After celebrating winter holidays with its snow and hot chocolate, palm trees and desert vistas provide the perfect backdrop to welcome the new year. We flew to Las Vegas, where we spent a few days among the throngs, then made the desert trek to Los Angeles with its more laid back California vibe.

Las Vegas welcomed us with pop-up-wedding licenses and drives down the dazzling strip.  Along with the yearlong attractions like the Bellagio Fountains, the winter holidays also feature themed displays.  Especially spectacular this year, the nutcracker characters inside the Bellagio’s conservatory gave a view of how everything in Vegas is over the top. (To see more about this display as well as other past installations click here.)

Of course, the Sphere provides Vegas’ latest must-see experience.  If no concerts are scheduled, the Postcard from Earth movie entertains with its visual sharpness, wrap-around screen and special effects like wind and moving seats.  (Unfortunately, the first hour of the Sphere Experience is less impressive with only a few spots to see displays along with crowds of other attendees.)  To catch the ever-changing view from outside, the Sands Avenue Bridge connecting the Palazzo and the Wynn gives a perfect spot for Sphere watching.

A short visit to Fremont Street also enchants with its musical light show and the chance to see some of the historic casinos.  We enjoyed it during the day with fewer crowds, followed by a chai latte and hot tea at Vesta Coffee Roasters, a cozy cafe with a vibrant crowd.  

For a more nature oriented day trip, the Valley of Fire State Park with its red Aztec sandstone is about an hour’s drive from Las Vegas.  Although there are no real services inside the park, it has a nice visitor’s center that blends beautifully with the landscape.  With only a couple of hours, you can explore the rocks, arches and petroglyphs, but you could easily spend a whole day.  Camping would be delightful to be able to enjoy the sunset and sunrise light on the rocks.

Less than an hour outside of Vegas, the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park exhibits the ranch experience with Hollywood glamour and history. In the nearby small community of Blue Diamond, cozy Cottonwood Station warms up hikers with wood-fired pizza.  The pancetta fig pizza with ricotta cheese and balsamic reduction looks like it has sparse toppings, but it packs perfectly balanced, flavorful bites.  

The outpost town of Primm on the Nevada/California border fuels up desert venturers with Pinkbox Donuts …Holy Canoli, Tres Leches, Vegan New Year and Blueberry Croissant made it into our pink box.

The serenity of the desert is one of our favorite environments.  During early morning drives  through the Mojave National Preserve, few cars pass from the northern entrance at Nipton Road until exiting onto the I-40.  The small, well-maintained road through the vast desert takes you past Joshua trees and the white Kelso Dunes.  Kelso Depot displays a glimpse of the history of the boomtown during World War II. 

A quick stop in Amboy, on the famed Route 66, serves as a backdrop for some fun shots!  

National parks rank high on our lists of excursions.  However, we’ll need to remember that park visits may not be best enjoyed during holiday weeks!  The main one hour drive through Joshua Tree National Park passes through rocks, desert shrubs and trailheads that can be packed with visitors.  The ranger at the visitor center coached us that if you see a parking spot, then that’s the trail you should take. Luckily, we found a spot on the trail we wanted … the Hidden Valley Trail which loops through a gorgeous box canyon. Twentynine Palms provides a cute small town base for exploring the park.  Its Campbell Hill Bakery opens early and offers breads, pastries and sandwiches. On our list for next time is Jelly Donut where they serve donuts in the day and Pho at night.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in the Little San Bernardino Mountains allows for some short mountain trails.  This area is part of the Sand to Snow National Monument and is home to the second highest density of breeding birds in the United States (1,400 nests per square kilometer).

Could there be a better  brunch  spot than Palm Springs with its amazing mid-century modern architecture and small town pace?  We highly recommend L’Atelier Cafe!

We made the final leg of our desert journey to L.A. through light rain.  Fortunately, the skies cleared for a view of the city from the Griffith Observatory.  A beautifully renovated craftsman bungalow in Angelino Heights served as our home for the night with a  short walk to Sunset Boulevard and dinner at Masa. Nearby Carroll and Kellum Avenues contain L.A.’s largest concentration of Victorian homes, including the Thriller house showcased in the legendary music video.  

We always try to visit the local food markets during our travels.  L.A.’s Grand Central Market doesn’t disappoint!  Go early for tranquility, a visit to Donut Man and great photo opportunities. Or, go later in the day for the bustling market experience.   Ramen Hood offers the warm, comfort food that’s perfect on a cool winter’s day.  

The free tour at the Walt Disney Concert Hall informs not only about the unique Frank Gehry structure and its garden, but also the nearby Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, and Mark Taper Forum.  The tour docents are passionate, knowledgeable and brimming with insider tidbits. 

For New Year’s Eve, we left behind the bungalow life for Beaux Arts elegance in the Biltmore Millenium with its spectacular public areas and 100 years of history, including JFK, the Academy Awards, Mad Men, Taylor Swift, Rocky, the Beatles and many, many more! The hotel’s NYE party guests, attired in 1920’s inspired fringe, pearls and feathers, spilled out of the ballrooms, lobbies and bars … a festive atmosphere to begin the evening!

Our first stop, the Gloria Molina Grand Park, featured three concert stages arranged on various levels at the base of the Los Angeles City Hall, where projections on its tower lit up the sky.  As expected for southern California, a long line of food trucks stretched down the central street.  A warmish night, salsa music and a diverse crowd ready to enjoy the night … a recipe for a great beginner course.

Back to the Disney Concert Hall for the main course with Pink Martini.  Having grooved at several of their concerts, counting down at midnight was like being with old friends … and, of course, we just had lunch with lead singer, China Forbes (see more about that below.)  When Ari Shapiro from NPR’s All Things Considered joins the group, the mood rises to another level with his high energy solos.  A rapid countdown, exploding fireworks, falling streamers, the grape eating Spanish tradition… all melded into a joyous, reflective moment of embracing the new year while China serenaded with Auld Lang Syne.

The first day of the year should always be spent at the beach.  A particular benefit in L.A. is that there is almost no traffic to the Santa Monica Pier on New Year’s Day (at least early in the morning!) From the pier, a paved beach trail goes to Venice Beach with fresh air and endless people-watching opportunities with vendors, skateboarders, and muscle beach guys.  Along the way, walk a block inland to discover Shoop’s European Deli & Cafe for a relaxing brunch of omelets (including one with their famous smoked salmon), potatoes, and salad. 

More to know…

Take a ride on the world’s shortest railway!  Embarking on Angels Flight funicular from the lower entrance across from Grand Central Market lets you ride up the big hill to Grand Avenue.  Unfortunately, we didn’t find it the first time we climbed that hill!

We finally made it to an In-N-Out Burger!

While ordering at Ramen Hood in the Grand Central Market, the woman sitting at the lunch counter looked up and said, “Whatever you do, order the broccoli.  It’s incredible!”  So, of course, we ordered the broccoli along with a huge bowl of ramen.  Later, her friend sitting on the counter stool next to us asked how we liked the broccoli. After a bit of small talk, the couple left and we looked at each other and asked… “Was that China?”  A memorable encounter for two Pink Martini admirers!