California

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner: The Ultimate Coastal Train Guide

Three years ago, we arrived in Irvine, California, knowing nothing about Orange County, other than what I’d seen on that Housewives show. I expected to find droves of women with pronounced plastic surgery, caked on makeup, fake lashes and expensive (slightly tacky) clothing. I also looked forward to, namely, the weather and the beaches.

Embarking on a day trip to Catalina Island from San Pedro is an exciting adventure that promises breathtaking landscapes, thrilling activities, and unforgettable memories. Just a short ferry ride away from the mainland, this picturesque island offers a myriad of attractions and experiences for all types of travelers.

Since moving to California in December, I’ve noticed a lot of differences. But one of the major differences is how many more electric vehicles and charging stations are available here vs. in Boston. I recently learned that California is leading the nation in clean vehicles and they have more plug-in electric vehicles than any other state.

If you got the song reference above, you already know my big news.

Downtown Los Angeles is a thriving hub of creativity and cultural diversity. It has once again become the canvas for a mesmerizing art exhibition that you cannot miss. Luna Luna opened in December in the heart of the Arts District.

The very first time I visited San Diego was in 2005. My nephew was getting baptized right after Christmas, so we drove down from LA, after first visiting my husband’s family (we also got engaged in Laguna Beach on the drive down!). Needless to say, I fell in love with San Diego almost instantly. A major reason for my love for the city was because we did the San Diego 59-mile scenic drive. It is absolutely one of the best free things to do in San Diego today or anytime you visit.

I’ve been to San Diego more times than I can count. I thought I’d seen everything, but then my friend told me about Chicano Park in San Diego. Seeing all the amazing murals, I couldn’t believe it was a place I’d never seen or heard of. I guess it’s not that surprising, since I’m not the target demographic. But, I’ve seriously been to San Diego at least 10 times, and I thought I’d done everything (like the 59 mile scenic drive). Given my serious love of street art, it was about time I made the trip.

If you’ve followed my travels on Instagram this year, you know I’ve spent quite a bit of time in southern California. Although I actually lived there for a few years and visit regularly, this was my first trip to the Getty. It’s one of those places I’d heard about, but I never took the time to drive up there. I had a free day on my most recent trip to LA, so I decided it was time. I’m so glad I made the decision to spend the day at the Getty. It was so worth it.

When I was in LA earlier this summer, I had the chance to visit the Getty. The reason I attended was because one of my friends told me about the Icons of Style Fashion exhibit. Given my love of fashion, it definitely seemed like something I should check out.

During the holidays, I’m sure you’ve heard people talking about taking the time to shop small, but have you ever really thought about what that means? Have you ever thought about where your dollar goes?

Recently, my sister and nephew came to visit us in LA. Since I haven’t been here that long, I wasn’t so sure about playing the role of tour guide. I knew a few places around the LA area that I wanted to take them, but several of the places they wanted to visit, I hadn’t been myself. It’s hard to know what’s worth the time if you haven’t been. What I did learn during our tour of LA, is that there are at least 3 things in Los Angeles that you do not need to see. (I’m working on a follow-up story). But there are also so many amazing things you must see. Here are a few of our highlights.

Last week, I shared some of my favorite places to visit in LA. Since my sister was in town, we spent 4 days touring around the city and I even got to see a few places I hadn’t been before. However, I also learned there are at least 3 places not to visit in Los Angeles. See, just because people say it’s cool, doesn’t mean it actually is. Not all touristy things are good, but some actually surprise you (like I loved visiting the Hollywood Sign).

Earlier this month, my girlfriends and I took a road trip to Santa Barbara. Although I had been to Santa Barbara a decade earlier for a wine tasting, it was only a day trip, so I didn’t get to experience the city or the wineries in the area. It was my girlfriends’ birthday and also Cinco de Mayo weekend, so we were pretty excited to celebrate.

Back in March, I had the chance to go to Huntington Beach with the Travel Mom for her first-weekend getaway. She had many fun activities on her weekend itinerary, including fancy dinners, parties, and some amazing speakers. One thing I never expected, was that I would learn how to surf.

I’ve lived in Southern California for nearly 5 years, on and off. I’ve traveled up and down the coast from San Diego to Santa Barbara. Honestly, I thought I had been to all of the beaches in LA, San Diego, and Orange County. But last week, I found my new favorite beach. One of the major reasons I couldn’t wait to move back to California is because of the beaches. Given that I have experienced a lot of what Orange County has to offer, I thought I’d share the best Orange County beaches.

If there is one thing I miss because of COVID, besides seeing my family, it is traveling. I had many trips planned for this past spring and summer that I canceled. Although travel is allowed, I’m trying to limit my travel because I think it is the best decision for public health and my family’s health. I have done a few local/regional trips around Southern California, however.

Last week, we headed to Palm Springs and Palm Desert in Coachella Valley for the Desert X Exhibition. If you’re in the Los Angeles area between now and May, you should definitely take a day trip to check out this amazing art exhibition.

Is it just me, or is everyone visiting flower fields this year? I’ve seen other bloggers in the pacific northwest and also a blogger friend in Michigan visiting tulip fields. Then, I’ve noticed more and more of my feed filled with the Carlsbad flower fields, which is how learned about the Cassara. which is part of the Hilton Tapestry collection.

Last weekend, I visited Sonoma for my first ever Sonoma wine tour. I was in the San Francisco area to visit a friend, so we spent one of our free days in Sonoma. When she first mentioned the idea, I initially asked why not Napa? But she told me that she prefers the Sonoma wine tours more than the Napa ones, so I was on board.

Have you taken your kids in a pony ride yet? One of my fondest memories as a very little child was riding ponies at Bay Beach in Green Bay. I always loved riding the ponies and I realized recently that my kids have never ridden a horse or a pony. That’s why I decided to look for places for pony rides in Los Angeles and also pony rides in Long Beach.

Last weekend, we headed to Carlsbad California. We’ve visited a few times in the past, so I thought it was time that I shared a guide to Carlsbad.

One of my favorite weekend trips from Los Angeles is to visit Palm Springs. It is only about a two-hour drive. When you get to the desert, it really does feel like you’re in a completely new place. It’s been a pretty chilly winter here in LA, so I wanted to escape the cool weather for some warmth and sunshine.

This past weekend, we were lucky enough to attend the re-opening ceremony of Disneyland’s Toontown. We got to visit the day before it was open to park guests for a special media tour of the new attractions and rides. Toontown has been closed since March 14, 2020. Initially, the entire Disneyland park was closed due to COVID. However, even after the park reopened, Toontown remained closed for renovations.

Are you planning a family vacation to Anaheim, California, and looking for a luxurious stay? Look no further than the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort. They invited us to spend the weekend at their lovely resort, so we were excited to check it out. Here are six reasons why the JW Marriott Anaheim Hotel is an excellent choice for families.

If you’re looking for a luxurious getaway on the coast of Southern California, there’s no better choice than Hotel del Coronado. This stunning resort is renowned for its gorgeous Victorian architecture, stunning ocean views, and a rich history that spans over a century. It is located on Coronado, which is just minutes from Downtown San Diego across the large San Diego-Coronado Bridge.

Are you tired of buying pre-packaged pasta at the grocery store? Want to learn how to make your own fresh pasta at home? Look no further than a pasta making class in Los Angeles! In this beginner’s guide to homemade pasta, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started, including where to find classes in Los Angeles, what to expect, and tips for making the perfect pasta at home.

Nestled amidst the scenic San Bernardino Mountains, the Lake Arrowhead Resort is a hidden gem that offers a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. Located just a few hours away from Los Angeles, this charming resort town provides a tranquil retreat, surrounded by nature’s beauty and a myriad of activities for all ages.

If you’ve ever seen a postcard of Big Sur or watched HBO’s Big Little Lies, chances are you’ve already admired the breathtaking Bixby Bridge. Officially known as Bixby Creek Bridge, this iconic structure along California’s Highway 1 is one of the most photographed spots in the state—and for good reason. Set against dramatic cliffs and the vast Pacific Ocean, Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, California, offers visitors a view that feels like it belongs in a movie scene.

Tucked along California’s rugged central coast, Carmel by the Sea feels like something out of a dream. With its winding streets, fairytale cottages, white-sand beaches, and coastal charm, it’s no surprise this little town has earned a spot on so many travelers’ bucket lists.

If you are planning a trip to Northern California’s famous wine region, you are probably searching for the best things to do in Napa. The good news is that Napa Valley offers far more than wine tasting. The region is known for its scenic landscapes, exceptional food, relaxing resorts, and a surprising number of family-friendly experiences. Whether you are visiting for a quick weekend escape or a longer stay, it provides a mix of relaxation, adventure, and memorable activities.

For Thanksgiving, we bravely decided to take our two toddlers on a California road trip. We hadn’t seen most of my husband’s family in over two years since we moved to Arizona. We figured it was time to make the trek so our kids could meet their extended family. They had yet to meet their aunts and uncles, cousins, and great grandmother (who is 86!).

Traveling with little kids can be seriously overwhelming. I’ve traveled with them since they were infants and I’ve learned a lot of things along the way. Given all the mistakes I’ve made, I figured it was about time I share little travel hacks that can make traveling with kids a whole lot easier and less stressful. Here are my top 6 tips to make traveling with kids a snap.

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably garnered that I’m pretty sad we had to leave San Diego. Due to my university schedule, we were able to travel for nearly three weeks with our kids. My parents rented a condo on Mission Beach and we had the best time at the beach, taking in the sunsets, and getting a whole lot of quality family time. I also found lots of free things to do with kids in San Diego, so I thought I’d share my top 5.

When we decided to move to LA in December, I knew it would mean some challenges. My biggest fear, aside from finding a place to live on super short notice, was changing schools in the middle of the year.

My birthday is in January. The older I get, the more my thoughts on getting older have shifted. I hate having a January birthday for one major reason. It is way too close to all of the other major holidays, so it kind of gets forgotten. (Not that I need a parade for my birthday, but as a kid I always got the combo gifts and it always felt like an afterthought).

Last weekend we took our new rescue dog named Coco to Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach, California. This was our first time taking a dog to the beach, although we frequent this beach quite often. There are a lot of great dog beaches in Southern California.

The magic is back! The magic is here. To say I was excited to be invited to the Disneyland reopening on April 30th is an understatement. We have been patiently waiting for more than a year to be back at Disneyland. Literally a week or two before we received our invitation, my kids were reminiscing about all their favorite things at Disneyland and talking about how much they miss it. Prior to the closure, we had visited only a week before and got to experience the Magic Happens parade. Some of our fondest memories in the parks happened right before the closure, so we were beyond excited to be back.

I live in Los Angeles, so we make trips to Disneyland happen at least a couple of times a year. It is one of my kids’ favorite things to do in Southern California, and we’ve been lucky enough to attend some really cool events at Disneyland. However, when we received the coveted invitation to attend the Disney Creators’ event at Walt Disney World, during their 50th birthday celebration, my response was omg yes!

My kids and I are getting to experience lots of firsts this spring. Earlier this spring, we went on our first cruise and last week, we got to go to Lake Tahoe for the first time. My kids have also never done any snow sports so they were so excited to get to try to snowboard for the first time.

I was trying to think of something fun to do with the kids over Memorial Day since we decided to stay in town. We haven’t been to Knott’s Berry Farm in over two years, so it seemed like the perfect time. Even with traffic, we live less than an hour from Knott’s, so it makes for a great day trip for our family. Although we definitely had a great time, there are some things I’ve learned about visiting and the benefits of the Knott’s Berry Farm Season Pass.

It is officially Disneyland Halloween time! It is my favorite time of year at Disneyland. I do love Christmas time at Disneyland too, but there is something that feels extra special at Halloween. We were lucky enough to get to attend the opening night of Oogie Boogie Bash and be some of first people to experience Halloween at Disneyland. Read on to find everything you need to know about Halloween Time at Disneyland.

Searching for options for Ice Skating Los Angeles? I’ve got you covered. If you live in LA or Orange County areas, here are 9 places to go skating this holiday season. By the way, if you’re looking for snow near LA, click here.

During winter break, I was trying to think of unique things to do with my kids. I feel very blessed Los Angeles has so many fun things to do. During the break, we went to Dodger Stadium to visit Santa, went sledding on the sand in Hermosa Beach, and checked out some of the fabulous Christmas lights around the city.

When we finally had all the details in place to move to California from Boston, one thing we knew was that we weren’t going to take our old beds with us. Although they were still in good shape, shipping several mattresses for my entire family, across the country, just wasn’t a smart, or cost-effective idea.