California Getaway: Part One

Southern California is everything I imagined it would be… and more.

I fell in love immediately!

After getting back on Monday from a long weekend trip to Laguna Beach… I’m still daydreaming about the magical sunsets, lavish houses on the beach and the enchanting wedding we attended.

Before this California getaway, I had never been to Cali before. It felt surreal to finally be there since visiting has been a dream of mine, ever since I was little. Even more so after watching The OC with Mischa Barton… right?!! My family and I went for my cousin’s wedding but made a little trip out of it too. California exudes the lifestyle I dream about…. the warm weather, the beach, the healthy, easy going lifestyle – I’d move in a heartbeat, especially now after we were greeted by snow in Chicago.

While the temperatures were in the 80’s with sunshine everyday, we had no idea how chilly it can get at night! I loved it though… you can wear summer clothes during the day and cozy fall sweaters at night.. and no snow in sight. You can enjoy dinner outside at gorgeous restaurants with ocean views and then get drinks afterward at swanky rooftop bars with even better ocean views… I mean.. what’s not to love?

Who wants to move there with me?! All jokes aside – I’m seriously motivated to move there like yesterday.

I’ve planned to split the trip into two posts (Part One and Part Two) so I’ll get to the yummy food and ‘What I Ate’ in Part Two, but first… the breathtaking wedding!!! This was highlight of the weekend. Imagine a wedding ceremony on a grassy hillside park with the sun setting in the background and endless ocean views. Down the cliff, you see a sandy beach on one side and crashing waves over huge rocks on the other. Hillside mansions on either side of the park and Catalina Island in the distance… the ceremony took place at Crescent Bay Point Park if you’re interested!

Jill, my cousin, married her fianc? after 13 years of being together and their true love for one another greatly showed. She looked beautiful in her ethereal fairytale dress and was glowing with happiness!

After the sweet, very special ceremony, we walked up to a romantic setting for the reception at one of those hillside mansions… on a cliff… with breathtaking ocean sunset views. Talk about dream wedding! Seriously, I’ve never seen anything like it. So dreamy and glamorous.

Below: my younger brother, Kevin! We were greeted with fancy wine upon walking into the house and immediately walked out to the balcony to take in the views.

Below: my mom and Dad!

Aside from the wedding, we walked the beach, laid out and soaked up some rays, did a little shopping, went for drinks and out to eat a lot and soaked in all the goodness that is California! Just wanted to share some beautiful pictures with you. It was an amazing little family vacay and I highly recommend visiting Orange County and Laguna if you can!