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Nor Cal Coast Road Trip: Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Monterey

September 17, 2019

Carmel by the Sea-Big Sur-Monterey-veganHi guys! I’m writing this currently sitting at the airport on my way back to LAX from my college bestie’s bachelorette party trying to finally put this post together. As you may have seen on Insta, we took a road trip a couple weeks ago up the California coast and met my family in Carmel by the Sea and Big Sur. We also got to drive through Monterey on our way up there (shout out Big Little Lies fans- but like did Bonnie really have to be that dramatic this season? I digress.)

Northern California Coast Road Trip: Carmel, Big Sur, Monterey

This area of Northern California was SO stunning I felt like we were Europe somewhere. I thought it was certainly worth sharing some of the plant based dining options and touristy highlights with you guys. Plus, if you’re a vegan health freak like me or even an aspiring one, then you probably can relate to me here- the restaurant struggle is real.

It always takes me hours of researching and scouring the internet to find quality organic restaurants that also have plant based vegan options. In addition to that, I always ALSO have to do normal trip research to squeeze in all the local hot spots to check out. Luckily, my Mom planned this trip so I didn’t have to do my usual vaca protocol lolz but that’s typically the drill. 

As a self-proclaimed “healthy vegan,” I find myself always making an itinerary after looking at a million different blogs and travel websites (more travel itineraries here!) We are a family of super health conscious eaters but not all of us are 100% plant based (referring to the men in the fam- Dad, brother, and husbands, oh our poor husbands- they had no idea what they were signing up for when we met them in college HA oops).

We often like to dine at restaurants that offer organic food but also have vegan dishes on the menu.

That way, everyone is happy. We also like to be very active and drink a lot of organic alcohol, so our trips consist of all the walks our parents can get us to do, hikes galore, and happy hours. You get the gist! 

Anywho, this area is amazing for a little getaway without having to travel outside of the US- complete with charming local shops, farm to table food, and gorgeous scenery. Without further adieu, here are a few recommendations from our trip. 

Northern California Coast Road Trip

Northern California Coast Road Trip

CARMEL BY THE SEA

Carmel Belle

Favorite breakfast and lunch spot! They make their own almond milk and we could not get enough of their lattes, “Farmer’s Market” salads, and raw vegan chocolate cake!

Cultura

Two things: Eclectic Mexican food and house made tequila. YUM. We ate here Friday night and the margaritas and vegan veggie bowl were AMAZE. 

The Cypress Inn

This boutique hotel is a must see. It was owned by the late actress and animal activist, Doris Day. While Carmel is an EXTREMELY dog-friendly town (we bought Caesar our little Maltese almost everywhere), this place takes the cake. Dogs are allowed throughout the whole hotel. Like, everywhere. We went for late night drinks after dinner two nights in a row and danced to live music in the comfy, living room style lounge with pups all around us. True bliss IMO.

Pebble Beach

Probably what most peeps know Carmel and Monterey area for. This is one of the nicest golf courses ever or something, apparently. Idk, I don’t really follow #sports too much but the husbands and brother were super excited to get to see this. We went to the resort and popped in the visitor center too. Def worth checking out! Ok enough about that lololol. 

17 Mile Drive

The hubs and I didn’t meet up with everyone early enough for this (5+ hour drive from LA!) but it’s definitely one of the top attractions.

Northern California Coast Road Trip

vegan dessert

BIG SUR

The drive from Carmel to Big Sur is known as THE thing to do on a road trip here. It only takes about 45 minutes but there are numerous recommended stops along the way. It’s super easy too and the highway is always full of people pulling their cars off the road to take in the views and get a few selfies. Here are a few of the stops we did!

Bixby Bridge (the Big Little Lies bridge!)
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
The Village 
A little strip of shops featuring local organic coffee and wines, located next to the Big Sur River Inn. It even had a Mercado Sagrado x Big Sur pop-up open when we stopped (if you’re into the LA wellness scene you may have heard of this highly-curated wellness festival- check it out here if not!) 
Nepenthe
Gorgeous outdoor happy hour bar with suh-weet views of Big Sur. Freaking breathtaking. Highly recco.

 

MONTEREY

Ok not gonna lie, didn’t get to personally check these places out. However, the fam who got there a day early did and I totes trust their opinions. Blog post worthy spots for sure.
Cannery Row restaurants and shopping
Fisherman’s Wharf (Sea lions and otters galore!)

 

You guys let me know if I missed anything! Until next time.

XOXO
-Dani

carmel by the sea travel guide

Northern California Coast Road Trip

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Last weekend’s b-day trip to see my parents (mom Last weekend’s b-day trip to see my parents (mom has been working with EuroMed foundation for alternative cancer treatments, great resource for anyone needing it!!) and have a little Labor Day weekend reset! Had the best time visiting my fave Scottsdale/Phoenix restaurants @kaleidoscopejuice & @tocayaorganica .Also was obsessed with @civanaresort and had a fun time forcing Garrett to do a sound bath mediation with me lolz. The spa & on site restaurants were sooo good, super health conscious and lots of gluten + dairy free and vegan options. The matcha pancakes and homemade hot sauce were to die for. 
Until next time, AZ! 💚🌵🏜️🎂🎈🍾
French Riviera bringing me back to life!! Best tri French Riviera bringing me back to life!! Best trip living off bread, champagne, and perfecting my “bonsoir” and “merci” lolz.
Check out Part 1 caption with a lot of my wellness travel must haves 🇫🇷🤍

#europeansummer #healthytravel #southoffrance
France Part 1 - went to @cannes_lions festival wit France Part 1 - went to @cannes_lions festival with @dearmediastudio - such a cool experience to see all things creator economy, advertising, influencer marketing, and brand innovation. 

Favorite Wellness Hacks that got me through all the meetings & networking events:

- @d.o.s.e.y travel supplement case filled with @arrae.co bloat, @sakaralife multi vitamin and metabolism powder, @clearstemskincare acne supplement, @cymbiotika super greens, vitamin C, Zinc, @maryruthorganics vitamin D, and much more.
- travel size nebulizer to kill any germs and viruses that might get in the lungs from airplane circulated air, crowded spaces, etc
- @purity_coffee organic one cup on the go coffee tea bags
- @boiron homeopathic jet lag medicine and travel kit 
- @livelarq filtering water bottle 
- my @ninjakitchen mini travel blender for smoothies on the go (posted about on my TikTok, it was a game changer!) with @artisanamarket cashew butter packets and @truvani plant based protein packets 
- @doterra immunity boosting on guard hand sanitizer, wipes, essential oils digest zen and deep blue, their nontoxic deodorant & sunscreen stick 
- @sakaralife plantbased protein bars, energy effervecents, and detox tea 
- @bungalow.cafe.cannes for juices, smoothies, healthy eats and the best avocado toast when I needed a break from pasta 
- also my @cholulahotsauce travel packets because I can never find hot sauce in Europe and need it with lemon on everything lolz 

Xo, D

#wellnesstravel #healthytravel #canneslions #cotedazurfrance
@dearmediastudio 2nd annual IRL event in Austin th @dearmediastudio 2nd annual IRL event in Austin this past weekend- I remember @michaelbosstick describing the company vision to me about community events 5 years ago (before I had the amazing team we do now & when the brand partnerships department was literally just me, myself, & i lolz!) Fast forward here we are again with over 500 people coming to see some of their fave creators in person, experience brand activations, & spend the day with us! Super rewarding to see all this come to life after the behind the scenes planning since last year. Lucky to work with such incredible people & brands.

Next IRL coming SOON to a NEW city in the fall 🎤🎙️📰🎧🏙️🤠
We had to say goodbye to my best pal Caesar aka pu We had to say goodbye to my best pal Caesar aka pup on the Loose this past weekend. I feel like no one prepares you for this kind of grief you experience losing the pet that was ride or die with you through your 20s and all the life changes and growth that decade brings. He was by my side through it all. I got Caesar almost 12 years ago when I was a senior in college, preparing to graduate and then move to NYC. We adopted him from Fuzzy Friends in my hometown Waco, Tx where he was rescued from a puppy mill in Austin. He lived on both coasts during his life (NYC and LA!) and he truly went everywhere with us like Vegas, New Orleans, Palm Springs, Big Sur, and so much more. I can’t thank him enough for the unconditional love and comfort he gave me from 20 to now almost 33. Rest in peace my little angel. Love ya Always and forever🤍🦴🐾🐶
Earlier this month when I became an aperol spritz Earlier this month when I became an aperol spritz gurl 🇮🇹🍝🍕🍹

My fave wellness-y stuff I forgot to take good content of from this trip:
@d.o.s.e.y travel pill case for my millions of supplements - took @arrae.co everything, @cymbiotika super greens, and alot of @doterra vegan Lifelong Vitality 

@livelarq water bottle with built in filter

@superhumanapp travel meditations

@piquelife teas, @drinklmnt electrolytes, and @purity_coffee travel packs

@averraglow clear skin elixir, cleansing nectar, and serums

@sakaralife metabolism powder travel packets every AM and detox bars for snacks

Xo, D
Are the youths calling these DITLs? Lolz Here are Are the youths calling these DITLs? Lolz
Here are the details of some of my go to brands/faves from this day in the life:
-AM meditation: @doterra emotional aromatherapy essential oils kit + @superhumanapp app
-always in my work bag: @piquelife tea, @sakaralife bars, @drinklmnt packets 
-AM smoothie: @truvani is my go to plantbased & clean ingredient protein powder + @artisanaorganics nut butters (protein + healthy fats will keep you full for longer)
-skincare routine w/ nontoxic @averraglow acne fighting products (also love clearstem!!) 
-clean makeup @lawless @crunchicollection 
-smoothie @juiceland here in Austin (my ride or die spot for healthy plant based eats)
-organic and clean wine (only thing I drink at home really) from @dryfarmwines bc extra extra low alc content (some less than 10%) & prevents any hangovers 
-and PM windown red light mask with @higherdose 

Xo, D

#dayintheoffice #dayinmylife #dearmedia #holistichealthcoach #plantbasedlifestyle #nontoxiclifestyle
a New York minute- quick trip last week filled wit a New York minute- quick trip last week filled with work meetings, plantbased restaurants, and a little sibling hang time all in one (my brother is there, shoutout Andrew lolz!)
I lived in NYC for a brief stint in my early 20s over a decade ago and it always re-energizes me when I go back. One of my favorite places in the whole world. So much hustling and good plantbased food this trip. Fave spots we hit up: any restaurant by Matthew Kinney (Bar Verde and Double Zero), Juice Press locations everywhere, Coletta, abcV, and Butcher’s Daughter. Save for these healthy spots your next visit to the city! Xo, D

#plantbasedrestaurant #plantbasedhealth #nyctrip
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