Day 5 in SoCal

Laguna Beach

no description needed

 

Day 4 in SoCal

The Happiest Place On Earth

Started out a 8:30 at Disneyland.  Thanks to a client and friend of Sandy's, we had valet parking at the Grand Californian, and a Guest Services representative who met us at the door with all the info we needed.

Weather was cool and no crowds in the morning so we saw almost every attraction we wanted before we took a break at 2:00.

Began with a double decker bus ride to Fantasyland. 

Country Bear Restaurant in Critter Country, watching the ducks and the boats.

New Orleans Square to ride Pirates, and hear the band.

 Of course we bought Mickey krispie treats.

And of course we rode the train.

(The benches at the top of the stairs is where we sat for the parade and fireworks

at night, again thanks to the arrangements made by Sandy's client.)

View of the Matterhorn from the train.

I had never been to Tom Sawyer's Island, so we took the raft over.

Then we came back at night for the parade and fireworks.....

(We took most of these pictures, but a couple we got from the internet because

it's a little difficult to get great pictures in the dark.)

Day 3 in SoCal

Drove past some more of the places Sandy listed in the first posts --

Monastery of the Angels to buy their perfect pumpkin bread...

Griffith Park for picnic lunch...

Driving tour through Downtown LA...

Chinatown

Disney Concert Hall

On our way to Anaheim, stopped to visit Kim and Kiba...

In Anaheim for best onion rings in the world at...

Day 2 in SoCal

 Started out at the original Farmer's Market.

Then had movie fun and a marathon lunch with Jackie.

Afternoon, we took Holly to the dog park.

And at night, we went up on the roof of Sandy's building.  

Downtown LA at the left

Day 1 in SoCal

Yesterday morning when I got up I looked out the window to see palm trees and Sandy’s wonderful balcony aerie.  That is a great way to start the day.  We took our time getting ready and packing lunches (Sandy was prepared with a great spread) then headed out for a tour – Sandy posted pictures earlier in the blog.  I snapped a couple of shots of the Hollywood sign, downtown LA, and Griffith Observatory. 

 Downtown

 Griffith Observatory

 Hollywood Sign

We stopped to get what was surely one of the best pastries I’ve had, sort of a caramel-topped cinnamon roll, called a Cinnamon Flake, and ate our breakfast in the Beverly Hills park that was just refurbished.  It had originally been part of the Beverly Hills hotel ground – the hotel that Robbie’s great grandmother established.  I think several of you have seen the book Robbie wrote about the hotel. 

We took an incredibly scenic drive to Santa Monica pier and had lunch at the Palisades Park right by the rose garden.  Our bench overlooked the ocean.  Then, we went over to the pier and walked all the way out, watching seagulls and enjoying a fabulous breeze.

We drove back over to Jeannie and Robbie’s house.  They are just delightful.  Jeannie walked us through her garden (incredible) and Robbie gave me an autographed copy of the second book, Beverly Hills, the first 100 years.  Last night was just a sit and relax night.

We’re getting ready to go to the farmers’ market, then over to see a movie with Jackie.  I am having the BEST time!  More to come.

Maps

The LA/Orange County Area

Thursday we drove through Hollywood, Beverly Hills, (see 2nd map).

Then we went up Coldwater Canyon to Mulholland Drive which is a road that runs along the top of the ridge that separates Los Angeles/Beverly Hills/Santa Monica on the south side from the San Fernando valley on the north side.  It's a drive through the foothills with eucalyptus trees, and amazing view on both sides.

We then took Sunset over to Santa Monica - the Palisades Park which is a bluff overlooking the ocean, and then a stroll out on the pier.

Hollywood/Beverly Hills/Downtown

Thursday we took a driving tour down Hollywood Boulevard, then along Sunset over to the Home Depot which has the best views of the Hollywood sign, Griffith Park, and downtown.  We then drove down Melrose past Paramount Studios, and spent a couple of minutes at the La Brea Tar Pits.  After that it was over to Beverly Hills for some pastries at the Will Rogers Park.  

We then took our drive across Mulholland to Santa Monica (see 1st map.)

Your first stop - Poinsettia Place Balcony Garden

(Holly, usually full of smiles, is clearly not a morning "person")