California Trip Itinerary 

For Fiorella  

Day 1: 

We started off with the happiest place on Earth, Disneyland. We got park hopper passes 
and were able to go to both parks in one day.  

Location: 

Disneyland, Anaheim, CA 

Agenda for the Day 

● 8:00 am - 8:45 am Downtown Disney (eat breakfast at Sprinkles cupcakes, went to 
Build-A-Bear Workshop to make matching stuffed animals, went shopping at 
Disney Vault 28 
● 9: 00 am - 3:00 pm Walked around Disneyland, enjoyed all the rides, took pictures 
with characters 
● 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Enjoyed lunch at the Galactic Grill, watched the Jedi Academy 
show 
● 3:30 pm - 5: 30 pm Walked to Disneyland California Adventure, spent time at Cars 
Land, rode rides at Paradise Pier 
● 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm Stopped for a quick drink at Cove Bar for the Cotton Candy 
Lemonade 
● 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm Walked down Cars Land, enjoyed a Chili Cone Queso 
● 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Made our way back to Disneyland, went on Pirates of the 
Caribbean  
● 8:30 pm - 8: 50 pm Watched Fantasmic! Show 
● 8:50 pm - 12:00 am Rode more attractions, shopped for mickey ear hats,enjoyed 
Chocolate Twist from Maurice’s Treats 

Summary: 

We enjoyed our day at Disneyland and Disneyland California Adventure. We shopped 

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and walked around having fun taking pictures with all the characters. My exchange 
student had fun on the California Screamin’ Roller Coaster and loved the fireworks. We 
were able to find Hidden Mickeys all over the park and little easter eggs.  

Yelp Review: 5 stars 

The Cove Bar (located on the 

Paradise Pier) has one of the best views 
of the California Screamin’ Roller 
Coaster. The Cotton Candy Lemonade 
was sweet, but not too much. It had a fun 
design with two lemon slices to make 
Mickey’s head. The service was 
incredible and we even traded pins with 
the cast member.  

Day 2: 

We continued by visiting the famous Winchester Mystery House. We were able to get a 
tour of the place and learned about the history of the Winchester family. 

Location: 

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California  

Agenda for the Day:  

● 5:00 am - 9:23 pm Car ride from Los Angeles to San Jose 

● 9:23 am - 3:00 pm Explore Winchester House 

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 ● 3:10 pm - 4:00 pm Have lunch at the Winchester Cafe 
● 4: 00 pm - 9:00 pm Car ride home from San Jose 

Summary:  

We slept in the car while heading to the Winchester House. Once we arrived we bought 
tickets for the first tour we could get. During the tour we even were able to go behind the 
scenes and explore parts of the house that were recently open to the public. My foreign 
exchange student swears she even saw a ghost down in the basement. We ate at the cafe 
and tried the Winchester Wild West Burger along with the Winchester Rosemary-Mint 
Infused Lemonade. Then we drove back home and fell asleep.  

Yelp Review: 5 stars 

The Winchester Cafe (located at the Winchester Mystery House) was very relaxing to eat 
at and had a great view of the mansion and the gardens. The Winchester Wild West 
Burger was really messy, but really delicious. The patty was so juicy and the barbeque 
sauce was really savory. The cheddar on the burger was really sharp and helped add 
flavor. 

Day 3: 

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We woke up early again and went up state towards Monterey Bay to go see all the 
animals at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We spent the whole day learning more about 
every animal.  

Location: 

Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey Bay 

Agenda for the Day: 

● 5:00 am - 9:35 am Car ride to Monterey Bay  

● 9:40 am - 9:55 am Breakfast at Austino’s Patisserie 
● 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Explored the Monterey Bay Aquarium  
● 5:00 pm - 6: 30 pm Went for dinner at Cindy’s Waterfront 
● 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Grabbed ice cream at Ghirardelli Ice Cream shop 
● 7:10: pm - 11:00 pm Car ride home 

Summary:  

We woke up very early for the ride to Monterey Bay and got ready in the car then took 
time to get ready. Once we arrived to the aquarium we had to stop for breakfast before 
the aquarium opened. We ate at Austino’s Patisserie and had their waffles. Then once the 
aquarium opened we started walking around looking at the animals that are being 
rehabilitated. We were able to catch the Sea Otter feeding and watched as the workers 
fed and weighed the otters. We also watched the shark feedings and went to the open sea 
exhibit to look at sharks. We took a virtual dive with Mission to the Deep exhibit. My 
friend enjoyed watching all the different type of fish, but she mainly enjoyed the sea 
otters. 

Yelp Review: 4 stars 

The Ghirardelli ice cream shop is a fun place to visit with a large variety of ice cream 
flavors and toppings. We were able to get our favorite flavors with the toppings we liked. 
Also we took tried many chocolate samples and took home a huge amount of our favorite 

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ones. 

Day 4:  

Took a trip to Universal Studios to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and riding 
other attractions at the park.  

Location: 

Universal Studios, Universal City  

Agenda for the Day:  

● 8:30 am - 9:00 am Arrive at Universal Studios 

● 9:25 am - 10:00 am Walk down City Walk and shop for merchandise 
● 10:10 am - 1:30 pm Walk to the Wizarding World and ride The Forbidden Journey 
● 1:30 pm - 1:50 pm Lunch at Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck and eat nachos 
● 1:55 pm - 4:30 pm ride the Mummy Returns, Jurassic Park, and Studio Tours 
● 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Dinner at the Three Broomsticks  
● 5: 40 pm - 6:00 pm The Walking Dead experience 
● 6: 10 pm - 8:00 pm Walked down Hogsmeade and went to Honeydukes, Zonko’s, 
an Ollivanders for a wand 
● 8:00 pm - 8:40 Went for ButterBeer and watched the performance by the Hogwarts 
students and their toads, The Durmstrang Institute, and Beauxbatons Academy of 
Magic 
● 8:50 pm - 9:00 pm Exit Universal Studios to walk down City Walk 
● 9:00 pm - 10: 30 pm Shop at City Walk and take pictures 

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Summary:  

We had lots of fun going to Universal Studios. My foreign exchange student really loves 
the Harry Potter movies and has always wanted to see the Wizarding World. She was so 
excited when we bought robes just like the uniforms of the Hogwarts students. She also 
loved the rides and the food at the park. We were able to get our wands and cast spells 
on shop windows. Overall it was a fun experience.  

Yelp Review: 4 stars 

The Butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of the most delicious things 
I have tasted. The frozen one is my personal favorite. It tastes just like butterscotch 
slushie. The foam on top is so sweet and adds a perfect feel like the actual Butterbeer in 
the movies. 

Day 5:  

We wanted to hit one last amusement park and went with the first one built in 
California.  

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Location:  

Knotts Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA 

Agenda for the Day: 

● 9:00 am - 9:40 am Arrive at Knotts Berry Farm 

● 9:40 am - 11:00 am Rode Sierra Sidewinder, Lucy’s Tugboat, and Jaguar 
● 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Went to buy Boysenberry Cheesecake for breakfast 
● 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm Rode all the rides we could until it was time for lunch 
● 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm Ate dinner at a buffet in Ghost Town and went home 

Summary:  

Fiorella had lots of fun at Knotts. She said she loved the whole experience and she loved 
the Ghost Town. She had lots of fun riding the Silver Bullet because she has never been 
on such an intense ride. She enjoyed the Boysenberry themed food.  

Yelp Review: 5 stars 

The Boysenberry cheesecake is incredible. The berries give the dessert and extra tartness 
that tastes amazing. We had at least 3 slices each because it was so good. Really 
recommend the chocolate covered slices. 

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Day 6: 

We decided to take a break from a big adventure and go to see a marathon of movies we 
love. 

Location:   

● Beach at Long Beach   

● Downey Theater 

Agenda for the Day: 

● 6 am-8 am We got ready to eat out for breakfast at iHop.  

● 8 am-12:00 pm We went shopping  
● 12:00 pm-1:00 pm We went to Bob’s Big Boy for lunch 
● 1:00 pm-4:00 pm We went to the beach in Long Beach to have a walk to get rid of 
the food we ate. 
● 4:00 pm-6:00 pm We went home and took a nap to be ready for the movie  
● 6:00 pm-7:00 pm We left the house to get to the movies on time and choose where 
we wanted to sit and snacks 
● 7:00 pm-9:00 pm The first movie was shown. 
● 9:00 pm-9:10 pm Ten minute intermission.  
● 9:10 pm-11:30 pm The second movie was shown. 
● 11:30 pm-11:40 pm 10 minute intermission 
● 11:40 pm-1:02 am The third movie was shown 
● 1:05 am-1:30 am Get home and get into bed 

Summary: 

We heard that the theaters were having a special screening of all 3 Original Trilogy Star 
Wars movies because of May the 4th. We wanted to be well rested and prepared to sit for 
hours in the theater. We went shopping for clothes and necessities for both of us. After 
we had lunch we went for a small walk down Long Beach enjoying the scenary. After 
that we prepared for the movie and made sure we had snacks and blankets and anything 
else we may need.  

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Yelp Review: 5 stars 

Bob’s Big Boys is a restaurant that gives you the feel of being in the 50’s. The atmosphere 
is really fun and all the decorations make you feel as though you’ve traveled back in 
time. We ate the Bacon Cheeseburgers and enjoyed them entirely. The chocolate 
milkshakes really helped bring the whole meal together. Overall, 5 stars. 

Day 7:  

We decided to go  sightseeing in Los 

Angeles and went to Venice Beach, hiked up to the Hollywood sign, went to the Walk of 
Fame, and ended with a trip to the observatory.  

Location: 

Los Angeles ,CA  

Agenda for the Day: 

● 9:00 am - 10:45 am Eat breakfast at Rick’s Drive In and Out 

● 10:45 am - 12:00 pm Drive to Venice beach and walk along the shore and shops 
● 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Hiked up the Hollywood Sign and took pictures of the view 
then hiked back down 
● 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Walked down the Hollywood Walk of Fame looking at all the 
different stars and taking pictures, watched performers, and grabbed quick lunch 
at Starbucks 
● 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Went for ice cream at Cold Stone 
● 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Hiked up to the observatory and we got to look through the 
telescope and took many pictures 
● 10:00 pm - 11:00 pm Watched Bill Nye Saves the World until bedtime 

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Summary: 

Fiorella wanted to go sightseeing in the city so we decided to hit many big landmarks. 
Our trip through the city was really memorable and we were able to take so many 
pictures in order to have memories. She enjoyed visiting the city and seeing all the sights 
she would see through Instagram 

Yelp Review: 5 stars 

The strawberries and cream frappe at Starbucks is really amazing and tastes just like 
strawberries. We are not big coffee fans so it is nice to be able to drink a creme based 
drink. Fiorella enjoyed it because her favorite fruit is strawberries and she sad she was 
going to take one for the road at the airport. 

Day 8:  

Fiorella wanted to go see the Redwood trees and she wanted to hug one because she saw 
the pictures of people on instagram hugging them. 

Location:  

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National and State Parks California 

Agenda for the Day: 

● 5:00 am - 9:00 am Took the jet to the Redwood National Park 

● 9:10 - 10:45 Walked through the Fern Canyon and learned about the history of the 
ferns while taking pictures 
● 10:50 am 12:30 pm Walked to the Klamath River Overlook and watched all the 
marine life and took pictures 
● 12:35 pm - 3:00 pm Walked along the feet of the Redwood trees and took pictures 
of Fiorella hugging the trees 
● 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm We spent hours taking hikes and getting lost for a while. 
Eventually we found our way.  
● 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Rode the jet back home and took naps 
● 10:00 pm - 11:00 pm Stopped at King Taco and had nachos 

Summary:  

The whole day was really fun being amongst nature since it is something both of us 
hardly do. We have to admit we did get lost for a couple hours and I thought I was going 
to get in trouble with her country and parents for losing their child. Eventually we found 
our way back. Fiorella enjoyed the nachos very much. She said that she has never had 
nachos like these and she took some home. 

Yelp Review: 5 stars 

The nachos were honestly really good. The best part is that you can order with whatever 
meat you wanted which makes it unique. The horchata was really delicious and it was 
fun being there late at night. 

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Day 9:  

Went to the California Science Center to see Endeavor and then ended the day by going 
to the Santa Monica Pier. 

Location: 

California Science Center, Exposition Park and Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica 

Agenda for the Day:  

● 9:00 am - 10:00 am Got ready to go to the California Science Center  

● 10:15 am - 11:00 am Arrived to the California Science Center and began walking 
around 
● 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Saw all the exhibits and Endeavor 
● 4:10 pm - 6:00 pm Went to Portos to have some supper 
● 6:10 pm - 10: 00 pm Went to the Santa Monica Pier and rode the carnival rides and 
played games 
● 10:15 pm - 10:40 pm Went home to get Fiorella’s things and began our way to the 
airport 
● 10:45 pm - 11:30 pm Got Starbucks and waited with Fiorella for her plane to leave 
● 11:35 pm - 12:10 am Fiorella boarded and her plane departed  

Summary:  

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Fiorella wanted to have a fun yet relaxing day until she leaves so we went to the ​Sign 
out​California Science Center to walk around. She loved seeing Endeavor in person and 
took many pictures. We then went to Portos and tried the cheesecake with an iced 
horchata latte. Later we went to the Santa Monica Pier and had so much fun on our last 
day together. Then we drove back home to pick up her things and drive her to the 
airport. It was very sad seeing her leave and we both shared a very sad moment before 
seeing her plane depart.  

Yelp Review: 

The red velvet cake at Portos is really delicious. It has a really melt in your mouth feel 
and has the most delicious cream cheese frosting. It was even better drinking it with the 
horchata iced latte. My friend really enjoyed it because she has never tasted a red cake. 

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