The soft-spoken beauty, and queen-of-candy, chats with us about her birthday getaway spent cruising up the California coastline.

Where did you travel to?

I usually venture to Montauk on summer weekends (which is my fave place ever!), but this summer holiday also included a trip driving up the California coastline along Pacific Coast Highway, from San Diego to San Francisco.  We rented a blue Mustang convertible.

Who did you go with?

My husband, Paul.

Any special reason you went?

To celebrate my birthday!

Where did you stay?

In San Diego we stayed at La Valencia, in Santa Barbara at San Ysidro Ranch, in Big Sur we spent my birthday night at the Post Ranch Inn, and in San Francisco we stayed at the Clift.

Places you ate?

San Ysidro Ranch, the Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur Bakery, and local coffee shops along the way.

Local delicacy you feasted on?

Lots of fresh fish.

Cocktail you sipped?

Fountain Diet Coke

Books you read?

It was a great time to catch up on tons of magazines.

Music on your playlist:

Pop and hip-hop for running and hiking…Janet Jackson, Beyonce,  Rihanna, and Katy Perry.

Gadgets you took?

I just got an iPad and was excited to learn how to use it.  And of course my Blackberry.

What type of luggage did you bring?

I brought a Dylan’s Candy Bar LeSportsac duffle bag.  It has a candy pattern on it—so many people stopped me to ask about it in the airport.

My uniform there was?

Casual and colorful.

Items you packed?

In the morning I wore lots of athletic clothes to hike; RLX leggings, a t-shirt, sneakers or hiking shoes and a pair of Oakley sunglasses.  In the day I kept it very casual; jeans, a fleece, running sneakers, a t-shirt or cute blouse, and Ray-Bans.  At night my style was very sexy and California-chic;  lots of  Navajo-turquoise jewelry, jeans, heels or cowboy boots, and western-style casual dresses.

Beauty-essentials you packed?

Obagi skincare products, The Body Shop Body Butter, It’s A 10 moisture treatment; Bumble+Bumble Straight Blow Dry, Bobbi Brown Bronzing Gel, L’Occitane Verbena Eau de Toilette and packets of Emergen-C.

What was a typical day like?

During the day we would go hiking and running. Then we’d drive and do a lot of sightseeing.

How did you spend your nights?

We ate and walked the local towns.

Secret only a local would know?

Where to find the exotic animals of the region (sea otters, moose, eagles, hares). I love animals!

Favorite place to find local treasures?

Carmel.  I like the local shops, especially the old time candy shop there. It has a mix of west coast and old Americana candy, and fun sweet-related props.

First time visitors must:

Drive in a convertible and really take the time to look at nature.  Hiking on foot is also wonderful.