Although I’ve been in California for nearly two weeks now, my “official” vacation didn’t kick off until today. Since my arrival at the beginning of the month, I’ve been working remotely throughout San Diego and Orange County- starting my day at four in the morning and wrapping up e-mails/tasks around 1:30 in the afternoon. Sure, the first couple of days were a brutal adjustment (I need my sleep!) but now that I’ve gotten the hang of it- it hasn’t been bad at all. Dare I say it, but I think I might even prefer it!
My work day is done early enough in the afternoon where I can do things like go to the gym while the sun is still up, go swimming or soak in the hot tub without the weekend or late-afternoon crowds, or do some exploring around places in Orange County, Newport Beach and Anaheim.
This past Saturday, Troy and I got an early start and headed to the famous Roger’s Gardens to check out their recently opened “Halloween Boutique.” After getting my daily dose of pumpkin-induced serotonin, we picked up a couple of spooky decorations and keepsakes for his apartment. My favorite? A Ouija skull that I all but forced him to buy for a shelf in his front hall.
And if you’re thinking of visiting (which I highly recommend! They have so much cool stuff to look at!) definitely head there for when they open first thing in the morning. Traffic was unreal.
On Saturday night, on an impulse after a hike through a sculpture garden/park in Newport- we made our way to Strong Water in Anaheim, a pirate/shipwreck-themed bar we’d seen advertised in different Instagram Reels. We admittedly didn’t do our research, and had no idea just how quickly the place fills up (guests can stay for no later than two hours at a time,) and thought for sure we’d be turned away after hearing that reservations were going into November- but a last minute cancellation got us in! We couldn’t believe how lucky we were.
After enjoying a few (yes, a few. I’m on vacation!) of their Banana Batida cocktails and some pork cheese fries in one of the coolest atmospheres and with the friendliest, most fun servers imaginable- I can say with confidence and certainty that it is one of my favorite bars ever– and I would go back in a heartbeat. Maybe I’ll celebrate a birthday there someday!
On Sunday, after sleeping off those aforementioned Banana Batida cocktails- Troy and I took a quick drive to Los Angeles for some more spooky activities. This time, we stayed quiet and respectful and made our way around Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary- one of the most famous cemeteries in the world since it serves as the final resting place for entertainment legends like Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, Dean Martin, Jack Lemmon, and so many more.
I’d never been, and was shocked to see such a peaceful, “blink and you’ll miss it” spot in the middle of one of L.A.’s busiest areas.
And now that my time off is officially underway, I’m excited to head back to San Diego today, to have a couple more daytime adventures later on this week, and catch Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service in L.A. on Friday night- among many other exciting things I’ve got planned for the remainder of my stay here on the West Coast!
’til then!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 