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California Sight Seeing

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Driving from Phoenix to LA then up to San Fran soon and am looking for cool sights to see along the way. We don't want to miss anything REALLY cool so I'm asking you geeks for any places that aren't too pricey to stop and see.

 

We're already going to.....

 

Universal Studios

Santa Barbara

Yosimite

Giant Redwoods

 

other than that we have no real plans

 

whatchoogot? :dunno:

 

also, don't say "Yer Mom", because we'll probably do that too.

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What time of year?

 

 

If it is in summer you may want to skip Yosemite and visit Sequoia and Kings canyon instead

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Driving from Phoenix to LA then up to San Fran soon and am looking for cool sights to see along the way. We don't want to miss anything REALLY cool so I'm asking you geeks for any places that aren't too pricey to stop and see.

 

We're already going to.....

 

Universal Studios

Santa Barbara

Yosimite

Giant Redwoods

 

other than that we have no real plans

 

whatchoogot? :dunno:

 

also, don't say "Yer Mom", because we'll probably do that too.

 

 

Whatever you do DON'T skip yosemite.

 

Probably the best National Park I've ever seen.

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What time of year?

 

 

If it is in summer you may want to skip Yosemite and visit Sequoia and Kings canyon instead

 

the end of April

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not listed:

laguna beach

carmel/monterey/big sur

sonoma/healdsburg

 

let me know how much time around the bay area and if you want specific recommendations.

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not listed:

laguna beach

carmel/monterey/big sur

sonoma/healdsburg

 

let me know how much time around the bay area and if you want specific recommendations.

Im actually thinking of visiting my buddy in San Diego sometime this year. Might have to hit you up for some suggestions.
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Im actually thinking of visiting my buddy in San Diego sometime this year. Might have to hit you up for some suggestions.

 

happy to help. while i can offer good suggestions, i have not lived there for about 25 years so there are going to be a lot of newer places i am not familiar with.

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happy to help. while i can offer good suggestions, i have not lived there for about 25 years so there are going to be a lot of newer places i am not familiar with.

I would also be traveling a bit so I wouldnt just be in SD

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Glad I got to Europe and California before it's over.

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Universal Studios is fun. Went for the first time in many years a month back. Had a great time. The Harry Potter area was especially cool.

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Im actually thinking of visiting my buddy in San Diego sometime this year. Might have to hit you up for some suggestions.

Been several years...but Coronado Island was beautiful. And cool to see Torrey or the area even if not playing golf while there.

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Been several years...but Coronado Island was beautiful. And cool to see Torrey or the area even if not playing golf while there.

coronado

balboa park

old town

gaslamp

little italy

mission bay

la jolla

del mar

pick a beach.... pacific beach, mission beach, ocean beach

ball game

seaport village

 

sea world

i prefer the wild animal park to the north over the zoo (still excellent)

 

when you get closer we can chat restaurants

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I want to check out a lot of the touristy places in Cali. A girl I was in college with said Cali has the best Mexican food. Im curious to see what thats like. Best tacos I had where in SA so if Cali can blow that out the water then I cant wait.

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A girl I was in college with said Cali has the best Mexican food. Im curious to see what thats like. Best tacos I had where in SA so if Cali can blow that out the water then I cant wait.

 

tacos in CA are going to be different than SA.... there are also differences between northern california and southern california

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tacos in CA are going to be different than SA.... there are also differences between northern california and southern california

Oh Im sure they will be. But Im a food lover so if its good then Ill love it regardless if its different

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tacos in CA are going to be different than SA.... there are also differences between northern california and southern california

Yes. I hear San Diego actually cleans the poop from their sidewalks. San Fran not so much.

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Yes. I hear San Diego actually cleans the poop from their sidewalks. San Fran not so much.

 

 

:lol:

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Yes. I hear San Diego actually cleans the poop from their sidewalks. San Fran not so much.

Ha! Yea when I went to my buddies wedding there it was actually really nice. Didnt get to explore too much cause I was still in school then and could only come down for a few days (had a biochem research paper I had to write while I was there as well). So this time I actually want to hit up some tourist attractions, the beach, good restaurants (as well as some featured on tv), and a few bars

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tacos in CA are going to be different than SA.... there are also differences between northern california and southern california

La Taqueria in SF

King Taco in LA

Tacos El Gordo in SD

 

:wub:

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La Taqueria in SF

King Taco in LA

Tacos El Gordo in SD

 

:wub:

sf:

gordo's

la taqueria

el castillito

el farolito

taqueria cancun

underdog's

nopalito (good mexican in general)

tropisueno (good mexican)

 

sd:

roberto's

nico's

now nationwide, but rubios started in sd

old town mexican cafe (good mexican)

rockin baja lobster (a little kitschy, but fun mexican menu)

there used to be a place in old town called casa de pico... huge margaritas, food was good enough. old lady makes homemade tortillas as you are walking in. i think the new name is casa de reyes.

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I'll defer to the locals here but make a few comments.

- Laguna and obviously SD are not on your way if you are taking 10 west to LA.

- If for some reason you find yourself a little south by LAX, nobody (the poster) sent me some mexican food recommendations nearby which I haven't had the chance to try yet, but hopefully soon.

- If you are taking 10 west, take it to the end and check out Santa Monica Pier.

- If you are going to Santa Barbara, from there take the PCH north. Also if you are into wine, you'll be near the Ojai valley to check out some wineries.

 

:cheers:

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coronado

balboa park

old town

gaslamp

little italy

mission bay

la jolla

del mar

pick a beach.... pacific beach, mission beach, ocean beach

ball game

seaport village

 

sea world

i prefer the wild animal park to the north over the zoo (still excellent)

 

when you get closer we can chat restaurants

Good suggestion :thumbsup:

 

Ive been to both and definitely agree on this. Wild animal park is about 15 minutes from where my dad used to live.

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La Taqueria in SF

King Taco in LA

Tacos El Gordo in SD

 

:wub:

Ceviche loco

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Thanks everybody for your input, suggestions.....I'll get to them sometime soon.

 

I wanted to stress guys, that this is on a tight budget, so cool things that are free or close to would be awesome.

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Hearst Castle

 

Wow, hi OM......good to see you

 

Thanks, always wanted to go.

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SD is a couple hours south of LA, so not necessarily a stop in. But if you can come that far south I reccomend it. You can see the battleship at the coast and take the tour if you are inclined. Good suggestions by Bier, I have been to all of them I think. Also hes right about the safari park north of the zoo, I actually just went a few weeks ago (we have season passes). As for tacos, el gordo is epic and perhaps the best place is city tacos in north park.

 

@Djgb- Mexican food is tops tier in Cali and its true north and south are totally different. Burritos are best up north, tacos are best down south. For just general Mexican restaurants either will be fine.

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Stop in Solvang if you head up the PCH

Solvang is a great little town. The aebleskiver is a must.

 

Saw Hearst Castle mentioned. Another nice suggestion. If going north from Hearst, you can drive along the 1 all along the coast on the mountains till Monterey or Santa Cruz. It's a breathtaking view if you don't mind taking your time.

 

Universal Studios is fun. Get some Duff beer on draft there in Springfield. It's not too shabby and you can walk around the park with your beer. Take one (or two) on the tram ride and kill a good 45 minutes.

 

Screw In-N-out, but if you find one and you like chili dogs or chili burgers, try Tommy's Burger. Get the wax peppers too.

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What time of year?

 

 

If it is in summer you may want to skip Yosemite and visit Sequoia and Kings canyon instead

What you got against Yosemity Sam? :(

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What you got against Yosemity Sam? :(

It can literally take you 4 to 5 hours to get into and out of the valley in the summer.. we are talking like 2 to 3 miles of traffic 100 percent grid locked

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Wow, you guys rock! Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! :thumbsup:

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Free? Stop to pee at The Madonna Inn.

 

https://californiathroughmylens.com/madonna-inn

Lived in this city off and on since 2003. I've still never gone into there and peed in the men's room haha. I do stop by frequently though for a slice of their cake. Black Forest or Pink Champagne is ridiculously good

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