Gennifer Rose blog
Welcome to our California Travel and Lifestyle blog where youβll find our collection of all the content weβve created. Whether youβre planning your next California vacation, searching for some new healthy recipes or seeking seasonal style tips, youβll find that perfect blog post here.
This page allows you to filter to your interests or browse everything the Gennifer Rose Blog has to offer. You may discover something new!
Our trip to Dana Point and San Clemente was a bit on a whim and I felt so lucky that it turned out to be one of the cutest areas weβve ever visited in SoCal. My goal is always to find California towns with photo worthy scenery, fresh and healthy eats, and if Iβm lucky a colorful mural to brighten up my feed. We got everything on my checklist and then some!
Read MoreWe just wrapped up our visit to Capistrano Beach, just two days before our trip to San Diego for Thanksgiving. We were pleasantly surprised by all the charm we found in the beach towns of Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente. For our hotel accommodations we chose to stay at the Riviera Beach Resort located right in the heart of Capistrano Beach.
Read MoreThereβs something so comforting about your favorite mug, especially while sipping a hot beverage on a cold winter day. When that fabulous mug also happens to be a thoughtful gift from someone special, well then itβs even more magical.
When youβre shopping for mugs as gifts (and even for yourself!), Etsy has the best shopping selection. My list contains styles for everyone on your list, and even some extra quirky picks for your office White Elephant or Secret Santa office party. Happy Etsy shopping!
Read MoreBefore this this trip, we had never been to the Point Reyes area of California, and quite honestly we didnβt know where to begin. This area of California is known for being secretive and hidden away, with many of the roads unmarked and no chain brands in sight. While these characteristics make it an ideal destination to explore on road trips, it can also make planning a challenge.
Read MoreThe Danish hygge lifestyle is all about embracing everything warm and cozy during the cold days of winter. To achieve this state of ultimate cozy bliss, it does take some preparation and possibly shopping for a few investment pieces to complete your "hygge kit." Everyone has their own slightly different version of the perfect hygge winter, but there are some staple elements that most of us can agree upon and I've got them all on my list.
Read MoreI consider myself to be somewhat of a pro at Museum Hack Tours, this past tour at The Getty Museum was my third time around. Every excursion is like a completely new experience because each one is custom curated by the guide. During our Los Angeles visit we were guided by Baxter on the Un-Highlights Tour. I highly recommend him if you get the chance to join one of his tours!
Read MoreWe have taken many roads up and down Californiaβs famous Highway 1, but this was our first time staying in Carmel-by-the-Sea. This world renowned little beach town has been a popular vacation destination for many decades, and we finally got the opportunity to see why. Carmel is an exceptional destination on the Pacific Coastline because of its abundance of natural beauty and picturesque landscape. With both the shoreline and the inland surroundings, they strike a balance between untouched nature and a well loved and manicured town.
Read MoreBack in the day whenever you purchased goods from a store, the product came in either glass or paper packaging. When plastics were invented everyone thought it was be best thing since sliced bread. Little did they know that this new technology would be one of the worst things to happen to our planet. Our oceans and landfills are packed full with plastics that will take hundreds (in some cases thousands) of years to decompose.
Nowadays our daily lives are filled with plastics, and it can feel nearly impossible to avoid it. But the good news is there are quick and simple habits you can develop that will reduce your impact on the environment.
Read MoreThe world knows Silicon Valley as the global hub for everything high-tech, but I know it as my backyard growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. As an adult I spent several years living and working in Silicon Valley before we settled down and ended buying a house in Sacramento. More recently, I spent Easter weekend with some gal pals as a guest at the Hotel Nia in Menlo Park.
Read MoreBack in the day before we became parents, my husband and I used to house sit a cute little apartment in the Marina District. My favorite part of this neighborhood was that you could walk to pretty much everything and itβs so scenic! If youβre staying in San Francisco, cruising the Marina is a great way to spend a few hours. This neighborhood is worth visiting anytime of day, theyβve got great brunch spots, ample lunch options and a lively nightlife scene.
Read MoreItβs hard to resist going crazy spending big bucks on fancy gifts for your little birthday girl or boy. But the reality is that with a one-year-old, often keeping it simple is best. They still know how to appreciate the simple things in life and they get so much entertainment out of natural toys.
Read MoreOften when people think of Sonoma County they picture rolling hills with vineyards and wineries. Petaluma is a hidden gem amidst California Wine Country, a little town filled with charm and yet surprisingly very modern and trendy. Petaluma has somehow managed to walk the fine line between preserving all the old-world antiquities while still keeping the vibes fresh and welcoming for millennials.
In this guide Iβll tell you the best way to discover the favorite βmust seeβ spots in Petaluma that are tailor-made for us millennials. Build your itinerary with where to stay, what to eat and where to exploreβ¦ and of course where to take photos.
Read MoreTruth be told, I have always wanted to get creative with my collection of essential oils and make new blends and infused skincare products. But I honestly felt very intimidated by it and didnβt know how to get started. In the past I had always stuck to the basics of lavender, peppermint and cinnamon because they were familiar scents I could recognize. But I knew thereβs a whole world of scents I had to discover.
Read MoreEvery year I anxiously await the autumn season so I can bust out my favorite plaid shirts. Theyβre everything a gal needs - flattering, soft, comfortable and versatile. Pretty much fashion magic! Thereβs all kinds of plaid prints and color combos, making it way to easy to end up with a closet full of plaid.
Finding the shirt with the best fit for your body is important, especially since you know youβre going to be living in it all of fall. The plaid shirts Iβve selected in the below shopping guide have that modern cut and fit weβre looking for.
Read MoreMy husband and I have always dreamed of living in Los Angeles, we have a lot of family in Southern California and we visit often. Santa Monica is one of our top areas in LA to explore, and since having Scout weβve realized itβs a great option for vacationing with a baby.
The beaches of Santa Monica are the hub of tourism and lots of families travel towards them to have some quality R&R. Santa Monica is a haven for trendy restaurants, boutique shops and of course the promenade and pier. Read on to see our top 10 spots where we love to take Scout.
Read MoreEvery homeownerβs dream is to be able to customize their living space and maximize its potential. If youβre planning a renovation, here are some things to think about as youβre designing the spaces in your home. The goal here is to add features that will make your everyday life much easier.
Read MoreNothing feels more nostalgic than curling up with a blanket under the stars waiting for the fireworks show to begin. California always has great options for a quick vacation, so many scenic cities to choose from. Make the most of your PTO vacation days with a 4th of July getaway. This list of California destinations offer great scenery and awe-worthy firework shows.
Read MoreFor all of us serious avocado lovers, we can eat avocado toast anytime of the day. This easy and healthy meal has surpassed just breakfast and brunch and is now a lunch and dinner staple too. That being said, sometimes you just need to mix it up and add a new twist to the classic bread and avocado combo.
Read MoreI grew up in the coastal town of Half Moon Bay in Northern California. Santa Cruz is just a scenic one hour drive south along Highway 1 from my hometown. Our summers were spent at the beach, playing in the ocean with boogie boards and surfing.
No doubt surfing is the unofficial state sport of California. Many people plan their vacations to the beach towns along the Pacific Coast Highway to take advantage of the perfect surfing conditions. Santa Cruz is a world famous surfing destination and the best part is that thereβs surfing spots for all levels of surfers. The surf culture of Santa Cruz is difficult to put into words, you just need to experience it for yourself.
Surfing is also a great spectators sport, it can be really fun to watch the surfing action while enjoying a picnic on the beach. If surfing is too intimidating for you, worry not! Grab your freshly made smoothie, wear those sunglasses and chill by the beach watching the pros glide over the waves. A paradise for surfers and beach lovers, Santa Cruz in California has something for everyone. As your trip winds down into the evening, be ready to witness gorgeous sunsets during your Santa Cruz surfing getaway.
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