At this point, we’re about half way done with our trip.
1. Food is expensive. Pack your own.
We decided to go grocery shopping before we left Texas to alleviate how much money we spent on food since food costs (and gas) goes up as you head west.
Included in our stash was: fruit, bread, peanut butter, case of water, Mawmaw’s homemade snacks, and Christmas candy.
I ended up taking some of the jelly packets from the hotel we stayed at the first night to make PB&Js.
2. Be prepared to be in the car for a long time
When you don’t have wifi the best way to do this is to download podcasts and music before you depart. If you’re real smart, you can utilize the new download feature on Netflix. Bring a book while you’re at it too.
Bonus: here we are at the Caverns in Carlsbad. We’ll post our GoPro videos later.
3. When visiting San Diego, make sure you know the difference between the naval base and the museum.
The first day in California we decided that going to San Diego would be a good idea… how wrong we would be.
Alan got his Mexican candy
After a delicious mexican dinner in Old Town, we thought it would be cool to see the naval base. We found it, however, it wasn’t the museum for visitors it was the actual military base.
The real embarrassing part is that we accidentally tried to get in not once, but twice because we couldn’t find the highway after the first time. So I’m pretty sure I’m on the Navy’s watch list or something.
Disclaimer: I blame Alan for this one because he was navigating.
4. Driving in the Hollywood Hills will increase your car resale value
Being able to say that your car can handle those curvy hills should impress just about anyone. Also, how they get those houses to stay on the mountain is beyond me but definitely a sight to see.
5. Know a local who can show you the cheap parking spots in Santa Monica
During our time in Los Angeles, we stayed with Alan’s friend, Armel. He was able to show us this super hidden parking spot by the pier that was only 2 dollars instead of other lots that were closer to 20.
People on the pier can ride bikes better than they can drive, which isn’t saying a whole lot.
Us and Armel driving around with the top down
6. Malibu is more than Ken and Barbie
Before I visited, my idea of Malibu was like the show Laguna Hills (FYI this is a completely different place in California) that is filled with Starbucks and Kim Kardashian.
In reality, Malibu sits on this giant hill that overlooks the ocean and the mountains. It’s heavily wooded so it doesn’t even feel like your in the city anymore.
Hands down, this was my favorite part of the city.
7. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses
They aren’t joking when they say “sunny” California. I’ve never seen the sun be so bright before.
8. It’s not as cold as we thought it would be
Starting in Carlsbad, New Mexico to L.A. it never got as cold we expected. We have definitely learned that we could have packed a lot less clothes.
9. Know where you are going
This cannot be true enough for traveling around California. This morning we went to play disc golf in Echo Park by Dodger Stadium and we couldn’t find the first hole so we had to climb up a giant hill.
On the first throw, Alan managed to lose a disc. We should have known then that this wasn’t going to go well.
10. You’re not you when you’re hungry
Traveling in a new place can sometimes be a stressful thing, so patience is essential. Patience seems to be the first thing to go when you’re hungry so we found that as long as we are fed we’ll have happy travels.
For all my foodie friends, here is where we have eaten:
Day 1:
- Breakfast: Square One Dining (LA)
- Dinner: Casa de Reyes (San Diego)
Day 2:
- Brunch: The Griddle (LA) – splitting dishes is recommended
- Dinner: Granville (Glendale) – we were too hungry to take pics
- Dessert: Piehole (Glendale)
Day 3:
- Lunch: Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles
Our Adventure Book 