was downgraded to a tropical storm yesterday and will dissipate today, so I think we’re in the clear *fingers crossed*. And more importantly, it doesn’t look like the area endured much damage.)
The blog will continue as normal on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so see you Thursday! I hope to come back a little sun-kissed, a lot relaxed, and full on tortilla chips.
One of the great things about living in San Diego is that, compared to New York, I spend time with friends in a much healthier way. It’s less about drinks and brunches (though there’s some of that too), and more about going on a hike or trying a yoga class.
So now I love setting up dates with my nearest and dearest that revolve around something active. And last week, Eaman and I swapped a dinner date for a workout date at Sonima Wellness Center in Encinitas. The part-gym, part-cafe, part-health coaching Mecca stemmed from the Sonima Foundation, a non-profit organization that brings health and wellness education to underserved schools. The founders, Sonia Jones and Salima Ruffin, went on to create Sonima.com to share tips to a broader audience. And now the first center, which opened in January, sits on the 101 in Encinitas.
The Center offers group classes, and while it’s no surprise that yoga and meditation are part of the schedule, the inclusion of circuit-training boot camps and dance is pretty rare in yoga-centric studios. And one of the coolest parts is the piggy-backing possibilities. We tried Michelle Rene Buysse’s Active Alignment class, a restorative blend of yoga and physical therapy that everyone has to try at least once, and followed it with yoga. Or you could try boot camp then reset your body via Active Alignment.
They also offer health coaching and workshops, and most dreamy of all is their organic, vegan, raw cafe, led by Joy Houston, raw food nutrition educator and teaching chef for Whole Foods. I know, organic, raw, and vegan?! How very SoCal of me. But trust me, Joy is doing amazing things with that menu. The spicy Thai kelp noodles was outstanding—my favorite raw/vegan dish I’ve ever tasted.
I know it sounds like I’m fan-girling a bit, but that’s because I am. I love what the Foundation stands for, the mindfulness they’re bringing to staying active, and the spa-like ambiance of the Center. It encourages a new breed of hanging out.
1. The Cheese Store of San Diego. I’ve picked up cheese at this cute Little Italy fromagerie, but I finally tried their food menu and was blown away. Some restaurants stuff their grilled cheese sandwiches with all sorts of accoutrements, but all you need is high-quality bread and cheese, and The Cheese Shop knows that. Wonderful tomato soup and fantastic plating, if I might add.
Just call us the brunch bunch. After Farmer’s Bottega and Andaz Hotel’s Rooftop600, I’m back with another brunch idea. This time, we’re visiting Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant, a popular dinner spot in, yes, Bankers Hill, that recently launched brunch on Sundays. The menu changes based on season, and on this particular Sunday, Eaman got the black angus bistro tender ($20) and I got the vegetarian scramble ($11). I’m usually hard-pressed to find a vegetarian brunch option that isn’t pure carbs (i.e. French toast) or pure protein (eggs upon eggs upon eggs), so my veg dish was a welcome surprise, with king trumpet mushrooms, asparagus, the most perfectly cooked peas, and goat cheese to cream-ify the whole thing. That said, the potatoes were too soft for my taste, so I could’ve done without them.
Make sure to check out their cocktail menu, too. The milk tyson punch ($9) goes down particularly smooth, and its milk base makes it a good choice for brunch. And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll also order the cinnamon bun, topped with cream cheese and blueberries. When I saw it land at another table, I thought, there’s no way the two of us can finish that. But because it’s so light and airy—the chef worked with the man behind Hillcrest donuterie Donut Star to perfect the dough—I probably could’ve eaten one on my own.
And the food isn’t the only part that deserves praise. The open, industrial space reminds me of my favorite New York City brunch spot, Public, and Bankers Hill’s enclosed, light-filled patio with a plant wall is one of the best seats in the house.
Athleisure is quite in vogue right now, but I’m not sure there’s another place more well-suited for this brand of athletic style-meets-leisurewear than Southern California. This is the place where people get up early, hike/spin/yoga, and then hit up the farmers market or brunch right after. Just walk around the Hillcrest farmers market on a Sunday, and you’ll see—athleisure as far as the eyes can see.
Since moving to San Diego, I’ve certainly upgraded from ratty T-shirts for the gym to fluorescent, dri-fit tanks and patterned leggings for the yoga studio—and I like it! Given the weather and look-good-feel-good attitude in Southern California, being active is a big part of life here, and I like that I can exercise my right to style even during a boot camp class.
So I’ve partnered with San Diego-based Road Runners Sports, the walking and running store with locations around the U.S. and an online store, to show off a look from their in-house line, R-Gear, and offer a $100 giveaway to My SoCal’d Life readers (more on that below).
I wanted a mix of pattern, color, and comfort. Hot pink is one of my favorite colors, so this Fast and Fab Singlet in poppy pink was an easy choice. It’s lightweight, which is ideal for hot days and sweaty workouts. Nice criss-cross pattern in the back, too, no?
As for shorts vs. pants, I prefer leggings, but it’s hard to find ones that are flattering without being crazy expensive, but these SpeedPro polka dot compression capris keep you looking lean without the suffocation factor. And for me, $50 for high-quality pants that’ll last especially when I use them 1-2 times a week is worth it. Side note: That’s me in crow pose. It took me six months to get there, and though I’m not sure it’s 100 percent correct, it feels pretty awesome to hold myself up finally. And now I’m this close to nailing a headstand without a wall. Second side note: The shoes were from a previous Road Runner purchase. They’re my first pair of black kicks, and I dig ’em.OK, yes, I like to work out, but this R-Gear Cozy Cardi is my new favorite piece. It’s flowy and warm and feels like a blanket without making you look like an Olsen twin drowning in fabric. The arms are fitted to lend structure and the back detail gives it style, but the rest is drapey-chic, as I like to call it. And since I’m always, always cold, it’s ideal for post-workout when I’m running errands and also for plane rides when I’m usually chilled to the bone.
And now for a giveaway! One lucky My SoCal’d Life reader will win a $100 gift card to Road Runner Sports. You can buy anything you want, whether it’s from their R-Gear collection, Nike, UnderArmour, or the other lines they carry. Here’s how:
1. Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. There are multiple ways to enter, so the more times you enter, the better your chances of winning.
2. The contest will run until 11:59 p.m. PST on Monday, June 1, after which a winner will be chosen at random.
3. Open to U.S. residents only.
Plus, use the code CX15F216 at checkout for an 11% discount off R-Gear products + free shipping. Good luck—and werk it!
Heads up! I’m back (hooray!) and have changed my posting schedule to Tuesdays and Thursdays.
You had me at dog-friendly. The Andaz Hotel‘s RoofTop600, a lounge that includes DJ’ed weekend parties and a trio of pool parties this summer (Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day), serves brunch on its top floor, and your four-legged friend is welcome. The space, which was remodeled last summer and includes a retractable roof perfect for this recent spate of San Diego rain, is open and airy, with daybeds, a living plant wall, and city views.
On this particular Saturday, it was drizzling May grey-style darkness, so we settled in for a cozy brunch with Teddy by my side. The staff loved him, bringing him a water bowl once we sat down and giving the lovable attention whore a few pets every time they checked on us.
We managed the perfect balance of savory and sweet: The sizable waffle topped with macerated berries and fresh cream and the highly recommended caprese omelet. Oh, and a classic chocolate donut. Did I not tell you about the rain and gloom?
