The view from my friends balcony- so jealous!!

One of my very best friends is an absolute genius and started Medical School at UC Irvine last year. I am so so proud of her, but I'm really sad that she now lives in Newport Beach. The only benefit is that now I have a friend in Southern California that I can go visit and stay with!

On Cyber Monday my friends and I found an amazing deal on tickets to California and planned a trip down to visit the last weekend of January. We flew to and from LA, so it was only about a 45 minute drive down to Newport.

Our first night there we went out to happy hour at a fun Mexican restaurant, and later went out to some local bars. It was a fun night full of dancing and singing, and we ran into two former Bachelor contestants!! Being in Orange County sure has its perks :)

The next day we drove to brunch in Laguna Beach at a gorgeous restaurant called On Deck. We enjoyed the great view, wonderful view and glasses of sparkling rose.

On the way to brunch we took a ferry from Newport Peninsula to Balboa Island. It was only about a 5 minute ride but being outside in the sun felt so amazing, especially coming from the cold of Portland! I didn't realize that Arrested Development, which I am just now watching for the first time, was set in Newport Beach. There were banana stands all over and I really wanted to get one but we ran out of time. Next time!

Ali, my friend who lives in Newport, rented us a pontoon boat for Saturday afternoon, which definitely ended up being the highlight of the trip! The boat had a hot tub on board which kept us out of the wind, and we had plenty of wine and snacks on board too. Ali's boyfriend and his friend drove the boat and gave us a great tour of the harbor. We had so much fun soaking up the sun and being by the water. I wish I could live somewhere with constant summer!!

Lauren & I enjoying our Whispering Angel Rose- if you don't know the reference listen to the podcast Bitch Sesh!

On the last day of the trip we went to another great brunch and then spent a few hours at the beach. Getting away for the weekend is exactly what I needed to refresh me and make me ready to face the Portland weather again. Sunshine and friends made for the perfect weekend, and I can't wait to plan another trip!