Traveling within your own state affords you the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of every day life and enjoy a mini vaca in affordable fashion. Part two of our California trip took us more inland into the valley areas where the heat is prevalent and the towns are adorably quaint. Our first stop was Paso Robles, located in the coastal mountain range of Central California. It’s becoming increasingly popular for the stellar wines produced from this area as well as several notable restaurants helmed by top-notch chefs who strive to feature local (often organic) ingredients.
Looking for something refreshing, healthy and quick, our first stop was Organic Farms Juice. They have fresh pressed juice in glass bottles as well as smoothies and “smoothie bowls.” Slightly off the beaten path but not at all hard to find, they are located on Railroad Street. The lovely patio was generously covered with sail cloths which allowed us to enjoy their bowls while our pooch relaxed in the shade.
From there we headed over to 12th Street, home of General Store Paso Robles. It’s owned and curated by Erin Stuck, Jillian Waters and Joeli Yaguda. The shop is immediately inviting; beautifully spacious and airy even with the large amount of goods they carry. Beyond their selection of local cheeses, salamis, nuts, spices (and everything else you might need for an impromptu picnic in the park across the street!) they have a fabulous selection of home items or as they state on their website: “lovely things to warm up your home”. If Paso Robles was closer, we’d likely be making day trips to this place every other week! Be sure to check it out next time you are passing through.
From Paso Robles we started on our long journey back towards Los Angeles. But rather than driving straight through, we chose to sidetrack into Ojai which is quickly becoming one of our favorite spots. This dreamy little town is full of great people & places. We met up with our favorite shop owner Wanda Weller Sakai of Modern Folk Living at the Ojai Rancho Inn’s newest addition: Chief’s Peak Bar. (*Be sure to check out our recent feature on Wanda and her lovely boutique.) This bar is small but lovely with a great selection of wines and beers.
The Ojai Rancho Inn itself is a cozy little dog friendly motel with king sized beds in quaint rooms that have a woodsy/cabin-like feel. They are adorned with lights created by ceramic artist Heather Levine, which give the spaces an added touch of style. Funky artwork from Eric Junker adorns several doors, walls and fences around the property. The pool is inviting and the surrounding yard offers a teepee, shuffleboard and numerous lounge chairs. This is also one of the few spots that will allow you to hang with your dog while enjoying the pool. Owned and operated by Shelter Social Club, Ojai Rancho Inn is one of the more recently revamped local hot spots that’s well worth checking out during your next stop over in the area.
Just down the street is Summer Camp located inside a converted gas station on Ojai Avenue. They offer a mixture of new items as well as vintage finds of home and lifestyle goods in addition to their custom framing shop. Shop owners Rachel & Michael Graves have definitely taken the outdoors in with their American-made accessories. If you are looking for vintage camping gear, Boy Scout memorabilia or Pendleton blankets, be sure to make a stop inside this spot & let’s not forget the infamous “Oh, hi” t-shirts they also feature!
For breakfast or lunch we couldn’t resist Knead Baking Company. Their bagels are something else and the fresh local ingredients from this family run artisan bakery make it a must visit.
This trip we also discovered a tiny shop with a grand entrance called FIG. Another lovely curated and thoughtful shop that includes home décor, paper products, outdoor planters and outdoor goods as well as much more. It’s like walking into an outdoor garden that has a little nook at the end.
While we love traveling our fine state of California, next year we are longing for something a little further away. However, that doesn’t mean weekend excursions aren’t allowed. Our adventure this Summer was so memorable and enjoyable, but we are extra envious of our friends who are packing up their two kids and taking a year to travel the world! We’re excited to follow their adventures at: TAKINGONTHEWORLD.NET. Be sure to follow along!
