10.15.2013

So Cal Part 3: Malibu and LA


Notice anything different around here?! I sure hope so!

Some of you many have caught a glimpse of it last night (thank you for your sweet comments), but as you can see now, my new blog design is up! The wonderful Aubrey took my vision and created this new clean, clutter-free space for KC&CO that I couldn't be happier with. You may notice that I have done away with the Google Friend Connect option on my sidebar. This is because I really want to focus on providing quality content vs. numbers and I truly believe that if I'm providing good content, then readers will be there! Therefore, if you are a new reader, you can click the "heart" button in my social media icons set at the top of this page to follow me via blog lovin' or you can subscribe to my posts by entering your email address (as well as following along via twitter and facebook-many options!)

There are also new categories on the right sidebar that you can find any of my past recipes, DIY projects, fitness posts, etc. I hope you all enjoy this new look as much as I do.
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Now let's get into my last vacation recap!

San Diego: check, Orange County: check...next up? Traveling to Malibu and LA! Who's ready?

Malibu was a must stop for me. I figured if we are traveling all the way from Ohio to LA, I'm going to need to see Malibu. It just had to happen. Luckily, it was worth the extra time driving the PCH for. It was exactly what I pictured it to be...a small ocean town with gorgeous views, million dollar homes right on the water, high end restaurants (again-with amazing views), and some of the cutest beach front bars/lunch spots.

 
Our first stop was the famous Nobu. I would be lying if I said that I never once saw Brody Jenner upload an instagram picture (weekly) that this was his favorite sushi place and so it never crossed my mind to check it out. It definitely crossed my mind. I didn't see him (however there was a man that looked just like him that Billy pointed out to me that he tried playing off as him..), but it was an awesome place to get drinks on the water and people watch...



We ended up driving up a little farther down the coast to find some better views and found a pretty cool spot for pictures. Insert mini photoshoot...


That sign is not lying and as you can see, Malibu is just BEAUTIFUL. It's also very relaxing (and I can totally see why all the celebs come here to get away from the city) which leads me to our next stop...

also known as: heaven. Kidding...sort of. 

But this was the best place to relax and unwind! What could be better than a beach cafe right on the water (your tables and chairs are in the sand), an awesome lunch and drink menu, in the cove of Malibu? Honestly, not much....
 



Just take my word for it and visit Paradise Cove if you ever make it out to Malibu. But please make sure I'm packed in your suitcase or car beforehand, okay?

Our last and final stop? Los Angeles! 

We did all the "touristy" things here that one must do when visiting LA for the first time: explored Hollywood (Sunset Blvd, Melrose, etc), Walk of Fame, the Chinese Theatre, walk to Hollywood & Highland for a view of the Hollywood sign (far away view-more on this in a second), Rodeo Drive (unreal), and we even drove to Griffith Park Observatory for a closer view of the Hollywood sign (highly recommend doing this)...


These next few pictures are all from Griffith Park Observatory. This is a great place to go for complete views of the city and also of the Hollywood sign. You can hike to the sign, but if you don't have time for that (or are too tired like we were), then this would be the spot you would want to go for a picture. 

 
We decided to take our yearly anniversary picture here, too! 
 

The highlights of our time in LA though was visiting with Lindsay and her husband Tony! We have been following each others blogs for a long time now, and when they found out we were traveling to LA, they opened up their home to us to stay for a night (which ended up being 2!). We had so much fun with them and are so thankful. Their place is literally a 10 minute drive from Beverly Hills and Bel Air! We were in heaven (thank you both!) :)

My favorite spot/night out while we were in LA had to of been when we ate dinner at Lisa Vanderpump's (you know-my favorite Real Housewife ever) restaurant, and where the cast of Pump Rules works, at SUR! I actually made reservations for here before we came and was so excited to eat here since I had seen it while the show on Bravo so many times. 

Lisa's pink car out front...Lisa's famous pink cocktails...and the cast of SUR (we got to meet Peter, the manager, and Kristen from the show!), made our experience here definitely worth it and it was one of the nicest restaurants I've ever been in. We all enjoyed our food, too!

{do you recognize Peter from the show? He was so willing to take pictures and even chatted with us for a bit!}

The other stops we made while in LA were driving through Beverly Hills and Bel Air. I'm sure you can imagine the types of homes you see in these neighborhoods, but it's nothing like seeing them up close in real life. I don't have any pictures because I didn't want to get arrested, but man are they are something else!

{view from Mulholland Drive-which is a great street to drive if you want to see some hugs homes and go really high up into the hills/mountains!}

Last, but not least, what trip to LA would be complete without our first In-N-Out experience? Yum!

{I got the grilled cheese "animal style" and would like them to ship this to me biweekly for those weekend treats ;)}

To sum our trip up, I can only say that it really can't be summed up. 

We created so many new memories, saw things I dreamed about seeing, and enjoyed every single stop we made along the way. We are SO happy to say that we have traveled to both Northern and Southern California (with stops in most of the big areas!) and hope to be back there sooner than later! 

As for which area, Northern or Southern, we prefer the most?! You'll have to stay tuned for that answer! ;)




 

35 comments

  1. Nice! I ike the new look....and the Vacay pic. look great!

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  2. I would LOVE to go to Sur! Sounds like y'all had such a great time. I am totally jealous :) And how cool that y'all got to meet people from Lisa's show!!!

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  3. adore the new look! I have a slight obsession with Brody (and basically all things Hills/Laguna related) and thought of him the second I saw the word "nobu" haha!

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  4. Obviously northern CA! ;) Now you need to visit Central California and check out Santa Barbara, Ojai, San Luis Obispo and Big Sur! Just say'in!! ;)

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  5. SUR?! OMG!!! You know I'm dying over here right?! :)

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  6. This looks like so much fun! I love California & would like to move there some day!

    Kristin
    Crumbs and Curls

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  7. I am originally from LA, but haven't lived there for about 15 years...all of these pics bring me back to my childhood and all of the visits we've made since we moved away! Thank you for sharing! Well except for that In n' Out burger picture...oh how I miss it!

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  8. Love the fresh and clean design! Also - your pictures are amazing, all the BLUE in Malibu is breathtaking!

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  9. Ahhhhh your design looks amazing! Seriously, I love it!! So clean and it suits you perfectly...also I love your about me page, great minds :) These pictures from Cali are amazing, I seriously want to plan a trip down there this winter! Also, I'm pretty sure that you and your husband should do a Pacific Northwest trip next--I'll show you guys around Portland! xoxo

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  10. Oh so glad you got in and out and that someone told you about animal style!! So good!! Glad you love California. My vote is you like Northern California better!

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  11. Love the new look and OMG now I need to go to Malibu :)

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  12. Again, it all looks amazing!!! Love all of your pictures!! Aand I love your new layout!! I think you definitely achieved the simple, clean look!

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  13. I am glad you liked southern California! It's funny for people that live here take it for granted! I love Newport so beautiful, one of my favorite places. =) Next time central California is a must. also add Yosemite or bass lake in your trip. Gretchen Rossi has a cabin at Bass Lake. Most beautiful place ever!

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  14. Looks like a great trip! Nobu is amazing, assuming they are the same everywhere, I have only been to the one in Miami but hands down best seafood!

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  15. As a fellow Vanderpump rules obsessed, you can image my excitement that yall ate there and got to meet Peter! All of these pictures looks amazing.

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  16. Ah! I'm so jealous of ur trip! It sounds like something I'd totally do if I was in Malibu & LA! From Nobu to Sur. Love it! Can't believe you got to meet some of cast members in action :)

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  17. Love the new look, and am glad I'm already following via GFC as that's what I use. How come more bloggers are taking away the GFC option when a lot of us still use that to read blogs?

    Amazing pics! I really want to check out Sur and/or Villa Blanca the next time we're out that way. So pretty!

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  18. I am seriously coming with you on all your trips from now on. So awesome you got to go to Nobu in Malibu! My boyfriend and I went to Nobu Miami Beach last October and I still haven't recovered from how amazing it was (or that Kim Kardashian and Jon Cheban were there too)! I can't wait to go back someday when I win the lottery. :) Malibu seems amazing. Just added to my never ending list of places I need to visit!

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  19. You are so so welcome!! :) We loved having you. You two are welcome anytime ;)

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  20. We take the kids to Paradise Cove every time we go back. I was just there this Spring! :) Your pictures are awesome!

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  21. Katie! This is my backyard! I basically live at paradise cove durning the summer. they film tons of movies and tv shows there too!
    xoxo
    Bree
    www.luxandlace.blogspot.com

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  22. I'm so jeally you got to eat at Sur and meet Peter and Kristen!! Your trip looks amazing!!

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  23. I love seeing my city through tourists eyes! It's crazy what a different perspective you have of LA!

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  24. The sun & sky are SO blue!!!

    Love the new look :)

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  25. this looks like heavvveeennnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  26. So glad you loved it out here!! I grew up and live just through the canyon from Malibu so it's home to me (: You guys really hit the BEST spots up here!! And you're welcome to visit more ;)

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  27. Such an amazing trip! It makes me miss California so bad!

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  28. Loving all your pictures, looks like you guys had an amazing trip

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  29. So Jealous... Too bad I could not have fit into a suitcase hehe! Love the photos...

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  30. In N Out is delicious!! The views there are gorgeous!!

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