I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community. I have been compensated to share my experience with you by Collective Bias, and their client, MasterCard.nbsp;
This weekend, our son’s girlfriend was visiting from Northern California and we wanted to create a memorable weekend adventure, so we headed to Los Angeles. Now, I do not love this city just because I was born there. I love LA because it is like no other city in the world. There is a wonderfully diverse group of people in Los Angeles and the amazing art, music, performance and culinary pleasures that come from such a great spectrum, offer an amazing array of entertainment choices.
Whether I am taking in a concert at the Greek Theater or the Hollywood Bowl or attending a Dodger or Kings game, or one of the many, many festivals, theater or culinary events, it is always truly a memorable and wonderful experience. Many of the most unforgettable “first” experiences of my life took place here: my first baseball game at Dodger Stadium, my first Bruce Springsteen concert at the LA Sports Arena, and my first date to see A Star Is Born at what was once known as Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
This Saturday was another beautiful day in Los Angeles (like most Saturdays), and we headed to the Century City Mall for some exploring. I love driving past DTLA (Downtown Los Angeles), and thinking how fun it was when I was there a few weekends ago to explore the LA Fashion District.
We headed down Wilshire Boulevard I felt excited as the day awaited us. I glanced down Beverly Drive and was reminded of another fun Saturday I spent with friends exploring Rodeo Drive. Rodeo Drive is a fun place to explore the shops and people watch. I could write an entire post on places to people watch in Los Angeles. Sometimes you can spot celebrities in LA and that is another reason I love LA.
Soon, we turned on Santa Monica Boulevard and headed to the Century City Mall, where one of our favorite restaurants, Rock Sugar, is located. The Century City Mall is one of many great places in LA to spend the day and people watch. It is a trendy and hip and fresh and chic vibe with lots of shops and cafes to match.
There was a musician playing in the food court area and we grabbed some drinks to explore the mall. I like to shop so it did not take me long to find a cool sunglass pop up shop and tried on some sunglasses. You can never have too many pairs when you are in LA.
These sunglasses were a great bargain and so cute, so I bought them. We checked out some of the shops and after lots of exploration,we then made our way to Rock Sugar.
This restaurant is a family favorite. We have celebrated graduations, birthdays and random Saturdays here. They offer Asian Fusion cuisine and the food is not only delicious, but memorable, every single time. I had one of their amazing Asian Pear Martinis to start off.
These martinis are amazingly refreshing and did not disappoint on this hot, sunny day. We love to order different dishes, and share them family style. We ordered some Claypot Beef, Green Mango and Papaya Salad and their Ginger Fried Rice, which comes with an egg on top, which our waiter happily cut for us.
It was another delicious meal and a priceless moment for me because my entire family was together and we enjoyed a fantastic meal together. We got to talk about what we had all been up to and laughed about how well we hoped our fantasy football teams would do this year.
This summer, we have created some wonderful memories by visiting different sites in LA. Now we have added another memorable, priceless adventure.
LA will always be my city in my heart. From the city’s fabulous beaches to the beautiful mountains and the amazing sunsets that cast their colorful show amongst the palm trees every evening. I really love this city.
Have you been to Los Angeles? What do you love about this city?
Tamara says
I’ve never really been to LA! I once flew into L.A.X for a wedding in Pasadena and I remember passing Hollywood at dawn and knowing I was also passing downtown LA, but only from a car. One day. It’s always looked so fascinating to me. I love California so much.
Raquel says
Oh Tamara, you must come again – I can only imagine the photos you would take with your wonderful photography skills!
Jenny says
looks like fun times 😀 i kinda wanna go to LA ’cause there are a few stores there I’d like to visit, and I think that’s where the Hello Kitty Cafe is 😀 SERIOUSLY wanna go there.
Raquel says
What? There is a Hello Kitty Cafe? I must investigate …I had not heard of this.
chris says
Yes yes yes! I love LA! Every place you mentioned, I’m right there with you! People like to talk crap about our city but really, they’re just jealous. Where else can you get a street taco for $1 and then head out to a place like The Lobster for lobster? Or we drive about an hour to get to the beach, maybe an hour and a half to get to a desert, and in a different direction, an hour and a half to get to the mountains. Great post! I love your pictures and your new sunnies!
PS – asian pear martini? Mmmmmmm!
Anna says
I’ve never really explored LA, but I’ve been hearing good things about it especially food! That could be one of our considerations to go to. I hope my kids will go with me from one restaurant to another lol. My family loves to eat though. Great post!
Anna says
I’ve never really explored LA, but I’ve been hearing good things about it especially food! That could be one of our considerations to go to. I hope my kids will go with me from one restaurant to another lol. My family loves to eat though. I’m hoping we can go in a year or two. Thanks for sharing.
Raquel says
Oh I hope you can visit Anna! There are so many things to see and do for the whole family.
Lalitha Prakash says
My son recently visited these places and was all praises. Great pics:-)
Raquel says
Glad he enjoyed his trip!
Tracie says
I’ve been to California, but never made it to LA. Your dinner looked amazing. Yum!
Raquel says
Thanks for stopping by Tracie!
Malia says
The last time I went I was about 13, I would love to go back and bring my family!
Raquel says
Oh you should Malia! There is so much to see!
Casey says
That Asian Pear Martini looks incredible! My husband’s parents live in LA, so I would love to try this restaurant the next time we are out there. Sigh… it’s been a while. I love California so much!!
Raquel says
Oh Casey! You will have to come out and check out the restaurant soon. 🙂
Ave says
I really would like to try one of those pear martinis! And one day, hope I can visit LA.
Raquel says
They are the best Ave! Hope you can visit too!
Rhonda - YVSG says
Yes, I’ve been to LA and love it too! There is so much to do and you’ve touched on a lot of it. I’ve never been to Rock Sugar, but I’m putting it on my bucket list. Looks awesome. Safe travels…
Raquel says
Thank you Rhonda! Appreciate your kind comments.
Carmen's Coupon Blog says
I would love to travel not only to L.A. but other places but it will have to wait until I have no more kids in the house.. there are to many for me to afford to take them lol
Raquel says
I know what you mean Carmen – they are expensive aren’t they? 🙂
Melanie a/k/a CrazyMom says
What a great post.. thanks for sharing.. I just love to read and check out pictures on travel posts, gives me an idea of what I could see in that City as wella s I need to visit the city!! LA sure looks amazing and your pictures are stunning and brought me a bit closer, one day I hope to visit. Till then I’ll just check out your travel posts.
Raquel says
Thanks for your sweet commet Melanie! Hope you come out to LA sometime!
Ginny Marie says
That martini looks awesome! My sister lived in LA for a while, so I would go there once a year. We always had a good time together, but we didn’t have much money back then to go out much. Now she lives in Central CA, which is really nice, too. 🙂
Raquel says
Oh Ginny! I love Central CA – so may pretty areas! Hope you are doing well!
Akaleistar says
LA is such a great city!
Jamie says
I love the many layers that the city truly has. And in one day you can do one thing to fit one passion (food) and by the end of the day do another.. fun festivals, warm weather, a place for the arts and so much more..
Raquel says
So true Jamie! It’s been fun seeing you at many fun events in LA!
Sara Pirate (@CleverPirate) says
LOVE LA, we visit whenever we can!
BTW that martini looks amaaaaazing!
🙂
Raquel says
Thanks Sara! It was amazing! Cheers!
Kristin Wheeler (@MamaLuvsBooks) says
I would LOVE to visit LA! I’ve never been! Thanks for participating in this campaign! #client
Raquel says
It is so awesome Kristin! I hope you can visit sometime. Would love to show you around – there is SO much to do! 🙂
Teri says
Oh Raquel, you make me so homesick!!! I’m originally from Anaheim and have spent a lot of time exploring LA. I love love love Elvira St in downtown LA. Best taquitos and guacamole sauce out there! Thanks for being such a great ambassador to the best place to live in the whole wide world!
Raquel says
Thank you Teri! LA is a truly awesome place and is always in my heart. Thanks for your sweet comment!