My Vacay to California!

Hi everyone!

I recently took a trip with the in-laws and my husband to California. It was a last minute trip (although we planned it months ago) and we wanted to make the most out of it!

We landed in San Francisco airport and stayed a night there. The weather was warmer than Minnesota's and I was happy with it! Since we were on a budget, we decided to sleep in the Motel 6 chains. The Motel 6 in San Fransisco was not bad. It wasn't dirty or anything, it's just that you pay for what you get!

When we checked in, we were looking for the elevators. So about three minutes later, we still haven't found the elevators. I finally made the move to go ask the receptionist. She gave me a very weird look and pointed to the DOOR we passed so many times. Yes, this elevator was opened like a door; that's why it took us a while to find it. Besides, I'm used to the 'normal' elevators that slides open.

<------------ My husband's brother, Mobert, showing us how this elevator opens.

After a night in San Fran, we rented a car and drove 6.5 hours to L.A. We slept three night in Van Nyes (a suburb of L.A.) because the rates were cheaper. Besides, it was only 20 minutes away from L.A. anyway. The Motel 6 here was A LOT cleaner and I was more happy with it!

Well, I guess I expected too much out of L.A. I thought I was going to see glam and glitters, and movie stars, hot people, and high end fashion malls. Well, heck no.

Instead, I saw dirty streets.

I was a bit surprised! I mean, the hell with my expectations! Who am I to expect such things right? Haha, so I let it go.

We drove to Santa Monica's Pier and spent half of the day there. We walked along the beach and enjoyed the beautiful weather there. No snow, just the sun shining down on us. No jackets, boots, and winter gears. Although locals were in jackets and hats, we Minnesotans were sweating. The temp. was 65 degrees. I would take that over 10 below anyday! So, I also got myself this t-shirt (below).

After a day in Santa Monica, we drove to Hollywood and searched for that Hollywood sign. Haha! We found it at last!

We also went whale watching in Long Beach. This was an experience I will never forget! My husband Paul and I, and my mother in law got extremely sick on the boat! We all threw up, THREE times! It was hilarious! While all the bathrooms were occupied by them, I had to throw up over board! I couldn't help it! But we saw a whale and I will never forget this! This was a rare sighting!

Long Beach, CA. Such a beautiful city!

This was the gray whale we saw while out whale watching! After all the vomiting, I guess this was worth it!

We headed to Universal City where we shopped for gifts for family and friends back home. It wasn't something we've never seen. I felt these outdoor malls were overdone. I guess because we're from MN (where every city has a mall or two, or even three), I felt it wasn't anything new. But, I guess I just had to go see how different it is from MN's malls. 

And of course, you gotta get this done. The in-laws and Mobert got had this done. Paul and I decided not to get one because I wasn't a fan of it. =)

When I saw Sugar Land (a candy store), I had to go in it! I LOVE LOVE candies and just wanted to see what all the hype was about! So, I met her!

AND, gummy bear bras? I don't think they have my size! Haha!

This was the bag I bought from Universal City. I love the animal prints.

We also went to Fresno, Merced, Sacramento (mostly to visit family members), and back to San Fransisco. Back in San Fran, we visited the Golden Gate Bridge. It was on a sunny morning, so the photos were a bit over exposed.

After the bridge, we went into China town and explored. Hmm, so many "Asian" trends you see. So much cute things. Everything was cheap. BUT, nothing's cheaper than the real China! When I went to study abroad in China, everything there were cheaper than Chinatown. So basically, we're kind of getting ripped off. Haha!

I can't believe we ended up buying so much! We had to buy another suit case to put all these in because the in-laws went crazy with gift buying! Look at these yellow bags we were carrying around. Locals were looking at us like we were crazy!

After a long day of shopping, we stopped to get some dim sum. Yummy! It was only $5 for all you can eat dim sum! Here is Paul, showing us how to eat!

The streets of San Fran! Freaking steep as heck! Walking up these streets were like doing a crazy workout!

AT LAST! Back at the airport and on our way back home to freezing MN!