Me Encanta Los Angeles!
This just in from The Daily Cookie Guest Blogger, Jeannie!
It’s been a week since I’ve been back from an awesome Los Angeles trip. I went back for my good friend Carol’s wedding and was able to squeeze in some SoCal fun with friends and family as well. Although New York has been my home for the past 3 years—I will always be a California girl. So to help explain my love for Southern California (extremely different from Northern California!), I thought I’d share the top 5 reasons LA will always have my heart.
The Beautiful, Sunny, Dry Weather: When the weather is mild and predictable, there is less anxiety over what to wear, when to rotate in sweaters and snow boots, and having rain cancel outdoor plans. I’ll admit that in the Valleys (both San Fernando and San Gabriel) it does get really hot during the summer months, but it’s a nice dry heat. There is none of this sticky, humid, icky, 3 showers-a-day nonsense. And an extra plus for year-long warm SoCal weather—not having say goodbye to your open-toed sandals and flip flops!
The Beaches, Deserts, Mountains and Outdoor Malls All Within Driving Distance: On my first full day in LA we drove out to the desert in Temecula for some wine tasting at Ponte Winery. On my second day, we hit up Zuma Beach. On the third night, I met with my gal pals for tapas in Santa Monica. And on the fourth day, my bride-to-be friend and I shopped for my bridesmaid dress at a strip mall in the foothills of Burbank. As Cher’s father said in the movie Clueless, “everywhere in LA takes 20 minutes.”
Free Parking: You might have to pay a little if you want to get spitting-distance close but if you have legs and don’t mind a little walk, there is plenty of free parking in Los Angeles. There have even been times when my friends and I went a little out of the way to get free parking (beach day in free-street-parking-Malibu instead of $10-per-car-Santa Monica) but it has always been worth it. As a matter of fact, my friend Lisette and I saw a dolphin that day in Malibu. I doubt we would have seen the creature in Santa Monica.
LA Radio Stations: My favorite stations are Power 106, 102.7 KIIS FM, Star 98.7 and 106.7 KROQ. While navigating through the streets of LA, I can always count on my auto-save stations to deliver Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Summertime, De La Soul’s Buddy or something from 2-Pac. If I’m feeling international, I’ve even got Spanish stations to tune into.
Toilet Seat Covers: I attribute this reason to the germ freak in me. My New York friends can attest that I will only pee in certain public restrooms. I’ve guess it’s because I’ve been spoiled with toilet seat covers available all over Southern California. I know, I know—that sliver of tissue paper is not exactly an instant germ-killer but for some reason it gives me some psychological comfort. Is it so wrong to have feelings for a state that is concerned with the hygiene of its constituents?
Huge thanks to Janelle, Duane, Eddie, Margie, Lisette, Elizabeth, Carol, all of Carol’s family, Reggie, Lillian, Cabo, Sinia, Audrey, Veronica, Veronica’s adorable kids, Victor and my parents for making this LA trip my favorite.
Have you ever been to LA? Do you love it or hate it?
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On July 16th, 2008 jessica said:
im originally from ny, but this sept marks my 8 year anniversary in LA and AMEN to everything jeannie says. LA rocks! i too was in malibu that weekens and saw a bunch of dolphins!
On July 16th, 2008 Margie said:
Yes indeed! Can’t really beat the great hiking spots and beaches in LA. You know what that means? Eventually you’ll have to move back here.
Miss ya!
On July 16th, 2008 elizabeth said:
I’ve lived in SoCal all my life. I never knew the expansive availability of toilet seat covers was not a national phenomenon. I’m never leaving!
Free parking, great weather, biodiversity, and hot music are beautiful things, too…
On July 16th, 2008 Veronica Gonzalez said:
California is a great place to live, but I’m sure New York would be a great place to check out………I would not really want to live there but want to visit!!
On July 16th, 2008 K Dawg said:
I looooooooooooooooooooooooove LA!!!