The wonderful ladies of Babyccino Kids are bringing their ShopUp to Los Angeles! They'll be at Lombardi House Sunday, April 10th and Monday, April 11th. We're looking forward to all the participants and activities, but definitely need to get some shopping done with Mabo, crafting with Makers Mess and picture taking with Red Anchor Photo. More information on the event at Eventbrite.
I'm not gonna lie, when I first got to Crystal Cove State Park, I was a bitter, bitter woman. I thought, why go through all this hassle (parking in a lot across the street, taking a shuttle and then walking down a hill) to get to a beach? Obviously, I'm a spoiled Californian, but still, it did beg the question. But once I got down to the beach, laid my eyes on the ocean and felt the sand surround my feet, I exhaled.
Head to the tide pools, over to your left.
Gorgeous view.
You can even stay at one of the beach cottages.
The Beachcomber Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Spend $15 or more with them and they'll validate your parking.
We went for lemonade and Pellegrino at the bar.
Other places to eat within 15 minutes: R+D Kitchen, Gulfstream, Bandera. You're kind of in Hillstone heaven in Newport.
Unless I book a trip to Holland, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are probably my best chance at seeing 70 million flowers. The floricultural attraction spans 50 acres of colorful hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean (about 2 hours south of Los Angeles).
The Flower Fields are only open a couple months every year (March 1 - May 10, 2015).
The main attraction is the massive sea of ranunculus.
About 125,000 visitors tour the ranunculus fields, to see brilliantly bright colors like sunset gold, pink and merlot.
Antique tractor ride for $5.
Lots of room for running.
The highlight for Mila was Santa's Playground, especially the great pink house.
Food within 15 minutes: In-N-Out Burger Carlsbad, Whole Foods Encinitas.
Any time I feel like LA has lost its luster, I should just go to The Getty Center. It makes me so incredibly appreciative. I often feel jealous when I think of the incredible parks of Paris, and how I wish I spent every Sunday enjoying family time basking in the verdant surroundings. But when I visit the Getty, I feel better about this city (#thestruggleisreal).
The first time I brought Mila to visit, she was 1 and just walking (running everywhere). So I vowed not to go back until she was 5. I thought she would need to be a bit older to appreciate what it had to offer (wink). But I must say that at 2 (well, 2 and 3/4), she loved it and we both had a great time. We went about an hour before they closed to explore the grounds.
Make sure you don't miss the sculpture garden, right next to the tram entrance.
The Central Garden just gets me, every time.
Obsessed with the bougainvillea arbors. And these chairs make me feel like I'm experiencing Parisian park life.
Oh hi, did you forget your stroller (like me)? Don't worry, they've got you covered with complimentary wheels.
I'll admit it, I get jealous of New York and their incredible Central Park (it's only 843 acres of green oasis in the middle of a metropolis). But Los Angeles has its fair share of beautiful parks too. The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is pretty stunning. At 127 acres it gives you plenty to look at, especially in the spring when the flowering trees are in bloom. But the highlight, especially with a toddler, was the peacocks who roam the property at their leisure. Being amongst the majestic creatures was like walking through a wonderland.
The Aloe Trail on the way to the Africa Garden.
Gorgeous trumpet trees in bloom.
Over two hundred peacocks call The Arboretum home.
The grounds are very exposed to the sun so pack your sunscreen, hat, water, and bring a stroller for little ones.
The Arboretum maintains a calendar of kid events. The day before Easter they'll host egg hunts and hikes.
Food recommendations within 15 minutes: The Market on Holly (farm to table), Houston's (American), Saladang (Thai).
We love to party! Twink + Sis is a design collaboration and party blog by sisters, Laurén LaRocca (Twink) and Marlan Willardson (Sis).
