This week Mike turned 32, I got promoted, and life was good.
I’d have loved to take Mike on a weekend trip somewhere beautiful (like he did for me last year), but seeing as how we’re saving up for a big trip to Turkey, I’m off to NYC in April, and we have some out-of-state weddings to go to, we decided to keep this one fairly low-key.
But that doesn’t mean it can’t be an adventure, right?
I racked my brain for weeks to come up with something fun for us to do. My ideas included everything from dune buggy rentals (poor Yelp reviews scared me away) to scenic helicopter tours (like, $400 for a 30-minute ride). I even looked into Los Angeles’ very first Bacon Festival (tickets were sold out).
I did manage to narrow it down to three options of varying intensity. How to decide? Well, what better than to let Mike do it for me?
Choose your own adventure.
Inside the scroll were clues in the form of rudimentary drawings and keywords…
Your call.
Mike chose option #1, which turned out to be a deep-sea sport fishing adventure, followed by a hearty seafood meal at the Redondo Beach pier.
But you know what they say about best laid plans? When I called to confirm our booking I was told that they were predicting 60-70 foot swells and poor weather. Option #1 was just not meant to be.
Mike’s second choice was option #2: A day at Universal Studios Hollywood (the picture that looked to Mike like a poorly drawn sailboat was actually a shark, a la “Jaws”), dinner out, and a UCLA basketball game.
Huzzah!
The view from the backlot tour tram. Disneyland has a lot, but it doesn’t have a view like this.
Driving through some Jurassic Park set pieces. “Shoot hah! Shooooooot! Hah!!!!!”
Say it don’t spray it.
Bates Motel.
War of the Worlds set.
The Ride.
Ruh roh.
We rode on every ride, but saved some of the performances for next time. Universal is running a special right now where if you buy a single-day ticket you get a full year free. Can’t beat that with a stick. We’ll definitely be back.
After a quick nap, a change of clothes, and a delicious meal at a Persian restaurant in Westwood, we made our way to historic-yet-newly-renovated Pauley Pavilion. It’s GORGEOUS. I mean, it’s no Assembly Hall, but it’ll do in a pinch. 
Option #3? Well, that would have been a lovely beach-front tandem bike ride, a snooze on the beach, some drinks, and a seafood dinner. To each his own.
Two more quick things:
1) Mike sent me the loveliest bouquet of flowers to go in my new office.
2) My favorite thing on the planet (aside from those flowers) is our new hummingbird feeder. I just love to sit on the sofa and watch them swoop in for a snack. So tiny. So darned cute.
For more like this, check out:
What an awesome day (and an awesome week)! Happy Birthday to Mike! And congrats again on the promotion!
Thanks, Anners!
I just adore your blog, Loni! What a fun birthday/celebration idea!
Oh, thanks, Kel! That means a lot to me. XOXO
Twas a fantastic day. I had a great time! I love how the background of the Bates Motel is Whoville. Only can find that in a backlot.
It was a pretty surreal little tour. Whoville. Wisteria Lane. Jaws. Bates Motel. Jurassic Park. All in one fell swoop.
So, so fun! And… Bacon Festival?!
I know!? BACON FESTIVAL. It would have been so awesome to go, but the wait list for tickets was a mile and a half long. Next year I’ll jot it down on my calendar well in advance.
Happy Birthday to Mike! It’s so cool watching you locals do the sorts of things we would only expect tourists to do!
Thanks! We’ve only lived in L.A. for 2 1/2 years, so it a lot of ways we still are tourists. We’d never actually been to Universal.
What a great idea for a birthday adventure!
Thank you! I actually wanted to burn the edges of the scroll to make it a little more Indiana Jones, but couldn’t find anyone with a lighter…
I’ll be in LA over spring break…any “gotta-go-to” joints to eat?
Sure, but it depends on what you’re after. The best meal I’ve had here was at a Peruvian restaurant downtown called “Mo Chica.” AMAZING. Best donuts (and donuts are a big deal out here) are at Primo’s in Mar Vista. If you’re a fan of Mexican seafood, I highly recommend “Mariscos Chente.” It’s a total dive (seriously, be prepared for that), but the food is outstanding and the prices are awesome.
Other good choices:
A-Frame or Chego for great Korean fusion (same chef/owner)
Messob for great Ethiopian in the heart of Little Ethiopia
Daikokuya or Orochon for great ramen
Philippe the Original for the world’s first french dip sub
Oooh, and for one of the best burgers in the area check out Father’s Office in Santa Monica. They only make it one way (and they refuse to offer ketchup), but it’s an awesome burger.
Happy Birthday to Mike and congrats on your promotion. Looks like you had a great time.
Thank you, Kathy!
Congrats again on your promotion. Sounds like a wonderful day! Happy Birthday Mike!!
What fun that looks. Hope life stays good.
I chose #1 too.
“Say it, don’t spray it.” That’s Phoebe.
Universal Studios is cool, for sure. But honestly, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought, and I even went with a group. The rides are quick for such long lines. The rides are high-tech, and still, I enjoyed the Studio Tour the most. I went last year and still have yet to post about it.
This is a really cute, fun idea!