I went to the Surf & Sand Resort back in 2010, as part of our weekend getaway to San Diego. It was during that trip that we got the idea to drop everything in New York and move to SoCal, and part of that inspiration came from a day spent in Laguna Beach, the dreamy, prototypical SoCal destination. At the top of my list was brunch at the oceanfront Surf & Sand property to try pancakes with lavender butter (or syrup, I can’t remember) with the Pacific by my side. (It’s also where the kids of Laguna Beach had their black and white party.)
Cut to five years later, and the resort invited me and a few other bloggers to check out the resort, its restaurant, and Laguna livin’. We had a beautiful and luxurious two-night stay at the Resort, including oceanfront rooms, dinner at their excellent restaurant, and a hybrid body scrub-massage at their spa. Funny how things can come full circle like that.
Staycation or getaway, it’s a treat of a vacation, and I’m going to show you why:
In the last few weeks, I’ve bought sandals, shorts, and sunscreen. Even though San Diego has perennially perfect weather, a definite summer vibe has set in. And now that my friends in my old stomping grounds of the East Coast and Chicago have finally gotten warmer temps, too, I feel like less of a schmuck talking about it!
Today I’m rounding up some fruity and fizzy mocktail ideas. Drink up! ‘Tis the season.
Today I’m profiling Sarah Grossman, the San Diego Museum of Art‘s manager of special events and stylish lady behind some of my most favorite events in the city, from Culture & Cocktails, the quarterly soiree themed to a new exhibit (i.e. “Havana Nights for new Cuban artwork acquisitions), to the upcoming Art Alive, a weekend-long exhibit during which florists reinterpret works of art via plants. I attended Art Alive’s opening event, Bloom Bash, last year, and it was one of the coolest events I had ever been to, and not just because the floral works were impressive. People go all out with their ensembles, which makes for great people-watching. I remember seeing a svelte, near-octogenarian shimmy around the dance floor in a tight sequined dress. Go, mama!
With an eye for all things artistic and fashionable, I wanted Sarah to share a peek into her museum-planning life. Today she talks about wearing heels constantly and her favorite vintage shop…among other things.
April is a good month. Not only does it include my birthday, my dating anniversary, and the anniversary of when we brought Teddy home, it’s also the first full month of spring. In these last few years, April has felt like the perfect time to reflect, celebrate, and enjoy nature.
I turned 30 this year, and to enter a new decade, I knew I wanted to travel somewhere. But being on a tight budget, I stuck to Southern California locations within driving distance. I thought about Joshua Tree and considered San Luis Obispo but ended up choosing Ojai. The hippie, community-driven town 30 miles east of Santa Barbara covered my most important extracurriculars: good food and beautiful outdoor opportunities. We also wanted to take Teddy with us, and finding a dog-friendly Airbnb in our price range was incredibly difficult. The cabin we found in Ojai was just perfect.
It might sound intense, but 2.5 days in the Ojai Valley were enough for me to get attached. In fact, I got emotional about leaving! Ojai is such a beautiful, positive, friendly, and accommodating place. I don’t want to pretend like I’m an expert, but I connected with Ojai and could feel just how special it is. Part of the reason could be that it was a full moon weekend, and I am all about that full-moon power and pull. I’d be so, so, so happy to do this same trip on an annual basis.
Since I’m a Type A planner, I did research before visiting, made us a rough itinerary, and took copious notes. So here, a guide to Ojai, including where to eat, shop, play, and more:
A 30th birthday dinner at Cucina Urbana. It was my first time at the Bankers Hill Italian restaurant, and I loved it! Along with the burrata vasi (a cheese and bread appetizer platter), the mushroom pizza and mushroom pasta were my favorites. In true Tracy Borkum style, the restaurant is beautifully decorated and makes for an excellent special-occasion dinner. For my birthday sweet, Eaman surprised me with passionfruit cakes from Azucar bakery in OB, my favorite dessert spot in the city.
Between tax deadline looming and my figuring out how to balance my new part-time gig at San Diego Magazine with freelance work and blogging, this week felt extraordinarily long. I can’t wait to sit on the couch and do nothing tonight before welcoming some New York friends to town this weekend and celebrating my big 3-0. Whee!
I’ve completely fallen off the boat with meal planning and packing my lunch for work. I need to change that quickly, and my friend Betsy’s recipe for an easy and very spring vegetarian pasta sounds divine.
A fall visit to Julian is a given. That’s when the historic mining town, which surprisingly does experience cold weather that’s ripe for apple trees, is replete with apple-picking, apple pie, and hard apple cider. I had been just once before for the typical autumn adventure of hiking plus pie, but recently, my friends and I decided to make a spring trip up, to see the flowers in bloom, walk the town in warmer temps, and indulge in some pie. (Fall or not, pie is a Julian staple.)
A little more than an hour east of San Diego, Julian is set within the Cuyamaca mountains and its “downtown” is a charming throwback to pioneer style with a touch of the Wild Wild West. Going there is so transporting; the beaches and trendy juice bars feel far away. Beyond hiking, there are breweries, wine tasting, and quaint boutiques, with cute bed and breakfasts to make for a mountain getaway. Just how much of a getaway? Well, one house proudly posted a Confederate flag. So there’s that.
1.A trip to San Felipe, Mexico: These two days in Baja were much needed. Even though I was there on work terms, scoping out the tourist scene, the trip was pretty laid-back, thanks in large part to the chill seaside town. We ate fish tacos, gazed at the Sea of Cortez, and saw the most amazing 2,000-year-old cacti.
2. Dinner at Venga Venta Cantina & Tequila Bar: For a taste of Mexico closer to home, Venga Venga in Chula Vista is my new favorite spot. Tucked in the Otay Ranch Town Center mall, this lounge-like restaurant has energy, great decor, a charming patio, and tasty, thoughtful menu. I was invited to try the Guadalajara-inspired menu, a part of the restaurant’s new Destination menu series, and I was blown away. Authentic flautas, infused tequilas, a Mexican take on caprese salad—the chef clearly had fun making the menu, and I’m happy to eat the fruits of his labor. FYI, the Guadalajara menu runs through September 30 before switching to a new region of Mexico.
3. My SoCal’d Life makeover: The logo! The template! The colors! I feel so much more re-energized to blog now that it has a new look.
4. Nomad Donuts: The artisanal donuterie (my word) has really found its footing since it opened a few months ago. Wacky flavors are the m.o, and I loved the lavender sugar donut holes (not pictured) most of all. One of my closest girlfriends from college came to visit that weekend, and it was the perfect way to introduce her to San Diego’s sweet side.
5. Days like these: I’m so thankful to live in a beautiful place like San Diego and for beautiful photo opps like a colorful umbrella positioned perfectly at the Coronado dog beach.
I went to the Surf & Sand Resort back in 2010, as part of our weekend getaway to San Diego. It was during that trip that we got the idea to drop everything in New York and move to SoCal, and part of that inspiration came from a day spent in Laguna Beach, the dreamy, prototypical SoCal destination. At the top of my list was brunch at the oceanfront Surf & Sand property to try pancakes with lavender butter (or syrup, I can’t remember) with the Pacific by my side. (It’s also where the kids of Laguna Beach had their black and white party.)
