La Jolla Adventures
We’re not big vacation planners. Usually we’re just happy to be somewhere different with each other with the freedom to explore and enjoy on an impromptu basis. When go to to Cali, we’ll have a few spots in mind that we want to visit and roll from there, depending on Liv’s schedule (or in this case, how she was feeling), and where we are.
This past weekend, we enjoyed trips to some of our favorite spots:
-visiting the seals
-playing in the nearby park
-walking along the beach
-Girard street and shopping in La Jolla
-fave restaurants
-catching up with friends (thanks for our date, Whitney!)
-we went to Sea World
I felt pretty conflicted about taking Liv to Sea World. I knew she would love it, but I’ve seen The Cove (and it’s the first movie to make me physically ill), and it’s made me cautious of supporting businesses that get their animals by those means. I’d like to hope that Sea World follows a higher standard. On top of allowing Livi to see all of the marine animals and creatures, she was really there for Elmo. They have an entire Sesame Street neighborhood and lots of play areas for toddlers. Liv was so excited to meet her favorite person/thing; the equivalent of a teenager meeting Justin Bieber.
She gave Elmo a kiss right on the nose (I’m going to frame the pic for her) and when Cookie Monster freaked her out a little, we got a pretty hilarious family photo 😉
I also took a Pure Barre class while I was in town. It killed the depths of my booty and quads, leaving me in a defeated puddle on the floor. There was that one moment when the music stopped playing and I realized I was grunting. Awkwaaaard.
As fun as it always is to get away, it also feels good to be back home and we all slept well in our comfy beds. Back to work and the usual adventures today! I also have to save our bare fridge.
Hope you’re enjoying the week so far <3
xoxo
Gina
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What a great family vacation! I haven’t went that far south, but I might need to make SD my next stop.
Oh man – The Cove made me physically ill, too. It’s the only movie that I’ve ever had to get up and run to the bathroom during it. Still gives me nightmares!
What a great vacation! I love when there’s not huge plans. I also love Pure Barre; definitely works that booty!
Bahahaha I hate it when I literally have to grunt in a workout! It’s so unladylike!
What a fun vacation! The picture of you and Livi is gorgeous!! I hope the sunshine makes its way to the East coast soon!
Aw fun vacay! These photos make me wanna go to a Zoo or Aquarium!
I love watching little kids explore aquariums and sea life. It’s so different from everything they’ve ever seen before! Their little eyes and hands seriously examine every little creature!
Sounds like you had a great vacation with the Pilot and Livi, memories you will cherish for years to come. I’ve been hearing a lot about barre classes lately, they sound like an intense workout.
How/where does Liv sleep when you travel? We are getting ready for a trip with my 13 month old but he will not sleep in a pack and play. He also doesn’t really like to sleep in our bed because he thinks it’s just play time! What works for you guys?
she sleeps in a pack n play or in bed with us. she does much better in the pack n’ play, especially since we bought a comfy mattress and sheets for it for when we travel
Looks like you had a great vacation.. just the type ya like 🙂 San Diego is the best, not just because it’s my city of residence, but it can’t be beat!
It looks like you guys had a great time! I’m so jealous of the beautiful weather! It’s nothing but cold and snowy here in Western PA!
That post-Cookie Monster family pic is adorable! Did Liv get to see the penguins at Sea World? They are my favorite. :p
On a side note, at the risk of sounding like a total creeper, girl you have the most gorgeous hair! Love the color…dark but vibrant, something I’ve unfortunately never accomplished with various stylists over the years. Do you get highlights? Natural color? Whatever it is, it looks great! 🙂
wow, thank you!! i got low lights about a year ago, but definitely need a refresher. my madre colors and cuts my hair for me
I hate to be a downer, but your instincts about Sea World are right. I saw The Cove a few years ago and I just saw another documentary called Blackfish at the True/False film festival in my home town. I don’t think it is out on DVD yet, but you need to see it. It will change your mind about supporting Sea World. It is disturbing because it focuses around the deaths of trainers at Sea World, but what I found more disturbing is how Sea World obtains its Orcas. Very sad. If you get to watch it I would love to know what you think about it.
As we are expecting another winter storm tomorrow I am so jealous of all that sun and warmth where you are!!
i definitely will look into it. we very rarely visit (and don’t pay ticket admission as it’s free for military members and their families once per year) but when it’s available, i will watch it. thanks for letting me know <3
I live in Southern California and La Jolla is one of my favorite areas! So glad to see you and your family had a nice time there, too! Have you ever been to Scripps Aquarium in San Diego? If not, you might want to check it out on your next Cali trip – it’s great for kids!
Well, unfortunately SeaWorld doesn’t adhere to higher standards. Honestly, do some research if you actually care. It isn’t difficult. If you don’t care, that’s something you have to live with – but to say you are conflicted and then go anyway just makes you sound like a hypocrite.
i feel conflicted about many things (eating chicken, buying plastic products, forgetting my reusable bags, throwing away pulp from my green juice, etc) but do them occasionally anyway. i can’t live in a bubble of worry and drive myself crazy with every single decision. i understand that it’s a sensitive issue and that they are various sentiments out there- just thought it was worth mentioning how i felt.
Wow Marion how very rude of you. We are all just trying to do the best we can in life. I am sure you are not perfect either. Sea world is just one example, Disney, Corporate America, really this whole world is surrounded by corruption. Gina is expressing feelings many of us have about trying to find Kid-friendly vacation options that are friendly to the environment and the animal kingdom.
How about offering suggestions or ideas instead of criticism?
Gina, I hope you had an awesome vacation:-)
What a great looking family! It looks like you guys had a lot of fun, cherish these memories. They don’t stay young forever 🙂
That last picture is priceless!
Ahh I love the seals and cannot wait to take my little man to see them for the first time!
That’s so funny – how she loves Elmo but got scared of Cookie Monster. I tend to think they look pretty much the same except for color. Maybe it was the voices. too cute
Vacations are so wonderful. I’m glad yours was so great for you guys. Looked like perfect weather too.
Man, I am craving a trip somewhere! Also, I know it’s nothing new, but I love your hair in those loose curls.
Poor Livi! But that picture and your comment made me laugh out loud 😀
LOVE LOVE LOVE La Jolla! My boyfriend and I went to visit friends in San Diego over Christmas and we took a day trip to La Jolla. It’s so beautiful. The cliffs were amazing! Sounds like a great family trip.
haha, I love that you found yourself grunting:) I am taking a C2 Pilates class this weekend and am nervous that the same thing will happen to me:) Looks like a great vaca!
Awww La Jolla is the best! I would do anything to be there now rather than in cold, snowy Boston! I also recently took a Pure Barre class and they really mean business with all that “lift tone burn”. I realized half way through the class as I looked at my reflection in the mirror that I was making the weirdest faces while tucking tucking and holding. 😀
That last picture is ADORABLE! My niece was a huge Elmo fan, so we got super used to seeing that fuzzy red face around. Glad you guys had a great vacay!
I would love to hear more about your Pure Barre experience! I’ve been using the Physique 57 DVDs on and off for about a year and a half, and I’m thinking of adding the Pure Barre DVDs to my rotation. What is your opinion on the differences and similarities between the two? Thanks!
i prefer physique to pure barre. they have similar movements, but i like the movement techniques in physique better (pure barre is a lot of lift hold tuck, while physique has more full motions and pulsing actions)