Travel Diaries - San Francisco

San Francisco, city of who-needs-to-do-squats-when-the-streets-are-all-up-hill?

All I could hear in my head upon arrival was, shoo-bee-doo-doo-bop, also known as the theme song to Full House; it's no secret I have a crush on Uncle Jesse. Armed with my best friend, Stef, and her camera, we toured around town for 4 days, walking past homes dipped in salt-water taffy, and hopping on and off cable cars like pros.

We stayed in Union Square, the city centre of San Francisco, however, through exploring we came to love the Mission District. We went in November (yeah this post is overdue) but the sights, eats, and escape of San Francisco work all year round for those planning a 2016 trip.

Below is a round-up of some things I liked! Enjoy x

Photo credits: Stefania Sgambelluri

Not A Model Travel Diaries - Beach Hopping - California

I want to live on a beach.

I write this sentence and it implies that sea salt runs through my veins or something. Yet, I'm not a strong swimmer, I'm deathly afraid of sharks, I get sea-sick on boats, I'm squeamish around fish, I would never go scuba diving, I believe in sea monsters.. and the list goes on.

However, there is something about living close to the ocean that really speaks to me. Perhaps, it's the idea of waking up next to something that is greater than I am. Sure, I wake up next to skyscrapers that encase me in the clouds and yes, I feel small. The ocean isn't about feeling small but instead about feeling a part of something. If I lived by the ocean, I'd toss my fears, hopes, complaints, dreams and ideas into it everyday and move on.

During the beach hopping portion of the vacation, we stopped at Venice beach, Manhattan beach, Huntington beach, Malibu beach and Zuma beach. I loved every single sandy one.

Enjoy the last batch of photos from my travel diaries! Hope you liked my recap of California.

xo

Manhattan Beach

My favourite meal in Cali: fish tacos

Venice beach

Marilyn Monlaker

THE most delicious ice cream sandwiches

Terranea in Rancho Palos Verdes

surfers & sweet rides

Spike!

the life

Not A Model Travel Diaries - Santa Monica

Welcome to Santa Monica!

After Los Angeles, we headed down to Santa Monica for the remainder of the trip. Loews (our hotel) overlooked and rested right across from the world famous Santa Monica Pier and muscle beach. Who doesn't love colourful Ferris wheels and carnival rides? The beach was full of people working out, relaxing or heading to the pier for some treats and fun.

Another favourite spot of ours was downtown Santa Monica, particularly Third Street Promenade. While I usually like to balance out any shopping time on vacation, (who wants to spend time indoors?) the promenade was a beautiful outdoor shopping oasis with restaurants, stores and gorgeous greenery. Cue the palm trees and the credit card.

Since we're on the topic of shopping, lately I'm obsessed with bracelets. I love to stack them up and mix and match, until my arm feels heavy and well, happy. I picked up some great bracelets in California, with proceeds going to two different charitable organizations. Post-vacation, I came across this article on Refinery29, and it pretty much solidified that I'm not alone in my obsessive arm decor ways.

All in all, I loved Santa Monica and will definitely try and find my way back there one day. As per usual, below are some photos. Enjoy!

Next up: Beach hopping!

Not A Model Travel Diaries - Los Angeles, California

Welcome to California.

From the moment I stepped off the plane at LAX, I knew.

I've always heard people say that you're either an east coast or west coast person. While I love New York, after visiting California, I decided I'm completely west coast. There is something in the air there; perhaps it's the saline from the salt water, or the copious amounts of vitamin D, but it's glorious. It felt like someone had sucked the fogginess out of my brain with a vacuum, and all that was left was clarity.

Our celeb sightings were slim (re: Eugene Levy and Ashley Greene) and I realized that I'm not really into celebrities when they're not on screen. Sure, I was hoping to get a glimpse of Justin Timberlake or the Jolie-Pitts (they live across the street from each other) on our Hollywood homes tour, but alas they were nowhere to be found. I was fascinated by the paparazzi who stalk outside restaurants just waiting for a glimpse of a "famous" person. I thought to myself, how can this be a legitimate job? Your entire existence is just waiting for someone to walk outside hoping they have a bit of spaghetti bolognese stuck on their chin.

I do have one dream though when it comes to LA. Here it is: I’m all gussied up at the Kodak theatre and not just as someone’s arm candy. (Although Ryan Gosling, if you want to extend the invite, I accept). Instead I’m nominated on my own merit. The lights dim, the presenter goes up and they say, “…and the academy award for best original screenplay goes to…” You get the picture.

While Los Angeles was a sight to see, we (the parentals, sis and I) spent the latter part of the trip beach hopping along the coast and stopping at one of the most famous piers in the world. 

Let the road trip begin.

Next entry: Santa Monica

The rooftop of our hotel, The Montage

Rodeo Drive

Lunch at the Ivy

Smiley Java

In another life, I'd be a Missoni girl

Girls in the Ghost

Larger than life billboards

Bev Hills Sign

The fam at Mr. Chow's. (Taken by a paparazzi who was allegedly waiting for Kim Kardashian)

Golden flowers

Ready, set, GO