Venice Beach,Santa Monica Pier,& The 'Bu 2!

So on Thursday, Rocio and I decided to go down to Venice Beach and then to Santa Monica Pier. It was awesome!! We got to Venice Beach around 10 AM. IT WAS COOOOLD!!!!! What the hell is that?? I am in CA, on the beach, in August...and its COLD??? What??!!?? So what do I do? Go to the souvenir shops, of course! :-) I had to play up the tourist image and buy a long sleeve, red shirt that has "LIFEGUARD + VENICE BEACH." And then I had to buy 1 for Kainaan that matches. he will be the little hottie acting as 'lifeguard' soon enough! :-) And what else can I say about Venice Beach...whatever you are thinking about it, it true! The movies are spot on with this place. Its full of FREAKS!! I mean really, New Orleans has NOTHING on Venice Beach. But it was cool to walk down the sidewalk, pass all the beggars, bikers, druggies, and homeless. I highly recommend anyone go...its a great experience! Be sure to go to the Muscle Beach Gym that's right there on the beach, like right there in the middle of the chaos. Its got old, nasty, stuck-in-the-80's guys...its got mean-looking ones, and it even has some hot ones...don't believe me? :-) Check out the picture:

The hot ones...LOL!

Check out the blue shorts...he was OLD and NASTY!

So, back to my story...HEY! Girls I said back to my story, stop looking at the hotties! :-)

We left Venice "Weirdo" Beach, we went to a restaurant, Gladstone's, in "The 'Bu" You know? Malibu? :-) Wow! Am I starting to talk like the people here? :-) It was right on the beach, very cool. So after some yummy crab bisque in a bread bowl, we were off to Santa Monica Pier! I even got to ride on the PCH, the Pacific Coast Highway. Unfortunately, it was very cloudy so the visibility was low. It got a little better at the pier. While there, we road the Famous Farris Wheel! It was so fun! I got a cool poster with Kainaan's name on it. The guy draws them in like 5 minutes and its so pretty! I can't wait to frame it! After we walked around as little while longer, it was time to go.
We had a loooong busy day, and we still had the 2 kids to get and take care of. Well, I am adding lots of pictures again! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the pictures!

ITS COOOLLDDDD!!!!!!

Graffiti...on everything, but could be very pretty.

Grrrrrrr!!!!!

Look! Lifeguards like Baywatch!

Venice Beach Walkway. And a very talented local artist trying to clean it up.

The true meaning of: Beach Bum. I know, its sometimes sad stories...

Is this THE Hotel California that The Eagles sing about??

The PCH!! Groovy!! :-)

And this the actual road!

The seaside Restaurant in "The 'Bu."

LOOK! Its Malibu Beach behind me! Where are the celebrities??

Pretty good food, service sucked!

Santa Monica Pier...

Its Me! My 1st Santa Monica Experience!

These trees were really cool!

Yay! I am finally here!

My 1st step onto the Famous Pier!!

The famous indoor Carousel!

Kainaan's poster being made!

Can you see his name spelled in it?? Neat, huh?

Getting ready to ride the Farris Wheel.

Looks pretty high!

A view from the top of the ride!

Rocio hanging on for dear life!

Another view from the top! Are you scared?? :-)

This holds up all of that weight?? Holy crap!!

Leaving with an awesome view!! (that's very smoggy)

Welcome to Hollywood! What's yo' dream?

OK-sorry its been a few days! We have been busy!
Tuesday, we went down to Hollywood! We ate at Mel's Drive-In Diner (an old Hollywood staple), we went to the Chinese Theater (I touched Marilyn Monroe's hand prints...just for you, Casey), we walked around the Highland/Hollywood shopping area (we went in Sephora-LISA-Haha!)...basically we were the dreaded tourist! Then, we had to wander over to Sunset, there was the Famous Hustler store...Hhhmmmmmm????? :-) And we went 1 block down to Tattoo Mania, where Rocio got 3 tiny stars added to her existing angel wings on her lower back. The stars represent her and her 2 kids! I was sooo close to getting one, but I am a big chicken and couldn't do it. I was disappointed in myself b/c I have a great tat picked out. I want a scripted 'K' with a tiny bit of scroll-ish art on each side...you know, the 'K' is for my baby...anyways, too scared.
Anyways, on to Downtown LA! We went to the Fashion District. It was interesting. Illegal immigration/sweat shops at its finest...well, it looked like it even though it might not have been.

After all of that...it was time to head back to Valencia for daycare, babies, baths and everything in between!

I will leave everyone with LOTS of pictures! (of course, right?) :-)

~~~WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES!!~~~ :-)

Pretty Church...I like the breast cancer ribbon, its HUGE!

Disney Store...I always think of Kainaan! :-)

The Famous Sign in Hollywood Hills.

Yeah, I am a Diva! HAHA!

Yep, Rocio is, too!! :-)

OMG! My fav make-up store! A girls dream all under 1 roof!

The legendary Kat Von D...my hero! She's beautiful and full of tattoos!

Rocio and John Travolta...

The Chinese Theater...most award shows are held here.

Thinking of Kainaan again...I really miss him!

Adam Sandler's prints...for Tim, Lisa, & Brad!

My name is Forrest, Forrest Gump! For you, Uncle Mike.

I was channeling Marilyn Monroe! LOL!

For you, Casey!!

This hotel is famous for being haunted...and other things!

Charlize Theron--I love her!

"Your FIRED!" For Tim and Brad!

Gone with the Wind Lady! A total classic!

The happiest place on earth for adults!!

What did I buy!!?? Shame! Shame! :-)

OUCH!!!

Awwww! So pretty!

A picture of Downtown L.A.

Palm tree lined streets...just like the movies!