Cali Trip July 2022

Thursday- Drove to Moreno Valley to see my dear friend and her beautiful newborn twin daughters.

My friend's twins - Kali and Emery

Next stop, Airbnb in El Segundo. I haven’t used Airbnb in a while, as the extra charges are getting more expensive. But this one is 5 minutes to the beach and the other way is 5 minutes to Main Street with restaurants and shops. For three nights, it was $348.

I think this is reasonable for the location, cleanliness, and comfort. Remember, at first, I felt unsure. This is how I ALWAYS feel when experiencing new things. But I don’t listen to those voices unless it is shouting danger, danger!

I find that this Airbnb is perfect- safe, simple but inexpensive, and includes all necessities important to me (such as private entry, bikes, parking, comfy bed).

My Airbnb!

I walk downtown, as it is dinner time. I find a wonderful restaurant called Jame Enoteca. It has great wine, a relaxing atmosphere, and hand rolled pasta. I inspired two ladies dining next to me, and they ordered the same wine I had, which was a Pinot Noir.

Walked down to the beach and watched the sunset.

Beautiful sunset!

Walked back to the Airbnb and had a good night’s sleep.

The next day, I found a good book to read. The host provided DVDs and a small library of books. I chose a book called “Younger Next Year”. It’s about living the last third of your life in good health. I’m inspired and on board!

Reading by the harbor!

Friday - I booked a wonderful LA tour found in the Airbnb app under experiences. It was $59. The host was a younger hippish guy driving an older blue Chevy convertible van. He had it painted in Tijuana, Mexico. 😂

Tour van

He took us though Venice Beach and Santa Monica and showed us all of the hot spots. My favorite was the Venice canals where these canals were created to resemble Venice, Italy. It was similar, but far from being exact.

Canals

On the tour, one group of girls reminded me of the Valley girls. Brought Cheetos and Taco Bell into the van. One even vaped marijuana inside of the van and then fell out of the van as she was stepping down on our first stop. A little annoying but stayed positive so that I could enjoy the tour. They were actually very kind.

After the tour, I drove back to the Airbnb and then biked to Manhattan Beach. At a posh little restaurant, I had clam chowder and a 4-ounce (😔) glass of bubbly wine. The clam chowder had real clams, and I had to “shuck the clams out”. My kids (and even the LA Airbnb tour host) remind me that I need to be more adventurous with my food choices, so I tried my best to eat all of the soup. I love clam chowder, so I was determined. But I didn’t like the clams. 😩 so I ate the soup and took the clams out. I just can’t do “meaty meat”. 🥺

I then walked down to the beach and laid on a towel and read for an hour. Walked my bike back up the very steep hill and back to the Airbnb. Again, everything about a trip won’t be perfect. But I know I have to embrace the challenges and imperfections about a trip. It will only make me a stronger and experienced traveler.

Back at my Airbnb. Watched a movie on the DVD and then went to sleep.

Saturday - slept in and then went and had breakfast two blocks away at Metro Cafe. Very good! I had the California quesadilla. Excellent!

Next, I biked all the way to the Venice canals (for 7 miles) and walked up and down to look at all the cute houses on the water. I couldn’t ride my bike down the canal alleys (due to regulations) so I walked my bike. Then, I biked back to El Segundo and stopped at the fisherman’s village pier at Del Rey.

I walked up and down the piers and stopped in some shops. You can actually hop on a water taxi that takes you to all of the piers for $1! What a deal. I chose not to, as I already biked to a a few. I also stopped and bought a coconut water at a Trader Joe’s and sat and read for a while.

At the last pier, I sat and enjoyed a chocolate and banana crepe. I meant to only eat half, but it was too good to let go.

Back on my bike and went to the beach for an hour to read and rest.

My ankles look swollen, but they really weren’t! 🙃

I always carry a very light towel or a blanket when I hike or bike. It always comes in handy in case I want to stop at a beautiful spot and meditate, picnic, nap, or read.

Headed back to Airbnb to shower and get ready for dinner and a show!

Went to Mama Di’s Italian kitchen in downtown El Segundo and had caprese, wine, and spaghetti. If you buy two glasses of wine, you get a third for 1 cent. I did get the number 3, but I didn’t drink it all. Am I wrong to order a third for a penny? Nope! 😂

Look behind my wine at the little table sign. They discourage using cell phones.

After dinner, I went to a Cinema movie and saw Judy Garland in “A Star is Born”.

This was the cutest little cinema that has been in business since 1968 (and I was three years old). It was originally built in 1921!

Before the showing of the movie, someone played a few songs from the movie. Super fun and it was only $12.

Walked back to my Airbnb in the dark. I almost ordered an Uber, but felt safe enough to walk a few blocks. If either of my two G’s (gut or God) told me to Uber, I would have. ☺️

Tomorrow, I head back to Vegas. I might stop on the way back to do something spontaneous. It all depends on my mood and timing.