FIRST TIME TO THE WEST COAST || LOS ANGELES || CALIFORNIA || USA || JULY 2013

The first time I went to Los Angeles was in June of 2013. I was on a work trip to San Diego and I had a plant trial at one of the frozen snacks plants in the area. It was my first time driving on I-5 ever and seeing how folks in California are crazy drivers. Not to mention, I am directionally challenged, and it was late at night.

I got lost on the way to my hotel which happened to be at the last exit before the United States / Mexico border. I freaked out because I kept seeing signs for the border and I didn’t have an up to date passport at the time. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen if I “accidentally crossed the border” without a passport.

Side note: This was before I’d done any traveling outside the country as an adult, so I didn’t even know the steps to border crossing. *eye roll* Just dramatic!

There was a point where I was seeing US and Mexican flags and thought I was in another country, but I wasn’t. I made it to my hotel finally at like midnight and got to work the next day. Once the trial was over, I went to the beach for a little bit and then drove to Los Angeles.

Plant trial is done! Vacation starts now!

I was headed to LAX to pick up my younger brother. He was my first travel buddy ever! At least once a year we would drive to different cities and walk around exploring. We did this in LA, San Diego, Philly, Pittsburgh, and New York City. One time we drove from Pittsburgh, when I was living there at the time, to the Rock the Bells festival in New Jersey. We partied for 2 days and then took turns chugging 5-hour energies and driving back to Pittsburgh in the middle of the night, making it back just in time for him to catch his flight back home.

Anyway, I picked him up from LAX after going around a few times because I didn’t know how that airport was set up and I didn’t know how big it was! He hopped in the mustang that Hertz upgraded me to.

I thought I was cool in that sports car but like I have a question for all sports car drivers. “Yall like cuz you layin’ down on the ground driving?” *Day-Day from Friday After Next voice* I found out on that trip that sports cars are not my ministry; not a comfortable ride at all and I COULDN’T SEE!

We literally drove all over LA in two days and explored all the touristy stuff we could. From the airport we drove through Inglewood because we both love that movie “The Wood” and wanted to see the sites. Peep the Randy’s Donuts. I ended up going back here a few years later and actually trying one of their donuts with my friend who lived there at the time. Maybe I’ll write a blog about the second time I went to LA too.

The first day we ate at Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles.

The next day we ate breakfast at The Griddle Café which was recommended by one of my best friends who grew up there. They have HUGE pancakes.

We visited the Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, took pictures with the street characters, took a picture of the Hollywood Sign, and lounged around.

We visited Venice Beach and went to Santa Monica and sat at a Subway to charge our phones.

After all that, my brother went to visit one of his friends that lived there, and I went to sleep. The next morning, we drove back to San Diego so we could both fly out to our respective cities.

We first visited the Cristal Cathedral which looked super cool inside

and of course, went back to the beach one more time!

I had so much fun hangin’ with my bro and this trip was really the beginning of my love for travel. I’d been other places on the East Coast and Mid-west before, but this was my first time on the West Coast and it just made me want to see more!

So, I did! Check it out! TRAVEL BLOG THURSDAY

Thanks for reading all these words!

Love ya!

Taste Tutor

TRAVEL BLOG THURSDAY - LOS ANGELES 2013