What an Adventure Fall of 2021 Was - I Really Needed It!
- Malibu & Los Angeles -
Malibu
The Getty
After Malibu we were heading back down south 30 miles to see The Getty Center during the mid to late afternoon. On our previous trip a decade ago, we had visited The Getty Center and I have told everyone since that trip that you really should visit The Getty if you go to Los Angeles. It was actually just how I remembered it. Beautiful, modern architecture sitting atop and looking over Los Angeles. This trip we did not even go into the museum buildings but rather just walked the grounds and enjoyed the views. I took a lot pictures – there is a unique view and angle at every turn. I hope you enjoy the Getty pictures and if you think you might even possibly enjoy this place based on the pictures, then I would highly recommend you visit. I think the entrance fee is only $20 for the entire car load of people. A serious bargain for Los Angeles!
The Sunset Strip
The Griffith Observatory
We parked at the Greek Theater (no events were thankfully going on that night there) and worked our way up to Observatory Road where we then walked up to the observatory. We timed it about right to see it in the late afternoon and then watch the sky turn pink and watch the sunset. It was so worth visiting and the views were beautiful. We watched the sun set to the west beyond the Hollywood Sign. Planes flew upward and emerged from behind the hills and into the pink night sky. To the south the millions of lights of the city started to shine in the dusk. We were so fortunate to have a near full moon hanging in the sky too. I wanted to wait until it was very dark to get a nice picture of the city lights but we ended up deciding to leave before it was fully dark. We had to cut back to the parking lot through a few trails and wanted to make sure we could see where we were going. For the photographers reading this, I had to stack a series of pictures to remove all of the people who were in front of the observatory for the full wide-angle picture on this site. I was not lucky enough to have the observatory all to myself as that picture may lead you to believe.
What a day!
Our route from San Clemente to Malibu and ultimately to Griffith Observatory
Now if we could have avoided traffic and traveled like in the above video!
Ranchos Palos Verde & Point Vicente Lighthouse
On our last visit in November, we made a trip to Ranchos Palos Verde, an area I had never visited previously. We stopped at several places in this area. The first of which was at the Korean Friendship Bell. A very peaceful and impressive piece of architecture. We stayed for maybe 30 minutes and then proceeded just shortly down the road to Point Fermin Park. I found this to be a very nice park which allows you to walk right up to a wall running all along the Pacific which was probably 80-100 feet below. Interestingly there was a lighthouse at the park which was in what looked like a nice home instead of a traditional tower structure.
Next up was a visit to the Wayfarer’s Chapel. This chapel was designed by Loyd Wright the son of architect Frank Loyd Wright. There was a wedding occurring when we stopped by but they still encouraged visitors. Of course, with the wedding occurring we could not go in the chapel but we were able to walk the grounds and see outside the structure. It was nestled in a picturesque setting in the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is also known as “The Glass Church”.
Finally, our last stop in Ranchos Palos Verde was the Point Vicente Lighthouse.
Wow. Again, wow!
As we walked up to the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, the view of the lighthouse on its perch on the ocean was stunning. The waves were crashing far below it and sun made the exposed cliff faces glow a dark orange. I have seen most all of the Cape Cod lighthouses on opposite edge of the country but this lighthouse view with some adjacent palm trees out did all others. The view of the Pacific here showed the northern end of Santa Catalina Island in the background of the lighthouse. I took so many pictures from different distances and with different lenses. The sun kept setting and the light changed constantly. As we watched the sun fade away, I saw one of those very small one person planes fly across a few hundred yards in front of me against this backdrop. I don’t think I would get in one of those small planes but I am sure the experience is amazing. We stayed until it was pitch dark taking it all in. The pictures of the lighthouse are some of my favorites I have ever taken. I hope you enjoy them too.
- Orange County -
Laguna Beach / Treasure Island Park
We visited Treasure Island in Laguna Beach on several occasions. This is the nicest beach public park I have ever visited. You feel like you are at a resort because basically you are but yet the area is open to the public. We came during the day as well as at sunset and it did not disappoint at either time.
Other notable Orange County stops on our trips included Newport Beach, Inspiration Point, Balboa Pier, Crystal Cove State Park, and Dana Point Harbor.
San Clemente
We stayed up in the hills of San Clemente during our stays in California. The view from our place was simply incredible. Every night I looked forward to seeing what the sunset would hold for us. To the North we could see Dana Point and straight out was Santa Catalina Island. Also of note was at this time we were in the midst of the supply chain problem wherein all the container ships were backed up and unable to off load their cargo up in Long Beach and Los Angeles ports. San Clemente was at the southern end of the back log of container ships. We could see them out there and at times it appeared they did not move whatsoever for multiple days. I became fairly familiar with the town of San Clemente and came to really enjoy it. One trip I did not have a car while my son was at work and I would walk down into the town to get my morning latté. The walk back up into the hills was a little rough though! Definitely a “hotter” sun bearing down on you there than an equivalent upper 70 degree day in Ohio. My favorite coffee shop in town was Sur Coffee. Nice baristas and a little patio out on the back. The patio view was not some amazing, glorious view of the pacific, but rather into the parking area. You could look beyond the lot and see the Pacific out in the distance. But what I liked was you got to see many of the locals who live here and their families in this largely non tourist coffee stop. One other favorite was to walk down to the Sugar Blossom bakery to buy a cinnamon roll then go back up to Sur Coffee where Michelle and I would split it to have with our lattes.
We enjoyed time down at the pier as well. The last evening of our final trip I stayed until sunset and captured some of my favorite shots. The pier had a large Christmas tree on the very end. My first time to be in a warm climate like this during the Christmas season so it was unique to experience the tree on the pier as the sun set. This particular evening there were a lot of surfers enjoying the waves. I watched them from above on the pier for quite a while. As the sun disappeared beyond the horizon a group of them still waited in the water looking out to the sea hoping for a few more waves to their liking.
Coffee and Lattes!
What an Experience We All Had!
We were very fortunate to have my parents meet up with us on the final trip. They traveled first to Zion (I had been telling them they needed to see Zion and they were happy they did!) and then they flew into Orange County to join us over Thanksgiving in San Clemente. We had a great time and I am very happy we were able to share this time together. The two pictures of my family below are at The Getty Center in the same exact place in front of the gold artwork – a decade apart. We were able to bring my grandma to California in 2011 and she absolutely loved the trip. That is my son Brett in the middle of the family picture in 2011. If you have read this far you know that I really enjoyed having the opportunity to explore this area of California due to my son’s opportunity. My son learned a lot during his co-op and overall, it was a good experience for him. I am extremely proud of how well he did managing his life on his own so far away from home, school, family and friends. Sometimes it was stressful making all of these long trips but in the end, it was all worth it and I will look back on this time with great memories.
