Category: Travel

Just by my first visit, there is so much to love about Santa Monica. Santa Monica is a beach city, east of LA, with all of the culture and events of an active metropolis. Equal parts coastal getaway and urban center, Santa Monica serve as the perfect base for vacationers. The most obvious is the very laid back vibe around the seaside city. A typical, Southern Californian, relaxed mentality. Maybe it’s the fresh ocean air or the 340 days of sunshine each year – either way, it’s hard to feel anything other than happy and carefree here! I love the architecture of the houses. I love it. They are unique and well constructed. Second is the beach itself. It is clean, you can buy melons and watermelon right near the water. The boardwalk acts as a small market to stalls selling clothing, souvenirs and food. There is a strong carnival theme and you’re met with an amusement park at the end: Pacific Park. Personally, it was an interesting experience and at the end of the day was a beautiful sunset.

 

On Wednesday, August 12, 2015, I and a my friends mother and best friends took a day trip to Silverwood Lake. I have never been to any type of lake. While these destinations are practically unknown to tourists, they are popular for the local people. It is right up the mountain from where I currently live in San Bernardino. They are perfect travel destinations for a day trip on a sunny day (which are plenty in Southern California). Water and nature, which makes for a peaceful day.

 

Going to Silverwood Lake is a great alternative to the beach. You do not have the annoyance of the sand and the water is always cool. I am used to going to the beach during the summer, especially when I lived on the east coast. Since I have been out in Southern California, I haven’t been to any beaches, pools, or lakes until now.

Going up the mountain was an amazing sight. You can see the city from down below and you are surrounded my curvy roads (which got annoying after a while) and mountains of all sizes. The water itself was a perfect blue. It was something I could stare at all day and never get tired of it. Coming back down from the lake was another interesting sight because if you take the highway, there is nothing but dessert and farmland. I have seen farm land before, but not on the mountain. You will probably get lost the first time going and trying to get back though. I recommended going to this lake once during the summer because it is something to really see and it is a National Park!