LA Getaways
Its been a long year of all nighters and too many cups of coffee, and you still have a few more weeks of finals studying to do before summer. Ever wish you could just get away from it all? The boys of Thursday’s sneak Kings of Summer feel you. You probably aren’t quite able to pack up and build a fort in the middle of the woods like the boys did, so we compiled a list of LA Getaways that are almost as good.
1) CINESPIA
Go see a classic movie under the stars at the Hollywood Forever cemetery. Bring blankets, a picnic dinner, alcohol, and someone to hold your hand when you get scared. Website
2) BONFIRE AT DOCKWEILER
Dockweiler Beach is the only beach around that allows bonfires, and everyone knows bonfires make beach trips 200% better. Don’t forget s’mores!
3) DOWNTOWN ART WALK
Take a self-guided tour through the streets of Downtown LA and check out the amazing public galleries around every corner. Come check out what the most talented artists in Los Angeles have to offer every second Thursday of the month. WEBSITE
4) SANDSTONE PEAK
Escape from the LA smog and climb one of the best hikes in SoCal: Sandstone Peak in the Santa Monica Mountains. At a top elevation of 3,111 feet, making it to the top is no joke. But if you can, sign the register— a notebook where fellow hikers who reached the top scribble down their thoughts on the hike, the view, and how sore their legs are.
5) SUNSET RANCH HORSEBACK RIDES
Take a 1 or a 2 Hour horseback tour through the hills of Griffith Park. From this 5,000 acre park in the heart of LA you’ll see the Hollywood sign (obvious instagram photo op), Griffith Observatory and Downtown Los Angeles.
6) KARAOKE AT BRASS MONKEY
Sing your heart out at the famous bar & karaoke spot visited by Vince Vaughn, Seth McFarlane, Courtney Cox, and now.. you. WEBSITE
And for a lil 2 hour getaway, make sure to catch Kings of Summer on 5/23 @ 9 PM in Ackerman Grand Ballroom!
Autumn
To celebrate the first day of autumn, I am posting not about Clarendon, but about a place tucked quietly away in the Shenandoah Mountains.. a perfect getaway this fall or winter.
My husband and I recently celebrated our five year wedding anniversary. I try to be traditional where possible, so looked up the traditional five year gift and found that it was wood. Knowing how much my husband loves the mountains, and with wood being the traditional gift of the year, it was only natural to book a log cabin out in the woods.
After some research, I found Shadow Mountain Escape in the Shenandoah mountains. Rated (ridiculously) high on TripAdvisor, reasonably priced, and rustic yet luxurious enough to plug in my flat iron if I chose to, Shadow Mountain Escape seemed perfect.
There are a few cabins to choose from on the property. The only one available for the weekend of my choosing was the Butterfly Loft cabin. We couldn’t have been more pleased.
Inside the cabin are high ceilings, a canopy bed, exposed wooden beams, knick knacks, baked goods (made with love by the owner,) a TV & DVD player, full living room, bathroom, kitchen, and a balcony off the living room. It was romantic, cozy, and spacious.
The property is so picturesque. Lush meadows lined with tall trees and raspberry bushes, a rolling stream, well-marked stone trails, and plenty of wildlife. Our animal tally that weekend went something like: 2 rabbits, a dozen deer, 3 wild turkeys, and a black bear.
We got a pretty nasty rainstorm and a tornado warning, but even then, it could not have been more romantic.
After the rainstorm subsided, we drove into Luray (about a 10 minute drive) to pick up dinner. Luray is a charming little town. We found a bakery and deli on the main street, where we picked up croissants, cheeses, meats, and locally-made apple butter.
If you’re looking for a quick getaway from the city, I highly recommend Shadow Mountain Escape. Weekends seem to book well in advance, so check the calendar on their online reservation system. They didn’t pay me for this post, nor do they even know I’m writing it. I just loved it that much, and wanted to share this little gem with my readers.
Happy autumn!
Travel Picks: Top 10 getaways without the kids
Thanks to Vegas, we know there is plenty of fun to be had in the desert, but nothing comes close to Dubai; the adult playground set in the piping hot deserts of the United Arab Emirates. From the world’s largest man-made islands to the entrancing gold markets and underwater hotels, everything in Dubai is bigger, better and more luxurious. Feel free to spend some time being overwhelmed by shopping malls and markets known as souks, then tee off at world-renowned golf courses, stop at the only Formula 1 theme park and kick up some fun with a Jeep trip into the sand dunes.2. Lunenburg, Nova ScotiaIn 1995, the old town of Lunenburg on Canada’s east coast was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its survival as a British colonial settlement. This quaint coastal village off Mahone Bay is the perfect place to book a bed-and-breakfast or small cottage and explore the history, do a little kayaking or simply unwind. Let Lunenburg’s small-town charm and the tranquil seaside views win you over. When looking for things to do, visit Bluenose, the world-famous wooden racing schooner, check out the Fisheries Museum and learn about the salty men who navigated the Atlantic, then head over to the Ironworks Distillery for artisan spirit tastings.3. St. Lucia, AntillesJust getting away isn’t always enough - sometimes it takes a tropical island in the middle of the ocean for us to feel completely free of our duties and responsibilities. Home to the grand Piton mountains, the world’s only drive-in volcano and warm crystal blue waters, St. Lucia is an ideal Caribbean getaway for any relaxation-seeking couple. For a quick and rewarding hike, check out the Saltibus Waterfall Trail, which leads you through mountaintop rainforests to several picturesque waterfalls, perfect for cooling off. If you’re not interested in leaving the beach, take advantage of renowned scuba and snorkeling, or hop aboard a sailboat and cruise around the island.4. Napa Valley, CaliforniaEven though early autumn is Napa Valley’s most popular season for visitors, we still think it’s the best time to take part in the grape harvesting festivities known as Crush. It’s one of the Valley’s most exciting times and vineyards all over hold special events and celebrations. Napa boasts more than 200 vineyards, world-renowned spas and a dense population of Michelin-rated restaurants, so there are plenty of opportunities for you and your significant other to spoil yourselves. The scenery alone is worth the trip, and we recommend viewing it from a hot air balloon or the Napa Valley Wine Train, which stops at several vineyards.5. Portofino, ItalyThe words “Italian Riviera” are usually enticing enough to dust off the suitcases, and Portofino is considered to be the most beautiful harbor of them all. What was once a quaint fishing village is now a popular boating and yachting destination. The best place to stay is on a boat, and there are plenty of exquisite restaurants and high-end boutiques that line the harbor. If sleeping on dry land is more your style, travel the sea by water taxi to other towns along the Riviera, including Genoa and San Fruttuoso. And, if you haven’t seen enough breathtaking scenery, head up to Castello Brown to check out the beautiful views and stunning gardens.6. Cozumel, MexicoCancun might have a reputation for college kids, foam parties and a heavy late-night scene, but on the island of Cozumel, just a short distance away, it’s a different story. As a tourist destination, Mexico is known for catering to its visitors at spectacular resorts where the possibilities for fun in the sun are endless - and Cozumel is no exception. Aside from observing the beautiful surroundings, consider hanging out at the beach, getting in some scuba diving, taking advantage of resort activities like tennis and yoga, or catching up on some reading by the pool. Best of all, there are plenty of resorts on the island that only accommodate adults, so you don’t need to deal with anyone else’s rugrats.7. Stirling, ScotlandA bit smaller than some of Scotland’s other cities, Stirling is an ideal place for parents who are looking for a quiet getaway. Packed with history, lush rolling hills, charming bed-and-breakfasts, and plenty of outdoor activity, there’s a little something for everyone. Whether you’re a history buff or not, The National Wallace Monument, in honor of William Wallace, is a must see. (That’s for you, Braveheart fans.) Then tour the Stirling Old Town Jail, visit Stirling Castle and check out the Old Bridge. If golfing is on the list, you won’t be disappointed with the abundant greenways that meander through the flawless landscape.8. Valle Nevado, ChileA day on the ski slopes is a great way for families to bond and for kids to put to use some of that excess energy, but with the hassle of gloves, hats, equipment and the occasional cold-weather whining, a ski trip for two could be just what you need. Since good skiing in summer months is hard to come by, think about heading south to Valle Nevado in Chile, where it’s still winter - if you’ve got a chunk of time to spend. It’s considered the best ski resort in South America, and is comparable to something you might experience in the Alps. Valle Nevado even offers world-famous Heli-skiing and boarding for those needing a bigger rush.9. Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Conveniently located between Jacksonville and St. Augustine is the famed Ponte Vedra Beach. You may think the only thing Ponte Vedra has to offer is a ridiculous golf scene - which it does - but that’s not the sole reason to visit this swanky coastal community. When not teeing off, visitors take full advantage of exquisite spa treatments offered at several multi-diamond spa resorts, hit around the tennis ball, stop off at beautifully manicured beaches, check out quaint and unique shops, and partake in other activities you indulge in when the kids aren’t around. And no Ponte Vedra Beach experience goes without a look into the Spanish colonial history stretching back as far as 1513.10. Lavaux, SwitzerlandThe vineyard terraces of Lavaux may not be on your travel radar, but they should be. There is evidence to suggest that these terraces were used to grow grapes for wine during the Roman Empire, and they have now been inducted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Settled along the coast of placid Lake Geneva are a string of small villages connected by the grape vines of the ancient terraces. Travel between the villages by foot, stopping for picnics and wine tastings, and spend the night at bed-and-breakfasts as you go. Or, take the train, which stops in many small towns. If travel within the autumn months is possible, make sure to have the camera handy for some truly stunning fall foliage photographs.
