When I think "luxury," images of Manhattan salons and LA boutiques come to mind. However, here in Southern California, where blondes and beaches rule the town, we have a different kind of pampering in mind. (Think long walks through the sand and meditation sessions under the sun.) During this holiday season, be sure to take a break and visit Encinitas, an artist's haven 25 minutes north of downtown San Diego, where the pampering meets nature and nurture.

If you want a firsthand experience of San Diego's legendary laidback lifestyle, Mission Beach can't be beat. Cruise down the infamous Mission Boulevard until the road suddenly dead ends at the brink of the bay. Make sure to get there at sunrise to secure a parking spot in the always cramped lots. Don't forget your walking shoes as you begin your day with a brisk stroll down this two-block wide, two-mile strip overflowing with pure white sandcastles and the most desirable real estate on the Southern California coastline.

San Diego can offer the true variety of life! From the forest to the sea there really is a varied sense of the world we live in. Today is all about San Diego's many beaches; a beautiful way to spend the day that is also very light on the budget.

Fifteen minutes beyond San Diego lies the once sleepy seaside village of La Jolla, the Spanish term for "The Jewel". With its sandstone cliffs, picturesque beaches, shopping and dining, La Jolla is the perfect destination for a perfect day.

There's something a little bit different about San Diego's Pacific Beach neighborhood. Besides the half-clothed twenty-somethings walking down Garnet Street and Grand Street or the 45-minute line out the door on Thursday evenings at Moondoggies, there's a little thing we lovingly call Sunday Funday that makes this area ultra special.

La Jolla, a coastal town 10-miles north of San Diego, known for its mild weather, sparkling beaches and posh village scene have made it a favorite spot for local San Diegan's and visitors alike. Dust of your bike and pack your camera, bathing suit, goggles and fins for a jewel of a day in one of California's most beautiful towns.

Begin, by winding along swanky Prospect Street: lined with boutiques and upscale restaurants. Head towards Girard Avenue, a wide steep road south of the strikingly pink La Valencia Hotel and ride down the hill toward the ocean.