california dreamin.
8:30 AM
I know it’s been a few weeks, but I still wanted to do a
post about Josh’s graduation trip! I was so proud of Josh graduating, and I was
even more excited to celebrate his certifiably smart-ness.
We went to Vegas, my grandparents’ house, Disneyland, Laguna
& Huntington Beach, and the Chino Air Show. Here are some tips for anyone who
is going to any of these places this summer.
Vegas
If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Vegas that is
chic, smells good, and doesn’t have the bustle of a casino, then the Vdara is
the place for you. We were so impressed with the modern, but warm atmosphere of
the hotel, and the great location—right next to the Bellagio. We actually
watched the fountain show right from our room! The whole hotel is smoke-free. The
pool is also great, and opens at 8am so you can take advantage of the Nevada
warm weather.
Riverside
The Mission Inn is a stunning historic site that started in
1876 and has been built over years into a Spanish-style resort with
breathtaking architecture, timeless beauty, and old world charm. It has a
delicious Mexican restaurant and gives tours around this historical Mission. Also,
if you are looking for a fantastic breakfast, the Jurupa
Hills Golf Course makes the best pancakes and bacon around. With
original tables and dishes from the 1950s/60s, this golf course diner’s charm is as great as its
food. We went there every morning we were in Riverside—and I’m missing it
already!
Disneyland
With the new Cars Land open, it's the busiest part of
California Adventure, and full of the most desired rides to try. It is often thought
that if you run there first thing when the park opens, you’ll get in the line
for Radiator Springs Racers first, and ride it first with only a
short wait. FALSE. You see, when that is the same idea everyone else has, you’ll
find yourself in a 4-hour long line with every other family in the park.
Instead, take advantage of the fact that the mobs of people who come to
Disney California Adventure are all waiting in the same line for the same ride, and have fun on
all the other rides with virtually no line! Like, we literally didn’t have to
get off some rides—they just sent us through again! Then, go to the Radiator
Springs Racers ride in the afternoon—after all the people who waited in line
have rode the newest attraction and since moved on to other things. What was a
4-hour wait will turn into 35 minutes if you can hit it at the right time.
Disneyland can be the best experience ever…if you know how to do it right. Also, be sure not to miss the Tower of Terror—it's my favorite!
Laguna
Beach
The Surf & Sand Resort is located
literally right in one of Laguna Beach’s secluded beaches. Request to be in the
main tower on the 6th floor or up, and then you’ll get perfect views
of the ocean and pelicans as they fly past your deck. The first Thursday of every
month there is an art walk along the street the hotel is located on, and a
delicious chocolate shop called The Chocolate Soldier is just a few minute walk down the road—you must try
their homemade s’more. Your mouth will thank you.
Chino Air Show
If you are into WWII planes or memorabilia,
then you will feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven at the Planes of Fame Airshow. This year’s air show
celebrated aviation history featuring the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. There
are only seven airworthy P-38s in the
world today, five of them flew
at the airshow, while a photorecon variant made up the sixth P-38 at the air
show. It was a rare and historic sight for all to see these
five P-38 Lightnings grace the skies in formational and individual flybys over
Chino Airport. If you missed it this year and love planes, be sure to put it in
your calendar for next May—who knows what other amazing aircraft they will have
at the show in 2014!
And there you have it—some tips to add flavor and fun to any California trip. We had the best time ever, and I can’t wait to go on another adventure with Josh!
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