Okay, I promise this is a travel blog and not a food blog. But I think food tells you so much about the place you’re visiting — and honestly, what’s more fun than eating your way through a trip?
To fight off the Seattle darkness, I recently escaped to Southern California for a quick weekend. I spent my time laying on the beach, soaking in the sunshine, and eating some very good food. Here are three highlights that felt “like, totally SoCal.”
Erewhon
To start, I tried the Strawberry Skin Smoothie (aka the Hailey Bieber Smoothie) from Erewhon.
Translation from Gen Z into plain English: I visited the expensive older sister of Whole Foods to try a viral strawberry smoothie.
To me, Erewhon is the epitome of a crunchy, rich California girl. She is organic, gluten-free, and perfectly curated. I visited the Newport Beach location, and everything inside was beautiful. The concept seemed to be: mason jar. All of the (overpriced) food was in clean, glass packaging and looked gorgeous. Who makes bone broth look cute?
The most expensive items I saw:
- A small can of ceremonial-grade matcha for $75
- One cut of Pacific halibut for $53.99
- Large Spheres of ice in a bag for $29.99
I am not bullsh*tting those prices.
For anyone who loves reality TV, visiting Erewhon feels like pop cultural immersion. It’s not a grocery store, it’s a lifestyle.
Now, back to the smoothie. For $24, I wanted to hate it. I was secretly hoping it would be chalky and overhyped because I know it’s obscene to spend that much on a beverage. But it was thick, creamy, and that perfect milkshake texture. It tasted like fresh summer strawberries with whipped cream.
Would this be my daily sweet treat if I lived in SoCal? No. But given the option, I would buy it again. In Hailey Bieber we trust.
In-N-Out
In-N-Out is the king of California burgers — known for its secret menu, ridiculously low prices, and the ability to order your fries “animal style” (covered in cheese, caramelized onions, and their signature spread).
A burger and fries are my death row meal, and I don’t like to go more than one week without one. Suffice to say, burgers and fries are serious to me.
Pros:
- Cherry Coke at the fountain, it’s my favorite.
- Ordering a “Double-Double,” because who doesn’t love two patties?
- Animal-style fries. Gosh I love the combo of the spread with the onions.
Despite the positives at In-N-Out, it’s just not my favorite. I am an East Coast girl at heart, and I think a diner burger wins out. However, if you’re in California, it’s worth trying. Among fast food burgers, In-N-Out is up there. I just wouldn’t wait longer than 15–20 minutes in line.
Iconic? Yes.
Worth planning your entire trip around? Probably not.
Mexican Food
For me, the undisputed king of Southern California cuisine is Mexican food.
From a restaurant, food truck, or street vendor the Tacos, burritos, even rice and beans are amazing. After eating Mexican food in SoCal, it’s hard not to feel disappointed almost anywhere else in America.
My favorite part is always sampling all the different salsas, from bright green to deep red. Honestly, I’ll even order rice and beans to eat with eggs and salsa the next morning because it’s really that good.
If you are visiting, you must, must have some Mexican food.
Final Thoughts
SoCal is one of my favorite food destinations in the United States. When I visit, I know that I am guaranteed a great meal. Plus, the food is such a unique blend of California’s different cultural communities, emphasis on healthy living, and heavy driving culture.
And isn’t that the beauty of travel – being able to see, and taste, the history of each place you visit?
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