Copa d'Oro's Vincenzo Marianella pouring up a Santa Monica gimlet
The barman in his happy place—Angeles Crest
Baja California
Vincenzo Marianella: My favorite places to stop along the way are Cantina Hussong´s, Bodegas de Santo Tomás S,A. de C.V. and Miramar, Zona Centro. There is also a kid who makes fresh smoothies and juice on the corner of Av Riveroll and Calle Tercera; I always stop there when I’m riding nearby.
Angeles Crest
VM: Newcomb's Ranch is the only place to stop on the route. I like to stop in for a quick coffee and water. It’s a relaxing route to get away from all the LA craziness for a couple of hours.
Ojai to San Luis Obispo
VM: Artisan in Paso Robles is a nice restaurant to grab a meal along this route. I haven’t been in a while, but I like the vegetable dishes and veggie pizzas. I also enjoy camping when I’m up here.
Sequoia National Forest
VM: It’s a great route to drive up and go camping with a friend or my girlfriend. We like to go, make some food, drinks, hang out, and just enjoy life. There are many campgrounds, but sometimes I like to camp in the wild. It’s an awesome way to see the forest.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
VM: I typically camp here for a night or two in the wild. We go and enjoy each other’s company, play checkers or cards, and just chat. Sometimes we make a fire and have a couple of drinks. I never drink on my day trips when I’m riding though, only when I’m camping overnight.
South Central LA
VM: When the weather is gloomy and I can’t go to the beach, I like spending an afternoon riding around South Central to see the city. My favorite stop is Stuff I Eat, a vegan restaurant in Inglewood.
Cantina Hussong´s courtesy of @jamiedrisdelle
Baja California courtesy of @ontippytoes
Angeles Crest courtesy of @guilherme_sarro
Angeles Crest courtesy of @brandononeill
Ojai courtesy of @heberpelayo
San Luis Obispo (HWY 166) courtesy of @dnote805
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park courtesy of @lance.gerber
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park courtesy of @canon_capture35
Stuff I Eat courtesy of @infatuation_la
South Central LA courtesy of @michaeldelahaut
Header image courtesy of @gazioli