So Cal Part 3: Malibu and LA

Notice anything different around here?! I sure hope so!

Some of you many have caught a glimpse of it last night (thank you for your sweet comments), but as you can see now, my new blog design is up! The wonderful Aubrey took my vision and created this new clean, clutter-free space for KC&CO that I couldn't be happier with. You may notice that I have done away with the Google Friend Connect option on my sidebar. This is because I really want to focus on providing quality content vs. numbers and I truly believe that if I'm providing good content, then readers will be there! Therefore, if you are a new reader, you can click the "heart" button in my social media icons set at the top of this page to follow me via blog lovin' or you can subscribe to my posts by entering your email address (as well as following along via twitter and facebook-many options!)

There are also new categories on the right sidebar that you can find any of my past recipes, DIY projects, fitness posts, etc. I hope you all enjoy this new look as much as I do.
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Now let's get into my last vacation recap!

San Diego: check, Orange County: check...next up? Traveling to Malibu and LA! Who's ready?

Malibu was a must stop for me. I figured if we are traveling all the way from Ohio to LA, I'm going to need to see Malibu. It just had to happen. Luckily, it was worth the extra time driving the PCH for. It was exactly what I pictured it to be...a small ocean town with gorgeous views, million dollar homes right on the water, high end restaurants (again-with amazing views), and some of the cutest beach front bars/lunch spots.

 

Our first stop was the famous Nobu. I would be lying if I said that I never once saw Brody Jenner upload an instagram picture (weekly) that this was his favorite sushi place and so it never crossed my mind to check it out. It definitely crossed my mind. I didn't see him (however there was a man that looked just like him that Billy pointed out to me that he tried playing off as him..), but it was an awesome place to get drinks on the water and people watch...

We ended up driving up a little farther down the coast to find some better views and found a pretty cool spot for pictures. Insert mini photoshoot...

That sign is not lying and as you can see, Malibu is just BEAUTIFUL. It's also very relaxing (and I can totally see why all the celebs come here to get away from the city) which leads me to our next stop...

Paradise Cove Beach Cafe

also known as: heaven. Kidding...sort of. 

But this was the best place to relax and unwind! What could be better than a beach cafe right on the water (your tables and chairs are in the sand), an awesome lunch and drink menu, in the cove of Malibu? Honestly, not much....

 

Just take my word for it and visit Paradise Cove if you ever make it out to Malibu. But please make sure I'm packed in your suitcase or car beforehand, okay?

Our last and final stop? Los Angeles! 

We did all the "touristy" things here that one must do when visiting LA for the first time: explored Hollywood (Sunset Blvd, Melrose, etc), Walk of Fame, the Chinese Theatre, walk to Hollywood & Highland for a view of the Hollywood sign (far away view-more on this in a second), Rodeo Drive (unreal), and we even drove to Griffith Park Observatory for a closer view of the Hollywood sign (highly recommend doing this)...

These next few pictures are all from Griffith Park Observatory. This is a great place to go for complete views of the city and also of the Hollywood sign. You can hike to the sign, but if you don't have time for that (or are too tired like we were), then this would be the spot you would want to go for a picture. 

 

We decided to take our yearly anniversary picture here, too! 

 

The highlights of our time in LA though was visiting with Lindsay and her husband Tony! We have been following each others blogs for a long time now, and when they found out we were traveling to LA, they opened up their home to us to stay for a night (which ended up being 2!). We had so much fun with them and are so thankful. Their place is literally a 10 minute drive from Beverly Hills and Bel Air! We were in heaven (thank you both!) :)

My favorite spot/night out while we were in LA had to of been when we ate dinner at Lisa Vanderpump's (you know-my favorite Real Housewife ever) restaurant, and where the cast of Pump Rules works, at SUR! I actually made reservations for here before we came and was so excited to eat here since I had seen it while the show on Bravo so many times. 

Lisa's pink car out front...Lisa's famous pink cocktails...and the cast of SUR (we got to meet Peter, the manager, and Kristen from the show!), made our experience here definitely worth it and it was one of the nicest restaurants I've ever been in. We all enjoyed our food, too!

{do you recognize Peter from the show? He was so willing to take pictures and even chatted with us for a bit!}

The other stops we made while in LA were driving through Beverly Hills and Bel Air. I'm sure you can imagine the types of homes you see in these neighborhoods, but it's nothing like seeing them up close in real life. I don't have any pictures because I didn't want to get arrested, but man are they are something else!

{view from Mulholland Drive-which is a great street to drive if you want to see some hugs homes and go really high up into the hills/mountains!}

Last, but not least, what trip to LA would be complete without our first In-N-Out experience? Yum!

{I got the grilled cheese "animal style" and would like them to ship this to me biweekly for those weekend treats ;)}

To sum our trip up, I can only say that it really can't be summed up. 

We created so many new memories, saw things I dreamed about seeing, and enjoyed every single stop we made along the way. We are SO happy to say that we have traveled to both Northern and Southern California (with stops in most of the big areas!) and hope to be back there sooner than later! 

As for which area, Northern or Southern, we prefer the most?! You'll have to stay tuned for that answer! ;)