I’ll confess something right now – I’ve had a lifelong fantasy about sleeping in a little log cabin in the woods. No phone signal, no WiFi, nothing between us and the great outdoors except a few wooden walls! This did not disappoint. As you can see, the first warning we encountered on our way in was about bears. I was excited to see my first bear but slightly nervous that the encounter wouldn’t end well for me, given that the bathroom was a very dark, very cold full three minute walk from our log cabin.

I have to admit, being without technology was hard! John and I had to find things to talk about other than what someone just said on Twitter, or what just happened on TV, or the latest breaking news. It was really interesting to see how hard a technology detox actually is, even for one night. We ended up reading together, which was lovely and brilliantly old fashioned.

The next morning, we awoke to the most majestic views – the mountainous terrain covered with the world’s largest trees was almost too much to take in.

We took a short trip around the winding mountain path, breaking sharply for crossing deer and even a baby bear crossing the road (yes, I got to see one! Two, in fact) and parked at the General Sherman trail. I saw my first ever chipmunk and he stopped to pose for my camera, which was wonderfully thoughtful of him. We affectionately named him America’s Next Top Chipmunk and carried on down the trail.

Finally we reached the roots of the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world. It was awe-inspiring to say the least. Photos don’t do it justice. Words don’t either. Just go. Once in your lifetime, go and see it. Trust me.

On our next instalment, we leave the wilderness and head for LA… how did we survive Hollywood? Find out next time!

After leaving the cosy cabin-esque lodgings of Redwood Croft, we continued on our glorious route over the cliffs of route 1, looking out on the vast, blue pacific ocean. We stopped to stock up on fruit and veg for a picnic lunch at a little stand by the side of the road where apparently Marilyn Monroe is the artichoke spokeswoman!

About three quarters of the way to San Luis Obispo, where we were headed, we saw a sign for an elephant seal beach. Of course we pulled over (how could we not?) not realising at the time how lucky we were, as these amazing creatures only inhabit that little rookery at limited times of the year.

After stopping for an elephant seal photo opp, and watching them sand themselves (I have no idea what they were doing, but it looked awesome, they basically periodically dramatically threw sand all over themselves with their flippers), fighting, barking, splashing and (I think) cuddling, we drove on to our final destination for the day: The Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo.

My cousin initially recommended The Madonna Inn to me when I was researching for this trip and wanted to find some vintage-inspired, OTT luxury lodgings. Contrary to my initial belief, The Madonna Inn is not named after the iconic pop star, but after its founder, Alex Madonna.

The minute we drove up, it looked very promising. I mean, look at it! I had booked the Fabulous Fifties room (of course) but the hotel is so much more than just themed rooms. No detail is spared, even the lampposts are painted pastel pink.

The Fabulous Fifties room is basically like the interior of my brain. Painted baby blue brick wall, pastel pink furnishings, vintage-style furnishings and some gloriously gaudy animal prints – let’s just say I was completely at home!

Even though we’re both vegetarians, we decided to visit the legendary steak house. Not because of the food, you understand, because of the spectacular décor. To be honest, it’s so cluttered it has the potential to be an interior design nightmare, but somehow it’s so bold and such a statement that it just works – the atmosphere is incredible. Twinkling fairy lights, gilded angel statues, well, gilded everything… we overlooked the fact that there wasn’t very much for us on the menu and just took it all in.

We didn’t visit the spa this time (hey, we’re not made of money… one day!) but we did get to sample delicious complementary cookies from the bakery as a welcome gift and the free toiletries were among the best I’ve used, complete with the trademark Madonna Inn branding – and I do love consistency.

While we were there, John and I took the opportunity to use the perfect colour palette of the room as a background for some quick press shots for Darling Lovely Life. Getting ready at a proper dressing table was just another excuse to linger there.

We left a lot later than we intended to, I wanted to take in every moment of the surroundings I loved so much. Eventually, and very reluctantly, I packed up my suitcase and we headed back on the road towards the mountainous Sequoia National Park.

On the next instalment, we leave luxury behind in favour of a remote cabin in the woods where we sleep among the bears (eek) and meet the biggest tree in the world! See you then!

Having left the stunning architecture and delicious food San Francisco had to offer, we headed south down route 1, a road that’s famous for being a road-trip must. Now I know why.

The road itself is worth every second of the whole trip and every penny we paid for it. While there’s something a bit scary about driving so precariously close to a cliff edge, once you let go and accept that you probably won’t plummet to a watery death, it’s one of the most amazing things you’ll ever see.

The view of the blue ocean from the clifftops is so vast, you feel like you’re flying over it. Arches of eagles swoop overhead, the occasional dolphin sprays the air, the day is so clear and the sea is such a deep, calm colour you’re not sure where the sky ends and the ocean begins.

We did about three hours of the drive in the first day, before turning off and heading into the earthy, red and green forest landscape in the hills above Santa Cruz. We were heading to a hidden gem I’d discovered during my road-trip research called Redwood Croft.

I don’t know if I can describe this place to you. There are pictures, sure, but the pictures don’t encapsulate the fragrant trees, the smell of utterly unpolluted air, the warmth that emanates from a family-run business and home, built with so much love. The website’s own copy does it much more justice than I can: “designed with an artist’s eye and a grandma’s heart.” Well, I was won over – how can you say no to that?

Every little detail was designed by Sita, the owner, a warm and vivacious woman who greeted us like we were family and treated us like royalty for our entire stay, as did her wonderful family (which included two elderly pets, and a cat, pictured below that we fell in love with)!

The wooden room was like a cross between a hideaway treehouse and a luxury hotel. We had the most incredible stone bathtub that to call it a bathtub is a gross understatement. It was almost big enough to swim in, just built for a romantic evening. We spent the night in front of the warm fire that heated the room, watching the stars through the roof’s massive skylight. It was heaven.

The next morning, after enjoying a sumptuous, three-course breakfast cooked by Sita and her family, we reluctantly headed off back on the road again – but not before stopping in Santa Cruz to say hello to some seals!

On the next instalment, we head to San Luis Obispo where we discover a hotel that could have been designed purely for Darling Lovely Life readers… 

There are very few cities in the world that I love. I’m a country girl at heart and I find cities a little overwhelming and (I’ll admit it) more often than not, ugly. Sure, every city has its nice areas, but as someone who swoons over little thatched cottages and farmhouses, I had yet to find a city after my own heart.

That all changed when I visited beautiful San Francisco.

There are three exceptionally magical things about San Francisco – the food, the shopping and the architecture. Sure, we did all the touristy things, visiting Alcatraz (which was a really fascinating tour, I would have loved to have scored night tickets but left it a bit late) and the Golden Gate Bridge, but in a city like San Francisco just walking around in the Haight-Ashbury district is enough to fill a day.

I couldn’t get enough of the Victorian houses with their beautiful painted planks and gilded ornaments and mouldings. I wanted to live in every single house I walked past.

The Painted Ladies (above, bottom right) were gorgeous, but really they’re just the tip of the iceberg in a city rich with incredible architecture, vibrant street art and even pretty, painted shop signs.

Speaking of shops, that’s another thing San Francisco does really well. From the glossy, big brand names on Market Street to the small, vintage shops around Noe Valley, it’s easy to get carried away on a small (maybe not so small) spree!

We ate in a few great places but one place in particular stood out (incredible soft scrambled eggs – I could have eaten them all day) The Universal Cafe where we met up with fellow blogger, Preeti of Big Fat Indian Wedding fame! It was wonderful to see her in her new life on the other side of the world and get her tips for some brilliant places to visit!

I was sorry to leave stunning San Francisco behind but after two nights, the road beckoned (a night in a particularly special redwood lodge, which we’ll cover next time) and we rented a car to start our epic trip!