Big Sur - Highway Nr 1!

After Los Angeles, my friend and me drove up to Malibu, Santa Barbara and then stopped in Cambria where we rented an AirBnb. In the late afternoon, we went up to see the amazing Hearst Castle. What a beautiful residence and museum! Indoor pool, library, I don't even remember how many bedrooms!! Wiliam Hearst (who built this as his home in the 1920's) collected SO MANY art pieces... it is absolutely increadible and lots of fun to explore that unique house!

The next day when we drove up the highway 01, we stopped at many beautiful viewpoints such as McWay Falls in Big Sur or a place which is famous for its sealions.

I absolutely recommend this drive, if you at least have two days to do the whole tour up to San Francisco!

Los Angeles

So our "real" Roadtrip started with driving from San Diego to Los Angeles. We stayed at my aunt and uncle's house for a couple of days and did all the sightseeing (Universal Studios, Hollywood Hills, Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, Beaches, Shopping, Night out, good restaurants ...)

The weather was great and I'm glad that I finally had some time to explore the City!

New York, New York!

I know I haven't posted anything in a WHILE... but it's because me and my friend(s) have been travelling and there was absolutely no time to post anything!

Two weeks ago, my friend and me went to lovely New York for a couple of days. Up there, we met two Swiss friends and we had a great time together! It was so much fun to explore the City, four Swiss girls in the Big Apple!

My favourites: MoMa (Museum of Modern Arts), High Line, some really fancy and healthy restaurants, the view from the Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Brooklyn.. any many more things!

Beautiful Balboa Park!

In San Diego, I found the most beautiful trees. I don't even know what they're called - but this just became my favourite tree. I'm serious, I have NEVER seen anything flowery and colorful like that! They are P U R P L E (!!!!), a color that I love anyways. So I went to Balboa Park in San Diego to take some pictures of these beautiful creations. I know they look unreal... isn't that impressive?

Also at the moment, everything else is blooming - Balboa Park is really a highlight right now!

Disney Land!

Yesterday, I went to Disneyland in Anaheim! FINALLY!!!

In the early morning a cousin, a friend of mine and me drove up to LA to go to the Parks. Before I googled the park, I didn't even know that there are TWO Parks! The Disneyland Park itself and the California Adventure Park which has a lot more scarrier and extreamer rides. Both Parks together include over 80 different attractions. So here is a review of our day:

We first went to the Disneyland Theme Park to see the famous Disney Palace, some Disney characteres and of course to go on some rides. Even though a lot of rides there are not fast and might be more for kids, it is very impressive to see all the tiny details during the rides, it makes you feel as if you are in the middle of these (cartoon) movies!
In the afternoon we were pretty much done with all the must-see's in Disneyland so we went to the other park and of course ate a snack every once in a while. They have soooo many restaurants and food stalls but it's not cheap.

If you like crazy rides you HAVE to go on "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror", if you like roller-coasters the "California Screaming", if you like the movie Cars "Luigi's Rollickin Roadsters",  to shoot 3D things in your cart "Toy Story Midway Wania" and to enjoy a good the view all over the California Adventure Park "Mickey's Fun Wheel".
Also in this Park, all the details during the rides and just in general in the park are amazing! (They have a lake, a pier, and even a winery!) In the late afternoon they do a live music/dance parade and at night there is even a firework at the Disneyland Park. (Parks are open from 9am - 9 or 11pm)

If you don't feel like going on a ride anymore, you can even go to Downtown Disney and go shopping (make up, all kinds of clothing shops, souvenirs, bars and restaurants!). What also impressed me is the Disney App that you can download. There you can check all the waiting lines for the rides what helps you decide, what you want to do next!

A day-pass costs online 160$, so it's definitely not cheap and you can't see everything in only one day. Parking at the parking garage is also very simple (18$ a day). But it is definitely worth it if you love Disney and like to go on rides and think of all your Disney childhood memories. I would maybe even suggest to go there two days and spend a night near the park.

It was a fun day for sure and I will definitely go there again!

My girl is here!

My Bestie Alyssa arrived a week ago in San Diego! We didn't have a lot of time to spend together, but it was great to see her. Can't wait to go on our roadtrip and experience all kinds of travel adventures!!!

Week of Concerts!

This week I went to see two completely different concerts and I LOVED them both!

First, I surprised a dear friend with a Us The Duo/Pentatonix outdoor concert at SDSU (the State University where I might do my future studies!) and it was amazing. Accapella is something so fascinating to me and it was really cool to see the world's most famous accapella group live!

 

Then two days later some friends and family of mine went to Downtown to see the band called Hippo Campus at the House of Blues. Really fun and lively concert as well. Check them out!

Lakeside Rodeo!

On Saturday I went to the traditional Lakeside Rodeo with my family and some friends - what a cool experience! We had a really fun time. Dressing up, watching all the different races and checking out the small shops around the rodeo ground was awesome.

The cowboy's and cowgirl's skills totally impressed me and then we even met some real cowboys!

Ponte Winery!

Last Sunday my dear aunt and uncle, my wonderful two cousins with their hubbys and me went to a beautiful winery in Temecula, CA. It is about a one hour drive from where we all live. And to make the drive even more fun - why not rent a limousine? We really had a blast and enjoyed to spend time together!

When I entered the "Ponte Winery", I felt like in Italy! The scenery with all the roses, the huge vineyard all around us, the delicious food (, of course the wine) and the relaxing atmosphere... I loved it! This was definitely not the last time, that I've been there!

But now, let the pictures speak for themselves :)

The Flower Fields

It was on the news all the time and that's why I had to go there and check it out by myself! It took me about an hour to drive up north to "The Flower Fields" located in Carlsbad, CA.
It was actually kinda fun to drive all the way up there and go on a lil adventure by myself.

The best time to visit this colorful place is between March - May (high season).

The field wasn't crowded at all, what really surprised me! And of course I took WAY too many photos because the bright colors and the size of the fields were so fascinating to me.

So here are some of my favourites:

Palm Springs!

Last week, my cousin and her family took me to Palm Springs for a short vacation. We stayed in a beauuuutiul hotel and had such a fun time. It was so nice to relax in the sun by the pool, play games and of course we had to check out the "Villagefest", a market which takes place every Thursday located on Palm Canyon Drive. We made great memories and I'm so thankful for this wonderful opportunity to join them!

I'm working on a short film about our trip - will be online soon.

Coasterra - Family Dinner in Harbor Island!

Last Saturday we had a family dinner and went to the restaurant "Coasterra" located in Harbor Island! The restaurant is so nice! It is directly at (or almost on) the ocean and you can enjoy a beautiful view of the San Diego Downtown Skyline.

The food is super special and delicious! They have Mexican dishes served in a very unique way. Even if you don't wannt to have lunch or dinner - go to this restaurant and have a Coconut Margarita outside on their sunny terrace.

Indoor S K Y D I V I N G !

I never thought, that I would EVER do this: My cousins and me went to an indoor skydiving place in San Diego - it's called "iFly" and the place is awesome! The instructors were super friendly and we had a fun time flying in the tunnel.

If you ever have an opportunity to do this (and you're not afraid of heights) DO IT! Trust me, you'll love it.

Potato Chip Rock!

Yesterday me and a good friend went hiking in Poway (near San Diego). The hike itself is not too long (a bit more than 1 hour to get on the top) but it is pretty steep to walk all the way up to the mountain peek of Mount Woodson.
During the hike, we unexpectedly found several Yucca plants!!

Even though the hike might be a little challenging because of the sun and the incline, the beautiful view all over San Diego and of course to stand on the famous "Potato Chip Rock" is worth all the effort!

Indian Sunsets

This evening we had a beauuuuutiful sunset - I looked out of the window and as soon as I saw these bright colors, I grabbed my camera and ran out in the garden to take some pictures.

Nature is just amazing!!!

At the moment, I'm busy with organizing and planning some trips which I'm doing soon. This includes searching for hotels, looking up flights and reading travel guides for many hours - but I love it! 

California Ballet!

So last Saturday I went to see the Ballet "Romeo and Juliet" at the Balboa Theatre with my wonderful cousin and her family - ballet has always been something fascinating to me and it was an amazing experience to finally see a ballet performance live!

Indian Cooking Class!

What an awesome experience - I had the opportunity to join a cooking class at the Indian Reservation about the "Yucca" plant! The Indian tribe "Kumeyaay" used this plant for many different dishes and I am still amazed how delicious it is! 

The Yucca plant grows here in the reservation almost everywhere . The plant is huge (up to 5 meters!) and its flowers are beautiful.

 I'm so happy that I had a chance to get to know this special plant.

Beautiful Day!

Spent a wonderful day with my lovely cousins! And the milkshakes were delicious.

Look at that breathtaking sunset at the Indian Reservation.

Everyday Life

Drive thru Starbucks, lunch by the sea, Mexican food and shoe shopping - what else should I ask for?

#LivingTheDream

Let's play Golf!

What a fun day - I went to play golf for the first time of my life!
Playing golf is not that easy but only the breathtaking view from the golf course is worth a visit!

Lasagne with Garlic Bread?

So my family and I went out for dinner the other night and we were hungry for some Italian food.
We ordered Lasagne (what was yummy!) and the funny thing about that is: Lasagne is always served with some garlic bread! First I was a lil suspicious because I've never seen this combination anywhere in Europe. But I had to admit it was delicious!

Whenever you have a chance - give it a try!

Out in the green

So this is where I live! The Indian Reservation of San Diego. I just went for a run and tried to check out the area a little bit. Look at this view, isn't it beautiful out here?

Frock You!

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my lovely cousins at a really cool place: We went to the vintage boutique called "Frock You!".

They have clothes, shoes and accessoires from the 1920's all the way up to the 1980's! You can find some beautiful and unique items there, definitely worth a visit.

Check em out! http://frockyouvintage.info/ 

Just arrived!

After being awake for almost 24 hours, I finally arrived safe and sound (and surprisingly not even that tired!) in beautiful San Diego.

Hello new home for the next few months!