The celebration of a Bat Mitzvah is a milestone and we wanted to make our second kid's Bat Mitzvah special. Since Bat Mitzvah girl's ("BMG") birthday fell during the summer, it was only natural to plan it around a family trip. The centerpiece of the trip would be a celebratory dinner at Tierra Sur in Oxnard, California, where DW had been wanting to go for some time. The rest of our itinerary would be somewhat flexible. Other than a prearranged day trip to Universal Studios and Channel Islands National Park, the remainder of our trip would be dictated by whim and fancy.
Given the occasion and because I simply can't stand Y on long flights, we booked UA J from EWR to LAX. For accommodations, we booked 10 nights at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (to take advantage of the fifth night free resulting in two free nights). My only out-of-pocket costs were the car rental (cheaper with cash than points), the $55 a day valet parking fee at the Waldorf, and food and attractions.
Many thanks to an LA based DDFer, who prefers to remain anonymous, for his help in recommendations for a laundromat, salon for the kids, and other general information. Your help was greatly appreciated.
Part 1 - Flight to LA
At EWR, we visited the UA Pop Up Lounge. The lounge was pretty lame but still better than sitting at the gate.
UA Pop Up Club at Newark Airport by
P Bryan, on Flickr
UA Pop Up Club at Newark Airport by
P Bryan, on Flickr
UA J from EWR to LAX:
EWR-LAX by
P Bryan, on Flickr
UA Dreamliner Business Class by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Well traveled dorky shoes:
UA Dreamliner Business Class by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Somewhat edible meal:
MVIMG_20190812_170905 by
P Bryan, on Flickr
MVIMG_20190812_170831 by
P Bryan, on Flickr
After landing at LAX, we picked up our rental car from National. Once again, National came through with an awesome free upgrade to a Ford Expedition.
Part 2 - Arrival at the Waldorf
Prior to our arrival at the Waldorf, the concierge asked if we were celebrating a special occasion. I replied that it was my daughter's birthday and, upon arrival, there were birthday balloons, fruits, and a piece of cake waiting for BMG in our room:
For the birthday girl at the Waldorf Beverly Hills by
P Bryan, on Flickr
I won't go into many additional details about the hotel or our room, as the Waldorf has already been discussed in several other trip reports.
Part 3 - California Science Center and the La Brea Tar Pits
Since our little one loves space shuttles, we decided to visit the California Science Center, where the Space Shuttle Endeavour is on display.
Endeavour Space Shuttle, California Science Center (DSC_6134) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Endeavour Space Shuttle, California Science Center (DSC_6126) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The last flight-qualified external tank for the space shuttle in existence. These tanks were not reusable and disintegrated after detaching from the space shuttle about 70 miles above earth.
California Science Center (DSC_6136) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
California Science Center, Los Angeles by
P Bryan, on Flickr
In addition to the space shuttle, they had a myriad of other space related exhibits along with an interesting exhibit about kelp forests and marine life:
California Science Center, Los Angeles by
P Bryan, on Flickr
California Science Center (DSC_6112) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Afterwards, we visited the La Brea Tar Pits, where they excavate pits in the summer. Cover your eyes if you are offended by old bones. (DW's aunt, who lives in LA, was quite insistent that we shouldn't go there.)
The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum - American Mastodon by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum - Saber Toothed Cat by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 4 - Petersen Automotive Museum
For this particular day, DW and I split up. DW took the older kids to Universal Studios, while I went swimming with our little one and then took him to the Petersen Automotive Museum. Since DW had the rental car, I arranged for the Waldorf house car to drop me and little one off at Petersen.
The 40 million dollar Bugatti - 1939 Type 57C:
1939 Bugatti Type C57C at the Petersen Automotive Museum by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The first mass produced electric car from a major manufacturer - GM EV-1:
GM EV1 at the Petersen Automotive Museum (DSC_6217) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
And who doesn't love the Back to the Future Delorean:
Back to the Future Delorean - Petersen Automotive Museum (DSC_6239) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Once we discovered the kids room, little one didn't want to leave:
Petersen Automotive Museum (DSC_6236) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 5 - Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park comprises eight islands, five of which can be visited on a day trip with Island Packers. After much deliberation and due to scheduling issues, we chose to visit Santa Cruz, the largest of the islands, on a day trip. Information about Island Packers can be found here:
https://islandpackers.com/We saw a large pod of dolphins on the way to and back from Santa Cruz:
On the way to Santa Cruz at Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6306) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Approaching Santa Cruz:
Approaching Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6328) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
During orientation by a park ranger, we were warned to keep a close watch on all food, and to secure unattended food in a "Fox Box" away from island foxes. The island fox, a descendant of the mainland gray fox, is the largest of the Channel Islands' native mammals, and about the size of a house cat. On Santa Cruz, the foxes hang out in the campground and near the picnic tables. They are quite the opportunistic hunter and any unattended food is quickly snatched.
The "Fox Box":
Fox Box - Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The island fox:
Island Fox, Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6412) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
While on Santa Cruz, DW and I took turns hiking as we landed a choice picnic table in the shade under a tree. We didn't want to give up the spot. Also, our little one got all prissy and decided he wasn't interested in hiking while our oldest decided to take a nap. First I went hiking with BMG, and afterwards DW took off by herself for a while.
Hiking on Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6364) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6397) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
BMG enjoying the view:
Enjoying the view on Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6395) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Hiking on Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6409) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Afterwards, we went to the rocky beach to play and relax:
Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6428) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Playing at the beach on Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6423) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Island Packers Boat:
Island Packers Boat at Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6437) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Kelp in the harbor:
Kelp Forest at Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6469) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA (DSC_6464) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 6 - Walk of Fame and Touristy Hollywood
No visit to LA would be complete without seeing the walk of fame and Grauman's Chinese Theatre:
Grauman's Chinese Theatre - Stan Lee by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Untitled by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Afterwards we visited Madame Tussauds Hollywood and the Museum of Selfies, which were both a lot of fun:
Museum of Selfies, Los Angeles, California, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Museum of Selfies, Los Angeles (DSC_6693) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
What's wrong with these pictures?
Museum of Selfies, Los Angeles, California, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Museum of Selfies, Los Angeles (DSC_6711) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Museum of Selfies, Los Angeles, California, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Museum of Selfies, Los Angeles, California, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Since it was Friday, we returned to the Waldorf to get ready for Shabbos. The Jem Community Center, where we davened on Shabbos, was a short distance away from the Waldorf. One of the Rabbi's sons invited our entire family for a Friday evening meal in his home. On Shabbos day we ate at a kiddush in the shul at Jem.
Since everything is electronic at the Waldorf and there is no access to the stairs, we had to arrange before Shabbos with the hotel for an escort each time we wanted to leave and return to our room. Unlike our less than satisfactory experience at the dumpy Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu (adjacent to Chabad) where we stayed twice (never again), the staff at the Waldorf was more than happy to oblige.
The Waldorf owns several house cars, two of which are Rolls Royces, each costing approximately $550,000. DW and our older kids were driven to Jem in the Rolls before Shabbos:
Rolls Royce at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (DSC_6814) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Rolls Royce at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (DSC_6821) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Since there is a minimum required age of eight to ride in the Rolls (they don't want car seats ruining the buttery supple leather), I walked with my little one to Jem. Not wanting to miss out on the opportunity to be chauffeured in a $550,000 Rolls, DW and I later got a ride to Rodeo Drive:
Sitting in the Rolls by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Dorky shoes look great in a Rolls:
Sitting in the Rolls by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 7 - The Hollywood Hills
Another rite of passage for any trip to LA is seeing the Hollywood sign. We drove up a winding path to Canyon Lake Drive for a view of the sign. Despite the multitude of signs prohibiting parking under the threat of a tow, tons of cars were parked in the area. My little one fell asleep in the car and, not being interested anyway, I babysat my little one and the car. When DW and our older kids returned, I went out to snap a quick picture:
Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles (DSC_6825) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 8 - Joshua Tree National Park
Since Los Angeles is the closest we would probably ever get to Joshua Tree National Park, we decided to drive there on a day trip (3 hour drive each way from Beverly Hills) and stay for sunset.
Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (DSC_6838) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (DSC_6852) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (DSC_6861) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
BMG seeking a moment of shade during a hike:
Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (DSC_6865) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (DSC_6871) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
These cactuses are really prickly. I had to "water" the desert and came back with a pin hole through my pants on one leg and a bunch of large black ants crawling up my other leg. Not sure which one was more painful - the cactus prick or the ant bites.
Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (DSC_6895) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
BMG's shadow:
Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (DSC_6921) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Desert Cottontail, Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (DSC_6977) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (DSC_7007) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (DSC_7030) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Joshua Tree National Park, California USA(DSC_7040) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (DSC_7045) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Little one climbing up some rocks:
Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 9 - Tierra Sur
In preparation for the Bat Mitzvah dinner at Tierra Sur, DW took the girls to have their hair and nails done:
Bait Miryam Salon, Los Angeles, California, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Afterwards, we drove to Oxnard for dinner at Tierra Sur. I had this vision of a restaurant with views of a vineyard. Instead, I was disappointed to find a restaurant housed in a warehouse. Although the menu was disappointingly sparse, the food was delicious.
Spaghetti - cherry tomato, tapenade, grilled broccolini, crispy bread, balsamic reduction:
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars, Oxnard, California by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Hamachi Crudo - melon, grape, kumquat, jalapeño gelée, taro root:
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars, Oxnard, California (DSC_7076) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
BLT salad with lil' gem lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, lamb bacon, tempura avocado, rye croutons, and bacon vinaigrette:
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars, Oxnard, California (DSC_7078) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
16 oz Boneless Ribeye (we divided it into two plates to share):
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars, Oxnard, California (DSC_7106) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Sliders and fries for the little one because he simply wouldn't eat anything else:
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars, Oxnard, California by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Wood grilled salmon with citrus braised beets, cauliflower mash, swiss chard, and fennel chutney:
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars, Oxnard, California (DSC_6073) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Oatmeal cookie dough (2 scoops) and blueberry chocolate chip (1 scoop) ice cream:
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars, Oxnard, California (DSC_7132) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Lemon tart:
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars, Oxnard, California (DSC_7134) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Flaming Baked Alaska Dessert:
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars, Oxnard, California (DSC_7138) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
For the Bat Mitzvah Girl:
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars, Oxnard, California by
P Bryan, on Flickr
BMG enjoying her meal while trying to not look too embarrassed from having her parents take lots of pictures:
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars, Oxnard, California (DSC_7095) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 10 - Malibu & Relaxing at the Waldorf
The following day, we again went swimming at the rooftop pool. We then drove to Zuma Beach in Malibu. After first stopping off at the Fish Grill, we spent several hours in the sand and surf:
Zuma Beach, Malibu, California (DSC_7205) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
After returning from Malibu, we relaxed at the Waldorf. Since I had $500 worth of HH Diamond food and beverage credits to use, we spent some of it at the roof top bar, where I enjoyed a whiskey. DW had a liquor while our oldest kid had a coke and tried to look all cool and grown up.
Whiskey at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Beverly Hills, California (DSC_7259) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Whiskey at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Beverly Hills, California (DSC_7258) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 11 - Our way home
The following day we again went swimming in the morning. After checking out of the Waldorf, we stopped by Bibi's for brunch and some snacks. We then made our way back to LAX, where we relaxed at the UA Lounge. The UA Lounge at LAX is far better than the Pop Up Lounge at EWR:
UA Lounge in Los Angeles by
P Bryan, on Flickr
UA Lounge in Los Angeles Airport by
P Bryan, on Flickr
View from the outdoor terrace at the lounge:
View from outdoor terrace at UA Lounge in Los Angeles Airport by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Flight home - someone refused to pose for a picture:
UA Dreamliner Business Class by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Largely inedible and partially frozen cold snack:
Largely inedible Regal Meal in UA Business Class by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoyed this trip report.
Back to the Future Delorean - Petersen Automotive Museum (DSC_6243) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
