Japan… so hot…

Japan’s summer is hot… or rather, the humidity is intense. I returned from the US last weekend, my husband went back to work, and my daughter started kindergarten, so normal life has finally resumed. This will be the last post about our San Francisco and Los Angeles trip. So today, I’d like to share our sightseeing experience in Los Angeles.

San Francisco and Los Angeles are about an hour and a half apart by plane, but unlike San Francisco, which was a bit chilly even with long sleeves, Los Angeles was blazing hot under the strong sun. However, it was cool in the shade, and with breezy mornings and evenings, the climate felt like early autumn in Japan, so as long as you took sun protection measures, it was quite comfortable.

In Los Angeles, we rented a Mercedes-Benz GLS450 and used it for all our transportation.

→【Reference article】Sightseeing in LA with the Mercedes-Benz GLS450 – Impressions on the ride and differences from Porsche

Heading to MALIBU CAFE

The first place we went to after arriving in LA was MALIBU CAFE. My husband found it online while still in Japan and said, “This looks like a place the kids would really enjoy, so we definitely have to go.” It’s a famous café located in the California resort town of Malibu, and the spacious grounds include ponds and fountains, making it feel more like a park than a café.

After driving about 10 minutes from the coastal road into the mountain roads of Malibu, we arrived at a dusty, dry patch of land where we wondered, “Is there really a café here?” We parked and headed inside… though honestly, it was hard to tell where the café actually began (lol). We entered through what looked like the entrance.

Inside, there was a reception desk where they checked table availability. We arrived just after 2:30 pm, so the café was nearly empty and we got in easily without a reservation. (Apparently, it gets fully booked around lunchtime.)

From the reception, you reach the restaurant by crossing a small path on the right, but the road was so remote that we still wondered, “Is there really a café here?” On the left, you could see lawns and playgrounds, which already got the kids super excited.

All the restaurant seating at the café was on terraces. Since it was outdoors, leaves would occasionally fall from above, and bugs would buzz around (lol), but it wasn’t bothersome and made for a lovely dining experience surrounded by nature.

The menu included burger and fries sets, as well as salads, soups, pasta, and more. There were several kids’ menu options; the kids ordered pasta, which was a generous portion and very tasty even for adults. I ordered a Cobb salad and was surprised when a huge stainless steel bowl full of salad arrived. (But I managed to finish it all.)

While we were eating, ducks and chickens came over to peck at some fallen fries, which was adorable. In Japan, there would probably be signs saying “Please do not feed the animals,” but here, everyone interacted with the animals respectfully. After finishing, we headed to the grassy area below.

There was a wooden sign that said “#MARIBU CAFE” or something like that. Wow, this is definitely Instagram-worthy (lol). The lawn was very pleasant, gently sloped, and the kids were gleefully sliding and playing.

A short walk brought us to ponds, bridges, and fountains, perfect for a nature stroll. I don’t think there’s anything like this café in Japan (maybe in Hokkaido?), so if you visit Los Angeles, it’s definitely worth a stop. By the way, it’s about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles Airport.