The arrangements were set, and I was off.
This weekend took me west, trading the last of the East Coast’s late-summer warmth for the West Coast kind. On paper the weather was much the same. The mindset was entirely different. There’s an ease out west, a slower exhale, and it reminded me of my surfer-girl days in California. I’ve missed that version of myself more than I realized, and this weekend found her beautifully.
I arrived Friday, we had all of Saturday, and I flew home Sunday night. That’s just enough time to settle in and let the days unfold without watching the clock. My companion for the weekend is a gentleman who has quickly become a dear regular, and there’s something lovely about time spent with someone you’re getting to know well.
Friday: Santa Monica
Home for the weekend was Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. I arrived first, and my key was waiting at the desk, a small detail that set the tone perfectly. Our Beach Suite was elegantly casual: breezy, light-filled, and made for slowing down. I settled in, showered, and dressed for dinner.
When he arrived, I decided composure was overrated. I went straight into his arms, and dinner nearly started late. Then he whisked me off to Tar & Roses.
Dinner was lively and wonderful: warm and generous, with the kind of conversation that makes you lose track of time. I was heartbroken to learn that this little piece of magic is set to close at the end of October, and I’m so glad we got an evening there while we could. What an incredible meal, and the best company I could have asked for.
Saturday: Malibu
Saturday morning was gloriously lazy. The most comfortable bed, the best company, and of course College GameDay. We spent the morning laughing and debating which conference truly rules this year. Neither of us conceded the debate, though I like to think I won the morning.
Then we were off, heading a few miles up the coast to Malibu.
I’ll admit I was taken aback by how much has changed since the 2025 fires. So many places I loved are gone, and some, like Wylie’s Bait & Tackle, don’t look like they’re coming back. It was a tender moment, seeing a coastline that holds so many memories reshaped like that. Malibu is still Malibu, though, and the ocean was as inviting as ever.
We spent the afternoon at Surfrider Beach, lying out in the sun and playing in the water like we had nowhere else to be, because we didn’t. As the day stretched on, we picked up a late lunch-meets-early-dinner from Broad Street Oyster Co. and carried it back to the sand. We ate with our toes in the sand and went back in for more water before the light started to soften.
We made it back to Shutters a little before sunset, just in time to watch the sky turn gold, then pink, then soft violet over the Pacific. The rest of the evening was simplicity at its best: the fireplace glowing, one scoop of ice cream, two spoons, and absolutely no interest in leaving the room.
What a wonderful day.
Sunday: Brentwood
Sunday began at the Brentwood Country Mart, with a quick breakfast at Farmshop, then a little retail therapy. I chose some of the most distinctive, elegant pieces for him, and he had just as much fun choosing pieces for me. We both came out ahead, and my suitcase came home noticeably heavier. A late checkout at Shutters let us savor the last few hours, and then it was on to LAX and home.
A magical weekend: the gentleman, the coastline, the whole experience. I’m already looking forward to next time.
If a weekend away sounds like your kind of escape, I’d love to hear from you. Request Time