California Adventures to Family Festivities in Silverthorne: A Holiday Journey

At the airpot in Nadi - Fiji about to leave to the U.S

As we bid farewell to the stunning backdrop of Fiji, (a side note - Fiji Airways was great) our journey continued across the United States, kicking off with three eventful days in San Francisco. From the iconic Fisherman's Wharf to capturing views of the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, we wondered aimlessly seeing all that the city had to offer even savouring the delights of an IN-N-OUT Burger.

IN - OUT Burger

The city left an indelible mark on our travels. But in our opinion, it was not what everyone told us! We found it quite slow, and the locals were hard to talk to and kept to themselves. We only got to experience it in a very short time, and traveling with teens may of limited our exposure to the fun and exciting vibe of San Fran in bars and clubs? We were happy to hit the road and see what was next on the agenda.

We left San Francisco, venturing down to Los Angeles. We wanted to trace the coastline as much as possible on our way through to L.A., however road closures prevented us from doing as much as we wanted to. Fortunately, we stopped in at Cambria a little boutique town minutes from the ocean and fell in love with its quaintness and charm. We stayed in a very tidy BnB where we were most welcomed by the owners and where a wholesome conversation by the fire in reception with coffee in hand went a long way.  

Making a stop to explore the enchanting Hearst Castle the following morning before heading off to L.A. was a definite highlight. Now this place was incredible and a must if you are down this way. Please check out our activities blog for more info on that.

HEARST CASTLE - roman pools

Hearst Castle’s history begins in 1865, when George Hearst purchased 40,000 acres of ranchland. After his mother’s death in 1919, William Randolph Hearst inherited thousands of acres around San Simeon, and over time, he purchased more. The spread eventually encompassed about 250,000 acres. With architect Julia Morgan, Hearst conceived a retreat he called La Cuesta Encantada—Spanish for “Enchanted Hill.” By 1947, when Hearst had to leave the remote location because of his fragile health, the estate was still unfinished even though it comprised 165 rooms and 123 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways—all built to Hearst’s specifications and showcasing a legendary art collection. For more info: https://hearstcastle.org

Our Hollywood stroll led us to the famed sign lookout and a quest to find Tupac's Star amidst the celebrity-lined streets. Yet, the maze-like roads of Beverly Hills reminded us that L.A. traffic can indeed be a labyrinth. We managed an NBA Game, L.A Clippers vs New York Knicks and rode bikes along the famous Venice beach at Santa Monica and enjoyed the cold beers at a bar near the pier.

We attempted to see an NFL Match at SOFI Stadium, so we booked accommodation close by, nestled in Inglewood. We got stuck in traffic and missed the game. We decided to stay in Inglewood two nights, cultural encounters awaited us.

The local barber treated the boys to a unique experience, while a Jamaican breakfast surprised us with their unconventional touch of crunchy cereal sprinkled on everything.

The kids decided they weren’t to fussed on the typical tourist stuff that empties your pockets like Disney World or Universal Studios, which we were more than happy to agree with. Instead we walked around the city like locals exploring the Sunday market and taste testing the banana and Nutella crepes for breakfast. The hours that followed were swallowed up by ‘Amoeba Music’ the worlds largest independent Record shop, World Famous Randy Donuts where everyone’s donuts were incredibly tasty except Marli’s as Josh got her order wrong! And driving down Rodeo Drive mesmerized by the glitz and glam of the street and shops and dreaming of becoming a millionaire.

From the urban buzz, we jetted off to Denver, our gateway to Silverthorne. Embraced by the majestic mountains and the warmth of family hospitality, our Christmas and New Year's celebrations unfolded in a haven far removed from the

city bustle. Amidst the snow-covered landscape, endless hours watching Baylin and his cousin Winston frolic in the snow became the heart-warming highlight of our stay. From crafting snowmen to indulging in cosy Jacuzzi sessions, every moment was a testament to the joy of family gatherings.

To balance indulgence with activity, our daily routines included quick workouts at the local estate gym, a refreshing way to stay active amidst the wintry setting.

Yet, with the joys, a tinge of longing lingered—Aisha's homesickness and yearning for her boyfriend reminded us of the bittersweetness of being away from home. (but she’ll be right).

Tip#1: While traveling together, some car rentals waive extra charges if you're married and your partner drives, so need for extra insurance. Additionally, navigating the challenging exchange rate of the Aussie dollar led us to the treasure trove of affordable meals at Trader Joe's. Sharing meals became our mantra, considering the generous portions served. Tip#2: Leave early if driving, traffic is horrible most places. Remember to validate parking, most places will do this or you may need to purchase a drink/food first. Thanks for checking in - Wilders out!