Would You Ever Car-Camp?

What is car-camping you ask? It’s camping, but instead of sleeping in a tent, you sleep in a car. It was a first for me this past weekend and will probably be my LAST time as well! Lol. It wasn’t my idea. But I do love adventure, road-trips, nature, and new experiences, so I was completely open to the idea. It was also my first time in the mountains of Idyllwild.

Idyllwild is a charming mountain town about a two and a half hour drive from Los Angeles. When we arrived, the first thing we did was stop at a gastropub for beer and a late lunch with a view. Then walked around town. There were lots of little shops with knick knacks. We picked up some groceries for dinner and then headed to the campsite only to find that the road to the campsite was closed. We had to park the car off the side of the road, on the slant of a hill near the road closure, and set up base there because we didn’t know where else to go. It was starting to get dark. And that’s when the adventure truly began.

We didn’t have lamps. Our phone flashlights were our only light. We used a propane burner stove that needed to be propped up on a rock for cooking, and we still needed to do cooking prep in the dark. It was a lot of work, cleaning the veggies, seasoning raw meat, chopping everything up and trying to prevent everything from sliding off the Yetti trunk, with very little work space. Surprisingly, dinner turned out pretty good considering it was done on the fly. But then we had to clean up, pack up the materials, and store them away before bed.

I have never peed in nature before. I know this may be hard to believe, but I’ve never peed outdoors in public. So I don’t have much squatting experience. It was my first time and it was not pleasant in the dark! As a result, I didn’t drink enough water and was pretty dehydrated.

Sleeping in the car with a blow up car mattress was pretty comfortable. I think I sleep pretty well in nature. I’ve camped in a tent one time before and I remember I slept pretty hard then, too. Maybe because there’s nothing else to do? There is little room to move around, sit up, or to search for your bags to grab things. And no personal space from whoever you’re sharing the car with. It was also really cold at night. I slept in sweatpants and a hoodie. I would never do this alone. In the middle of the night, we were woken up by what we imagined to be drunk drivers in a jeep, zooming up our way, back and forth. Nothing happened, but you never know with these things. I was scared and that kept me up for a bit.

The best part of any nature trip for me is waking up to the fresh, crisp mountain air. I love that smell and that feeling. There was morning dew on the car windows. We woke up early and then fell back asleep (I can never do that in LA). I love the tranquility of being in nature. We originally wanted to make eggs for breakfast, but since cooking was so much work the night before, we decided to drive into town to grab breakfast.

After breakfast, we did a 5.5 mile hike. I hadn’t hiked in two months because I fractured my foot back in July. The hike was harder than I expected because of the elevation, but we got some great pictures. It didn’t have a view at the top but it did have views along the way.

I still had a great experience, but I would never car-camp again. The juice was not worth the squeeze. I felt dirty. I slept with my make-up on. So much equipment to pack and bring. So much work cleaning everything up and putting everything away. That’s what Airbnbs are for. Renting a home can still give you exposure to nature with the added benefits of a proper bathroom and kitchen. You can still cook, be comfy, and be in nature. Car-camping is unnecessary, but I’m glad I got to try it! I returned home with at least seven mosquito bites and a large bruise on my butt and all over my legs. Oh, and a toenail popped off my foot this morning. I did enjoy the brief opportunity to unplug from my phone, social media, and the internet. But I am really happy to be home, sleeping in my own bed, using a toilet, and cooking in my kitchen!

Escape to Valle de Guadalupe

I love road trip adventures and Valle de Guadalupe has been on my list for awhile. But then, you know, pandemic happened. And crossing the Mexican border by car felt a little daunting. I’ve never done it before and didn’t know how it worked. To my surprise, it wasn’t as complicated as I had anticipated and I had the most amazing time! I loved Valle de Guadalupe!

My friend drove her SUV and added Mexico coverage onto her car insurance for an additional $70. From Los Angeles, it took only 2.5 hours to get to the San Ysidro border on a Thursday morning. Prior to crossing the border, we made sure to stop in Chula Vista to fill up on gas and use the restrooms in case there would be any delays at the border. The border crossing was pretty simple and seamless. No one even checked our passports. We drove through easily and quickly.

We took the more common coastal route through Mexico. We passed through 2 toll stations that are $2 usd each, so it was helpful that we brought small usd bills. About 30 minutes from the border is Puerto Nuevo, where we stopped for a seafood lunch oceanside at Villa Ortega. My friend and I shared one combo dish with 2 lobster tails, shrimp scampi, rice, beans, veggies, and tortilla and it cost us $16 usd each. Pretty good deal for lobster by the sea! They served us the freshest, softest giant tortilla ever! It was soooo good! This giant tortilla is still on my mind and I don’t even normally eat tortilla. You can also really taste the corn in the tortilla chips they serve you first. A pit stop for lunch here is a must so definitely make sure you schedule that in!

From Puerto Nuevo, Valle de Guadalupe is about an easy hour drive along the coast and then through mountainsides (not scary though). Once you arrive in Valle, some of the roads are bumpy with potholes and some roads are completely unpaved. The area is still newish and developing but there is still so much beauty. There are many amazing wineries, restaurants, and hotels that are not visible from the main road. Some initially appear obscure off a dirt path, but then behind the trees or gate is an enchanting resort or a luxury glamping site on the other side. There are so many unexpected little treasures like that in Valle. With the exception of the vineyards, resorts, and select areas, the landscape in general was very dry, with cacti and mounds of rocks.

To me, Valle de Guadalupe is a perfect combination of Joshua Tree desert vibes merged with Santa Barbara or Napa Valley Wine country, but even cooler. I am a huge fan of Joshua Tree and deserts in general so this merging of the two vibes really appealed to me. Restaurants and hotels overlook the vineyards with the mountains in the backdrop. Everywhere you went, there was a beautiful view. In California wine country, there are scenic views as well but usually the restaurants and hotels are located in town several miles away from the vineyards and views. In order to enjoy the backdrop of the vineyards in California, you have to be wine tasting and picnicking. But in Valle de Guadalupe, you can enjoy them all day, everywhere you go.

We booked our trip only a week in advance and stayed in the last available exclusive suite at Hotel Boutique Valle de Guadalulpe. The room was nice, clean, and simple. It would have been better if we had a room with a balcony or patio or a direct view of the vineyards but you have to pay extra for that. This resort was lovely and the staff was super friendly. The pina coladas were so delicious. There is a separately operated spa on the property grounds, which has a pool with a direct view of the vineyard but you have to pay for access to it. Our pool was nice but it was centered on the property where the vineyards were not visible. We wanted to get massages at the spa but it was $120 usd, which is about the same price as in California, and the spa day pass was $75. There were a couple other options for massages offsite that were a little less expensive but not necessarily that much cheaper than the U.S. so we decided to forego it all together. The spa on the property does offer yoga classes on the weekends though at a discounted rate of $15 for hotel guests if you want to experience the spa and get a light work out in.

Now, onto the best part of Valle de Guadalupe—the food! You definitely need to make reservations in advance. It seems that people generally eat early. Restaurants are not open that late. Wine country is more of a relaxed and sleepy vibe. All the food in Guadalupe is amazing and definitely a lot less expensive than the U.S. for delicious, elevated seafood meals with wine. Plus, you get large portions for the cost, which was a lot of food for two petite women.

For dinner our first night, we visited Finco Altazano, located off a dirt road behind a guarded gated entry. This large open-air restaurant overlooks the vineyards and has a stable for goats on the property. They have giant life-size wine barrels made for guests to climb up, hang out on, sip wine, and enjoy the views. There is also a huge plot of land next to the restaurant with an arch that looks perfect for a wedding venue. The restaurant served elevated food, fairly reasonable sized plates, with a variety of options in a relaxed, casual, farm-style atmosphere. We ordered all seafood and it was delish and the wine was amazing too. We had their tuna tostada, their grilled octopus in a light sauce, and their catch of the day served with greens. For dessert, we ordered their panna cotta and their basque cheesecake. Everything was delicious but my favorite was their lavender white chocolate panna cotta! It was the most amazing panna cotta I’ve ever had! It is still on my mind and I wish I could have more. Everything about Finco Altazano was so charming and I would definitely visit again. It was my favorite restaurant from the trip.

On our second day, we visited the popular local farmhouse La Cocina Don de Esthela. It’s indoors, cash only, with no air conditioning, and located up a hill off a dirt road. We arrived at 11:30am on Friday and thought we were early for lunch but apparently not. We had to wait an 1 hour and 15 minutes for a table. The host initially quoted 40 minutes, which didn’t sound that bad. But over an hour is ridiculous! The meal was local and very good though. The menu was all in Spanish so we sort of guessed what to order. We got a half portion of the popular plate of the Borrego Tastemado, which I think is a slow cooked shredded beef or lamb dish that comes with tortilla and a side of consomme. The meat was juicy and moist and the consomme was really flavorful. We also ordered a quasotaco with chicharron but the chicharron was too hard for me to chew and I didn’t want to crack my teeth! It was a lot of food and only cost $9 each. While the meal was delicious and inexpensive, I do not think it was worth waiting over an hour for.

After that long lunch, we went to Decantos Vinecola for wine tasting. It was not too far from our hotel and located at the end of a dirt road after Baron Balche winery. We wanted to visit both but our lunch took up too much time. Decantos is a large winery with great outdoor space and unobstructed vineyard views. They did not require a reservation in advance but most of the other vineyards do, especially the larger ones. Wine tasting was less than $12 for 3 wine tastings, which you can enjoy on their lawn. They serve cocktails and food here too but we didn’t get a chance to try any of it because there was only so much we could eat and drink in one day. I enjoyed all of the wine I tasted here.It was easy to visit and not crowded at all.

Dinner on our 2nd and last night was at Fauna, located a litte further away at Bruma hotel and winery. The road getting to the restaurant is a dirt road that will bring you to a guarded gate, then you drive along a manicured tree-lined path that leads you to the restaurant set on a small hill above the vineyards. Bruma is upscale and sophisticated and the property feels very exclusive. Fauna was definitely a different experience than Finca the first night. The restaurant itself was smaller. It has shared communal tables and was very lively and packed with loud music. They have indoor seating, patio seating, outdoor seating and bar area seating in the back. It would be a fun destination for a larger group.

The menu options at Fauna were very limited and not descriptive so we weren’t sure what to expect when the dishes came out. There was only one wine option for red, white, and rose but I didn’t really like the one white wine they had. The tiki cocktail I ordered next was simple and a little disappointing as well. We ordered the ceviche, the clams, grilled lettuce, shredded lamb, and the churros. My friend and I were dying for fresh greens because we ate so much meat and seafood but they didn’t have any raw green choices. Even the lettuce we ordered was grilled. The dishes were good and well made but quite large and very hearty, rich, and heavy. Although I enjoyed the meal, nothing really stood out to me. The ambiance was fun but a bit too loud. I’m not sure I would visit this particular restaurant again but I did love the property. As we drove out, we noticed that there was another restaurant on the property underneath the trees called Casa Ocho Wine Garden. I couldn’t find a link for this and I don’t think you need a reservation. We drove up to it and the guard invited us to go take a look but we didn’t because we were too tired and full from dinner. From the outside, it looked really charming with its open-air concept, outdoor tables located underneath the trees, outdoor string lights, and an open grill kitchen. Definitely on my list for next time!

On our last day, Saturday, we dined at Casa Frida for lunch. It is located off the main road. It has multiple restaurants (including an oyster bar), rooftop bar, vineyard, winery, and Airbnb all on its large property. It’s casual but also lively and fun. Apparently, Frida is a popular spot for weekend nights but I’ve heard it might be a long wait to pull into the parking lot to get in. We enjoyed good wine and some great bites for lunch. We ordered a shrimp aquachile in a black sauce (similar to ceviche), tuna crudo, duck quasadillas, and coconut panna cotta. It was a lovely last meal in Guadalupe.

Crossing over the border and coming back to the U.S. was a little more complicated. The traffic was insane near that area. Finding the right lane was so confusing. There is a general lane, ready lane, and sentri (global entry) lane. The roads leading to the border crossing included massive rotaries and loops that made getting to the border a little intimidating. But we survived. Once we made our way to the right lane (which took about 20 min), then it was about a 30 minute wait to get through the border. They checked our passports and we breezed right through. No fees, car check, or questions asked.

I absolutely loved Valle de Guadalupe! More than I thought I would. I did not anticipate it being a blend of Joshua Tree and California wine country and I loved that it was! The unique variety of accommodations, the glamping, the architecture, the design, the views, and the landscape all had so much character and charm. The food was amazing, which is important to me everywhere I travel. I didn’t expect Guadalupe to have such a delicious offering of seafood dishes. The area is still being developed and I think it will blow up in the next few years. Now is definitely the time to visit. It’s closer to Los Angeles than Napa. It’s only an hour further from Los Angeles than Santa Barbara wine country. And it’s more affordable than both those destinations. It was exactly what my soul craved—a getaway, a chance to relax, be present, and recharge. I was so impressed by everything during the entire trip that I felt fully present and in the moment, as I enjoyed every sip of wine, every single bite I tasted, all the vineyards, the breathtaking sunset views, and the moments by the pool drinking pina coladas.

If you plan to visit, here are a few tips. Leave on off days like Thurs-Sat to avoid traffic if you can. It also helps with getting cheaper and available accommodations, as hotels tend to book up fast since it’s not a large area. Add on Mexico coverage through your car insurance. Download an offline google map in case you don’t have Mexico phone coverage or if connection is bad. Get gas and use the restroom before you cross the U.S. border into Mexico. Conversely, use restrooms and don’t drink a lot of water when you approach the border leaving Mexico because you don’t know how long you will have to wait in line to cross over. There will be rest stops between Valle and the border, after Puerto Nuevo. Pack closed-toe shoes such as booties or wedges because you will be walking along dirt paths and your feet will be filthy and probably uncomfortable. I brought flip flops, converses, flat open toe sandals (because they worked with my outfit more but I kind of regretted it), and booties. Bring a hat because the sun is strong and it does get hot. Carry some cash for tolls, tips, and local eateries. Make reservations in advance for restaurants and wineries. Keep in mind that some restaurants and wineries require a deposit online when making reservations. Don’t order too much because some of the portions are large. Give yourself the opportunity to try food at multiple places including the wineries. Research restaurants and winery locations in advance so that you can plan your day out smoothly and not have to drive to opposite ends of the region to visit each place.

Three days and two nights was the perfect amount of time for the trip and I probably could have stayed another night. There are still so many restaurants and wineries on my list that I want to try. I took note of places we drove by that looked really cool. Here is a list of some places I’d like to do more research on and possibly explore next time I visit:

RESTAURANTS:

Casa Ocho Wine Garden in Bruma Hotel - casual outdoor restaurant under the trees

Deckman’s

Animalon - upscale restaurant, requires a deposit when making a reservation

Latitud 32 restaurant - located in El Cielo winery

Adobe Food Truck - casual tapas and wine with outdoor seating

WINERIES:

El Cielo -requires prepayment when making a reservation

Monte Xanic

Xecue Vinecola

ACCOMMODATIONS: (I haven’t researched these so they may be high-end and not budget friendly but definitely worth looking into)

Bruma Hotel

Oeno Hotel

Encuentro Guadalupe Hotel

Lumi Hotel

La Cima del Valle Hotel

For more photos, food pics, and videos from Valle de Gaudalupe, visit me on Instagram. There is a Highlight Reel in my profile of all my Insta stories from the trip. Check it out! I will also be working on a Valle de Guadalupe Reel and will be posting that soon so follow me and be on the look out for it! When you do, please share, like, comment, and support. And subscribe to my blog. I hope my trip inspires you to visit Valle de Guadalupe yourself or to plan your next adventure!

East Coast Adventure

Due to the pandemic, it has been two years since I have last seen my parents. Now that we are all fully vaccinated, I was finally able to make the trip out to Boston to see them again and it was bittersweet! It felt like no time has passed at all due to the benefits of Facetime and the unchanging dynamics and quirks of a mother-daughter relationship. With my flexible schedule, I bought a one-way flight and decided that I would figure out my return while in Boston.

In the past year of the pandemic, I have grown so much because I was forced to do a lot of introspection and self-reflection in quarantine. I continued therapy during the pandemic consistently, which I had not done since I was in my twenties. Turns out, I still had a lot to learn. Therapy is not a one-time class and there is no cap on growth. Had my mother noticed while I visited? Maybe. Maybe not. Did it matter? Not really because all of that self-work was done for me. Although I do think it benefits everyone around me.

During my visit, we ate so much good food! My mother and I both cooked different dishes for each other to try. We had wine and dessert every night. I hosted at-home happy hours with charcuterie boards and cocktails. I made a surf and turf al fresco lunch for my parents and my sister on Mother’s Day. I planned a road trip with my parents up the coast of Maine to visit Acadia National Park. We stopped in Portland on the way there and had lunch at Eventide Oysters, which was amazing. We stayed overnight in Rockland and enjoyed a lovely farm-to-table dinner at Primo. Maine was a fun weekend adventure and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to experience it with my parents because they would not have done a road trip on their own.

For a brand collaboration, I stayed in The South End in Boston for a couple nights at Stay Pineapple Boutique Hotel. It was a nice break from staying at my parents’ and it felt good to have my own space again. While staying in the city, I went on a solo date at Barcelona Wine Bar, ordered everything, and had a wonderful time with myself. I also dined at Toro, Ostra, and Row 34 during my visit and all of them were delish. I love seafood and ordered crudo at every restaurant. It was so fun to be a tourist in my own city. I am convinced that the northeast has the best food.

Even though I had a great trip, I physically struggled everyday throughout my visit because of the pollen dust storms. My allergies totally kicked my butt. My allergist has once told me that I’m the worst he’s ever seen, and pills don’t help. Every day, I was drained and exhausted from just being outside for an hour or two and would feel compelled to nap afterwards. In addition to sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, itchy face, and itchy internal body, allergies also give me brain fog and extreme fatigue. I really could not function. I’m envious of people who don’t suffer from allergies!

After almost three weeks away, I am finally back home. My body feels better and lighter. I am starting to feel like myself again. Back in my personal space with all my comforts and routine. It was a great trip and fun little adventure, but three weeks was a long time to be away especially after over one year of quarantine. I’m still adjusting to life, normalcy, and reemergence into society, which can be draining. Everything just feels extra nowadays. So I am going to listen to my body and give myself the rest of the week to recover.

Los Olivos Birthday Trip

For my last three birthdays, I’ve traveled abroad and went on yoga retreats and it has always brought me so much joy. Last year, I spent my entire birthday month in Cambodia and it was incredible. I’m very forunate to have been able to travel abroad as much as I have and explore the world, learn about different cultures, and connect with new people.

This year, my birthday is a little [a lot] different because of all the unexpected challenges of 2020. With all the challenges come new lessons and opportunity for growth. And there were definitely a lot this year! But it didn’t stop me from celebrating or going on my annual birthday adventure. While my adventure was a lot smaller this year, I’m so happy I was able to get away to Los Olivos in wine country for one day and one night with a friend. My birthday was a couple weeks ago in November but I hadn’t had a chance to sit down and share it with you until now.

Los Olivos is only a 2.5 hour drive from Los Angeles. We stayed at the Fess Parker Inn right in the middle of the cute town. Unfortunately because of Covid, the town was quiet and a lot of businesses were closed but I still enjoyed the short getaway. One night at The Fess Parker Inn includes a free bottle of wine in your suite and two free tastings at the Fess Parker Vineyard and Ephiphany Winery. Service at the Fess Parker Vineyard was amazing. They treated me to probably almost 10 wine tastings outdoors on their patio because of my birthday. Afterwards, we took a quick dip in the pool at the inn and enjoyed pre-dinner cocktails and a delicious shrimp appetizer by the fire.

That night, we dined at the new restaurant at the inn called Nella and it was absolutely fabulous. We started dinner with a truffle flatbread, an entire plate of mortadella (it’s my favorite charcuterie meat as well as my friend’s), and mussels. Then we shared a duck entree and ended my birthday dinner with profiteroles and an espresso martini. My belly was very happy and my experience at the Fess Parker Inn and Vineyard was so wonderful.

The next day, we drove through the rolling hills, had our last tasting at Ephiphany, and enjoyed an outdoor lunch at Los Olivos Wine Merchant Cafe before returning to Los Angeles. It was a more low-key birthday than my previous years, but I’m grateful that I was able to do something to bring me a little bit of joy, given the circumstances of the pandemic this year.

Let's Hike!

It feels like the new year just started and somehow it’s March already and I haven’t submitted this post (it has been sitting in my drafts)! There’s so much stress and anxiety that not only comes with ending a year but also beginning a new one. There’s so much hope but also a lot of fear at the same time. I definitely felt it. Anyone else? What sometimes helps me with that pressure is going on little adventures and hikes, getting outside, being in nature, climbing a mountain.

You don't always have to go far for a little adventure. Beauty is sometimes just around the corner. I started the first weekend of the new year going on one of the most amazing hikes in SoCal called The Bridge to Nowhere in Asuza, CA. It kind of reminded me of The Narrows in Zion in Utah. The Bridge to Nowhere is also a popular spot for bungee jumpers. It’s a long hike but relatively flat. The drive there alone is magical with the view of the mountains and the reservoir. We must have gone after a rainfall because there was a pretty decent stream with a strong current running through the hiking trail. We packed lunch and snacks and we were hoping to have a little picnic at the bridge, but we ended up never making it to the bridge. Because the sun sets earlier in the winter, you really need to allot enough time to get there and back before dark and we, unfortunately, started too late in the day. Regardless, it was such a beautiful hike and journey! We climbed around precarious boulders, crossed strong currents at least 4 times, saw big horn sheep, and hiked for 5 hours.

I don’t know what this year will look like, but I’m definitely looking forward to more adventures this year.