Showing posts with label top list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top list. Show all posts
Have you heard of Travel Oregon? Visit their site for details on trip ideas, what to see and do, places to stay, travel deals, and how to get around Oregon. Next week I'm going to take you for a tour of the 7 Wonders of Oregon I have visited thus far. I'm hoping to see all 7 wonders before the end of this year and even re-visit a few. If you're itching for the road trip of a lifetime you have come to the right place!
7 Wonders of Oregon check list:
-The Oregon Coast [check]
-The Colombia River Gorge [check]
-The Painted Hills [check]
-Smith Rock [check]
-The Wallowas [check]
-Mt. Hood
-Crater Lake
7 WONDERS OF OREGON
Living in California has a lot of perks, but among the popular is their well-known and beloved piers. Nearly every beach has its pier, and living in LA I thought I'd share with you my top three.
#1. Manhattan Beach Pier
Rain or shine, this is my favorite pier so far. I absolutely love Manhattan Beach pier. Perhaps it's the fact that it was the first pier I stepped foot on when I came to California, but it has a soft spot in my heart. I filmed a lovely Christmas video here last year, and ever since we've been going back. During the Fall/Winter it's chilly and breezy, and summertime is hot and sunny. It's a super fun surf spot and also great for just a warm swim when the weather's just right. Like most California beaches, it gets crowded but depending on the weather you can find yourself alone as well. There's lots of volleyball pits to watch competitions and it's located in a cool part of town with great restaurants, shopping and places to see. There's a little aquarium on the pier that's awesome for mamas to take their kids during the day, and they have yummy hot dogs (with jalapeños!) and hot chocolate for those cooler nights.
#2. Malibu Pier
Malibu Pier is a popular surf spot, attracting surfers of all kinds and beach goers that want a little less hustle and bustle. Although it gets very busy in the summer, there are days where it's pretty empty as well. We recently visited on a moody rainy day, and rain or shine - it's a gorgeous locale. With a little cafe at the end and lots of bird watching, Malibu has become a sort of escape for us.
#3. Santa Monica Pier
I've nicknamed this pier the "party pier" because it is so incredibly busy with lots of activity and excitement. If you're an energy seeker and looking for social stimulation, you really ought to visit Santa Monica. This pier has a carnival at the end with a ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds and rides. There are lots of food stalls to get all kinds of treats and even a nice Mexican restaurant. It's a great place to listen to local artists and musicians play live music, watch the fishermen, people watch and stroll around with some friends. It's busy and packed most all the time, and has killer sunsets.
LOS ANGELES PIERS
Recently we piled in the van with 6 friends and 2 dogs and headed to the Oregon coast. We figured it was the best time to get some surfing in before fall business kicked back in! It was a beautiful weekend!
There are millions of reasons why we love the Oregon coast. Nothing beats the fresh air, green landscape, and misty beaches. Camping isn't always the easiest or cheapest to find, so plan ahead! We learned that the hard way. Here are our top 5 reasons we love the Oregon coast.
1. Mo's
Need a warm bowl of clam chowder after a chilly surf session? Or maybe just some fish and chips to satisfy your munchies. Mo's is the perfect local restaurant to eat at with ocean views and great customer service. For about $10 a plate fill up your belly with comforting seafood!
2. Tillamook Jerky and Cheese Factory
It's not a trip to Oregon if you don't stop by the jerky outlet or cheese factory. Save dollars at the outlet for your favorite flavor of jerky and even take a piece for your dog! I have always loved going to the cheese factory and sampling all the different kinds of cheeses. You can watch the factory workers make cheese and learn about the process, and end your tour with a Tillamook ice-cream cone! There are so many flavors to choose from none will disappoint!
3. Surf
You can't go to the coast without putting your wetsuit on! Yes, I squeezed my pregnant body into mine to get my surf on. It was misty and chilly some days, sunny and clear other days. We cruised up the PCH surfing different breaks and caught some 3-5 foot swells. If you don't have surf gear check out local surf shops for rentals and be prepared to have the time of your life! I recommend wearing your hood, gloves and booties- it makes the world of a difference.
4. Dog friendly
This may not seem like a big deal to you, but if you have a four legged friend it is. A lot of beaches on the west coast have strict rules about dogs because of government laws and population, but not in Oregon. These state owned beaches allow you to bring your dogs where they can run free! It's great to meet so many people and their dogs in such a laid back atmosphere. Beaches should be for all to enjoy... including your pet. Oregon knows what's up.
5. Oregon blackberries
Native blackberry bushes line the streets of Oregon. You can stop anywhere during picking season and pick until your heart's content. We ate blackberries the whole drive home and even made a delicious dutch oven cobbler the following day. The bushes are pokey, so be warned and wear jeans. Or if you're like me you can just pick and eat until your fingers turn blue.
If you're in need for spontaneous adventure, a road trip is always a good idea. Any Oregonians out there have other top favorites?
HOW TO: TOP 5 OREGON COAST
A few weeks ago Megan came and visited me (Kylie) in LA! I was so happy to have a sissy come out to see me, I had literally been bugging her for months to come out. She was probably so annoyed, poor thing, but of course I made her travels well worth the time and money.
If you ever come to the city of angels, Los Angeles, then we've created a short hit list of things you can do and see while you're here. There are a million more but this is a good start. Note, that no matter where you go there is surf and waves to be had - we just didn't photograph while surfing because, well, we were busy surfing. Here's our top 5 to get you started.
Destination: Dockweiler Beach / Activity: Beach bonfire / Firewood: $7 at grocery store
The trick with Dockweiler is to arrive early. California has a freak load of people in it - which means a LOT of people rushing out on weekends to get the best fire pit on the beach before the sun goes down. Dockweiler is located near the LAX airport, which definitely kinda sucks seeing how airplanes fly overhead every 5 minutes and you have to yell at your friends to hear each other. Nonetheless, it's the nearest and one of the only beaches in LA county where you can have bonfires so suck it up and have a good time. We got there at 2 pm and stayed til 10 pm, longest day of our lives! There was no surf to entertain us so we just rested, chatted about life and hung out under the sun. By the end of the night there will be parties hoppin' everywhere and all the firepits are claimed by 3 pm that afternoon so plan ahead. Also be ready to get your feet dirty because there is a lot of soot and ash in the sand from the fires, so you will probably end up looking a little dirty by the end of the night.
Destination: Hollywood & Highland / Activity: Hollywood Walk of Fame
Ya gotta see the "stars" when you come to LA! It'll give you that Hollywood vibe with all the celebrities, musicians, artists and filmmakers plastered all over the ground. It stretches for 15 blocks and you can plan in advance to find the stars you're looking for here. There are also hand and foot prints for you to stick into as well! It's pretty fun and the city lights are quite exciting. There's a lot of energy here, with people dressed up and street entertainment as you pass along. People set up stalls of hot dogs, tacos and everything in between to settle the grumble in your tummy you're bound to get.
Destination: Griffith Observatory / Admission: Free / Location: Griffith Park
Do you like space? Science? Then you'll love Griffith Observatory! You can learn all about the star, sun, moon and the earth's orbit and get a pretty spectacular view of the entire city. There's a museum at the heart of the location that you can meander around reading plenty of scientific facts to blow your mind if you're into that sort of thing.
Destination: Griffith Park / Activity: Picnic
Griffith Park is huge. There are so many paths, trails and little spots to park and have a picnic it's kinda outta control. It's quite a ginormous plot of land in the middle of LA to help all us city dwellers to keep from going crazy by getting in touch with nature and escaping the city buzz. Just drive up to the entrance and cruise around looking for a spot. When you park, it is more fun just to go up and down exploring all the trails and finding the perfect spot. There are picnic tables and jungle gyms in certain areas and they even do pony rides and have merry go rounds in others. You'll have a good time, whether it be for exercise or leisure.
Destination: Diddy Riese / Location: Westwood / Price: $1.75
Are you serious?! HOMEMADE cookies with the best most delicious ice-cream in a sandwich for not even $2?! Now THAT is a steal. This place is so popular there is ALWAYS a line that goes far out the door and down the streets, and although it may tempt you to run the other way the line is there for a reason. It's a hip and fun little spot and the sandwiches are way worth the wait - which, by the way, goes by really fast. These cheap treats taste delicious and like a million bucks. I want to go back and eat one right now.
HOW TO: L.A. HIT LIST
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