California Road Trip Itinerary

There's nothing quite like a long road trip on the brink of summer. The anticipation, the spontaneity of it all, the possibilities...the snacks. It's a free spirited way of travel that offers a vast and adventurous journey, with turns and valleys and mountains and ocean views and pit stops and potty breaks...and sometimes traffic! 

(Carly in the White Eyelet Dress in Calla Lily Valley, Carmel, CA) 

It's not often that I mentally remove myself from my daily grind, work, the everyday hustle and weekly routines. I've forgotten that a road trip allows for just that, sometimes even forcefully, as reception in the mountains is nonexistent. So off we go! From San Diego to San Francisco, no turning back! 

(Carly in Black & White Stripe Smock Dress, at Malibu Farm)

Originally from Texas, this was the first California road trip I've ever taken, and I'm forever changed by it. So much so, that I want EVERYONE I know to experience the exhilarating freedom and life-changing moments that comes from a trek up the Pacific Coast Highway. To me, it's about staying in tune with what you're learning about yourself along the way, the lifestyles you discover in other cities and the people you meet throughout, that share a piece of their story. It's a profound discovery of self-reflection and human existence! 

(Carly at Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, Ca)

In addition to seeing the sights and marking things off my buckets list, I was fortunate to make friends along the way-this is always a priority you see, because I firmly believe it's the people in your life's journey that make it worthwhile. Which is why I choose AirBnB or boutique hotels to stay at when I travel because it's budget friendly and there's so much depth, character and conversation! With this in mind, I KNEW I wanted to share Hofsas House, a darling,  gem of a hotel in the heart of Carmel-By-The-Sea, with the Townie community. So, I sat down with the owner, Carrie Theis, for a brief moment to capture a glimpse of her story, her hotel and beyond. 

In honor of National Tourism Week, below is my personal itinerary from my recent road trip from San Diego to San Fransisco and back again. If you find yourself planning a vacation, I highly suggest this experience as an opportunity of a lifetime, fun for the whole family and filled with wonder in the great wide somewhere of California!