The Wild Wild West: Final Chapter

As we made our way down to LA we knew we had to get one more hike under our belts before the SoCal food fest began. A nice day hike in the Santa Monica mountains, up to the highest point (Sandstone Point), was the way to do it. From the peak, the 360 views were hard to beat--Channel Islands, Malibu, rolling hills, hidden valleys, and of course the blazing California sun illuminating the Pacific. 

When we finally did make it to Los Angeles, we were in for a treat--a $10 treat of a lifetime that is. As our stomachs started rumbling, we knew we had to find something that spoke to us. Sure enough we did! And that was an amazing taco stand on the side of the road, which has been voted "Where Chefs Eat in LA." Two fish tacos, a shrimp taco, hefty sides of rice and beans, and a loaded crab ceviche tostada for $10!? Did I mention it was also delicious!

For the next few days we had the pleasure of staying with my best friend and fiancé at their fabulous place in Marina Del Ray. We finally got to relax, do some home cookin', walk around the famous Venice Becah, check out the Santa Monica Pier, and marvel at amazing pieces of land in The Hills, perhaps not using the most conventional ways (i.e. fence hopping).

We continued our LA adventure by doing what all people in LA do...drive long distances, sit in traffic and eat In n' Out Burger animal style!

Of course, we did some sightseeing and checked out the famous Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood stars, and rode bikes into the sunset!

Someone also had a big exciting 30th birthday, which we spent in a Hollywood highrise playing dominos! Okay, okay, there was also an amazing gourmet cookout with friends to celebrate!

After a week in LA, it was time to make moves, and Joshuah Tree National Park was next on the agenda. As luck would have it, we happened to go with two seasoned rock climbers to one of the world's greatest rock climbing parks. As first timers, climbing a 50ft. rock wall with tiny crevasses used as climbing guides was incredibly nerve-wrecking to say the least, however, facing my fear of heights and climbing up that thing like it was just another day of climbing was incredible!

A few days in the Mojave, and we were ready to finish off he Cali coast in San Diego. We stayed with a pal in San Diego's little Italy, where we were welcomed with chocolates on our pillows! And our gracious host even arranged for us to go sailing in the San Deigo harbor abroad the Frolic. It was one of the trip's most magical moments, as we cruised around the sparking waters, on a perfect sunny California day. The captain even gave us a mini sailing lesson!

We also reconnected with the fam while in San Diego, and did some serious grubbing. By that I mean we re-created 2/3 of a Man v. Food San Diego episode by going to Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop and Phil's BBQ. Both joints certainly did not disappoint but seriously, the Phil's BBQ Tri-Tip sandwich overflowing with BBQ sauce somthered beef for under $8 was mind blowing! Yummmm. 

And now with the West Coast complete, what's next? Why, the Southwest!