Thursday, September 3, 2015

California Part Three: Beverly Hills

To see the start of our anniversary trip, our time in Santa Monica and Malibu can be found: here and our transition from the beach to the city can be found: here.

Day Five - Virginia Robinson Gardens 
I like to call this day our "Beverly Hills" day because it was simple and everything was close to the hotel.  We started with exploring a hidden gem and some beautiful gardens before walking down to the Beverly Hills Hotel for lunch by the pool (we loved enjoying this last year the day we flew out to our honeymoon and thought about staying here but couldn't beat the location of our hotel) and doing some shopping on Rodeo Drive.

We kicked off our morning with lunch on the patio outside the hotel overlooking the start of Rodeo Drive (another one of our favorites last year so a repeat was in order).


Each time we make a "repeat" visit to somewhere we've been before we like to try to do something new or see something we haven't seen before.  I thought it would be fun to tour a mansion while we were in town - the day before we walked through the grounds of Greystone Manor (a gorgeous, large property in Beverly Hills) and in the late morning we headed over to Virginia Robinson Gardens for a tour around the grounds.


It's right at the end of a normal Beverly Hills neighborhood, gated off like the other properties and the lady it's named after lived here until she was a month shy of turning 100.  (They credit her long life to swimming, walking around the property and playing tennis every single day) We toured inside where we had to put booties on to protect the floors as well as not touch anything or take any photos and toured the gardens and throughout the estate as well.  Everything was so interesting to see.



The hotel wasn't far from where we were so we decided to enjoy the nice walk to get to it (anyway to incorporate a little exercise).  It was nice to walk through the pretty surroundings and nice houses.


Another favorite from the previous year, we're big fans of the cabana cafe next to the pool.  It's an outdoor patio, fun setting and tasty "pool" food.  Plus their margaritas are amazing.



When we got back from our adventures around town we immediately walked across the street to Rodeo Drive for some shopping.  Derek got some fall clothes - of course he made the first purchase and I was a lithe ancy until I got something too - but the wait was worth it as I was treated to a very nice anniversary gift… which I'll be finally receiving in a few days!  We also picked up my some Tory Burch flip flops for my mom as Stella has nice style too and ate the toe off of hers that morning.  


We enjoyed some balcony time, relaxing and a sunset before heading out for dinner… Mexican.  I've always been dying to go to the mexican place that Spencer was always raving about on The Hills because it looked so delicious.  It did not disappoint - totally authentic, we sat out on the patio and each added a taco onto our meals - they were $1.50 - hard to turn down.
 


Each day my parents would send pictures of Stella… this was one of the ones today :)


Next time… Disneyland! 

Helpful Links…


29 comments:

  1. BEVERLY HILLS….that's where I want to be!!!!! Sorry, couldn't help myself ;)!

    Looks like y'all had a blast in BH, I'm so jealous of your walk up Rodeo Drive, that's on my bucket list. What did you buy?

    ReplyDelete
  2. This looks so fun! Did you run into any of the Rich Kids?! That mansion looks gorgeous...sounds like I need to add swimming, extra walks and tennis to my life.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your outfits were SUPER cute!! I love them both!
    Looks like it was a bunch of fun :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am obsessed with that dress! Where did you get it?! The romper is adorable...I feel like I would be a hot mess with all that walking but you look gorge!

    Linds @ Not A Mom

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks so fabulous! I love that y'all did a couple of things that were off the beaten path, too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous pics, and I love how close you were to Rodeo Drive *swoon*. And LOL at Spencer and his tacos, I totally remember that and will have to go there the next time we're in Cali :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous pictures!! Might have to be added to my travel list. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Absolutely gorgeous! Your weather looked amazing! And love your outfits, so darn cute for a Cali vacation! I need that margarita!
    <3, Pamela
    Sequins & Sea Breezes

    ReplyDelete
  9. Looks like a fun vacation! Great pics! That margarita looks right up my alley. Just came to your blog from Hoe of Malones linkup.
    Traci
    http://www.waltzmetoheaven.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. How fun!! I've always wanted to see Beverly Hills in person!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am loving everything about your trip. Fun! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. That garden is so beautiful! Sounds like a lovely day of touring.. Love your dress too!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hahaha! Love that you went to the Mexican place Spencer always talked about - too funny!! Looks like such a fun day! I'd love to visit there sometime!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hahahaha, I've always wanted to try that Mexican place, too! And I miss The Hills.

    Glad you guys had such a fun trip! You're making me want to go back!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Y'all had the most perfect weather while you were out there! Your pictures are gorgeous and has me day dreamin' of trips out to Cali now...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow, what a cool place to tour!! I love the photos you kept receiving of Stella, too. Can't wait to read all about Disneyland!

    ReplyDelete
  17. that tour sounds fun. that pool is amazing! i love that brick road on rodeo, feels like Europe!

    ReplyDelete
  18. So beautiful, I love touring big, beautiful houses like that! Looks like a relaxing trip!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your clothes are always so cute! I'm loving your handbag too! I'd love to shop on Rodeo Dr!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a pretty spot to tour! Adding that to my list for future trips. Love your monogrammed handbag!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I never would have thought about touring a mansion, but you couldn't have picked a better place to tour one than in Beverly Hills! That's so much fun that you went to a place that Spencer from The Hills recommended, but after living there for so long, I'm sure he has great taste! Can't wait to hear about Disneyland!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I can't believe you guys went to Don Antonio's, ha! That's one of my must-stop places, too whenever I'm back in California. Glad to hear that it doesn't disappoint! That mansion that you toured looks absolutely gorgeous, I had no clue you could even do anything like that there.

    ReplyDelete
  23. How fun!!!! I would hope to live to be a 100 if I played tennis and swam every day too! What beautiful gardens to wander around too!! Can't wait to see your anniversary gift! So exciting!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I loved BH!!!! But I never thought to do a tour of a mansion! I'm not sure I'll ever go back, but if I did, then I'll have to add that. Love your dress and romper!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

    ReplyDelete
  25. This looks so amazing, I am dyyyying to go to CA!! Your romper is adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your outfits are so cute! Where are they from? Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The romper is from Target and the dress is from Nordstrom.

      Delete
  27. This looks AMAZING!! I am loving that romper, too!

    ReplyDelete
  28. So much fun. Love your outfits! What hotel did you guys stay at?

    ~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
    acuteifestyle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete