Alila Marea Beach Resort: Pacific Coast Luxury
Back on the coast, Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas greeted us with oceanfront elegance. The infinity pool blended seamlessly with the horizon, while Spa Alila offered serene treatments infused with coastal botanicals.
We grabbed morning lattes and pastries at The Coffee Box on property before strolling the beach below the cliffs—a reset for both body and soul after our desert adventures.
Hollywood Fun with CityPASS
Back in Los Angeles, Universal Studios Hollywood made for the perfect day trip. Thanks to CityPASS, we skipped lines and bundled access to top attractions—something we’d also used in New York and San Diego. From Harry Potter rides to studio tours, it was pure, theme-park joy.
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa: Ocean Views for Days
Next, we checked into Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, perched right above the harbor with sweeping ocean views.
Days were spent between Dana Beach, Laguna Beach, and Del Mar, while evenings were reserved for world-class spa treatments. The massages and facials here were some of the best we had all summer—relaxation at its finest with the sound of waves just beyond the windows.
Big Bear: Mountain Escape
From the coast to the mountains, Big Bear Sessions Retreat – Camp 99 gave us a luxury cabin experience in the forest. We hit the Alpine Slide, sipped local brews at Moonridge Coffee, and kayaked on Big Bear Lake—a total change of pace from beaches and deserts, with cozy evenings spent fireside in our cabin.
Palm Springs: Family Time in Style
Heading into the California desert, Garikimot Vacation Rentals hosted us at their Lakefront Oasis, a stunning property with a huge pool, hot tub, and a lakeside deck perfect for grilling dinners under the stars. We even had onsite entertainment from Let’s Hibachi, turning dinner into a fiery, unforgettable show.
My dad flew in from Chicago to join us here, making the trip even more special.
Since Palm Springs is only a few hours from Scottsdale, we couldn’t resist one more desert escape at The Senna House Scottsdale, a chic boutique hotel right in Old Town with rooftop views, lively energy, and a perfect location for strolling through galleries and cafés.
A Summer Full of Memories
From skyscrapers in Manhattan to starry nights in Arizona, ocean cliffs in Encinitas to mountain cabins in Big Bear, this summer was filled with places that each had their own magic. Every stay, every meal, every adventure became part of a story I’ll never forget.
As fall rolls in, I can’t wait to see where the next adventure leads. But for now, I’m holding onto
this summer’s moments—the laughter, the views, the flavors, the memories—that made 2025 one for the books!