Going to California for a week, any suggestions?

[MrSamuels]

Flying out to California for 7 days tomorrow, the Friday and Saturday (daytime) will be occupied by Blizzcon so they are out of the question, however we will be looking for stuff to do on the Wednesday, Thursday in Anaheim.

Is there anything you would recommend for us to be doing in Anaheim whilst we wait for the convention, we have done Disney before so that is kind of out of the question, is there anything else close by entertaining? Heard of Knotts Berry Farm but is that worth it?

We will be going up to LA to stay for the Saturday (Night) Sunday(All Day), and Monday(Morning), anything to do here other then the obvious big things, more looking for the type of things that locals know about but aren't really put on websites like Trip Advisor etc.

Any good recommendations for Restaurants (especially in LA) would be appreciated too, budget isn't too much of an issue (think mid - high) ranges.

This will be my first time to California but not to the states if that helps any so the chain restaurants i have probably been too.

[Drunkenmonk]

In n' out burger as soon as you get off the plane

[Correction]

How much money did you bring with you? A lot of theme parks are gearing up their Halloween goodies, of which Disneyland's is the best. Trouble is that tickets are expensive.

[Sparky]

Halloween Haunt is going on at Knotts Berry Farm. Its pretty crazy if you like getting scared / going drunk to watch others get scared etc. It's very popular in the local area. It goes on a few nites a week thru the month of October. Medevil Times and a Pirates style show is available most Nites in Buena Park which is right next to Anaheim. When you are in L.A. do yourself a favor and go to Rosco's Chicken and Waffles. Go on the weekend mornings and you may see some actors. Disneyland is always fun but the tickets are quite expensive (75ish per person iirc atm)

[Jeryhn]

In Anaheim? And no Disneyland? 'kay...

Echoing Medieval Times then.

[Melena]

Medieval times or if you prefer pirates, the pirate adventure right next door to Medieval Times. Me and the wife were at disney for last halloween and it was a lot of fun if you got the money for tickets. A little cheaper but still fun is Universal Studios which if I remember right from last year is about a 20-30 minute drive from Anaheim.

[Heavencloud]

In n' out burger as soon as you get off the plane

This, and look up te secret menu.

[Cantih]

Yeah, Knotts costs half as much as Disneyland. Smaller, but good if you like coasters, and the way they have the place done up is pleasant enough to look at.
As for food, the Mrs. Knotts restaurant on site is good, famous for its pies. If you like a certain style of hotdog, I know there's a Portillo's a couple blocks east of Knotts.

As for near the ACC, I've been there a few times for Anime Expo. If they haven't changed it, the big hotel on the south side of the convention center (the Marriott, I think) is a decent place to pick up some quick eats, and they had a good cafe/bakery, it may be a starbucks now, but it was HQ at the time.
I don't remember exactly where, but there is a Bucca di Beppo close nearby. Good Italian food, huge servings, bring lots of people.


Other stuff to do, hmm. If you don't mind driving over to downtown Long Beach, there's the Aquarium of the Pacific, if you like that kind of thing.
I don't know much about the beaches and piers in Orange County, but I'm sure one of them is worth going to.

[Plow]

be sure to wear a lot of pretty flowers in your hair

[Gredival]

In-N-Out Burger (California chain). I've been all over the country, and in terms of a fast food burger In-N-Out cannot be topped. Everything comes from a single distribution center, and the entire company is family owned, so the locations are concentrated around California where the food can make it to the restaurant in a single trip.

Slaters 50/50. Bar in Anaheim, the signature burger is made with 50% ground bacon 50% ground beef.

Daikokuya Ramen in Little Tokyo. Come early for Lunch (11-12 opening time) or mid-afternoon (2-5). You will have a *giant* wait during regular lunch hour as all the Asians in LA flock here for lunch. Busy during the weekends as well.

Sushi Nozawa in Los Angeles. Legit authentic sushi, but the Japanese chef serves you whatever the fuck he wants and kicks you out if he thinks you're an ingrate. He will give you what you want if you are humble and polite. Decently cheap considering the quality, but it is sushi restaurant range pricing.

Honey Pig (Korean BBQ) in Korea town. There is no AYCE, but you get what you pay for. They grill Kimchi and Bean Sprouts and make fried rice for you with all the leftovers. Plates are 10-20 depending on the cut. A single person could eat two meat plates if you are trying to gorge yourself. But everyone can easily get by with one plate if you eat rice/kimchi/beansprouts and use lettuce wraps to fill the meal, and save room for rice.

Pink's Hotdogs in LA or Universal Studios Hollywood Citywalk. I personally don't think they are that great (the best hotdog place in CA is at Berkeley) but some people love this place.

If you like beaches, Santa Monica, Newport, and Malibu are the best. Good shoreside shops/restaurants to go with the beaches.

Traditional tourist attractions (besides Disney): Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, Knott's Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Studios Hollywood (and Universal Citywalk).

[Pyro]

Head over to the Irvine Spectrum and eat at the Yard House for beer as far as the eye can see.

[Gredival]

There's a Yard House at downtown LA near the Staples Center now ("LA Live"). But yeah, like 50+ beers on tap or something like that. Food is pretty decent.

There's a Flemings Steakhouse in LA Live too which is a really upperclass chain steakhouse. Worth it if you're the kind that enjoys an expensive steak.

Philippe's in LA, claims to be the original french dip sandwich.

[Melena]

Oh if you don't mind spending a bit more money dining wise, ESPN Bar at downtown disney is a great place to get your drunk on. Last year on our honeymoon bill was about $160 + tip but that included about 6-8 top shelf drinks on top of our meals which were surprisingly decent.

[Thuronn]

Smoke some cali good.

[archibaldcrane]

There's a Yard House at downtown LA near the Staples Center now ("LA Live"). But yeah, like 50+ beers on tap or something like that. Food is pretty decent.

Philippe's in LA, claims to be the original french dip sandwich.

Phillippe's is good and a cool atmosphere. Went to the Yardhouse at LA Live for football on Sunday morning, was pretty empty but tons of beers on tap and it's kinda fancy, (read: pricey).

[Correction]

Downtown LA (phillippe's, little tokyo) is a fair drive from Anaheim and the parking isn't free. I can't recommend it unless you are going to do more in the area than eat two meals.

[Tweek]

for the record.. In 'N Out is over rated


- Born and raised in California

[Correction]

for the record.. In 'N Out is over rated


- Born and raised in California

everyone's favorite thing is overrated.

In n Out is still worth going out of your way to enjoy.

[Tweek]

i don't think everyone's favorite thing is overrated. But people go absolutely insane about in 'n out and it's not even that great when compared to a real burger place.

Is it better than McDonalds? Yeah for sure and a bunch of other shitty fast food places.
Is it worth checking out because of the hype? Yeah, sure.
Is it better than Nations Giant Burger, 1/4 lb Burger, Fat Burger, Five Guys or a ton of other chain restaurants that sell burgers? Not in my opinion.

[Correction]

The Five Guys places they've opened up in cali are putrid. If they're better on the east coast I'll wait until I eat it there before concluding it surpasses even Carl's Jr. burgers.

Just saying, don't poop on other people's suggestions, the OP is probably a big boy who can make up his own mind.