San Francisco + Big Sur

Of all the many places I've been lucky enough to visit, the one I love the most has to be California. Until this point, I had only seen SoCal; San Diego, Carlsbad, Anaheim, and Santa Monica - but there is so much more to explore!

So when I had the chance to travel to San Francisco and Big Sur, my heart was elated! I couldn't wait to see the mountainous coast line, take in the salty PCH air, and surround myself by towering trees.

We spent the first day exploring picturesque San Francisco and hitting all the tourist spots; Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Tired from a long day of travel, we ended with a quiet dinner and prepared for our drive the next day down to Big Sur.

With no real plan, we set out on the road and stopped along the way anywhere that caught our eye. From quiet beaches to the cutest luncheon spot, the drive was absolutely stunning and prepared us for the beauty we were sure to enjoy throughout the trip.

Our destination was the Big Sur Inn, a cozy homestead set into the Redwood trees complete with a babbling brook that made the perfect spot for enjoying coffee and nature.

Over our days in Big Sur, we explored hiking trails, relaxed in the golden sun on beaches, and visited some of the most popular photo spots like Bixby Creek Bridge and McKway Falls.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting breakfast at the Big Sur Bakery and taking in the gorgeous mountain views while sipping my coffee. The other? A midnight trip to Esalen where we took part in some hot spring bathing under a twinkling sky full of stars with ocean waves crashing just below us.

I hope to make it back to Big Sur again soon to do some more exploration!