Last year KB and I tackled Big Sur, spending a long weekend soaking in famous sites like Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls. Although we spent most of our time in the Big Sur area, we found a small bed and breakfast with stellar reviews nestled in Aptos, CA called Sand Rock Farm. Um, HELLO. No wonder Sand Rock has amazing reviews – it is amazing. We spent all of 2015 reminiscing on our stay so I coerced KB into spending yet another long weekend there because I just haven’t had enough. You may have followed my adventures on Instagram or Snapchat (blondebagel) but if not, no worries because I’ve got a full recap below!
Sand Rock Farm has a rich history, originally built in the 1880’s with the original barn house still located on the property. The brief but winding road up to the main house is scattered with redwoods and greenery that are out of this world – the entire property looks like a page out of a fairytale! As we pulled into our parking space one of the owners, Jen, popped her head out of the back door and said a friendly welcoming “Hello, you must be Kelsey!” Ahh yes. The memories of hospitality like no other are rushing back to me now.
KB and I loved the room we stayed in during our previous visit, the Honeycomb Suite, and why mess with a good thing? We booked the suite again! The Honeycomb Suite is a fairly spacious room with a beautiful queen sized bed, a bathroom with a dual head shower, and a jacuzzi tub right in the room! To. Die. For. We love how quiet this room is. With both of us living off fairly busy streets in San Francisco there is a ton of noise. Nothing beats turning in at Sand Rock Farm after a long day and reading a good book. To be fair I’m sure all the rooms are just as quiet, we just have a thing for the Honeycomb Suite.
Okay. Our FAVORITE thing about Sand Rock? The aforementioned jacuzzi tub in the rooms! I’m pretty sure every single room at Sand Rock comes with one of these babies, but oh em gee guys this tub is to die for. KB and I love a good bath. And I love a good LUSH bath bomb. I swung by my local LUSH before our trip and picked up a few bath bombs, a bubble bar, and we proceeded to make beautifully scented bubble baths every night of our trip. My apologies to owners Jen & Derek as I’m sure we left a hint of glitter behind in the tub from our bath bomb cocktails *guilty face*.
Our second favorite thing about Sand Rock Farm: the food. Sand Rock seriously puts the “breakfast” in “bed & breakfast.” And you guys know I don’t joke around about my food. We woke up every morning to the smell of whatever magic Derek was cooking downstairs. We would rush down the stairs to find a chalkboard menu of that morning’s meal along with a spread of teas, coffee, and some kind of delicious orange mango juice concoction. During our stay we scarfed down on fruit, huevos rancheros, veggie frittata, and bacon infused scones. Seriously people. The breakfast at Sand Rock is out of this world.
I was also blown away by Derek’s attention to detail. I had eaten most of the fruit salad on our first morning but had left behind some blueberries (I’m more of a raspberry girl, you know what I mean). As Derek slid my fruit salad in front of me the next morning he looked at me and smiled, “I guessed no blueberries today. Am I right?”
After breakfast we would usually take a walk around the grounds. Sand Rock has 10+ acres of beautiful grounds most of which, as mentioned previously, look like a fairytale. You can sit out on the wooden deck and soak in some sun or the fresh evening air. Or if you’re like us, you can’t get enough of walking through the gardens! Around each and every corner there are colorful flowers, stunning fountains, and apparently a couple of friendly felines. Also can I just say I don’t always wear voluminous tulle skirts on my morning walks. Only for the blog, guys. Only for the blog. <3
I knew Sand Rock was best known for throwing picturesque wedding ceremonies and receptions, but KB and I hadn’t managed to sneak a peek at that part of the property on our first visit. Derek pointed me down the driveway a bit and toward the original barn house. We wandered down the gravel path and found a large clearing that lead to a rustic dance floor with string lights overhead and everything. Cue the jaw drop. Between the ivy covered archways and the lights overhead I was in heaven. So obviously I handed KB, my professional #InstagramBoyfriend, my camera and told him to snap away.
Inside the barn house is no less gorgeous than the outside. Smack dab in the center is an old wooden bar with a pool table and dance floor just to the side. I can imagine a whiskey and lace filled wedding reception is the standard use of this beautiful barn, but Derek said the pool table is open any time to guests! KB also found an old basketball machine and killed a few moments shooting hoops!
KB and I quickly remembered why we wanted to come back to Sand Rock Farm – our stay was perfect. I loved that we were able to take a moment out of our busy lives to slow down at Sand Rock and explore, read, and relax. I don’t have a doubt in my mind that KB and I will be back at Sand Rock Farm again some day because we just can’t get enough of that jacuzzi tub and those amazing breakfasts.
Where’s your favorite vacation spot? Do you have a favorite B&B? Tell me in the comments below!
A special thank you to Jen & Derek at Sand Rock Farm for hosting KB and I a second time!
I feel you with the #instagramboyfriend girl, except mine’s an #instagramhusband! Looks like such a beautiful place to visit!
Xx Danielle | Pineapple & Prosecco
lol! Good to know I’m not alone in the “honey can you take a picture?” club! They’re such good sports about it aren’t they? 😉
xoxo Kelsey
Sand Rock Farm looks BEAUTIFUL! It makes me want to go find a boyfriend and head to a bed and breakfast pronto, haha! Great photos by the way!
Haha you’re so funny! You could TOTALLY go to a bed and breakfast alone or with a girlfriend too! I feel like they’re so much cozier than hotels sometimes!
xoxo Kelsey
This place looks so serene and you all seemed to well taken care of. This would be a great place to visit once I am able to begin vacationing again.
oxo, Lesh
http://livinglesh.com
Oh my gosh “serene” is the PERFECT word. You’ll have to let me know when you do a post about a vacation you’ve done! I love travel posts!
xoxo Kelsey
i was so excited to see this post pop up! i followed you all the way up there on SC this weekend. i’d love to visit someday. 🙂
xoxo, em
http://www.loveemmarie.blogspot.com
Shut the front door! I totally happen to stalk your SC as well! And yaaaaaasss you must visit!
xoxo Kelsey
AHHH!! yay blogger friend lovin! you and your bf are so precious! 🙂
This seems like a very nice trip, I bet you got super relaxed. Let me tell you that i love that skirt that you are wearing, I’ve been looking for the perfect one but haven’t had luck 🙁
My Vogue Style | http://www.myvoguestyle.com
The skirt is from Space 46 Boutique! It’s an awesome skirt but WOW is their sizing REALLY weird. I bought the skirt in medium (I’m 4’11” and usually wear smalls-medium) but it is SO TIGHT. Like I should’ve ordered a large.. probably need to slow down on the onion bagels…
xoxo Kelsey