Fitness

Visiting the butterflies

 in Fitness / General Fashion  tagged fall 2025 / hiking / outfits / santa cruz / staycation by

wearing: sunglasses / statement earrings / lightweight jacket / long sleeve tee / classic jeans (old, also love this pair) / nail polish / water bottle / east/west handbag / sneakers (also, also love this pair) /

It’s Monarch Butterfly season! Every year, from mid-October to January, the Monarch Butterflies visit Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz and dazzle us with their beauty.

The butterflies gather on trees and enjoy the natural foliage around the area. Although there were large groups hanging out together on trees, my iPhone camera was too far away to get a good photo. That being said, I was able to get the up-close picture you see above!

Natural Bridges State Park offers an easy hiking trail, made up mostly of a wooden bridge, through the area where the butterflies enjoy gathering. This allows for the perfect view of the butterflies.

The parking lot is conveniently positioned between the butterfly trail and the beach. So, you can do both on the same day without moving your car. Love that!

After we viewed the butterflies, we relaxed on the beach and watched the waves and surfers. The view of the ocean at Natural Bridges State Park is fabulous. If you are local, it is a must-see!

After our visit to the beach, we went to downtown Santa Cruz and enjoyed a delicious meal at El Palomar. The food was top notch, and the service was friendly, fast, and beyond expectations. It’s my new favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz! Love!

So, if you are local or visiting the area, I recommend this fall/winter activity. You will love seeing the butterflies and relaxing on the beach!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Fall fitness routine

 in Fitness  tagged fall 2025 / fitness / fitness gear / outfit inspo by

Fall fitness outfit from left: sweatshirt / holiday nail polish / black top / black leggings / earrings / water bottle / backpack / sneakers /

It’s fall! This means moving my workouts mainly indoors and working hard to stay on track. In addition, my fitness gear is getting a little bit cozier so I can properly warm up for my workout.

When temperatures go down, I like to have a cozy sweatshirt and longer leggings so my muscles stay warm and aren’t stiff when my workout begins. It helps to be warm for warm-up! Also, it is good to switch up your workout sneakers every six months in order to ensure proper fit and support. Loving these new sneakers from Nike!

As far as my workout routine goes, it isn’t much different from summer with the exception of sticking to inside fitness versus hiking and outside walks.

  • Monday: BodyCombat (cardio)
  • Tuesday: Rest
  • Wednesday: Spin (cardio)
  • Thursday: HIIT (Cardio and strength, interval)
  • Friday: POP Pilates (Strength and core)
  • Saturday: Rest
  • Sunday: Spin, BodyPump, Core (cardio and strength)

Well, that’s my fall fitness routine and I try hard to stick with it. If weather permits, I will try to throw in something outside; especially on a Saturday.

I hope you have a fabulous fall fitness schedule and stay warm!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Top of Mt Tam

 in Fitness / Travel  tagged hiking / lifestyle / outdoor fitness / staycation by

Have you ever been to the top of Mt Tam? If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area, and you can handle few twisty roads, what are you waiting for? When you reach the top of Mt Tam, you can see spectacular views of Marin and the bay. If you’re lucky, you will see the fog rolling in like a luxurious blanket enveloping you in comfort and relief from the summer heat.

This is your cue to make sure you have a full tank of gas, and to head up the mountain for some hiking, serenity, local history, and breathtaking beauty. To achieve this, I recommend going in the morning on a weekday; avoid weekends at all costs.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy this Bay Area staycation idea!

XOXO

Cathy