San Diego to LA

[tdb810]

Hey Cali!  Bob, Chrissy (8 yo) and I are heading out to San Diego November 2-10. I have a work thing for 3 days, and we will be staying at the Loew's Coronado Bay from the 2nd-7th. Then we have a little flexibility, and want to head up to LA for a day or two. 
I've been reading all the touristy stuff, but want to get some insider scoop from some of you crazy Californians.

Seems like must sees in SD are: zoo, balboa park, beaches. What else?
The SD beer fest is going on while we are there.....woo hoo, thanks for the heads up on that WF). 

What about LA? I haven't been there before, so would be interested in seeing some of the "Hollywood stuff" I guess......but not really sure what would be fun?

Thanks guys!!

[walterfredo]

http://www.getty.edu/museum/

I would also recommend driving up the coast along Hwy 1.

[vespachick]

Make sure you eat fish taco's while in San Diego.

Visit Venice Beach in LA.

Pasadena is great for looking at California architecture; and is not as nauseating people-wise as the Westside is, as  a general rule. (Hey now, I lived in Santa Monica/Venice area for 12 years; I can say these things. I'm an Eastsider at heart.)  Lots of places to eat and shop and the Norton Simon Museum is there, easily located on Colorado Boulevard.  A most underrated museum.

Eat pizza at Casa Bianca in Eagle Rock (Next to Pasadena), also on Colorado Boulevard.  Cash only; they open at 4; there will be a line. You won't be sorry.

Also: What Walterfredo said.

[Apeskies]

Coronado is one of my FAVORITE places in San Diego...You should go to the Coronado Brewery for some beer & dinner one night, it's at the end of Orange Ave. (Also, I had my prom at the hotel you're staying at...lol)

If you're looking to do something kinda laid back, hit up Seaport Village during the day. Lot's of cool little shops by the way. You can see Coronado from there. Also, hit up La Jolla coves to see the seals! It's a sight to see. Old Town can be fun too, lot's of places to eat. It's another touristy area to see fun stuff.

Not sure about LA...it's too much for me sometimes, I just go for the shows  :) Obviously, hit up Hollywood and all that, your child might like the wax museum and what not.

[pawpaw]

I was just down in San Diego a few weeks ago, and had a great time! I'm not as familiar with the area as others on here, but here are some old and new favorites:

-Ocean Beach is not far from Coronado, and there's a place there called the South Beach Bar and Grille - go there for fish tacos!

-The Blind Lady Alehouse is a little drive from Coronado (Normal Heights), but well worth it. Great pizza, and owned by one of the original brewers at Stone. Fun spot. http://blindlady.blogspot.com/

-If you find yourself hung over, seek out the nearest, rattiest looking taqueria and order a California Burrito.

-The rooftop bar at the W Hotel in downtown San Diego is a really nice spot for a drink.

-Zenbu Sushi in La Jolla is really good.

-Up in Pasadena, I really liked the Huntington Gardens. Beautiful grounds, and if you want to class it up, you can go for tea.  :coffee:

-If you drive up through Malibu, on the north end of town is Neptune's Net, a great place to stop for a beer and tasty fried food.

It seems like you've got the big, daytime attractions worked out in San Diego, but if you're still looking for something, Mission Beach is a nice beach and has an old-timey boardwalk amusement park. The recommendations for Venice Beach and the Getty are right on, and Apeskies seems to be a local, so that's probably great info too!

Have fun!

[tdb810]

THANK you all so much for taking the time to share your favorite spots! We will definitely use this information when we go.  24 more days!!!!!

[Apeskies]

Fuck, I love Blind Lady Ale house so much. Seriously, enjoy!!

[ChiefOKONO]

Right on, these are all good suggestions. when i have time i will try to post more.
if you want to get together in LA let me know!!

[tdb810]

Right on, these are all good suggestions. when i have time i will try to post more.
if you want to get together in LA let me know!!

yes, we would totally love it! we will be in san diego from 11/2-11/7 - ish, and then heading up to LA for two days, so 11/8 & 9.  I will send you a PM : )
thanks!

[My Morning Tube top]

Make sure you eat fish taco's while in San Diego.

Visit Venice Beach in LA.

Pasadena is great for looking at California architecture; and is not as nauseating people-wise as the Westside is, as  a general rule. (Hey now, I lived in Santa Monica/Venice area for 12 years; I can say these things. I'm an Eastsider at heart.)  Lots of places to eat and shop and the Norton Simon Museum is there, easily located on Colorado Boulevard.  A most underrated museum.

Eat pizza at Casa Bianca in Eagle Rock (Next to Pasadena), also on Colorado Boulevard.  Cash only; they open at 4; there will be a line. You won't be sorry.

Also: What Walterfredo said.

I'm a ten year westsider?  ??? I think Pretension really goes to Hollywood.
Venice is still a chill mixture of everything and one.  ;D
Can't beat a ride on the beach, or stroll through Abbott Kinney. I love the westside!

[vespachick]

Well Tube, I don't HATE the Westside, sooo much...  I do love the Abbott Kinney area, that's sorta where I was for a long time (Main & Strand, 2 blocks to le Ocean  ).  I survived a long time not venturing any further east than the 405.  But, once it started taking me close to an hour to get from Centinela & Olympic to my house at 23rd & Pico, I decided to leave the Westside to the wealthy boobalicious types and head back to my roots in Highland Park.  Tacos are so much better there anyway. ;)

True true about Hollywood.

EDIT: I was once so young and naive to believe that I would NEVER live any further east than 4th street.  ;D

[My Morning Tube top]

Well Tube, I don't HATE the Westside, sooo much...  I do love the Abbott Kinney area, that's sorta where I was for a long time (Main & Strand, 2 blocks to le Ocean  ).  I survived a long time not venturing any further east than the 405.  But, once it started taking me close to an hour to get from Centinela & Olympic to my house at 23rd & Pico, I decided to leave the Westside to the wealthy boobalicious types and head back to my roots in Highland Park.  Tacos are so much better there anyway. ;)

True true about Hollywood.

EDIT: I was once so young and naive to believe that I would NEVER live any further east than 4th street.  ;D
[/quote

I know you could never be a hater!  ;) I hear you about the Never... I don't utter that but admit most of my days if I am not working (freelance photo shoots) I am on my bike and that I love, plus I am an Ocean girl, it keeps me happy. You lived so close to the strand which would wear on me. I need distance from that madness. Venice is the one place you may not want  to live too close to the beach! Love venturing this whole city and it's easier on me since I don't deal with day to day commuter traffic. Eastside is great too and I can't believe downtown these days so much going on. The large scope and diversity is the best part of this city. If only the public transportation would get in line!

[tdb810]

Hey MMJ family! We are having a great time in Coronado! Really beautiful sights around here! So far we have hit:
The aquarium
The zoo
The Gaslamp for dinner. We wanted to go to La Puerta, but you have to be 21 to get in after 3pm. Our 9 year old daughter was indignant! We went next door to a yummy Mexican place that is apparently a "chain" which is a dirty word in my foodie husband's vocab, but I thought it was yummy.
Ocean Beach for sunset. What a funky and cool and beautiful place. The fishing pier was so amazing!
Today we are going to the Mission for breakfast and then meeting up with Penny's friend Jess (who we met at appalachian voices) for a walking tour of La Jolla and lunch!

So happy to know all of you guys through this forum. It has enriched my life in so many ways!

[tdb810]

 PS - tube top and chief, we will be staying in Santa Monica from Tuesday afternoon thru Wed evening. Hope we can hook up!  ;D

[My Morning Tube top]

 :D Your a bike ride away!

[tdb810]

So sorry we missed you Tube Top and Chiefokonoko!

Our journey into the Desert lasted about 18 hours longer than we anticipated.  And boy we enjoyed every minute of it, even the part when we got the flat tire driving into Joshua Tree National Park.  Does everyone know that Joshua Tree National Park covers an area the size of Rhode Island?  Wow, what a wonderful place!

So, to recap - here's what we did, and here's what we loved (ya know, we loved everything, but specifically)

San Diego/Coronado -- Gaslamp was fun and had some yummy mexican food there.  Saw a Double Rainbow, so that was a highlight.
The Zoo was a great trip, and the only zoo I have ever been to that didn't smell bad - it actually smelled good :)
La Jolla -- had a great hike with Jess through the Black Gold area, saw the seals, and had some real-deal fish tacos in Old Town San Diego.

Our ride out to the desert was truly a treat.  We hadn't anticipated all of the mountains out there! It was just magical!  We were able to hang by the pool and enjoy some sun shine.  Our first trip to Joshua tree was on this night, and we took a wrong turn, so had to reschedule our adventure for the next day.  So, we took the opportunity to head out to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and HOLY crap, that was amazing!  Can't say enough about viewing the Cali desert area from 8, 515 feet! Whoa! Magical! A lovely meal to top it all off, and we were done for the day!
 

[tdb810]

Ok sorry, had to continue here......

Woke up in Palm Springs, and took another trip out to Joshua Tree National Park.  Beautiful drive, and love all the windmill farms, or whatever the proper term is.  Checked in at the Visitor's center, got some great hiking info, and were on our way.  Well, on the way to the hike, we had a flat tire, but no worries -- 20 minutes, and we were back in business.  Had a great one hour hike around the nature trail, took lots of truly awesome photos.  Our daughter became a junior ranger by completing a workbook that she was given at the visitor center.  it was super cute - she had to take an oath, and everyone clapped for her, so she was pretty stoked about that.  Drove back to Palm Springs for a quick dip in the pool and hot tub, and off we went to Santa Monica!

Rolled into Santa Monica in the evening, in time to see the sun set.  Took a walk through the 3rd street promenade,had dinner,  and then a walk on the pier -- where I am pretty sure we saw Freddie Prinze Jr in an arcade.

Woke up in Santa Monica, took a bike ride and went to Venice Beach, then to Hollywood for the requisite walk of fame and a stop off at the sunset deli. 


Then it was time to hit the road again! This timewe stopped off at Torrey Pines National Park, and OH MY GOD, what an amazing place!! Hiked around a trail that was overlooking the ocean, and it was just awesome.  Ended the day back in San Diego in Old town, bought some goodies, and had some awesome fish tacos AGAIN!

[tdb810]

Perfect, perfect, perfect trip!
California really is the most beautiful place, and I could spend forever there!  SO incredibly much to see.  Great people, great food, great vibe....just feels so healthy there....
Must give a shout out to Penny's friend Jess, who couldn't have been a better host, showing us some really wonderful local treasures! What a sweetie!
Also shout out to Tube Top, who had planned out some really wonderful activities, and extended some real So Cal hospitality to us -- so sorry we weren't able to catch up with you! We really had to jam so many things into that last couple of days, but we will be back out there.  Sorry we missed you as well Chiefokonoko!
I just want to thank this wonderful community for your thoughtfulness and wonderful guidance for our trip! Unforgettable!
I will never be able to eat Fish Tacos in the northeast again!

[woodnymph]

Trish it sounds like Heaven!!  So glad you guys had such a stellar time!!!  It was so fun to read your write-ups  8)  Would love to see pics :-D

[tdb810]

You got it Woody!

A double rainbow in the gaslamp.  What could it mean? 


The Mission Cafe Downtown.  Yummmmmmy


Joshua Tree trip Day 1


Hotel in Palm Springs....Poolside, loved it!


Torrey Pines State Park