Travel Swellness: 5 ways to catch the winter wave in SoCal
May 31, 2017
Surfing and skiing are the two most equally exhilarating and zen sports I’ve ever done. So when I was invited on a trip to California to “catch the winter wave” and do both, I was more excited than when I’m front row for the Backstreet Boys. OK, wait, I get pretty excited for my ’90s boy bands…but I was pretty darn stoked about this trip! Maybe one degree less excited than when they’re belting out “I want it that way…” and I make meaningful eye contact with Nick (because that actually happened!). Happy sigh…
But wait, we’re talking about Cali, here, not boy bands! Here’s the cool thing about Cali and going there in the winter: if you travel to California anywhere from about November up until June or so, you can score yourself both surf and snow. I had no idea! I’d only learned in the last year or so about Lake Tahoe, which is where you can ski, and was quickly infatuated with going there because everything I’d seen and heard about it sounded incredible. Being out in nature, and especially mountains really is the most calming thing for me (even more so than being by the ocean).
Let me start with the first half of our trip, though: the sun and sand part. We flew to LAX stayed in Century City, and while we didn’t spend much time at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City other than our first dinner and sleeping at the hotel, I did have time to walk down the street to the under-renovation Westfield Century City, where I checked out Free People and grabbed a bite. (I’ll post soon about the top spots we ate at on this trip.)
So what to do if you’re catching the winter wave in SoCal?
Hike in Temescal Canyon Park
While I have done a few hikes with Bikes and Hikes LA in the past year or so, I had never hiked the Pacific Palisades with them, and I would say I prefer it over the one that takes you to the Griffith Observatory; it is possible I feel that way because I’ve been to the Observatory many times, but on this hike you feel more as tho then you’ve escaped the city. The hike we did in Temescal Canyon Park was extremely easy and we had perfect weather: sunny but just warm enough so that once you started walking, you could strip down to a light t-shirt.
Walk in Venice Beach and Abbot Kinney
If you’re not so into nature, you might be more interested in the walking tour of Venice with Bikes and Hikes LA, but you can of course also just stroll on your own if you’re not into a formal tour.
We had some time constraints but we checked out Muscle Beach, the Frank Gehry-designed Norton House on the boardwalk, skate park, saw lots of street art and got a peek at the Venice Canals. I’d been to the area before but it’s always find to check out this iconic neighbourhood. We didn’t have time this day to explore Abbot Kinney, but it’s got the most adorable shops, and it’s just nice to stroll, grab a bite and people watch and shop. One of my fave places to go in LA.
Inspired to go travel soon, whether it’s to visit California (if you do, consider booking the Loews Santa Monica, which is beautiful and has a fantastic terrace for enjoying the sunset) or anywhere in the world? Well, here’s a little gift for you: book through www.booking.com using this exclusive link (it’s my exclusive refer-a-friend link), and you’ll get a $40 discount from your reservation. That money you save could go towards a great meal, or tickets to a show, or whatever you choose to do on your adventures!
And as always. I’d love to hear about your travels! I’m always looking for wanderlust inspiration!
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Filed under: Travel Swellness
4 Comments Leave a Comment
1. Yuki | July 24, 2017 at 12:35 PM
Fun ideas! I’d like to take the Hornblower cruise that comes with a resident sea lion, lol.
2. Sharon | July 24, 2017 at 5:49 PM
I’d love to try surfing there! Looks awesome! And the sea lion…so cute! Thanks for all the ideas for my next vacation!
3. healthandswellness | August 21, 2017 at 10:02 PM
Isn’t Cali the best? Dying to go back already!
4. healthandswellness | August 21, 2017 at 10:03 PM
I love that there are sea lions, like, just hanging out. And one was so close to us when we kayaked in La Jolla!
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