The Ultimate Wellness Experience in Mendocino, California: Stanford Inn By The Sea

The Ultimate Eco-Resort Experience in Mendocino, California: Stanford Inn By The Sea

Mendocino, California is a gorgeous coastal town that is about 3 hours from the San Fransisco International Airport. It has beautiful coastal hikes, a great small town atmosphere, and many state parks a few minutes away making this the ultimate destination for nature lovers.

Stanford Inn By The Sea is on a hillside, atop a meadow overlooking Mendocino Bay which allows it to offer stunning ocean views. This eco-resort has an immense amount of amenities including a sauna, hot tub, pool, gardening classes, yoga, and the famous Ravens Restaurant which boasts fantastic vegan cuisine. The resort is also pet and family friendly, but also a wonderful place for a romantic stay as well!

Read below for why Stanford Inn by the Sea was one of my favorite resorts I have stayed at in all of California.

LOCATION: 10/10

The location of the Stanford Inn was absolutely perfect! We didn’t have to go far at all to be fully immersed in nature and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the town of Mendocino.

The resort is less than 5 minutes to the main town where there are a variety of restaurants and shops. It’s also only 10 minutes away from Russian Gulch State Park which is the most gorgeous picnic destination.

You also can’t forget about the amazing things to do right at your fingertips when staying at this eco-resort! Guests have the opportunity to get massages in the forest, participate in yoga classes, canoe and kayak on Big River, ride bikes, and much more!

ROOMS: 10/10

The Stanford Inn has gorgeous rooms that are paneled in pine and redwood. We really enjoyed the small details like the wood-burning fireplace and the homey feeling the rooms had. The fresh baked cookies from the kitchen waiting for us when we walked into the room was also a bonus! The cookies were so delicious that we asked for more the next day!

The view from our room was also incredible. Sweeping views of the ocean beyond and the rugged coastline was the icing on the cake. We found the room to be very homey feeling and comfortable. The perfect room for a weekend away in the heart of nature!

DINING: 10/10

Stanford Inn By The Sea has a whole plant-based restaurant called Ravens Restaurant. This restaurant is nationally acclaimed for it’s delicious gourmet vegan cuisine. We loved waking up and being able to enjoy the chef’s organic breakfast, with most ingredients from the on-site organic gardens. Even though we are not plant based, I found the breakfast very hearty and loved all of the fresh flavors.

We also got to enjoy dinner at Ravens restaurant which was amazing! See below for photos of our beautifully prepared and great tasting food. We tried the Sea Palm Pad Thai dish and the Kalua Mushrooms & Coconut Rice dish, and there was nothing left at the end of the meal! Such a wonderful experience dining here, and would definitely recommend it to anyone staying at the resort!

Here are the top things to do in the Mendocino area near the stanford inn:

• Catch a Canoe & Bicycles Too! at the Stanford Inn: Steps away from our room, we were able to rent out a stable redwood outrigger canoe. This allowed us to see the beautiful Big River Estuary and also get to see some adorable wildlife as well! We saw lots of seals and even otters during our canoe excursion.

• Fathers and Daughters Cellars Wine Tasting (Anderson Valley): This family owned winery called Ferrington Vineyards was a highlight for us when we drove through the Anderson Valley. One of the owners Guy was extremely kind and treated us like family. It was much more than a tasting, it felt like an intimate experience that made us feel special as we drank their amazing wine.

• Russian Gulch State Park (10 minutes from hotel): This state park is the perfect place for a picnic overlooking the bridge and ocean. It also has 15 miles of trails, both shady forest hikes and pen coastal hikes as well!

• Lula Cellars Wine Tasting (Anderson Valley): Lula Cellars is a boutique winery that we really enjoyed stopping at for a wine tasting. Their Pinot Noir is their most famous wine, and the scenery of the winery was stunning! We got to climb up the hill a little ways and saw amazing views of the Anderson Valley’s green rolling hills.

• Brunch at the Little River Inn: this is the absolute best place to get brunch with a gorgeous coastal view in the area! The food was delicious and we loved the scenery of the area it was in. Perfect for a nice brunch spot before visiting the beach!

• Gowan’s Heirloom Ciders (Anderson Valley): This Anderson Valley staple is on the side of the road on the way from San Fransisco to Mendocino, and it was the best cider we have ever had! They have been open for 140 years and once you taste the cider, you can understand how. Highly recommend trying the frozen rose cider if it is a hot day in the valley.

OVERALL REVIEW: 10/10

Stanford Inn By The Sea is the ultimate wellness stay in Northern California! If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, or even a nature destination for the whole family, I cannot recommend Stanford Inn By The Sea enough. The location, amenities, and nature it is surrounded by truly makes it a special place to visit.

We went at the end of March and it was perfect weather! This resort can be visited all year long though and I would highly recommend lining your visit up with any of the various activities and festivals that the town of Mendocino has all year long.

Overall, this eco-resort has everything you need for a PERFECT destination at all times of the year! Make sure to book your visit soon so you can fully enjoy being immersed in such an amazing wellness destination!

Ultimate 10-Day Itinerary: The South Island of New Zealand

Why you should visit the South Island of New Zealand:

The South Island of New Zealand is by far my favorite place I have ever visited! It is truly a magical place that has waterfalls, lakes, mountains, oceans, glaciers, and much more. The people were the kindest people I’ve ever met during all of my travels and the food was great too. Most people who visit New Zealand go to the North Island and visit big cities like Auckland. We completely skipped the North Island and went straight to the South Island since we knew the South Island is much more scenic.

Day 1: Queenstown

BEAUTIFUL VIEWS & A HOT SOAK

• Arrive in Queenstown

• Drive to Kamana Lakehouse from the airport (20 minutes)

• Hot tub soak at Kamana Lakehouse. Especially after a very long flight, the hot soak at Kamana Lakehouse couldn’t be more amazing. You get to enjoy a hot tub for an hour that has the most insane views of the lake and mountain range. It was very relaxing and you can also order a drink at the bar beforehand to enjoy during your soak.

Accommodation:

Kamana Lakehouse (includes a delicious breakfast at the Nest Kitchen)

• This is by far the best place to stay in Queenstown! Kamana Lakehouse is very cozy/comfortable, has the BEST food in the city at the Nest Kitchen, and the views of the Remarkables mountain range and lake are incredible. This may be a splurge compared to other hotels in the South Island but it is 100% worth it! We also loved how friendly and helpful the staff at the front desk were, they gave the most amazing recommendations of hidden gem activities to do in the area, with some of those activities being on this blog post below!

Day 2: Queenstown

HIKING, HELICOPTERS, & FRUIT ICE CREAM

• Breakfast at Kamana Lakehouse Nest Kitchen (try the smoothie bowl, it is amazing!!)

Things to do in Queenstown today: (any order)

• Moke lake walk (15 min drive from hotel): this loop walk is gorgeous. You walk around the lake and it is such a peaceful place to be! Make sure you wear bug spray though, this will be the first time you encounter the sand flies of the South Island. You don't know they are there but they are and you will have very annoying and itchy bites a few days later if you don’t wear your spray!

• Bob’s Cove track: Only 10 minute drive from Moke Lake, this is a gorgeous hike to the top of a hill where you can see two bays at the top. The color of the water is beautiful and I highly recommend doing this on a sunny day so you can see the vibrant color of the water.

• Drive to the town of Glenorchy

• Try fruit ice cream for the first time at Real Fruit Ice Cream Glenorchy. Enjoy your ice cream when you walk down to the water to take in the gorgeous views.

• Do a helicopter tour to Earnslaw Burn with Heli Glenorchy.

  • This is a MUST do when visiting this area. The only other way to access Earnslaw Burn is a multiple-day hike or by helicopter, making it an incredibly remote and special place where waterfalls are coming down from a glacier into a valley. If there is one thing you should 100% do today, it should be this!

• Skyline Queenstown is a must today!!

  • I recommend going in the afternoon after you’re done with your activities for the day so you can enjoy the sunset from the top. We took the gondola up to the luge which was super fun and made us feel like we were in a Mario cart game! The gondola ride was super fun and the views were incredible. Then, we went to the Stratosfare restaurant for dinner. We had an excellent buffet dinner here where we had a 360-degree view of the lake and mountain range.

Accommodation:

• Kamana Lakehouse

Day 3: Te Anau

NATIONAL PARK VIEWS & a scenic drive

• Have breakfast at Kamana Lakehouse and check out

• Drive from Queenstown to Te Anau

• Hike the Routeburn Track to Key Summit. The number one tip for this hike is to check the visibility BEFORE you drive the hour from Te Anau to this hike. We didn’t do this and basically hiked into a cloud. We had to look on AllTrails to see the photos and they were incredible, so don’t let the photos below deter you from going. Even though we didn’t see anything when we reached the summit, the hike itself was very lovely through the forest.

• Drive from the RouteburnTrack to Te Anau Airbnb (1 hour)

• Check into your accommodation or Airbnb

• Have dinner at the Mackinnon Restaurant in the downtown area of Te Anau. This is a great choice for dinner in the area, and has a beautiful view of the lake from the tables.

Accommodation:

• Airbnb in Te Anau — we stayed at this Airbnb in Te Anau and it was amazing! There are a lot of hotel options in the downtown area but we booked too late to be able to get any of those. I actually really liked staying in the Airbnb though because it allowed us to get a feel of what a typical New Zealand home is like!
  

Day 4: Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park

VISIT THE 8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD TODAY!

Milford Sound South Island

To take a day trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound, there are a couple of options:

• You can self-drive to the park and boat tour, but this option is very stressful with the windy roads and sometimes changing road conditions. We thought about this but ended up not self-driving since the rest of the trip was very road-trip-heavy. We didn’t regret our choice to do this and saw some spots we never would have found if we had driven ourselves.

• Option 2: Do a day tour with Fiordland Tours and a boat tour with Cruise Milford. If you want to support two family-owned businesses and not be in a coach bus stuck with hundreds of people, this is the way to go! I did so much research on the different tours to Milford sound and this was by far the BEST option.

• Experience Milford Sound with Cruise Milford. This is the BEST boat tour you could do in Milford Sound. The boat was extremely comfortable and the views of Milford Sound were incredible. We even saw fur seals which was a bonus! They also gave us complimentary tea, coffee, and cookies too! We loved the smaller feel of this experience as opposed to other boat tours which could have hundreds of people on board.

Dinner options in Te Anau:

• Redcliff, Fat Duck, or Ditto

If you’re feeling up to it after dinner, add in a night tour of the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves! This was a once in a lifetime experience and if you have never seen glow worms before, this is a must.

Accommodation: 

• Airbnb in Te Anau

Day 5: Wanaka

wineries, bungy jumping, & the famous Wanaka tree

• Check out of accommodation in Te Anau

• Drive 2 hours from Te Anau to the Gibbston Valley which is gorgeous wine country right outside of Queenstown and on the way to Wanaka

• Stop by Gibbston Valley Winery & Restaurant for lunch

• Watch people bungy jump at AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Centre (2 minutes away from the winery). If you’re feeling brave enough to bungy jump here, do it!

• Drive to Wanaka from the bungy centre- 55 minute drive to Wanaka

• Check into Wanaka Homestead (photos below)

  • Wanaka Homestead is a wonderful accommodation that makes you feel like you are staying in someone’s cozy home. It’s steps from the famous Wanaka tree and they also have bikes for rent! Definetely one of the best places to stay when visiting the town of Wanaka.

Things to do in Wanaka today:

• See the famous Wanaka tree 

• Roy's Peak - hard but worth it hike that has spectacular views at the top

• Bike ride around the lakefront of Wanaka for amazing views of the lake

• Have dinner at Francesca’s for some amazing Italian food in Wanaka.

Accommodation:

• Wanaka Homestead

Day 6: Mount Aspiring National Park

Helicopter, wilderness hike, & jet boat experience

• Drive to Mount Aspiring National Park (50-minute drive) to check in for your Heli Siberia Max tour with Backcountry Helicopters and Wilkin River Jets

• Enjoy an incredible helicopter ride above Mount Aspiring National Park and land on a mountain peak with Backcountry Helicopters

  • Our experience with Backcountry Helicopters was incredible. The pilot knew exactly what he was doing and showed us some of the most beautiful landscapes we have ever seen. We also loved how we got dropped off in a remote location that we otherwise wouldn’t have seen during our trip to the South Island!

• Take a 3-hour wilderness hike through the national park after your helicopter drops you off

  • This hike was gorgeous! It was very well maintained and was one of our favorite ones we did on the trip

• Arrive at the launch point for Wilkin River Jets

  • The Wilkin River Jets experience is amazing!! Going on a jet boat is a must-do activity when visiting the country of New Zealand. The boat ride was super thrilling and we really enjoyed it because it was so different than anything we did the rest of the trip

After your amazing experience on the Heli Siberia tour, here’s some things you can do for the rest of your day:

• Stop at the Blue Pools for a quick dip and nature walk

• Drive back to Wanaka

• Have dinner at Big Fig Wanaka for a healthy dinner where you can pick your own food options. This is a super casual place but after our long day, we were exhausted so really enjoyed this dinner!

Accommodation:

• Wanaka Homestead

Day 7: Mount Cook National Park

BLUE LAKeS, MOUNTAIN PEAKS, & farms

• Check out of Wanaka Homestead

• Stop at Red Bridges Strawberry Farm on your way out of town to pick some strawberries and have the BEST strawberry fruit ice cream you have ever had.

• Stop at Wanaka Lavender Farm down the street for amazing lavender products and the cutest lavender farm. My favorite gifts I bought in New Zealand were here!

• Continue driving towards Mount Cook National Park and stop at Lindi’s pass overlook for views that look like a different planet

• Take a quick detour to Omarama Clay Cliffs to hike up to these one of a kind cliffs

  • This place is hidden and is definitely an off-the-beaten-path experience. If you have the time to add this detour to your list, you won’t be disappointed!

• Stop in the town of Twizel for a late lunch/early dinner.

  • The food options in the Mount Cook area are very limited so we decided to fill up in the nearest town. There is also a Foursquare in the town of Twizel so I highly recommend getting groceries for things like breakfast, snacks, and even lunch for your time in the Mt. Cook region.

• Stop at St Peters lookout for gorgeous views of Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook

• Check into Aoraki Court Motel

• Walk over to the Hermitage to enjoy a drink with beautiful alpine views

• If you can book it early, book a stargazing tour at The Hermitage as this is one of the best things to do in this area! We unfortunately didn’t get a spot and the visibility at night was bad which cancelled the tours. If you get the right day, for sure do this!!

Accommodation:

• Aoraki Court Motel — we booked a Spa executive studio and were super impressed by the quality of the room and the views were incredible (pictures below of the view from the room patio).

Day 8: Mount Cook National Park

STEEP HIKES, GLACIERS, & ALPINE VIEWS

• Hike Red Tarns track (2.3 miles) for a steep thrill of a hike. Once you get to the top, enjoy beautiful views of Mt/ Cook and there is a lake on the top with Red tarns plants.

• Walk the Hooker Valley Track: This is one of the South Island’s most popular glacier country trails and is 6.8 miles long. Looking down from swing bridges over rushing rivers, you’ll walk a track that leads to an alpine lake complete with icebergs.

More things to do in the Mt Cook region:

• Tasman Glacier View track for amazing views of the Glacier in the distance and a gorgeous glacial lake. The weather can change pretty quickly on this hike so make sure to dress accordingly (we got soaked from head to toe!)

• Glacier lake boat tour: we opted out to do this because of poor weather but this tour gets great reviews and allows you to get up close to a glacier! Go to the Hermitage activities desk to book this!

• Have dinner at the Alpine restaurant buffet in The Hermitage hotel. There are pretty limited options for food in the national park and this food was actually pretty good and had a lot of options.

Accommodation:

• Aoraki Court Motel

Day 9: Mount Cook National Park

crystal clear lakes, farm towns, & road tripping

•  Check out of Aoraki Court Motel

• Lake Pukaki Shoreline Walk for a gorgeous easy walk along the lake. This is right on the way to Akaroa which is your next destination.

• Explore Lake Tekapo (on the way to Akaroa). We just stopped and walked around the lake a bit to stretch our legs to break up the card ride to Akaroa.

• Drive to Akaroa (3 hours 30 min drive). This will be your last destination you stay over night before going home! An alternative to this is to drive straight to Christchurch and spend the night there before you fly out. I highly recommend visiting the town of Akaroa for a very unique experience that I will talk about later in this blog.

• Check into Akaroa Waterfront Motel which is a super cute place to stay that is right on the harbor. Very comfortable lodging and great location!

  Dinner options in Akaroa:

• The Little Bistro

• Ma Maison

Accommodation:

• Akaroa Waterfront Motel

Day 10: Akaroa & Christchurch

rare dolphins, french town, & flights

• Wake up early to do the Akaroa Dolphin experience. This is the only place in the world you can see the famous small Hector dolphins and get up close to them. The tour was an incredible experience and the views from the boat couldn’t be more gorgeous. The boat also had a dog spotting dolphin which was the cutest thing ever!

• After the dolphin tour, drive 1 hour 30 min to Christchurch airport for departing flight

Summary

Overall, the South Island of New Zealand is an absolute dream bucket list trip that I had the pleasure of doing in February of 2024. If you love nature and want to visit a destination that has mountains, waterfalls, oceans, lakes, glaciers, and more, this South Island itinerary will take you to the best places in the country!

The Perfect Staycation From Los Angeles: Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina Review

The Perfect Staycation From Los Angeles: Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina Review

Looking for a great staycation hotel that is in Los Angeles but gives a nice beach town feel? Look no further than Redondo Beach!

The Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina Hotel is located right across the street from the ocean needs to be added to your bucket list. There are so many fun activities like biking to paddleboarding that you can do in the area, and the views from the rooms boast the most gorgeous sunset view each night. Not to mention, the food is incredible at the hotel and I couldn’t recommend this more for a staycation!

LOCATION: 10/10

The Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina has a prime location, providing guests with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the iconic Redondo Beach Marina. Whether you're a beach lover, a water sports enthusiast, or simply seeking a serene coastal getaway, the hotel's location ensures you're immersed in the beauty of Redondo Beach.

This property is located steps away from the beach and it was so nice to just cross the street and be by the ocean! There are also a lot of great restaurants and places to walk around in the area near the hotel.

Here are the top 5 things to do the Redondo Beach area near the hotel:

1. Redondo Beach Pier: Take a stroll along the historic Redondo Beach Pier, where you'll find shops, restaurants, and stunning views of the coastline.

2. Whale Watching: Depending on the season, doing a whale-watching excursion from Redondo Beach is a great thing to do in the area. When we went, we didn’t do this activity but I’ve heard great things about Redondo Beach Whale Watch for boat tours.

3. Water Sports: Rent a paddleboard or kayak in the harbor, or try surfing at one of the nearby beaches.

4. Biking: Rent a bike and ride it along "The Strand." This path stretches for miles along the coastline, offering stunning ocean views.

DINING: 10/10

One of the standout features of the Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina is its exceptional dining options. There are two restaurants on the property: SOL Restaurant and Harbor Bar & Bistro.

We had some amazing food at the Harbor Bar & Bistro including delicious carne asada fries. The winner of the show though was the smores kit we got to do by the fire pit. The smores were delicious and it was such a fun way to end our night. HIghly recommend doing this if you stay at the Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina.

OVERALL REVIEW: 10/10

Overall, this is the perfect place to stay in Redondo Beach! Whether you are looking for a staycation or a trip to the beach for the weekend, Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina was amazing! Make sure to explore the Redondo Beach area and add this to your bucket list for your next staycation in Los Angeles.

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort: A Tranquil Oasis on Vancouver Island

Tigh-Na-Mara Resort and Spa Review: Vancouver Island

Looking for the best hotel in the central Vancouver Island area? Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort is the most amazing resort to stay for your next trip to the island.

This hidden gem property offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, a large variety of amenities, and impeccable service, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a rejuvenating escape. The Grotto Spa, which is famous in Canada, was my personal favorite part of the stay at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort.

LOCATION: 10/10

Situated in the heart of Parksville, Vancouver Island, Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort is surrounded by lush forests and the soothing sound of the ocean waves. This prime location provides you with easy access to the region's stunning beaches, hiking trails, and charming local attractions.

From the resort, we will able to walk directly to the beach and even see whales and Orcas out in the water! Located on the center part of the island, he location couldn’t be a better base for all of the amazing things to do on Vancouver Island.

Here are the top 5 things to do in the Parksville area near the resort:

1. Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park: this is within walking distance on the beach from the resort!

2. Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park: this is my absolute favorite waterfall on the entire island

3. Englishman River Falls Provincial Park: another beautiful waterfall

4. Take a day trip to Tofino/Ucluelet (click here for the top 10 things to do in this area)

5. Take a day trip to the Cambell River area

ROOMS + AMENITIES: 10/10

Our oceanfront view suite was one of the best rooms I’ve stayed in, in a long time! I highly recommend reserving this type of room when booking at Tigh-Na-Mara. The resort also offers pet-friendly rustic log cottages and spa bungalows.

The views from our private balcony were incredible and we watched the most amazing sunrise and sunset from up there. I also loved the bath tub and the high ceilings in the room were awesome. Waking up to the sound of the ocean outside of our window was also a special treat.

the grotto spa: 10/10

One of the standout features of staying at Tigh-Na-Mara is the award-winning Grotto Spa, one of the best spas in all of Canada!

The Grotto Spa offers a range of treatments, from therapeutic massages to rejuvenating facials. I did the massage and it was extremely relaxing! The mineral pool was also nice to soak in before my treatment and I highly recommend spending some time in the Grotto before any treatment you do.

Something that really brought the WOW factor at the spa was the endless tapas dining experience at the spa. We enjoyed 14+ courses of delicious tapas while overlooking the trees. Dining while still wearing my robe and spa sandals was certainly a treat. My favorite dishes were the unique and crunchy kale salad, and the desserts. At the end of the experience, they also ask you if you want to get another dish again which makes it unlimited.

It was one of the most unique dining experiences I have ever had! Warning though that you will be very stuffed by the end of the day but it is 100% worth it. If you eat at the Treetop Tapas & Grill and add this onto your spa day, you won’t regret it.

Overall, Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort needs to be added to your bucket list for your next trip to Vancouver Island! Whether you're seeking a romantic retreat, a family getaway, or a solo escape, Tigh Na Mara caters to every group of travelers with a touch of coastal charm.

From the moment you arrive at Tigh Na Mara Seaside Spa Resort, you'll find yourself transported to a nature lovers paradise where you can relax and enjoy your time on the island.