What happens when you wrangle a diverse group of bloggers from across the country for a unique Toyota drive? Things, stop getting polite and start getting real…
On Monday, a special group of bloggers were given a mission – a mission to prove how the 2012 Toyota Camry could stand up to an end-of-summer, all-girls road trip up the California coast. Lizz (AmIAFunnyGirl.com), Leila (DontSpeakWhinese.com), Chelsea (ThePaperMama.com) and I, set off on an adventure heading north on Highway 1 from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara, California. Not only did the Camry withstand four statuesque bloggers with big personalities within it’s plush leather-trimmed, ultra-suede seats but it also engulfed the massive luggage trail of 4 suitcases, 5 backpacks, a pail and shovel within the spacious 15.4 cubic ft trunk. Camry is more luxurious,with a redesigned interior.It’s more advanced,with new available multimedia systems with EntuneTM. And the Camry Hybrid LE now offers an EPA-estimated 43 city mpg rating – which means getting the most out of your gas no matter where your inner city road trips may lead you.
While on the road, we discovered a few oceanside sights as well as stopped by a local Super Mega Target to shop & purchase donations for the Santa Barbra Food Bank. Toyota partnered with Target to supply each of us with $25 gift cards to make the donation purchases, and Target accommodated each one of us with an additional $10 in credit towards the purchase of additional food/personal items to donate. Our #ToyotaWomen mission garnered close to $1,000 worth of donations for those in need in Santa Barbra at the Santa Barbra Food Bank.
Upon arrival to Santa Barbra, we had intimate vineyard tour, wine tasting & dinner at the Sanford Winery in Rancho La Rinconada. Renowned for its Chardonnay as well as Pinot Noir – Sanford Winery is a sacred jewell that has helped put Santa Barbara and the Santa Rita Hills on the map of the world’s great wine regions.
Upon conclusion of dinner, we settled into a unique retreat of “Glamping” (Glam + Camping) at the el Capitan Canyon Resort just 20 miles north of Santa Barbara off the Pacific coast. Armed with the challenge of enjoying the glory of nature in a Southern California environment, we wondered if we could experience the natural beauty of the environment in a camp-like surrounding with all the luxury comforts of SoCal we have come to enjoy and expect?
That’s a mission that only be answered after Day 2. See what happens next, after Day 1 of “Glamping” is complete & discover what challenges are in store for Day 2 of the SoCal #ToyotaWomen Experience….(To Be Continued…)
Curious to see what happens next? Follow DivasandDorks on Twitter & Instagram for the latest #ToyotaWomen photos and check DivasandDorks.com soon for updated photos, links and more…
Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.
