I boarded a plane early this morning and arrived in California late this morning. Gotta love the time change for giving me a few extra hours today! Another thing I love? Non-stop flights. Since Charlotte is a hub for USAirways, nabbing non-stop flights is much easier (and more affordable) than trying to find non-stop flights out of Jacksonville.
Though the Jacksonville airport is one of my favorite airports (it’s small, easy to navigate and rarely has a long line at security), I cannot complain about the Charlotte airport. Free wifi, five (maybe more?) Starbucks’ and multiple security lines makes traveling out of the Charlotte airport fiiiine by me!
After arriving at the airport this morning, I grabbed breakfast at Starbucks.
A cinnamon dulce cappuccino and an egg white and spinach wrap did the trick! One of the baristas at Starbucks was also kind enough to fill up my water bottle so I was able to avoid paying a billion dollars for bottled water. Score!
Once I arrived in California, I caught a Super Shuttle to my hotel where I will be staying for the next six days.
After checking in, I sat down at my computer to get some work done and 10 minutes later had a stranger use their own key to get into my room saying they were assigned the same room. What!? Kind of strange, but we got it all worked out with the front desk. Oddly enough this kind of thing has happened to me before when I was given a key to a room that a man was already in back in Boston a few years ago!
Once all the random room stuff was sorted out, I unpacked a bit and grabbed a sandwich from a little market shop on the first floor of the hotel to eat while I wrapped up some emails. Now I’m ready to explore!
So why am I in California? I’m in Anaheim for the week for two events with IDEA, IDEA World Fitness Convention and BlogFest. I will be speaking on a panel at BlogFest on Friday and would love to meet any of you who may be in the area! (FYI IDEA is offering $100 off right now if you want to buy a last-minute ticket. Just use the code BLOGFEST100.)
Since this is the first year BlogFest is taking place, I have obviously never attended before, but I was able to catch a handful of sessions at IDEA World last year and walked away thinking it was, hands down, the best fitness conference I’ve attended to date.
Obviously my expectations for the conference this year are quite high and I am ready to fully immerse myself in new workouts, informative sessions and quality time with blogging friends. It should be a fun week!
As far as the rest of today is concerned, I am planning to get outside and explore the area which will also count as today’s workout. I’d love to hear any Anaheim-area restaurant recommendations you may have since I’ll be here for a few days!
Hope you’re having a great Tuesday!
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Hi Julie! I’m going to Blogest and IDEA World, and am really excited for it all! Looking forward to meeting you there 🙂
Yay!! It will be a blast! Hope to see you!
At least it was when you arrived and not the middle of the night when you were half asleep!
Very true!!
You’re in my hood! I’m guessing you’re staying near the convention center. The garden walk has some good places but they’re mostly chains. The anaheim packing district is close by and it’s awesome! Outdoor space, shopping and great restaurants. I highly recommend the iron press, it’s a gourmet waffle and beer place. Delicious! Enjoy your time here!
I am!! And yeah it seems rather touristy around here but I’m hoping I can walk around and find some local gems! Thanks for the recommendations!
I used to work for the Visitor & Convention Bureau in Anaheim and I absolutely second the Packing District tip, it’s brand new and home to some really amazing new restaurant concepts, shops, markets, etc. Very cool and definitely a must when you’re in the area! The Gardenwalk can be fun, but like Crisy said, it’s mainly chains.
You should definitely try to check out:
-118 Degrees (raw, vegan, fresh and local — so amazing! I highly recommend the living lasagna) in downtown Anaheim, which is just around the corner from the Packing District.
– Umami Burger is also really yummy and a great to place to grab a gourmet burger (get the truffle fries too), the quality of the beef is out of this world and they have a great selection of local beers (and the Anaheim Brewery is right next door!) and great drinks.
– If you’re looking to go for a nice dinner, The Ranch can’t be beat. Farm to table, beautiful and delicious food. Plus there is line dancing in The Saloon next door for after dinner, it’s super fun!
-The Catch (just past the Gardenwalk, right by the stadium) is also a great place for dinner or lunch — a bit more casual, but still kind of a more elegant dining experience and hands down, the best turkey burger I’ve ever had.
-There is also this great vegan/vegetarian Vietnamese place, Thuyen Vien, on the corner of Katella and Euclid, which is just down the street from the Convention Center. It’s a hole in the wall, but SO, SO, SO good — the garlic “chicken”, pumpkin curry and fresh spring rolls are out of this world!
Not sure which hotel you’re in or if you have a car rental, but you can rent a bike for super cheap in front of the Convention Center! Sorry for rambling on and on, but hope this helps!! Enjoy your time in Anaheim!
Hi Julie!
Erica from Mediakix here 🙂 You’ve very close to my hometown Cerritos!
I would recommend you check out the Anaheim Packing District! http://www.yelp.com/biz/anaheim-packing-district-anaheim
Enjoy your visit here!
Thanks Erica!!! 🙂
What no way? You’re in my neck of the woods! Sweet! Also I’m super excited that you got a cinnamon dulce cap from Starbucks. Love it. have a great time!
xoxo Allison
http://allisons-eye.com/
It is my favorite drink lately! LOOOVE it!
can’t wait to read all about it! have fun in cali!
I have GOT to go next year!!! It’s on my list of goals for next year 🙂 Looks like so much fun! BAHAHA at least you were naked in your room when he walked in!
So excited that you are in our neck of the woods!! If you want to head into the Disneyland park, let me know!!!
Or…just go to Disneyland! 🙂
The Charlotte airport is by far my favorite too! I love that they have sushi and other different kinds of foods you don’t normally find in an airport. And the white rockers…come on!
Haha! The white rocking chairs are great!
sounds like a BLAST. all my favorite bloggers in one place!
Eek! I’ve never been booked in the same room as someone else before. That’s gotta be trippy! At least you’ve got some fun stories (and maybe remember to lock the chain on your door tonight! LOL).
Have fun!! One of my friends works for IDEA and I always have other trainer friends there in some official capacity (usually LM)… I haven’t been myself though. One day! 🙂
Hm, I’ve never heard of two different parties getting assigned to the same room!
Hope you have a blast at the IDEA conference! Sounds like a great event!
How fun! Can’t wait to hear about the conference!
I work in hotels and unfortunately, it happens pretty often that people are assigned the same room. That’s why when I check in to a room I automatically deadbolt the door and hang the DND sign! 🙂
Fun! My husband and I are going to a convention out there in September, I look forward to any adventures you go on, we def want to get away from the hotel/conference center when we get a chance 🙂
One of my favorite things about the Charlotte airport is the filtered water spigots by the drinking fountains. Did you see them? You’ll never have to buy bottled water at CLT again!
you gotta grab a double double at in n out if you want something casual and fast and delicious ;D
YOU. MET. CASSEY. HO.
ASDFGHJKL;’
The double room key thing happened to me on one my work trips! It really freaked me out and they felt so bad they gave me extra Marriott points.
Ohhhh How fun! One day I would love to go to a fitness conference like that!
I also adore the Charlotte airport. They have all of my necessary items- good (airport) food, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of stores to keep me entertained as well as great people watching.
I don’t think I’ve ever commented. I’ve been reading your blog for about a year. As a fellow dog person I suggest a visit Lazy Dog Cafe! You must go! 😉
It’s a restaurant with a doggie theme! They allow dogs on their patio and have a special menu for the furry guys. There is one in Orange, on Katella Ave. My husband and I make it a must visit when we are down (we live in Nor Cal). Food is Asian fusion and they also have some healthy options.
https://www.lazydogrestaurants.com/
I was meeting an old BF in New Orleans…he was there was a conference and I flew in a couple days later to visit. He said he’d leave a key at the desk so I stopped, got a key, and went to the room. I got in the room and there was nothing in there…which felt pretty odd…so I called his cell. I asked him where he was and he said “in the room”…I said “Funny, according to the desk, so am I.” I realized I could kinda hear him aside from on the phone (he had a loud voice that carried!)…he was in the room next door. Kinda scary that they mess up that often and that it could put someone in a dangerous situation, at the very least allowing someone to take advantage of a mistake and rob the actual occupant.
Oh fun! I would one day LOVE to go to an IDEA conference! Are you going to check out or participate in the LM GRIT Games?! 🙂
Make sure you grab a Jamba Juice on your way back – that’s my favorite part of the Charlotte airport 🙂
I was in Anaheim a few weeks ago and I got lunch at the most awesome place! If you like sushi or sashimi you must try it out. It’s called Pokinometry, and it’s like Chipotle except with sushi bowls. So delicious.
Have a great time at the conference. Looking forward to your recaps!
Oh, fun! I’m considering going too — IDEA is offering a free ticket for locals (I live in SD). It looks super fun!
It’s so exciting to hear you’re in my area! I follow your blog so it’s neat to know you’re so close…I almost feel like you’re a friend. 🙂 I’ve never heard of these events and they sound like they’re worth checking out. Thanks for sharing!
Aw! Thanks so much for reading, Jenn!! <3 <3
i’m headed to IDEA for the first time (just became a certified group fitness instructor 6 months ago) and am excited to get some new ideas + motivation for the classes that i teach! i’ll be working as an assistant and going to whatever sessions i can squeeze into so i’ll be sure to say hi if i see you!
I suggest you try the Anaheim Packing House.. It’s like Anaheim’s version of SF’s embarcadero and it’s filled with amazing eats!
IDEAFest sounds so awesome! I can’t wait to hear all about it!
I can’t wait to read all about Idea World Fitness and Blogfest week!! I need to remember these conferences for next year and save up enough to attend myself! What a great way to connect with other bloggers and learn upcoming fitness trends! eeeekk! I’m so happy for you! Soak it in!
It’s not right next to Anaheim, but google Cafe Opa in Downey. AMAZING Greek food. I used to work with the owner’s wife and she introduced us to it. So fresh. So amazing. 🙂
Aw that was sweet of the barista! I love when people do little things like that, they mean the most. And that is funny and odd that they somehow gave another person your room! How does that happen, especially twice to one person haha?? Have fun today/this weekend 🙂
The last time I was in Miami I was having a nap before supper and someone walked into my room and scared the crap out of me!! The hotel had made a mistake and booked the same room twice. Now I’m always using the deadbolt on a door – too freaky!
Everything around the convention center is usually packed at conference times and very touristy. If you can get to Tustin which is about a 15 minute drive, one of my hands down favorite restaurants is Lazy Dog!
I’ve had the same thing happen to me at a hotel when I was travelling for work! Except I was sleeping in bed! Thankfully it was a woman and her daughter who walked in. I wonder how often that happens?
Have so much fun at the conference. I can’t wait to hear about it!
House Update?! 😀
Still moving forward!! More inspections to come…
I’m so bummed I cannot make it to IDEA. I have work commitments that I cannot get out of. Hopefully next year!
Close to Anaheim is the tow of Orange. There are a bunch of cute little restaurants in the downtown area, including a waffle/sandwich place and many others (the names are escaping me right now). Go there!
One of the things that I’m most sad about moving away from SoCal is missing out on these conferences! They would have been right down the street from me! bummed…
I love the Charlotte airport…if I’m flying through there, it usually means that I am going somewhere beachy. 🙂 Have a great time at your 2 events! I can’t wait to read your recaps.
I’m only going to the Expo but I live super close by and I also suggest the Anaheim Packing District and Center Street!
I stay in hotels weekly and I had that same key situation happen..TOTALLY scary!! Glad you got it worked out.
-AJ
OccasionallyAJ.com
I work for US Airways and my home airport is also one of their hubs (PHX). Southwest also has a huge presence here. Makes it easy to get a direct flight to just about anywhere and I love it! =D
I’m so disappointed because I was planning on going to BlogFest but couldn’t based on affordability and timing (whyyyy is California so far away from Boston?!). I have yet to attend fitness/blogger conference so I’m hoping I can remedy that shortly. Have fun!
Wish I could go!! I can’t wait to read the recaps about blogfest!
Sounds like such a cool event — wish I could be there but looking forward to all the recaps!