Besides the horrendous nonstop traffic, what is there not to love about Los Angeles? Ample taco stands, gardens, museums, clear blue skies, palm trees, and quaint little neighborhoods.
Since we have a bunch of family and a handful friends out west in Los Angeles, Alex and I try to get out there at least once a year. This year, for many reasons, we choose to head out there now, as a little winter weekend getaway.
WEEKENDING | WINTER GETAWAY | LOS ANGELES
THURSDAY
We arrived at the airport on time for our 9am flight. And then the plane had mechanical issues, delaying us in DCA for a full three hours. Alaskan Airlines was very empathic to it, we received meal vouchers and a $75 credit for future flights — which was very kind. I finished the book I was reading and watched Me Before You to kill time on the direct flight. Me Before You definitely made the list for books that left me weeping, so naturally, I sobbed throughout the entire movie.
Once we landed, we picked up our rental car, and checked into the hotel. We ended up at a Marriott, sans my discount (whomp whomp). We had an exceptionally late lunch, and took a long, long nap. By 6:30pm, we were dressed and ready to head out for the night. Since our flight delay pushed our entire Thursday agenda into Friday, we had the night free. We ate at Rock Sugar and caught an 8pm showing for La La Land. If you haven’t seen it — go see it! It was so great. Alex sobbed throughout the entire movie, I had run out of tears from the plane…
FRIDAY
Alex had an 11am work meeting at Caltech, so he dropped me off at The Huntington just down the road. They have the most beautiful gardens! A rose, Japanese, Australian, jungle, desert, and a tropical garden. In addition to a lily pond. OMG it was the best way I could have killed an hour. 
Afterwards, we went for a Mexican lunch at a place that boasts they have the best margaritas in all of Pasadena…. Oh and you couldn’t tell, yes, the desert gardens are my favorite (and the best to photograph!). 
We headed into downtown LA afterwards. Alex had another meeting (this time, with a taxidermist!), so I ventured out an got a manicure. I came back to the taxidermists studio just as Alex and Allis were wrapping up, and to finally meet the beloved Monsterous Seapig. (Sidebar: he’s for a side project Alex is doing)
We enjoyed donuts and a latte, and then found a killer bookstore. We bought more books than I think any normal person would do on vacation, but whatever!
For dinner, we were invited to our friends home, where we had Indian takeout, and got to play with their adorable 5 month old daughter.
SATURDAY
We had coffee at the hotel, and headed to Playa Vista to meet my family for brunch. Ten adults, three children under 5. Fun! It was so great seeing them again so shortly after our wedding!
Afterwards, we drove to The Getty Center for another meeting (so many meetings). Alex and I spent some time walking around their gardens first. OMG I don’t know which I liked better… The views of LA from the Getty were out of this world.
Four of our friends (two couples) joined us afterwards. We drank white wine, ate salmon sandwiches, and had my husband explain to us (definitely more than once) what on earth alchemy is… The Getty had an exhibit on alchemy, so we checked that out as well.
Back at the hotel to change, and then it was off to The Magic Castle! My husband is friends with one of the magicians performing that week, so it was really neat to be there. The six of us had a blast. It was so much fun, and so magical. AND! there was a surprise guest there that night, Mr. David Copperfield himself. I talked to him for all of .9 seconds when I blabbed about how much we loved his show that we caught in Vegas. I was in the same room with him three times. Exciting times!
The Magic Castle is a pretty neat place, and I definitely recommend checking it out if you ever have the chance. We were there until the very last midnight showing.
SUNDAY
Commuting back to the east coast is always a wasted day with the 5 hour flight, and the 3 hour time difference. We basically did nothing except return the rental car, eat burgers at the airport, and sit on the plane. The flight was great, and we were home just shy of 930pm, so no complaints there.
We had such a great weekend escape. We saw so many of our beloved friends and family that all reside across the country, and had (what felt like) such a jam packed weekend of fun. Ah! Another great trip for the books. See you in 2018, Los Angeles!