Thank you for traveling.

As a bi-coastal family, we don’t take lightly the distance many of you are traveling to be with us. We hope your time in sunny California feels like a little getaway. We’ve shared a few recommendations below to help you make the most of it.

Thank you again for making the journey and for celebrating this chapter with us.

General Tips

The ideas below are meant to inspire, not prescribe. Wander toward what feels most like you.
Renting a car is highly recommended to make the most of your time and travel plans throughout the weekend.
We suggest arriving in Los Angeles by November 6 at the latest to avoid any travel stress on the day of the celebration.
For domestic flights, consider flying into John Wayne, Long Beach, or Ontario airports, which are typically smaller and easier to navigate than LAX.

Where to stay

Anaheim

Anaheim offers a lively, convenient stay with plenty of hotel options and dining nearby. Best known as the home of Disneyland, it’s a great choice for guests traveling with children or looking to extend the weekend into a bit of fun. The drive to Santa Ana is typically around 15–20 minutes.

Pasadena

Pasadena blends historic architecture with tree-lined streets and a refined, charming feel. With hip dining and boutique shopping in Old Town, it’s a beautiful place to spend the weekend. The drive to Santa Ana is roughly 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Long Beach

Long Beach offers a relaxed coastal atmosphere with waterfront views, charming neighborhoods, and great restaurants. It’s perfect for those who’d like to enjoy the ocean breeze while still being within about 30–40 minutes of the venue. Expect walkable areas and a slightly slower pace.

Our favorite things

Explore

Bring out your inner child and enjoy parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios, Raging Waters, Six Flags, and Knott’s Berry Farm.
If weather permits, take advantage of California’s coastline with a beach day. There are a ton of different beaches to choose from, so take your pick.
If you’re into heights, explore one of LA’s many scenic hikes.
Like New York, Los Angeles is a city made up of vibrant cultural neighborhoods, each with its own rhythm and flavor.

We love spending a day in Little Tokyo, but there are so many unique pockets of the city worth exploring.
Los Angeles is expansive, and its best spots are often spread across the city.
We recommend planning your activities by neighborhood and allowing extra time for traffic.
Street and lot parking are common. While many meters accept mobile payments, it’s wise to keep a few dollars or quarters on hand, just in case.

Eat

One of our fondest LA memories is slurping pasta in Little Tokyo at PASTA e PASTA by Allegro.
Pasta holds a special place in Japanese cuisine. This “itameshi” (Italian-meal) fusion has been beloved since the 1970s, creating dishes that are uniquely comforting and deeply flavorful.
We highly recommend a visit during lunch as it can get quite busy.
The iconic “pink box” doughnut experience in Los Angeles traces back to the 1980s, when Cambodian immigrant-owned doughnut shops began serving their pastries in distinctive, budget-friendly pink boxes, a tradition that quickly became a city staple.
Our go-to local spot is Rainbow Donuts, but you’ll find great options within driving distance of nearly any neighborhood.
Here’s a list for you to explore.
The city is overflowing with incredible options, from late-night street tacos to neighborhood staples. King Taco is a great introduction to classic, no-frills tacos(Don’t skip the green sauce). When we’re close to home, Casa Alvarez is our comfort pick.
But we were truly blown away by both the food and hospitality at Rosa Madera. Enjoy the complimentary chicharrones de harina when you sit down, but be sure to save room for the entrées.
And a little bonus tip: our waiter (a fellow Puerto Rican) let us in on a secret. Puerto Rican food can be hard to find in LA, but Señor Big Ed is as good as it gets.
LA is a city of great food, but its Korean cuisine holds a special reputation. Many say the flavors here rival those found in Korea itself.
If you’re curious, here’s few favorite spots to explore.

Shop

For shopping, dining, and the occasional celebrity sighting, The Grove is a classic LA destination.
It’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, a little indulgent shopping, or exploring the adjacent Original Farmers Market.
All in all, it’s a lovely stop to add to your itinerary.
If you’re into K-beauty, K-pop, or anything in between, The Source in Buena Park is well worth a visit.
This open-air plaza is a favorite among locals for stocking up on Korean skincare, snacks, and specialty finds.
If time allows, catch a film at CGV Cinema, known for screening international releases and offering an elevated movie experience. The popcorn alone makes it worth the stop.
For our fellow nerds, this is where we watched the live-action Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint on the big screen, and it was unforgettable.
One of our favorite plazas to wander through is in Little Tokyo.
A shop we always stop into is Japangeles, a brand that blends Japanese and Los Angeles culture into playful, thoughtful merchandise that reflects the spirit of Asian- American identity.
Since they do not have an online store, visiting their brick-and-mortar location feels like a must every time we’re in the neighborhood.
Los Angeles offers countless ways to tempt your credit card.
Our best advice is simple: wander.
By giving yourself permission to explore without an agenda, you’ll stumble upon local shops filled with unique trinkets and cultural gems. Beyond Rodeo Drive, you’ll find plenty of outdoor shopping plazas and outlets worth discovering.
Enjoy the browsing, and maybe leave a little extra room in your suitcase for the treasures you find.