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ELLIE SMART
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Bring Back B&B's

Life is Good B&B

8/24/2020

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As a girl from Kansas, the moment anybody mentions “California,” my mind jumps straight to Los Angeles. LA is the biggest and busiest city on the west coast and let’s face it, there really isn’t much you can’t do there. Every year, over 50 million people travel to LA for the experience. However, if you’re like me, who looks to avoid big crowds, then the thought of a vacation to Los Angeles seems pretty daunting and quite frankly, unappealing in many ways. However, I couldn’t go on a 6 week road trip to the West Coast without a couple of nights in the City of Angels. If I was going to do it, I knew I had to do was find a quiet and comfortable place to relax after a busy day in a crowded city! After a little bit of online searching I came across the perfect accommodation for my stay “Life is Good Bnb.”
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.

​What stood out to me the most during our stay was the breakfast. It was truly amazing. Before bed we filled out a card with what we wanted to eat the next morning and what time. When we woke up, the most beautiful breakfast presentation was waiting for us poolside. The breakfast was spectacular! We ordered the egg and potato soufflé. It cam with fruit and plenty of coffee, juice, and tea (four the English Man haha)! 
Here's a clip from the secret swimming hole we visited: 
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Shaver Lake Village Hotel

7/2/2020

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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)

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Outside Inn

7/2/2020

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After visiting McCloud, we made our way down to Nevada City, California. It is perhaps one of the most adorable towns I’ve been to in the USA. It feels like an old western town mixed with a quaint village in the Swiss Alps! When you take a walk through the town’s historic district, you’ll see impeccable 19th-century buildings with incredible wooden balconies that are now transformed into restaurants, cafes, gift shops, and antiques shops. It’s like taking a (modernized) step back in time. It is one of those places you go and feel right at home. Another major perk of the city is its central location. Nevada City is located on the edge of the Tahoe National forest (1.15 hours east of Lake Tahoe and 1 hour south-west of Sacramento) making it the perfect location for day trips around the area. After researching accommodations we came across the Outside Inn and thought it would be the perfect place to stay. We originally planned on staying two nights but ended up having such a great time we stayed five!  
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.  
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our time at the Outside Inn. The room provided us with enough space to unwind and relax after a busy day exploring outside. We especially loved being able to sit outside on the patio with our coffee in the morning and cook dinner together at night. It felt like home away from home! Here are some other really cool things about the Outside Inn: 
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  1. Free Organic Veggie Cart! At the hotels entrance, they have set up a community veggie cart where people can bring and exchange plants, veggies, etc. from their gardens! When we were there someone in the community brought organic squash plants for people to take home and plant!  
  2. Inn Town Campground: If you want more of an authentic camping experience they also own the “Inn Town Campground” which features camping, RV site (with hook ups), and Glamping! Check it out here!
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Booking:
Make sure to book your stay at the Outside Inn directly through their website and tell Erin that Ellie sent you! 

Things To Do: 
 *Check out Erins blog for more information on all the awesome things to do in Nevada City! 



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Shasta View Lodge

5/28/2020

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    We decided to start our journey in McCloud, California, which is where I jumped off my first cliff almost four years ago! Wow, time flies. McCloud is a small town with a population of just about 1,100 people but has endless outdoor activities. It’s located between Burney (to the east) and Mt. Shasta (to the west), making it the perfect middle ground for activities in the area. After much consideration, we decided to stay at the Shasta View Lodge. Once you step food on the property you will see where it gets it name from (hence the incredible views of Mt. Shasta)!

B&B: Shasta View Lodge 
​
    The Shasta View Lodge, otherwise known as “The Lodge” to locals, has a long history in McCloud. The original owners lived on the property and built the quaint cabins to provide visitors in the area with a cozy place to stay. In 2015, it was purchased by three friends from Chico who loved the property and wanted to see it continue to flourish! With the new ownership, came some long awaited updates. The Lodge, while keeping it’s cozy core, received a massive facelift!  
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     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! 

BOOK NOW

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO: MCCLOUD, CA

1. Visit & Hike McCloud Falls

2. Visit & Hike Burney Falls 

3. See the famous bridge from the movie  "Stand By Me" (1986)


4. Fish, Kayak, Swim or take a boat out at the McCloud Reservoir  

5. Visit Mt. Shasta 

Stay tuned for my full blog post on things to do around McCloud, California! 
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    My name is Ellie Smart. I am a professional cliff diver, motivational speaker, and environmental activist from the USA. ​I decided to start this blog to share my adventures and take you with me as I see the world in a not so normal fashion! Let's dive in...

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