Two Ways To Do The West Coast

• Cruise Ship: Norwegian Cruise Line
• Stayed on board: Family room with bunk beds (novelty factor: 10/10).
• Loved: Endless activities, Olivia’s 10th birthday teppanyaki dinner, and genuinely incredible staff.
• Tip: The Drinks Package = brilliant value. Also, for luxe travellers out there, you must check out The Haven. 

🌮 In Ensenada, we followed in Anthony Bourdain’s footsteps and ate at Sabina Restaurant -  a foodie must for the best tostadas around.  

• Stayed at: The Montrose
• Loved: The neighbourhood vibe — stylish, tucked away, but close to everything.
• Top tip: Griffith Observatory at sunset. Take an Uber up (skips the hike), then ride the free shuttle bus down. 

• Stayed at: Sheraton Park Anaheim
• Non-negotiable: Disneyland. We grabbed a 3-day Flexi Pass and honestly. Could’ve gone back for more. 

Highlights 

• Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — like stepping onto another planet.
• Best ride? Rise of the Resistance (the Stormtrooper one).
• Best eats? Blue milk, mac & cheese, Mickey Mouse macaron, Tigger marshmallow, and the giant TURKEY LEG (so much better (and juicier) than expected). 

Before heading out, we made a final American pit stop: breakfast at Denny’s. 

• Road trip stop: Pioneertown – home to the legendary Pappy & Harriet’s (fun fact: Sir Paul McCartney once played here!) and the best BBQ in the desert.
• Stayed at: The Rowan, Palm Springs. Stay here for the rooftop pool with epic views, nightly social hour, thoughtful little perks, and a pickleball court. So good.
• Palm Springs vibes: Think night markets, scenic Coachella Valley drives, desert hikes, and pure chill mode all day, every day. 

Three weeks. Five stops. A whole lot of family magic. 

Fast-forward a few months and I was back in LA for a work conference. This time, no kids - just me and they hubby rediscovering LA in grown-up mode. 

Stayed at: Chamberlain West Hollywood 

Having loved West Hollywood (aka WeHo) but only staying one night in November '24, we head back to this awesome and vibrant part of LA. Think boutique restaurants, buzzing bars, and cosy cafés on every corner — plus a little celeb spotting here and there 😉.

Between conference sessions, we made time for rooftop lounging under Californian blue skies and a few food adventures:

• Dialogue Café – the perfect breakfast spot with excellent coffee.
• Harriet’s Rooftop Bar – sunset cocktails with sweeping city views (great for people watching too)
• The original farmers market LA - a beloved local landmark since 1934. Perfect for grabbing a bite before hitting The Grove for some serious retail therapy.

Without kids, it was all about slower mornings, long dinners, and late-night craic (yes, I am Irish). A very different LA, but just as unforgettable. 

What struck me most is how the same place can feel so different depending on who you’re with. With kids, it was rides, characters, and sugar highs. Without them, it was cocktails, conferences, and a slower pace. Both trips gave me a new perspective on LA and beyond. 

And that’s the beauty of travel — the destination stays the same, but the experience is always unique. 

✈️ ✈️ Shameless plug: Heading somewhere for work but want a little leisure on the side? Whether it’s a packed business trip or a mix of meetings and downtime, our Flight Centre Business Travel team — with our Corporate Benefits program — can handle it all and make every trip seamless.