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Hollywood, Malibu, and The Most Gorgeous Beach in LA

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

Wednesday afternoon, after our big day with Rocco in LA, Jenny I drove up the coastline on the PCH from Santa Monica to Malibu.

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

We took a little side trip up into the canyons to get a better view of the beautiful seaside town.

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

Stopped for some afternoon milkshakes on the pier! :) Then…

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

El Matador Beach.

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

The most gorgeous beach in LA.

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

It was low tide, so there were rocks to climb on, little caves to explore, tide pools with colorful ocean organisms…

And here’s where my camera battery died.

*facepalm*

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

I had another battery in the car, but it was a long, steep climb back down to the beach, and we were losing sunlight… So thankful I got these pics… but totally wishing I had gotten more! :) Next time, definitely. :)

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

We made our way back to Santa Monica to watch the sunset.

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

We walked on the beach, toes in the sand, people-watched and girl-talked.

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

On Thursday morning we had a new itinerary from Sarah! We started with brunch at The Waffle in Hollywood. We were right across the street from Nickelodeon Studios.

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

The Brown Sugar Sticky Bun Waffle… :D

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

We drove down to Hollywood & Highland for some shopping, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Kodak Theatre, and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

Then… Lunch @ Pink’s! We couldn’t not stop by here! I had seen them on Throwdown with Bobby Flay on Food Network, and just about everyone I talked to said we had to try it! :)

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

After lunch we drove around Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, Melrose Ave, and through the Hollywood Hills.

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

The homes were gorgeous- and what an incredible view these lucky residents have!

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Beverly Hills & Santa Monica

Afternoon snack: Snickers Cake from Joan’s on Third.

Oh. my. Gosh. As soon as I can figure out how, I am totally replicating this cake. Decadent layers of chocolate cake & chocolate mousse, topped with… I don’t even know how they did it. It’s like they melted the Snickers bar right on the cake for the icing??! That chocolate icing you see on top was definitely the Snickers chocolate from the candy bar… You could totally tell. But it was like.. a layer. Not just broken up and crumbled on- know what I mean? Maybe they used one of those mini blow torches like for créme brulée! But then the peanuts & caramel from the candy bar were perfectly scattered on top. I don’t know. I ate the entire thing. I let Jenny have a bite. A small bite. I regretted it. I pretty much hogged the entire thing. Shamelessly.

I’m still having dreams about this cake.

Stay Tuned!

Up Next! I drove down the coast from Santa Monica to Newport Beach and spent the day with Jenny baking in the Picky Palate kitchen! And guess what. I got to eat these. From Jenny herself.

:D :D :D

Thanks for looking! :)

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27 Responses
  1. kelly ann

    isn’t hollywood and highland fun?! it’s kind of dirty and usually crazy busy, but it’s definitely interesting and fun. i go there quite often when i get tickets to premieres, because they’re mostly held at grauman’s. standing in the footprints and seeing the walk of fame stars never gets old to me. ;) i’m so glad you got to go to some of my favourite places while you were here – joan’s, pink’s, the hollywood hills, santa monica, el matador… SO much fun. and isn’t the hollywood sign MAGICAL? it’s just a sign but… it’s so special. it doesn’t matter how many times i pass it, i still get goosebumps. :)

  2. Jolene

    Just recently found your website and want to THANK YOU for the blogging tips! I am certainly no PRO in HTML or web design, but I have enjoyed learning to get me where I am so far (which isn’t too far! wink!)

    Anyway, I did have one question. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how you have an “invitation” to add comments for those of us who receive your blog content into our inboxes. (I just joined last week!) Is it possible for me to do this using FeedBurner? And if so, could you share how to do it? I’ve been trying to figure it out, really and truly… but enough is enough, and I thought it was time to ask the PRO! :)

  3. TwoHeartsTogether

    I love coming home and looking at all your pictures from the trip these past couple of days. They are so gorgeous and the quality is amazing!
    What “actions” do you use on your photos? Please share!

  4. Anna

    Amanda! For a while now Johan and I talk about how we would love to live in California after he graduates. After seeing all of your pictures and going through all of our pictures from our trip down last summer I decided that we are most definitely living in California and somewhere around LA!
    I love the scenery, the architecture, the glamor, the beaches, the shopping, the food, the culture, the diversity, the air – everything!!!
    I’m having fun looking at all your pictures and dreaming! :o)

  5. Jess Willison

    Oh my gosh! These pics are fantastic! I am soo jealous of that cake too! (and most of the other food!) I would have hogged the whole thing too!

  6. Heather

    Love the pictures, but man we were so turned off by Malibu and Hollywood. It’s not what I expected. Especially the sex shops and stores just down from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. It’s not as glam as they make it out to be on TV.

  7. Laurel

    LOVE the pics and food..so jealous. I live in Vegas so next time I convince hubby to head to L.A. I am taking your posts along as directions :)…one question…where did you get your GORGEOUS jacket??? I am in love! The sleeves look long enough for tall me! :)

  8. Crystal

    Love the pics! Makes me definitely consider Cali for our March vacay! Love the Picky Palate website too! Got some recipes to try!!! Thanks!

  9. Lexi

    Enjoying your trip! Seems like you had a blast! Your Pics are amazing. (What kind of camera are you using?) Looking at them actually makes me feel like I’m there. And the food…….. you’ve got my taste buds in overload!!

  10. Jenny Flake

    I LOVE your CA posts girl! Miss hanging out, we need another vacation :) Beautiful pictures of the beach, I have got to get out there! As I’ve said before, you are welcome in the Picky Palate kitchen anytime!! xoxoxo

  11. Tricia Cunningham

    Amanda I have to tell you…I look forward to your blog posts. You always have beautiful pictures and adorable stories! Definitely a ray of sunlight in my day! Thank you so much for all that you do!

  12. Shari

    Ok, please tell me that you did come back with a couple extra pounds after all the WONDERFUL sweetness you consumed on your trip? Please? I need to know I am not alone! If your one of those that can eat like that for a week and not gain anything… well then I just might not be able to visit your blog ever again! ;-)

  13. Gina

    I just wanted to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed reading about your trip. The pictures are amazing as well. The pics from Matador Beach are gorgeous. And the food, oh my!

  14. Jenny

    I love all of your posts about our trip. You don’t miss a detail, and it makes me feel like I’m reliving the trip all over again!!

  15. Katie Cotton

    Oh beachwood canyon! You were right by where i used to live! I have so enjoyed the pictures of your trip though it has REALLY made me miss living in LA!

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Meet Kevin & Amanda

Kevin and Amanda

We love to travel and to eat! Here we share our favorite quick and easy recipes, plus travel tips and guides for our favorite places around the world. If you have any questions about what camera I use or how I edit my photos, check out my photography tutorials.

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