A Weekend In California

California is the golden state! Last year, we took a few days off and headed west to California! I know, it has taken me a long time to write this post, but here it is at last! We spend a total of 4 nights in California; two in LA and two in San Diego. This was more than enough time to see all the major sights! Although, I would love to come back to visit more of the national parks, outside the city!

In this blog, I will give you a 3-day Itinerary and the highlights of Los Angeles and San Diego! Keep in mind this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to both cities! There are so many things to do and see when you visit! If you are an adventurer, prefer a relaxing getaway, or want to explore all the shops, California is for you!

Day 1

We started off our trip to California, in LA. You can switch this itinerary any way you like. This just worked best for us! We flew United from Dulles International Airport. This was the cheapest option for us and got to use our Travel credit card to gain some points!

LA – When you think of LA, you think of celebrities, Hollywood, and Rodeo Drive. Sadly, we never saw any celebrities when we were in LA, but we saw Usain Bolt at LAX airport!

Hollywood Sign

Did you even go to LA, if you did not see the Hollywood sign? To get there, head toward Griffith Park. There will be several parking spots available as you drive up, but I recommend driving to the Griffith Observatory and parking there. You will have the best viewpoint of the sign. You will have to pay for parking (around $10). There are several hikes you can take as well, including one that can get you behind the sign!

Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory is such a cool building! It was sadly closed when we were visiting (always closed on Mondays). But we were able to walk all around the outside of the building and get some great views of the city!

Universal Studios

If you are a movie nerd, like me, Universal Studios is a must on your list! The tram ride had to have been my favorite! From driving through Whoville, almost getting thrown by King Kong, to seeing the cars used in Jurassic Park and Back to the Future, it was a thrill ride to remember!  Admission is $100 for 1 day.

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Things to Know:

Places to Eat: There are loads of yummy options in LA, from fine dining to quick bites to eat you will never lack options!

Crave Café – This has to be on the top of my list as far as breakfast places are concerned. We loved it so much we went back twice! They have build-your-own omelets and the most delicious pancakes and waffles! Seriously you can’t miss this when you are in LA.

Hummus Bar Express – We stopped by the hummus bar for a quick bite to eat. It was delicious!! From Shawarma Sandwiches to Israeli Salads to countless hummus options, you will be in heaven!

Moonshadows – Head into Malibu to experience the most breathtaking sunset views! Moonshadows offers inside and outside dining! You can eat your meal, right above the water as you listen to the sound of the waves rolling in. Sam and I even got to see dolphins!

Where to Stay: We stayed in the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City. This was probably on the pricier side, but it is a great location and right in the middle of all the attractions.

Transportation: We rented a car for the whole time we were in California. Cabs are way too expensive and there is little public transportation. (besides it seemed the best option since we were driving to San Diego). We used Enterprise for around $200.

Time: Pacific Daylight Time

Currency: US Dollars

Day 2

Still LA…

Venice Beach

If you want a day at the beach, I recommend trying out Venice beach! It is a great location; the beach is huge! There are shops and the famous skateboard park if you get bored with your toes in the sand. Word of warning: I don’t recommend bringing any large or expensive equipment with you unless you are planning to keep an eye on it. Venice Beach is also a great place to watch the sunset!

Santa Monica Pier

Another great beach location is the Santa Monica Pier! This was not my favorite beach, but if a boardwalk with loads of things to do is your thing, then I recommend visiting! We did notice the beach had a particular smell (due to the trash cans lining the beach). I’m hoping we just caught it on a bad day, and it is not always like that.

Chinese Theater

If you are traveling to LA for celebrity watching, a great place to start is the Chinese Theater! This is where the ground is covered in cement slabs with celebrities’ autographs and footprints! Some famous celebrities include Dick Van Dyke, Meryl Streep, and Robert Downey Jr. to name a few!

Walk of Fame

Heading out of the Chinese theater is a great starting point for the Walk of Fame. The Walk of Fame is where you will see famous actors, singers, etc. with their names in a star. It is a public sidewalk and stretches for 1.3 miles. Here is a guide to all the celebrities that have stars.

Day 3

Getting up bright and early, we enjoyed a great meal at Crave Café and hit the road.

San Diego – We had an awesome time in LA, but now it is time we head south to San Diego!

As you may have heard, traffic in LA is insane! So be sure to add some extra travel time to your itinerary. It took us about 2 hours once you are out of the city, the drive is beautiful!

San Diego Zoo

Our first stop of the day was the San Diego Zoo! One of the main reasons for going was to see the polar and panda bear – two of my favorite animals! The San Diego Zoo is home to over 3,500 animals! It is also known for being a pioneer for open-air, cageless exhibits that re-create natural animal habitats. It is a huge park that also has tram rides, bus tours, and shows. Be sure to plan your time wisely and wear your walking shoes!

Things to Know:

Places To Eat: San Diego has the most beautiful coast – more famously La Jolla Drive. This is where you can watch for seals! San Diego has some great restaurant options! Here is one of our favorites!

Georges – This is a rooftop bar! We highly recommend making a reservation, it is very popular – with good reason! The views speak for themselves! The food was phenomenal! I got the delicious tacos and for dessert a lava cake!

Where to Stay: Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa. This was another semi-pricy option. But again, it was in a great location! Not to mention the full access to the pool, and outside hot tube!

This ends our trip to California! It was a whirlwind of fun and I can’t wait to visit again!

If you have any specific questions about visiting California please be sure to leave a comment below or contact us!

Until the next destination!

Check out our weekend travel guide to Chicago

Also, if you are planning a trip to NYC, be sure to check out this post!