Friday, January 24, 2014




i need your help!!  i'm taking a super last minute trip to california w/ my husband....we will be in la, huntington beach, laguna, and san diego.....he has work in huntington and then we have 2 days to do anything in the southern california area before we fly out of san diego.  please give me some ideas on what to do, where to eat, where to stay, and most important- where to shop!!!  we have no idea and no agenda!!

*photos note to self, savvy home, style court/ ruthie sommers, domaine home
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15 comments:

  1. EileenJanuary 24, 2014 at 8:14 AM

    A couple of shopping ideas...as you make your way South along the 5, go to Juxtaposition Home in Newport, near, Laguna) and Solo in Solana Beach, North of San Diego. Time it so you can have lunch at Zinc, across the street from Solo, or just stop in for coffee and a treat.

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  2. Michele (The Salty Hanger)January 24, 2014 at 8:42 AM

    San Diego is the best (lived there for 8 glorious years)! Highly recommend you stay at the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla. Amazing shopping/eating on and around Prospect Street, where the hotel is located. Also a stone's throw from Children's Cove where the seals rest on the beach and there's an amazing viewing wall you can take pictures from. Eat at George's Ocean Terrace if the weather is nice and you're looking for amazing food with a laid back vibe, or make a rezzy indoors at George's at the Cove if you want to go fancy. Ask for a table with the best view of the ocean.

    Have fun!
    -Michele
    TheSaltyHanger.com

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  3. Ms. BrightJanuary 24, 2014 at 11:07 AM

    Of course, it doesn't get anymore classic that Hotel Del Coronado (San Diego).

    Love The Huntley (Hotel) in Santa Monica. Just for the sake of going, you have to just go to the pier and to the hotel for drinks.

    Robertson Blvd (shopping) in LA is fun just because. Via Rodeo, too. Same with H-wood Blvd. If you're there, you just have to go to see the walk of fame, etc. Especially so if you love Hollywood history.

    Have fun!

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  4. heatherJanuary 24, 2014 at 12:03 PM

    If your in La Jolla you must eat a Georges Ocean Terrace and get the fish tacos. In Laguna go visit Crystal Cove State Park, its like stepping back in time. There is a restaurant their called Beachcombers and its where the part of Beaches was filmed.

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  5. UnknownJanuary 24, 2014 at 12:31 PM

    A great hotel in Huntington Beach is the Shorebreak Hotel. It is right on the beach and has the perfect surf vibe but still upscale.
    http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/california/orange-county-hotels/shorebreak-hotel

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  6. GenneaJanuary 24, 2014 at 2:22 PM

    Brunch at Hucklberry in Santa Monica (min 30 min wait but totally worth it for their Quinoa).

    Eclectic shopping on Abbot Kinney/Main Street (Venice/South Santa Monica).

    Drive up to Malibu and visit the tidepools. Then for lunch head to Marmalade in the Malibu Country Mart.

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  7. UnknownJanuary 24, 2014 at 3:27 PM

    Check out Belmont Shore/Naples area in Long Beach! Look up James Republic, Simmzies, Micheals Pizzeria in particular! If you are coming from Huntington definitely take Pacific Coast Highway route for scenic ocean views!

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  8. HiluhiluJanuary 24, 2014 at 6:30 PM

    On the way to Laguna, stop at Mozza Pizzeria in Newport Beach. It's owned by Nancy Silverton (co-founder of La Brea Bakery), so you know she brings serious baking skills to the table. In Laguna, good lunch stops are Nick's or Sapphire. This is a good time for great whale watching trips out of Dana Point. In San Diego, try Bencotto in the LIttle Italy district for a more sophisticated option. If you like history, a tour of the USS Midway is very interesting.

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  9. The Mrs.January 25, 2014 at 6:31 AM

    La Valencia in San Diego is fab, I agree. Laguna though, is where it's at!!!! Best food at 230 Forest (gorgonzola steak anyone?) Best apps and drinks at THE DECK. Love the bloody Marys at Watermarc (lunch there too) and shopping is great all around 230 forest. Have fun!

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  10. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2014 at 4:06 PM

    I highly reccommend shopping at Juxtaposition Home (just for inspiration at the very least, its my favorite home store of all time) and breakfast/brunch at Beachcomber (restaurant is right on the sand) in Laguna is a must! The Pelican Resort in Newport Coast is beautiful (have lunch at the restaurant there, its above the pool and overlooks the ocean). South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa is luxury shopping at its finest (Chanel, Dior, Neimans, Saks, etc). A great Cuban restaurant in Costa Mesa at The Lab (think hipster outdoor shopping mall) is Habana (great food and ambience).

    In downtown LA you must go to Bottega Louie (great design, food, and the prettiest desserts EVER! highly recommend having brunch there)! Also, check out the Getty Center (museum and grounds are breath taking). If you want to see stars I recommend the Sunset Tower Hotel bar. I was there having cocktails this past Saturday and sitting at the table next to us was John Mayer and Katy Perry. Also shopping at Barney's on Rodeo you're bound to see someone (tip: park in their underground lot and you get two hours free so you can walk around the other Rodeo shops easily).

    Have fun!!!

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2014 at 5:04 PM

    Oh one more gem your hubby might appreciate. "A Restaurant" in Newport is an awesome place for steaks. Has an old school 50's vibe, its been around since the 20's. Seriously, hands down the best steak ever (many meat afficiandos I know agree, WAY better than Mastro's). Highly recommend the flat bread and seared tuna appetizers, they are life channging).

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  12. LauraJanuary 28, 2014 at 8:48 PM

    Hi! Check out design love fest, the blog, & search for her maps of things to do in la :-) she lives there

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  13. bloggernefaFebruary 5, 2014 at 11:23 AM

    We had a very nice dinner at
    http://www.tomhamslighthouse.com/
    and lunch at
    The Prado in Balboa Park
    http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/theprado
    A beautiful and romantic place for a couple. This I would happily recommend.

    Hava a great trip Shannon

    Best to you
    Eva

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  14. bloggernefaFebruary 5, 2014 at 11:28 AM

    Oh totally forgot to mention The Griffith Observatory in HOLLYWOOD HILLS. If you would love an amazing view. I go here each time I visit LA. Its a new experience every time.
    Se the view here.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/evigglade/5339600281/in/set-72157625784167912

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  15. giundaFebruary 18, 2014 at 9:13 PM

    so great, i have a site about wallpaper, that is a beautiful wallpapers website, wellcome

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