Off Topic Heading to SO-CAL for the first time!!!

[Joe Demo]

I am heading to Southern California for the first time in a couple of weeks. Any West Coaster's out there have some tips for this Virginia boy? Any good recommendations are definitely appreciated!!

First off , the family is coming along with me....I know that takes a lot out of the equation. But I am still looking forward to the trip anyway!!!!

It is a part business trip/Vacation for me and ALL VACATION for my family. Doesn't seem right does it????

Also I hope SO-CAL is the correct reference, I am already trying to get into that laid back California style

 

[kbaim]

Well...steely dan is on tour and may coincide with your trip if you like them. Dodgers, Angels, and Padres are here if you like baseball.

Theme parks obviously...magic mountain especially if you like rollercoasters. Usually discounts avail with coke cans or Ralphs supermarkets.

Las Vegas is a 4-5 hour drive.

A drive up the central coast around big sur is always nice with a stop at the firestone grill in SLO for a tritip sammich.

The beach. Plenty to choose.

I'm playing a small restaurant called Sol Grille in Newport Beach Wed July 2nd from 7-8pm.

Hope this helps a bit

 

[brasco68]

I'm playing a small restaurant called Sol Grille in Newport Beach Wed July 2nd from 7-8pm

Cool..I would come down and check out the gig, but I'll be out of state that week.

Are you playing anywhere else?

Joe: We have it all here in Cali....the beach..mountains, desert, tons of places to see. By the way...one of the best places to get a real good cheeseburger in Duke's Bitchin' Burgers in Ventura...it's about 100 yards off the shore, and the food is just killer.

 

[Jodizzle]

In N Out Burger

 

[Joe Demo]

Sounds good so far.....

I won't be there until the 4th, but good luck on your gig kbaim.

And Brasco68, my fellow lefty, I am always interested in good cheeseburgers. I may have to try that place out!!

I will be in LA area the first few days and then staying in the Costa Mesa area. Should be fun with whatever I get into.

Thanks again!

 

[Joe Demo]

In N Out Burger

I'll remember that one too and Thanks!!

 

[dmullen]

In N Out Burger

 

[brasco68]

I'll remember that one too and Thanks!!

In and Out's are all over So Cal...make sure you try 'em.

 

[ScoobySteve]

You'll be staying around Costa Mesa?

I mean there's Disney Land about 10min away. Knott's Berry Farm theme park 15min away. If you're willing to sink in an hour drive for Six Flags Magic Mountain then there's that too.

In N' Out Burger is definitely a must as well. Tons of malls around your area. I recommend the Irvine Spectrum, South Coast Plaza.

Southern California Summer beaches as well. Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Zuma, etc.
What exactly are ya looking to do with the fam?

 

[ScoobySteve]

Oh, and if you're staying up in L.A. hit up Pink's.

Hollywood's famous hot dog joint. You might stand 30min-1hour in line, but I say its worth it!

^^

Let us SoCal people know whatcha wanna do, so we can offer some more specific advice.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[Joe Demo]

What exactly are ya looking to do with the fam?

I guess a little bit of everything, or at least stuff that we can't do on the East coast.

Mainly site see and EAT

I actually would like to visit some form of desert or landscape that good ol' VA doesn't have!!!!

And meet Hot Hollywood babes.....just kidding as this is a family trip!!!!

 

[ScoobySteve]

I guess a little bit of everything, or at least stuff that we can't do on the East coast.

Mainly site see and EAT

I actually would like to visit some form of desert or landscape that good ol' VA doesn't have!!!!

And meet Hot Hollywood babes.....just kidding as this is a family trip!!!!

Just let me know what type of food, and at what budget, you're interested in dining at. I'd be more than happy to compile a list, directions, and contact information for ya.

There's a great host of ethnic towns here in L.A. I'm Korean, so I'm fond of Korea Town, Little Tokyo, Little Saigon, and all the hosts of Latino places. It's a great place to be for a diverse array of food.

And as for the Hollywood babes...... yea, didn't read the family trip part, haha.

 

[GWDavis28]

I am heading to Southern California for the first time in a couple of weeks. Any West Coaster's out there have some tips for this Virginia boy? Any good recommendations are definitely appreciated!!

First off , the family is coming along with me....I know that takes a lot out of the equation. But I am still looking forward to the trip anyway!!!!

It is a part business trip/Vacation for me and ALL VACATION for my family. Doesn't seem right does it????

Also I hope SO-CAL is the correct reference, I am already trying to get into that laid back California style

TAKE THEM TO LEGOLAND!!!!! It's located in Carlsbad.

Glenn |B)

 

[hbucker]

The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano is a great venue to see bands. Don't know who will be playing there while you are visiting but it's worth a look.

A drive up to L.A. and walking around on Sunset Blvd after 10:00 on a Friday or Saturday would be interesting. The Viper Room, Whiskey, etc. always used to have some interesting bands playing. If you know much about L.A. Rock history, a lot of what you see will be familiar. A drive straight west on Sunset will take you on a nice drive to the beach and the Santa Monica Pier.

Venice Beach is always interesting for an hour or two. It's the home of Muscle Beach and enough weirdos to keep you interested for a while.

Newport Beach used to be a pretty big party scene on weekends. Not sure if it still is. I haven't lived in So. Cal. for 9 years now. But Newport and Balboa Island are a nice sunday afternoon destination.

Just up PCH from Neport there is Huntington Beach where you'll find some good surfing and Boogieboarding. Main St. of Huntinton Beach off of PCH is pretty interesting for an hour or so. There's a cool rock store there with memorabilia, signed records, etc. Some good t-shirt shops too. If you can get your hands on some firewood, a bonfire at the beach is fun and something we really miss. You have to get there early to claim a fire pit but there are a lot of them and many of the Orange County beaches have them. Take plenty of wood though because the ocean wind keeps the fire burning hot and you'll use a lot of wood.

Honestly, there is too much to do in one trip. Some of the "coolness" of So. Cal. is knowing the stories behind where you are at any given moment. And you're pretty much guaranteed that there is some kind of story behind wherever you happen to be.

There's a lot less smog by the beach so keep that in mind. Also, the "glam" of L.A. exists mostly in the media and the lore of the stories that have happened there. As you drive through it you'll probably think to yourself, "What a dump!" And for the most part you'll probably be right. But it's a dump with AWESOME weather that is just off the ocean!

Enjoy yourself and give it all a big hug and a kiss for me. I miss it.

 

[kbaim]

If it's a fam trip I'm not so sure the clubbing idea will be the best thing.

On the other hand...the place I'd want to show people and spend some time at more than anywhere else is Yosemite National Park. May not be practical if you have your stay mapped out already as its a 6-7 hour drive from costa mesa.

But if theres any way possible, you should take your family there if you guys like the outdoors...assuming you can get lodging (google yosemite reservations and look for Deleware North as they book inside the park exclusively)

Tons of trails, waterfalls which should be raging this time of year, river floating, bike rentals for around 8 bucks an hour I think...and the most incredible scenery almost anywhere on the planet.



Costa Mesa is about 1/2 hour from me

 

[ScoobySteve]

If it's a fam trip I'm not so sure the clubbing idea will be the best thing.

On the other hand...the place I'd want to show people and spend some time at more than anywhere else is Yosemite National Park. May not be practical if you have your stay mapped out already as its a 6-7 hour drive from costa mesa.

But if theres any way possible, you should take your family there if you guys like the outdoors...assuming you can get lodging (google yosemite reservations and look for Deleware North as they book inside the park exclusively)

Tons of trails, waterfalls which should be raging this time of year, river floating, bike rentals for around 8 bucks an hour I think...and the most incredible scenery almost anywhere on the planet.



Costa Mesa is about 1/2 hour from me

There's also Big Bear and Tahoe too. Quite lengthy drives, but not that of Yosemite.

Yosemite is absolutely mind blowing.

I'm in Downey, where you located kbaim?

 

[Ripper]

In N Out Burger

Thats the best!!!! Fresh fries, nice-grilled patties in burgers, and not forgetting those cuties serving you..

 

[Joe Demo]

Thanks for all of the input everybody, hopefully this will be a fun trip!!

 

[paranoid70]

Hey Scooby, are you going to see LTE on Friday? It's practically in your backyard.