Fall in love (or at the very least like) with Los Angeles, California

My family and I recently visited Los Angeles, California on a whirlwind trip.  It was planned but not really planned.  My husband, Riggi and I were discussing about US trip but we surely want to spend it in New York.  Unfortunately, the flights were full and we had to check whatever flight is available that day.  Normally, we spend weeks on planning our trip but not this one.  My son, Sabriel who was having his summer vacation was too eager to see US for the first time and I was so excited for him.  This is our first long 16 hours trip with a one year old in tow and thankfully she was doing just fine. 

This is a month delay post but if you are going to LA for a short one- week stay but you have no itinerary (just like us), then read on.

Los Angeles is massive and so we had decided to check out downtown LA for our stay.  As for getting around the City, there were some public transport like the buses or the metro but we opted for Uber, as we had to carry a stroller, a diaper bag and a lot more.  So it was the most practical option for us.

As soon as we were settled in DTLA Prime Residences, we all took a quick shower and roamed around the hotel area.  It was almost time for dinner and I need to feed the family.  And by the way, the hotel room was spacious and clean. 

Fall in love (or at the very least like) with Los Angeles.  It is a little misunderstood as LA traffic is horrible (it is not as bad as what I’ve experienced in Cebu so it was just like a walk in the park for us). LA is not only about those negativity that I’ve read from the reviews but a whole lot of beauty in it.  Cali palms line the streets straight up into the clear blue skies is just a WOW for me.  This is just one of those many things I love about LA.

It has to be in Disneyland on our first day.  We had planned to meet up Sabriel’s cousin, Harvey who is working in Disneyland and he treat us a free pass for both the parks (Disneyland and California Adventure) for free.  Well, it's one of the best things in life…. 

Disneyland in LA is located in Anaheim, California.  It is the first and only theme park designed and built to completion under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, which is opened in 17 July 1955.  The concept of Disneyland began when Walt Disney was visiting Griffith Park with his two daughters.  While watching them ride the merry-go-round, he came up with the idea of a place where adults and children could go and fun together.

 

Harvey and I haven’t seen each other for a decade I guess so it was a good time to rekindle good old memories.

Never ever leave Disneyland without watching the Disney Parade.  My best memories of Disneyland were in Hong Kong in 2009 and my first born, Sabriel was still too small to understand.  I always felt like a kid once again behind the rope, blowing kisses to the cartoon characters while they lined up dancing to Disney music.  Ohhh!  It was the best! Heaven at her tender age was curious too while clasping her hands and enjoying the beat.

It should have been a memory to keep for Heaven but she is too young to understand Disneyland.  I would gladly show her first Disneyland experience once she starts asking me about it. 

The second day, we went to Citadel outlet.  It is located along Santa Ana freeway southeast of Downtown LA.  It features the remarkable revival architecture of a tire factory that closes in 1978 and the commerce government bought the site and redeveloped it into an outlet mall and an adjacent room Wyndham garden hotel.

Who would have thought that a day in US outlets is not enough?  This time, I was busier while the kids were enjoying and playing outside the shops. 

The next day was a hectic one.  LA attractions are far from each other so you will be spending a lot of your time on the road.  We visited the bustling 100 years old wooden wharf, Santa Monica Pier and it is one of the places to be.  It is crowded with tourists and artists that you can easily feel the Cali vibe with the music, food and the best view of the beach.  It was a classical and a picturesque view that we often see in movies.  It was worth the walk to the end of the pier and spot wild seals poking their heads to the sea.

A sign at the end of the Santa Monica Pier marks the end of the legendary American highway, symbolizing that this road only ended when the sea stood in its way.  When the pier was officially designated as the last stop for Route 66, the sign was erected at the very end, looking out over the Pacific in a symbolic display of what was the destination of so many travelers over the last century.

We took an Uber to see the opulent estates and home to many Hollywood stars, The Beverly Hills (sometimes referred as 90210).  It features the upscale shopping street – The palm lined Rodeo drive.  Simply look around Beverly Hills, and it’s no wonder this city gets its reputation as an international symbol of the ultimate in luxury. 

Spare me a time to mention the famous ATM cupcakes, Sprinkles.  The flagship bakery is located just in the heart of Beverly Hills.  It is hailed as a Hollywood celebrity favorite and star sightings are always possible inside the bustling bakery.  This was very cool ordering your favorite cupcake from a pink ATM machine that I only see from Instagram.  So, I gave it a try.  It was sinfully delicious and was worth a visit. 

One of the best views of LA is from the Griffith observatory.  A Welsh industrialist and philanthropist only donated this land area.  On his will, Griffith J. Griffith donated funds to the City of Los Angeles to build an observatory and a planetarium.  His objective was to make astronomy accessible to the public. 

 

There it was, sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood lays the beautiful façade of the Griffith observatory.  We were lucky enough to be there on a Thursday so it was not overcrowded and found our way in without the hassle of any queues.   My daughter was freely running outside like she was in a park and took some photos from the Hollywood sign from afar.  We couldn’t go walking up the hill to be able to be near to the 45-foot-tall Hollywood sign as we have a baby but the view from the Griffith is more than enough for now.

Then we made our way down the Hollywood boulevard for the walk of fame.  The walk of fame is where 2,600 Hollywood entertainers have earned the achievement of a lifetime, in the form of a 5-point star embedded in the sidewalk along the street.  This is totally overrated and over crowded with those dressing up as stars asking for money.  If it is your first time in LA, then just go once and for all.  Maybe it was a big deal before social media time, as this is one of those few places wherein you could feel close to those celebrities you admire.  Be sure to keep your bags with you and be aware of your surroundings. 

It is a cliché that no trip in the US is complete without having the In-N-Out Burger.  My son was eagerly waiting for us to go there and it was just the perfect time after walking from the Hollywood walk of fame.  As usual, it was extremely busy and we had to wait for a few minutes to find a table.  I don’t know if it is only I but I don’t like their fries.  We surely have different taste buds but my husband and my son loves it.  I am still loyal to my fave burger chain though. 

The Public Art “Urban Light” is another must see.  The 2008 installation of the urban lights consists of restored street lamps from the 1920s and 1930s.  Most of them once lit the streets of Southern California.  I had recently read an article regarding the history of the urban lights and I never thought that these lights has an interesting story behind it.  Now, it has become a landmark in LA.  This is the article if you guys are interested, just click on the link:  https://unframed.lacma.org/2018/02/06/story-urban-light

It was an interesting-tiring but fulfilling kind of day for us.  Everyone was fast asleep when we reached the hotel while I was busy with the laundry (yes, I did the laundry in the hotel), with sterilizing heaven’s feeding bottles and preparing all the stuffs we needed for the following day.  To be honest, I am busier being a Mom when I am on a holiday.

On the next morning, Riggi and Sabriel were excited to see STAPLES Center even when there is no game at all.  The location is just in Downtown so it was nearby the hotel we were staying. 

And off to Citadel outlets again for the second time.  There was still extra space in our luggages for a little more shopping (wink).

It was breakfast time the following day and we decided to walk a few blocks away just to see for ourselves this famous Grand Central Market which caters a lot of food stalls.  This market started earning national acclaim, including a collective appearance on Bon Appetit’s 2014 list of America’s best new restaurants.  We arrived there and found the famous “eggslut” with a lot of people.  There was a constant queue but it was moving quite fast.  The warm brioche bun pairs perfectly with the salty meat and egg.  It was dangerously delish. 

We walked around 2-3 blocks from Grand Central Market to see one of my fave parts in this LA travel.  Where do I even begin?  The Last bookstore is the place for book lovers like me.  I always love the smell of books and this one has a great ambience where I can sit and read for hours if only we have more time.  This independent hidden gem in Downtown LA bookstore was made famous by the rounds of photos circulating in Instagram, and rightfully so – they house a handful of instagrammable beautifully created funky-art display of books.  A true haven for bookworms and every inch of this place is truly amazing.  It has been my dream to have one, one day.

You’ve seen the glamour of LA in TV shows and a lot of movies.  Clear blue skies, beaches, mountains and desert landscape that are calling you to see for yourself.  You may love it or hate it immediately.  There is something of its diversity that needed to be admired and appreciated.  There are so much more to this City than its piers and beaches that really need to be explored.  We were not even half of it.  Well, there is always a next time LA.

…. ‘Til our next adventure.

Love,

M xo