We decided that the kids get way too many toys for Christmas only to play with them for a month and then toss them to the side and forget about them, so this year we started a family tradition of taking the kids on a vacation for Christmas instead of buying them any presents. We want them to realize that the true meaning of Christmas is about spending time together as a family instead of just getting presents. Our son decided that he wanted to go to Disneyland, so we took a week and traveled to Los Angeles for Christmas. We decided to take out parents as well, this was my dad’s and his mom’s first time ever flying! We rented a house from VRBO in Pacific Palisades and we have so many great memories from this trip.
DAY 1
Santa Monica Beach first thing in the morning. This was my dad’s first time to ever see the ocean!This is the travel angel that is located in the Los Angeles Farmers Market.The second thing we did after the beach was go to The Los Angeles Farmer’s Market. We got there right at 9 a.m. when it opened on a Saturday morning and it was not crowded at all.This is the second tallest Christmas Tree in California. It is located at The Grove, which is a shopping center located at the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market.We ate lunch at Canters Deli. It is located near The Los Angeles Farmer’s Market. From the outside, it looks like a small dive, but on the inside it has multiple rooms of tables. It has a dedicated parking lot to the side of the building to park at as well.This is the corned beef and pastrami sandwich that they are known for. It is on Gluten Free bread too!The hostess at Canter’s Deli was from Middle Tennessee and since we are also from Middle Tennessee she brought us 2 plates of desserts!The La Brea Tar Pits. This was a great educational experience. This is the tar pit in front of the museum, this is actually not a real tar pit. This was hand made by the museum just for decoration.We took the full tour of The La Brea Tar Pits which is about $15/person and includes 3 different tours. This one was taken at the Observation Deck and I caught a bubble right before it burst.The La Brea Tar PitsTo end the first day in Los Angeles we went to Griffith Observatory. It is free to the public and it is very busy. This is a view of the Hollywood sign from the Observatory.This is the view of Downtown Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory.
DAY 2
The first thing we did to miss the crowd was go to Mann’s Chinese TheaterThis is right in front of Mann’s Chinese TheaterThis is at a crosswalk on Hollywood Blvd. We were walking to the car and I looked down waiting for the light to change and seen it. I am not sure which crosswalk we were at.This is on Hollywood Blvd and the “red carpet” on the stairs going all the way to the famous couch where most people get their pictures made. It is a great view of the Hollywood Sign.Next we went to Greystone Mansion. Not a lot of people know about it. There is usually only about 30 to 50 visitors a day. It is free to the public to walk around the grounds and to take photos. You cannot go inside the house, it is privately owned even though it is vacant. Many movies were filmed at this house, National Treasure, The Big Lebowski, Death Becomes Her, Batman and Robin, Gilmore Girls, and The Social Network just to name a few.Another photo of the grounds at Greystone Mansion. It has so many beautiful places for family photos.We grabbed lunch at Carneys. It is an old train car that has been turned into a restaurant. It is on Sunset Blvd.This is inside Carneys. Right after we ordered, the owner came to our table to ask us how we found out about this place because he could tell by our accent we were from the south. That is when he told us it is a popular destination for celebrities and that Sandra Bullock was standing right behind us! We had no idea!After lunch we headed over to Rodeo Drive. Needless to say, we just window shopped.I read online that you can get a private tour of the Egyptian Theater. Its $90 for your group. I would highly recommend this, this was a hidden gem. We had a tour guide just for us and he was so knowledgeable. This theater was were the “Red Carpet” originated in 1922. This was built before Mann’s Chinese Theater.This is what the theater looks like on the inside. the screen is smaller than most screens now, but they are putting it back to its original state. They still show movies daily and have public tours once a month on a Saturday. The ceiling is all original and actually the tar from cigarettes where people smoked inside years ago preserved the ceiling.This is another shot at the ceiling, the blue fabric on the ceiling is original and if you look close the black dots are actually stars. When the lights are low you can really see them.These are the original dogs that were in the movie Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor in 1963. They are now on display inside the Egyptian Theater.We ended the night eating at Thai Vegetarian Kitchen on Santa Monica Blvd.
DAY 3
The first thing we did was go to the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. It is free to the public but you have to get online and get tickets that tell you what time you can enter the museum. There is a $15 parking fee. This is one of 2 location of the J. Paul Getty Museum. This is a museum dedicated to the art and culture of ancient Rome and Greece.The hallway at the entrance of The Getty VillaThis is an ornate medallion that was hanging from the ceiling of The Getty VillaNext, we went to Point Dume State Beach in Malibu. It is free to the public. My advice is to not park at the top of the point, but to drive down to the public beach and park and walk around.This is me hiking back up the rocks to go get the car, lesson learned to park at the public beach.A view of the waves hitting the rocks.The sunset at Santa Monica Beach.We visited Venice Beach of a night. To really see the culture diversity and to see the skateboarders and musicians I would suggest going during the day.This was a completely different beach boardwalk experience for us. It is so culturally diverse and eclectic. Everyone needs to visit here at least once.The End of Route 66 is on the Santa Monica Pier.This is actually located past all the rides and vendors at the end of the pier behind the restaurant.This picture was taken while we were on the Ferris Wheel. I had obtained through work a package for 4 adult armbands and 4 meals for $70 for the Santa Monica Pier. The ride area is actually called Pacific Park and the food is like fair food, hot dogs, hamburgers, and fries.This is located in the Pacific Park area where the food vendors are. Its really cool to look down in there and see the ocean waves crashing in under you.
DAY 4
Finally Disneyland!!! This was taken while riding “It’s a small world” The countries are changed to represent Christmas and it is absolutely beautiful.The Haunted Mansion is decorated starting at Halloween through New Year to represent The Nightmare before Christmas. The ride itself is changed to The Nightmare before Christmas as well.The Haunted Mansion. This has a Fastpass during Christmas which I would take advantage of. Christmas is so hectic, it is best to pick about 10 rides you really want to ride and that be the goal. I would also suggest getting there when it opens and going straight to the back where Dumbo and It’s a small world is and ride them first.The Christmas Parade is at 2:00 in the afternoon.This is a Mickey Statue on the gate to Minnie’s house. You go inside Minnie and Mickey’s house to meet them. We waited in line 60 minutes for each one. It is Christmas and the wait times are long.This is a must see! It’s a small world lit up at night. It is located in the back of the park but so worth walking back there again to see all the lights.A gorgeous view of the Tea Cup ride lit up at night.Sleeping Beauty’s castle lit up for Christmas was breathtaking.
DAY 5
We decided to explore Downtown Los Angeles. First we went to the Japanese Village Plaza for some shopping and brunch.This is one of the few places in Los Angeles you can get fresh Mochi. We waited in line for over an hour because we went New Year’s Eve. It is a custom to give fresh Mochi as a gift at New Year’s, something we found out while waiting in line.Finally! Mochi!Next we decided to head to Olvera St. This is the nativity scene they put up for Christmas.This is the oldest street in Los Angeles. It is a tiny street with vendors set up, you just walk up and down it, there are no vehicles on it. You can visit the oldest house which is Avila Adobe built in 1818. It is free to the public and the entrance is on Olvera St.This is a Day of the Dead doll that can be bought in many of the stores on Olvera St.The entrance to see the Mural is on Olvera St. This is “America Tropical” a mural located on a building in Downtown Los Angeles. You take an elevator up to the top of the museum to see it. We went at the end of the day where they actually put a fake mural over the top of it every afternoon to preserve the original one. We got to see the fake one drop down over the real one.Last stop of the day was the Venice Canals. These are man-made canals built in 1905 to try to recreate the feel of Venice, Italy. Most of the canals were filled in 1929 to make room for roads, but some still remain today and are part of the Historic District.
DAY 6
On New Year’s Day we bought seats to The Rose Parade in Pasadena through Sharp Seating Co. The prices varies based on your view and the ticket prices range from about $50-100 a person. Parking is $30 and you purchase it when you purchase your seat tickets, it is all through the same company. This was the opening of the parade.The Rose Bowl Game float.After the parade you can pay $10/person and see the floats up close. I would highly recommend this. You get to see how much work and dedication is really put into these floats. You can purchase your tickets through Sharp Seating Co or you can pay when you get there. Here you can see the Lemons that decorate the fish.Here is another up close photo of a floatThey said the float prices range from$350,000 up to millions of dollars. So much money and time is put into these floats.This is made out of rice and coconut.Of course, you cannot go to California and not go to In and Out!!! I had a grilled cheese with onions and special sauce and it was delicious!
DAY 7
We drove south to San Clemente State Beach. It is a beautiful beach that was not crowded and the train goes by right at the beach.A view of the train tracksAnother view of the tracksNest we drove up the Pacific Coast highway to Newport BeachThis is a huge globe at the base of the Newport Beach Pier. This globe shows how the city has evolved.Last stop was Manhattan Beach. This is one of my favorite beaches! It is absolutely beautiful.
