12.20.2021-12.27.2021. Olema Druids Hall + Point Reyes. California.

This has been my 4th time of leaving my 400 square feet apartment since 3.2020. But who's counting? Apparently I am.

In the past I have had Christmas lunch with friends at Sir and Star at Hotel Olema because it's fabulous and then we walk around Inverness or Point Reyes afterwards. This year I actually remembered to call the fine folks at Hotel Olema to see if I can get a room at Druids Hall since I have been wanting to stay there for quite some time. Since I have been stuck in my tiny apartment for almost 2 years, I was glad for their 7 night minimum during the holiday season as a much welcomed and forced time off for myself. I have to say, there is something very inherently relaxing by staying at a place larger than your home. This is my first time doing so solo and I would highly recommend it for you folks who also live in a small space. It was raining heavily so I enjoyed the sound of the rain in front of my fireplace in the cottage often and popped out when I could in between rains to enjoy the scent of nature all a round me. Since I don't have a car and I had a rental for this, it was also very relaxing driving aimlessly all over Point Reyes to get to some of my favorite hikes and looking for mushrooms. While Sir and Star is closed to public dining since the pandemic, they are feeding their guests for breakfast and dinner. 

Note: If you really dislike ants, you may want to check ahead of time to see if that may be an issue at the property you will be staying at first before staying there.

Hotel Olema
415.663.1034

10.4.2021-10.10.2021. Cara Hotel. Los Feliz. Los Angeles. California.

Cara Hotel was on my list to check out from a design newsletter in my inbox. When we found out we were shooting our commercials at Warner Brothers Studios, it was on my very short list of hotels to stay at. I have been recommending this to all my production colleagues and friends who are looking to stay near Hollywood. The design and hospitality were exceptional. Furthermore, the food was also excellent, which is so important for us in production who work exceptionally long days. It is not one of the crazy party hotels in LA as they only have a reflection pool in their courtyard. This may be one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept on, which many of my colleagues agreed. I may have to get that mattress for myself. Look at those details!

Cara Hotel
1730 N Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.672.8990

9.5.2021. Port Costa town wide sale. Port Costa. California.

Well hello hello dear readers! Apologies in the delay in new findings, but I have been working on those Peloton Holiday Scrooge commercials for the past months to keep me very occupied. However, I have some very great recommendations for you from the past few months, so at least there is that!

If you have not yet made a visit to Port Costa yet, I would highly recommend you doing so. This time it was in time for their fall town wide yard sale, and I even ended up at artist Clayton Bailey's home for their yard sale. May I recommend you start at the Theatre of Dreams for Wendy Addison's magical space? She transforms her shop each season and it is always filled with magic each time I have gone. You should see it for yourself. If you are hungry, try Dog Willing Pizza or Bull Valley Road House.

8.22.2021-8.25.2021. Deetjen's. Big Sur. California.

After wrapping a 2 year contract, I decided to take some time off to reset before my next project. Since I had to postpone my Big Sur trip due to getting incredibly sick for a month from the COVID-19 Delta variant (I am fully vaccinate and I still got it from just one indoor event unmasked, so please be extra careful everyone), I headed off the grid and into the woods.

I have actually never hung out at Big Sur, just drove through with my ex-boyfriend when we were doing our road trip for the holidays to get to his family in Santa Barbara. I knew I wanted to stay at rustic Deetjen's, so I booked myself a room at one of their cabins. Please note that there is no reception, wifi or TV in any rooms and that Deetjen's is extremely rustic. So if you are looking for a luxury stay, this is definitely not for you. But if you are into a more simple rustic getaway in the woods, you will appreciate the essence that is Deetjen's. I also did not know that Big Sur is rather foggy, which is great for all the redwoods.

Deetjen's Big Sur Inn
831.667.2377

I learned that the Deetjen's were the first settlers in Big Sur and that Mr. Deetjen hand built all these cabins!







I ended up with Stokes, which is one of their newly redone buildings with insulation. It also only shares 1 wall with Faraway, unlike the main building that shares walls with others. If noise is of concern to you, you will want to consider one of the buildings with less neighbors. I also had that dreamy view of the redwoods out my window.






I ate at the restaurant for breakfast and dinner for all my stay and I ate my way around that menu. As you can see, the restaurant is just as charming as the cabins and I ate in a different room each time. Even if you were not staying at Deetjen's, I would highly recommend dining there for either breakfast or dinner (reservation required for dinner).













I hiked, read, enjoyed the glorious smell of the redwoods and forest bathed. Which turned out to be exactly what I needed. Perhaps you will enjoy the magic that is Big Sur for yourself some day too!