Recalling family trips with Lisa Roth

Lisa Roth grew up in an artistic family. Her surgeon fatherwas also an actor, her motherwas a sculptor and her older brother, David Lee Roth, was the frontman for Van Halen. After a career as a nutritionist, Lisa Roth co-founded “Rockabye Baby,” which licenses music by artists such as the Beatles, Nirvana and U2 and reinvents them as gorgeous lullabies.

Of her own childhood, the Pasadena-based Roth fondly recalled trips with her family. “I remember taking the train from Boston to Miami to visit my grandparents when I was four,” she said.“We stayed in a hotel with a huge pool, whichwas all very exciting. I clearly remember climbing out of the pool with a tummy ache, climbing intomy mother’s arms and throwing up into the front pocket of her polka-dot, terry cloth coverup. Itwas a perfect aim and a great trip.”

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?

A: French Polynesia. The first time I visitedwas as a young kid in the early ’70s. On the last day ofmy last trip there, wewere waiting on a helipad for a helicopter to make a quick island jump fromMoorea to the airport on Tahiti. As wewere boarding the helicopter, I overheard someone share that the pilot had been kicked out of the French air force, because he had a drinking problem. My jawdropped. Oncewe took off, the pilot offered to give us a tour of the entire island ofMoorea before heading to the airport. My friends jumped at the offer, and I sat there quietly like a deer in the headlights. Whatwe got was the most spectacular 30-minute wild ride high above the jagged, emerald green mountains, valleys andwaterfalls ofMoorea. We did figure eights, nose dives, ascents and circles over the most gorgeous and memorable scenery I have ever seen to date— made all the more exhilarating by the intel I had on the pilot.

Q: Where are your favoriteweekend getaways?

A: Palm Springs. It’s only a one-hour and 45minute drive. There is something about the light and color in the desert that’s relaxing and beautiful. I love it in the winter at the height of the tourist season when it’s buzzing with visitors from all over the country. Daytime temperatures aremoderate and sunny, and the evenings are cold. I also love it in the middle of summer when it’s 110 degrees during the day and cools to 87 degrees at 10 at night. I love going to a late-night dinner dressed for awarm summer day.

Q: What are your five favorite cities?

A: Pasadena, Chicago, NewYork, Miami, Boston.

Q: Wherewould you like to go that you have never been to before?

A: Bali.

Q: Whenyou go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: Wipes for the plane, headphones, cushy socks, sweatpants, lots of snacks, an extra set of toiletries to keep with me in casemy luggage gets lost, my favorite pillowcase, great reading material, magazines andmy phone so I can take pictures and listen to music.

Q: Whatwould be your dream trip?

A: Right now, itwould involve a lush, isolated, tropical island with white sand and turquoisewater. Lots of palm trees that rustle in the breeze and the scent of local flowers hanging in the air. Therewould be time for lots of sleeping, reading, running on the beach, swimming and eating simple, clean meals. I’m craving the peace and beauty.