Off-Roading in Malibu

Week 3 in LA and the adventure continues! This week I went off-roading in Malibu with my best friend, learned about the history of automobiles and ventured out to Palm Springs for Easter.

Monday. A day of errands for us. The usual routine of groceries, cleaning, working on some projects and planning the week out.

Tuesday. My best friend rode with me for the first time! We made a day of it, she dressed the part and was so excited to see LA on two wheels. We went down Sunset Blvd to the PCH and then ended up on a small dirt rode deep in the heart of Malibu. We accidentally found ourselves testing the Ducati Scrambler's abilities off-road... it was TOTALLY different than riding on the pavement. And another first for me.

I got the bike stuck on a steep dirt hill and ended up riding down it to get back to the paved road. Saying I was hesitant is an understatement, but I ended up conquering it! We had one little drop in the soft dirt, but other than that, a success.

Wednesday. It was a sunny day so Pluto, Stephanie's pup, and I went for not one, but two hikes! We made our way to Los Liones Canyon Trailhead, but unfortunately they are a dog-free trail, so we hung out at the park next to the trail. Pluto enjoyed the open space while I explored the grounds and smelled the flowers.

Then we went to Sullivan Canyon for a real hike. By the time we got home Pluto was exhausted and I went for a quick ride with Nero (my motorcycle) to enjoy all of the sunshine. I stopped by Cafe Brentwood for a coffee break. It's a quaint café with outdoor seating, an extra frothy cappuccino and they always throw in a bonus biscotti.

Thursday. Inspired by the cars of Cali, we went to the Peterson Automobile Museum. We took a tour of the Vault, a rare collection of vehicles stored underneath the streets of Los Angeles. We walked out agreeing that it was the best museum in LA. For anyone in LA, check it out. Give yourself 3 hours there, 4-5 if you want to take the Vault tour and grab lunch at the restaurant.

On our tour, we saw everything from the first vehicles created to the most innovative electric cars by today's standards. There were surprises along the way as well, head-of-state cars, Fast & Furious cars, a one-of-one Bugatti, Steve McQueen's cars, the Grease Lightning 1948 Ford Convertible and so much more. We couldn't take any photos, so book a tour to see for yourself.

We had a bubbly lunch at the museum restaurant. Then we made our way to the Porsche Effect exhibit. It examined the history and significance behind the brand's designs, influence, marketing campaigns and record-breaking race history.

We also caught the end of the Indian vs. Harley Davidson exhibit. It had beautifully restored motorcycles from the 1900's when both brands emerged in the states. They had a healthy competition, working to out innovate and sell the other. The exhibit did an exceptional job highlighting the idiosyncrasies of each company, their motorcycles and followers.

Friday. A day of sunshine and downtime. We left for Palm Springs to spend time with a friend and their family for Easter Sunday.

Saturday. Bring on the Rat Pack baby. Palm Springs, I now understand why it was the swankiest spot in California in the 50's and 60's. About 2 hours east of LA, it's a hot, dry, neutral-toned hodgepodge of tourists, hipsters and retirees. It has a retro-chic vibe thanks to the famed mid-century modern architecture, art scene, and flair of the sizable LGBTQ community.

We spent the day exploring the city, vintage shopping at The Frippery, picking up gourmet gifts at On The Mark, and choreographing pool stunts with the help of midday martinis and rosé.

Sunday. We said goodbye to our desert oasis and adopted fam, popped in Now 14 (oldie but goldie) and wandered back to Los Angeles.