Southern California has a special place in my heart. Mark and I took our first ever trip to San Diego, and I’m sure to always include it when I drag out our love story. The weather is grand, the people are beautiful, and the produce tastes so luscious. We went back to SD a year after our first trip for him to run a marathon, but three weeks ago we brought ‘Bias for his first time to The Golden State. My mom came along for the ride, too.

Mark and I flew together, and arrived in L.A. a day earlier than my mom & Tobias, so that they could fulfill their school/work duties for one more day. Right after we got our rental car, we went straight to the Hollywood sign because priorities.

Lame, I know. We grabbed our first ever In-N-Out Burgers, which, in my opinion, were less than spectacular. (The quality of service at that fast food restaurant, however, is remarkable.) Then we unloaded for a while at our hotel.

We stayed in the SLS Beverly Hills, which may or may not be the nicest hotel we’ll ever stay in for the rest of our lives. It was so chic. Each small accessory was fashioned into something unexpected: lamps that were shaped like assault rifles, busts of adorned soldier monkeys, chairs made of lips, and the like. Mark used his Starwood points, so we were able to get an upgrade to a great suite. The rooftop pool, now that was something else. Especially at sunset.

We don’t ever eat at restaurants attached to our hotel (unless it’s a resort and we’re forced to) but The Bazaar by José Andrés is worth another flight out to L.A. in itself. Every bite was delectable, the cocktails didn’t disappoint, and they have a separate kid-in-a-candy-shop themed room to have dessert in. Fantastic!

The next day, we did a bit more sightseeing, walked Rodeo Drive then drove right past the Hollywood Walk of Fame because the crowds were just silly and we weren’t feeling it. (Correction: I wasn’t feeling it. Mark is never feeling the touristy looky-loo stuff. That’s all me. He likes to eat.) I hung out for a bit on Santa Monica Boulevard (cue Sheryl Crow) while Mark worked on his phone and exchanged emails because that’s how he gets down.

We picked up my mom and Tobias from the Airport, and hit up Venice Beach before making our trek to Anaheim.

Tobias loves skateboarders, rockers, and graffiti, so taking him there was the best way to introduce him to California. (Though the area isn’t suited for children, at all.) Right off the bat, he said, “California is super-mega-ultimate awesome!”