Hello everyone!
After leaving Lake Tahoe, we made our way to Mann’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. Here, we saw numerous street vendors and performers dressed as superheroes and celebrities.
Our first full day in L.A. included a guided tour behind Universal Studios where we visited the world’s largest working studio and the famous sets of Jaws, Times Square, Wisteria Lane, and Bates Motel. We learned about the versatility of sets and how special effects like rain and flash flooding work.
After the tour, everyone was able to enjoy Universal’s rides, like the newly revamped Jurassic World, and classics like The Mummy. We ended our day at the Hard Rock Cafe where we enjoyed a delicious meal and an outdoor concert.
The following day, we made our way to Venice Beach, stopping at Abbot Kinney Blvd on the way. A few of our Trip Members ran into Casey Neistat, a famous Youtuber. The first celeb sighting of the trip! We explored the boho-chic boutiques and cafes and fell in love with the light-hearted beach-party vibe of Venice Beach. Many of us listened to a street performer who would make rhymes about the amount he was tipped!
After an eventful morning in some of L.A.’s most famous areas, we made our way to the UCLA bookstore where everyone had the chance to gear up like a real Bruin. Then, it was time for a comedy show at Improv. This was a major highlight for us as our host was childhood icon- Gustavo Rocque! We sang our favorite Big Time Rush song with him and listened to five hilarious comics.
The next day, we visited the L.A. Food Bank where Trip Members helped organize food and basic care supplies. The impact made was astounding. After only 2 hours, we sorted through 7,193 pounds of food, which will be able to create 5,970 meals.
After getting the day started off on the right foot, we enjoyed lunch at The Grove where everyone kept their eyes open for celebrities. The group enjoyed the high-class yet laid back atmosphere of the area and it’s famous Farmer’s Market. Next stop, Rodeo Drive. Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Coach, Tiffany & Co., Fendi – Rodeo Drive was filled with luxurious stores. Many trip members enjoyed the Louis Vuitton exhibit that showed how the bags are made, while others perused windows and racks full of beautiful clothing.
After an eventful day, dinner was served in Santa Monica at the Third Street Promenade. The street is home to dozens of boutique restaurants, stores and shopping options. The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful. We strolled the Santa Monica Pier and took a ride on the Ferris wheel with beautiful skyline views of the city and the ocean. Some trip members took some pictures, while others listened to the musicians on the boardwalk.
The final day in L.A. was spent at the most magical place on earth – Disneyland! Everyone took their turn on popular Disney rides like Splash Mountain and Space Mountain. They explored the newly opened Star Wars part of the park, too, and ended the day with an ice cream sandwich treat from the famous Diddy Riese ice cream parlor. While savoring some sweet bites, The Handmaid’s Tale finale event happening across the street ended, and out came the lead actress, Elisabeth Moss. Two of our trip members even got selfies with the star!
L.A. treated us well, and while we are sad to leave, we can’t wait for our final stop in San Diego!
Until next time,
The Westcoast Blogger
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