Hi guys! How is everyone? I feel like I’ve been gone for weeks although in reality it’s only been one. My friend Trisha and I had such a blast on our cruise.
Since there is so much to share, I thought it’d be easier to break up my trip into a few posts. Let’s start with California.
We started and ended our cruise in California. We stayed with friends who live in Burbank. Us lucky girls had the chance to explore with the best kind of tour guides…locals. 
Here are a few of the highlights from our time in California.
Griffith Park offers a beautiful view of LA, including the famous Hollywood sign.
They have an amazing observatory which we walked around in for a bit.
Right as you walk inside, the Foucault Pendulum is seen swinging back and forth.
“One of the largest such devices in the world, the fully restored pendulum is actually an elegant scientific instrument which demonstrates the Earth’s rotation. “
As stated on their site, “The observatory is 1,134 feet above sea level and is visible from many parts of the Los Angeles basin.”
We decided to do a hike to the top to see the amazing view.
Success!
Worth the hike for sure. The views were incredible.
Santa Monica
Later that evening, our friend took us to Santa Monica for a bit more sightseeing. Santa Monica is one of my favorite places in California.
We walked down the pier, where the lights at night where just beautiful.
Burbank
While our friends were at work on Monday, Trisha and I did a bit of exploring ourselves. It started off with food, because we seem to do that best when were together. 
We found this cute bakery where I had a chocolate croissant and cappuccino.
Amazing!!
We know how to sight see don’t we. 
We did eventually walk around. They have the cutest shops in Burbank. We both really loved the area.
Manhattan Beach
On our last day, our friend took us to check out Manhattan Beach. Of all the years I’ve been traveling to California, I had never been. It definitely won’t be my last time.
We walked to the end of the pier, where they have an amazing aquarium.
Starfish, eels, and sharks…oh my!
This little guy blends in with the grass. Pretty neat!
We walked around a bit more and decided to stop into Peet’s Coffee and Tea for a warm drink. They don’t have this coffee place in Vegas, so I was looking forward to trying it out.
I decided on the caramel latte which did not disappoint.
Not only was our cruise amazing but getting to explore California with our friends was unbelievable. The four of us (which sadly we didn’t get a picture all together 
) met while studying abroad in Italy in college and have kept in touch ever since.
Hope you enjoyed my recap of California! There is so much more to come, so stay tuned!!
Have you ever been to California? What are your favorite spots?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay! I’m so glad you had a great time, Kristen! Sounds like your trip had a great start! You definitely know how to sight see
That chocolate croissant – yum! Loved looking at all the pics – I’ve been to a few of those places a number of years ago. I always thought Santa Monica was beautiful.
I can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trip!
Oh gorgeous views indeed. I’ve never been to California, but it’s definitely on our list of places to see. My hubby actually has lots of family out there. Sounds like your vacation got off to a great start!
I’m glad you had such a great time! I love California and I think people underestimate the hiking in the LA area. It is gorgeous weather and always such beautiful views. Can’t wait for your cruise recap!
Love the travel photos. Love Santa Monica too (and Venice). The beach pictures made me crave some sand and ocean. Can’t wait to hear more.
Your trip looks like so much fun. I have never been to California before – I hate planes or I would probably go to Cali after visiting my family in NV. I am loving all your outfits and seriously girl your hair always looks flawless!
xo
Goooooooooorgeous! If your trip ended right there I’d say it was a success! So pretty! It’s great that you’ve kept in touch with your friends over the years – that’s how you know it’s a friendship worth keeping!
All of those coffee pictures are making me really want a cup of joe right now! Plus, my office is FREEZING!!!
Can’t wait to see the rest!! Welcome home
Isn’t that funny that I LONG for a Peets…but not alone (there was one in China) with my BF from when I lived in CA.
Can I say that your skin is glowing? You are adorable, and ou must feel it.
I am reading a book for my club that you should read….The Battle Hymn of the Tiger MOther. I am in pediatrics, and it s a hoot to think about how we are pressured to achieve.
Thanks!
I will have to pass on the book recommendation to the book club.
Hi Kristen! Welcome back. LOVED your California recap. Looks like you had a GREAT time and looking forward to more photos and stories from the trip!!!
Thanks so much! It feels good to be back!
Looks like you had a blast! You got some great pictures. I’ve actually been to Los Angeles, but was only able to spend a little bit of time there. While my husband (boyfriend at the time) was in the Navy, he was stationed in San Diego at Coronado Bay. I was able to visit him and go see the zoo and the beach, and eat some really good Mexican food
. It’s really nice down there.
Eeek!! I loved this, I have never been to CA and always wanted to see it. Love living vicariously through blogs. Thanks for sharing your sight seeing! What a great trip! My cousin (he’s engaged!) and my grandfather live out in CA… I think the Laguna area, south of LA ( the pics always look amazing!)
Must visit sometime.
Don’t you just love travel & leisure!
You definitely should try and go! It is beautiful!
I can’t say this enough: I LOVE california! I’ve been to L.A, San Fran, Napa, and MOnteray Bay….all were unbelievable! The views, the atmosphere, the food! It’s all fantastic! I Can’t wait to go back again! I would move there too if I could afford it lol Glad you had a good time! Can’t wait for pics from your cruise!
Okay. Now I have chocolate croissants stuck in my head! Looks like a great trip!
It was so delicious!
I’ve been to California once, about 14 years ago, with my parents. It was a beautiful trip, and we saw so many things! I loved San Francisco (the Golden Gate Park and the GG Bridge, Chinatown, the Pier …) and the beautiful hills around. Then the wonderful drive down the coast to LA. And of course the national parks! Yosemite and Seqoia NP are so incredibly beautiful, I wish to return and go hiking there.
Beautiful photos, I really enjoyed them! The fish and sea stars in the aquarium are so adarable.
Thanks for stopping by!
I have been to San Fran a couple times and absolutely love it!
Looks like you had a fun trip. I’m so jealous as I sit here in cold and rainy Seattle. Great photos!
Your trip looks sooo awesome! You look so relaxed and happy
I’ve been to San Diego and Point Loma and I loved it! I went with my debate team in college and we also went down to Tijuana and had so much fun!
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