Origin Magazine.

Home
United States
Santa Monica, CA
Origin Magazine.

TRAVEL. Celebrating and Supporting Hidden Travel Gems, Design, Creative Women and Plant Recipes.
(1)

01/05/2026

Yes, this is Saudi Arabia.

Stepping into Saudi was an adventure into the unknown. We spent three glorious weeks here, and as someone who lives eight months a year on the road, it was one of the most transformative and fun experiences I’ve ever had, and one of the top destinations I’ve ever visited.

Passing camels on the road as we make our way from Desert Rock, the luxurious Saudi Red Sea Resort carved into the mountains to the turquoise Saudi Red Sea overwater bungalows, then vast dune villas, the dramatic landscapes, the warmth of the people, the beauty of its wild vastness—it doesn’t quite leave you.

It was, hands down, my favorite holiday in the last decade.

12/28/2025

Exploring Saudi was like stepping into the unknown. We spent three glorious weeks here, and as someone who lives eight months a year on the road, it was one of the most transformative and fun experiences I’ve ever had, and one of the top destinations I’ve ever visited.

Passing camels on the road as we make our way from Desert Rock, the luxurious Saudi Red Sea Resort carved into the mountains to the turquoise Saudi Red Sea overwater bungalows, then vast dune villas, the dramatic landscapes, the warmth of the people, the beauty of its wild vastness—it doesn’t quite leave you. It was, hands down, my favorite holiday in the last decade. -Maranda, EIC

12/03/2025

Our brand new issue is on stands with a gorgeous feature on Warsaw, Poland by 🙌
Warsaw really comes alive in the winter during the festive Christmas markets. Where to stay, eat, and explore, on stands now. ❤️ 🎄

12/02/2025

Celebrating Lake Como with writer + photographer this issue, now on stands.

We love her eye, her attitude, and her work. Perhaps the real job of any travel magazine is to be as authentic as possible, because no one wants to feel corporate when they’re planning during vacations and getaways, or flipping through a travel publication.

Seeing the world through a creative’s eye, what’s possible, allowing ourselves to be transported, not just through our travels, but also in the planning process which can bring just as much joy.

We’re super thrilled to work with such talented people.

11/21/2025

Our brand new issue is on stands nationally, and it is more gorgeous than ever. Check out our Zanzibar cover photo and feature by Javier 🌴 his stunning photos and articles also cover Luxor, Egypt, Morocco and Tanzania.

11/20/2025

A month ago we arrived in 5am darkness to Riyad, Saudi Arabia, stepping into the unknown, tired and and bit jet lagged. We stepped out of the airport, promptly called Uber, and through some miracle fit our luggage and equipment into a midsize car and made our way to Jareed Hotel, hands-down, the best boutique design hotel in the city.

Imagine the Soho house, but with great service. Their multi room living area for all guests to relax, order a coffee on the terrace, complete with café, work area, filled with art, textured fabrics, and color, visibly elevated and upscale, and simultaneously, relaxing and welcoming.

In the morning, we would have breakfast outside, complete with Saudi coffee, avocado toast, and they bent over backwards to accommodate our plant-based editor.

After visiting more than six 5-star hotels and resorts in the city, this was definitely our favorite ❤️

Our room was the size of a full luxury apartment, with a long wide terrace perfect for watching the sunrise.

If you have plans to visit Riyadh, this is our number one recommendation.

11/08/2025

AlUla, Saudi Arabia, the outtakes 😂

The chaotic outfit changes, looking directly into the sun, the dreaded closed eyes, meeting new friends, people walking into your shot, dancing in the desert, - here are just a few of our outtakes during our stellar stay at .alula with a view of the famed Maraya, the largest mirror building in the world.

Our first day we hitchhiked into town, meeting locals with our thumbs out and hearts open.

AlUla inspires creativity and wonder. Surrounded by this magnificent rockscape, you feel small and significant simultaneously.

The generous drivers who picked us up, shared their favorite places, who invited us for Saudi Coffee, made this visit pure magic.

We’ll do a follow up post featuring our stellar resort, Banyan Tree, it’s really one of those once in a lifetime journeys.

10/26/2025

Welcome to the magical paradise of in Saudi Arabia. One of the world‘s most beautiful spas, suspension bridges, landscapes, and panoramic restaurants. We experienced a cave dinner, they even formulated a specialty Asian vegan menu just for us, hammam scrubs, massages, and probably the most powerful steam room we’ve ever experienced. We actually left a healthier than we arrived, with their state of an art gym, zip lining, and hiking for outdoor lovers.

but most importantly, it’s the energy. After you cross the suspension bridge, walk up what seems like never-ending stairs with the most other worldly view, you reach the observatory where you can watch the sunset. It’s incomparable to any place we’ve ever visited before.

We’ve been anticipating this hotel since we spoke with the developer two years ago at a travel conference in London, and when we saw the renderings of what it would look like we were convinced there was no way they could match it in real life. Fast-forward 24 months later, it was a much anticipated moment when we got to see the five-year project finally completed. To put it lightly, it is an architectural marvel, with the cave suites built into the mountain, cliffside villas built in between the rocks, and pools and restaurants suspended over the landscape.

There’s something quite powerful when creativity and design come together, and vision is realized.

08/27/2025

West Side, West Side. Our favorite Los Angeles west side eats this issue. From Venice Beach, Marina del Rey, to Santa Monica~ here are a few places you have to add to your itinerary.

Cafe Gratitude

An LA institution, a staple in the plant-based food scene, is an essential. It’s a perfect blend of super foods, healthy bites and junk food under one roof. You won’t leave hungry. The menu is never ending and a perfect solution for even the pickiest eaters from gluten-free options to macrobiotic bowls ~ they’ve got you covered. From craft cocktails to superfood smoothies, they’ve got range. From loaded nachos to juice shots, from tonics and teas to vegan chorizo burritos, they feel everyone’s dietary needs. Even dedicated meat lovers can overindulge in their hardy filling dishes.

Planta Cocina

Head over to Marina del Rey for a food forward PB experience. It’s a whole vibe. Attentive service, foliage filled interiors, stylish decor, upmarket design and innovative culinary combinations. Ideal for family style sharing. It’s an edible adventure from craft cocktails to queso fundido, vegan sushi, Horchata cheesecake.

Thai Vegan

The most affordable eats in Santa Monica ~ fast and delicious, enjoy Thai coconuts, summer rolls, and Pad Thai while sitting outside in children’s chairs in a Santa Monica parking lot with string lights. Dogs welcome and most meals are under $11. Yes, please.

Erewhon

OK, hear us out. You don’t need to do the $10 million dollar smoothies, order their extra large celery juice with a side of ginger, it’ll run you about $10. We drink it every morning. It’s definitely on the tourist agenda, just don’t look at the prices of water.

SoCal Vibes Co

Sit a spell outside on Abbott Kinney and people watch. Try the cider sampler ~ six different flavored cider, great to share between friends. A bit more potent than you realize.

thank you to Be Boldly Pr for making it happen ❤️

08/26/2025

Check out a few of our tips if you’re traveling through Europe this year.

A few of them will sound paranoid, until you get on the gram and you realize how many thousands of people it happens to you on a daily basis.

1. Never ever leave bags in your car.

It might seem obvious to many of us, but so many travelers when they arrive we will run into a store, park and grab gelato, and they’re only gone 10 minutes and they come back and all of the windows are smashed.

2. Do not transfer your luggage or bags to your trunk AT THE LOCATION you are parking.

If you have to leave valuables or luggage in your car, transfer them to your trunk and hide them before you get to your parking place. We cannot overstate how organized these crime rings are even in cute small towns, especially across Spain, France, and Italy. We won’t even leave our car at a gas station even to use the toilet with our car loaded. We take turns. After living in Europe, for the past 10 years, I wish this was paranoia, but we’ve seen people in tears at grocery store parking lot, gas stations, you name it.

3. Your credit card Insurance does not work in Italy.

You think you’re covered, guess what. Italy is one of the only countries in Europe that is not covered by American Express or other major credit cards. Just check before you go and for our peace of mind we always pay for full coverage.

Once we had a biker knock our bumper off, and the police had to help us duck tape it on in the middle of the Amalfi coast. 😂 it would have cost a fortune without full insurance.

4. We’ve learned this the hard way, if you’re returning from Sicily and you’ve already paid for your rental car in full, block any future charges from that rental car company after you return. Like us, we’ve heard of hundreds if not thousands of travelers who have incurred more than €500 in imaginary parking tickets that your rental company will charge through, obviously ones you’ve never received while you’re in Sicily. It seems to be a little bit of a racket, so just be cautious.

We have eight pages of recommendations in our brand new issue.

08/25/2025

OK, honestly, how many photos do you have to swipe over to the location? 😂

Let us know the slide number where you’re like oh, I got it.

Gorgeous photos and piece by

Check out her photography, unique vision, and her work on her profile. Thrilled to feature her work this issue. Now on stands.

08/22/2025

Cape Town by , on film.

We are taking final submissions for the autumn issue. Travel photographers, writers, travelers who can put an interesting sentence together, email us by September 1. Let us know your favorite places, or your hometown, or a transformational travel experience.

We’d love to see the world through your eyes. [email protected].

+ ideally not promoting one single business or hotel.

Address

1014 7th #262
Santa Monica, CA

Website

http://www.originmagazine.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Origin Magazine. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Origin Magazine.:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company in Santa Monica?

Our Story

Origin is a collective source for Creative Women, Makers, Home Design, Entrepreneurs, Boutique Travel, and Plant Foodies. We emphasize art for a positive social change focusing on color, inspiration, and vibrant living.