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No L.A. trip is complete without a visit to Griffith. It was absolutely packed that night, and so we parked lower on the hill since so many spots were taken, and hiked up. It was a nice hike at least, just after sunset, and the moon was full and swiftly rising.
We explored the inside before we went out for the view of the cityscape.
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Both my mom and I are huge Harry Potter fans, so of course our trip to L. A. wouldn't be complete without a trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We were so excited! It was a gorgeous day, hot and brilliantly sunny. We went early, hoping to beat the worst of the crowds.
My mom had a great time with King Julien of Madagascar (we figured my niece would really like these photos but also, my mom is clearly having the time of her life here).
And then finally, the world of our dreams awaited us! It was so very amazing to hear the music from the films and the whole magical world right there!
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One of the reasons I'd decided to go to L.A. when I did was because one of my favourite bands would be performing there, and I'd managed to score tickets! Totally unexpectedly! I literally shrieked when my purchase went through (and if you know the hell that is Ticketmaster, you would not be surprised).
I was so excited, and felt very fortunate that my grandparents lived in L.A. so I could visit them and also not spend egregious amounts of money just to see pretty boys dance on stage and sing their hearts out.
I'd be going alone to the concert, but I do most things alone and really don't mind. Besides, I knew I'd be bonding with other fans there (which I did, even while waiting in line! Super wholesome experience). There's no concert like a Kpop concert, and this remains my favourite concert experience ever, even though it was my first major one!
I was so excited, and felt very fortunate that my grandparents lived in L.A. so I could visit them and also not spend egregious amounts of money just to see pretty boys dance on stage and sing their hearts out.
I'd be going alone to the concert, but I do most things alone and really don't mind. Besides, I knew I'd be bonding with other fans there (which I did, even while waiting in line! Super wholesome experience). There's no concert like a Kpop concert, and this remains my favourite concert experience ever, even though it was my first major one!
Spotted on the way to the concert.
By the end of the day my cheeks hurt from how hard I'd been smiling with excitement and I'd lost my voice from cheering.
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No trip to L.A. is complete without a trip to Santa Monica beach. My mom and I had a great time—it was a gloriously sunny day but not too hot, with a nice breeze off the water. We got tired of walking at some point and hired a bike taxi; the guy was hilarious and had been taxi-ing since the 70s. He had some great stories to tell, especially about the literal gangs the homeless population had formed on the beaches.
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Once my mom and I picked up our rental car, we went to downtown L.A. to check out The Last Bookstore.
It's a really magically designed bookstore and I loved exploring all the rooms and levels and displays!
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In July of 2022, I went to LA for a little less than a week to visit my grandma and to go to a Stray Kids concert (my first! I was very excited!) Upon arrival, my grandparents picked me and my mom and took us for brunch at a cute little place near them. Of course, I had to get orange juice (and pretty much got it every chance I got).
Then we headed home. I love my grandma's house. It's so bright and yet cozy at the same time. I especially like the little hummingbird feeder.
The next day, we went on a driving tour heading to Malibu beach, saw amazing mountain views, and had incredible ceviche (not pictured, we ate it too fast) at the Paradise Cove Beach Café.
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This was one of my favourite parts of the trip! It was a breezy sunny day, and the beach was full of bikers, dog walkers, surfers, street performers, and more!
the waves had so many colours, it was so pretty!
total fluke that the parachute was centered
There were some giant pylon like sculptures covered in graffiti that we checked out.
artists at work
posing brother again
Then we stopped for brunch, and I saw this skateboarded pass by, and I couldn't resist taking a photo.
Then we stopped biking, because the boardwalk was pretty crowded.
the saddest clown I ever did saw
little fashionista
preparing for a stunt (which was super anticlimactic tbh)
my Nana biking
Later on, the sun was setting, and it was gorgeous.
looked like a watercolour!
playing around with my shades
stunnninnnngggg
this was also my submission to a Public Displays of Affection contest
And I leave you with one of my favourite images of the day. Until next time!
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Rodeo Drive screams expensive in an eclectic mix of high-end brands and casual chic. It was very fun to tour and very pretty.
It was Christmas Eve.
selfie, of course
I think this was a police station?
A few days later my brother and I went shopping at the Glendale Galleria, then had dinner at the best Vietnamese restaurant I've ever had the pleasure of eating in, called 9021Pho. The pun just made me like it more (because puns are beautiful and I have the humour of a seven year old), and the service was friendly and nice. (If this sounds like an ad, I'm sorry, but you have to go to this place!) Then we went for a walk around the square, which was pretty crowded by wonderfully lit with Christmas lights.
Soooo good and fresh!
My brother, showing off his hat.
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...aka the Spadena House, which my grandfather took me and my brother to see. It was such an out-of-place yet cute building, I had fun photographing it.
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After touring my grandfather's studio, we went around Warner Bros. studio itself. The building props all seemed familiar, and in person were very good at fooling you into thinking they're real...until you see that they're only three feet wide and painted on. We also visited the F.R.I.E.N.D.S stage! I was so excited, considering that I'd marathon-d all ten seasons right before my trip.
Then we were off to see the highlight of the day: the Warner Bros. Museum! Inside where original props from t.v. shows and movies, and one entire floor devoted to Harry Potter. Being a huge fan, I was bouncing up and down the whole time.
I remember watching this show when I was ten!
The Great Gatsby costumes
My Fair Lady, another movie I watched right before visiting.
Me and the Joker from Batman.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S outfits!
F.R.I.E.N.D.S memory board.
Books signed by J. K. Rowling
A goblin from the first movie, when Harry first visited Gringotts Bank
Four of the Seven Horcruxes, i.e. the Hogwarts Founders' items.
This was my favourite scene in the first movie. There was a little girl there who posed beside it, beaming, and it brought back so many memories.
Assorted props from the Seventh movie, I think.
How the troll from the second movie worked! So cool
Go Hufflepuff! Quidditch props.
The Nimbus 2000
Dobby the House Elf
A Mandrake Root, still a baby.
The Marauders Map. I actually own one of these!
The stabbed diary from the second movie.
Creepy double from the second movie, when Hermione was petrified.
The note in her hand that revealed the monster plaguing Hogwarts in the second movie.
After all the excitement, me, my brother, and my grandfather were starving, so we went for some lunch. My brother and I got vegetarian burritos, which were huge and delicious, and some freshly made tortilla chips, which were amazing. After stuffing ourselves, we visited the gift shop to buy some things for our friends and family.
Delicious salsa, though not spicy enough for my tastes, and the best salsa verde I've ever tasted. I could eat it on its own.
Heading towards the gift shop.
To close our day, we took the long way home and drove through the Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills.
And for a closing shot, a picture of Conan O'Brien's moon, that my grandfather painted.
