California Family Vacation

It's been several years since we all went on a family vacation. It's a little difficult planning things to do when your kids range in age from 1 to 42 but I managed, I think, to hit something for everyone.

First stop (Tuesday) - San Diego and picking up rental cars. Since Michael and I were staying at an Indian reservation casino in Alpine, Ca (about 45 minutes east of San Diego), we decided to head on over and check in to our hotel.

Even though it took about an hour for the rental car company to get a vehicle large enough for 2 adults, 4 kids and several suitcases, that wasn't about to stop the Taylor's from visiting Waterfront Park before heading to their hotel in San Diego for dinner and a little swimming.

Before heading to the Padres games on Wednesday, the Taylor's made a quick stop at Mission Beach.

Michael was more interested in exploring Petco Park where the Padres play so we were there early so he could get his Padres hat. Michael has a bucket list to visit every MLB stadium; this makes stadium number 8.

The weather was extremely hot and our seats were directly in the sun. I had to keep going to the concourse where it was shaded just to cool off. I thought of sitting in the shaded seats but most Padres games are sold out. Go figure!

Jamie took the kids to the back of the stadium where they have a playground area for kids. While the Padres lost it was a nail biting 9th inning. The bases were loaded and the Padres were behind by 2 runs. They just couldn't pull through with the Pittsburg Pirates winning the game.

After the game we headed to Old Town San Diego for dinner. I believe we went to the place Michele recommended - Casa de Reyes. It was a large outdoor restaurant with small shops in a plaza type atmosphere. The food was good but I'm more a Taco Bell girl - a little too spicy for my taste.

The sun, the game and dinner took every bit of energy I had, so Michael and I headed back to the casino. The Taylor's, however, headed to La Jolla beach to see the sea lions. One sea lion was even brave enough to come up on the shore.

Thursday was a rest day for me and Michael staying at Viejas casino. It was a beautiful hotel and casino on one of California's many Indian reservations. Playing slots, reading and resting were the main things on our agenda.

Meanwhile, the Taylor's were headed to Los Angeles stopping once again at Lo Jolla beach; this time so the kids could play in the sand and water.

I think their goal was to hit every beach between San Diego and Los Angeles with their next stop at Huntington Beach.

The kids had a great day playing in the sand and dodging the waves off the ocean.

Friday was none other than Disneyland. I remember going to Disneyland as a kid but seeing Disneyland through the eyes of a kid compared to an adult is COMPLETELY different. 

When Violet was a baby, Michael, Melissa, Jamie and I took her to Disney World in Florida. We tried to recreate a picture of Michael and Violet and compare it with Goldie's Disneyland experience. The first picture is Michael and Violet 9 years ago. The second is Michael and Violet today. I added the 3rd picture of Michael, Violet and Goldie first of all because Goldie won't hold Michael's hand and 2nd...

Goldie is wearing the exact same outfit Violet wore on her first trip to Disney World.

Just walking from the hotel to the park was enough of an experience for me. We all took turns watching the little kids so the "big" kids could ride rides.

I even went on a few rides that didn't involve anything too thrilling. I like the slow, easy rides as opposed to the fast roller coaster type rides.

I also tried to recreate another picture of Michael and Melissa with a 9 year difference. I really don't see much difference in age between the two pictures. Maybe a little but kids don't seem to age like older adults....or so I've been told!

And let's don't forget Mom and her babies. I really was there too.

After the afternoon parade, Michael and I had had enough Disney so we headed back to the hotel...another "fun" trip in itself. The Taylor's stayed for more fun and excitement. Lincoln even rode Thunder Mountain. That boy loves his roller coasters. What a fun experience!

Saturday morning Michael wanted to make a quick stop at Anaheim Stadium to pick up another hat. Even though the Los Angeles Angels were out of town, this still counted as visiting another stadium - number 9.

On our way to Hollywood to meet up with the Taylor's, we stopped at the famous In-N-Out Burgers...this one in Whittier, Ca. Great cheeseburgers!

We found Melissa at a gift shop on Hollywood Boulevard. Only time for one picture before the Taylor's headed across the street to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch.

Before that, they'd been to Griffith Park to view downtown Los Angeles.

Then a quick stop at the Hollywood sign. If you look real close, you can see the sign in the distance. They said this was about as close as they could get.

Michael and I traveled down Hollywood Boulevard looking at all the stars on the sidewalk. Not that Sandra Bullock (a little hard to read) is my favorite but I do enjoy her movies.

We then decided to go into Madame Tussauds wax museum to take some funny pictures.

Everything seems so real in this place. I was constantly saying "excuse me" to statues and wondering why people were getting in my way.

Some people say Michael looks like Bruce Willis...well maybe a younger version. And there's some inside joke with his friends about Justin Timberlake. Who knows, but we had a blast!

I don't remember all the things the Taylor's did after lunch besides walk the boulevard. I do know it took them about 2 hours to get served and finish eating at the Hard Rock.

Meanwhile, Michael and I left Hollywood and headed for the Santa Monica pier.

Michael has never had his feet in the Pacific Ocean so we trudged through the sand so we could put our feet in the water.

Now he can say he's been from coast to coast.

We did all this while waiting to eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. This restaurant is based on the film Forrest Gump. In the movie, Forrest ran coast to coast first reaching the Pacific Ocean at the Santa Monica pier. The food was delicious.

We ended our journey at the end of the pier and the end of Route 66. Although Route 66 has had several "official" and "unofficial" ending points, the Santa Monica pier is considered the end of the route only because the ocean stood in its way.

Sunday the Taylor's headed to Disney California Adventure Park, another part of Disneyland. While Disneyland is more classic Disney, Adventure Park is more modern Disney.

I'm not sure if that mean the snacks were much different.

But I do know that Lincoln chowed down on a turkey leg. Lincoln not only loves roller coasters but he loves his meat.

While the Taylor's were at the park, Michael and I decided to hit Rodeo Drive.

Then we saw the Beverly Hills sign but couldn't find a place to park. We found an empty handicapped spot, parked the car, jumped out and took the picture all within a few minutes. What some people will do in order to get a good photo op.

After this we headed to Dodgers Stadium for the baseball game. Michael got his hat and now has a total of 10 Major League Baseball stadiums he's been to. This stadium is HUGE. I mean we rode the elevator to the 9th - that's right - the 9th floor to get this picture before heading back to our seats about 10 rows behind the Dodgers dugout.

After the game we decided to hit Muscle Beach. Again look really, really hard and you can see the Muscle Beach sign. There were several guys out flexing their muscles and working out.

Muscle Beach and Venice Beach blend into one another so it's just walking around the shop area to get from beach to beach.

Marijuana is legal in California and you can sure tell buy all the graffiti. And the smell is enough to make you high for several days. But it was interesting to see. I wanted to get henna tattoos and scare Melissa but Michael wouldn't do it. Although isn't henna bad for you????? I'm clueless when it comes to this type of stuff.

Michael and I were staying in San Diego that night so we had to get on the road for our 2 hour trip back to Viejas. I've read too many books and seen too many movies about Compton, California. Compton is mostly known for its drug and gang violence and isn't safe to walk around after dark. According to the internet, gang activity is still present and violence happens hourly. Needless to say, Michael wouldn't go through Compton although it was only about 15 minutes east of the highway. I was just curious but even I got a little nervous when we saw the exit for Crenshaw Boulevard which runs through the middle of Compton and it was covered in graffiti.

On our last day we all met at La Jolla Children's beach. We could see the seals but none were coming close to the beach. They were just out in the middle of the ocean bobbing their heads up and down.

After lunch we headed back to Mission Beach to kill time before heading to the airport. Both pictures have a little of Mission Beach. Volleyball, basketball, sand and the beach were the highlights of this day. Oh.....and family time. One of the best days of the trip for me.

All too soon, or just in time, depends on how you look at it, our vacation time was over and it was time to head home. I don't envy Jamie and Melissa having to travel with 4 kids. SO MUCH STUFF! But I wouldn't trade any of my family for anything.

Goldie isn't looking and Hazel is hiding but that's the way we rock for today!