Taking on Los Angelos, Malibu and Santa Monica with Carissa and Matthew

I’ll be honest, LA and myself have never really been friends. I’ve tried, I really have, and I like to think I can become friends with any city but try as I might, it is at best a love hate relationship without much love. Be that as it may I have discovered several pockets of goodness that are fun to visit. The difficulty is that it takes an hour to go five miles in LA traffic, doing it all is beyond impossible. Recently, Matthew and I decided to go visit Carissa who attends school at Pepperdine University in Malibu California. This would be Matthews last chance to see his sisters school for at least a year since Carissa will study abroad in Switzerland next year. Matthew, Carissa and I took on LA, Santa Monica and Malibu and I like to think we won but it might have been a draw. We have these photos to preserve some wonderful memories, and in the end, who’s keeping score?

Hiking in Franklin Canyon, just up from Beverly Hills.

Hiking in Franklin Canyon, just up from Beverly Hills.

This is where they filmed scenes of Myers Lake from the Andy Griffith show back in the 50's

This is where they filmed scenes of Myers Lake from the Andy Griffith show back in the 50’s

Matthew, Carissa and myself on Abbot Kinney Street in Santa Monica

Matthew, Carissa and myself on Abbot Kinney Street in Santa Monica

Our Santa Monica airbnb at the beach

Our sketchy but fun Santa Monica airbnb at the beach

After a rather excited gift exchange with Carissa, we proudly sported our newly acquired clothing from Guatemala. Only in Santa Monica could we get away with this! :)

After a rather excited gift exchange with Carissa, we proudly sported our newly acquired clothing from Guatemala. Only in Santa Monica could we get away with this! 🙂

Strolling the beach with Matthew

Strolling the beach with Matthew

Time out on the beach

Time out on the beach

Carissa loved my souvenirs from Guatemala

Carissa loved her souvenirs from Guatemala

Abbott Kinney Street

Abbott Kinney Street

Hanging out at Gjelina's.

Hanging out at Gjelina’s.

LA simply has the best "people watching" anywhere!

LA simply has the best “people watching” anywhere!

Santa Monica pier

Santa Monica pier

Riding the roller coaster at the Santa Monica pier with my new friend!

Riding the roller coaster at the Santa Monica pier with my new friend!

Santa Monica pier

Santa Monica pier

My favorite photo from the trip

My favorite photo from the trip

Roller coaster fun

Roller coaster fun

Backing the beach in Santa Monica

Biking the beach in Santa Monica

Backing the beach in Santa Monica

Biking the beach in Santa Monica

Biking the beach near Santa Monica pier

Biking the beach near Santa Monica pier

Coffee with Carissa

Coffee with Carissa

Farmers market with Carissa

Farmers market with Carissa

Beautiful Ranunculus , Christina's favorite flowers

Beautiful Ranunculus , Christina’s favorite flowers

Chipotle's new Asian themed restaurant, Shop House Kitchen

Chipotle’s new Asian themed restaurant, Shop House Kitchen

Los Angeles County Museum of art (LACMA)

Los Angeles County Museum of art (LACMA)

Coffee at the museum

Coffee at the museum

LACMA

LACMA

LACMA

LACMA

LACMA, we enjoyed exploring the middle eastern art collection on display

LACMA, we enjoyed exploring the middle eastern art collection on display

Part of the Berlin wall.

Part of the Berlin wall.

Enjoyed going all Ethiopian at Messob in Beverly Hills

Enjoyed going all Ethiopian at Messob in Beverly Hills

Ethiopian food

Ethiopian food

Enjoyed exploring Ethiopian food with the kids

Enjoyed exploring Ethiopian food with the kids

Exploring new coffee places

Exploring new coffee places

New coffee find Alfreds was great

New coffee find Alfreds was great

Watched the opening of Cindarella at the El Capitan on Hollywood Boulevard

Watched the opening of Cindarella at the El Capitan on Hollywood Boulevard

Dancing with Cinderella

Dancing with Cinderella

Getting ready to watch Cinderella at the El Capitan

Getting ready to watch Cinderella at the El Capitan

The El Capitan goes all out when they show a movie, being in Hollywood they feature many pieces from the set and costumes from the movie

The El Capitan goes all out when they show a movie, being in Hollywood they feature many pieces from the set and costumes from the movie

Yep, Cinderella's glass slippers as seen in the movie

Yep, Cinderella’s glass slippers as seen in the movie

The El Capitan is beautiful

The incredibly restored El Capitan is beautiful, yes, they still play the old theater organ before the shows. We sat in the balcony.

Costumes from the movie Cinderella

Costumes from the movie Cinderella

The Hollywood walk of fame, lots of craziness going on here

The Hollywood walk of fame, lots of craziness going on here

Grauman's Chinese theater

Grauman’s Chinese theater

LA 44

The famous Hollywood sign

The famous Hollywood sign

Matthew Carissa and myself enjoying a walk on the beach

Matthew Carissa and myself enjoying a walk on the beach

Here is our list of favorite places

Franklin Canyon

Site where Myers Lake on the Andy Griffith Show was filmed

Gjelina

Griffith Observatory

The Punchbowl (best juice in LA)

Shop House Kitchen (Chipotle’s new asian food chain)

Alfreds

rdmosley
rdmosley1@me.com
7 Comments
  • Julie Miller
    Posted at 23:16h, 17 April Reply

    Loved your blog especially that you ate Ethiopian food! It is such an experience! I am in Ethiopia presently!

    Sent from my iPhone

    • Ronnie Mosley
      Posted at 23:19h, 17 April Reply

      Thanks Julie, we loved the food and the experience. Looking forward to your return!

      • Ronnie Mosley
        Posted at 08:44h, 18 April Reply

        Thank you! Always nice to have you along 🙂

  • Tom Roberts
    Posted at 06:49h, 18 April Reply

    Ronnie, we are seeing the world through your eyes (and mind). Thanks for sharing, Tom and Lori

    • Ronnie Mosley
      Posted at 16:15h, 18 April Reply

      Thank you Tom and Lori, I love having you along!

  • mjre
    Posted at 09:59h, 18 April Reply

    Oh Ronnie, How I love your enthusiasm for life! I too have never been much on LA but after seeing your pictures….I want to go 🙂 Thank you for letting us share a glimpse into your life! You are a precious father who loves much! I am honored to be your friend! Let’s have coffee soon!! Mary Jane

    • Ronnie Mosley
      Posted at 16:14h, 18 April Reply

      Your the best, Mary Jane! I will be looking forward to that coffee 🙂

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