I know most people have heard several different quotes about the West Coast. My favorite, even though I am forever an East Coast girl, is "Left Side, Best Side" hence the title of this post. I have been on the west coast a total of 6 times. Four of those 6 times have been to California. I have visited Los Angeles, Hollywood, Fullerton, Huntington Beach and Carson.
Los Angeles & Hollywood
After I finished college back in August of 2012, I took a big break from everything, until my graduation ceremony in January of 2013. For those who may be confused, I finished school in the summer but the commencement ceremony was not until the next January. My first trip post college was to Los Angeles, California. Growing up I had been in LOVE with the idea of LA. I wanted to move there and pursue my singing career. But as well all know, most of our childhood dreams change as we get older.
My wonderful parents and I.
After visiting for the first time in 2008 on a senior trip, I knew I wanted to return and get a better feel for the city to see if moving there was still an option for me. My mom and I went there in January, 2013. The weather was significantly warmer than back home on the east coast but it was unseasonably cold for LA.The weather was in the high 50s, low 60s.
This hat was totally necessary for the weather.
The trip with my mom was a nice getaway for us but I was beginning to realize that Los Angeles might not have been the place for me. Two reasons being the cost of living and the distance. All of my family is on the east coast so moving to the other side of the country would have been too difficult for me. And the cost was way out of my price range being a recent college grad who was still looking for permanent work. So I decided that it would be one of my favorite places to visit but it would not be a place I called home.
My mother and I did a lot of tourist things while in Los Angeles and Hollywood. We did a LOT of shopping, which is one of my mother's favorite past times. We went to a huge Nordstrom Rack in Culver City and of course we went to Rodeo Drive.
We ate at many different places however, In N Out and Bottega Louie are the most memorable for me. In N Out was GREAT, the first time I ate it. But the more trips I took and the more times I ate it, the less appealing it became to me. The burgers are pretty good and the special sauce they put on the burgers almost reminds me of the sauce on a Big Mac, but better. The only thing that I don't like are the fries, they aren't that great to me but I think they are still worth a try. Bottega Louie was a very cute restaurant. As soon as you walk in there's a case that has all types of macaroons and other desserts. I myself am not a macaroon eater but my mother had one and she loved it. So, I would definitely reccommend going and trying out the macaroons, if they are appealing to your palate.
My mom and I had a great vacation visiting California back in 2013, it was her first time and it quickly became a place that she knew she wanted to visit again.
My mother and I did a lot of tourist things while in Los Angeles and Hollywood. We did a LOT of shopping, which is one of my mother's favorite past times. We went to a huge Nordstrom Rack in Culver City and of course we went to Rodeo Drive.
We ate at many different places however, In N Out and Bottega Louie are the most memorable for me. In N Out was GREAT, the first time I ate it. But the more trips I took and the more times I ate it, the less appealing it became to me. The burgers are pretty good and the special sauce they put on the burgers almost reminds me of the sauce on a Big Mac, but better. The only thing that I don't like are the fries, they aren't that great to me but I think they are still worth a try. Bottega Louie was a very cute restaurant. As soon as you walk in there's a case that has all types of macaroons and other desserts. I myself am not a macaroon eater but my mother had one and she loved it. So, I would definitely reccommend going and trying out the macaroons, if they are appealing to your palate.
My mom and I had a great vacation visiting California back in 2013, it was her first time and it quickly became a place that she knew she wanted to visit again.
My mom bought me a Louis Vuitton purse as a graduation gift. It was a total surprise and I cried. Lol. She tricked me, I thought we were looking at future purchases.
Carson
June, 2014 is the most recent trip where I visited California. I was there for a professional boxing event. A really good family friend Gary Russell, Jr. was fighting for a title. I flew into LAX by myself, my mother went a few days earlier than I did. As much traveling as I have done, this was only the second time that I have traveled alone to meet someone in another state. And both times were to California, but I'll talk more about my first solo trip in another post.
This trip was a learning experience for me. I graduated with a degree in Sports Management and at this event I was granted "All Access" to the event being apart of Team Russell. It was a real life experience of the things I spent 4 years studying. This was actually my second time having "All Access" to a professional boxing event. The first time was December, 2011 when I was a PR intern for a PR firm in Washington, D.C.
I spent my weekend mixing and mingling with a lot of professional boxers and their camps. Boxing is my favorite sport so for me this one of the greatest weekends of 2014. Being back in California at that time was hard for me but I was with my best friend, my mommy, and we both were learning a lot together. We both have future plans for the world of boxing so watch out for the Jacobs women!
Mommy and I ringside.
Pressbox view of the ring.
StubHub Center where the event was held.
Of course, my mom and I visited Rodeo Drive again. This time she bought herself some fancy gifts, which she never does so I was really happy for her. We took a few hours from our learning for some girl time. Even though boxing is both of our favorite sport and we really enjoy hanging with the guys and learning as much as we can, we couldn't wait to get away for some retail therapy.
Us on Rodeo.
Unfortunately on this trip we ate a lot of meals that were given to Team Russell so I didn't get to go out and try any great restaurants in Carson. I hope I get to go back soon so that I can give you all a good review of the food there. And I do apologize that this post isn't as detailed as the others. These trips are old and they happened way before I decided I should start a travel blog. But I have plenty of pictures from my trip to Carson that I can share with you all.
Gary Russell, Jr selecting his fight gloves.
Weigh In
View of Carson from the host hotel.
Mommy with her brand new Fendi bag! She's such a fashionista.
Ground view from Salt Lake City where we connected on our way home.
This purse is another gift my mom got for herself. I just couldn't help myself. Lol.
My god sister Talore sent me a video of my mom and I on Showtime during the fight.
P.S.
Look what came in the mail yesterday:
The turn around time was a little under 3 full weeks. I applied on September 6th and I received it in the mail on September 24th. I did not pay for an expedited process. Just in case anyone was wondering how long the process took. I'm so excited to have this, now I am totally prepared for my trip in November!!
Peace&Love
Janisha
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