Up the California coast

Last month we spent 10 days in California. Last time I was there I was reallllly little, so it was exciting to come back, this time as an adult. We started in Santa Monica, drove up the coast + landed in Napa Valley. Of course we ate (a lot!) so I wanted to share the best bites along the road.

First stop after checking in

Guacamole and watermelon agua frescas at Blue Star Taco.

Tacos al pastor and fish tacos

Tons of rice + beans as well.

That night

Double cheeseburgers at Del Frisco's with the cutest squeeze bottles.

Post-dinner sweets

Stickhouse gelato. Chai dipped in dark chocolate + crushed almonds for me. Cherry vanilla dipped in dark chocolate for mom.

Next day breakfast at Cora's Coffee Shoppe

Cute spot with a great menu. I split the vegetable frittata w/ arugala salad and the orange pancakes w/ blueberries w/ my mom.

After walking along the beach and through Venice

Lunch at Gjelina. Starting with burrata + crazy juicy peaches.

Followed by

Tons of pizza! Classic pomodoro with more burrata + a chorizo one too. They were exactly how pizzas should always be.

Also this beautiful sandwich

filled with sprouts, fennel + other delicious things.

Later that night, dinner at Nobu Malibu

Starting with spicy tuna on crispy rice w/ avocado + a thin slice of jalapeño.

Next, a classic

Rock shrimp tempura covered in creamy spicy sauce.

We let some vegetables get on the table

Really earthy: leeks, artichokes + a lemon/truffle vinagirette.

new style sashimi

delicate + layered. yuzu, chives, ginger, sesame. so good.

Finishing strong

Black cod with miso. Always insane.

Next day dinner at Tar & Roses

Starting with burrata + tomato toast, toast slathered in bacon jam plus a few cheeses.

Then pasta time

Insanely good oxtail dumplings + spaghetti carbonara with a soft egg + tons of black pepper.

Beautiful summer squash

Tahini yogurt, harissa, za'atar + fried chickpeas.

Whole roasted branzino

served with meyer lemon risotto + salsa verde. I was completely smitten with this.

Always finish with dessert

Sticky toffee pudding.

On the road heading to Santa Barbarba

Had to stop for my first In-N-Out. The burger was killer, but the fries were disappointing to this New Yorker.

We arrived in Santa Barbara and had dinner at The Lark

Starting with some chili coated popcorn.

Insane brussels sprouts

with dates, garum, sesame + lime. don't be afraid to char food, these were incredible.

More burrata + stone fruit

on a platter with a nut praline + greens.

Pasta course!

house made gnocchi with crab, orange, olives + lobster roe. Note! I absolutely hate olives, but I ate these up.

The sun set

and we dove into jidori chicken, with figs + tons of veg.

And we still had room for one sweet

So peach cobbler it was. With a biscuit topping, caramel, candied pecans + smoked vanilla ice cream!

Next day, a quick stop in San Luis Obispo

Lunch at SLO Provisions. Kale + roasted cauliflower salad with a grilled cheese. I couldn't help myself when I saw they use 3 cheeses for it!

A tour of Hearst Castle that afternoon

and dinner in Cambria later that evening. homey, wild prawn enchiladas. 

Next day, driving through Big Sur

with a stop at Nepenthe. They serve a great burger, honestly one of our favorite bites during the trip.

Last stop, Santa Cruz

where we went to Laili for house made naan (larger than our heads!) + kebabs.

And because we need something sweet

vanilla ice cream with crushed walnuts, pomegranate seeds + pomegranate sauce. Tart + sweet!

Driving up the west coast + eating everything along the way was seriously a dream. I'll be back with the Napa part of the trip soon!