Tag Archives: Beach

All around Oahu: Hiking Diamond Head

August 8, 2015 zaagitravel@gmail.com 2 Comments

I’m taking a little break from my A-Z Challenge.

I still have R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y and Z to do… And I have some cool ideas for those posts!

But I’m far too excited about our recent trip to Hawaii so that’s what I’m going to cover first.

Earlier this week James and I wrapped up a 10-day trip to the island of Oahu.

One thing we did during our vacation was hike Diamond Head, the volcano that makes up the iconic background setting of Waikiki Beach.

We first took a city bus to the base of the hike, which is really more of an incline walk.

The walk itself was nice. Lots of families with young children were able to do it so it’s not impossible with little ones.

The bus dropped us off just around the corner from the driveway entrance, which took about 15 minutes to walk through to finally get to the park entrance.

James’ Kiwi-ness paid off in helping us gain entrance because we were without cash — it costs $1 per person or $5 for a car.

The kindness of the people working at the park was incredible. A woman working the food/drink truck gave us two free bottles of water because it was too dangerous to be walking up without hydration.

It was so hot out! Well over 30 degrees celsius (close to 90 degrees fahrenheit).

Lesson learned: Bring CASH to Diamond Head!

As for views, you won’t see many until you reach the top but MAN is it worth it!!

After climbing some rather intense stairs, you ascend to the summit where you’ll find a stunning lookout over Waikiki Beach and the Diamond Head lighthouse.

The color of the water is breathtaking. See for yourself…

Overall: It’s a great thing to do if you’re wanting to stay active and if you’ve got a couple hours to see Honolulu from a beautiful birds-eye perspective.

It took us about an hour and a half round-trip. We took some time relaxing and appreciating the scenery once we reached the top.

We both highly recommend Diamond Head!

Expat Life, New Zealand, Oceania

A-Z Challenge: Oob Organic Berry Farm & Ice Cream Stand in New Zealand

June 20, 2015 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

More than two months in and I’m very ready to have this A-Z Challenge done with. So I can start blogging exciting things like… my upcoming trip to Hawaii!

But, in the meantime, what better way to pass the time than to tell you about one of my OTHER favorite ice cream spots in New Zealand!

It’s an ice cream kind of month, apparently. All months should be ice cream months, don’t you think?

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I visited the OOB Organic Berry Orchard Shop over the summer, when I was staying in Omaha Beach.

The farm is located in Omaha Flats, which is about an hour’s drive north of Auckland.

On the way back south I asked James if we could stop here to get a snack before our drive, as I’d heard so much about it from his family.

Johnny, his best friend, supported my request for ice cream so off we went.

After leaving the beach, passing smaller farms with clusters of grazing furry sheep, we eventually turned down a gravel road.

A couple turns later, the car bumping along the rough drive way, we eventually reached our destination.

With rows of blueberry plants on our right, we finally spotted the cafe building just past an area of covered tables and chairs.

After parking up we walked inside, immediately identifying the smell of fresh cream and berries.

Upon checking out our options, I chose a blend of frozen yogurt and mixed berries while James and Johnny went for ice cream and mixed berries.

The girl behind the counter went to work, scooping out berries and combining them in a big metal machine.

OOB is known for their blueberries but also offers strawberries in their cold creations as well.

I waited in anticipation for my waffle cone-filled deliciousness.

Flecks of the fresh fruit could be seen mixed in, giving the creamy concoctions a pale pink/purple color and a subtle berry flavor.

After paying, James, myself and our third wheel (just kidding J-honny!) walked out to the covered patio to lap up our melting sweet treats.

If you’re craving these like I am now… you’ll be happy to know that OOB ice creams can be purchased in grocery stores (including Countdown and New World) but fresh right out off the farm is my favorite way to enjoy them!

The orchard shop – at 89 Jones Road, Omaha – will re-open in summer 2016.

I think I can speak for all three of us when I say we can’t wait to go back.

Expat Life, New Zealand, Oceania

A-Z Challenge: Hot Water Beach in Coromandel, New Zealand

May 4, 2015 zaagitravel@gmail.com 2 Comments

Well I somehow managed to skip over H, so here we go!

One the most beautiful parts of New Zealand’s North Island is on the eastern coast, a region known as the Coromandel.

And one of the highlights of the Coromandel is a special borderline-magical place called Hot Water Beach, approximately 12 km southeast of Whitianga.

At this beach, just a 5-minute drive from Hahei and the Cathedral Cove, is an incredible volcanic phenomenon.

Within two hours either side of low tide, beach-goers (an estimated 700,000 per year) can dig around to find the natural steamy hot mineral water that sits just below the surface of the sand-covered ground.

Families come from far and wide to experience nature’s glorious spa, delivered from deep within the Earth, as they relax in hot holes overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

It should be mentioned however, that while the activity is popular with visitors of all ages, it is important to use caution, especially with young children, because the water can be so hot it can burn skin (and boil eggs too)!

The temperature of the water has been recorded up to 64 degrees Celsius/147 degrees Fahrenheit!

And it is also important to take caution when swimming at the beach, which is known to have rip currents and fairly large waves.

But back to building your super cool beachside bath!

First off, you’ll need a spade (otherwise known as a shovel if you’re of the American influence).

These can be brought with you – many hotels and hired bachs keep them in stock – or they may be rented for a small price nearby.

I personally suggest borrowing from a friendly face.

Or if you’re feeling extra cheeky, invite yourself into another digger’s handmade pool after all the handwork is finished!

I say this because, as you see in the photos above, many people are standing around.

The location of the hot water can be difficult to find. Don’t just stick your spade in the ground and expect to find it (like we naively did).

It’s probably best to wait and see who manages to discover the sweet spot, and then do your best to capitalize!

Another tip: We went to during the middle of Southern Hemisphere summer. It’s probably quite a bit less crowded in the off-season.

On a more personal note, this particularly day happened to be my dad’s birthday.

James – who has the most amazing penmanship – offered to help me write a message in the sand to send to him.

Hot Water Beach proved the perfect background for the photo.

After our coastal exploration, we went back to The Church accommodation in Hahei, where we broke out our brand new Auckland-themed Monopoly.

The overcast weather created the perfect environment for a lazy afternoon with board games.

Needless to say, James cleaned up when I landed on the ridiculously expensive Sky Tower tile!

Overall: We both enjoyed Hot Water Beach and highly recommend it to those passing through the Coromandel!

Expat Life, New Zealand, Oceania

A-Z Challenge: Jaunt to Cockle Bay Beach

May 3, 2015 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

Cockle Bay is a community near the Auckland suburb of Howick.

It is the place I currently call home.

And one of the things I love most about it is it’s beautiful beach – appropriately named Cockle Bay Beach.

With a population of less than 5,000 people, Cockle Bay is never a crowded place.

This beautiful East Auckland neighborhood was once the home base for a native Maori people known as Ngai Tai.

The village, previously known as Tuwakamana, also has a historical connection to World War II.

Numerous bunkers – used to defend against Japanese forces – still hide in the shadows of massive pohutukawa trees that line the shore.

Locals and visitors can visit the beach via a hiking trail, known as the Awaroa Walkway.

The walk is relaxing and beautiful, as it extends in either direction towards Howick Beach or the Shelly Park Sandpit.

As you walk along Cockle Bay Beach you won’t be able miss the millions of cockle shells that heavily cover the ground.

There’s no confusion behind the name of this stunning locale. There are simply cockle shells everywhere you look!

The beach is a great place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Auckland, taking in a romantic or solo stroll.

It is also very family-friendly with a large children’s playground and plenty of climbable trees.

Bring a picnic to enjoy on the grassy lawn that overlooks the local ducks – but just don’t feed them!

James’ mom Sami is a bit of a bird expert, having worked at the Wild Bird Care Charitable Trust, and she has explained to me why it’s important to not throw pieces of food (usually bread) at the precious animals.

Visitors, while being well-intentioned in feeding the creatures, likely don’t realize that doing so can cause damage to the environment.

Birds can become reliant on human food sources and young birds can grow not learning the important skills used to forage their own food.

It can also cause them to become unafraid of people, and sadly can become vulnerable to abuse.

Not to mention the spreading of disease, bird-to-bird to bird-to-human, some of which are highly contagious and even lethal.

Bread, specifically, has poor nutritional value. Calcium deficiency, a common occurrence in pond birds, can cause badly deformed legs and wings as well as the softening of egg shells.

Also, bread that settles in the bottom of the waterways can rot and bacteria can easily contaminate the water.

Feeding also attracts larger species, deterring smaller species, and maintaining that natural balance is incredibly important.

So let this serve as a friendly reminder.

It’s highly important to respect the environment you’re in, whether it’s you’re own hometown or someone else’s. And this includes the ducks.

I hope you’re able to come visit Cockle Bay Beach sometime, and that you enjoy it as much as I do!

Expat Life, New Zealand, Oceania

A-Z Challenge: Exploring the Coromandel & Cathedral Cove, New Zealand

April 10, 2015 zaagitravel@gmail.com 6 Comments

Speaking of my favorite places in New Zealand… I fell absolutely head over heels for the Coromandel.

This gorgeous place on the eastern coast of the North Island is truly not to be missed!

James and I took a road trip and stopped in the Coromandel for a few days, staying in Hahei – a good central location to explore the region.

Every corner of the Coromandel offers up a breathtaking view.

There are so many things to see and do as well – from hiking to snorkeling to eating ridiculously good fresh seafood.

While on the beach in Hahei, James and I came across a rope swing, which offered a good hour of free entertainment.

In fact I pretty much had to pry James off of it. In this post I’ve included a couple pictures from his joyous discovery.

The beaches truly are some of the best I’ve ever seen. The volcanic New Zealand coast offers up exotic rock formations in the form of islands, which can be seen while lounging on soft sand, staring out at brilliant turquoise waters and bright blue skies.

As a girl from California, it struck me how serene the area was, considering how stunning!

I’m so used to crowded beaches – I feel so spoiled to enjoy such awesome nearly entirely private destinations.

Like most visitors, one of the highlights of our time in the Coromandel was our hike to Cathedral Cove.

The one-hour walk (each way) offered a massive pay off with one of the most mind-bogglingly beautiful views. It was hard to even believe my eyes.

The cove’s marine reserves covers 9 square kilometers and can be enjoyed by kayak – something we tried to do but had to omit from our itinerary due to rain.

We did rent some snorkeling gear from the local snorkel hire shop… and then spent a rather chilly 15 minutes trying to navigate the murky water, which was caused by the former day’s poor weather.

Heads up! Parking at the entrance to the hike is quite congested, so many people have to park at the bottom of the hill and take a shuttle up to the top. We were able to squeeze in to a spot with the help of parking attendant who charged us extra.

I would love to HIGHLY recommend the place where we stayed – The Church Accommodation.

According to their website, “The Church building was originally the Methodist Church from Taumaranui in the Central North Island, built in 1916”.

We stayed in a beautiful studio unit with abundant natural light, but they also offer separate cottages as well.

Unfortunately, I don’t have great pictures of the adorable cottage we stayed in because I was so distracted by the beauty surrounding us!

But even if you don’t stay at The Church, you absolutely HAVE TO go for dinner at their restaurant!!!

I usually find most hotel restaurants less than impressive – however that is absolutely NOT the case here. It is so so so good!! One of the best meals I’ve had in a LONG time.

We had the Patatas Bravas tapas, the Lamb Kifta meatballs, and the evening’s special – a delicious serving of mussels in a butter white wine broth.

The restaurant’s atmosphere is great, the food is amazing… just go. Seriously!

Expat Life, New Zealand, Oceania

A-Z Challenge: Duder Regional Park & Maraetai Coast, New Zealand

April 8, 2015 zaagitravel@gmail.com 9 Comments

Serious slacking on my A-Z blogging challenge so trying to catch up as much as possible tonight!

I knew I’d be busy the first week of the challenge, with moving across the world and all… but wow! It’s been hectic.

But no excuses, back to blogging!

In January this year James and I visited Duder Regional Park – one of my favorite places (so far) in New Zealand!

It is only a 20-minute STUNNING drive away, along the Maraetai Coast Rd., from where we live and is an absolutely gorgeous place!

The regional park – located in East Auckland – was created in 1995, after it was sold by the Duder Family, who had owned the land for 130 years.

It is a working farm with many adorable herds of sheep, which we saw being herded by a shepherd dog as we trekked our way through the fields and trails.

Views of the Hauraki Gulf are truly breathtaking as you hike (or tramp) the Farm Loop Trail, which is about 4 km in length or approximately 1.5 hours long.

We went at a leisurely pace, bringing along a little picnic to enjoy amongst the turquoise ocean views.

For the day James and I packed little sandwiches that we had stuffed with ham, lettuce, tomato and spread.

And then, a hike on a hot day is not complete without an ice cream, right?!

James and I finished up our memorable first day of 2015 by stopping for some hokey pokey deliciousness – a very Kiwi treat – at a dairy on the way home.

Hokey Pokey is now my new favorite! It is basically vanilla with bits of honeycomb toffee throughout. They taste like crunchy, chewy little pralines and they are to die for!

To visitors (and locals too!) I very highly recommend a morning or afternoon at Duder Regional Park, taking in the unbeatable scenery New Zealand is known for.

Because what’s better than vibrant sea views, ridiculously cute little lambs and some mouthwatering ice cream to top it all off?

New Zealand, Oceania

Land of the Long White Cloud

September 27, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

If you haven’t already heard or read somewhere………..

I’ve booked flights to my 40th and 41st countries (which happen to be apart of my SIXTH continent!)

CAUTION: Major milestones ahead!

So are you wondering where exactly I’ll be traveling to next?

Drum roll, please!!!

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…………

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In 90 days I will be traveling to New Zealand and Australia for this first time!

Auckland, New Zealand from the summit of Mt. Eden by Harrison Gulliver — Photo by Harrison Gulliver

New Zealand is less commonly referred to as Aotearoa, which in its native Maori language, means ‘land of the long white cloud’, hence the title of this post!

In New Zealand I will be spending time in Auckland, Omaha Beach, the Coromandel Peninsula, Waiheke Island, Rotorua, Taupo, and more!

You will get to meet my James ❤ and get a first hand look at what is considered one of the most beautiful countries on our planet.

I can’t wait to share our upcoming adventures with you!

This is just the beginning……..

British Columbia, Canada, North America

A Spring Afternoon in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

September 27, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com

Soooooooo this post is a bit late, yeah?

I took a major hiatus from blogging this summer. Since starting my job at the online newspaper in April, I’ve had an incredibly hectic schedule, working 50+ hours a week and commuting 15+ more hours.

And now that I spend 9 hour shifts writing articles on a computer, sitting down to type up more text for a blog hasn’t been at the top of my to do list.

BUT… I’ve realized that I really miss it.

So I’m recommitting myself to getting back onboard!

Here goes it………..

In April I visited my cousins in Vancouver, British Columbia.

We went for an afternoon to this little town called White Rock, named after a giant white boulder on the beach.

The town borders Semiahmoo Bay, which is really fun to say. Try it….. See?

Semiahmoo in Salish (the local native tribe) means “half moon”, used to describe the shape of the bay.

Another fun word? Glaciation.

That’s what caused the big white boulder (a glacial erratic in scientific terms) to migrate to it’s current home.

It weighs 486 tons and is quite impressive to look at, to be honest!

We had a blast meandering around the calm coast, jumping in puddles of water with our wellies (or gumboots as my Kiwi would say)…

My little cousin Sidney loved digging around in the wet sand — it’s amazing how the simplest things can often entertain children the most!

Then, we had a blast going on a ‘pretty pebble hunt’, looking for the most interesting and unique rocks we could find.

Ever since I was little, my dad and I would go on scavenger hunts at the beach in Newport or Huntington down where I’m from in Orange County. On each beach trip he would find his favorite little stone and hold on to it, keeping it in his pocket for months or sometimes years at a time.

The stone he currently carries he picked up on one of our walks a few years ago. Its designs remind us of the beautiful ancient cave paintings in Lascaux, France. I love that he carries it with him at all times.

After looking around at the various colors and shapes that riddled the foggy beach, we eventually made our way over to THE namesake rock.

After admiring the massive feature, standing in it’s solitary glory, we walked back towards the long wooden pier.

At the end of the pier is where my cousin Johnny proposed to my now(favorite)cousin Erica.

You could take a tip out of Johnny’s book of romance and dance on the pier in the moonlight… just putting it out there.

While we didn’t stop for any food in White Rock, I spotted numerous fish n chips restaurants and gelato cafes that looked to die for!

If you’re in the area, I highly recommend a stop at this quaint little beach.

Just a hop, skip and a jump over the American-Canadian border and you’re there!

See below, the trees on the opposite side of the bay? That’s Amurica! Told you it was close.

British Columbia, Canada, North America

A Perfect Day in VanCity! Poutine + the Beach at Spanish Banks + Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

April 27, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com

We started our day how every day should begin… with poutine.

It’s no secret that I’m ~~a bit of~~ a crazed-obsessed fan of poutine. It all started back in 2001 when I visited Canada for the first time.

My best friend Amanda (who, if you’re reading this, I miss the absolute crap out of you) lived in Toronto for a couple years. We spent a day at Wonderland, an amusement park, and she and her family introduced me to the beauty of life that is poutine.

It is one of my guilty pleasures. I will always love it.

For my American and other poutine-deprived readers… poutine, in it’s purest form, is french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds (or as my boyfriend likes to call them, squeaky cheese). The word poutine itself means “mess”, kind of. But it tastes like heaven, I promise.

The dish originated during the mid-20th century in the French region of Canada, otherwise known as Quebec.

If you haven’t tried it you can pick up a bag in the frozen section of Trader Joe’s. It’s obviously not as good as the real deal but it’s a good replacement option.

Anywaaaay… back to my poutine-adventure in Vancouver.

My cousins and I arrived on Davie St, which is also the location of Canada’s largest gay community, and we quickly spied La Belle Patate.

La Belle Patate, one of the most popular spots in BC to grab a hot container of la poutine, is also known for their Montreal-style smoked meat.

They carry a variety of poutine dishes including traditional — my favorite, smoked meat, chicken, galvaude (chicken and peas), BBQ, BBQ chicken, BBQ smoked meat, BBQ galvaude, Italienne (with meat sauce), Hot Dog, Steak Hachee, Hamburger Steak, Bacon, Vegetarian, Mish-Mash, All Dressed, Extreme, Steak & Pepperoni, Supreme, Mexicana, Meat Lover, Deluxe Smoked Meat, Breakfast, Choux Chous (fries, coleslaw, and sauce), Donair (tomato, onion, sweet sauce, donair meat).

There is literally something for everyone!

Their sizes come in small, medium, and large. Or, you can order “all you can eat” for $19.50 Canadian dollars. I ordered a small — pictured below — and loved every. single. bite.

Clearly.

Well, with poutine in our bellies we made our way down to the Spanish Banks Beach, located along Northwest Marine Dr.My cousin Erica pointed out this apartment building with a tall tree located at the very top.

I’ve tried to figure out what exactly the story is behind this tree, but have not succeeded. Yet. If you know, please comment below!

I took some sweet photos of my cousin Johnny holding his son (and my godson), Wyatt.It was fun to walk along the beach in the sun with family. I could see this being a very cool place to hang out during summer when the weather is a little warmer.

We kept walking south until we found ourselves at the heart of English Bay.

We came across this striking monument — known as Inukshuk — which is an ancient symbol of the Inuit culture. Traditionally used as a navigational aid, it represents welcoming, hospitality, and friendship. You may recognize it as the symbol of the 2010 Olympic Winter games.

This particular landmark has stood at this site since 1987.

After lounging and relaxing for a bit we made our way to one of my favorite places in all of Vancouver, Stanley Park!

As we exited the car, after parking near the Brockton Point lighthouse, this beautiful water plane flew overhead. The dark clouds and snow-capped mountains in the distance made for a gorgeous backdrop as the plane flew west.We continued on, walking down the lighthouse stairs to the seawall.

The air, crisp and clean, felt fresh in my Los Angeles lungs. The dark green tones of the trees and blues of the water and sky made for a relaxing atmosphere. It’s hard not to love Stanley Park. Whether you come to exercise, play on the beach, ride a bike through the scenic trails (you can easily rent a bike and it looks like a lot of fun), or simply get away from the urban environment of downtown, it is a definite highlight of Vancouver.A short walk from the lighthouse is an awesome life-size bronze statue of a woman in a wetsuit, flippers and all. It’s appropriately named… Girl in a Wetsuit.

The piece is inspired by the famous Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Sculptor Elek Imredy revealed the statue in June 1972.
Next on the sights-of-Stanley-Park trail was the First Nations totem poles.

Located in Brockton Point, the traditional lands of the Coast Salish people, the totem poles are the most popular tourist attraction in all of British Columbia.

The collection, which began in Lumberman’s Arch nearly 100 years ago, is made up of 9 totem poles. They vary in style and material, each as beautiful as the next.Being part native, I have a fondness for native art and culture.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the term “totem” actually originates from an ojibwe word “odoodem”, meaning “his kinship group”. While the Ojibwe people did not create totem poles, the Anishinaabe language did contribute to their name!

My favorite is the one on the far left in the picture above. I love the turquoise and red accents over the black and white.

TIP: The Brockton Point totem poles also have public restrooms and a souvenir & snack shop.

Checking out the totem poles was a great way to wrap up our Vancouver adventure.

I truly love visiting my cousins in Vancouver. I miss them and the city so much already.

Each time I visit I discover something new to love about the Canadian Pacific Northwest. Next time, we plan to explore Victoria and the rest of Vancouver Island.

What are you favorite things to do and see in Vancouver?

What about Vancouver Island? What do you recommend I see and do there on my next visit?

California, North America, United States

Day Date in Laguna Beach, California: What to See, Eat & Do

March 30, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

Laguna Beach, an upscale, coastal, & artistic Orange County community in Southern California, is famous for a variety of reasons: the “Laguna Beach” reality television show, the Festival of Arts Pageant of the Masters, the Sawdust Art Festival, it’s gorgeous, snorkel-worthy beaches, the list goes on and on…

There’s no denying it’s a beautiful place any direction you look. It’s also chock-full of great food, great shopping, and great views. Here are some of my favorite things to do on a day-trip to Laguna Beach.

So grab your mom, your dad, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your husband, your wife, your best friend, your dog, your grandma, your grandpa, your daughter, your son, your pet rock! Grab them and enjoy a day here with my best recommendations to get the very most out of your day in Laguna Beach.

What better way to begin a day-date than with… a movie.

The small Laguna South Coast Cinema is a cool place to catch the latest flick. Adult tickets are only $8.50, or $6.00 for a matinee (before 5:15).

Afterwards grab a bite at my absolute favorite restaurant in Laguna Beach, The Cliff, located in the Laguna Village. The restaurant offers a reasonably priced valet parking service for your convenience.

Here is one of the many reasons I love eating at The Cliff. Just let that view sink in.

If you can tear your eyes away from the turquoise waves long enough to take a glimpse at the menu, you’ll find a variety of delicious seafood options, as well as sandwiches, burgers, salads, and so on.

Did I mention the view?

Alright alright, back to the food.

I recently ordered two “Scallops Wasabi” for the first time. They’re described as “raw scallops on the 1/2 shell topped with seaweed salad, pickled ginger and wasabi cream sauce”. As of March 2014, pricing is $3 ea. / $25 doz.

Now… let me just say… I love seafood. I love sushi. I love scallops.

These scallops were the BEST scallops I’ve ever had. They were SO GOOD. If you like raw seafood (i.e. sushi), you have to try these. I could eat these everyday for the rest of my life. A little tang, a little spice, a little crunch, a lot of YES.

My mom ordered Fish N Chips ($16), minus the chips, plus fruit. So. Fish N Fruit you could say. I had a bite of hers and it was ALSO some of the best fried fish I’ve had. Light, not oily, and flavorful.

For my main entree I had Halibut Laguna ($25), “fresh grilled halibut filet topped with mango and papaya tropical salsa served with rice and fresh mixed greens”. Also fabulous!

That view again. I can’t help myself.

The rest of the Laguna Village is filled with cute, little specialty & art shops. I bought a gorgeous gold-filled anklet from Shelby’s and my mom bought some coral and shells from Rudi’s (located on the eastern side of the Laguna Village, near the street.

Meeting and chatting with Rudi and Linda was a highlight of our day! Rudi is from Vienna, Austria and Linda is from Cape Town, South Africa. Since I have previously visited both of their original hometowns we had a blast discussing our favorite parts of each destination. They told me about the under-rated Tokai wine region in Cape Town, a place I’ll most definitely be visiting on my next visit to Cape Town (which is hopefully sooner, rather than later)!

Their adorable dog, Bear, greets customers with a wagging tail when he’s not lounging in his cushy bed.

My mom was so inspired by Bear’s haircut that she requested I groom up our Pomeranian/Papillon pup just like him. I tried. But I’m saving you from the visual. I’ll leave it at that. Admire Bear’s handsome looks, instead.

After checking out the Laguna Village I recommend taking a stroll along the sand… because everyone likes long walks on the beach. Am I right or am I right?

I also highly recommend heading to the main downtown streets, Forest Ave and Ocean Ave.

Here, you’ll find Scandia (248 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651), an awesome bakery popular with locals.

It’s filled to the brim with salads, pastries, and a comfy warm coffee aroma.

From cookies, to tarts, to danishes… they have something for every sweet craving.

Choosing between a danish and a coconut macaroon was next to impossible. I ended up “eenie-meenie-minie-mo”-ing it.

You’re lucky I paused to take a quick photo before gobbling this baby up! Ain’t she a beaut?

ANDDDDD… MORE SHOPPING! Because shopping. Duh.

I was ecstatic when I came across Tuvalu (295 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651), a home furnishings store with a shabby chic/oceanic theme. Totally my style!

Being that I semi-grew up in Orange County (die-hard beach baby since birth, just ask my mama), and sailed around the world on a ship, I have a deep LOVE for coastal interior designs.

Tuvalu is the epitome of unique, rustic and beautiful. Their furniture, lighting, dining, bedding, art and accessories have even been featured in Coastal Living, Sunset Magazine, Ocean Home, Real Simple, and InStyle.

(Heads up: Their website is currently under construction, but Pin this and come back to it later! Even if you can’t make it out to Laguna Beach, you can still browse/shop online when their website is back up!)

Tuvalu also has a fun and eclectic book section towards the back of the store.

And it gets better. The owner/buyer, Laurie Alter, is totally awesome! She’s very hands-on in the store and one of the most helpful and cool business owners I’ve come across since I started blogging.

Be sure to check out the Tuvalu blog and Pinterest account! I’m already obsessed.

Next up, one of my favorite clothing boutiques in Laguna Beach: Muse!

Muse, formerly known as Ivory Moon, has been around for fifteen years. I’ve been coming here for at least five of those years.

The clothes are consistently interesting and desirable. This is because Muse sees itself as more than just a clothing store; they aim to be an art and fashion gallery by showcasing up-and-coming designers.

After speaking with the owner, I learned that he is inspired by the casual, artistic feel that the Laguna Beach community is known for. The boutique/gallery hopes to inspire it’s customers to be different and unique.

The clothing and accessory pieces are discovered and brought to the shelves and racks of the store from all over the world. For example, the canvas bag (on the left in the photo above) is from Madagascar!

Muse is a fun place to explore the future of the fashion world. I’ve often wondered if fashion-mogul Lauren Conrad gained inspiration from the boutique as she was growing up in Laguna Beach. (Shout out to LC! Her blog is to-die-for!)

If you’ve been to LB, what are your favorite things to see, eat, and do? Have I missed anything note-worthy?

Zaagi Travel

Tag Archives: Beach

All around Oahu: Hiking Diamond Head

A-Z Challenge: Oob Organic Berry Farm & Ice Cream Stand in New Zealand

A-Z Challenge: Hot Water Beach in Coromandel, New Zealand

A-Z Challenge: Jaunt to Cockle Bay Beach

A-Z Challenge: Exploring the Coromandel & Cathedral Cove, New Zealand

A-Z Challenge: Duder Regional Park & Maraetai Coast, New Zealand

Land of the Long White Cloud

A Spring Afternoon in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

A Perfect Day in VanCity! Poutine + the Beach at Spanish Banks + Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Day Date in Laguna Beach, California: What to See, Eat & Do

Unique Insights From One Who Treasures Travel