Big Guy 1,400 Posted April 7, 2018 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? also, don't say "Yer Mom", because we'll probably do that too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bandrus1 413 Posted April 7, 2018 What time of year? If it is in summer you may want to skip Yosemite and visit Sequoia and Kings canyon instead Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fandandy 3,311 Posted April 7, 2018 I hear San Fran has some cool street art. They paint the sidewalks with feces. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HTH 67 Posted April 7, 2018 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? 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. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Guy 1,400 Posted April 7, 2018 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bier Meister 1,513 Posted April 7, 2018 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Djgb13 2,338 Posted April 7, 2018 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. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bandrus1 413 Posted April 7, 2018 the end of April Ok, it shouldn't be that busy but you may run into some snow issues 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bier Meister 1,513 Posted April 7, 2018 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Djgb13 2,338 Posted April 7, 2018 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 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 12,631 Posted April 7, 2018 Glad I got to Europe and California before it's over. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mobb_deep 917 Posted April 7, 2018 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. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sho Nuff 719 Posted April 7, 2018 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. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bier Meister 1,513 Posted April 7, 2018 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 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Djgb13 2,338 Posted April 7, 2018 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bier Meister 1,513 Posted April 7, 2018 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Djgb13 2,338 Posted April 7, 2018 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 12,631 Posted April 7, 2018 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bier Meister 1,513 Posted April 7, 2018 Yes. I hear San Diego actually cleans the poop from their sidewalks. San Fran not so much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Djgb13 2,338 Posted April 7, 2018 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mobb_deep 917 Posted April 7, 2018 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bier Meister 1,513 Posted April 7, 2018 La Taqueria in SF King Taco in LA Tacos El Gordo in SD 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerryskids 5,192 Posted April 8, 2018 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RaiderHaters Revenge 3,579 Posted April 8, 2018 Stop in Solvang if you head up the PCH 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dain11279 927 Posted April 8, 2018 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 Ive been to both and definitely agree on this. Wild animal park is about 15 minutes from where my dad used to live. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RaiderHaters Revenge 3,579 Posted April 8, 2018 if you need any medicine let me know Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The PosterFormerlyKnownAs 61 Posted April 8, 2018 Outside LA: http://www.paradisecovemalibu.com Pacific coast highway is super cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nobody 2,037 Posted April 8, 2018 La Taqueria in SF King Taco in LA Tacos El Gordo in SD Ceviche loco Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Guy 1,400 Posted April 8, 2018 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Guy 1,400 Posted April 8, 2018 Hearst Castle Wow, hi OM......good to see you Thanks, always wanted to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tanatastic 2,061 Posted April 8, 2018 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
giraldi02 470 Posted April 8, 2018 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NorthernVike 2,080 Posted April 8, 2018 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? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bier Meister 1,513 Posted April 8, 2018 this might help with attractions in SF https://www.citypass.com/san-francisco edit: busy lacrosse day. will provide a more budget friendly list of northern california later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bandrus1 413 Posted April 8, 2018 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Guy 1,400 Posted April 8, 2018 Wow, you guys rock! Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The PosterFormerlyKnownAs 61 Posted April 8, 2018 Free? Stop to pee at The Madonna Inn. https://californiathroughmylens.com/madonna-inn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
giraldi02 470 Posted April 8, 2018 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites