Ojai Rancho Inn ~ Hotel Crush

When I first saw images of the Ojai Rancho Inn in Ojai, CA (obviously), I immediately envisioned a girls trip filled with morning hikes, some serious pool time, afternoon bike rides and post margarita disco naps in the property's tee-pee... This 20 room, dog & family friendly,1950's roadhouse has been updated with a style that is the perfect blend of mountain mystic and Ojai bohemian but splashed with touches of timeless mid-century design. Considering it's just 90-minutes north of Los Angeles, with rates that start around $189, I'd say this motel makes for the perfect weekend getaway... or rent out the entire property to create a perfect intimate wedding venue. The couple behind Shelter Social Club really nailed it with this one. 

From a retro shuffle board court,  to the airstream trailer, and the woven leather beach chairs - the property reminds me of the ACE hotel in palm springs, minus the hipsters and DJ'd pool parties. The property has perfect touches like handmade pendant lights from Heather Levine, in room art by Adam Pogue and jewelry designer Carly Margolis of All For the Mountain, Linus bikes for rent, and indigo tie dye curtains from Lookout and Wonderland. If the style vibe of the Ojai Rancho Inn could be bottled up - I bet it would be sold at the General Store in Venice. It's that spot on. 

Photos courtesy of Leslie at Spotted SF  

Mt. Tam's Best Kept Secret ~ Cabin Camping ~ West Point Inn

Earlier this week my sister posted a question on Facebook: "Looking for fun places to go camping around the Bay Area....Recommendations Please???". There were so many great ideas, including: Big Sur, Samuel P Taylor State Park, Angel Island and Camp Outback on the Russian River, but I like to think my suggestion is one of Marin's last hidden gems. Perched high atop the amazing Mt. Tam, with panoramic views of the  bay and only accessible by hike, The West Point Inn is my pick for my sisters upcoming camping trip ~ now hopefully I'll get the invite...

Most known for its popular pancake breakfasts, few realize that you can also book a room, or a cabin, for as little as $50 a night. Originally built in 1904 for the Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Scenic Railroad and remains largely unchanged from a century ago. There is no electricity or linen service, so guests are asked to bring a flashlight and their own bedding - but don't fret, there are still hot showers, a full kitchen and running water.

With 7 guest rooms and 5 Cabins, you can host up to 31 people and rent the entire facility for as little  as $1000, but sadly - they don't allow weddings, kegs or loud events. They take reservations 3 months in advance, or 4 months if you are a annual member, but Fridays, Sundays and weekdays almost always have availability. Go to the website to read all policies and reservation details, then get camping!

 

photos courtesy of the West Point Inn website

Hotel Crush ~ Hotel Lautner, Desert Hot Springs CA

I'm sure you all can tell by now, that I'm a huge fan of Mid-Century design, which makes Hotel Lautner in Desert Hot Springs, CA a dream hotel for me. 

Built by famed architect John Lautner in 1947, the newly refurbished property is a hybrid between hotel and vacation rental property. It only has 4 suites, each with small kitchens, patios and James Bond-esq interior design. Hotel Lautner would be the perfect place for a family reunion, bachelorette weekend, or a romantic one night getaway.  I'm so obsessed I've posted photos of each of the four rooms below... they are like a live-in desert terrarium with high taste:

Suite #1

Suite #2

Suite #3

Suite #4

The property is host to a small saline spa and outdoor showers - but sadly there isn't more room to splash around. Although, the fire pit looks like the ideal spot for star gazing and I love the interior design so much I might not ever leave my room.

 Photos Courtesy of Hotel Lautner's Facebook page. Like it Here! 

 

Suites start at $225 a night and they ask for a two night minimum. Email info@hotellautner.com or call 760.832.5288 for reservations.

Jalama State Beach, Cabin Camping

Ocean front tent camping can be difficult to snag during the summer months - but with the addition of 7 ocean-view - reservation only - cabins, our weekend warrior odds just got a little better. 

A sister property to the Cachuma Lake yurts I blogged about here, these new log cabins sleep up to six and have fully equip kitchens and bathrooms, all you'll have to bring are the towels and sheets. The campground is between Point Arguello and Point Conception on the beautiful Santa Barbara coast and rates range from $150 to $200 on weekends and holidays, and from $100 to $150 during the week.

Make your reservation for a new cabin or yurt at Cachuma Lake or Jalama Beach by calling (805) 686-5050 or visiting sbparks.org

Virgin America takes off to Portland Oregon!

I'm a loyal Virgin America traveler - not only because my sister works there - but because I'm fully in love with every aspect of the airline. So when they announced today that their newest destination will be Portland, Oregon, I started searching my calendar for a free weekend to book a trip. While I'm still working on my Oregon itinerary, but I at least know where I'm planning to stay - the Ace Hotel, which I have a serious hotel crush on and wrote about (here)!

Over the past few years, Virgin America has won me over with its friendly service, its quirky inflight security video and its smaller than usual boarding passes. There is Wi-Fi access, a make your own playlist option, a seat to seat chat feature and you can browse and order meals, snacks and beverages right from your seat, which are then be delivered to you (aka. no more waiting for the cart).

 

Starting June 5th Virgin America will fly two daily round-trip flights from Los Angeles and one from San Francisco, and to celebrate the new route launch they are promoting one way tickets as low as $99!
Bon Voyage! 

Road Trip ~ Big Sur

My wonderful parents took a road trip down highway 1 last weekend, all the way from San Francisco to Morrow Bay, and asked me if I had any recommendations of places to stay in Big Sur.

ThBig Sur is one of those magical places - where the smell of a campfire blends perfectly with the salty pacific air - From campsites to cabins, from yurts to world class resorts - there is lodging available for any budget - and below, I've picked my top 3 choices, that won't break the bank.

1. Glen Oaks in Big Sur

This beautifully restored series of forest cabins has green sensibilities and thoughtful design. You can bundle up in the provided Pendleton Woolen Mills blankets as you warm up next to your own fireplaces or campfire. The smallest cabins start around $200/night which includes wifi, but no TV, so leave the remote control at home and pack a good book instead. 

2. Big Sur Campground and Cabins.

More rustic than Glen Oaks - with a mix of campsites, tent camps and small creek side cabins - Big Sur Campground and Cabins can offer you shelter for as low as $95 for a tent cabin and $145 for accommodations with four wood walls. We've hear cabins #103 and #104 are best and located right on Big Sur Creek!

3. Fernwood Resort

Finally, for those who love a live show and don't mind staying up late, the Fernwood Resort has adorable Tent Cabins starting as slow as $75 a night, located just steps from Big Sur creek. Fernwood also has music calender full of kickin' events like the folkYEAH Hipnic  in May! On almost every weekend the music begins at 9pm. There is no cover to get a show but there is a full bar!