If you’ve been following along on Instagram (and occasionally Snapchat), then you know a little bit about my recent trip to California – which was AMAZING! I went straight from being in Oklahoma for one of my best friend’s weddings, back to Texas, had a quick layover in Phoenix and then landed in California, all within 24 hours. It was a little crazy, and so much fun!
My trip started off with volunteering with the Pablove Foundation to put on their Shutterbugs Alumni Camp. I’ve been volunteering with the Pablove Foundation for a few years now and wrote more about their Shutterbugs Program for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month here. It teaches photography to kids living with cancer and their Alumni Camp extends the teaching into a 3-day camp to teach more advanced photography lessons to kids who have already completed the 5-week program. We spent three days up in the mountains in Lake Arrowhead and my role for the week was to take photos of camp and to also be a counselor for a few of the girls attending. You can see some photos for the week on the Pablove Foundation Instagram account!
I had never been to California before, so I decided to extend my trip for an extra day to do some site-seeing because I just couldn’t leave without going to the beach! After camp was over, had arranged to pick up a rent car and Kelsa, another volunteer with the program, came along to do tourist things with me for the day. When signing for my rent car, the lady at the desk asked me if I’d like to upgrade to a VW bug convertible, and let me tell you: I was SO tempted! After a few seconds I responded with, “Will I have to pay extra for that?” She informed that I would, so I responded with “Hm. I’d better not. Thanks though!” We talked about how it was my first time in Cali and what I should do while I was there as she went on with the rest of the paperwork and then told me my car was in spot 5… and guess what was sitting in spot 5: a little gray VW bug convertible! SCORE. So wherever you are rent-a-car lady, thank you for the fun and free upgrade! 🙂

Here’s a mix of iPhone and camera shots from my 24 hours exploring Cali:

Kelsa and I right after I got my rent car – obviously excited!
Next stop: Santa Monica Pier!


Bubba Gump’s Shrimp! We almost ate there, but the line was WAY to long, so we went to Pier Burger instead, which was a GREAT decision. 🙂

Next we decided to ride the Ferris Wheel! When I went up to buy a ticket the girl asked “Are you going by yourself?” and I was SO glad I didn’t have to say “yes” to that question! Haha



Here’s a view of the beach from the top of the Ferris Wheel:

After the Ferris Wheel, we made our way around the rest of the pier and down to the beach.

(Nice photobomb, seagull.)



Some iPhone shots Kelsa snapped of me in the ocean – I’m a baby about cold water, and it totally caught me off-guard in the bottom left photo!

We enjoyed sitting on the beach for a bit, explored Third Street Promenade and then parted ways so Kelsa could catch her flight back to Miami. I checked into my hotel, grabbed dinner and went down to the beach for the sunset. I LOVE sunsets, and the beach, so I could have sat there foreverrr. These photos don’t even do it justice – the colors were so pretty.

Beach selfie! Because when you’re traveling solo your first time in Cali, it needs to be documented.

I love the little city lights in this one.

After the beach, I grabbed some gelato before heading back to my hotel for the night – that was a good decision. 🙂
The next morning I woke up at 5:30 and was out and about exploring by about 7. I hopped in my little bug, put the top down and drove along PCH up to Malibu, just to see it, and then drove back and spent the morning and afternoon strolling along Abbot Kinney and at Venice Beach. My first stop: The Butcher’s Daughter. Oh. My. Goodness. I walked into this place and was just staring at all the pretty things. A friend had recommended that I go there and I am so glad I did!

LEFT: a cute little house I passed on the way | RIGHT: my view when walking in

I then sat on the porch and had the most delicious juice and avocado Eggs Benedict. Mhm. It was amazing as it sounds. I don’t even remember what was in that juice, but it was good!



If this place came to Austin, I would be there every day. It’s probably my most favorite restaurant / coffee shop EVER.

Abbot Kinney!

For those of you in the Austin area, I would compare this to our South Congress – but without the quirkiness. 🙂

My little rent car!

Strolling along the beach:
This place. I want to go back so bad!


And right after I took the photos of the sailboats…

A whole school of dolphins! I got so excited about it and there was NO ONE for me to share it with, so I resorted to Snapchat. 🙂 (If you look reallyyy close in the first sailboat photo, you can see a dolphin fin under the water – like right smack-dab in the middle.)
My view for the rest of the afternoon:

So overall, I absolutely LOVED California! Specifically: the beach. 🙂 Austin, Texas will always be home, but if anyone wants to take a trip back to be a beach bum with me, I’m down!