Being a Kid Again in Southern California
Sunshine, new friends, beaches, and roller coasters; everything you need to feel young at heart. Join one of our Flighties on this journey through Southern California and relive those childhood dreams:
Growing up, my family and I were always in and out of California, visiting my one cool uncle who lived just outside of Los Angeles. I had the pleasure of experiencing Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Knott’s Berry Farm long before any of my classmates had even heard of these places. We would visit California so frequently that by the time I was a teenager, I had no desire to want to go back. I’m not sure if I was just being a bratty and rebellious kid, or if I really felt deep down in my heart that I had seen all that the Golden State had to offer because even into my mid-20s I would still cringe at the thought of flying into LAX… AGAIN.
I do have to admit, I had a few butterflies in my stomach when I learned I was hopping on a flight to Los Angeles on a trip to Southern California I could not pass up. But what was to come was definitely not expected – Southern California turned out to be more mind-blowingly fun than I could imagine, and it’s not because I had low expectations, I just needed to experience everything I experienced as a kid again… but as an adult.
We started off at Universal Studios. I never fully understood the reasoning behind “front of line” passes; I thought it was a legit money grab. Until I purchased one, used it, and strutted to the front of the line at The Mummy ride. If you’re wondering if the passes are worth it, don’t even think twice. They are. On top of the feeling of winning the front of the line, it was exhilarating to be able to feel like a kid again, but to see everything through adult eyes.
We continued our adventure in Los Angeles where we had the privilege of spending Halloween at The Roosevelt Hotel amongst LA’s elite (if calling them that is the correct term). We never had a chance to run into any actual celebrities, but it definitely made for a memorable evening and was a story that I was more than willing to tell to anyone – clients, friends, family. It was Halloween after all, so there were more than enough crazies out there to satiate my desire for a little bit of excitement.
We made our way to San Diego. Our last few days were spent feeding dolphins and penguins at SeaWorld, walking around the Gaslamp Quarter, trading pins at Disneyland as excited as the children, and then going to my happiest place on Earth, Knott’s Berry Farm, just to be part of their annual Halloween theme: Knott’s Scary Farm. I have never had more fun in my life until this trip and it has opened my eyes more to how much fun it can be. Even as an adult.
For more information, contact a Flight Centre Travel Expert, call 1-877-967-5302, or visit your closest Flight Centre store.
About the Author
Emma Hackwood a freelance copywriter, amateur glider pilot and full-time adventure seeker, has travelled extensively in pursuit of her lifelong dream of simply seeing it all. Up to over 50 countries, she lists American Samoa and the seldom visited Marquesas Islands as her current favourite destinations, with a wandering eye on Guam and Tonga to complete her Pacific escapades.
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