As I inched closer to completing my 30th time around the sun, I knew I had to plan some sort of epic trip. A trip abroad came to mind, but I also dreamt of driving up the coast for the best California road trip. The road trip lasted a full week and we stopped at 3 locations – Ojai, Big Sur and San Luis Obispo. I’ve found that I need at least 2 days per location in order to settle in and experience any place adequately. Obviously this can change depending on the size and amount of things to do wherever you are going.
It’s kind of ridiculous that I drove up the 101 on the way to and from Cal Poly for 4 years, oh and all those aforementioned family vacations – and I’d never ventured to Ojai! Now that I’ve been, I’m already thinking about going back to explore more. Unfortunately a couple of the places I wanted to eat weren’t open the days we stayed – so be sure to fully investigate when you’re booking.
The best California road trip – Ojai accommodations
Caravan Outpost
When I discovered Caravan Outpost while browsing Instagram, I knew it was where I wanted to stay in Ojai. When we arrived, we were welcomed by one of the owners. The front desk is located in a large metal building that houses a shop with very California-esque items and even some vintage finds! The grounds are complete with 11 Airstreams and perfectly curated with succulents, palm trees and communal tables. There’s a bonfire pit surrounded by chairs draped with colorful blankets – which turns into a communal cooking and s’mores-roasting space in the evening. I highly recommend staying at Caravan Outpost if you enjoy meeting other people during your travels – or even if you don’t, but I think it’s nice to have the option! It happened to rain most of our trip and I enjoyed the pitter-patter of the raindrops on the Airstream – literally my ideal white noise.
I have since stayed at a couple other wonderful accommodation options in Ojai! Ojai Retreat & Inn is a 5 acre hilltop retreat with panoramic views. Su Nido Inn is made up of Mission Revival suites just steps from Downtown Ojai.
The best California road trip – where to eat in Ojai
Pinyon
Pinyon is a family and friend-run spot committed to sourcing from local farmers and like-minded artisans. Their daytime menu includes bagels, hoagies, sourdough pastries and salads! Next time we are in town we will check out this menu, but we went for dinner which is all about wood-fired pizza, seasonal plates, natural wine and desserts. The entire menu changes seasonally but here is the goodness we got to eat!
GEM LETTUCE SALAD fennel, guajillo, citrus & pistachio // CRUDO special // PINYON kefir, pecorino, confit onion, broccolini, pine nuts & sausage // MADONNA mushroom sauce, tallegio, spring onion & oyster mushrooms // PISTACHIO TIRAMISU
The Dutchess
If you’ve spent much time in Los Angeles, you have probably dined at one of the Rustic Canyon family of restaurants – think Huckleberry, Birdie G’s, Esters, and Milo & Olive. The Dutchess is the creation of Zoe Nathan (founder of Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe in Santa Monica) and Josh Loeb, who still operates their Rustic Canyon empire, but moved to Ojai a few years ago to start a farm. They teamed up with Saw Naing, previously from Tallula’s in Santa Monica, who now brings his Burmese-Indian background to the Dutchess kitchen. Their daytime menu reminiscent the Huckleberry loaves, pastries, and other morning bites. In the evenings, it’s a full Burmese-Indian menu! Here are the absolutely delicious dishes we ate! They also make fantastic cocktails! If you’re an Old Fashioned drinker, try their take on the classic cocktail ~ OLD FASHIONED DATE old grand dad bourbon, coconut palm sugar, housemade banana bitters.
NAAN tandoori oven bread, garlic herb butter // PUMPKIN CURRY kabocha squash, red gravy masala, crispy onions, crispy garlic // PORK BELLY Niman Ranch pork, mushrooms, bok choy, spicy rice noodles
CRISPY RICE SALAD (HTAMIN THOKE) bomba rice, cabbage, Burmese nut mix, fried shallots, herb sauce // CHICKPEA FRITTERS pressed and fried chickpeas, tamarind sauce // PASSION FRUIT DESSERT
Bonnie Lu’s
Located on the main drag, we found the perfect diner for a straight up American Breakfast. Our order: Buttermilk Pancakes & Biscuits with Sausage Gravy + Bacon
The Nest
This spot was raved about by multiple people, across all meals. I have been multiple times for lunch and dinner. Menu highlights: Steak Frites, Burnt Ends Pizza, Fried Chicken Sandwich & Sangria
Ojai Donut Shoppe & Beacon Coffee Company
We decided to grab donuts on our way out of town. Our order: Apple Fritter the size of my face & Vanilla Frosted Cake Donut with sprinkles. We also got coffee at Beacon Coffee Company.
Food Harmonics (permanently closed)
We stumbled upon this spot for lunch on the day we arrived. This is a healthy AND delicious option! Our order: Salad Bowl & Avocado Toast + Rosé
The best California road trip – what to do in Ojai
Bart’s Books
Bart’s Books was a successful first stop when we got into town! I could have spent hours there, getting lost in every corner of the shop. I ended up leaving with a book about California Wildflowers! You can also bring books in to sell to them.
Definitely take the time to wander down the main street and don’t be afraid to venture off down some side streets and into Libbey Park – there were so many adorable houses and other hidden gems to discover. Be sure to check out the bike path that runs parallel to the main drag. Caravan Outpost has bikes you can take out for free!
The day we arrived we decided to pick up supplies at the grocery store to cook dinner one of the nights – I love that we had the option to cook in our cute little Airstream – and lunch for our hike, which actually ended up being enough for us to pack a lunch the day we headed to our next destination.
Go for a hike
The day we wanted to go for a hike, it looked like instead of raining ALL day (the original forecast), it would start around 3 PM, so we made sandwiches and went on our way. We found a hike on the AllTrails app, which I love using in Los Angeles and while traveling. We did the Signal portion of the “Signal to Firebreak Rd to Valley View Loop” hike. The area was affected by the fires in 2017. We saw how devastating it was, but it was beautiful seeing all the green plants popping up in place of burn areas because of the recent rains. While hiking, it sprinkled a bit, and when It started to get a bit heavier we started heading back down, but stopped under a perfectly placed rock to shield us while we ate our packed lunch. This moment was so perfect in its simplicity.
Next stop: Big Sur! It was raining pretty hard most of the drive. We had to take the back way into Big Sur, since there was a landslide just south of Gorda, that added 13 acres to the coastline. Despite the circumstances, and what some would consider an inconvenience, it was pretty cool entering into this magical place through a windy back road, that seemed as if it were a secret. Big Sur is one of my favorite places on Earth. Yes it is breathtakingly beautiful, but there’s also something about the energy there. I’ve always felt drawn to it, since the first time I visited as a kid many years ago.
The best California road trip – Big Sur accommodations
Treebones Resort
I dreamt of staying at Treebones Resort, since I can remember. I booked The Nest months before the trip. There is also a place where you can pitch a tent, since The Nest is open to the elements. When we arrived, we spoke to the staff about their thoughts on us staying in The Nest. The futon we would be sleeping was soaked after multiple days of rain.
Our other options were The Tree Hut and Tree House (apparently they don’t always list these ones on the website so I would definitely call or email to inquire), so a staff member (Dave) drove us in a golf cart to see them. We chose The Tree House, complete with a fireplace and cozy bed for the gloomy stay ahead. Our first night, was SO windy and rainy, we were grateful to be in a warm dry place.
Regardless of the weather, we ended up walking to the lodge for dinner. We shared a Caesar Salad, Lasagna, and a bottle of wine. Everything was delicious, but the Date Cake for dessert, was spectacular – it may be the best dessert I’ve ever eaten.
The next day, we grabbed complimentary breakfast back at the lodge – yogurt, housemade granola & peanut butter, frittata, toast & jam, hard boiled eggs, waffles, coffee and orange juice.
The best California road trip – what to do in Big Sur
As you can see, the weather did end up clearing up some, but on our first full day in Big Sur we found out there was a new rockslide North of Treebones that they wouldn’t have cleared until the next morning. I was a little disappointed and worried that we might not be able to make it further up the coast as planned.
That day, we explored Sand Dollar Beach Trail. We parked in the lot (be sure to carry some cash as most of the lots charge since they’re part of the State Parks and may only take cash) and headed out to the bluffs. After exploring that area a bit, we continued North. The view was beautiful and we eventually ended up amongst some cows, probably wondering what the heck we were doing. We headed back out straight towards the highway where there were stairs up and out of the fenced-in cow area. Since the two rockslides caused the highway to be blocked, we took this opportunity to walk down the middle of Highway 1, because when else would that be possible or even near safe again? Probably never. I obviously don’t suggest you do this in any other circumstance!
After we got back to the car, we drove the few more miles up to the road block to see if perhaps it had already been cleared. It wasn’t, but on the way up I could see the clouds pulling back from the horizon. We pulled over at a random vista point and the view was spectacular. After taking it all in, we headed the rest of the way to the road block, then back down to the Southern road closure. The closure is right after Whale Watchers Cafe. We decided to grab a bite! I can’t even count how many times I’ve driven past this spot and never stopped. Our order: Clam Chowder in a bread bowl & a Tuna Melt. Both were seriously delicious, so if you’re in the area I highly recommend stopping in and grabbing a bite.
There is an Organic Garden on site at Treebones that you can walk around, along with tons of other corners of the property to explore. We visited The Nest that evening, climbed up the ladder and sat for a bit to take in the breathtaking view of the ocean as the sun went down. I definitely want to book it again in the future, preferably in the Summer.
We went up to the lodge and grabbed a book and a couple games to play back in our Treehouse. The night was still pretty windy, so we wanted to stay cozy. We read a book about birds of North America (yes for real, lol). After learning all we could, we closed the book and were about to get to sleep and I had the urge to pull back the curtain – the sky was clear and there was literally NO wind.
Everything was still for the first time since we stepped foot on the property. We hopped out of bed as, bundled up and headed outside to our Adirondack chairs facing the ocean. That view of the stars, silhouette of our treehouse, the moon and its reflection on the water was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Moral of the story: Get outside. See as much as you can. If there is any semblance of a clear sky, look up!
What could have been a disappointing leg of the trip with rain and unexpected changes, ended up being so perfect in its imperfection. When we could have gotten frustrated, instead we took it as an opportunity for unexpected adventures. I am in the process of learning to do this more often.
The next morning, we ate our complimentary breakfast, packed our bags and were on our way – so grateful that the rock slide and road block were cleared. The drive from the Southern end of Hwy 1 near Treebones up to Bixby Bridge is the most stunning! Our first stop was Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where McWay Falls is located. It’s a waterfall flowing from the mountains, over a tree covered rock, into the perfectly green-blue ocean.
For lunch we headed to Nepenthe. The views and ambiance of this place never get old. If there’s a wait at the restaurant, put your name in – grab a drink at the bar, take a seat on the steps outside amongst the cushions or walk around the building to take in the view. Must Order: Roasted Garlic & Goat Cheese. I also ordered the Smoked Salmon Plate and R got a Burger + a side of fries! After grabbing a bite, be sure to head downstairs to the Phoenix shop. I always browse the jewelry section at the front of the store and have bought multiple rings from the artist, Julie Shaw.
Last stop on the way up the coast was Bixby Bridge. It’s such an iconic and epic view and worth a few extra minutes. We continued up through Carmel on our way to San Luis Obispo.
The best California road trip – San Luis Obispo accommodations
SLO Brew Lofts
Having attended Cal Poly and spent 4 years in SLO, I will always have the urge to visit. I actually hadn’t gone up and stayed overnight since I moved out after college – it’s usually just a stop on the way to or from another destination. We ended up booking a place at the SLO Brew Lofts. It was complete with a kitchen, dining table, living room, bedroom and gorgeous bathroom. It was plenty of space for the two of us to relax and move in for a couple days.
After settling in for a bit, we headed down for dinner at SLO Brew is now called The Carrisa by SLO Brew – “Located in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo, The Carisa is a timeless event venue featuring expansive indoor and outdoor spaces including our creekside deck. Available for weddings, receptions, after parties, corporate events, and more, The Carrisa offers flexible rental availability for whatever gathering you have planned.”
They also have this cool brewery location, that I talk more about below.
The best California road trip – where to eat and drink in San Luis Obispo
Kreuzberg
This was our goto breakfast spot in SLO while we were in town. It is a neighborhood cafe inspired by a very artsy area in Berlin. We tried their Breakfast Sandwiches, pastries and coffee. I highly recommend the Coffee Cake!
SLO Brew Rock
SLO Brew Rock is where all of SLO Brew’s beer is brewed, named after the ginormous rock that sits in front of the place. It is very family friendly – complete with games, lots of tables and chairs and space to roam. Not to mention the tasty brews and food. I highly recommend ordering a bunch of food to share and getting a beer flight or 2! Be sure to get the Deviled Eggs and any of the Tacos. You can also get the Sausage, Pretzel, & Fondue here if you missed it at SLO Brew!
Firestone Grill
If you take no other food recommendation of mine in SLO, at least go to Firestone Grill. It’s hands down the best Trip Tip I’ve ever had. I basically had it weekly in college. The meat is tender, bread is toasty and buttery, and the BBQ sauce is perfectly sweet. I literally dream of this thing. Be sure to order a side of fries as well, the season salt is bomb!
The best California road trip – what to do near San Luis Obispo
Hiking
There is so much to explore in SLO – from hikes, to wineries, to breweries, to the beach, and so on. One of the mornings we headed towards Pismo Beach for a hike – Cave Landing & Pirate’s Cove. We ended up just hiking along the coast, around the cave, then down to the beach. I believe if you do this whole hike, it is up a pretty steep hill.
Wine Tasting
After hiking we got ready for the rest of the day – went to SLO Brew Rock and Chamisal Vineyards. Chamisal is ALWAYS my go to place to go wine tasting in Edna Valley – complete with a tasting room, a patio and gorgeous hills full of vines. If you’ve got more time to explore the vineyards, be sure to check out some others.
Some other faves: Claiborne & Churchill, Baileyana
We also walked along the creek and through the Mission. There is so much to explore downtown, so throw your walking shoes on and get out there!
I hope you enjoyed this travel diary & itinerary post! I had so much fun recounting everything we did. Definitely leave a comment if you have any further questions, to share your favorite spots up the CA coast, or if you take any of my recommendations. I would love to hear from you!
Here is a more recent California road trip post!
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Happy Road Tripping,
Corey
Love it! Some of my absolute favorite places in Southern California! Adventure is so good for the soul! Looks like you had a wonderful trip.
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