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Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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March 14, 2017

Road Tripping in Los Angeles

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Driving through Los Angeles means getting stuck in traffic. Unless you plan on staying put in one neighborhood (and why would you?) you might as well prepare yourself for the inevitable.

With every trip I have gotten better at being more patient with what is a true LA experience and reaching out to locals who are great at letting me know about travel times to avoid and expressway to skip all together. But if you do get stuck in traffic, the best thing to do is take a deep breath, find a fun tune, and enjoy the ride.

It is with this pocket full of positivity that my family and I head out to explore some favorite spots in and around Los Angeles. We started our trip with a hike on the Santa Monica Mountains (read Hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains). Leaving early not only helps to avoid the heat during the hike and the crowds, but also the traffic. As we left Santa Monica we decided to take the longer path along the Pacific Coast Highway 1 which added almost an hour to our trip, but was totally worth it just for the views. It made for a great day.

The following days didn’t disappoint either. Other stops included:

Aquarium in Long Beach

We avoided traffic and made the 1+ drive to Long Beach in the early morning hours. The sunny was bright and the weekday vibe was serene in this coastal town. We had breakfast at popular Potholder Cafe (come hungry!) while people watching from their outdoor area. While I had the honor at speaking at the annual We All Grow Summit in the gorgeous Hotel Maya, my family spent their time exploring the fun and engaging marine life exhibits at the Aquarium of The Pacific. From watching sea lions play to admiring neon coral and learning about marine animal sounds, the 2+ hours just seemed to fly by.

Serenity at the aquarium

Hotel Maya lobby

Brunch in the Arts District

Located in the eastern side of Downtown LA is the Arts District, a haven for creatives, hipsters, and those who love them and the freedom of expression that it inspires. Colorful murals and trendy cafes and shops make this a fun place to explore, especially after brunch with our friends, Captain and Clark.

Troublemakers. Album to drop soon.

We got to enjoy some good eats at Zinc Cafe and Market, and of course, an impromptu Gin tasting at The Spirit Guild, because why not?

Zinc Cafe and Market

Cheers! It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!

Donuts!!

After all that walking around it only made sense to head out in search of something sweet, and no other place spoke to us more than the 30-year-old Korea town favorite of California Donuts.

Tacos at Hermosa Beach

My favorite parts of road tripping in LA are the parts that take us to the beach! They each have their own personality and vibe and I cant resist dipping my feet in the sand. When you need to escape the traffic, and if you are lucky enough to be visiting during the week, definitely find your beach and relax. In Hermosa, we got to do just that while also enjoying some shrimp tacos at Killer Shrimp. A must!

Sunset in Venice Beach

This eclectic, loud, crazy, fun, busy spot is one to check out at least once when visiting. Tip: there are tons of parking lots with various prices. We found the best spot to be on Speedway and Rose Ave., which at the time of this post was about $4 cheaper than the others and stayed opened till midnight.

If after walking the strip you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, take a walk over to the beach. This is where we watched the sun set and we even got to see a whale at the distance!

Driving in Los Angeles is everything you have heard it to be. Some times are worst than others, and if possible, you just learn to avoid those. Not worrying how to get around or that you are going to get lost helps too and makes the yucky part of LA – the driving in traffic – feel really insignificant when compared to all the awesome road tripping experiences through diverse and beautiful county has to offer. For more on this great destination read: Los Angeles from a New Yorker’s Point of View.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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One day would never be enough to celebrate the won One day would never be enough to celebrate the wonderful that has been the 20 years that I have been @toniiocain’s mom. The kindness and softness he puts out into the world is something we all need more of.

Antonio, I am proud of the man you are growing up to be and know that you are destined for amazing things. 

I miss the baby you once were because omg, you were the best baby, but I look forward to continuing to experience this journey of growth you are on.

Happy Birthday, Antonio. I love you more than words could ever express. 

#proudmomma
Rainy Sunday night bliss. ❤️ Feeling grateful. Rainy Sunday night bliss. ❤️ Feeling grateful.
A perfect little roadtrip idea: Clifton Springs, N A perfect little roadtrip idea: Clifton Springs, NY to explore all the good reads available at the cutest little bookstore, @sulfurbooks. 

With its airy feel, with cozy reading nooks and friendly vibes, I could’ve easily spent hours here. Instead, I walked away with some new reads and excitement for my return.

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In the mural you will see depictions of a turtle at center, which is sacred and is believed to be the protector and nurturer of life. The 13 moon cycles is the traditional lunar calendar. Also depicted are long houses, traditional foods such as corn, and an eagle, which serves as a messenger to the Creator and a protector of the Haudenosaunee.

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If you want to see the mural in person, it is located on the railway wall along Washington Ave. and Lake St. in Elmira, NY across from the old Big Lots parking lot. 

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Mi gente Latinx e inmigrante : tu felicidad, tu é Mi gente Latinx e inmigrante : tu felicidad, tu éxito, y tus esperanzas y sueños positivos hacia el futuro también son expresiones de revolución. El propósito es crear desesperación, confusión, intimidación, y tristeza. Y sí, existen. Sufrímos con nuestras familias, amistades, y comunidades. Pero, coño, nuestra gente somos resiliente y capaces de más de lo que se imaginan. Movamosnos adelante con la cara alta, dignidad, y coraje. 
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#latinx
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