Sun and dolphins!
Two weeks ago I was on my own private beach cove, sipping champagne, eating filet mignon, and basking in the California autumn sun.
Well, something close to that…something that felt like that. It was actually bottom shelf wine & a CostCo steak…but the sun was the same! If you’re not a hard core camper who loves to get lost in the wilderness and also not quite Real Housewives-y enough for “glamping,” Refugio Beach in Goleta, CA. may be the right solution for your weekend vacation. Although it isn’t quite an abandoned gem in the rough, Refugio offers a limited number of campsites that line a private beach cove for its campers. For the money conscious camper, it’s $45.00/night to reserve a spot and spaces go quickly. Pre-plan six months ahead to get a jump on the first-come, first-serve online reservation.
My favorite part of our yearly trip is planning packing, meals, and activities. (There might be an excel spreadsheet involved because really, who doesn’t love spreadsheets?) The boyfriend is incapable of beach tanning for long periods of time, so I’ve brought along the age-old classic “Trivial Pursuit” and a new brain game I found at Puzzle Zoo called, “Mind Trap-Brain Cramp.” Our minds were sure cramping while we roasted our s’mores around the beach camp fire.
We also purchased a new tent so that we can stop being that couple who asks family and friends to borrow theirs. Speaking of, please refrain from asking me to borrow mine. You can buy it here on Amazon. Should be super roomy! Maybe I’ll invite you next year. Refugio also has a small walking/biking trail that connected to the next campsite a mile or two away as well as small shack that sells forgotten beach/camping/food gear. The Amtrack train meanders by the cove allowing its riders to enjoy the coastal view of Refugio for a split second before making its way north. All in all, it’s a quaint little weekend and if you’re looking for a simple, chill getaway, Refugio is your spot.
What makes our third year memorable was that I came away with some bling. No, I wasn’t lucky with my metal detector…the boyfriend proposed. As the sun set on our second night, we casually sat at a picnic table overlooking the high-tide waves crashing against the rocks where he fumbled over a few words while I flashed my left hand forward before he finished. Very us.
Get ready to be inundated with “how-to” wedding posts! There’s lots of crafting to be done.
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