Life is Good BnB:

Life is Good BnB is an absolute must if you are somebody who needs to relax away from all of the hustle and bustle of a city. Located in Sherman Oaks and just a short 20 minute drive from Santa Monica, this BnB is the located perfectly for both beach and city lovers! From the moment you step through the door, it’s hard to believe you’re in one of the busiest cities in the world. We were initially greeted by the wonderful owner Ronit and her Siberian husky, Ash, who showed us to our accommodation. A spacious guesthouse complete with our very own private pool in the back garden! This 400 square foot suite, has pretty much everything you’d ever need for a relaxing travel stop including a incredibly comfortable king bed, en suite bathroom, cable TV, great wifi, and your very own washing machine and dryer (which was a life saver for us!). The pool is absolutely amazing and the garden area feels like you’re in the jungle, surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers.

Here's a clip from the secret swimming hole we visited: 

Our time in Northern California were incredible to say the least… but after fourteen action packed days, it was time to start heading south. We had two days to kill so we jumped on google maps and searched for small towns we hadn’t heard of. In our search, we came across Shaver Lake and it instantly grabbed our attention. Shaver Lake is located in the Sierra National Forrests halfway between Tahoe and Los Angeles. For a town with less than 700 residents, this place is full of personality and provides a great weekend getaway. At over 5,000 ft in elevation, Shaver Lake has dozens of gorgeous woodland hikes, and of course… the lake!​

B&B: Shaver Lake Village Hotel
I came across the Shaver Lake Village Hotel and instantly felt a connection! I grew up spending my summers in Northern Wisconsin and the Shaver Lake Village Hotel had the same summer camp / lake house vibe. The hotel boasts eight hotel rooms, four cabins, seven suites, two bunkhouses and three glamping tents. It provides a variety of accommodations based on the group you are traveling with. We had the privilege of staying in the Honeymoon Cabin for the weekend! The cabin includes a king bed, breakfast nook, flat screen TV with a Blu-Ray player, kitchenette, jet tub and a propane gas heater. Our favorite part of the cabin was its fire pit out front. After a long day of activities, Owen and I had so much fun coming back to a campfire and s'mores! 

From the moment we arrived, we felt right at home. The owner, Joshua, went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and sent us a detailed list of activities in the area. During Covid-19, it can be extremely difficult to figure out what’s open and whats not so was extremely helpful to have up to date information from a local!  Here are our top suggestions (thanks to Josh!!): 

1. Paddle Boarding on Shaver Lake: The lake is 35 square miles and perfect for paddle boarding. The water is extremely calm and refreshing with the average summer temperature hovering between 80-90 degrees. 
2. Hiking Around Shaver Lake: There are countless hikes around the lake and the surrounding area including loads of small creeks and scenic areas. If you want to indulge yourself in the Sierra National Forrest for a few days, look no further!
3. Visit McKinley Grove: If you want to see some epic Redwoods this is a must!!!
4. Eat at Hungry Hut: This place is awesome- you can't pass through Shaver Lake without stopping for some All American food! ​​

If you want to visit the Shaver Lake Village Hotel here are some tips: 

1. Book directly through the hotel! Click here for their website! (*If you see a cheaper price on a travel website such as hotels.com / Expedia / Priceline etc. let them know and see if they will match it before booking through a third party.)  

2. Use Code "Ellie10" when you book online for 10% off! (Some terms & limits might apply)

B&B: Outside Inn 
The Outside Inn is a small family owned hotel nestled in an adorable Nevada City neighborhood. The families love of Nevada City and the outdoors truly shows through their unique property! There are twelve rooms available, with different sizes and layouts, that guests can choose from. In addition, each room has an outdoors theme ranging from the "Wildflower Room” to the “Paddler Suite.” Erin, the Owner, put Owen and I in the “Climbing Suite” which was so fitting considering our professions! The room had everything you could want for a perfect weekend getaway: comfy king sized bed, kitchenette (with a sink, mini-fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, dishes, and stove top), seating area, outdoor patio, TV, private bathroom with bathtub and YES your very own climbing wall in the room! (You can click here to read about all the different rooms available!) Along with the rooms theme, all of the photos are of rock climbing and waterfalls in Northern California.  

     At this property, guests can choose from seven recently refurbished suites with different layouts depending on the size / age of the group you’re traveling with. Owen and I were in the Kelsey Room (Room 2), which was beyond perfect for a couple. It was very spacious, yet warm and intimate with a soaking tub and electric fireplace! In fact, each suite features locally reclaimed hardwood flooring, a full bathroom, flat screen television with DishTV, ceiling fan and an electric fireplace. The rooms also have mini refrigerators, microwaves, plates and utensils, and Keurig coffee makers with a selection of regular, decaf, and hot chocolate pods. I was also pleased to see the use of “BeeKind” toiletry products in the bathroom which are eco-friendly. Now, I can’t forget to mention the bed. It was probably one of the most comfortable beds and THE most comfortable sheets I’ve ever slept on. I actually took a photo of the brand of sheets so I could buy them for my bed at home (I’m not going to disclose the brand because you’ll just have to go and see for yourself!!) At the end of the day, it’s those kind of small details that I truly appreciate about a place! 

    In light of coronavirus, they had a great self-check in policy in place. Guest receive a text with their room number and passcode to the lockbox with your keys [located next to your door]. All of the rooms have an external entrance meaning you do not have to go through a lobby to get to your room. They are not currently providing breakfast or daily cleaning services to avoid contact (which is totally normal and recommended during this time to keep both the guests and staff safe!). However, they are readily available upon request if you need anything at all! Another exciting update is coming in June- a new restaurant, Harvest, will be opening! The owner, Misty, not only makes great meals but incredible desserts! Check out their instagram for photos.  Overall, because the property has a small number of rooms that are very spacious, I felt very comfortable and safe during my stay. 10/10 would recommend The Shasta View Lodge! I can’t wait to come back!

If you want to visit the Shasta View Lodge here are some tips: 

1. Book directly through the hotel! Click here for their website! (*If you see a cheaper price on a travel website such as hotels.com / Expedia / Priceline etc. let them know and see if they will match it before booking through a third party.)  

2. Mention my name "Ellie Smart" when you book your stay for a 10% off! Some terms & limits might apply. 

*This property is currently for sale! If you’re interested or know someone who is make sure to reach out! This is a great property in an incredible location!