One of our travel goals is to visit all the baseball parks in the country. So far we are doing well with our goal but it will take us quite awhile at the pace we are going, hitting one or two ballparks per summer. Anyways, because of our love of America’s favorite pastime- we decided to make a quick trip to Phoenix over the weekend and see a pre-season game. Both of us had always wanted to go to spring training but had never made it before so it was a treat to both of us. We went and saw the Dodgers play at their brand new facility they share with the White Sox at Camel Back Stadium in Glendale. It was a beautiful stadium, reminded me a little of Franklin Covey Field here in Salt Lake, but with a desert feel. I must say I was a little disappointed because only a few starters played and was really bummed there was no Manny. But despite those two shortcomings the trip was excellent and we ate at In-N-Out and had a quick visit with my grandparents.

If you are a baseball lover then a pre-season game is where it’s at. Tickets are cheaper at spring training venues than at the team’s regular ballpark and it’s a more intimate setting. You get a minor league feel for a major league team. Plus whether you head to Florida or Phoenix either way you get perfect 70 degree weather which is definitely a step up from the thirty degree weather we left behind.

According to gocalifornia.com about 24 million people go to Los Angeles, California for vacation every year. I would say I am definitely one of those 24 million, but actually visit the area on average three to four times a year. Usually for one of three purposes, disneyland, a football game, or a baseball game.

This trip was no exception, and was based around the notion of going to a Dodgers game. The plan was to arrive Sunday morning and leave early Monday morning in order to make at least a half day at work.

Of course the first thing that occurred after we picked up our rental car was a visit to In-N-Out. To say I love In-N-Out is an understatement. As a high school student and my first summer as a college student I worked at In-N-Out. What started as an innocent obsession quickly turned into an addiction. I have never gotten sick of their cheeseburgers, fresh cut fries or creamy milkshakes.

Dodger Stadium was just as I remembered it. Blue, old and rustic. Unfortunately we were running a bit late and so we missed the opening pitch and the National Anthem. But we made it to our seats just in time for the first inning. Dodgers fans are some of the best. The people were nice and considerate, unlike the usual stereo-type of LA natives. The game was a short one as the Dodgers killed the Nationals by 2-0. It was fun and of course we were ready with our glove in case a foul ball came our way (we weren’t that lucky). Leaving Dodger stadium we stopped for pictures and made the exhausting hike back to our car.

Following the game, we decided to beach it up at Newport Beach. If you have never been to Newport Beach, it’s an upscale beach southwest of LA proper. I wasn’t expecting for it to be so packed on a Sunday night but parking was definitely a challenge. Too bad we had already eaten dinner because there were a lot of cute little restaurants near the beach. However, being in the mood for desert the balboa bars and the frozen bananas sold by the beach, were seriously tempting. It was perfect weather to walk along the pier and run around the beach, chasing the waves. I was really surprised at how warm the water was! Growing up in Northern California the beaches were always cold. I will definitely be planning a trip to come back and just spend time playing at the beach.

It was a fun quick trip. Definitely what I needed for my exhausted and over worked mentality. The journey reminded me to take time to have fun and not take life so seriously. I recommend a day or weekend getaway to anyone who has gotten lost in their routine.