Anyone living in SanFran/San Diego/LA

[Autumnovember]

Hi!

SO and I are taking a trip out to Cali in august and I would love if someone could give me some suggestions of places to visit, and eat. Cost doesn''t matter.


Thanks!!!

 

[sctsbride09]

Where exactly will you be staying? Will you have a car? (an absolute MUST here) And last, what type of things do you want to see (touristy stuff, museums, theme parks, beaches etc?) and what type of food do you like?

 

[Autumnovember]

We're looking to stay at the Hyatt at all three cities. I'm sure we're going to end up getting a car once we fly in because we haven't arranged that. We don't mind taking taxi's.

We love allllll kinds of food, no discrimination on any food here

Open to seeing anything

We're going to napa and trying French Laundry, but thats the only thing we know we're doing now.

 

[kenny]

We are in LA and I don't know what you like so I'll list a couple things I like.

The Getty. There are two locations and look up each as both are wonderful in very different ways.
Cuban food at the any location of Versailles Restaurant.
I prefer the atmosphere in the Venice location but the food is the same at all branches.
Get the Garlic Chicken with rice/black beans and fried plantains. It is to die for but you will reek of garlic. Yummmm.
Two people could share this dish.

See the boardwalk on Venice beach and get ready for the strangest people in LA.
Take a boat out to Catalina Island for the day and have lunch and stroll around.

In the evening I think Griffith Observatory is a must see.

Visit the Huntington library, museum and gardens, and have high afternoon tea in their Tea Room.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, you don't want to miss any of their extensive gardens.

Sunday from 8:30 AM to 3 PM pig out on Dim Sum at the Empress Pavillion.
They push around carts with delicious little servings of Chinese food.
You just look, smell and pick.

See Disney Hall downtown.
Even if you don't hear a concert, take a tour, and if you don't take a tour at least park and walk around this amazing complex.

That's a start.

In San Diego see Balboa Park.
Have breakfast at The Big Kitchen .

 

[sctsbride09]

Well, based on what visitors I know usually want to see..LACMA is a great museum as is The Getty in Malibu. If I had to choose one, it would be The Getty, because you can make a day out of doing the museum, then hang out at the beach, and go to dinner in the area. Geoffreys in malibu is great, and they have beautiful views. The Hollywood sign is something my family always wants to see, and you can look at the stars on the strip and there is loads of shopping around here. Hopefully someone can chime in more on that as I am not a huge shopper..Beaches- I love Malibu, because its pretty clean (for our beaches) Santa Monica, and people always want to see Venice for some reason. Lots of , umm, interesting people there. I know alot of people come here for disneyland, but just a heads up, if you arent a huge disney fan or dont NEED to go, I would skip it. The reason being that with school being out, it gets CRAZY busy there, and also August is very, very hot here. Think triple digits. Ok, thats a start, gotta go make dinner. Im sure Ill think of more later to post. Im hoping someone from San Fran and San Diego will post, Im not familiar with those areas.

 

[Autumnovember]

You guys are phenomenal. Thank you so much. I can''t wait to do all this! It''s going to be a very very busy vacation but I''m so excited to see what the west coast is all about!!!!

 

[kenny]

Be aware and smart about LA traffic.
Heavy traffic can ruin your day.
Try to plan your freeway travel during lighter traffic hours.


Try to avoid travel during the worst of the M-F rush hour, 7-10 AM and 3-7 PM.
No joke.
Certain directions are predictably worse in the morning (heading into downtown) and worse in the afternoon (heading out out downtown).

Get an Internet connection and check a live traffic map before going anywhere.
If you can't do that listen to 980 or 1070 AM for traffic reports.

Newbies find our freeways confusing.
The 710 freeway is called the Long Beach freeway near Long Beach and the Pasadena freeway in the North direction even though it doesn't even go to Pasadena.
The San Diego freeway does not go anywhere near San Diego.

Our coastline isn't a straight north-south line; it curves east west in some places.
Some freeways follow the curve so you may need to get on the 405 freeway going North in a location where is it actually going West.
When you are on the beach in Malibu or Long Beach facing the ocean you are looking south.
Good luck.

It's hot in August so you may want to stay cooler near the beach.
If so, stay between the 405 freeway and the ocean.

 

[Autumnovember]

Do you think it''ll be ok if we just take taxi''s everywhere? We''re planning on staying in good locations for all the cities.

 

[kenny]

Of course you could take taxis but LA is soooooooo spread out that taxis will cost a fortune.

It would be much more convenient if you have a car

If money is no object perhaps there are services where you can employ a driver with a car for your stay.
The car and driver could be at your beck and call 24/7.

 

[kenny]

Date: 6/22/2010 9:33:13 PM
Author: Autumnovember
Do you think it'll be ok if we just take taxi's everywhere? We're planning on staying in good locations for all the cities.

There are good locations, and there are good locations.
If you are staying in downtown LA I don't care how expensive your hotel is, without a car you will be very limited in what you can do and you can walk just a few blocks in the wrong direction and be in an unsafe place.

A better, nicer, cooler, safer location IMHO would be Santa Monic near the beach.

Taxis are not ubiquitous in LA like they are in New York, so you may spend a lot of time waiting for them to arrive.
Also public transportation in NY is used by everyone of all income brackets.
Not in LA.
The vast majority of people on busses and metro trains cannot afford a car.

I just cannot visualize being in LA without a car.
It's not me; it's just that Southern California is laid out with the car in mind.
In San Francisco you do not need a car - except to got to Napa if you don't want to take a tour bus.

 

[Autumnovember]

This is all very good info to know. Now I''m nervous haha.

I''ll suggest Santa Monica to SO.

 

[kenny]

Make that WEST Santa Monica as close to the ocean as you can afford.

There is the lovely Third Street Promenade right there.
It is one of the few walking-friendly parts of LA.

 

[Autumnovember]

I''ll look into that.

When in LA, we''re going to the dodgers game.

I want to visit Rodeo Dr., venice beach, the hollywood sign, some nice restaurants, universal studios

 

[Autumnovember]

Here are some hotels we''ll choose from if we stay in Santa Monica:

Doubletree Guest Suites Santa Monica

The Georgian Hotel

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

Holiday Inn Santa Monica Beach At The Pier

Best Western Gateway Hotel



If you can, let me know which has the best location. Catalina is a MUST see for me. We''re spending the most days in LA so we''ll be able to do a lot

 

[kenny]

Date: 6/22/2010 9:59:09 PM
Author: Autumnovember
When in LA, we're going to the dodgers game.

Oh, that dim sum restaurant I linked to above, Empress Palace, is very close to Dodger Stadium.

 

[Yimmers]

Eat:
Cyrus (Healdsburg) - totally awesome restaurant north of SF
La Folie (SF)
Acquerello (SF)
Santa Ramen (little Japanese ramen place about 20 miles south of SF)
R&G Lounge (featured in Anthony Bourdain''s SF episode), if only to get the deep fried crab
Koi Palace (dim sum/fancy Chinese restaurant just south of SF)
Harris'' (SF steakhouse)
Gary Danko (SF - haven''t eaten there but I haven''t heard a bad thing about it)
Tekka - literally a 11-seat tiny restaurant in SF run by a grandma/grandpa who serve fresh sashimi and some cooked items. Don''t ask for tempura or a california roll. You will be asked to leave. Bring cash, and get there early (1/2 hr or more) for their 7:00 or 9:00/9:30 seatings. Weekdays only. Only music played are live Bee Gee concerts on a tiny tv behind the chef.
Michael Mina''s - lobster pot pie
Ici''s ice cream - in Berkeley. Delicious grown up flavors which change around (like honey lavender). You can taste as many as you like. HAND ROLLED CONES WITH CHOCOLATE FILLED TIPS!!!
Bi-Rite - similar to Ici''s, but personally, I like Ici''s better. Again, grown up flavors (ie toasted banana almond)
John''s Snack & Deli - financial district, SF. Ever had a kimchee burrito? Well, you can here...


To Do:
Sausalito, just north of SF, is a little town on the water with funky art galleries and shops.
Alcatraz, if you can.
CA Academy of Sciences/De Young/Asian Art Museum/SF MOMA/Palace of Fine Arts
Hog Island Oysters - bring a cooler, ice, buy some fresh oysters, go to a beach, shuck or roast and eat.
Hello, wine country! Join a wine club!

 

[Yimmers]

If you venture around the greater LA area, in Arcadia there is a restaurant that is famous for its Chinese soupy dumplings. The name escapes me at the moment...but it was good...

 

[Circe]

Ditto''ing Kenny: you really do need a car in California. You can get by in SF proper without one, but if you''re planning to do Napa and the like, you''re right back where you started. If you do wind up renting a car, I''d recommend Carmel (NOT Monterey - v. touristy) and a drive down the coast through Big Sur. It''s one of the most beautiful places I''ve ever seen. In Carmel, there''s a Basque restaurant (I think) called Le Coq d''Or that has the most delicious food, all cooked by this wonderful older woman with the most exquisite taste.

In LA: if you like bohemia (think Francesca Lia Block), I''d recommend taking a few hours to wander around Silver Lake. Very fun - it was the bit that most fit what I wanted LA to be like, personally.

 

[curlygirl]

Date: 6/22/2010 10:03:28 PM
Author: Autumnovember
Here are some hotels we'll choose from if we stay in Santa Monica:

Doubletree Guest Suites Santa Monica

The Georgian Hotel

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

Holiday Inn Santa Monica Beach At The Pier

Best Western Gateway Hotel



If you can, let me know which has the best location. Catalina is a MUST see for me. We're spending the most days in LA so we'll be able to do a lot

The Loews is probably the best location on this list followed by the Georgian. I would also recommend Le Merigot and Casa del Mar.

And you DEFINITELY need a car in LA. Unless you plan on staying only in Santa Monica, you will have to have transportation. Taxis are really expensive and as Kenny mentioned, you can't just hail them on the street.

 

[Autumnovember]

Wow guys, thanks all sooooo much!!!!!!


I need to copy paste this all into Word.

I''m sure as it gets closer, I''ll ask a ton more questions

 

[KimberlyH]

you''ll want a car in san diego as well. there are cabs, but it''s much easier and more cost effective

food:
the linkery in north park, great place to eat after a day at the zoo/balboa park, it''s about 2 miles away, casual.
in general north park is a fun neighborhood, lots of bars/restaurants was named one of the top 10 places to eat in the us. alexanders, sea rocket bistro, urban solace, and the smoking goat are also great choices in this neighborhood
nine-ten in la jolla, upscale, great location, in the cove, food is fantastic
ortegas in hillcrest for authentic mexican food, never had better, would blow away rick bayless'' in a competition in my opinion, another fun neighborhhod with busy night life
the grant grill, as east coast as you''ll get in san diego, updcale, downtown
anthony''s fish grotto casual, been around forever, delicious

things to do:
the zoo/balboa park
old town (eat at el indio, it''s nothing to look at but the food, served on paper plates, is delicious) has changed a lot but may still be interesting to a tourist
hike torrey pines
little italy (tons of restaurants to choose from, a nice little place to walk around)
padres game

 

[kenny]

Listed in order of best location:

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel - By far the best location because there are no major roads between you and the sandy beach.
Here in LA we are choking on cars so getting away from them, their sound and the sight of roads is priceless.

The Georgian Hotel - Excellent location but there IS a road (Ocean Ave. which can get a lot of traffic) between you and the Ocean. This has enormous appeal to me because it is an old building. I just love older buildings.

Doubletree Guest Suites Santa Monica - Unfortunately it is next to the 10 freeway to the north and overlooks a parking lot to the south so I'd insist on a room on the far south west on the top floor facing the ocean.

Holiday Inn Santa Monica Beach At The Pier - Close to roads with lots of traffic.

Best Western Gateway Hotel - No way, far from Ocean.



You said Catalina is a must see.
Keep in mind it is charming but not a bustling place - which is right up MY alley.
People who are looking for a Disneyland entertainment experience will be bored.
The only city, Avalon, is more sleepy and quaint but there are restaurants and shops and it is all easily walkable.
There are also nature tours to the rest of the Island where you can see buffalo.

If you really want a get-away-from-civilization nature experience drive an hour up the coast to Ventura/Port Hueneme and take a boat to one of the Channel Island where you can go hiking, kayaking and see the sea lions.
Unfortunately Anacapa island (my favorite Channel Island) is now closed to the public since the old metal stairway up a cliff (the only way onto the island) is closed for repairs.

 

[ForteKitty]

Date: 6/23/2010 4:13:06 AM
Author: Yimmers
If you venture around the greater LA area, in Arcadia there is a restaurant that is famous for its Chinese soupy dumplings. The name escapes me at the moment...but it was good...

it''s din tai fung. or something that sounds like it... lines are long tho, so be prepared. There is a good bakery in that same plaza.

 

[ForteKitty]

I went to college in SD, and grew up/currently living in LA, so i''ll add a few food places i like. Btw kenny''s suggestions is pretty much identical to my out-of-town-guests itinerary. Empress is very good.

If you like Mexican food, I recommend two places. In LA, there is a place called Carnitas Michoacan near Dodger''s Stadium. On the north-east corner of Broadway and 19th St. Very good carne asada burrito. I usually order w/o beans because it makes the fried rice soggy. Yes, there is fried rice in the burrito! In SD, I like Roberto''s. they have the best carne asada fries.

There is an awesome dessert place in SD called Extraordinary Desserts. They have locations in the Hillcrest area and Downtown. It''s really close to Balboa Park.

Urth Cafe is pretty good. I love the Moroccan green tea latte. The Bravarian fruit tart is amazing. They have locations downtown and in santa monica.

The new L.A. Live is pretty cool at night. worth a visit.

You definitely need a car. LA has very nice pockets of neighborhoods, but the majority of it is kinda crappy. Hate to say this, but it''s true. There are a lot of areas you do NOT wanna be in at night. Dodger''s stadium is one of those areas. After the game, get out of that area asap. dont linger around. If you wanna get burritos, go before the game. Most downtown areas are kinda crappy too. Just be careful. Downtown SD is better. Gaslamp has a ton of restaurants and bars, and it''s not as spread out, so it''s more lively and i personally feel safer there.

 

[kenny]

Date: 6/23/2010 12:00:24 PM
Author: ForteKitty

There is an awesome dessert place in SD called Extraordinary Desserts. They have locations in the Hillcrest area and Downtown. It's really close to Balboa Park.

YES!

Superb desserts!!!!!!!
Years ago I went to the one in Hillcrest (a trendy part of San Diego which is also known as the gay area with lots of fun shops and restaurants).
There was a long line to get into Extraordinary Desserts.

In Balboa park grab a super-cheap breakfast at the clubhouse restaurant of the golf course.
It's like going back in time to the 1950s, and they have astonishing views.

Sorry, I don't have recommendations for expensive restaurants.
I can't afford them; I spend all my money on diamonds.

I go for good food and atmosphere, cheap.

 

[movie zombie]

get a car and drive up highway 1, especially from san luis obispo north to sf. stop in big sur, nepenthe is always mentioned. have lunch in pacific grove at the red house on lighthouse. stop in santa cruz and wine taste at bonnydoone winery as well as scones and santa cruz mountain winery, all at the same location. drive up to pescadero eat at duarte''s [or the new costanoa [spelling} which is highly recommended but i haven''t tried yet. buy a loaf of bread at the grocery store, 2nd on the left as you go through town. continue on up to sf. plan to stop at beaches and enjoy the scenery.

mz

 

[KittyGolightly]

Kenny''s recommendations were great. The only thing I''ll add is that if you should make reservations for tea at the Huntington as soon as possible. It fills up very quickly.

Do not rely on taxis in LA. You will have a much better time if you rent a car.