Well, seeing as our first trip to California was a huge highlight in all of our road trips so far, we decided it was time to do it againβ¦ And what better time than for a Christmas in Disney? Also, it was Tonyβs 36th birthday on the eve of Christmas Eve, (December 23rd), so even better a reason. Given our girls ages and our new love of experiences versus things, a decision was made that instead of material gifts for Christmas, we were going to create moments. So pack up the SUV and the family and back to California and Disney we go, just nine months after our last trip. Disney twice in the same year you say? Yep! This time around we purchased city passes to Universal Studios and Seaworld as well. So buckle up once again, this is going to be another long one.
On this trip, we planned that we would be driving through Seattle and Oregon and daylight so that we were able to see things like the space needle in Seattle. Driving through Oregon, we made a quick stop in Portland to the Roloff farm, (TLCβs Little People, Big World). Unfortunately, the farm is seasonal, operating only in October for the pumpkin patch, so weβre just a couple of months late on that but it was still cool to just take a picture with the sign and see them watching us from the window of their home.
Itβs been established that one of her favorite places in California is San Francisco, so it wasnβt a trip through California without stopping there for the day. We had lunch at Pier 39, watched Rhylee assist in the magic show and treated ourselves to some ice cream at Dreyerβs. What a different experience it was to see San Francisco at Christmas. The festive Decour at the pier and all around us was beautiful and a bit weird at the same time in the 20Β°C sunshine when youβre used to cold, snow or rain.
Up with the sun following morning and back on the road continuing south! We rolled into Malibu just in time for lunch, greeted by beautiful, orange trees, and the surfers on the water across from Neptune Net, then now famous restaurant for the scene in the Fast & Furious (2001) film with Paul walker and Vin Diesel. We made a point of stopping here and having lunch at the very table they sat at in the scene from the movie, as a tribute to Paul Walkerβs recent passing a month prior. They were many people doing the same with flowers and messages left at the restaurant.
We took our time driving the coast, and by the time we arrived at our hotel in Santa Monica, it was evening. We settled into our hotel, and then took a walk to the Santa Monica Pier and enjoyed the rides, lights and festive Christmas spirit at night this time, which was an entirely new experience in itself, having been here before in daylight.
The night was still young, so after fun at the pier, we hit Hollywood Boulevard to get a nighttime experience there as well. Being only days away until Christmas, getting out at night with all the lights and decor was so perfect for the California Christmas experience we were after and so beautiful.
Well, we made it to our destination, and so it was time for our first adventure at Universal Studios. The day was overcast and a little drizzly, and felt more like we were back on the Canadian west coast with slightly cooler than normal temperatures, something we were already used to and didnβt phase us; although it was funny to see park workers dressed like it was -20Β° outside and looking at us in our sweaters and wind breakers like we were crazy. It was at that moment that I think we were recognized as being Canadian. The park was fully decorated for Christmas and he even had fake snow in some of the areas. Not surprising as this was Universal Studios, known for all its props and special effects. We wasted no time, starting with a studio tour of places like the set for The Voice and the super fun, interactive King Kong set where the bus that we were in, got tossed and turned by βKing Kongβ himself. it was just the beginning of our experience with special effects in film and we were loving it. We also saw the sets to Jurassic Park, jaws, Whoville, the bates motel, and more.
We even got to be part of a demonstration of how Green screens and special effects work in film when we were chosen to participate in a safari adventure, and pirate ship expedition. So fun! afterwords, we walked around some more, and took in more of the amazing decor, and the beautiful views of the Warner Bros. studios below, which was closed for the Christmas season and even had a beautiful rainbow over it after a little rain shower.
Now it was time for some thrillseeking fun on the rides! Our favorite was the Simpsons ride, and Krustyland, an all interactive and special effects ride with a huge screen, and a seat that moves you around, giving you the sensation of free falling and spinning, as though you were on the craziest roller coaster, wind blowing in your face and all. Of all the rides and coasters we have ever been on, to this day, this is our favorite. We also hit the rides at Jurassic Park, Transformers, and more. We later took a break from walking and checked out the Waterworld show, which did not disappoint with all the special effects from stunts, fires, explosions, and planes crashing⦠it was quite impressive.
We wrapped up the fun filled day with an evening of some sweet treats, and taking in the Christmas spirit at night with Christmas coming to life all around, in every lightbulb and fully decorated tree.
The following day we had a free day, which we were conflicted between spending it shopping or as a beach day, so it was decided that a day at Venice Beach was the perfect solution to cover both beach and shopping. We loved interacting with all of the artists and vendors along the strip and checking out all of the cool shops as well. The whole place was the buzz with tourists and locals alike. It was definitely a vibe between people, relaxing under the palm trees, reading a book, the surfers catching a wave, the buskers showcasing their musical talents, and the vendors selling their creations. The atmosphere had an energy for everyone to enjoy. I found some really cool and original pieces handmade by some of the local artists and Rhylee even got a little lesson on how to make palm leaf flowers, which we still have to this day. Muscle Beach was just like you see in the movies and we had so much fun taking photos in the iconic muscle cut outs.
Earlier that day, we got a call from a friend who knew we were in L.A. Informing us that their home in the Hollywood Hills was available for us to stay in and they insisted that we cancel our room in Santa Monica and move up to the hills for the remainder of our holiday. So after our beach day, we asked up our bags and made the move. The house was absolutely beautiful and the drive up was just breathtaking. The house was just across the road from the entrance to the Runyon Canyon trail, a popular trail for celebrities and locals with stunning, panoramic views of L.A. below. We did a mini hike and took in the views also keeping our eyes open for any celebrity sightingsβ¦no such luck. We enjoyed freshly picked oranges in the morning from the trees on the property and drove up and around Mulholland Drive, and even went to the sight James Dean drove his car off. It was so surreal for us to be staying in the Hollywood Hills and realizing who some of the neighbours were through a quick Google Search. We felt like stars ourselves, a true Hollywood experience for us on this trip.
Itβs Disney day for the birthday boy! Yup, today is Tonyβs birthday and we were up bright and early to start the celebrations. Right away the magic of Disney (and Christmas) was the air in full force. We had a magical day riding the rides, watching the Disney parade and in the evening taking in all the twinkling lights of Christmas and all the displays and the new World of Colour light show. Unfortunately, no fireworks this time. The conditions were too windy and so they didnβt happen. A highlight of the evening was while in line for a ride, Tony recognized an actor and said his name to us, which he overheard. He was impressed that Tony addressed his actual name and not the character he played in the movie he was in so he came over, introduced himself with his wife and we had some small talk and a funny photo op with Tony. The actor was Steve Carlson from the hockey movie Slapshot. A great way to end the night and Tonyβs birthday.
It is Christmas Eve and today was Seaworld Day! We made the drive down to San Diego and noted it was a few degrees warmer than L.A. which we werenβt upset about as Southern California was experiencing unusual cooler than normal temperatures at this time. Once again, Christmas was all around and felt pretty cool to feel the Christmas spirit and summer at the same time. The day was filled with lots of fun and information as we enjoyed all of the marine life. We ended the day with the evening Orca show, which was impressive but at the same time sad, as weβre used to and prefer to enjoy these majestic mammals in their natural surroundings. All in all it was a positive experience and interaction, but we felt through our personal experience that mammals in captivity was not something we supported, unless it was for rescue or rehabilitation purposes only.
Merry Christmas from Disneyland! Holy moly was the park packed today! We quickly learned that Christmas Day is one of the busiest days of the year for the park and we felt it! Thank goodness for the Fast Passes today. It was actually quite surreal to experience Christmas Day in Disney and the energy was just electric and so festive. We enjoyed some more rides and the highlight was the Christmas parade! Itβs not Christmas without the big guy in red making his grand appearance, and that he did! There wasnβt a single face without a smile on it from what I could see, our faces included. The girls enjoyed meeting their favourite Disney Characters at the Princess Castle and we wrapped up the day with the evening show Fantasmic, which it absolutely was. What an amazing day and way to close off our trip. A fabulous time celebrating Christmas and Tonyβs birthday all together, making lasting memories.
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