Disneyland, Hearst Castle, WB Studios, and the Hotel Del (October 2009)

It's true that Josh and I went to southern California recently, but we also went there a few times in 2009 as well: in March with Josh's dad and sister, in October with some of my family, and in December/January 2010 for the Rose Bowl. This post is about October because Josh posted a picture on Facebook the other day and I was reminded that we had gone.

First, we spent a few days at Disneyland, which was dressed for Halloween.

Duck fans

Haunted Mansion was dressed for "Nightmare Before Christmas" and is was super busy! We discovered why they have a Fast Pass option.

It was even Halloween at DCA, and I wanted to point it out

Main Street, USA

We don't get to ride the tea cups very often

I love this picture of Josh. We were spinning so fast!

Later, we met up with Josh's high school friend Audrey and her boyfriend RJ at Hearst Castle. Josh and I went there as part of our honeymoon (we drove to San Francisco, to Hearst Castle, and then through Fresno). Our first time there, Josh and I took Tour #1 which takes you through the guest houses and the main floor of Casa Grande. This time, we took Tour #2, which takes you through the upper stories, Hearst's own living quarters, a bunch of guest rooms, and the kitchen. 

Josh, me, RJ, and Audrey in the bus

Still pointing at things

A big smile and a guest room

The library I covet

The indoor pool

Slightly blurry, but the prep area of the kitchen. The ovens and the fridge are in the back somewhere

The side entrance

If you like old houses, the Hearst Castle is a great one to visit. Josh and I want to come back for the night tour, when the tour guides dress up in vintage costumes. 

We also went on the Warner Bros. Backlot Tour. 

The water tower, home of the Warner Brothers, and their sister Dot

Being on this tour was kind of like deja vu since it all looked really familiar but I couldn't quite place it. It probably means we watch too many movies.

This el train track is from ER

Employees get to watch pre-screened movies

We also got to see prop cars, like the Mystery Machine

The Batmobile

And the sportscar from "Get Smart"

(we are saying, "Missed it by THAT much!")

Oh, and we happened to see this little set:

I think I touched absolutely everything in here, in addition to sitting on the entire couch

Josh on the couch

We also decided to go to the Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado, CA because it's beautiful and we had never been there. We had an awesome room overlooking both the pool and the beach. I loved it. 

Sadly, it was foggy on our last day, but this is the rotunda from our balcony

Luxuriating

From the driveway

Just a little bit more of past adventures. We've been having fun. I wish we could just travel forever.