As this is my last weekend in Southern California before the big move up North, I thought I would share some of my favorite things that I like to do in SoCal!
Disneyland
My favorite thing to do in Southern California is to go to Disneyland. I had an annual pass for several years. It was so much fun just being able to pop into the park for an afternoon or evening. Sometimes on my way home from South Coast Plaza (aka the biggest mall on the West Coast), when traffic was too bad I would stop by Disneyland for 2-3 hours, grab a bite to eat and go on a few rides. Granted, the pass prices have gone up significantly, I still love to go. I will miss going here the most. The 60th anniversary celebration is going on right now, check it out here.
 |
| Disneyland! |
While living down here, I achieved a bucket list item of mine: go on every single ride at both parks. I did it. I even battled my fear of heights and went on the giant ferris wheel just to say I did it. The other people that I shared the car with thought I was going to pass out when we were sitting at the top. It’s all good. No passing out or vomiting occurred. Needless to say, my fear of heights remains present.tt
 |
| Radiator Springs in Carsland! |
The first year I moved down here Carsland had *just* opened. It was SO CRAZY packed. The Radiator Springs Racers is a lot of fun though.
 |
| delicious treats at the cozy cone motel |
But my favorite time to go to Disneyland was during Halloweentime. What’s nice it’s still light out later in the evening and the weather is really quite nice as well. It’s warm but not too hot. I love how they decorate the whole park with a Halloween and Autumn theme. I would go during Tuesdays or Wednesdays and there would seriously be no one in the park. I would just walk straight on rides without a wait. It was so nice! I will miss doing that!
 |
| Halloweentime is the best! |
I wrote about my experience at Disneyland during Halloweentime here in case you missed it. I also wrote about my experience at Disneyland during Christmas time here if you missed it.
Bottega Louie
My source of French pastries when I’m not in France. Granted, this store is all the way in downtown LA (so 1 to 2 hours depending on traffic from mere) but it is closer than France! I wrote about my experience at Bottega Louie here. Now I’m sure I can find a French pastry shop in San Francisco, but Bottega Louie copied Laduree down to the cute little boxes. You can see their website here.
Roger’s Gardens
I will really miss shopping here. Or more like browsing since it’s expensive. This is the BEST home and garden shop. They have lots of plants, and unusual plants, but during Halloween and Christmas they really out do every one with their seasonal selections. They have unique products that are high quality and beautiful. You can seriously spend hours looking around. We might have to make a special trip during Christmas time to enjoy some SoCal Winter and get some shopping done! I wrote about Roger’s Gardens during Halloween and Christmas. You can check out their website here.
They always had the neatest displays…
They would completely redecorate their whole store during the seasons.
They have a whole bunch of highly decorated Christmas trees each with a different theme… so there is something for everyone!
The Pacific Coast Highway and the Beach
There’s nothing quite like cruising down the PCH and going to the beach. Even though the Pacific Ocean is cold here, lots of people still swim and surf in it! I just liked sitting on the beach… the water is too cold for me!
Sprinkles Cupcakes
This cupcake store is the famous one that claims to have started the cupcake trend nationwide. They even have cupcake ATMs so you can get your fix 24/7. I personally like the peanut butter chocolate chip cupcake the best! You know what else is nice? Grabbing a Sprinkles Cupcakes then enjoy it while doing my other favorite thing… sitting at the beach. Check out their website here.
Red O Restaurant
Our favorite restaurant is by Top Chef Master Rick Bayless. His food is traditional Mexican cuisine with modern interpretations. It is SO GOOD. This is kind of a swanky restaurant and we would only go here for special occasions. Check out the website here.
One of his appetizers is a sampler of guacamole… each cup holds a different flavor. Our favorite was the walnut pomegranate. I know it sounds weird, but is is delicious!!
The Pasadena Flea Market
I loved going to the Pasadena flea market held once a month at the Rose Bowl. It is the second Sunday of every Month. It was so much fun… granted, I only found some treasures in my price range a few times. The website is here.
While I will miss some things about SoCal, I am so excited to be moving up North. San Francisco is my favorite city in the US, so I’m excited I will be much closer to it!
Thank you for stopping by!!
You can also follow me by clicking on these: bloglovin, instagram, twitter, pinterest, and google plus.
Sharing at…
Friday Favorites with A Little Bit of Everything, Momfessionals, and Grace and Love
Five on friday at A Liz Adventures .
Friday Favorites at the Diary of a Real Housewive
Oh Hey, Friday! at September FARM
Written at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com
I currently live in Orange County, so this is such a fun list to look at!
I will have to check out that Bottega Louie bakery, looks amazing.
I used to live in Santa Monica and loved driving on the PCH and going to the beach to read and run the path.
Great list thanks for sharing!
Yes, you must check it out? My favorite treat is the Fraisier cake!
I have to take a trip to California I have relatives in northern California and never been there to visit them.
When I was first married we lived in Bakersfield and Los Ban-dos ? Then Blythe once OMGosh HOT
Blythe is hot and out in the middle of nowhere! How terrible to live there! You should come out to CA, I recommend going to Yosemite, Napa Valley, and San Francsico if you are going up North!
Enjoyed reading this blog. I'm a native San Franciscan and still live in NorCal. My family are also die-hard Disneyland fans. We are annual passholders (and though the price has really gone up – it allows for many visits to make it worthwhile). So you don't have to give up Disney! Also I don't know where you are moving, but we do have Sprinkles here. Also Kara's Cupcakes are a favorite. Good luck on your new adventure.
Oh, I didn't know they built a Sprinkles up here! I am in the Sacramento area and like to go to the Bay Area for fun and visit relatives. Thanks for the tip about Kara's cupcakes too!
Great information! I live in SoCal as well and haven't heard of the cute bakery, garden shop, or flea market. Disneyland, well yes 😉 and that ferris wheel is no joke! I can't handle it!
Depending on where you live, there's a long beach flea market as well but I never made it down there.
I've never been to California but would love to go! I'd especially like to check out Disneyland and the PCH. Thanks so much for this wonderful roundup, and I hope your move goes well. Finally, I'd like to invite you to the High Five for Friday linkup I co-host on my blog. It goes live at 7 am EST every Friday:)
Tif
http://www.brightonabudget.com