Ending 2025 with California Orange Sunshine 🌅

A Southern California trip sparked by a sudden urge to hum David Tao’s tunes 🎶🦋 (ò ā ā è è yeye lalala?) A few trip notes: 🌵 Joshua Tree → Cholla Cactus Garden – nice, but Keys View is better for sunset (winter sunset ~4:30 PM, plan for parking waits). ⚠️ Watch out for cactus spines – not just on plants but on the ground! My shoes got attacked… had to carefully peel them off with a folded map. → Cap Rock – feels just like a Jay Chou MV scene. → Hidden Valley – famous fallen tree (the bark is worn smooth from visitors sitting on it!). 🎨 Getty Center A quick visit this time—totally different vibe at sunset. The clouds looked like a glowing UFO ring, almost surreal. 🔭 Griffith Observatory Hi, Sebastian & Mia! Skip the Hollywood sign—the views here are epic. Parking was full, so we hiked 30 mins up West Trail. Tip: consider a rideshare! The live solar演示 is amazing (go on a sunny day!). The planetarium show is a must—and it’s narrated live, not pre-recorded! 🧠 Caltech Campus Hi, Sheldon! As an MIT alum, I had to pull out my student ID for a photo 😉. Pretty campus with Southern French vibes. Bookstore was closed (weekend regret!), but I hear they sell fun anti-MIT merch. Already planning my next trip—so much left to see! 🏠 Stay: Courtyard by Marriott Monterey Park ✅ Pros: new, good value, Hey Tea across the street, lots of food nearby. ❌ Cons: hallway odors, a bit far from main attractions (most are westside). 🏨 Westside alternative: UCLA Luskin Hotel – looked nice when I visited campus! #CaliforniaTravel #JoshuaTree #GettyCenter #GriffithObservatory #Caltech #LATrip #TravelDiary #CaliforniaVibes #2025Ending 🌴📸