A West Coast Weekend
by Yasmine Lawson
While destination vacations and bucket-list adventures are always wanted and enjoyed, sometimes, we all need a quick getaway for a weekend; I know I did! One of my favorite quick-trip places is Southern California. Recently, we took a family trip to Los Angeles and even though it was for 3 days, we made it unforgettable. Here are a few notable pit stops from my West Coast weekend in SoCal.
The Getty:
The Getty Center Museum is probably my favorite museum I’ve ever visited. Located on a scenic hill, The Getty Center houses striking exhibitions of art from all over the world; In addition, they feature picturesque architecture and breathtaking gardens. We spent hours here and were only able to cover about half of the exhibits! My favorite exhibit spotlighted photographer Imogen Cunningham’s work. Being able to take time and view ancient art and meaningful photographs was a grounding experience that really made this trip worth it!
Venice Beach:
Known for being a celebrity hotspot, Venice is a heavenly coastal town that features a panoramic beach. While I didn’t run into any celebrities on this trip, what I got to see on this beach was just as rewarding. We came to Venice beach quite a few times over the weekend; one night, we watched the sunset, the next day we sat and sunbathed, and the following night, we walked around Abbot Kinney Boulevard. The adventures and experiences here were endless, not to mention the instagrammable scenery all around. The atmosphere here both in the day and night was so relaxing and made me feel like absolutely none of my worries existed.
Santa Monica Pier:
The Santa Monica Pier is a popular spot for tourists and residents in the heart of Santa Monica. We didn’t get the chance to go on the many carnival-like rides and activities that were there, but our stroll along the pier was plenty of fun! Interacting with the vendors and various people, smelling the salty air while standing in the midst of the beautiful Pacific Ocean, and taking many, many pictures brought lots of smiles and laughs to our group. The Pier was definitely a highlight of this trip and I look forward to visiting it again.
There’s only so much one can do in a weekend, but don’t let that deter you from taking the break you deserve! These spots were only a few of the places we visited and they served to make this weekend a perfect mini-vacation. Southern California has a lot to offer and should definitely be high on your list of travel locations.
