Just Back From: Chelsea Flower Show in London

London is one of my favorite cities - and I know I’m not alone. The charming streets, classic black cabs, British accents, loads of culture, and now the food scene - all make London a delightful destination. My mom and I just returned from a trip for her birthday to visit the famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show. If you’re interested in the show and tips to attend next year, read on! For more on our London exploring, shopping and dining recommendations check out my London guide here.

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The Chelsea Flower Show is held for five days every May at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, and is attended by over 150,000 people each year, including members of the Royal Family. Tickets much be purchased in advance and they definitely sell out a few weeks before the event.

We spent three full days in London, and purchased tickets to go to the show on two separate days. Tickets are sold by time, and there are specific days and times that are only available to RHS members. We had tickets for Wednesday starting at 3:30pm and 8am on Thursday. The show runs from 8am-8pm each day.

We loved having the opportunity to go to the show twice. On Wednesday we arrived right at 3:30pm and had time to walk around, get our bearings and see part of the exhibitions inside. We were really tired since we’d landed at 6am that morning, so only stayed a few hours, but it was really helpful to get an overview and then plot out the things that we wanted to prioritize the next day. There’s a lot of people there and it’s a big space, so it can feel overwhelming. Having a bit of a plan helped us to maximize our time.

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On Thursday we were back at the show first thing and planned to spend most of the day there. Our first stop was the “Back to Nature” garden that Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, designed. This was clearly a highlight of the show this year, for good reason. We had to wait in line about 30 minutes to enter, but once we were in it didn’t feel too crowded and we were able to walk through, admiring the treehouse, rope swing, fire pit and tepees at our own pace. It was a lovely, nature-filled oasis and seems to have been very well received.

We spent the rest of the morning covering the the exhibition hall - filled with roses, compact herb and vegetable gardens, decorative floral arrangements and everything in between. Even for someone who doesn’t know a lot about flowers (me) it was a fascinating place to explore. And for my mom, a garden and plant enthusiast, it was a dream come true!

Where to Stay: Calistoga Ranch, Calistoga, California

I recently discovered an idyllic hotel and it is too good not to share. Calistoga Ranch, nestled in a canyon in Napa Valley, delivers rustic luxury at its finest. It feels like a world away, but in reality you are less than 2 hours from San Francisco. North of Yountville and St Helena, it’s a lovely destination for escaping some of the busier parts of Napa.

Upon arriving you are whisked away in a golf cart to settle in to your room. The rooms are all built around outdoor spaces. Our room - on the creek side (highly recommend over forest for the privacy and more immersion in nature, we could hear the river running from the bed) - was two spaces separated by a large wooden deck. One room had the bed and a large bathroom, the other was where you’d hang out with the couch, coffee table, kitchenette, desk and half bathroom. A unique set up for sure, but it was refreshing to spend so much time outside - even though one of the days we were there was super rainy!

There are lots of special touches around the hotel - a glass of local wine upon check in, a on-site chicken coop and pen with two baby goats for the kids to check out. The pool is beautiful, set on a large grassy knoll, with views of the surrounding woods. We didn’t spend much time there due to the rain, and having a one year old! But would love to go back and enjoy that beautiful space.

The on-site restaurant The Lakehouse is reserved for guests of the hotel, so it felt very quiet and intimate, but the food was outstanding. It’s set all the way at the top of the property - up a big hill. If the weather permits, definitely sit outside on the deck and enjoy the view of the lake. We ate there both nights.

Last but not least, the spa is worth a mention. The Calistoga area is known for healing mineral waters, and the spa has several soaking pools of different temperatures for guests to soak them in. I indulged in a fantastic massage that was equal parts relaxing and therapeutic.

— IF YOU GO —

Details… 2 hours north of San Francisco, this intimate property boasts 50 freestanding lodges immersed in nature. Outdoor showers, gas fireplaces and private hot tubs are a few of the many amenities. The highly attentive staff delivered impressive service and will accommodate any need.

Pack… A swimsuit for soaking in the mineral waters or relaxing by the pool.

Plan Ahead… Book a massage and spend some time at the spa to take advantage of the mineral waters.

Day Trip… Explore the small, charming towns of Napa Valley. In St. Helena, try a breakfast sandwiches on the famous English Muffins at Model Bakery, lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch or burgers at Gott’s. Further south, check out La Calenda, the newly opened Mexican restaurant from Thomas Keller (of French Laundry fame), the always indulgent Bouchon Bakery or one of my all time favorites Ad Hoc for a delicious family style meal.

Weekend Away: Palm Springs, California

I love a good weekend getaway and Palm Springs never disappoints. It used to be a weekend escape for movie stars from LA, now it’s known for its mid-century modern architecture, music festivals and trendy hotels.

A few of my favorite stops on this trip: brunch at Norma’s at the Parker Palm Springs, drinks at the Ace Hotel pool, more brunch at Cheeky’s and lots of time hanging by the pool. Check out all my recommendations from past trips in my Palm Springs Travel Guide.

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Where to Stay: The St. Regis Punta Mita, Nayarit, Mexico

Margaritas, fresh guacamole and endless sunshine… I love Mexico, and it’s such an easy trip from the West Coast. If you’re craving a quick escape to Mexico, book a trip to the St. Regis Punta Mita now. There’s not much I love more than stepping off the plane in another country and it has been a few years since my last trip to Mexico. The trip was super easy — about a 3 hour flight from San Francisco, then a 45 minute drive to the property once you land in Puerto Vallarta — plus this incredible hotel made our first international trip with the babe a breeze!

Set on a private beach on Punta Mita, the St. Regis is totally secluded. When you need a break from the beach, the hotel has three pools (one is for adults only) spread across the property. This set up helps any part of the hotel from feeling crowded. We were there the week before Christmas, and it never felt too busy at all.

Once you arrive everything is taken care of for you. Each room has dedicated service that is on call 24 hours a day to and available for the duration of your stay. From the early morning complimentary coffee service in our room (with mini chocolate muffins for me and bananas for the babe) to dinner reservations and arranging transportation, no detail was overlooked. This is the type of service I think is usually overkill, but the St. Regis executes well and our butlers were incredibly helpful without being obnoxious about it. The service here is truly one of the things that sets this hotel apart - starting with the adorable stuffed giraffe waiting for our son in his crib on arrival.

The food is delicious - think fresh seafood and traditional Mexican dishes like tacos and quesadillas. One of the highlights was the daily happy hour in the main lobby where special mezcal margaritas and champagne are served overlooking this view.


The St. Regis is an indulgent but fabulous choice for a relaxing trip. And really an incredible spot if you have kids. This was probably the most relaxing vacation we could have with a young babe. And a reminder that the St. Regis is a Starwood property so if you have points, this would be a good time to redeem them. As we left all of the staff told us they’d see us next year - I hope they are right!

— IF YOU GO —

Details… 120 rooms set on a 22-acre beach front property with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Very kid friendly - hotel staff were so happy to accommodate our little one and there were lots of other kids on the property.

Pack… The vibe was more casual here than I expected. Bring a good book (I was so excited to finally dig into this), and essentials for the beach plus a big beach bag to throw everything in.

Plan ahead… The hotel can arrange airport pick up and drop off which was a nice way to arrive. Email the concierge a week ahead of your trip to arrange.

Day trip… While it’s definitely tempting to never leave the property, we ventured to Sayulita one day and had a yummy lunch overlooking the beach at Don Pedros , then spent some time shopping. There are colorful weavings, baskets, pompoms and skulls aplenty (like the beautiful selection at Evoke the Spirit). I was excited to explore Sayulita, and while our time was rushed, it felt crowded and touristy which I was honestly a bit disappointed about.

Where to Stay: Nick's Cove, Tomales Bay

One of my favorite escapes from San Francisco is heading north to Point Reyes and Tomales Bay. It's a beautiful spot that feels far away from everything but in reality is only about an hour and a half drive from the city. I've shared some favorite spots in the area before in my Tomales Bay Guide. You can do it as a day trip, but it’s worthwhile to invest the time to stay a few nights. It’s a beautiful slice of part of the world it is. 

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Any time we drive up to the Tomales area, we plan our drive to stop at the Marshall General Store for lunch. The oysters are fresh and the sandwiches are filling and delicious.

After lunch, keep driving to reach Nick's Cove, a charming and unassuming inn off the side of Highway 1.  Twelve cottages line the coast and the hillside across the road to make up this spot. Low key but completely luxurious, with wood burning stoves, claw-footed tubs and heated tile floors in the bathroom in most of the cabins. I've stayed here twice, once in a waterfront and and once in a waterview cottage. If you can justify the splurge, the waterfront bungalows are perfection. Waking up to the water is one of life's great pleasures, and it's equally as pleasing to watch the sun set over Tomales Bay from your own private over-water porch. 

Be sure to indulge in your complimentary oysters upon check-in, and enjoy the casual atmosphere at the roadside restaurant for a hearty dinner after working up your appetite on a hike in Pt Reyes National Seashore earlier in the day.

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If You Go

Pack… No matter the season, it gets chilly in the evenings and mornings on the water. You'll want an extra layer for hiking, cozy sweats for lounging by the fire.

Good For… Romantic getaway

Plan Ahead… To maximize your relaxation, you’ll want to book a waterfront room. Al’s is my favorite! If you are just going to eat at the restaurant (which I recommend so you don’t have to drive) you can make dinner reservations when you arrive.

Value… There’s a fairly big range in price depending on which cottage you book, and when you go (also note there’s a 2 night minimum on the weekends). The rooms are cozy, comfortable and outfitted with details like heated floors in the bathroom and in some rooms soaking bathtubs and fireplaces. The value for the price is worth it if you are looking for an off the grid place to recharge.

Just Back From: Oahu

We just returned from an idyllic few days spent on the North Shore of Oahu, the third year in a row that we've made this trip. While I always love traveling somewhere new, returning to the same place again and again has lots of benefits as well. You know what to expect, what to pack and have a good idea of what you want to do, so there's less planning and more time to just relax.

This time we brought our 3 month old baby - his first flight and first vacation (!) - which made returning to a place we know all the more appealing. We fell into an easy routine of early mornings watching the sunrise, lazy days on the beach and afternoons spent reading (or napping) during tropical rainstorms. We indulged in fresh ahi and yummy pad thai from food trucks and slept better than we have in months. 

{For all the scoop on what to eat and where to wander, check out my newly-updated North Shore travel guide}

If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, I highly recommend checking out Oahu for a local feel of the islands.  

Where to Stay: Carneros Resort & Spa, Sonoma

Wine country is obviously an essential Northern California destination, and living in San Francisco means we are usually lucky to make a day trip to enjoy some wine every so often. But there are some amazing hotels up in Napa and Sonoma counties, and I have a long wish list of places I'd love to stay. The Carneros Resort and Spa has been on the top of that list since we moved out here, and we finally made it happen to celebrate my first Mothers Day! 

We booked a Premier Garden Cottage, arrived on Friday after work and basically never left our cozy room again. With a king sized bed, outdoor deck, lounge chairs, large soaking bath tub, an outdoor shower and a fireplace, we had everything we needed and the ingredients for a perfect weekend. 

We traveled with our young son, so the stunning pool that I drooled over on instagram was off-limits to us (but yes I did sneak in for a photo). However, for us hanging out in our cottage was all we needed for a perfect weekend. We ordered room service from their fabulous restaurant Boon Fly Cafe for all of our meals -- didn't have to wait for a table or worry about our baby crying in the restaurant, plus we got to eat every meal alfresco on our deck (except for breakfast in bed!) Win-win-win in my book. And yes, the Boon Fly Donuts are worth it. Definitely dip them in the chocolate sauce. 

The property is large and very family friendly. It would be a great destination for any trip (romantic getaway, a girls trip, etc), but I really loved it for traveling with a baby. There is a family friendly pool that we spent a few hours relaxing at, and there were lots of other young couples with babies cruising around. 

This can obviously be a great home base for wine tasting in the region -- it is very centrally located on Sonoma County's Highway 12, and is a short drive to my favorite vineyard Scribe Winery. 

 

 

 

If You Go

Pack... bathing suits, easy sandals, wine tasting-chic dress, and a wide brimmed hat to keep the sun out. 

Good for... traveling with small babies, wine country weekend, girls trip

Plan ahead... wine tasting reservations usually need to be made in advance. The hotel staff can assist with that and any reservations for meals. The staff was very friendly, helpful & accommodating throughout our stay. 

Price... It's expensive, and the price has deterred me from staying a few times before. But if you are in need of a relaxing getaway in a beautiful setting, it's worth saving your pennies for a splurge (we put some old AmEx points to good use).  

Where to Stay: The Line, Washington, DC

In a city that has long lacked hip and trendy places to stay, there's a new kid on the block and its the Line Hotel. Recently opened in late December, you can still score a room at the incredibility discounted preview price. Nestled in the heart of Adams Morgan, a buzzing, diverse neighborhood with tons of great restaurants and bars, the location is a great option for visitors to the nation's capital that are not looking for a fancy place to stay on the National Mall or a chain hotel in Pentagon City. You may be tempted not to leave the hotel during your stay. With 3 restaurants, 2 bars and a coffee shop, and a distinct "see or be scene" vibe in the hotel lobby, its a spot you could easily post up for some impressive people watching all afternoon. We arrived at 2pm on a Sunday and it was packed. Laptops open and cocktails being enjoyed. 

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The hotel was built in a former First Church of Christ, Scientist with a strong emphasis on preserving original details, like the organ that is now deconstructed and hangs from the lobby ceiling as a work of art and subtle light fixture. 

The rooms are thoughtfully designed with an eclectic mix of art hung on the walls, textiles throughout and most importantly, a comfortable bed. After checking we inquired about switching rooms to one that had a bathtub (I'm 7.5 months pregnant over here!) The staff was more than happy to accommodate, a bellhop came to our room to move our bags and the manager personally greeted us to escort us to the next room. This turned out to be a suite (room 406 for the record) with a stunning view of the entire city, the Washington Monument and Capitol building peaking out above the buildings. The helpful attitude to make this switch, with only a small increase in the nightly price, was service I've rarely encountered at similar hotels. Our new room provided a spacious area to enjoy the views as we watched the sun set and also take a relaxing bath. It was so comfortable that we debated ordering room service for dinner, but with one of my favorite restaurants, Mintwood Place, just 2 blocks away, I couldn't resist an opportunity to indulge in their Tagliatelle Bolognese. 

The Line call their hotels a place for community, culture and exploration, and I'd say they hit the mark. I lived in DC for years, and am so excited there is finally a place I'm excited to stay when I come back to visit.