Santa Monica's Pier and Park

Am I the only one who is dying for winter to be over? Every time we have a warmish day and I start to get excited for spring, the next day is always cold and/or rainy. I'm not one to complain about the weather usually, because I live in a beautiful city and without the rain it wouldn't be as green and lovely. Truth be told, I'm just sick of boots and jackets and want to wear a pair of flip flops out of the house. Until then, I decided I will smile and look back on a great California day from October the weather was gorge and I took my shoes off and walked on the beach!

Of all the times we have visited L.A., we have never actually gone to the beach. This seemed like something that needed to be remedied and we had some free days that we weren't spending at theme parks, so we set aside a whole day for beach-hopping. We stopped at Long Beach, Venice and Santa Monica. It just seemed wrong to not hit Pacific Park. It's iconic. It's got the longest steel roller coaster on the beach and the only solar-powered Ferris wheel. Obviously, these were on the top of our list when we visited.

We had Los Angeles Go Cards from Smart Destinations, so we ended up with unlimited ride bracelets. The pier is not all that busy in the middle of the week in the fall, so we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. The downside to this is that we had to ride rides all alone or with only a few other people and 90% of the food kiosks were closed. That made me sad and made me really want an elephant ear and popcorn. 

Frowny face

Since we barely had to wait in line for anything - stopping only briefly to get our bracelets scanned - we rode that little roller coaster three times and enjoyed the view from the top of the ferris wheel for much longer than the usual 5 minutes. We also found our favorite pirate ship ride there and then terrified ourselves with a whopping four other people on the gondola. Eric sat on one end and I sat on the very other. I do not suggest it, because then you fear more for your life than if you had a hand to hold. Obviously, we lived to tell the tale though.

This ride is SO fun!

As much as I enjoy cheesy attractions, Pacific Park tops the list of cheeseball amusement parks. On a slow day, you can pretty much do all the rides in an hour and go back for more. The roller coaster is creaky and may make you pray that you make it to the end. So, if you are just doing it just for the sake of doing it and saying you were there, buy your tickets online ahead of time and save almost $3 per wristband. It's cheaper than paying for each ride individually, unless your only goal is to ride the Ferris wheel and then shop the pier and run on the beach. If you travel with little kids, they will definitely think Paradise Park is crazy fun even before Dippin' Dots are involved!

There are plenty of other things to do in Santa Monica and nearby - like the Venice Canals - so Paradise Park is not the last thing in amusement in the area. In fact, you may want to visit the tiny and affordable aquarium. If you choose to buy Go Cards and find yourself at the coast, then the pier is a good way to spend a few hours before lunch or shopping - you can even jump on the hop-on, hop-off bus here, which is included in your card activities.

Have you been to Santa Monica? What was your favorite thing there?

My London Wish List

By now you all know that I have been to London and can’t wait to go back. I have been compiling a list of things I want to do when I go there…which has way too many things on it to get to in a week or two (or eight), so I’m back to highlighting the things that I definitely must do on my next trip. Even though we packed a lot of touristy stuff in our last trip, we missed some crucial bits and need to make that right. I feel like half the time we spent there went by super-fast and the other half was totally relaxing. I’m not sure how long we’ll be there this fall, since we also want to spend more than a few days in Paris and actually get a better feel for the city – and try some good food that doesn’t come from a street vendor.

High tea is my number two must this time on my visit. You’ll see in a minute why it’s not number one. You’d think for spending over a week in London and being such a food lover, I would have forced my new husband to have afternoon tea three or four times, but alas, I didn’t make reservations before leaving home, so we kept putting it off and then we were back home!

This photo of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I should have started with the top of my list, but I fear it makes me look like a total nerd and someone who doesn’t know what traveling is all about. I promise I do, but since I found out that Leavesden Studios (owned by Warner Bros.) has opened its doors to the public to take tours of the Harry Potter movie sets, I’ve been foaming at the mouth to get back. Judge me all you want, but I had the best time at the Harry Potter Exhibition when it came to Seattle. This is like that, but times a thousand to me – plus it gives me a chance to see the English countryside. Is that a valid excuse?

This photo of Changing of the Guard is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The Changing of the Guards! Should I be beat about the head and neck for not figuring out when this happened and gone to stand and stare with all the other tourists? Probably. In the fall, the pomp and circumstance that is the Changing of the Guards outside of Buckingham Palace only happens once every other day. I did go to the palace and took my photo in front of the gates. Yeah, I know that’s not the same thing.

This photo of Portobello Road Market is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I want to shop the markets! Again, poor planning on my part. I’m so much better at this now and I will be hitting up Portobello Market as well as Spitalfields Market in order to gorge myself of fresh fruits and veggies – hey, I might even take some back to my room to eat later – take a million photos and browse for some fab souvenirs.

This photo of Kew Palace and Queen Charlotte's Cottage is courtesy of TripAdvisor

A day-trip to Kew Gardens is right up there on my list, too. How can I miss the Royal Botanic Garden in all its splendor? Since attempting to grow my own vegetables and herbs I’ve had a whole new appreciation for plants of all kinds. There’s also this awesome country estate, restaurant that serves afternoon tea and a seed bank. Again, it’s the whole “English countryside” aspect that is drawing me in and the chance to maybe bring back some fancy plant seeds. Anyone know any native English plants/veggies that we don’t have here?

This photo of Bread Street Kitchen is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I missed out on so many restaurants in London the last time. Granted, I ate at so many London restaurants last time, but it was some of the best food I’ve eaten and I want to try more, especially Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen. It’s not astronomically priced and I can pronounce the foods they serve. Uh, and it’s Gordon effing Ramsay. I was lucky enough to get a table for afternoon tea and the Boxwood Café at the London West Hollywood and I loved it. I can’t wait to see how delicious the food is in the chef’s own country.

This photo of Harrods is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Being the handbag, shoe and designer clothes lover I am, there are some shops I simply need to pop into on my sightseeing around the city. I may not buy anything, but looking never hurt a girl, right? Harrods only got a quick run-through last time and I would love to take a bit of time to stroll the racks and browse the food hall a bit more. Lulu Guinness has amazing (and crazy expensive) bags that I love. Is it wrong that I just want to touch one in the store? I don’t think so.

Ride in a black cab. Yeah, I know. They are stupid spendy and I should be happy to have taken a picture of one, but I just want to say I took one once. I have no issue with walking and taking the tube. In fact, I think it’s fun, but I’m totally making Eric take photos of me getting in and out of one and then it’ll be out of my system.

My big thing last time was that I was going to see the skyline from OXO Tower and then go check out the Victoria & Albert Museum’s fashion collection, but did I do those things? No. We spent an unnatural amount of time at both the British Museum and Tower Bridge and never made it to either of those things. The good part is that we had amazing views of the London skyline from the bridge walkways and learned a bunch about bascule bridges and the plague.

This photo of ZSL London Zoo is courtesy of TripAdvisor

If you’re like me, you enjoy visiting zoos. We were only able to visit the two things out of three and the London Zoo lost out to the SEA LIFE Aquarium and Eltham Palace – which won out over Windsor Palace. Now, I still want to see Windsor Palace, but I’m also pretty keen on hitting up the zoo. Probably more so, since it doesn’t require me to take a train to get there.

Okay, this list seems pretty long already and I haven’t even added everything I plan to do. I better be realistic with my time and budget when it comes to really planning my trip, but I have a good feeling that we will be able to do all of this and more once I start putting it all down on paper.

What have I missed that you think I should include? Any restaurant recommendations?

Super Useful Travel Links

It’s that time again! The last month in travel has been pretty busy and since half of those things are sad like snowstorms in the Midwest and economic uncertainty. Because of that I found some fun links that will make you not frown when you think about planning a trip and packing your bag. Yup, travel should be fun. Enjoy!

There are several things I do when I first arrive at my destinations. One of those is to hit the grocery store to load up on food for my breakfasts and some dinners. I will probably also grab something to eat as soon as I get off the plane. Independent Traveler has a list of ten things to do in the first 24-hours of touching down. They are pretty good. Do you have any to add?

This photo of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Only at Universal's Islands of Adventure is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Are you a nerd? If you travel the world in search of places that are your favorites from TV, movies and books, CNN Travel thinks you are. In a good way. I enjoy seeing destinations that I have seen only on the screen before and I am definitely looking forward to the day I can visit Leavesden Studios for the Harry Potter studio tour (and was really excited to visit the HP part of Universal Studios after it opened). CNN gives you the best in nerdy pilgramages. It doesn’t just cover pop culture stops, but also true nerd destinations like the CERN laboratories. Have you visited any of these destinations?

It’s hard to find free Wi-fi and laptops can add bulk to your carry-on, but what if your whole hotel room was plugged in? A room where you can check your email on the walls or play YouTube videos on the floor or check out your day’s itinerary on the ceiling before getting out of bed. Sounds awesome, right? Tell me what you think of this hotel room of the future that Too Many Adapters brought to my inbox.

What happens too all that change people forget in those bins and bowls at security? Twelve cents here and there may not seem like a lot, but Denver International saw that it adds up quickly, like quarters in your couch cushions (if you’re lucky) and decided to put it to good use. Last year, over half a million dollars in change was left behind at security checkpoints across the nation. Congress gave TSA the right to use this money their operations. Denver International Airport wanted to use change for change and have donated all their undeclared cents to a corporation that helps the homeless. In fact, you don’t even have to forget your change. You can donate it right at security. Thanks to Stuck at the Airport for posting this uplifting story.

OMG! I love churros! I know I’m not the only one. Disney blogs spent an entire post on the glory of this dessert stick and what it can be used for aside from snacking. I love the creativity. Unfortunately for me, after I get to anywhere that I could try to use my churro as an alternate thing, I have already eaten it ten minutes ago. Maybe you have more control over me. Either way, enjoy how much Disney loves the churro.

I am an eco-conscious person. When I travel, I still try to do my part. I recycle everything I can, I pack light and I walk and take public transportation as much as possible. Huffington Post has a list of eco-friendly travel tips, because if you’re going to travel, you should try to do it responsibly or there will be fewer places to visit in the future.

And for those of you who just don’t have the means to travel right now, don’t worry. You’re not the only one. If all my tips still can’t help you with a travel budget, then just be happy where you are. tiny buddha wants you to know that happiness is a form of travel and can enable you to love the present and what’s happening in your life.

If you do think you have money in your budget for a trip, and you’re planning it for summer, make sure to download a copy of my updated ebook: Secrets to Summer Savings.

Did you find some interesting travel links recently? Feel free to share them in the comments. Also, Happy Friday! I thought it would never get here.