LAX and Joshua Tree National Park — Jun Baniqued Images

Day 1.

Last month was my first solo travel of this year. It was supposed to be a trip with my cousin’s son and daughter, but our schedules (to go together) fell through. It was late to cancel pre-bookings I made and Bob has prior appointments and so, here I was traveling solo.

I took a non-stop flight from Orlando to LA. The flight was a little over five hours; smooth and uneventful. When I landed to LA at 10AM, I went straight to pick up my rental car and to my Marriott hotel reservation in Sta. Monica to check in. After freshening up, I started checking out the area. I ended up finding Will Rogers Beach along side Sta. Monica/Malibu town line. It was a beautiful one. This is when I decided I will check the sunset at a later time.

By the time I left the beach it was only 130pm and I wasn’t really that hungry. I decided to check Solstice Canyon- a nearby trail, and decided to have my first hike. It started fair- mostly flat in the beginning; but the second part was a lot of up hill climb. The view is at the top was amazing. I wish Bob was with me with this one, specially on the descend as I can see the pacific ocean on the horizon. That was such a fun hike.

By the time I got to the parking lot in my rental car, I was starving. This trip has been costly so I decided to go low key with food. At least for now. I got a sushi lunch and headed to Malibu to wait for my sunset. Meanwhile I was enjoying my sushi in my car. I took some good shots here until I decided to head back to my hotel and freshen up. After an hour, I went back outside. Night was early, but I was too tired so after some few night shots- I decided to go back to my room and call the night. Tomorrow is another day.

Day 2.

I am not sure if its my excitement or my body clock, but I ended up tossing and turning the night and probably hasn’t slept at all. I was having a second thought to go out for the sunrise, as I was tired but I was glad I did. I can say that Sta. Monica has a beautiful sunrise too despite the fact that the sun rises behind all the beautiful views. I think I had better composition that morning and pretty much explored the areas before it gets crowded when I decided to go back to my hotel. At this point, I felt sleepy and decided to take power nap. The day is young and I have a long way to travel to Joshua Tree.

a silhouette of Joshua Tree after sunset. Keys View Point, Joshua Tree National Park.

I woke up after more than an hour of a nap and started getting ready. I packed my bags and once done, I checked out, grabbed my car and turned the navigation and started driving to Joshua Tree.

Halfway my destination, I had a random thought of my few colleagues that moved from Connecticut to California. While driving I-10E I noticed a sign to “Ontario Airport.” I remembered one of my colleagues in CT when he moved to CA and told me if you ever visit me in CA fly in to Ontario Airport. So I called him and luckily he was at home. I made a brief detour and caught up with him- invited if he wanted to join me in my adventure to which he didn’t decline. Then off we go to Joshua Tree National Park.

My experience of California is limited to LA and San Diego only. I have never been further inland. The drive to Joshua Tree National Park was fascinating itself. I feel like I am truly appreciating California more. After almost two and a half hour drive, I had a glimpse of the Joshua couple of miles before the park’s main entrance.

My friend and I drove the park together while equally admiring the trees and the rock formations. Took many stops to shoot photos. WE ended up waiting at Keys View, which is about 8 miles from the main park road, to witness the sunset. I am glad we did, as I had the best shot of a Joshua Tree here.

After the sun had set, we continued driving, stopping and taking photos. I was quite disappointed that it was never a new moon to shoot the Milky Way, but the night stars has been great as it is.

WE stayed about 9-10 PM at the park until we finally decided to leave and grab dinner. My hotel reservation is another 20 miles, and that was a bit challenge to drive some more.

Day 3.

Though I didn’t want to wake up early, but I have to bring my friend back his home before 11 so I got up and got ready. By 645 we hit the road again to Chino, CA. AT Richard’s home I finally met his wife briefly as the were in a rush to go to a funeral. AS I left, I decided to check out the nearby Planes of Fame Air Museum. The young Jun in me reminiscing that once when I was younger, I dreamed of becoming a pilot. Two hours later, I was off to Alhambra, CA to meet with my other friend.

Dette is actually Michelle’s friend, but since she passed away in 2018, Dette and I bonded too. It was nice to meet her family- her kids and mom- for the first time. They are very nice to accommodate me. Michelle and I had planned on this trip but never came into fruition. I am sure she’s happy that it happened even with out her. Dette and her husband were so hospitable to give me a tour of downtown LA- they brought me to Griffith Observatory, LACMA and the Museum of cars. I have so much in my to do lists for short period of time. Once in the car, tiredness hit me and fell asleep. It was then that we decided to go home.

Day 4.

I must have slept so deep that when I woke up, the sun is already up. Its time for me to get ready, yet again. After I chatted briefly with Dette and her Mom, I took a shower and packed my bag again.. Now I am heading to my cousin Yolly. I have not seen her since 2010- my last visit to LA. I wonder how she’s been? We plan to visit another cousin in Irvine.

It was Sunday, and didn’t expect that LA traffic could be worse. But it was pretty heavy in the freeway. After a little over an hour of driving I arrived to my cousin’s house. It was nice to see both Jerry and Yolanda after more than a decade. I can’t wait to see all my nephews and niece too… I tried to refresh for a bit and then off we go to Irvine. We made a couple of stops along the way to eat and to have a dessert! Shortly after we were at Memang’s door and having a good laugh. Short visit to her but it is nice to see her too.

After visiting my cousin Memang, we decided to head back home and rested for a bit. Then went back out again to Calabasas to meet with Franchesca- Yolanda’s only daughter. We all had dinner then after an hour long chit chats and catching up, we decided to go home. I have been so exhausted from all the driving and so I headed to shower. I said my goodnight to my cousin and nephew after, and called it a night.

Day 5.

I planned to be at Getty’s Musuem on my last day here in LA but unfortunately the place was close. So i made a 180degree turn and headed to Calabasas one more time. With my All Trails App I found the Malibu Creek Trail and decided to do one more hike before I go back home to Florida.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect in this trip except that the moment I pulled into the parking lot, I was already flabbergasted with its beauty.

I made about 4 miles of trekking and see the beautiful Malibu Creek. Along the way I just couldn’t stop admiring the landscapes of this place. The different colors of the rocks and mountains, the spring flowers blooming, the serenity of the place. It’s just awesome. I guess the trade off of visiting the museum if not fair enough, was actually a lot better. I stopped my exploration when I reached the site of the 80’s popular show MASH. By then I decided to head back. It was about 2pm when I finally got to my car. On the way to my cousin’s home, I had a quick lunch- ate Mediterranean salad from nook bar and drove home.

Before I went to the airport, Yolanda and Jerry brought me to a nearby restaurant and had final dinner. Then I was off to LAX. Over all, it was a great and fun 5- day visit.