Verjus San Francisco

Looking for a vibey dinner spot?

Thought I would share a quick blog post about Verjus after seeing so many people post on Instagram! Verjus is a French restaurant and wine bar located near the Transamerica Pyramid that recently reopened a few months back. Reservations are a bit hard to come by but we managed to snag a table walking in at 5pm.

The restaurant is full and buzzing upon entering. The lights are dim with the glow of the giant marquee sign showcasing all the menu items.

For drinks, of course we had to start off with some wine. Although I didn’t snag a photo of the wine menu, we were looking for a white wine on the sweeter side and were given a great suggestion! They are really knowledgable about wines and their wine list is huge.

For dinner we had the scallops ($18), pate en croute ($22), duck confit ($28), pain perdu (~$14?), and mille-feuille (~$13?). They have an in house butcher and the pate en croute was recommended to us along with several other options. I wasn’t planning on writing about this hence the lack of photos and pricing estimates but what you should take away from this post is that you NEED to try their pain perdu. It is life changing. That’s the blog post.

Cabo - Waldorf Astoria Pedregal

Luxury in Los Cabos: Our Stay at the Waldorf Astoria Pedregal

We’ve finally made it to Mexico, and we couldn’t have picked a better spot for our first trip! Our home for this getaway is the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, an incredible cliffside resort that combines stunning views, exceptional service, and pure luxury. We even got a surprise upgrade to a three-bedroom ocean-view villa, which definitely made the experience even more memorable.

A Stunning Welcome

The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is nestled between dramatic cliffs and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a secluded, almost hidden feel. Getting there is an experience in itself—you enter through the private Dos Mares tunnel, carved into the mountain, and emerge to sweeping ocean views. It’s a striking way to arrive and sets the tone for the entire stay.

Our Villa

Our villa exceeded every expectation. With a full luxury kitchen, two outdoor terraces, a private plunge pool, three spacious bedrooms, and four bathrooms, it’s almost overwhelming to decide which room (or bathroom!) to use. Every detail exudes elegance, from the high-end furnishings to the sweeping ocean views right from our terrace.

A Taste of Cabo

After checking in, we kicked off our stay with welcome margaritas, daily chips, guacamole, and beer—the perfect way to settle into vacation mode. The resort also offers a bottle of Clase Azul tequila for guests, which you can enjoy on-site or take home. The fridge comes stocked with complimentary waters, sodas, and juices.

In the morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel and upgraded to the buffet to try everything! As a Diamond member, the buffet upgrade was $20pp which I thought was worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed the daily specials, rotating dishes, and fresh juices.

Luxury That Lives Up to the Hype

This resort isn’t just beautiful—it’s also highly acclaimed. The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal has been recognized as the #1 Resort in Western Mexico by Condé Nast Traveler, holds a prestigious Five-Star rating from Forbes, and even boasts two Michelin Keys.

The Price Tag

Of course, this level of luxury doesn’t come cheap. The entry-level rooms at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal start at around $2,000 per night, while the three-bedroom villa we’re staying in runs about $6,000 per night. However, we managed to book our stay using a Hilton free night certificate and some leftover Hilton Honors points, making this an incredible redemption deal. Many travelers consider this property one of the best uses of Hilton free night certificates, and I completely agree.

Final Thoughts

So far, this trip has been nothing short of amazing, and we’re excited to see what else Los Cabos has in store. Tomorrow, we plan to explore more of the resort, take a dip in the plunge pool, and venture out for more delicious eats. So excited for our first trip to Mexico!

Must Visit Local Beach on Oahu, Hawaii - Ke Iki Beach

We absolutely love visiting Hawaii. I’ve been going since I was a kid, and over the years, it’s become a place that feels almost like a second home. Even in my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with the government there, which has given me an even deeper appreciation for the islands. In just the past three years alone, we’ve traveled to Oahu 15 times, and no matter how many times we visit, we always find new places to explore. For us, the perfect Hawaii trip is all about indulging in incredible local food, soaking up the sun on beautiful beaches, and venturing out on hikes to take in the stunning scenery.

On our last trip, we were in search of a quiet, less crowded beach on the North Shore where we could truly relax and unwind. Most of the time, we end up at Waikiki Beach since it’s right across from the hotels we stay at, making it the most convenient option. If you’ve been to Oahu before, you probably know exactly which stretch of sand I’m talking about—Waikiki is famous for good reason. With its swimmable waters, breathtaking views of Diamond Head, and a front-row seat to planes taking off from HNL, it’s a classic spot that never really gets old.

This time, though, we wanted something different, so we started randomly clicking on different beaches on Google Maps, hoping to find the perfect place. That’s when we stumbled upon Ke Iki Beach, and from the moment we saw the photos, we knew we had to check it out.

Getting There & Must Eats

On the way there, make sure to stop at Paalaa Kai Bakery! They have a delicious dessert called the snow puffy. The snow puffy is an amazing flaky pastry with a cold creamy custard, topped with chocolate and tons of powdered sugar. It was so good, a few bites are missing from the photo!

Another favorite of mine is Ray’s Kiawe Broiled Chicken. The chicken is so tender and seasoned perfectly! A plate comes with a half chicken, rice, pineapple coleslaw, and this tangy vinegary shoyu sauce for just $14. Insane deal. I have never had pineapple in coleslaw before and it was amazing. They have two locations depending on which day of the week it is. On weekends you can find them at the Hale’iwa Town Center. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they are at 130 Mango Street in Wahiawa.

Now that we’ve got our grub, let’s talk about the beach!

Ke Iki Beach

I’ll start out with a disclaimer that this is not a swimmable beach. There are insane waves that crash right at the shore and you don’t want to be stuck in that. There are tons of warnings displayed and even a lifeguard on a beach ATV. Check out these crazy waves! I love this beach because you get to watch these powerful waves.

There is some street parking and you may need to take a short walk to get to the beach.

This beach however is perfect for relaxing in the sand and dipping your toes in the water while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

If you want to truly relax and enjoy the beauty and strength of these crashing waves, this is the perfect beach for you!

Christmas at Alila Ventana Big Sur

Alila Ventana Big Sur is one of the most coveted hotels in California. What better way to spend the holidays than at this stunning property, surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of the Central California Coast? With its all-inclusive offerings, all you need to do is relax and enjoy!

Pre Stay Research

Leading up to our stay, I found it difficult to find detailed information about the special Christmas offerings at the hotel. So, let me share our experience as Globalists to give you a better idea of what to expect. This was our second stay at Alila Ventana Big Sur, and we were excited to return.

Booking

A Standard Room Free Night at this hotel costs 45,000 Hyatt Points and typically averages around $2,000 per night. Availability is scarce, as this property is on many travelers' bucket lists. We managed to secure a reservation in February for a one-night stay on December 24–25. Since we’re from the Bay Area, we felt that one night was sufficient to enjoy the property while conserving our points. The hotel allows early check-in and offers lunch on both arrival and departure days, maximizing your experience.

Travel

From the Bay Area, the drive took us approximately 2.5 hours, with slight traffic. Most people seemed to be at home celebrating Christmas Eve with their families. It was a rainy day, but fortunately, the skies cleared up just in time for our arrival.

Arrival

Upon reaching the property at 11am, we handed our car and luggage to the valet and proceeded to the Social House for check-in. As expected, our room was not yet ready, but we received a complimentary upgrade to the Hot Tub Suite! Since we anticipated a wait, we headed straight to The Sur House for lunch. You can either do a ~10 minute walk to the Sur House or get driven around in one of the hotel cars/golf carts.

Lunch

Lunch might just be my favorite meal at Alila Ventana Big Sur. The menu offers a fantastic selection, and you can order anything you like (excluding alcohol). There were so many tempting options! We tried not to go overboard since we had a dinner reservation at the Sur House for 5pm.

We enjoyed:

• Rose Lemonade

• Chips and Guacamole

• Market Fish - Chef’s Daily Selection (Salmon)

• Churrasco

• Veggie Burger & Fries

• Dulce De Leche Chocolate Cake

• Roasted Pineapple Tapioca Pudding

• Pumpkin Tart

Yes, three desserts were absolutely necessary. My favorite dish was the churrasco, served with a red onion and cilantro salad, chimichurri, and cilantro lime rice. I had ordered this on our previous visit and made sure to get it again. The steak was incredibly tender and flavorful, enhanced by the fresh herbs. However, the service was somewhat lacking—It was hard to find our server at times and I was only provided a butter knife to eat my steak. Despite this minor hiccup, we left the restaurant completely satisfied and returned to the Social House to check on our room. Luckily, it was ready—perfect timing! After such a large meal, I was definitely ready to relax.

Room

We were upgraded from a Standard King Bed to the Hot Tub Suite. According to Hyatt’s website, “This 500-square-foot suite encompasses one king bed, forest or ocean views from the private deck, and an outdoor hot tub for a relaxing Big Sur getaway.” Our room was #59, located near the valet parking. Despite the proximity to the valet, our room felt very private, as it faced the woods and had minimal foot traffic.

After capturing some content in our room, we couldn't resist taking a dip in our private hot tub. On our previous visit, we had spent a lot of time in the Infinity Hot Tub by the Meadow Pool and Spa. However, with our own private hot tub, we didn’t feel the need to visit those or the Japanese Hot Baths this time. We also did not do any activities since it was cold and wet from the earlier rain, so you won’t find any information about them in this blog post.

Social Hour

At 4 PM, we wandered back to The Sur House for Happy Hour. Guests receive one complimentary signature drink: The Marine Layer, a gin-based cocktail. They also offer a mocktail version for those who prefer a non-alcoholic option.

Sur House Christmas Dinner

Since it was Christmas Eve, the restaurant offered a special five-course menu:

We enjoyed the following:

• Amuse Bouche: Chef’s Tasting Bite

• First Course: Ahi Tuna Crudo / Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad

• Mid Course: Squid Ink Bucatini with Poached Lobster, Saffron Cream, and Herb Gremolata / Wild California Mushroom Risotto with Truffle

• Entrée: Seared Sea Scallop / Char-Grilled Cauliflower Steak

• Dessert: Buche de Noel / Sticky Toffee Pudding

I absolutely loved this five-course meal. Tuna, lobster, and scallop—three of my favorites! By the mid-course, I was already feeling full, especially after our large lunch, so I was glad I opted for the scallop entrée instead of the Beef Wellington. My fiancé’s meal was good but not exceptional, as there was only one vegetarian option per course. Service during dinner was much better, and the restaurant was fully packed with other hotel guests celebrating Christmas!

Winding Down for the Night

After dinner, we decided to hop back into the hot tub as it was so relaxing earlier and we didn’t spend enough time in there. The stars were shining brightly and the air was so fresh and crisp after the earlier rain. While we were away at dinner, someone had brought a welcome amenity with cheese, crackers, dried fruit, and wine (I couldn’t look at anymore food after our large dinner so I set it in the fridge for tomorrow).

We also requested turn-down service and returned to a lovely note and a set of jade stones. Another highlight of the room was the in-room fireplace, one of my favorite features! The hotel provides bags of wood and matches, and in the evenings, you can grab a s’mores kit to enjoy by the fire. It was the perfect way to end our magical Christmas Eve stay at Alila Ventana Big Sur.

Christmas Morning

Somehow I managed to wake up early despite my food coma to see the sunrise. Maybe I was just eager for Christmas! Before brunch, I squeezed in a quick workout at the gym. The gym is fairly small, but it does have some nice equipment, including a Peloton rower, which I had never seen before at a Hyatt. Whenever I stay at a Hyatt property, I try to use one of the Peloton machines to earn 100 points per workout.

I also took a short hike along the walking trail that loops around the property. It was peaceful, and we didn’t encounter anyone else.

Brunch

I was excited for our final meal on the property. Normally, breakfast and lunch are separate, but brunch was ideal given how much we had eaten in the last 24 hours.

For breakfast, we had:

• NY Prime Steak, Eggs, and Hashbrowns

• Seafood Risotto

• Egg White Frittata

• Winter Vegetable Hash

• Pressed Juice

Service was disappointing this time, so we left fairly quickly and headed home. I’m starting to think that because gratuity is included, the service quality suffers. The steak and eggs were pretty good, though!

You Should Visit

Overall, the property is stunning, the rooms are gorgeous with possible upgrades, and the all-inclusive aspect is a major perk. This hotel is definitely a favorite of ours, and we plan to visit every year or so. It’s worth the Hyatt points, and if you can afford the $2000+/night cash rate, go for it. For now, we’ll stick with the points!