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Taking a trip to Cali (Never been, what should I do)

balamw said:
While they are now on the West Coast, 5Guys is an East Coast burger chain.

You can't get In-N-Out, or The Habit, etc... "back East". 😉

B
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Ah, thank you.

Still waiting for them to open one down the road from me.

I'll wait a couple of weeks, for them to get the kinks out. 😉
 
iJohnHenry said:
Ah, thank you.

Still waiting for them to open one down the road from me.

I'll wait a couple of weeks, for them to get the kinks out. 😉
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OT, but the thread has gone "that way".

In-N-Out is a family owned regional chain with ~3X fewer stores than 5 Guys. (~250 vs 750).

My own favorite Habit is even more regional and has only 50 locations.

Currently, I have enjoyed my couple of visits to b.good which only has 8 locations.

B
 
Regarding OT, I think the OP has more than enough to consider.

But arguably the best burger joint around here has one (1) location.

Starr Burger is an institution around here. Be prepared to wait, and no drive-thru. 😉
 
Getting back on topic for a second... 😛

OP should know two things:

* February weather in the SF area can be quite rainy. Pacific storms can roll in and make things miserable for days in a row. Not saying it will happen, but be aware of the possibility.

* It takes a few days just to drive from SF to the LA area especially if driving along the coast - which of course is the way to go.
 
smithrh said:
* February weather in the SF area can be quite rainy. Pacific storms can roll in and make things miserable for days in a row. Not saying it will happen, but be aware of the possibility.
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Even down in LA this is true. However, miserable is a relative state. Things are usually quite a bit warmer than in Toronto in February even in SF.

B
 
balamw said:
Even down in LA this is true. However, miserable is a relative state. Things are usually quite a bit warmer than in Toronto in February even in SF.

B
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indeed......during the winter we LA locals don't go to the beach very often, but you'll see visitors from places like Toronto tearing around in their swim suits having a great deal of fun while their hosts, dressed in the heaviest of sweatsuits and hoodies, shiver miserably.....or maybe the hosts will just wait in the car with the windows up.

people don't realize how cold it gets here in Los Angeles in the winter......seriously, who wants to go to the beach in February when it might only be 65º ????
 
Macky-Mac said:
but you'll see visitors from places like Toronto tearing around in their swim suits having a great deal of fun while their hosts, dressed in the heaviest of sweatsuits and hoodies, shiver miserably..
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Same thing in Florida, over the Christmas holidays.

You get off the plane in shorts and the locals think you're nuts.

Screw-em. That's their problem. 😉
 
Macky-Mac said:
people don't realize how cold it gets here in Los Angeles in the winter......seriously, who wants to go to the beach in February when it might only be 65º ????
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"cold" again is a relative term. It didn't go above freezing today in the Boston area. I can't remember it ever getting to 20ºF even overnight in So. Cal.

B
 
If you're a wine person, see if Napa Valley has any wine tasting events during the time you're going. If not...Catalina Island 😀
 
The point about the weather was to make sure the OP didn't assume that all of California is warm all winter long. It's a very "tall" state with distinct and seperate weather zones.

As an example, it's only 48 in San Francisco right now while it's 75 in San Diego.
 
smithrh said:
The point about the weather was to make sure the OP didn't assume that all of California is warm all winter long. It's a very "tall" state with distinct and seperate weather zones.

As an example, it's only 48 in San Francisco right now while it's 75 in San Diego.
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And my point was all of those temperatures are well above what they will be in Toronto in February.

To your point. I recall a road trip from Santa Barbara to Monterey where we left SB in the low 60s got up to 105 in Paso Robles and arrived to Monterey below 50 all in the span of a few hours.

B
 
balamw said:
There was also a useful thread when MR user Surely moved to California that might be worth looking up. (Link: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/411123/)
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Ah, good times. That thread was helpful......seems like forever ago.

When you're in LA, make sure you take a trip to the Getty Center as others have suggested.

Depending on when you're visiting, you could probably get reasonably priced tickets to see the Kings play at Staple Center.

Visit Westwood and UCLA. It's a really nice area....you could go for lunch in Westwood Village and then walk around campus taking in all of the sites (the college girls, of course 😉).

If you're in Brentwood, make sure you go to SusieCakes for a cupcake or cake.

Santa Monica opened up Santa Monica Place earlier this year. It's at the bottom the 3rd Street Promenade, which is basically an outdoor mall with street performers. It's right by the beach and pier, so it's a good place to spend the day.

In N Out is okay. It's got nothing on Harvey's though.

Bring me some Coffee Crisps and Diana Sauce (the red label, of course).
 
Are you a car buff? The Petersen Automotive Museum in L.A. is fantastic and along the historic Miracle Mile. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_Mile,_Los_Angeles

I love In n Out, I grew up in CA with it and luckily have it in TX now. You have to at least try it. But as someone else mentioned, try The Habit, too. In L.A. hit up Apple Pan for a good burger, or Father's Office in Santa Monica.

If you end up taking PCH, just south of Oxnard is Neptune's Net. It is a dive right along PCH that serves pretty good seafood and you can enjoy a beer and watch the surf.

Also, when in L.A. hit up a taco truck, or any food truck really. You must also hit up Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles.

If you like beer, there are TONS of great places along your entire route. Consult www.beeradvocate.com for more info on locations.

Tons of stuff to do and places to go.
 
balamw said:
And on weekends be completely surrounded by "rich urban bikers" 😛

Location-wise I prefer Hendry's Beach in Santa Barbara though I can't vouch for the restaurant that is currently there: http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/69/740063/restaurant/Boathouse-at-Hendrys-Beach-Santa-Barbara

B
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That is quite true. The weekend warrior bikers show up and clog the joint so try to go on a weekday. Regardless of it's lameness for being in the fast and the furious, it's a neat spot.

Also, avoid Patrick's Roadhouse on PCH. The food sucks and parking blows.
 
gtx281 said:
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So overrated. Plus it doesn't even have bacon!

To the OP, I really like the Ferry Building in San Francisco and from there you can walk to Pier 39. On the way there's also this chocolate place, where you can have a tour and see how they make their chocolate, it's called Tcho.
 
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