Shell We Go to Carmel?

It's been raining in the San Francisco Bay Area for a good solid week and that has brought some much needed snow up in the Sierras.  However, the sun finally came out today and it's starting to feel like spring!  I was in the mood to get out of the house for a quick weekend trip.  We headed about an hour and a half south to Carmel to soak up the vitamin "sea"! 
   

Nothing gets me in the spring mood quite like Lilly Pulitzer.  The spring collection has arrived and I couldn't be more giddy to shop the fun new prints and styles!  I purchased this scalloped two piece shell print romper last summer when it was on sale.  I was waiting for the perfect warm weather weekend to wear it.  We made a stop at Carmel Beach for a fun day frolicking in the sand next to the infamous Cypress Tree! 

The trends for spring are ruffles, pop on prints, and crisp whites!  If you are looking for some Lilly Pulitzer inspiration for your spring break packing list, here are a few of my favorite spring dresses.  

Don't forget to pack your sandals! I hate to admit it, but shoes are always the hardest thing to pack.  This is especially true for winter getaways where the shoes are a bit bulkier and you need to plan for various winter weather conditions and activities.  However, when I pack shoes for a spring break getaway, I usually keep it to a minimum.  A good pair of neutral colored sandals, some flip flops for the beach, and a comfortable pair of sneakers is all you really need.   Here are a few of my favorites from Lilly Pulitzer that I have my eyes on to stash in my spring getaway bag!

 

Last but not least, as you are planning your spring break outfits, don't forget about the accessories!  My spring break packing list always includes sunnies to protect my eyes, a sun hat to keep the harmful rays off my face, a big colorful tote to store all my spring break essentials in, and some fun jewelry to accessorize my outfits!  Here are a few of my current favorites:

If you are planning a visit to Carmel, you will most likely want to explore the beautiful downtown area of Carmel by the Sea which has fantastic restaurants, shopping, and darling B&B inns.  At the end of the Ocean Drive you will find Carmel Beach.  It's one of my favorite beaches as it's super clean with gorgeous white sand and incredible views.  It's a dog friendly leash-free beach so on any given day it's full with happy pups and responsible owners getting exercise and having fun!  Cypress trees line the steps down to the beach with views that span from the the Big Sur coast south to Pebble Beach looking north.  This beach is known for some pretty incredible sand castle making and sunsets,  Grab a beach blanket and a picnic and enjoy the beautiful views while you relax and take it all in! 

For more things to see and do in and around Monterey and Carmel, check out the posts below or visit my Travel page. Also, if you haven't had a chance to sign up for my newsletter you can subscribe here!  It's a great way to connect with all of you about new posts, great sales you don't want to miss, Q&A on various fashion, beauty, home decor, and travel topics, and so much more!  Don't worry, I won't overcrowd your inbox!  Also, don't forget you can shop all of the looks from my blog on my shop page!



Happy Spring Break!

🌴🌴🌴
Hayley

   

Related Posts:

The Restless Sea

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area offers so many reasons to get out and travel to visit the most beautiful destinations.  From the mountains, to the beaches, to the vineyards, and all the historic towns in between, there is so much to see within a short drive.  This past August I attended my niece's wedding in Carmel.  My husband and I decided to spend a few extra days there with the kids soaking up all the sun, doing a little shopping, and catching the most beautiful sunsets.  

What I'm Wearing:

1. Lilly Pulitzer Dress (similar here, here, and here)

2.  Summer straw hat (similar here, here, and here)

3. Sandals (other options here, here, and here)

Lilly Pulitzer is my go-to brand whenever I'm packing for a weekend beach trip!  I purchased this tunic dress last year but found a few similar options below in updated colors and prints for this year!  

Carmel by the Sea is a small and quaint beach town which is located in the Monterey peninsula on the central coast of California.  It's about 120 miles north of San Francisco and approximately a 2 hour drive.  There are many fun and family friendly activities to do when you visit Carmel and the Monterey peninsula including hiking, wine tasting, bird watching, scuba diving, shopping, museums, beaches, missions, etc.  

One of my most fondest memories as a child is the 17 Mile Drive.  Packed in the back of my parents Cadillac with my brother and sister, we took the scenic drive and visited all the iconic landmarks including the Lone Cypress, Ghost Tree, Pebble Beach, and Restless Sea (featured here) to name a few.  As you pass through any of the entry gates on the17-Mile Drive, you will also be given a brochure with extensive information and a map.  Just follow the dashed red line on the roadway and posted signs along the route.    

   

The best time to see the 17 mile drive is in the Spring or Fall season.  The summer can be foggy especially in the morning making it really hard to see the beauty of the expansive sea views.  If you go in the summer like we did, I would suggest waiting until the late afternoon/early evening to give the fog time to burn off.   Plus you'll get some amazing sunset pictures! 

Admission to 17-Mile Drive is $10.25 per vehicle, cash only (as of Aug 2017). The gate fee is reimbursed with a purchase of $35 or more at all Pebble Beach Resorts restaurants, excluding Pebble Beach Market. Admission is complimentary for overnight guests of The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay and Casa Palmero.  However, please keep in mind that gates are open to the public from sunrise to sunset and motorcycles are prohibited.

One of my favorite landmarks along the 17 mile drive is the Restless Sea (featured here). This area lies between Spanish Bay and Point Joe. The sea currents here are anything but calm and the waves seem to crash against each other causing a bit of a chaotic restlessness!  It's a beautiful point to snap pictures and take in the gorgeous views or the rocky bluffs and Pacific Ocean.      

If you're looking for lodging/accommodations near the 17 mile drive, there are many options to choose from including the luxurious resorts of Pebble Beach, quaint bed and breakfast inns, and family friendly budget conscious options.  For more information on lodging at Carmel by The Sea visit here!  

If you haven't had a chance to sign up for my newsletter you can subscribe here!  It's a great way to connect with all of you about new posts, great sales you don't want to miss, Q&A on various fashion, beauty, home decor, and travel topics, and so much more!  Don't worry, I won't overcrowd your inbox!  Also, don't forget you can shop all of the looks from my blog on my shop page!

Thanks for visiting!

xoxoxo,

Hayley