California Coastal Road Trip 2024

 The very best-laid plans for a two week trip up through Colorado, Utah, into 

Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park ~ Usurped by Weather!

We found out just two weeks before leaving for this road trip that the roads into Yellowstone would not be open due to higher snow levels. And that was the entire point of the trip! So....

California Coastal Road Trip to the Rescue.

Now, we absolutely love driving up the California coast and visiting some of our favorite spots, so this road trip was truly no hardship for us. We were also reminded that some of the very best vacations are planned on the spur of the moment. 

First stop from Phoenix is quite often Fullerton, California so we can visit our favorite breweries - 
"The Bruery" and "Bottle Logic". Both of these locations serve some of the most delicious beers that I have ever tasted. If you're lucky there'll be a good food truck at either (or both) location. We especially love the "Guac & Roll" food truck which stops into both breweries on different days of the month. 

We love sharing a flight! Check their websites for more information. 

The Bruery @ www.thebruery.com

And

Bottle Logic Brewing @ www.bottlelogic.com

We routinely stay at the Residence Inn in Placentia. It is conveniently located to everything we need, is dog-friendly, has plenty of manicured grounds surrounding the property for pups, it's clean and it's also recently renovated. It suits us perfectly! FYI - there's all kinds of fast-food nearby if you need it. 

Residence Inn Placentia @ www.marriott.com

Continuing on, we visited the Solvang area, which is the cutest little Danish town around. Shops & Eateries, quaint lodging, and great weather along with friendly locals. We stayed in an AirBnB this time, in the outskirts of the Solvang area in Ballard Canyon. This place was adorable with plenty of space for us and we were surrounded by ranch property and local wildlife. We'd stay here again, it was so comfy and cozy. Desi was frightened by all the gophers though, so beware! 

Check out www.airbnb.com to find one for your travels! 

We loved walking through Hans Christian Andersen Park, and through the little Solvang Cemetery too. 

Hans Christian Andersen Park 

The Solvang Cemetery

The Solvang Shoe with Desi and me. Tradition!! 

Firestone Vineyards & Winery - a favorite for us since our first visit in 1983! Check out their website at www.firestonewine.com

We always love stopping into Firestone-Walker Brewery just outside Buellton - great food and beer too!

The Los Olivos area is adorable with little shops, and wine hops; but we especially loved Lefty's Coffee Company! This welcoming little place is cozy and delivers delicious pastries, yummy little breakfast bites, and excellent coffee/cocoa beverages. You won't be disappointed. 

Lefty's Coffee Company @ www.leftyscoffeeco.com

I just want to know who brings their donkey to the cemetery. Los Olivos - you're hysterical. 

Onward up the coast with pitstops in Cambria and Paso Robles - just to wander about. Both of these cities have shops to find cute chotchkes, snacks, beer, chocolate, and ice cream. We have stayed in both places before, but not this time. We were on our way to Carmel - our favorite city in California. 

I cannot believe I don't have any pictures of the hotel we stayed at in Carmel. It was absolutely heavenly. The entire ambience is all tropical with beautiful landscaping, comfortable rooms, a delicious continental breakfast, and a perfect location for walking in town. I felt like I was in Hawaii without the airfare! The room waterfall was one of my favorite things. And, like most everywhere in the city of Carmel, it is dog-friendly!! This hotel is appropriately named ...

The Tradewinds! 

Find them @ www.larkhotels.com/hotels/tradewinds

This was the only picture I could find from our hotel visit to The Tradewinds! 

We love the ocean walk here, the weather is always glorious, the shops are fun to stroll through, and the city is so welcoming, and dog-friendly too. Walking along the waterfront beach area (which is also dog-friendly) is just the perfect way to start the day. 

We found our favorite meals at: 

Toro Sushi (www.torosushicarmel.com) 

Alvarado Street Brewery (www.asb.beer/pages/carmelbistro)

And I cannot forget to mention The Carmel Bakery (www.chefpepe.com/carmel-bakery)

And we loved our stop in Monterey for a stroll along Cannery Row and some Ghirardelli!! 

Desi loves it here too!

After a few days in Carmel we headed south towards Long Beach for a few days to visit family. We stayed in the newer Residence Inn out by The Queen Mary. It isn't really in close proximity to anything but The Queen Mary and the embarkation point for Carnival Cruises. The hotel is perfect if you're in need of those two spaces. There is a park nearby, and a nice walking path near the water too. 

Find this location at www.marriott.com 

We did find a very cool park nearby - Bixby Park in the City of Long Beach on Cherry Ave. There is a nice children's playground, and loads of grassy spots for picnics and the like. We were there on a Saturday and they had a wonderful Farmer's Market with music throughout the day. 

Long Beach - We love their container venues for eats and beer. 

Check out the two Steel Craft locations at www.steelcraftlb.com. 

You'll find all sorts of food options and great beer too. 

We also loved walking near our old home in Lakewood and at Heartwell Park on Carson Street. 

Keeping ourselves headed southbound, we stopped at our favorite California donut place...

JD Flannel Donuts in San Juan Capistrano. You can find out more about them on their website (www.jdflannel.com) and then check out their reviews and their position on Yelp.com where they are situated as the #1 Donut Shop in all of California. They aren't kidding here - the donuts are amazing!. 

Three of the four we enjoyed ... we love them all, and literally have no specific favorite! 

Our next stop was Oceanside.  We have driven through Oceanside previously, but never stayed here. This was a real treat - loved the vibe of the pier area and our AirBnB was perfect. 

I mean... it's Southern California at its finest as far as weather is concerned. 

Loads of spaces to walk around and grab a bite or a beer. There's shopping if you feel like it, and most every patio is dog-friendly. There's a really wonderful "surfer-style" place called The Buccaneer Cafe. It's located right across the street from the breaking waves - delicious acai bowls and breakfast burritos. 

Check them out for sure if you're in the area - www.buccaneer-cafe.com 

Oceanside Pier

Parlor Donuts - a special croissant type of donut - Very Yummy!

Chuao Chocolatier - another kind of yum, especially their hot cocoa!! 

Find their deliciousness at www.chuaochocolatier.com

They are actually located in Vista - but worth the drive. 

AleSmith Brewing Company - wonderful beer @ www.alesmith.com

Beer does make a vacation even better!!

Our favorite place was Green Cheek Beer Company (www.greencheekbeer.com) 

Their patio spaces were spacious and there were all kinds of small seating areas, and large seating areas, spaces in the shade, and spaces in the sun. And hey - the food and the service was delicious!! 

I can't wait to go back! 

Jeff found this gorgeous space - Alta Vista Botanical Garden. It's super-affordable ($5/pp) and it is just lovely, and dog-friendly!! We wandered around and truly enjoyed our visit with all the flowers blooming, the turtles sunning themselves, and the blue skies overhead. 

Another trip beckons after these two fun weeks on the road. 

Until next time! 

:) Deb