Our Los Angeles hotel

A few readers asked where we stayed in Los Angeles, and I'd love to share: We were lucky enough to stay at the Oceana Santa Monica, which was one of the nicest places we'd ever stayed. We booked a two-room suite through the amazing (and addictive!) website Mr. and Mrs. Smith, so that we could stay up and hang out after Toby went to bed (at his cute 7pm bedtime:). The rooms were beautiful and and homey; our bed was insanely comfortable, and the hotel was right next to the beach.

But the biggest plus was the service. Every time we walked into the hotel, they would say, "Hello, Ms. Goddard! Did you enjoy your walk?" or "How was your lunch? How's Toby doing?" Fancy! I was amazed that they remembered our names, and they'd coo and chit-chat with Toby for as long as he wanted. :) The staff made the hotel feel so personal. One night, we invited friends over to play games, and we wanted to order pizza, so I called room service, and the guy answered the phone, "Hello, Ms. Goddard! How can I help you?" and when I asked for a recommendation for a pizza place, he brought up local menus, along with bowls of crushed red pepper and grated parmesan. How sweet is that? Those little touches make such a difference, especially when you have a baby. We can't wait to go back next year.

Anyway, we really loved it and would highly recommend it if you're planning a trip to L.A.! :)Source URL: http://sparesomeribs.blogspot.com/search/label/california%20vacation
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Vacation photos: Palm Springs

On our Christmas vacation, after spending the four days in L.A., we headed to Palm Springs to meet Alex's mom and sister. We all stayed together at this rental house. The house was totally tricked out--with a huge pool, a waterfall, a hammock, a fireplace, and toilet seats that automatically opened when you walked into the bathroom (seriously, they had sensors!). Bonus: Crazily enough, it was actually cheaper per person than a budget motel.
We took Toby swimming for the first time. He sort of loved it for a few minutes...and then decided he hated it. :)
One morning, I took a quick shower and came outside to find Toby and Alex playing "helicopter."
I have to say, it made my heart swell a little bit :)
Here's the Toby-eye-view!
Toby loved chilling with his grandma. And check out the mountain views! The desert is so gorgeous. (We heard a freaky story about a now-infamous tourist couple who took the tram up the mountain and then decided to stroll back into town. "It's just a short walk," they figured. "Doesn't our hotel look close from up here?" All they had was a pack of chewing gum, and no maps or hiking gear. Five days later, they were rescued.)
Right before Christmas, we thought it would be cool to take a family photo, inspired by these old shadow shots. It didn't really work, but we tried!
Another morning, we went to Ruby's Diner, and Toby tried mashed banana for the first time.
Despite a valiant attempt...
...he was not impressed. (His expression cracks me up.)
Another afternoon, Alex, Toby and I snuck off for a couple hours and went to the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, which has a rad pool and is amazingly family- and dog-friendly.
Alex immediately got a beer and parked himself by the hot tub.
Toby and I hung out on deck chairs...
...and dipped our feet into the gorgeous pool. Everyone there was really friendly and chatty; it felt like being at a party. :)
And on the walk home, Toby fell asleep in the stroller...
...and since he'd wake up if we stopped moving, we had to keep going...
...so we walked in circles around a cul-de-sac...
...over and over...
...for a half hour...
...ahhh, vacations with a baby! :) It was a wonderful, restorative trip and made us much more confident about family travel and, honestly, parenting in general. Sometimes it takes a break in your routine to show you what you can do. Thanks so much for reading! Have you been to Palm Springs?

A couple other favorite things: Renting fat-tired bikes, everything on the lunch menu at Cheeky's, and the local speciality: delicious date milkshakes. Any other tips, my lovelies?Source URL: http://sparesomeribs.blogspot.com/search/label/california%20vacation
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Vacation photos: Los Angeles

My darlings, I'd love to share a couple photos from our Christmas vacation. California was a great place to travel as a family. As a new-ish mom, I was a little nervous about such a big trip with the baby, but the warm weather made things soooo easy and fun; Toby loved all the action (and avocados), and we could take walks on the beach while he napped in the stroller.
One afternoon, we went out onto the Venice pier. I was impressed that the surfers were going strong in December--the water was freezing that day!
It was really nice to be out and about with nothing to do.
Guess what Toby got for Christmas? His two front teeth!
After a while, we stopped so I could nurse Toby next to a bunch of guys playing basketball. Of course, he wanted to watch the game afterwards. :)
Whenever we're in L.A., Alex always wants to stop by Stronghold, an hipper-than-hip store with selvedge jeans, Filson bags and friendly salespeople. Toby loved rolling around on the rug and trying on the hats. (He looked awesome in a fedora:)
Bonus: They have free whiskey, so you can pour yourself a drink!
Late that afternoon, we met up with our friends Michael and Caroline at the restaurant Gjelina. We sat in the back garden and got pizzas and salads.
I love this photo of Toby. Doesn't he look like such a player? :) He's like, "Yeah, I'm chilling in the arms of an older woman, no big deal."
Now we're secretly fantasizing about moving to L.A. :) It's such a fun place, and we can't wait to go back!

A few of our favorite places in west Los Angeles, which we've been to over the years:
* Huckleberry Cafe for lunch. (The yummiest salads and sandwiches and desserts. I could eat here everyday.)
* Blue Plate Oysterette for lunch. (Fish tacos in a breezy little nautical restaurant across from the beach.)
* Tavern. (Big, beautiful, understated room with trees indoors. We think we spotted David Hockney at the next table. Their adjoining bakery sells delicious desserts, including chocolate-chip cookies made two ways: crispy and chewy. Genius!)
* Gjelina. (Dark, bustling, sceney. Fun vibe; sexy lighting. A fire pit in the back garden.)
* The Tasting Kitchen. (We had such a romantic date here. Dark, lovely. Don't miss the bread pudding.)

Have you ever been to L.A., or do you live there? Any favorite restaurants or tips? I'd love to hear. xoxo

Next up: Palm Springs...

(Photos taken with the Hipstamatic App on the iPhone)Source URL: http://sparesomeribs.blogspot.com/search/label/california%20vacation
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