Visiting California, any advice?

[archibaldcrane]

SF to LA is way faster on the 5 - the 101 is the scenic route. Depending on what you want to accomplish, choose one or the other - there's nothing to do on the 5 route.

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[Demosthenes11]

if you like malls, there is a pretty standard one in downtown sf you will probably see on market/5th. It's a pretty normal mall, but the levels are pretty cool and there is a nice restaurant at the top. I wouldn't really mention it, but chances are you will be right there at some point. Be sure to look up and wave at the building across the street and I'll wave back from work.

[miokomioko]

SF to LA is way faster on the 5 - the 101 is the scenic route. Depending on what you want to accomplish, choose one or the other - there's nothing to do on the 5 route.

Given that it's a family vacation of sorts, Hwy 5 is probably not the best choice. It's desolate and boring as hell. Nothing to do or look at. I wouldn't really call 101 a scenic route either, it's not picture-pretty at all unless you're in Pismo Beach. For the long "scenic route" you would probaby go Hwy 1... but it's a looooong 2-lane highway that lines every contour of the coast with a view of the ocean 99% of the time.

Hwy 5 is the "you are in the middle of nowhere with only gas stations/rest stops the entire way, sharing the road with plenty of semi trucks" route.

Hwy 101 is the "this goes through every important city in the state with plenty of interesting places to stop and see the entire way and is generally 4~6 lanes wide" route.

Hwy 1 is the "very long and very scenic" route.

[Abandon]

If you like driving scenery and aren't in a hurry, go down through CA-1. The views are pretty beautiful. If you don't really care, then just take a flight. There's nothing on the main freeways that you'll pass except the Monterrey Aquarium and the Aquarium of the Pacific is better imo if you want to go to an aquarium. On that note you could also trek it to San Diego, it's only about an hour and a half for Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. I mention it since you said family trip, so if there's kids throwing stuff out there besides the obligatory Disneyland suggestion.

I'd recommend visiting the Newport area and the Malibu area if you like beach stuff.

They got a Pink's in Universal Citywalk now if you plan on going to Universal, so you can cut out making a special trip to Pink's. I'll second trips to In-N-Out and The Hat as well.

Other stuff off the top of my head... if you're going between May/June there's a chance the Lakers will still be playing if that's something you're into. Also consider catching a Dodgers game.

lol

[Kohan]

As Camarillo was already suggested for outlet malls, keep in mind that Camarillo is about an hour north of anything decently interesting in Los Angeles, and is surrounded by farmland. There is nothing to do there except shop, really, so be sure that's what you want to do.

However, you can make something more of a trip there by sniffing out local beaches and parks, if you want.

Otherwise, good suggestions have been made when it comes to Los Angeles, which is where I live. While in San Fran, I toured the scenic areas, such as parks, and didn't really bother with clubs and the like, as they're not my thing. In LA, it's largely the same. I enjoy public parks, so I also advise visiting Griffith Park. I have to say that I disagree with Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, however, and I always have, because you can go to other places in LA and pay the same or less for better quality fried chicken and waffles. Really, there's a great amount of soul food to be found around central LA (and no, you needn't enter the most ghetto parts of the county to enjoy it, if you're concerned). Roscoe's is just famous. Still, if you don't want to mess around with Yelp and travel to other spots, it's acceptable -- especially since the vastly superior Pioneer Chicken on Sunset closed down (such a tragedy).

EDIT: Oh, even though the aforementioned Pioneer Chicken has shut down, there's something still worth going to that area for: the Vista vintage movie theater. And I'm glad I looked that up, as they're showing "Thor" right now, which I'd like to see. Time to take a trip.

[miokomioko]

I think going to Roscoe's is simply a novelty because of the hours and the incredibly shitty people that frequent it.

[wyrmtung]

Hey guys, sorry for bringing it back to life, forgot to ask if there are any good outlet malls in either LA or San Fran? I would assume there are, but any that stand out in particular?

I dunno about LA but the closest one to SF is probably the one in Milpitas. It's about an hour to the southeast.

[wyrmtung]

By the way, if you breakfast or brunch in SF then hit up Stacks. I love that place.

http://www.stacksrestaurant.com/index.html


Edit: On second thought, forget the "..if you..." Change that to "You must..."

[miokomioko]

I had a Stacks a few blocks from my old place in Campbell, CA and I never cared for it much (I think there are like 6~7 of them in the bay area). I'd probably recommend "Crepes on Cole" in the Cole Valley district (very quaint area) or "Toast" in Glen Park on Church St. for more of a hole-in-the-wall breakfast place you won't really find elsewhere.

If you feel like spending some money on some of the most fucking delicious ceviche I have ever had in my life, I recommend a Peruvian restaurant called Fresca. There are 3 of them in the city, Fillmore, West Portal, and Noe Valley.

[wyrmtung]

I had a Stacks a few blocks from my old place in Campbell, CA and I never cared for it much (I think there are like 6~7 of them in the bay area).

How dare you!

Anyway, from their website:

Our sister stores are franchised under separate ownership:

REDWOOD CITY
314 El Camino Real
Redwood City CA 94062
650-482-2850

CAMPBELL
139 E Campbell Ave
Campbell CA 95008
408-376-3516

I only eat at the SF location.

[miokomioko]

Hmmm, I didn't notice that little tid bit. I'll have to try out the SF Stacks then.

Oh yeah, I mentioned it before, but I have to stress it again. Go to the pastry/coffee/bakery place "Tartine" in the Dolores Heights/Castro area (Valencia St.) for some fucking mind-blowing croissants with ham/cheese baked inside of them (Pain au Jambon). The place is a local phenomenon.

[highhigh]

I had a Stacks a few blocks from my old place in Campbell, CA and I never cared for it much (I think there are like 6~7 of them in the bay area). I'd probably recommend "Crepes on Cole" in the Cole Valley district (very quaint area) or "Toast" in Glen Park on Church St. for more of a hole-in-the-wall breakfast place you won't really find elsewhere.

If you feel like spending some money on some of the most fucking delicious ceviche I have ever had in my life, I recommend a Peruvian restaurant called Fresca. There are 3 of them in the city, Fillmore, West Portal, and Noe Valley.

Yup, Fresca is an amazing restaurant. It worth u a visit. Hope u have a good journey.

[Melena]

Hi.

You should go to this place.

http://www.medievaltimes.com/

Wife and I did the Pirate show which is right next door with a couple friends blizzcon weekend last year and we had a blast. Haven't been to Medival times since my sophmore year in highschool though.

[synistar]

Driving advice if you're taking the 101 down, When you hit Ventura or Camarillo if you go to the outlet malls, dive south and avoid the craphole that is the infamous San Fernando Valley. Devoid of anything interesting at least on the west side of it.

Take this senic route: here

[Kohan]

While I'd generally agree, I wouldn't say that the San Pornando Valley is completely without merit. Conveniently, someone wrote a very recent and up-to-date article documenting how one can enjoy it: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr...ups-20110424/2

I also find the west half of the 118 (starting from Topanga Canyon Boulevard and heading in the direction of Simi Valley) to be wonderfully beautiful. The rocky desert mountains there are some of the finest I have beheld in my life.

EDIT: To reach the 118, you can take some of the small, incredibly windy mountain roads leading away from the Pacific Coast Highway to it. It's insane how gorgeous such virtually "off the map" trips are, and they're relatively straightforward, but I won't recommend that to a tourist unless you have an impeccable sense of direction and little fear. Since it's a "family trip," you probably won't want to do this, but I thought I'd mention it nonetheless.

[MStar]

Hit up SF, LA or Santa Barbara.

[MStar]

Oh and avoid the central valley...

[liggy 0]

Hey guys, sorry for bringing it back to life, forgot to ask if there are any good outlet malls in either LA or San Fran? I would assume there are, but any that stand out in particular?

i Believe citadel was state otherwise you'd have to drive out to palmsprings for decent outlets in Socal. if you happen to swing by monterey park for asian food or any cities near by. watch for azn drivers, you and your vehicle have been warned.