Polka Dots & Pearls: California Love

Ryan and I got back from our California vacation a few weeks ago. It was amazing! He planned the whole thing and made most of it a surprise! We started out the trip by visiting his aunts in Lancaster. They had such a beautiful home where we enjoyed some great homemade food and good company! They made these amazing pulled pork sandwiches that were so good I demanded the recipie and plan on making it this month when my parents visit. We also enjoyed gourmet cupcakes from a local cupcakary! My favorite was a lemon lavender one.

Nadias cupcakes, Lancaster CA.

The next stop was Six Flags Magic Mountain. Ryan had a ball! Roller coasters are his thing, he did research on each coaster, purchased fast passes and had facts to share about each one. I thought I liked rollar coasters, but in my old age, my stomach isnt as strong as it used to be.

My favorite part of the park, Frozen Lemonaid!

Ryan and I in line for the first coaster, X2. Apparently its the only 4d coaster, whatever that means.

After a day at Magic Mountain, we checked into our hotel and headed out for our first In and Out burger of the trip. Ryan and his brother are obsessed with this place! I have to admit, they are tasty, but I don't get the hype.

The next day we headed to Coronado Island, the most beautiful place ever! Ryan surprised me with a 3 night stay at the Hotel Del Coronado resort. It was literally right on the beach! It was the 125th anniversary of the hotel so it was all dolled up for the occasion.

The view of the del from our room balcony.

View!!! AMAZ!

Yours Truly posing with the Del!

We spent the next few days walking around the town and the beach, having drinks and eating delicious food. My favorite dish was fresh swordfish that I washed down with a sangria. The sunset was also something to write home about. The hotel Del had many outside decks with fireplaces that we were able to enjoy a drink and the sunset. It was surprisingly chilly there so, we would throw a sweater on and relax!

Beach sunset

How lovely!?

Did i mention we drank a lot? :)

One of my favorite days was the Padres/dodgers game. Ryan got us seats there were 4 ROWS from the field! We were so close, I felt so elite! Ryan has a high school buddy that plays for the padres so we were cheering on the Padres all evening! There truly is something perfect about baseball, beer and hot dogs. We also got to take a fairy from the island to San Diego which was kinda cool, definaly not something I get to experience her in Colorado.

Watching batting practice with my liter of beer!

Our seats! Love that guy!

We spent our last morning on Coronado Island with creps for breakfast. I though creps was just sweet but I had a savory one with eggs, avocados, and roasted tomatoes. Following our fancy breakfast, we took a walk on the beach, so peaceful.

Next stop, Montecito! We took the coast highway there which was so cool! There are tons of little beach towns along the way; ex. Laguna Beach! We made it there was checked into the Montecito Inn, the Inn the Charlie Chaplin built. It was so cute and historic, it even had the original elevator built in the 1920's. This stop was filled with more food, more drinks and more sight seeing.