The last two weeks, Nathaniel and I have been on what can only be described as an epic California road trip ☀️

Before I get into the adventure itself, there’s a little backstory to this trip - because it feels too special not to share. This wasn’t just a holiday we booked on a whim… it was something I intentionally called in.

I’d been dreaming about a big, meaningful trip like this, so I got clear on what I wanted, worked out that we’d need around £5,000, and created a vision board filled with images of California - coastal roads, national parks, sunshine, mountains and big trees... A few weeks later, completely out of the blue, I received a cheque for £4,888 from a PPI refund. We booked the flights the very next day.

Make of that what you will… but for me, it felt like pure alignment ✨

For the entire trip, I stayed off social media and didn’t read the news — which felt incredibly refreshing. We fully immersed ourselves, saw so much (including amazing wildlife), and took hundreds of photos.

Here are some of the highlights… (You can also see our vlog on YouTube, here >> )

San Francisco

A relaxed, characterful city with so much to take in.

We wandered through Golden Gate Park (the Japanese Tea Garden was a standout), explored the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, and admired the iconic Victorian houses, including the famous Painted Ladies.

Of course, no visit would be complete without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge (which we admired from every angle) - and driving up and down those famously steep streets!

Pacific Coast Highway

Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway was an experience in itself.
Every twist and turn revealed another breathtaking view - rugged cliffs, endless ocean, and that feeling of complete freedom that only a road trip can bring.
I could write an entire blog just on this stretch alone… but here are a few standout stops:

Monterey Bay

We took a boat trip and saw humpback whales - including a mother and her calf - along with sea otters, sea lions, seals, and brown pelicans. Absolutely unforgettable.

Carmel by the sea

One of the most charming places we’ve ever visited - like stepping into a fairy tale. We ended the day sitting on the white sandy beach, watching the sun go down.

Big Sur

Simply incredible. View after view after view. We spotted dolphins, another humpback whale, and elephant seals basking on the shore.

Pismo Beach

A perfect place to pause and soak it all in. We stayed in a lovely hotel and sat in a hot jacuzzi under the stars - pure bliss. Pelicans were nesting nearby on the cliffs, which made it even more special.

Los Angeles

We’d heard mixed reviews about LA — so we only planned a short stop. And it didn’t quite capture our hearts.

It felt less glamorous than expected, and there was a noticeable contrast between rich and poor, and a high level of homelessness. That said, driving through Beverly Hills was beautiful, and it was still fun to see Hollywood and the iconic sign.

Sequoia National Park

Walking among the giant sequoias was a truly humbling experience.

We visited the General Sherman Tree - the largest tree on Earth, estimated to be around 2,200 years old. Standing there, you can’t help but feel a deep sense of awe and perspective.

Kings Canyon National Park

Wild, vast, and incredibly peaceful. We spotted deer on several walks, along with falcons and eagles overhead. We stayed just 20ft from the powerful King’s River — falling asleep to the sound of rushing water was something really special.

Yosemite

Wow. Just… wow.

One of the most beautiful places we’ve ever experienced - easily up there with the Grand Canyon and the Alps.

Towering cliffs, waterfalls, endless views… it genuinely felt like heaven on Earth.

We saw a bear in the distance, more deer, and even pikas (tiny, adorable creatures a bit like meerkats). One evening, we stayed out after dark and saw the Milky Way stretching across the sky, completely mind-blowing.