CALIFORNIA
HELLO, SUNSHINE!
California is one of those places that you can visit over and over again and never have quite the same experience. You can ski, surf, camp, hike, hide away at an amazing spa or rub elbows with a celebrity (and possibly do all of those things in the same day).
Pass on the touristy stuff and explore California’s wine scene, coastal towns and laidback lifestyle like a true local. Connect with one of our resident CA experts and they can help you craft the trip you’ve been California Dreamin’ of.
Meet our CA Tastemakers
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EXPERTISE | Los Angeles + Orange County
PROFILE | Owner and founder of The Citrine Compass, Kalyn is a California native herself and an avid traveler. She believes the best travel experiences come from equal amounts of planning, expert recommendations and spontaneity.
She has a professional background in recruiting, fashion and finance and her personal interests include pilates, becoming an aspiring wine snob, her beloved Peloton and (of course) traveling the world. She resides in Los Angeles with her amazing husband, gorgeous daughter and fur babies.
Favorite local spots in Los Angeles? I’m a westsider and love wine bars - natural wines is having a moment in LA and Gran Blanco and Venice Beach Wines both have great wine lists and ambiance. Or you can be a real local and grab a bottle from Vin on Rose, bring your blanket and cozies to the beach and watch the sun set over the Pacific.
Best beach in Southern California? I have THREE that are so fantastic, I honestly can’t choose one. Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna Beach for its intimacy, Billionaire’s Beach (aka Carbon Beach) in Malibu for its fabulous beachside properties and Butterfly Beach in Montecito for its access to the Rosewood Hotel’s rooftop bar.
IG | @kalyn_nicole
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EXPERTISE | Food & Wine, San Diego, Central California + Fitness
PROFILE | Currently residing in sunny San Diego, Nicole has lived in various beach towns up and down the California coast throughout her life. She works full time in tech, but her true passion lies in exploring the world, planning trips, hosting events, and discovering ALL the new wines. Her friends and family come to her when they need guidance on curating the perfect vacation itinerary, for restaurant and hotel recs, or when they need her expertise planning Bachelorette trips, weddings, and birthdays.
Some of her favorite travel experiences have been the Amalfi Coast, Greek Islands, and Sydney and she looks forward to planning her next international adventure very soon!
She believes that the key to a seamless and unforgettable trip is having the perfect mix of structure and spontaneity. Having an itinerary is important to make sure you cover all of your top sights and bites but also leave space to make adventurous decisions on a whim!
She’s beyond excited to be a part of The CC family, and share her passion and excitement for California travel.
What is your favorite California destination and why? The Central Coast has my heart! It was my college town so of course I’m biased, but San Luis Obispo really has so much to offer. The perfect Central Coast weekend getaway would include: A beach day at the adorably charming Avila Beach, wine tasting in Edna Valley or Paso Robles, a night out on the town to explore the incredible food scene and nightlife, a hike in the stunning canyons and of course a visit to the iconic farmer’s market in downtown San Luis Obispo.
Top seasonal activities in California? In the summer, the beach towns in SoCal are at their prime. San Clemente and Laguna Beach are a few favorite beach spots with absolutely no shortage of summer activities from picturesque hikes, to fine dining, to shopping, to paddle boarding. Think warm summer nights spent at an outdoor beachfront restaurant, sipping craft cocktails around a firepit and enjoying the stunning sunsets.
In the fall, it’s harvest season in wine country! This is a fantastic time to visit Napa and Sonoma, Paso Robles, or Santa Ynez Valley. The winemakers are showcasing their finest wines and the weather has cooled off so that it’s perfectly cozy. Doesn’t get any better!
IG | @nicoleruback
California Testimonials
