Tag Archives: day date

Opening Weekend at the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Stadium

Dodger Baseball Stadium in Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

There’s something so very “American” about baseball. And there’s something so very “Los Angeles” about the Dodgers.Dodger Baseball Stadium in Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Some of my favorite childhood memories took place at the Dodger Stadium.

The second day of the opening weekend seemed like the perfect occasion to celebrate the beginning of spring with my baseball-loving boyfriend, Ryan.

Dodger Baseball Stadium in Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

On the day of the game we stopped by CVS to grab sunscreen (which I highly recommend for day games). Ryan didn’t use any and came home with sunburnt knees which have now turned in to a very interesting tan. Use the sunscreen, people.

We fortunately didn’t hit any traffic (unheard of in L.A.) until we exited the freeway and began the drive up to the stadium parking lot.

TIP: Bring some cash, general parking costs $15.

Opening Weekend at Dodger Baseball Stadium in Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Since we got to the stadium early we walked around and watched them prepare the field.

It was fun to see the crowd react to Matt Kemp’s return. He has been out for quite awhile due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Needless to say, Matt’s first game back has been long-awaited and anticipated.

Matt Kemp's return to Dodger Baseball Stadium in Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

The thing I anticipated? DODGER DOGS.

Dodger Hot Dogs at Dodger Baseball Stadium in Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

It definitely would not have been an authentic experience without the famous hot dog! Too long to even fit in the bun, piled with ketchup and mustard and onions! Yes, please.

Dodger hot dog at the Dodgers Baseball Stadium in Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com[source: bryce_edwards flickr]

It wasn’t long until game time so we went back to our seats.

We made it back just in time to see Robin Thicke perform a few songs, including “Blurred Lines”, on a roll-out stage out on the field. It was definitely a cool way to start the game. The following day Lupe Fiasco performed. Yay perks of living in L.A.!

Then it was time to watch some ball!

Opening Weekend at Dodger Baseball Stadium in Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

I had originally bought these tickets for Ryan and I for Christmas. Our teams are rivals, and we are both very competitive, so I thought it would be interesting fun to go to one of their first games of the season versus each other.

Even though the Dodgers lost, it was nice to see Ryan’s team win. I’ll always be a Dodger fan though, don’t get me wrong.

Opening Weekend at Dodger Baseball Stadium in Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

If you haven’t been to a baseball game recently (or ever) I highly recommend going to a Dodger game. It’s a great thing to do during the spring or summer with friends and family.

You can get seats from just a few bucks all the way to… uhhh, a lot. Ticket prices depend on location in the stadium, the visiting team and time of year.

If you pack snacks you can probably get away with a day at the baseball field for under $20/person or so.

Dodger Baseball Stadium in Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

I had a great time and can’t wait for the next game!

GO DODGERS!

Day Date in Laguna Beach, California: What to See, Eat & Do

View of Laguna Beach boardwalk, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Laguna Beach, an upscale, coastal, & artistic Orange County community in Southern California, is famous for a variety of reasons: the “Laguna Beach” reality television show, the Festival of Arts Pageant of the Masters, the Sawdust Art Festival, it’s gorgeous, snorkel-worthy beaches, the list goes on and on…

View of Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

There’s no denying it’s a beautiful place any direction you look. It’s also chock-full of great food, great shopping, and great views. Here are some of my favorite things to do on a day-trip to Laguna Beach.

So grab your mom, your dad, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your husband, your wife, your best friend, your dog, your grandma, your grandpa, your daughter, your son, your pet rock! Grab them and enjoy a day here with my best recommendations to get the very most out of your day in Laguna Beach.

Laguna Cinema in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

What better way to begin a day-date than with… a movie.

The small Laguna South Coast Cinema is a cool place to catch the latest flick. Adult tickets are only $8.50, or $6.00 for a matinee (before 5:15).

Afterwards grab a bite at my absolute favorite restaurant in Laguna Beach, The Cliff, located in the Laguna Village. The restaurant offers a reasonably priced valet parking service for your convenience.

Entrance to the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Here is one of the many reasons I love eating at The Cliff. Just let that view sink in.

View from the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

If you can tear your eyes away from the turquoise waves long enough to take a glimpse at the menu, you’ll find a variety of delicious seafood options, as well as sandwiches, burgers, salads, and so on.

Menu at the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Did I mention the view?

View from the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Alright alright, back to the food.

Scallops Wasabi from the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

I recently ordered two “Scallops Wasabi” for the first time. They’re described as “raw scallops on the 1/2 shell topped with seaweed salad, pickled ginger and wasabi cream sauce”. As of March 2014, pricing is $3 ea. / $25 doz.

Scallops Wasabi from the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Now… let me just say… I love seafood. I love sushi. I love scallops.

These scallops were the BEST scallops I’ve ever had. They were SO GOOD. If you like raw seafood (i.e. sushi), you have to try these. I could eat these everyday for the rest of my life. A little tang, a little spice, a little crunch, a lot of YES.

Fish and Chips, well fruit, at the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

My mom ordered Fish N Chips ($16), minus the chips, plus fruit. So. Fish N Fruit you could say. I had a bite of hers and it was ALSO some of the best fried fish I’ve had. Light, not oily, and flavorful.

Halibut Laguna at the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

For my main entree I had Halibut Laguna ($25), “fresh grilled halibut filet topped with mango and papaya tropical salsa served with rice and fresh mixed greens”. Also fabulous!

View from the Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

That view again. I can’t help myself.

Shops in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

The rest of the Laguna Village is filled with cute, little specialty & art shops. I bought a gorgeous gold-filled anklet from Shelby’s and my mom bought some coral and shells from Rudi’s (located on the eastern side of the Laguna Village, near the street.

Shelby's foot jewelry shop in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Meeting and chatting with Rudi and Linda was a highlight of our day! Rudi is from Vienna, Austria and Linda is from Cape Town, South Africa. Since I have previously visited both of their original hometowns we had a blast discussing our favorite parts of each destination. They told me about the under-rated Tokai wine region in Cape Town, a place I’ll most definitely be visiting on my next visit to Cape Town (which is hopefully sooner, rather than later)!

Rudi's Seashell shop in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Rudi's Seashell shop in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Their adorable dog, Bear, greets customers with a wagging tail when he’s not lounging in his cushy bed.

Rudi and Bear at Rudi's Seashell shop in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

My mom was so inspired by Bear’s haircut that she requested I groom up our Pomeranian/Papillon pup just like him. I tried. But I’m saving you from the visual. I’ll leave it at that. Admire Bear’s handsome looks, instead.

Bear, Rudi's dog, at Rudi's Seashell shop in the Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

After checking out the Laguna Village I recommend taking a stroll along the sand… because everyone likes long walks on the beach. Am I right or am I right?

Laguna Beach Lifeguard Tower, California via ZaagiTravel.comI also highly recommend heading to the main downtown streets, Forest Ave and Ocean Ave.

Here, you’ll find Scandia (248 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651), an awesome bakery popular with locals.

Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

It’s filled to the brim with salads, pastries, and a comfy warm coffee aroma.

Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

From cookies, to tarts, to danishes… they have something for every sweet craving.

Baked goods at the Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Choosing between a danish and a coconut macaroon was next to impossible. I ended up “eenie-meenie-minie-mo”-ing it.

Baked goods at the Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

You’re lucky I paused to take a quick photo before gobbling this baby up! Ain’t she a beaut?

Coconut macaroon from the Scandia Bakery in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California via ZaagiTravel.com

 ANDDDDD… MORE SHOPPING! Because shopping. Duh.

I was ecstatic when I came across Tuvalu (295 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651), a home furnishings store with a shabby chic/oceanic theme. Totally my style!

Being that I semi-grew up in Orange County (die-hard beach baby since birth, just ask my mama), and sailed around the world on a ship, I have a deep LOVE for coastal interior designs.

Tuvalu Home Furnishings and Interior Design Shop in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Tuvalu is the epitome of unique, rustic and beautiful. Their furniture, lighting, dining, bedding, art and accessories have even been featured in Coastal Living, Sunset Magazine, Ocean Home, Real Simple, and InStyle.

(Heads up: Their website is currently under construction, but Pin this and come back to it later! Even if you can’t make it out to Laguna Beach, you can still browse/shop online when their website is back up!)

Tuvalu Home Furnishings and Interior Design Shop in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Tuvalu also has a fun and eclectic book section towards the back of the store.

Tuvalu Home Furnishings and Interior Design Shop in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

And it gets better. The owner/buyer, Laurie Alter, is totally awesome! She’s very hands-on in the store and one of the most helpful and cool business owners I’ve come across since I started blogging.

Tuvalu Home Furnishings and Interior Design Shop in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Be sure to check out the Tuvalu blog and Pinterest account! I’m already obsessed.

Next up, one of my favorite clothing boutiques in Laguna Beach: Muse!

Muse Clothing and Accessory Boutique in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Muse, formerly known as Ivory Moon, has been around for fifteen years. I’ve been coming here for at least five of those years.

Muse Clothing and Accessory Boutique in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

The clothes are consistently interesting and desirable. This is because Muse sees itself as more than just a clothing store; they aim to be an art and fashion gallery by showcasing up-and-coming designers.

After speaking with the owner, I learned that he is inspired by the casual, artistic feel that the Laguna Beach community is known for. The boutique/gallery hopes to inspire it’s customers to be different and unique.

Muse Clothing and Accessory Boutique in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

The clothing and accessory pieces are discovered and brought to the shelves and racks of the store from all over the world. For example, the canvas bag (on the left in the photo above) is from Madagascar!

Dressing rooms at the Muse clothing and accessory boutique in Laguna Beach, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Muse is a fun place to explore the future of the fashion world. I’ve often wondered if fashion-mogul Lauren Conrad gained inspiration from the boutique as she was growing up in Laguna Beach. (Shout out to LC! Her blog is to-die-for!)

 

If you’ve been to LB, what are your favorite things to see, eat, and do? Have I missed anything note-worthy?