D and I have just returned from the most unbelievably brilliant couple of weeks in California. It was a trip of a lifetime that we’ve always wanted to do and were genuinely gutted to come back to a slightly less sunny (and beach-less) London! Our little Californian sejourn was a welcome break to the chaos of London life in the run up to Christmas and armed with our vehicle of choice (‘Cody’ our ridiculously huge FORD 4 x 4), we set off to explore LA, Santa Barbara, The Big Sur, San Francisco, Napa Valley and Vegas – and pretty much everything in between.
Flicking through our hundreds of photos later as we landed back on a rainy Heathrow runway, it was safe to say the holiday was over. But I wanted to re-live some of my trip here on the blog, by sharing with you a couple of key places we visited that I would highly recommend if you’re ever in the area – or are thinking about planning your own USA road trip!
First up, it’s Malibu Cafe.
Nestled away in the winding hillside of the Malibu Hills and the Santa Monica mountains, this place was my very favourite spot on the whole trip. I had booked a table for a long lazy late lunch one weekend afternoon and after getting slightly lost finding the place, we drove in to a seeming oasis in the middle of the Calamigos Ranch where the sun shone, you could eat good food, drink good beer and explore in an adults playground of over-sized outdoor games, beautiful boutique shops and a rowing lake.
We worked up an appetite by playing some giant chess and billiards (as I admired the chandelier dangling from the trees – very pretty) before getting stuck into a game of Giant Jenga – I mean who doesn’t love GIANT JENGA!
There’s a dangerously overpriced and utterly gorgeous shop in the vicinity of the bar too, so be warned ladies (and boyfriends!)…
A genuinely blissful way to while away an afternoon – whether it’s for a romantic date, a birthday party, a wedding or a group out with the girls or the boys. We ended our afternoon with a row on the lake, people watching and finishing the last of our beer…
This place really feels like one of Los Angeles’ little treasures. If you’re ever in Malibu, book in for a lunch or dinner at The Malibu Cafe – you won’t regret it.
LMNH x
I love it already!