Summer Trip to Malibu & Santa Monica
As an ending to my summer break of 2023, my family and I planned a trip to Malibu and Santa Monica. The reason we chose these places was because of the warm and sunny weather and the beautiful and cool beaches that they have to offer. We left for our trip around noon since the drive would be long. The whole day we sat in the hot car, changing the temperature of the AC often because of the inconsistent temperatures outside. Every time we had to take a pit stop, we were once again met by the humid and scorching air that was trapped in our car.
Despite this weather, the entire drive we saw so many new plants and landscapes, as we explored new places. One destination that my parents were eager to see was a small city along the way, Solvang. This small town is known for its Danish-style architecture and preservation of Danish heritage. It was quite cozy and the buildings were breathtaking. There were so many colorful homes and each one had a unique, antique finish. There were also small cafes and wineries to see as well! Overall I would definitely recommend visiting this town if you’re ever in the area!
Once we reached our airbnb, we were welcomed to a home surrounded by trees and plants, like a mini forest. The home itself was decorated and furnished nicely, colorful paintings and curtains were hung in the bedrooms and walls. Each painting had a story behind them and it was interesting to understand each one! That next morning, we were going to visit a Hindu temple, but before going, we decided to explore the surroundings of our airbnb more, and once we stepped outside to the patio we saw chickens! Moments later, the kids next door (who were also visiting) introduced us to two dogs that lived on the property that they had met the night before! The animals were all very friendly and we played fetch with the two dogs as well as fed the chickens some rice.
After we spent some time with our new friends and the animals, we all showered and dressed up to visit the temple in Malibu. Once we got there we saw the intricate architecture and many pillars holding together the tiers of stone carvings and symbols, which reminded my parents of the temples back in India. The weather that day was hotter than the day before, so the moment my feet touched the stone stairs leading us to the entrance, I yelped and immediately jumped up, but had to continue taking small steps that lead us to a room, the stone was cool and my feet had immediately stopped hurting. We prayed and paid our respects to each god as we walked around the temple. This took us about an hour and after that we went down to the eating area and ordered some lunch.
That evening we visited Zuma Beach in Malibu, the weather had finally cooled down and sunset was approaching. My parents and grandma sat down and watched the sun set behind the mountains while my brother and I played along the shore line with our feet in the water. As the sun set, the colors orange, light pink, and purple arose from below the mountains, the clouds started disappearing and the moon started becoming more visible. There were shades of blue, purple, and a cream color that were in the distance floating below the bright moon. The sounds of waves crashing and people chattering became louder as the evening rolled on. We left once the sky became dark and all the stars shined.
The next day was our last full day, so we decided to make the best of it! I had been anticipating seeing a mural of the famous singer, Lana Del Rey, which is located near Venice beach, it’s painted behind the Ellison Hotel. We went through narrow pathways and turns, but once we reached it, I was amazed by the likeness of her and the size of the mural! The black and white painting was able to capture her beauty and soft features!
We headed over to Venice Beach, this was one of the most lively beaches I’ve ever seen! There were a variety of shops and people riding their bikes along the sandy pathways, music blaring from different speakers all at once. The sand was blazing hot and the walk towards the ocean was long and uncomfortable, but once we approached it, my brother and I ran to the shore, feeling relieved by the cool water. We played for hours, splashing water at each other and my brother throwing sand. By the time we were ready to leave, my brother was soaking wet, his hair full of sand.
The same evening my family decided to visit Santa Monica Pier, this was another attraction I was eager to go to! The weather was finally cooling down and the sun began to set behind the mountains. There was a cool breeze beginning to come our way, it was perfect. The Pier was just as lively as the beach, people dressed up and the screams and laughter of those riding the roller coasters resonated beyond shore. As the sky began to darken the Pier lit up, the LEDs on the Ferris Wheel changed every minute and illuminated different designs such as stars, hearts, and other shapes and texts. The colorful reflection of the Ferris Wheel shone on the surface of the ocean in the night, creating the most beautiful view. My brother was able to convince my parents to take him on one of the rides, so he waited in the long line with my dad, while my mom, grandma, and I walked around, taking in the dazzling sights.
Once the ride was over we all walked to a Mexican restaurant nearby. Party music boomed and people chattering and laughing echoed around the room. The food arrived shortly after we ordered and the plating was vibrant and fun! I had ordered chicken tacos. The perfectly soft tortilla held together a variety of colorful vegetables, the texture was pleasant, it was soft, pillowy, and chewy. We enjoyed the ambience of the restaurant. After dinner, we walked to our car and drove back to our airbnb, the weather still being as lovely as it was before.
This trip was amazing and we were able to find a good balance between nature and the lively city of Los Angeles. I am grateful I got the opportunity to explore this new area!