Our first day of the trip we arrived at SFO at around 11 am and got our rental car. We rented from Sixt Car Rentals and got a Kia Sorento. After that, we drove to our hotel which was the Courtyard Fishermans Wharf Marriott Fishermans Wharf Marriott. After checking in we went to the food Store to pick up water and snacks. For lunch, we got In N Out burger and Krispy Kreme for lunch. After Lunch we walked around the fisherman's wharf area and visited all of the stores and piers in the area. We saw plenty of seals and even saw a fishing boat feeding a seal. From the wharf, you can see both the golden gate bridge and the bay bridge. As well as Alcatraz the prison in the middle of the bay. For Dinner that night we got Cioppinos which was a very tasty restaurant. I got salmon. After we got crepes from a cute little crepe shop. In total, we walked 16,187 steps on day 1.
Me and My Brother in San Francisco the First DayJack
On our second day, we got up early and drove to Muir Woods. Only when we got there we were not allowed in because you have to have a reservation for parking before arrival. Jack and I both got a little car sick on the windy roads leading to Muir Woods. After leaving the Muir Woods area we went to Golden Gate Park and the Marin Headlands. It was very cool but it was foggy so we could not really see anything. After we got back from the park we got pizza next to our hotel and went back to the room to get ready to go to Alcatraz. We walked all the way to Pier 33 where you get onto the boat for Alcatraz and started our journey on the island. Alcatraz was awesome and it had so much history. Later that night we got dinner at McCormick and Kuletos, I got salmon stuffed with brie and other shellfish and it was amazing. After we got dessert at Ghirardelli square which was delicious. Advice for going to San Francisco it is cold so make sure to bring layers. On this day we walked about 17,015 steps. Make sure if you want to go to Alcatraz to book ahead. The trip does fill up.
This was in the work room on the Alcatraz Island.Sara Anne
On our third day, we woke up and drove to Monterey Bay. For lunch, we ate at the Cannery Brewing Company where I got a chicken sandwich and their homemade Rootbeer. After lunch, we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium which was amazing but we did not get to see any whales (I thought we would). After the aquarium, we went to Carmel and did the 17-mile drive which had lots of seals and sea lions as well as pretty sites and golf courses. During the drive, we got lost a few times but it was still fun and adventurous. After we left we drove to Santa Barbara where we were staying for the night. We stayed in the Residence Inn Marriott in Santa Barbara Goleta. It was a very nice hotel close to the Santa Barbara Airport. Once we checked in we went to dinner at the Hollister Brewing Company where I got very good mac and cheese. On this day we spent a total of 6 hours in the car and walked only 8,519 steps.
Jellyfish in the Monterey Bay AquariumSara Anne
On the fourth day, we woke up and got breakfast in the hotel. After that, we packed up the hotel room and got ready to head to Los Angelos. Before going to LA we went to the Arroyo Burro Beach Park which was a dog park and was also called Hendry's Beach. After the beach, we headed to Stearns Wharf where we walked around then got lunch at Breakwater Grille. After lunch, we drove the 2 hours to Los Angelos and checked into our hotel. The hotel was the Marriott Residence Inn at L.A. Live. Our room was on the 10th floor and after we got settled we started planning for the next few days. After we planned I brought Jack down to the pool and sat on the deck before dinner. We went to dinner at a restaurant called Rock N' Fish where I got salmon with mashed potatoes. After we got a very tasty dessert and walked around L.A. Live. This day we walked 11,732 steps and spent a total of three hours in the car.
This was taken at Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara.Sara Anne
On the fifth day, we woke up and got breakfast in the hotel and because of the time difference we watched France win the world cup which was exciting. After that, we went up to the hotel room and got ready for the day. We went to the La Brea Tar Pits which was really cool and even witnessed some methane bubbles pop. The Tar Pits are also a scene in the iconic movie Volcano and a place where many fossils have popped up throughout time. After the Tar Pits, we went to the Petersen Automotive Museum which was super cool and had a bunch of different cars new and old. Next, we ventured to Rodeo Drive and walked the street seeing many different shops and fancy cars. After this, we stopped at 7/11 to grab a snack and moved onto the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TLC Theater where my mom ended up walking into traffic because she saw a snake (she is petrified of snakes). After walking along the walk of fame we went to Hollywood Park to see the Hollywood sign which was very pretty but crowded with tourists. We then went back to the hotel, went swimming and go for dinner at Wolfgang Puck which had really good chicken biscuits. After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to try and look for any celebrities that were there for the Espys and did laundry. This day we walked 16,090 steps and were in the car for about an hour driving from place to place.
Rodeo DriveSara Anne
The sixth day we got an early start and got breakfast in the hotel and checked out. We headed straight to Santa Monica Pier where Jack went fishing and I explored the beach. We went to the Muscle and Venice beach. After this, we went to a little strip mall in Brentwood and got lunch at Barneys Burgers and went into the Christian Louboutin store. Finally, we took the drive to Disneyland and checked into our hotel (Paradise Pier) where we were on the 11th floor facing the theme parks. For dinner, we went to Tortilla Jo's and met up with my mom's friend. After dinner, we got Sprinkles cupcakes and Jack and I did a Star Wars Virtual Reality experience called the void which was awesome. Today we walked 14,233 steps and spent two hours in the car driving from LA to Disneyland.
Sprinkles Cupcakes in Downtown DisneySara Anne
Our seventh day we woke up really early and went to Disneyland park. We did Space Mountain, Splash mountain and plenty of other rides in Disneyland Park. Then we went over to California Adventure and did the Radiator Springs Racers which were really fun. That night we went swimming then got dinner at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen for dinner. I got salmon which was delicious (as you can tell I really like salmon). After dinner, we went back to California Adventure and did the Incredicoaster which was amazing. Today we ramped up the walking to 23,271 steps walking in and out of each park.
My family and I in front of the castle in Disneyland.Sara Anne
The eighth day we went to California Adventure and did a bunch of rides then did a water ride where we got soaked. We then traveled to Cars land where Jack got a meatball cone (which is delicious as it sounds). However, this and some of the other quick snacks are only there for Pixar Fest. After this, we found a cute winery and got lunch at Naples Pizzeria and went swimming at the hotel. The pool had a hot tub and a water slide, as well as a kiddie pool. After swimming we went back to California Adventure and got Mac and Cheese in a bread cone for dinner which was tasty. Then we went to the Sonoma Terrace Paint the Night Parade party and got an assortment of cheeses, breads and meats. After the parade which was amazing we got a cookie num num (from the movie Incredibles 2) and it sure was incredible. Today we walked 24,004 steps which is the most we did the entire trip.
Cookie Num NumSara Anne
Our ninth and final full day in California we woke up and went to Disneyland. Here we did a few rides over again and did Space Mountain again. However when on Space Mountain it broke down in the middle so we got a free ride and we got to ride some of the track with the lights on which was awesome. Then we headed over to California Adventure where we got Jack to ride his first flip roller coaster (the Incredicoaster). He loved it so much he did it twice. Then we went back to the hotel and got ready for dinner. Tonight we went to Steakhouse 55 which was in the Disneyland hotel. Not only was the food amazing but the restaurant itself had history in it. Many famous people from Walt Disney himself to Marilyn Monroe ate at the tables in the restaurant. After dinner we headed into the park and bought souvenirs and looked around the park one more time before heading back to the hotel and calling it a night. Our final day in he parks we walked 20,485 steps which still is a lot of walking for one day.
The Incredible IncredicoasterSara Anne
Our our final day we packed our room and dropped off our rental car. We flew out of LAX and arrived home at 10:55pm that night still thinking about our amazing trip.
Sara Anne
All in all our trip to Disneyland and California was amazing. If you do go to Disneyland make sure to purchase the Max pass because it helped a lot with getting fast passes and we got to keep all of our Photopass pictures.
Here is a video from my trip to California. Please watch and enjoy.
