| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:00:19 PM | I'm going up to Yosemite on Sunday with my parents and brother, and I realize that I have never BEEN to Yosemite before! People travel from all over the world to see it, and I live about two hours away and I've never been! I've also never been to Hollywood.
So where in California SHOULD you have seen, but haven't? | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:03:25 PM | Oh Miss Rabbit, I'm a bigger failure than you I'm afraid
I've never been to Yosemite
I've never been to San Francisco
I've never been to Tahoe | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:06:56 PM |
I'm going up to Yosemite on Sunday with my parents and brother, and I realize that I have never BEEN to Yosemite before!
You might want to read this first:
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/7091
I've also never been to Hollywood.
In my opinion: don't bother.
So where in California SHOULD you have seen, but haven't?
Sequoia, Death Valley (not right now), Lassen, Tahoe, Redwoods National Park, ... | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:09:38 PM | | I've been to the Redwoods (many times), Lassen, Tahoe, but never Yosemite. It is on the top of my list. Never been to San Jose, but I DO know the way............... | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:10:17 PM | Eeeekie, I suck, I've never been to any of those places
Hey Rabbit, I've been to Catalina though, how bout you?
Really now, this message is not to short, you are killing me!
Oh! wait! I am going to San Fran for the first time in June! | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:17:20 PM |
Eeeekie, I suck
That's just what I wanted to hear!  
I've been to Catalina though, how bout you?
Have you backpacked there?
Oh! wait! I am going to San Fran for the first time in June!
It's pretty, but very crowded. | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:24:49 PM | EEeeek! you naughty boy you!
No, I've failed to back pack there, but I did drink Bloody Mary's there. Will that do?
Well, I'm just going for few days, I'm sure I can manage. | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:43:20 PM | Eeek,
I disagree about not recommending seeing Hollywood for two reasons. First, even if all you do is "see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard......some that you recognize, some that you don't even know who they are" (Kinks)...........................the experience and what it tells you about life (as in, "so who were a lot of these 'great' people?") is important as I find it helps to keep it all in perspective. But more importantly, second, after you've walked around in Hollywood a while, it gives even more splendor to the other places on your list!!!
~o4 | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:45:04 PM | off topic:Yay!!! O4 is finally here!!!
Where ever have you been? Okay, let the games begin!
on topic I haven't been to Hollywood since I was a kid. | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:46:41 PM | off topic: Eating......!
on topic: And when you go to SF, you're trip must include "The Stinking Rose" if you want to do it right!...........................and then afer dinner, a walk down Grant through China Town to the gate (touristy, but another one of those that's a memory waiting to happen). And be sure to bring your nose with you all the time! The more senses the better. | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:48:42 PM | em...I'm afraid to ask, but hey, it's Friday, I've had two glasses of wine, so what the heck, What the heck is a stinking rose?
And what were you eating? | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:50:21 PM | ...you better Google it. It's an unbelievable restaurant in Little Italy on Grant, up a couple of blocks on the left from China Town's boarder. EVERYTHING is made with a great helping of garlic....and it's great food! Just be sure to be hungry when you get there!
The other 'must do' in my book is the Joseph Schmitt chocolatier store in the Mission District (although I think you can also get his chocolate in the basement of Macy's in the retail district if you're pressed for time).
off topic: just stuff. | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/16/2008 10:53:01 PM | thank you 04, I will remember that for when I go to the great graduation of Coastie Brian James from A School on June 20th.
Off topic: Stuff will give you heartburn. Take a tums | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/17/2008 3:53:06 AM | The majority of my experiences with California vacations are during the fall, winter and early spring, but I have found that these travel dates have made all of my time as pleasant as possible. So here are my recommendations, not in any particular order. Crescent City in Northern Ca. just outside of the Redwood National and State Parks. Great place to go if your into Ca. history, hiking, lighthouses and completely unwind. If you go I recommend The Curly Redwood Lodge, ( http://www.curlyredwoodlodge.com). It's a throw back to the '50's style motor lodges. Large rooms and they are all made out of one tree, I mean the whole lodge was made out of this giant redwood tree. Just go to the web site and read all about it. Mammoth Mountain can't beat the skiing, but if you don't like crowds you may want to plan for April when there is still plenty of snow, but most of the people are gone and if you plan it right you can pick up some great rates. Be careful to make sure you miss the spring breaks as they move around every year. As for Yosmite I Prefer to stay just outside the park at the Tenaya Lodge. Depending on when you stay and what type of vehicle, ( late fall and all winter you would be better off with 4 wheel drive ) as for the summer and late spring that place can be a mad house as far as traffic goes. So staying in the park is probably your best bet. It's a little pricey but the time you will save is worth it. As for skiing not one of the best but the crowds are minimal. Very nice for snow shoeing and x-country skiing and if you stay at the lodge in the winter they have a nice little pond you can go ice skating on. Tahoe's great because there is so much to do, but be prepaired to do a lot of driving if you want to do anything outside of the city. The skiing is phenomenal and with so many different places to ski like Squaw Valley, Northstar and Heavenly just to name a few. Not to mention most of which have free transportion to them. Also if you do go here's a tip. The gas on the Nevada side is less expensive once you get a few miles past the border. One more thing you may want to do while you are there is to take a trip to Virginia City. It's a quaint little old west mining town and it's only about an hour away. Depending on where you live here are a few fun day trips you may want to try.
All of which I have been to and enjoyed.
Solvang - A fun little Danish village. www.solvangca.com
Venice Beach - Probably the premier people watching place in southern Cal. www.venicebeach.com
Pebble Beach - A cruise down 17 mile drive just can't be missed.
Monterey - OK this should be at least a 3 day visit with all there is to do in the area like the afore mentioned Pebble beach and as long as you are there who could miss one of the most pristine beaches on the California coast line, Carmel. Don't forget the aquarium. www.monterey-carmel.com
Napa Valley - Not so much my forte. I'm a beer man, but I do enjoy the occasional glass of wine. The area is beautiful and the wineries are a plenty.
San Fransisco - What can I say but this is one of those cities that should taken in slowly. I would recommend multiple visits as there is way to much to take in even if you stay a week. I mean between the museums, sequoias, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf and so much more.
Palm Springs/Indian Wells - What can I say but golf, golf and more golf. I realize that most people think of the area as a weekend getaway but if you are in southern Cal it's only about a 2 hour drive which for me is pretty much a day trip and as long as you are there you can't miss out on the Gondola up Mt. San Jacinto, but beware anytime after fall to spring the temp changes dramatically and you may want to bring a coat.
I have probably taken up to much space and mind you I've been to many more place in our great state, but these are more or less the better places. Later, Bob
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/17/2008 5:43:13 AM | Boy oh boy I was just thinking about this - saw Wicked last night at the Pantages (and yes it was fantastic!!!) but we wandered up and down Sunset and Hollywood Blvd, there is a fantastic building on the southeast corner of Hollywood/Vine, shoot I wish I could remember the name maybe The Clarke Bldg??? Anyhow it was sooooo old Hollywood feeling - loved it.
Need to get over there again soon, great architecture and UNBELIEVABLE people watching!!! | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/17/2008 2:17:51 PM | Horses, if you like the architecture in Hollywood, you need to hit Civic Center.
Powered by tax credits from the Riordan administration, all the gorgeous old office buildings, beaux art, art deco, art nouveau, that have sat vacant for years, are being retrofitted and transformed into fabulous lofts and new office space. There is an emphasis on the live and work model, stores downstairs, living upstairs. It's totally changing the entire character of the downtown area into something very hip and metropolitan, but with a decidedly LA feel to it. Restaurants have come to the area, small corner markets and even bigger retail stores, all making a point of paying homage to the ambiance.
Tres cool! | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/17/2008 9:55:47 PM | eeek and barbe... I do hope you mean backpacking once you GOT to Catalina...
actually backpacking THERE might be a tad difficult, it being an island and all!
(or maybe THAT's why you haven't done it?)
California is so amazing, and I am lucky enough to have been many places within its spaces, but I have never been to Sacramento. Although historically important and our states capitol, I guess it has never been a priority.
 (Gosh, a snowball fight sounds fun right about now... sooooo hot tonight!) | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/17/2008 10:50:14 PM | Maybe....you haven't missed much by not coming to Sacramento (except maybe the train museum). ......
Now go East up Hwy49 to the gold country and Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee and those are definitely worth seeing. The Empire Mine State Park in Grass Valley is historically significant, has gorgeous park-like grounds , a fascinating mine tour and a fabulous gold exhibit. It is a hidden gem in California. | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/18/2008 11:08:13 AM | I'm a Californian, born and raised, but in all my 26 years, I have yet to go to Disneyland. Or the Redwoods and Eureka.
Mind you, I grew up in Redding, barely three hours from Eureka. And I've lived in the California desert now for about three years in an area which is only about three hours from Anaheim. | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/18/2008 11:13:56 AM |
I'm a Californian, born and raised, but in all my 26 years, I have yet to go to Disneyland.
Sorry Sugar, but I'll have to confiscate your California card until further notice. | |
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| I fail at being Californian-anyone else?
Posted: 5/18/2008 1:57:56 PM | Train museum??? - YIKES! ... my son has a deep fasination with trains.
We've spent lots of time at Travel Town and the Live Steamers*(in Griffith Park). Probably STILL doesn't make Sacramento a priority on MY list though.
The Empire Mine State Park sounds cool.
On that one...
hmmmmmm....
Maybe Yes...
*The Live Steamers run on Sunday mornings, all done by volunteers.
The Disney barn is there too ... a little gem in the L.A. area! | |
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