....And we're back!

Laguna Beach

Left for California on August 5th. I couldn't wait to leave and get there, OH how I love California! I would MOVE there in a hot second! I love seeing the palm trees, the ocean, the perfect weather with no humidity, the farmer's markets EVERYWHERE, the boutiques, the surfer boys and girls and the mountains that look like a back drop of a picture everywhere you turn! WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE!?!?

Pacific Coast Highway

Let me remind you I am almost 8 months pregnant and nesting like a mother (you know what)... so until this trip, I've been such a homebody. I could stay in my house for days on end without caring about a thing other than this baby in my belly! So when we got to Cali, I was able to relax for oh say a HOT SECOND! Usually when Mario and I are on vacation, it's walking, biking touring, eating beaching, and repeat it all over for the next two weeks. THIS TIME, I had to remind him that I can't walk fast, I can't bounce on a bike, and I can't walk for 8 hours a day at his pace (super fast). 

Our Beach view

Our vaca started in Laguna Beach which is so laid back, full of surf shops and cute surfer boys and tan blonde girls. I love the way they talk. Everyone in Laguna was "chill" and easy going. We walked about 2 miles every morning to find Starbucks. Then we would walk to lunch and then to dinner. My adrenaline was kicking into high gear because of how excited I was to be away and in my favorite place, but by bed time- 9pm, I was SHOT! 

The one thing that gave me a little anxiety was all the traffic EVERYWHERE, highways, side streets, main roads...you name the road or street, and cars were piled on. 

The one thing that made me feel great was all the walking, as long as Mario slowed down a little, and we could stop so I could pee about every 15 minutes. This baby is either head-butting my bladder or punching or kicking it! 

Laguna Beach boardwalk

I ate super clean in Cali. Every morning we would have breakfast, lunch and dinner, and try to find some sort of juice place or smoothie place, so I would have a snack or two between meals. Most of the time, I would just eat three large meals and be fine in between with nothing. 

finally getting some sun!

Out to dinner!

 This pic was at the Montage Hotel in Laguna! Holy crap was this place insanely GORGEOUS! Only in our dreams could we stay here. The views were spectacular as was the sunset. We had dinner here.... If you ever go to Laguna, make a reservation to this place!

A view from our room!

 After spending 3 nights in Laguna, Mario was so excited for me to see Hermosa Beach! So off we went to our next destination. Driving through Hermosa, seemed even MORE townsy, and more laid back. To be honest at first I wasn't so crazy about it, but once we got to our hotel, and saw that we were 7 steps from the beach, I was thrilled! The beach was filled with volleyball nets and people playing, kids and families on the beach and in the water and so many people on the boardwalk. It's VERY family oriented. We LOVE that! Another casual beach town.

most beautiful sunset from our hotel room

Partial Ocean View Room

 We stayed at the Hermosa Beach House Inn. Thankfully, because everything else seemed run down and super old. This hotel was GORGEOUS, and the room was elegant, super clean and cozy! After walking ALL day, we would sit on our deck and people watch. The surfers, skaters, homeless and the rich.... All walks of life here, and they all blended so well.

Someone got too much sun!

 This Cool looking skeleton that was so patriotic was in Balboa. What a quant and gorgeous little UPSCALE town. Lots of walking, shopping sight seeing and fun! The homes are quite expensive and so beautiful as they sit on the bay overlooking boats. On one persons deck there sat this beauty! I happen to think she should stay outta the sun! How about you!?

Balboa Beach Surfer

 Our view everyday! How could you ever get sick of this? I was wishing Gabby Reece would show up and show these kids how it's done!

From the Pier looking at the beach I took this incredible shot!

Early morning view from our room

 Every morning we would wake up to a cloudy ski, but by 10:00, the clouds would burn off and the sun would beam all day. FUnny thing is that it was only about 70 degrees, yet the sun was strong enough that Mario & I got too much color! I love how there is NO humidity!

Pregnant momma on the beach!

MONSTER house on Hermosa Beach- Wonder who lives here!

Budha belly!

Hermosa and Manhattan Beach are a hop skip and a jump away, but too long to walk, so we would drive over to Manhattan Beach to walk around and see some boutique shops. We got little G some cute things! I found baby leg warmers! I DIE for these things! I can't wait until she can crawl in her diaper, and just have her leg warmers on! 

My little Friend- We met on the pier

Manhattan Pier

Does this really need a caption???

I must say, everywhere we ate, the food was amazing. I ate lots of fresh fish, mussels, shrimp, and I even ate chicken (after 5 years). I blame it on little baby G- She needs the nutrients and since she is the boss, I do as she says!

Two days in Hermosa was definitely NOT enough, but the vaca must go on! We were heading to Santa Monica but first we had to pic up Heather from the airport. I was so excited that my daughter was joining us, and that I get to show her Cali- especially Santa Monica and Venice Beach. I KNEW she would love it!

This is my beautiful 21 year old Heather. I think she fell in love with Cali as soon as she arrived. She is on the quiet side, but by the pics she was taken and the smiles along the trip, I knew she was happy to be there.  

We went over to the 3rd Street Promenade to do some shopping. I kid you not, Heather was there about 1 hour before we head into the Puma Store, and Mario recognizes Ray Liotta from Goodfella's the movie! 

Ray Liotta & Heather

Heather's boyfriend is a huge fan and so is Mario, so Mario quietly approached him. He was so nice, and instantly loved Heather (how could you not). I asked him nicely if he would mind taking a picture with Heather and he jumped up and was gracious enough to take a picture with her and then made conversation with her. What a great day for Heather, and for Mario & I to be able to treat her to a nice little break in Sunny California! 

This was on the pier that overlooks the PCH. Isn't she gorgeous!

My little Heather Feather!

After dinner, we wanted to take Heather to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills so she could see all the fabulous stores lit up at night. It's quite beautiful how they decorate all the top designer stores. Heather is a fashion DIVA, and I KNEW she would be in HEAVEN! Shh, don't say anything, but Mommy was too, especially passing by TOM FORD! MY OBSESSION!! 

TOM FORD

Rodeo Drive at night

 The next day, Mario & Heather wanted to do Paddle-boarding in the Ocean. So we went down and they both got a lesson. This guy and his wife teach lessons, but the wife was just assisting today. He was great with both Mario and Heather

Heather & The instructor

She is such a Cali girl!

There she goes!

LESSON TIME!

And they are off!

I got to watch! No paddle-boarding for this pregnant momma! Heather didn't last too long, as she had a strong start, but when a strong wave knocked her over, she got a little scared, and decided to call it quits. Every time I looked over at Mario, He was getting knocked over too. I guess to do it in the ocean requires a lot more instruction patience and time. It was expensive to get the lesson, and I am glad they both experienced it. Better to have tried it and not succeeded than not to try at all.

We went back to our hotel and got ready for dinner. and enjoyed the evening together.

7 months pregnant

Woke up the next morning and happen to go to the elevator, looked down and spotted Heather soaking up some sun! She really fits right in her in Cali!

Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica- 9th floor

Time to take Heather to Venice Beach! Can't wait to see her reaction to the people and sites there. We decided to walk to Venice from out hotel. Little did I know it was a 3 mile walk! I forgot that last time we were on bikes and it took us 10 minutes. LORD this was the never-ending walk! I had to pee along the way, luckily there were bathrooms!

Gym on the beach! LOVE THAT!

LOVE THIS!

Famous Muscle Beach Gym!

 After watching Heather LOVE Venice which she says is her FAVORITE, we got the hotel car to come pick us up. There was NO WAY this pregnant belly would be able to walk back 3 miles. Mario wanted to walk, so Heather drove with me. We only beat him by like 10 minutes! 

The last day in Cali, we took Heather to Beverly Hills to have lunch and shop some more. Not that we would buy anything, but just watching Heather's expressions as we walked into these glamorous stores was priceless!

Beverly Hills

Only in Beverly Hills!

Rodeo Drive!

Mommy & daddy! I LOVE this pic

But Of course!

View from the hotel window- 9th floor

My gorgeous girl

View from our restaurant in Malibu

Last morning in Santa Monica

Our trip was one I will never forget...I LOVE California. I must say though that I was so happy to get home. I'm a nesting momma right now, so the closer I am to home, the better I feel. I was so thankful to be able to get Heather to experience such a gorgeous place. I know she loved it. She did some great shopping and took some amazing pics! She is quite the young woman. My wish for her is to be able to experience trips like this again with someone she loves, like Mario and I. It was great to bond with her, and connect with her again. 

If you want some reviews on where we ate and stayed, check out my trip advisor profile . 

Until next time, Cali will hold a piece of my heart!

XO Tina