california dreaming

Hello, doves. Sorry it's been a couple of days, life's been crazy. Thankfully, I went to bed so very early last night that despite the fact that it's gloomy and pouring outside my window, I woke up in a great mood, ready to make the most of today, and kick it off with a blog post :). Yay. As a belated Travel Tuesday, how 'bout we answer the $100 question, where are you road trippin' to? Cali, baby.

When I was a lot younger (like three) I spent some time exploring the West Coast with my Mom... but that doesn't count :). So, after I say goodbye to my brother in Arizona, I'll be spending the day in Los Angeles with old friends and hopefully new blogging ones, 

next, soaking up the beauty of central California in Santa Barbara for two nights--with a stop at one or more of the priceless beaches and posh restaurants-- (please remember to keep in mind that all travel photos are courtesy of the NYTimes,)

and eventually, touching down in the ultimate half-way point, San Francisco--I did visit the Bay Area as an eager 14-year-old so rather than schedule the obvious tourist experiences, I'll be exploring the creative galleries, shops, restaurants, and burritos. I hear they have some really great burritos, among other foods :). This is not to say that I won't take a cliché picture in front of the Golden Gate Bridge though, because I most definitely will. 

From there, I will embark on the second half with a day trip through Sonoma Valley--no doubt that I'll say hi to Jenna, stop by the lavender fields and wineries, 

and then an overnight in Requa, or another northern Californian city within minutes of views of the Pacific Ocean and the majestic forests of National Redwood Park. After that, it's off to the Northwest, but I'll leave that for another week. Any questions, suggestions, or meeting propositions? Don't hold back :).

In the mean time, I am trying to enjoy home, or at the very least, the city that feels like home, New York. A few nights ago, Leslie and I sat atop her roof with an incredible Spanish rosé (seriously, it is dry and light and perfect, try it for yourself) and massive salads discussing it, among other things. Although I cannot wait to experience life on the West Coast, I know that no matter where I end up, I will always be somewhat of a New Yorker at heart.

Having spent my entire life within a 30-minute radius of Manhattan, I think I take it for granted sometimes. I am lucky. NYC is like no other urban center I have found in the world, it makes me feel like no other place does, and it is always familiar yet challenging. I like to believe that New York magazine just about said it best, although I'd appreciate if you'd please ignore the obviously biased pride:

"'I LOVE NEW YORK' is the oldest one in the book, conventional wisdom in all caps. and yet, it still somehow retains its potency, and why is that? Because only a fool would think otherwise. We are a city that rains prosperity down on the whole country, exporting everything from war heroes to canny socialites to great filmmakers rediscovering their top form. We offer hot dates, hot waiters, hot bands, and hot neighbors. we are the base of more political mojo than any state in the nation and of an angry guy who is single-handedly holding up one of the biggest real-estate projects in the city’s history. Plus we hold fast to the faith that our drinking water tastes better than everyone else’s, even though that is almost certainly not true. But if all that is just a little too hard-core for you, wake up early tomorrow morning and walk the streets at dawn. At that hour, the city belongs neither to the corporate machers who run the town nor even to the hardworking millions who sustain it. It belongs simply to you."

Told you we're biased ;) then again, I also adore my hometown in Westchester suburbia. Two Qs for you: Are you more of a city or a country gal (or guy)? And, what makes your hometown, or the city nearby it, special?