24 Hours in the Los Angeles Area

Cali is always a fun place to travel to, especially when you’re with a bunch of family. You know, I’ve been to this state a few times but it’s always a different experience. They say the people make the trip worthwhile and it’s pretty true!

Wedding Szn

The purpose of the trip was for my cousin’s wedding. My mom, brother and I traveled from all parts to reunite in Los Angeles, while dad had to stay back to hold the fort down (an expression people say to take care of the house). 

The wedding was beautiful! The Summit House Restaurant looked like those little fancy houses on top of a hill in the movies. And the picture space felt endless! 

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Side note: three weeks before the trip, I ended up doing the JLO diet again just to freshen up my body for the trip. And the results were AMAZING. I was literally smiling the whole time because I’m finally getting to be happy in my own skin. BUT that’s a whole other story here.

The 24 hours for the one day trip begin…

Santa Monica Pier

First on the list and the furthest from our hotel, here’s Santa Monica Pier. We parked here. 

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We all met up at the Route 66 sign to begin our walk. I think with just this walk, I hit my exercise minutes in my apple watch. We explored the little stores, saw guys playing instruments AND experienced a magician! I don’t know, I freaking love magicians because they’re so funny and full of curiosity. 

Hopped off the Plane at LAX…

“…To see the Hollywood sign and it’s all so crazy! And the trees something something!” Where’s that from?

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I’m going to let you keep guessing if you haven’t done so already. I wish my family was more adventurous because I would’ve loved to hike it again. I’m such an out doorsy person, so compared to my family, I’m basically wild- no pun intended. 

The last time we came, (here’s my post for that in case you missed it), my aunt introduced the parking that was RIGHT BY where all the tourists take pictures with the sign behind you! Like the parallel parking going downhill from the sign. I think I hiked the whole way up before that address was introduced to me. 

So here you go, the secret to all your close parking needs. You’ll find the closest parking address linked here! You’re welcome!

Just in Time for the Scoop!

So one condition I had this family trip, since I had already visited the SAME spots a trillion times, was for a new spot for me. A friend had recommended Salt & Straw as a hot spot in Cali and I just had to go! 

I brought the whole gang for a treat during our adventurous outing. The place was so cute!

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Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills

I’m sure you haven’t missed the strip of expensive brands when you come to visit. There are just SO many! We entered the Louis V X Exhibition because you know, free is always the move. And OMG the amount of bodyguards was INSANE. But the museum was actually pretty cool! 

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Life is INDEED beautiful

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On our way back, I spotted the “life is beautiful” sign and I couldn’t miss that photo opportunity! You know me, every photo op is a needed one.

We crossed the street and turned the corner to the sign, and after no one wanted to cross with me, they ALL took photos at it. PSH

Sweepstakes DO Exist

The fam and I walked into a few different stores because everyone has all kinds of expensive window shopping taste. And we stopped at David Yurman. They had a Breast Cancer Awareness sweepstakes happening and the four ladies that went in got to participate. There were some pink cards that needed to be read with black light and two left after we chose ours! My aunt came in to pick hers and I went to pick one up for my mom because she wasn’t answering her phone. 

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And GUESS WHAT! I won! Well my mom did but she wasn’t there, so what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her… so I really WON! 

I got to open the giveaway!!!!!! And my brother won his part too- all the gummies surrounding the prize, HAHA. 

It was such a cute bracelet, that I never want to take off anymore and a pink candle, just in time for breast cancer awareness. People, I never win anything. Not even when something says “sweepstakes”, because you know when you were little and the tv commercials always teased you with “sweepstakes”, I thought it was a lie. But God was like skrrrt, here’s an early birthday gift. 

Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the next sweepstakes winner!

Slowest Fast Food

I honestly would love to know why it’s called In N Out because it’s not that quick and the lines are ridiculous. But it’s always a MUST DO for a first timer in the west coast. 

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Did you know, In N Out is only in three west coast states!? It definitely has a lot of hype! 

I hope this One Day in LA itinerary gave you hope that LA’s highlights can most definitely be covered in one day. It’s crazy how much we did and STILL had so much time left over. 

Enjoy your trip!