This is the ultimate US vacay for Aussies

Like the idea of zipping down the mountain on your snowboard for breakfast, then zipping up your wetsuit for an afternoon surf?

You can do this all on the same day and it’s our new favourite holiday.

Being Aussie, we drop so much cash and precious annual leave on our yearly overseas vacay, we need it to be tricked out with the perfect amount of fun and chill time.

So I swapped the generic US destinations (ahem, I’m looking at you, Vegas and NYC) for a ski to surf adventure. But skiing in the morning and tacos on the balmy beach later that evening? What is this witchcraft?

Mammoth Mountain is a winter wonderland where, thanks to a record 35-feet of snow this season, the slopes are open til the Fourth of July.

Mammoth Lakes (the area at the base of the mountain) is just two flights away for Aussies. You can leave Sydney on Monday morning and be on the slopes less than 24 hours later. For those keen for road trip vibes – it’s a five-hour drive from L.A.

The Mammoth Lakes Township is spread out over a 3.2 kilometres wooded setting. The Village is where you’ll want to spend your time - a darling strip at the base of the mountain with stacks of small-town charm. I didn’t know how a US ski resort could top those quaint Euro villages you see in the movies. You know the ones with snow-capped chalets and cobble-stoned pathways… but Mammoth has its own magic.

Before catching the gondola to Canyon Lodge from the Village, I binged on homemade bagels stacked high with cold-cuts from Old New York Deli and finished the day with epic cocktails from 53 Kitchen. If you’re feeling fancy head to Skadi – a boutique fine dining restaurant tucked away from the village. With treats like torchon of foie gras with glögg poached pears on the menu, it won’t disappoint.

But back to athletic stuff: Mammoth's many terrain parks are loved so much, Olympic gold-medalist Shaun White bought a stake in the resort. Transworld Snowboarding magazine readers voted Mammoth the best snowboarding in the US. Think 50 jumps, 100 other features and three half-pipes.

Mild green runs Chair 7 and the Schoolyard Express at Canyon Lodge are perfect for beginners. There is a slope to suit all abilities, it’s not huge but pros certainly won’t get bored with the four-acres of bumps on Rhythm Ridge.

Team the excellent instructors (this Cairns gal needed LOTS of guidance), sunny days and hectic views north-east into Nevada (I was able to take some snaps at the summit using my Seaquatix) waterproof phone case), the jagged Minarets and the icy lakes, MM is in the running to be one of the best ski resorts in the US.

Although much-a-sunshine was taken in on the mountain, this wouldn’t be a Cali vacay without a hit of beach. So after enjoying a snow storm in the AM I got a plane from Yosemite and in a couple of hours, I was cruising down the 405 in my rental Jeep.

It’s about an hour before I roll into Huntington Beach – California’s Bondi if I say so myself. It’s all about super cool beach shacks, antique stores and that long beach equipped with pier and fire pits.

If you’re like me and your ideal night out is catching an aging band doing Chili Peppers covers at a local dive bar, then Huntington nightlife will be a delight. There’s also plenty of vibey rooftop terrace scenarios to catch the beautiful sunset.

The third stop on the tour is San Diego – less than two hours down the highway. We’re not saying San Diego is a secret locale by any means. We all know the famous zoo, SeaWorld (fiasco!!) and Coronado Beach.

But La Jolla Shores is the little-known destination (amongst Aussies) that blew me away. The water is Australia-standard crystal clear and the bay is somewhat protected from the usual south-west wind, so it’s a gentle spot to surf.

Gaze at Andy Warhol pieces at the Martin Lawrence fine art gallery or take a kayak tour to the seven caves.

My favourite thing about La Jolla is the ‘Children’s Pool.’ The small turquoise-coloured bay was intended as a swimming hole for little kids but, in the winter, the sand is covered by seals looking for a place to sunbake with their pups. Truly the cutest thing ever.

The food options are endless in La Jolla and most places have a fab view of the famous orange and pink sunset. Grab a table on the terrace at La Valencia's MED ocean view restaurant or book at George’s at the Cove. Prince Harry, Oprah Winfrey, the Kardashians, and Prince have all hung out at George's.

Just down the road near Pacific Beach is the legendary Rubio's Fish Tacos. These bad boys were the first battered fish tacos in the States and now there's 200 stores.

We had lunch with the owner Ralph Rubio and he's kind of a big deal. Several people approached him asking to shake his hand and telling us they'd be eating at the taco stand since the beginning of time. His tacos are delicious, come with a secret sauce and are under $4. What more could you ask for?

Tacos aside, Aussies looking for a touch of snow adventure, beach vibes and a wee bit celeb spotting, this three-destination trip ticks all of the ski to surf boxes.

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