As of September 1, I’ve been settling into a lovely apartment in Saint Paul near the Minneapolis border. I’m having a great time furnishing the place to make it a home, and I’m excited to be spending fall in Minnesota for the first time in three years. I also did a big thing last month: I visited California for the first time ever!
California had been on my mind for a very long time. I came close when I was at Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon in September 2022, but there wasn’t much interesting besides simply crossing the border into California. I thought about a months-long trip to California this past winter/spring instead of returning to Austin, but the drive all the way over there felt daunting—and all I saw was dollar signs, knowing how expensive California is.
Earlier this year I found a life and career coach, and when I learned that his annual retreat takes place in the mountains of California, I knew I had to attend!
I flew out to Santa Barbara the night before the retreat and stayed with a friend from my group. We road-tripped the next day to a retreat center in the mountains near San Diego, where I had a wonderful weekend finally getting to meet all the great guys I’ve gotten to know in the program. It was a life-changing experience, and I will remember it forever.
After the retreat, a bunch of us drove back to Los Angeles and spent two nights in a huge Airbnb. We visited Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier. At one point, my friend who was driving us around asked what I thought of L.A. so far. I said I might need to return to make up my mind. So far it wasn’t my favorite of the big cities I’ve been to. That position still goes to Toronto.
When I’m ready to road trip again, California is on my to-do list. Until then, I’ll keep California Dreamin’!
Here’s a photo gallery of favorites from my first visit to California. Enjoy!
