Pacific Escapes

Dana Point, CA

Much have I travell'd in the realms of gold, / And many goodly states and kingdoms seen; / Round many western islands have I been / Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold. / Oft of one wide expanse had I been told / That deep-brow'd Homer ruled as his demesne; / Yet did I never breathe its pure serene / Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold: / Then felt I like some watcher of the skies / When a new planet swims into his ken; / Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes / He star'd at the Pacific—and all his men / Look'd at each other with a wild surmise - / Silent, upon a peak in Darien.

-John Keats

You’ll have to give John a little poetic license. It was the Spanish explorer and conquistador Vasco Nunez de Balboa who became the first European to lay eyes on America’s Pacific shoreline, not Cortez. But it’s easy to imagine the wild attraction the serene waters must have held for the weary band of gold-seekers as they trudged across the mountains that run along the Pacific’s shore from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.

Our lives tethered to computers and smartphones might not have the risk and terror of Balboa’s march across the continent, but they leave us searching for calm and salvation all the same. Luckily, we don’t have to surmount uncharted mountains to reach the Pacific Ocean’s most gorgeous beaches. Unless we want to find ourselves with a body-testing hike, a la Cheryl Strayed, all we have to do is book a flight to LAX.

Pacific Escapes

It's time to live your beach life

The ocean itself is much the same throughout Southern California. But each beach has a character all its own. Finding the right one for your purposes can make the difference between taking a comfortable trip and struggling to find the peace and escape you packed your bags for in the first place. So let’s talk about making your way to some of the best golden sands in the Golden State.

Getting There

Los Angeles is famous for many wonderful things, but traffic-free highways are not one of them. If you’re traveling during rush hour in prime holiday seasons, making your way to or from the airport through the city can take several hours. Plan your visiting hours accordingly.

Suit up at Venice Beach

Once you’ve left the city, you’re never too far away from the waves. But before you dive in, no matter where you choose to do so, consider one general note. The sun always seems to shine over California, but the Pacific Ocean isn’t necessarily always warm. Take some time to tan, but before you hit the waves, strap on a wetsuit. Not only will you look like you belong, but you’ll thank yourself for the extra warmth.

For Relaxation - Dana Point

If relaxation is you're goal, make your first stop in laid back Dana Point. You can’t go wrong with the five-star Laguna Niguel Ritz Carlton. If you’re simply looking for a warm bed after a day of surfing, you’ll have it. But they can accommodate you and your companions for all sorts of purposes. Honeymoons, multi-generational gatherings, weddings, bar mitzvahs, and more – it all happens here in high style.

Walk right out the front door and you’ll have access to museums, shopping, and excellent restaurants accessible via a comfortable stroll. (And, of course, we’re in California - beach volleyball is never too far away). But with such development comes other tourists, too, so keep that in mind especially during holidays.

If you’d like to stretch your wings a bit further, consider traveling further south to find Laguna Beach’s Top of the World Hike. The drive to and from your point of origin is worth it in and of itself. But once you’re out of the car and on your feet, you’ll discover why you really came: pristine views of Laguna city, the beach, and snow-capped mountains all in one place. California has it all.

And if you’re looking for bit more busy, Hop back in the car, travel just a bit further south, and you’ll find yourself in a lovely boating community at Dana Point. If you want to feel the Pacific waves but still stay dry, this is the place to do it. Hop on a paddleboard to travel from one boat to another, taking in a way of life that screams California. You can find common attractions such as fishing and watersports, but this is one of the only places where you can do all of that then turn in for a comfortable night without ever having to step foot on shore.

For excitement - Venice

Maybe you've got a little too relaxed on the beach. Or maybe your idea of relaxation is wild parties with wild people. Either way, it's time to come to Venice. 

Of course, there's a wonderful sandy beach with a long boardwalk lined with off-beat stores, street art, head shops and folks who are either street performers or independent-minded locals (it can be hard to tell which). But behind the beach the the neighborhood GQ calls "the coolest block in America." Although long-time residents gripe about the gentrification ("I would not pay $9 to park in order to buy a $5 cup of coffee." griped a writer for the LA Times.), it's still one of the best shopping and culture destinations to be found anywhere in the world. 

We’ve only just begun to discuss a few of the seemingly endless worthy destinations in California. No matter what you’re looking for, we can help you find it, access it, and do what you really wanted to do - leave everything else behind.

Palm Springs - Where the Desert Forged Cool

“An increasingly pagan and hedonistic people (thank God!), we are learning finally that desert canyons are holier than our churches. Therefore let us behave accordingly. Benedicto: May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view."

-Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire

Palm Springs

Where the Desert Forged Cool

Any big city worth its salt will have a small stable of travel writers to tell you how unique and authentic it is. And you can find thousands of sunset pictures from pretty much all of the world’s beaches on Instagram. But the desert is still a place for the weird ones. The burned-out hippie and the proto-hipster can all be found here, following the paths of the saints and sinners who found themselves out in the desert wilderness. The desert gives you the freedom to be yourself, and, in the process to discover what makes you who you are. The desert heat forges cool.  

Palm Springs, located in the Southern California desert, about 2 hours east from Los Angeles, epitomizes the desert’s acceptance-chic. The town first made its bones attracting silent-era film stars who wanted to hold parties so wild that they couldn’t be contained by LA. From the 1930s to the 1960s, new residents built dozens of homes that pioneered Mid-Century Modern style. After the Rat Pack came and went, Palm Springs became one of the first towns in the US to embrace its LGBTQ+ citizens and visitors. And in 2018, the city elected the first all-LGBTQ city council in the United States.

Much of the desert doesn’t need a guidebook - it’s just there, for you to explore as you see fit. But Palm Springs offers a few curated delights that first-time or even fifth-time visitors should make sure to see. But first, a note of caution - like the ocean, the desert remains a wild place. Although most visitors stay perfectly safe, it’s important to prepare yourself. Carry and use more water and sunscreen than you think you will need. Wear lightweight, long-sleeve pants to protect your legs from cactus burrs if you’re hiking. Alcohol often feels stronger, and comes on quicker, in the dry air, so pace yourself accordingly. Don’t assume that your cell phone will work everywhere. The desert means freedom, and freedom must entail some risk.

Arts and Architecture - Ultimate Cool

The desert might appear barren, but it’s home to all sorts of fascinating lifeforms and cultural figures both influential and eclectic. Raymond Loewy, the patron saint of Mid-Century American design, built his glass-enclosed bachelor pad in Palm Springs as a living embodiment of his “Most Advanced Yet Acceptable (MAYA)” theory of cool. Loewy's vision created the colors and shapes of everything from Coca-Cola bottles to locomotives to the paint scheme on Air Force One. You can visit Loewy’s home and other paragons of Mid-Century Modern design by booking a tour or visiting Palm Springs during Modernism Week in October or February.

If you want to take a break from Palm Springs’ phenomenal art museum or noted international film festival in January, you’ll find a vibrant and exciting restaurant scene. While there’s plenty of cheap grub at farmers markets, delicious storefront Mexican joints and classic American diners, you’ll want to splurge for at least one meal at a fine dining restaurant run by an expat LA chef. My favorite is Workshop, a kitchen+bar combo featuring communal dining and new American food in Palm Spring’s uptown Design district.

Relax

If you’re going to the desert to reconnect with yourself, you’ll need to spend plenty of quality time with - yourself. Start by picking the right hotel. Palm Springs offers plenty of options from small bed-and-breakfasts to fancy resorts with golf courses, tennis courts and spas. My advice is to pick a spot with a great pool, or, even better, a great pool party.

Speaking of parties, Palm Springs is one of the country’s LGBTQ+ travel destinations. Hotels fill up fast at the end of March for “The Dinah,” a five-day “girl party” and music festival and at the end of April for “The White Party,” a boisterous gay dance festival. But there are plenty of LGBTQ+ friendly attractions throughout the year, from specialized resorts to bars and art galleries.

Explore, by land or sky

Even though Palm Springs is technically a city, you’ll find it much easier to get around with a car. Even though there’s a small walkable downtown and it’s possible to get around with ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft, you’ll need a car if you really want to get out and explore the surrounding area. If you’re used to driving in a big city or suburban sprawl, you’ll love the deserts wide-open 2-lane roads. Remember not to drive too fast, because you’ll miss the quirky roadside attractions, farmers markets and knick-knack shops.

If you’re feeling adventurous, rent an SUV or Pickup to explore the desert’s dirt backroads. Make sure you stay on well-marked roads, as most rental insurance policies won’t cover off-road driving.

If you want a true off-road experience, drive an hour South to the Warner Springs Gliderport, where the father-and-son team at Skysailing will tow you aloft in their two-person glider. Don’t worry if you’ve never flown a plane before - you can take the controls under the pilot’s supervision or relax and watch the scenery go by. Without the sound of an engine, you’ll experience the desert the way an eagle or hawk does, gliding from thermals rising off the hot desert floor.

There are plenty of opportunities for hiking around Palm Springs, but nearby Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most spectacular jewels in the National Park System. Without a single focal point like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite’s Half-Dome, Joshua Tree is less crowded and more spread out. Pretty much anywhere you go in the park you’ll find the iconic Joshua Trees, fascinating rock formations and desert wilderness.

Unfortunately, you’ll need to drive all the way around the park to get to the main entrance, which is on the North Side, in the town of Joshua Tree. There is a Jeep trail that runs directly from Palm Springs into the heart of the park, but it requires some serious off-road chops. It’s worth it to spend a day or two in the town of Joshua Tree itself, where New Age hippies and Old West cowboy types live side by side in relative harmony.

If you’re enjoying the Old West vibe, book a horseback ride at a local stable. Besides feeling like you’re in a Western, horseback rides are the best way to spot wildlife in the desert. From your vantage point eight or nine feet in the air, you’ll easily be able to spot rabbits, coyotes, snakes and birds of prey. If you’ve never ridden a horse before, make sure you go with a (human) guide.

Getting There and When to Go:

Palm Spring Airport has direct flights to most major US hubs. It’s also easy to fly into one of the LA airports and drive to Palm Springs, but try to avoid getting out of LA during rush hour! Palm Springs is known as a winter destination, with January days in the 70s. Winter and early Spring also host the most events, so hotels are often booked. Summers get exceedingly hot, with average daytime highs of 108℉ in July. Fall is an excellent time to visit, as the weather is mild, but the town isn’t yet busy.

Once you’re ready to make your escape, don’t stress out too much about your flight or your plans. Just get in touch and we’ll make everything happen.