Fitness

Travel

Absolutely Beautiful Abs!

On The Go Fitness For Absolutely Beautiful Abs!

Do you struggle to stay fit while you travel? If so, here’s the first workout of my three series core routine for on-the-go fitness. This 10 min ab workout is designed to tighten and tone your core from wherever, whenever. No equipment is required, a mat or towel underneath you would be desired, but not required. You can do this on the beach, at a park, a scenic overlook, by the pool, on a rooftop, in your Air BnB/hotel, on an African Safari (that’s where the cover picture was taken), anywhere you desire. The point being is, this is a mindless workout that you can do anywhere to keep you tight while you travel! So just follow along and have fun! You’ll love the results!

In Conclusion!

If you struggle knowing what to do to stay fit while you travel, here’s a great start to your Fit 2 Fly journey. Working out can be done anywhere with just your body. Let me know how you feel after this core burning workout! Have fun, and if you have any questions, let me know! 
Also, If you’re looking for on-the-go breath work and guided meditations to ease your stress and anxiety during travel, I suggest checking out <a href="https://www.caseymauro.com/breathe-move-recover">this website</a> for breath work and guided meditations.

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The Best Core Routine for Staying fit on the Fly! — @undefined's mag on Magma

Big Sur

This summer has been the ultimate California adventure! Since we haven’t been traveling abroad due to Covid, we’ve spent every weekend and every bit of free time exploring our beautiful Golden State! Big Sur was definitely one for the books!

These are my must-see stops along the gorgeous Big Sur road trip from San Simeon to Carmel By-The-Sea!

FYI: Fill up with gas before you start your drive on Big Sur! Gas is few and far between once you get on the roughly 85 mile stretch from San Simeon to Carmel. There are only a couple of gas stations and they’re extremely far along the drive and crazy expensive!! So learn from my mistakes and fill up all the way or charge if you’re in an EV.

San Simeon - The Big Sur Starting Point!

San Simeon has some must-see spots to check out as well! Take a look at my <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/hearst-castle-and-elephant-seal-vista-point/">Hearst Castle and Elephant Seal Vista Point</a> blog for more ideas of what to see and do in San Simeon.Bounty keel long clothes hang the jib bowsprit cutlass starboard boatswain crack Jennys tea cup Yellow Jack. Topsail sheet spirits pirate jib case shot keel gally lee booty. Avast fire in the hole Blimey scourge of the seven seas gibbet handsomely me cable overhaul hardtack.

Heading Up the Coast!

First Stop along Big Sur:

McWay Falls is stunning! It’s a gorgeous cove/beach with a waterfall pouring straight into the clear turquoise water below. It’s a perfect first stop along the way!
Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to go down onto the beach or swim, but it’s for preservation purposes, so it’s a good thing they don’t allow people on it. Otherwise, it may not be as perfectly kept as it is.
Parking: There’s a parking lot on both sides of the highway. So, you can easily pull off, park, and enjoy the gorgeous viewpoint!

Second Stop along Big Sur:
Next, we stopped at the famous <a href="https://www.nepenthe.com/menu">Nepenthe restaurant</a>. There are two sides to the restaurant. One side is more casual dinner style food, and the other side is more expensive. It’s right along the cliff’s edge overlooking the Pacific Ocean, so the view is beautiful, especially if you sit right on the balcony bar seating. Of course, anywhere with a view in a touristy destination is going to be pricy, so if that’s not your thing, I have another food option for you below!
Parking: There are two very large parking lots! So you should be able to easily find a spot.
Third Stop along Big Sur!
Make sure not to miss the turn off for Pfeiffer Beach! It’s easy to miss, so have it pulled up on your navigation so you don’t have to turn around. It also fills up quickly on weekends, so try to get to this beach early. It’s known as the purple sand beach because when it rains or when the water hits the sand it turns is a light shade of purple.
We, unfortunately, got there too late on the weekend and the parking lot was full. The attendant said it was at capacity by 8 am! They won’t let anyone in once the parking hits capacity. So, we’ll have to check this one out next time, because it looks beautiful and it’s a great swim stop! There’re also some cave-like rocks on this beach that look quite dynamic.
Parking: There’s a parking lot near the beach, at the bottom of a one-way windy road. Once it’s filled no one else is allowed on the beach.
Fourth Stop along Big Sur!
<a href="https://www.bigsurriverinn.com/">Big Sur River Inn</a> is a great stop to grab a drink or a bite to eat and enjoy the view as you sit in the river and eat! It’s really cute, they have chairs that are actually in the river. They’ll pack your food and drinks in a cooler for you to take to the river. So you can splash around and take in a part of Big Sur that you can easily miss from the highway.
Parking: There’s a parking lot here with a big sign for the hotel/restaurant. You can’t miss it!Title goes here
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Fifth Stop along Big Sur!

This is the most famous site to see on Big Sur and rightfully so! Bixby Creek Bridge is a jaw-dropping viewpoint where you can stop, take pictures, and take in the scenery of the Bixby Bridge with one of the gorgeous desolate beaches of Big Sur below.
Someone was swimming at the beach beneath the bridge when we were there, but I have no idea how anyone would get up or down from there. If you know how, please let me know in the comments below! There’s no marked trail and it’s a very steep descent. I’m sure some of the locals know of a route, but I’m happy with just getting to gaze at it from above for now. The color of the water mixed with the bridge and the mountainous highway is absolutely beautiful!

Parking: There are two small parking lots on both sides of the highway.

Sixth Stop along Big Sur!
Garrapata Beach is a must stop swim spot! This beach is a sprawling pristine part of this coastline. The water is so blue and the sand’s a stunning white! It’s quite an extensive beach, so there’s plenty of room to sprawl out, layout, and swim!
Parking: There’s parking along the side of the highway for this beach. It’s very easy to see and the Garrapata Beach sign is right near where you park.

Seventh Stop along Big Sur!

Point Lobos State Marine Reserve is an awesome reserve with multiple hikes to different beaches and coves. We had limited time, so we went with Gibson Beach and China Cove. They’re right next to each other and it’s a short hike from the highway. Gibson Beach is beautiful with crystal clear turquoise water, but since it’s a reserve, you can’t swim. China Cove is just a pretty overlook. With the hike to and from both locations, and walking around on Gibson Beach, it took us a little over an hour to explore the reserve.
Parking: You’ll see parking on the side of the road right next to the sign for the natural reserve. There’s also a parking lot inside the reserve, but you have to pay $10 for it. If you walk in, it’s free!!

Big Sur’s Final Destination! Carmel &amp; Monterey!
Carmel By-The-Sea is the perfect place to watch the sunset on the incredibly gorgeous, white sand, Carmel Beach. Afterward grab a bite to eat at the <a href="http://dametracafe.com/">Dametra Cafe</a>, a delicious authentic Greek restaurant in town, and spend the night at one of the adorable Carmel Inns or Bed and Breakfasts after your beautiful trek along Big Sur.

To Sum it Up!

Big Sur is a must-see California destination, and an incredible drive! Here are my tips for road tripping up Big Sur. I hope you enjoy them! As always, if I left anything out, let me know in the comments below, and have fun when you go! If you’re interested in checking out more California weekend getaways and road trips, take a look at my suggestions for <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/hearst-castle-and-elephant-seal-vista-point/">Hearst Castle &amp; Elephant Seal Vista Point</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-los-alamos-edition/">Los Alamos</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-avila-beach-avila-la-fonda-edition/">Avila Beach</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-avila-beach-sycamore-mineral-springs-edition/">Sycamore Springs</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-central-coast-morro-bay-cambria-hearst-castle/">Cambria</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-la-jolla-edition/">La Jolla</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/catalina-island-the-perfect-2-day-california-getaway/">Catalina Island</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-lake-tahoe-editon/">Lake Tahoe</a> and <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/mammoth-lakes-in-the-summer/">Mammoth Lakes</a>.

Big Sur! 7 Must See Stops from San Simeon to Carmel  — @undefined's mag on Magma

Santa Catalina Island

<h1>How to Get to Catalina Island! </h1>

Getting to Catalina Island is quite easy! The best and least expensive way to get there is by the <a href="https://bit.ly/30PFFns">Catalina Express Ferry</a> located in Long Beach! There are also ports located in Dana Point and San Pedro, but the Long Beach port has more departure and arrival times to choose from. It’ll take you roughly an hour to get straight from the Long Beach Port to Avalon Harbor.
Cost of the Catalina Express Ferry:
The <a href="https://bit.ly/30PFFns">Catalina Express Ferry</a> costs $37.25 per way, so roughly $75 round trip. If you’d like to upgrade to the Commodore Lounge on the boat it’s a bit more, but I definitely don’t think it’s necessary. The general seating is great and it’s a short ride.
Parking: There’s a big parking lot at the port that charges $19 per day. This is definitely the best option.

Where to Stay in Avalon, Catalina
There are multiple cute little hotels right in town and a few on the cliffs overlooking the beach. I prefer the <a href="https://bit.ly/3jILlqt">Hotel St. Lauren</a>. It’s a cute, pink Victorian mansion that has a nice big communal sun deck that overlooks the ocean. You can get a balcony room as well with a beautiful view! It’s also the best deal we could find for a room with a balcony. A couple of other hotels that look quite cute as well are the <a href="https://bit.ly/3nzad6r">Hotel Atwater</a> and the <a href="https://bit.ly/33HuQ8N">Bellanca Hotel</a>.

Best Beach to Lounge and Swim in Avalon, Catalina Island

Once you arrive, drop your bags at your hotel and head to the beach! <a href="https://bit.ly/3iK1FWI">Descanso Beach Club</a> is an awesome little beach club with lounge chairs and cabana rentals as well as a restaurant and bar! You can rent the lounge chairs or cabanas from 11 am-5 pm. The lounge chair prices differ per row, but the price includes two chairs with an umbrella in the middle, two towels, two bottles of water, and two welcome smoothies! It’s actually super affordable. The chairs I rented were on the 3rd row in from the beach and I paid $45 for the entire day. You can also buy floats here and swim and float all day in the gorgeous turquoise clear water! I highly suggest checking out <a href="https://bit.ly/3iK1FWI">Descanso Beach Club</a>!

Happy Hour

<a href="https://bit.ly/3iK1FWI">Descanso Beach Club</a> also has a great deal for happy hour! Two tacos of your choice and a drink for $10. I got the fish tacos and a margarita!

Day 2 – Catalina Island Adventure!

The next day, grab a coffee and breakfast at the <a href="https://www.catcookieco.com/">Catalina Coffee and Cookie Co</a>, which is right by the <a href="https://bit.ly/3jILlqt">Hotel St. Lauren</a>, and head down to <a href="https://bit.ly/30PGRHs">Joes Rent-A-Boat</a> on Green Pleasure Pier! Here you can rent a motorboat! They have a 15 mph or 20 mph option. We got the 20 mph and had a blast! It holds up to 6 people and is an incredible deal!

Other Rental Options on Green Pleasure Pier

<a href="https://bit.ly/30PGRHs">Joe’s</a> also rents out paddleboards, kayaks, pedal boats, fishing equipment, etc. So, if motorboats aren’t your thing, they still have something for you! Green Pleasure Pier also has multiple other stands such as the <a href="https://bit.ly/33JoLsp">Catalina Adventure Tours</a>, where you can buy tickets for the semi-submarine tours which look awesome, glass-bottom boats, the inside interior of the island tours, and a safari island adventure! There’s also the <a href="https://bit.ly/2IbRLkh">Catalina Diver’s Supply and Snorkel</a> stand to get snorkeling and scuba diving equipment as well as guided snorkel and scuba tours. Green Pleasure Pier is pretty much a one-stop-shop for adventure!

Day on the Water!

If you choose the boat rental option, once you rent your boat, you can take it to the right of Avalon Harbor until you see the rock quarry, and to the left of Avalon Harbor to Long Point Light, which you can’t miss.

It is absolutely beautiful! There are lots of little beaches and coves to check out. The water is a gorgeous turquoise clear right near the shore. If it’s calm you can anchor and swim with the dolphins! We saw so many sea lions and dolphins. They were putting on a show for us and swimming under our boat. It really is a perfect way to spend the day!

<a href="https://bit.ly/2SG0uxc">NDMK Fish House</a> is a great place to end the day! Make sure you make a reservation as they do book up early. They have great seafood and drinks and you can eat right on the beach overlooking the water while you watch the sunset! It’s the perfect ending to an incredible getaway!

Catalina Express Return Ferry

I suggest taking one of the later ferries out on the last day of your adventure, so you can maximize your time in Catalina. The 9 pm ferry is an ideal choice!

Bucketlist Activities for the Next Catalina Island Getaway!

If you end up having extra time to spend, here are a few ideas that I’d love to check out next time! Parasailing around Catalina looks absolutely gorgeous and so much fun! You can book your adventure at <a href="https://bit.ly/2FjuQm4">California Parasail</a> and <a href="https://bit.ly/2GDGTLy">Island Water Charters</a>. Last but definitely not least, I’d highly suggest taking the <a href="https://bit.ly/3lkBUhA">Cyclone Boat</a> to Two Harbors to discover some of the less developed parts of Catalina Island!

To Sum it Up!

Catalina Island is the perfect California getaway! It truly transports you to feel like you’re on a European Island. It’s so close, yet feels so far away! These are my picks for a perfect two day Catalina Getaway! If I’ve missed anything let me know in the comments below, and as always, have a blast when you go! For more California beach getaways be sure to check out my picks for where to stay and what to do in <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-avila-beach-avila-la-fonda-edition/">Avila Beach</a>, <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-la-jolla-edition/">La Jolla</a>, <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-central-coast-morro-bay-cambria-hearst-castle/">Cambria</a>, and <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/hearst-castle-and-elephant-seal-vista-point/">San Simeon</a>!

Catalina Island - The Perfect 2 Day Getaway! — @undefined's mag on Magma

La Jolla Shores

LA JOLLA – A PERFECT WEEKEND GETAWAY

La Jolla is the perfect weekend getaway from LA!It’s about a 3-hour drive, depending on when you head that way.
Where to Stay!
We always stay at the <a href="https://bit.ly/3i5EVRS">La Jolla Shores Hotel</a>and LOVE it! It’s the ideal location, right on La Jolla Shores Beach. This beach is peaceful and beautiful and the hotel provides complimentary beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas. They’ll set them up for you wherever you’d like!Also, the <a href="https://bit.ly/3i5EVRS">La Jolla Shores</a> sunsets are stunning!

Amenities
The hotel provides a free shuttle that takes you around La Jolla, to the Cove, and wherever you may want to go.We took it to dinner and back, it’s so easy and super nice not to have to worry about driving or having to pay for an Uber or Lyft.
We’ve gone in the winter every time, so the hotel pool is heated, which is awesome! They also have a nice hot tub, a bar and two restaurants right on the beach.
Another awesome amenity is the <a href="https://www.ljbtc.com/?NCK=8443152845&gclid=Cj0KCQjws536BRDTARIsANeUZ5_QWmmIzOpUjww1ej7Yo184n5VxyyMH9-mgFBYMQw5K2ElvV03WIuMaAnQZEALw_wcB">La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club</a> at their sister property! You simply reserve a time slot with the front desk, and you can play for an hour or two, depending on availability.

Where to eat in La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove

My favorite area is the little street right behind our hotel called Avenida de la Playa, an adorable part of La Jolla Shores! It’s a small street lined with outdoor restaurants, beach bars, and cafes. They’re all dog friendly, and there’s a cute little grocery store and fro-yo place as well! This street has a very European vibe, that I absolutely love! Our favorite little beach bar for brunch is called the <a href="http://www.shoreridersd.com/">Shore Rider</a>. Don’t forget to order the bucket of mimosas here!
In La Jolla Cove, I recommend <a href="https://hakkasangroup.com/herringbone/la-jolla/">Herringbone La Jolla</a>. The ahi tuna is delicious and the atmosphere and décor are awesome as well!

La Jolla Cove

I love watching all the sea lions swim and play near La Jolla Cove.They’re everywhere, it’s incredible! You can also snorkel, kayak, surf, or swim here!There are multiple caves and coves to kayak through, where you’ll see sea lions swimming next to you along the way! You can actually rent kayaks right on Avenida de la Playa, behind the hotel, or take an inflatable one with you!
The water is gorgeous here! It’s much more clear and blue than in Los Angeles.If you’re in the cove in the evening, find a good spot on the cliff to chill, have a glass of wine, and watch the sunset. It’s a beautiful end to an awesome weekend!

Skydive San Diego

If you’re interested in an extra heightened experience in this area, <a href="http://www.skydivesandiego.com/">Skydive San Diego</a> is the place to go! We had a blast here! They made me feel super comfortable for my first skydive adventure, and I can’t wait to do it again!
To Sum it Up!
La Jolla is a perfect, quick weekend getaway from LA. With so many beautiful places to explore and water activities to indulge in. Use these tips and suggestions for a stress-free La Jolla and <a href="https://bit.ly/3i5EVRS">La Jolla Shores</a> adventure! For more awesome California weekend getaways, be sure to check out my recommendations for <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-lake-tahoe-editon/">Lake Tahoe</a>, <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/mammoth-lakes-in-the-summer/">Mammoth Lakes</a>, <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-avila-beach-avila-la-fonda-edition/">Avila Beach</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-avila-beach-sycamore-mineral-springs-edition/">Sycamore Springs</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-los-alamos-edition/">Los Alamos</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/hearst-castle-and-elephant-seal-vista-point/">Hearst Castle</a>, <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-central-coast-morro-bay-cambria-hearst-castle/">Cambria and Morro Bay</a>!
If you have any further questions about La Jolla, or if I left anything out, please feel free to put them in the comments below, and as always, have a blast when you go!

La Jolla- A Perfect Weekend Getaway! — @undefined's mag on Magma

Los Alamos

The Santa Ynez Valley 
The Santa Ynez Valley is absolutely beautiful at any time of year. This hidden gem in Los Alamos has to be one of the coolest, most unique places I’ve ever stayed! 
Before heading out on all of our California weekend adventures, I research hot springs along the way. I found an interesting one for this weekend’s getaway. So, on our way up to Los Alamos, we stopped at the Gaviota Hot Springs in Gaviota State Park in Goleta, California. This is near the Santa Barbara area.You can also visit these hot springs on your way to <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-avila-beach-avila-la-fonda-edition/">Avila Beach</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-central-coast-morro-bay-cambria-hearst-castle/">Morro Bay</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-central-coast-morro-bay-cambria-hearst-castle/">Cambria</a>, and any other towns in the SLO or Central Coast region.
We took a short hike up the mountain to find them. They’re super cute little springs made of three small pools. One of them has a pile of wood on the side that’s made into a small fireplace. So, you can have a little fire, soak in the springs, and sip some wine! I recommend this quick stop along the way if you have some time.

Los Alamos
Los Alamos is located in the Santa Ynez Valley wine country. This unique, tiny town is quaint, adorable, has awesome food and wines, and an amazing little western saloon, called Saloon 1880. The most spectacular thing about it is this hidden gem of a bed and breakfast, which is one of the coolest, if not the coolest, and most unique B&amp;Bs I’ve ever been to. You’ll see why!
The Victorian Mansion
<a href="https://bit.ly/2Nq9e80">The Victorian Mansion</a> in Los Alamos is a Bed and Breakfast that’s a real Victorian mansion from the 1800s. It was uprooted and transported to Los Alamos, where it was transformed into the B&amp;B like no other. It consists of 6 uniquely themed rooms that are nothing short of intricate, detailed, and incredible!
There’s a 50’s, Egyptian, Gypsy, Roman, Pirate, and French suite. They all have murals painted on the walls, furnishings, and music that transport you into whatever theme yours may be. Therefore, this is the perfect weekend getaway! You’ll get lost in how magical each suite is! I definitely did!

The 50’s Suite
We chose the 50’s suite and got to take a tour of a few others before we left.The 50’s suite is insanely awesome!!! It has an actual 50’s Cadillac that’s been turned into a bed and placed in front of a giant projector screen. This setup transports you into the coolest drive-in movie setting you could dream of!On top of that, there’s a Japanese soaking tub, detailed with black and white 50’s tile, and a big pink bottle of old school Mr. Bubbles bubble bath!
Japanese Soaking Tubs
There are Japanese soaking tubs in the middle of every suite!They are incredible; it’s a super deep hot tub that’s so deep you can stand up in. These tubs were imported from Japan, and in each room, they match the appropriate décor of the suite.
For example,in the Roman room, you have giant Roman steps leading up to the tub. In the Gypsy suite, the tub looks like it’s outdoors, surrounded by wilderness. There’s a path of stepping stones leading into the tub from the incredible gypsy carriage that you sleep in.The attention to detail in this mansion is unreal!

Perfectly Themed Rooms
Everything is perfect to theme in each room. The music upon entrance, the hidden bathrooms and closets, the mood, everything is spot on.In the morning, they serve breakfast through a dumbwaiter.You simply schedule your breakfast time the night before and it will just appear there for you in the morning.Honestly, words cannot describe this place, and I simply don’t do it justice. You’ll just have to go and discover for yourself how phenomenal this B&amp;B truly is!
Additions to the Mansion!
The mansion is currently expanding and adding on a real ship from a shipwreck as well as a treehouse! Both are being renovated and turned into rooms you can stay in! I can’t wait to get back up to Los Alamos and check them out!
To Sum It Up!
You must check out <a href="https://bit.ly/2Nq9e80">The Victorian Mansion</a> in Los Alamos! It’s so unique and the perfect weekend getaway from LA or any place in California. It’s centrally located, so it’s easy to get to, and I promise you’ll absolutely love it!
If you have any questions about Los Alamos and <a href="https://bit.ly/2Nq9e80">The Victorian Mansion</a>, let me know, and as always, have a blast when you go!