We flew into LAX and spent the night in Marina Del Ray. Our room view in the morning was a bit hazy, but the hills can be seen in the background and the Pacific Ocean to the left (click on any picture below to enlarge).
We spent the morning walking Venice Beach. Baywatch was there to protect us.
Although the morning started off hazy, the girls enjoyed playing on the pacific beach.
Including a few races.
Venice Beach is an interesting place. Explaining who all the people pushing "medicinal marijuana" were was interesting. Some unique signs:
From Venice Beach we spent lunchtime at the Santa Monica Pier.
We watched a filming of Nickelodeon's game show, Brainsurge. Interesting, but slow. Made us wonder if Wheel of Fortune had so much stop and go to accommodate taping. The losers went down the soapy Brain Drain slide, while the winners got slimed. Not sure anyone wins.
Our stay next took us to Beverly Hills. Although the hotel was nice and comfy, our view was the side of a building. We spent the next few days exploring the touristy spots of Beverly Hills and Hollywood.
On Rodeo Drive, we hit all the famous high end shops including a stop into Harry Winston's. The exclusive jewelery boutique, which supplies celebrities with their award show jewelry, is filled with gorgeous diamonds and other stones. We were the only patrons in the small shop, but were accompanied by two salespersons and two security personnel. When one salesperson asked if we were visiting, and where from, Alison paused, thought about answering, "Minnesota," looked around at the setting and calmly replied, "New York."
We made the 50 minute drive up the 101 to Simi Valley and the newly renovated Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. There was interesting stuff for both the kids and the adults. Included in the exhibits is the 707 used as Air Force One. Retired after Reagan to make way for the new 747, this plane served Reagan, Carter, Ford and Nixon.
Well?One of the exhibits was a full replica of Reagan's Oval Office. However, since flash photography was not allowed through most of the Library, pictures were most blurry.
The Library is set upon the beautiful hills of Simi Valley.
We took a tour of the famous Warner Brothers' Studios. The "VIP" tour included a golf cart ride through the backlot with famous filming locations for a number of movies and TV shows. Additionally, we saw a number of features in the "front lot" where the studios are located. Although most shows were on hiatus while we were there, we were taken to the set for "The Big bang Theory."
The General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard:
The entrance to "Chicago's" L train from the TV show ER:
Scooby Doo's Mystery Machine van:
A generic "anywhere" backlot set:
We toured the Prop House with a number of both common and "historical" props. The Prop House also included a full set from the filming of TV series "Friends." Central Perk was the famous set most often used on the show. After viewing the set, we asked if we could take pictures sitting on the couch.
The tour also included a stop at the WB museum, but we weren't allowed to take pictures there. At the time we were there, they were filming for the upcoming Clint Eastwood/ Leonardo DiCaprio film, J. Edgar. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the tour, our group of 36 was divided into 3 groups of 12. One of the other groups got a chance to see Clint, who walked right past their cart. Whether he said anything or not in unknown to us.
While in Hollywood, we arranged a horseback riding trip through the Hollywood Hills. It was actually a horseback ride I had taken almost 20 years prior when I went to L.A. for Spring Break in college. The hour ride walked us up and around the grounds between the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory.
Speaking of the Griffith Observatory, we visited the L.A. landmark that has a great view of the city, and the distinction of being a filming spot for Rebel Without a Cause with James Dean.
From L.A., we headed down the 405 past Long Beach to Newport Beach. The Marriot Vacation Club resort sat high above the California coast. Although not on the beach, it allowed a beautiful view of the Pacific including a couple great sunsets.
The Newport Coast was the only place the kids really got an opportunity to swim, and the pools were terrific.
Although the hotel was in Newport Beach, we spent most of our time outside the hotel in Laguna Beach.
Including on St. Patrick's Day:
Although the water was about 60 degrees, three of us ventured in for a surfing lesson (Alison remained on land as "official photographer").
Katie:
Katie:
Emily:
I should not be photographed in a wetsuit, thank you...
Our final stop took us to San Diego. Upon arriving, we headed straight to the San Diego Zoo.
We ended the trip with a nice visit to San Diego's Historic Old Town for a nice Mexican dinner. Old Town is filled with restaurants and souvenir shops, including this one:
How's that for Synergies??
We returned to this:
It's close to Southern California... Sort of.
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