Winding roads, the sea air, and ocean for as far as the eye can see; there’s nothing quite like taking a trip up the California coastline. It’s restorative, reenergizing, and so picturesque pictures can barely do it justice. If you’re planning on taking the drive yourself, check out Kate Ludwig’s recent trip; where she stopped, stayed, and wore along the way. 

My boyfriend and I took a week-long trip up the California coast. We booked a couple nights in advance and left the rest up to our spontaneity. We hit the Ace Hotel Palm Springs, then White Water Lodge in Cambria, then to San Francisco, back down to Pescadero, and finished with a quick detour through Big Sur before heading home to LA. 

White Water Lodge is a stunning boutique hotel along Moonstone Beach designed by Nina Freudenberger. It gave me MAJOR Prism vibes. They leave a picnic basket by your door in the morning with hot coffee and fresh pastries and rooms are stocked with Aesop toiletries and Erewhon snacks - A TRUE DREAM! 

Our 20 hours in San Francisco was spent vintage shopping on Haight, walking through Golden Gate Park, picnicking in Dolores Park, and EATING. Here are a few spots we hit and what we ordered: 

Fresh pesto pasta from The Italian Homemade Company 

Lattes from Equator Coffee at Fort Mason

Pastries from Little Swan Bakery in Chinatown

Little lao vegetable platter for two from Farmhouse Thai in the Mission. Do yourself a favor and picnic at Dolores park and grab some rum to spike your Thai Tea with.

Back down in Pescadero, we stayed at the Airbnb of my dreams, No Place like Dome. This geo-dome is booked 6 months out but very much worth the wait! Set on a property with ocean views for days and roaming horses, you won't really need anything else to do. I grew up stopping in the little town of Pescadero for the garlic artichoke bread from Arcangeli Grocery Co. There's a funky little coffee shop a few doors down now called Downtown Local, too.

On our way back home, we decided to take a very out-of-the-way detour through Big Sur. Got a piece of pie at Big Sur Bakery and said hello to our friend Julia Pfeiffer Burns. How could you not? 

There's something really special checking out of your 'normal life' and into a different reality. I like to let the trip plan itself. I'm definitely that girl who pulls over to get a better look at the baby cows, or to check out the strawberry stand. Going where the wind blows in my idea of a vacation. It’s all about throwing on a podcast, like Serial, and some really good tunes, like my California Coast Soundtrack, and just enjoying the ride.

I'm really not a planner, thus, I'm an OVERPACKER. I like to be ready for a long hike, a swim, or a fancy dinner. Driving (instead of flying) helps with that since the trunk can become a closet. Although, I try my best to bring pieces and colors I can easily mix and match — dress up or down. Prism pieces were great to pack for that reason - especially overalls. Overalls are made for adventures, and for unpredictable California weather. You can throw anything from a bandeau to a sweatshirt underneath. Pair 'em with a bucket hat?! So fun! They make me feel like a kid again. I also felt so chic in my Donni set — fit right in with the Cambria vibe. Comfy enough to wear to bed, cute enough to wear out. Matching sets just have a way of always looking good.

We don’t know about you, but after hearing about Kate’s trip, we’re already packing our bags. You can shop all of Kate’s Prism looks and head to her IG for more style and travel inspiration.