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screamingFit · Oct 19, 2006, 09:44 AM

Going on a business trip at the beginning of November to Los Angeles. I'll have Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning available to do with what I wish.

I've never been to LA before and have never really wanted to so I'm not into checking out movie lots or stars in a sidewalk or junk like that. Not really into tourist type of stuff and from what I've heard, LA really isn't a great place to walk around, either. Basically, LA holds no appeal to me whatsoever so I want to get out of the city.

Does anyone have any interesting places or recommendations to go to around Southern California? I was thinking of going to San Diego and heading north along the coast or heading east out of LA to the desert but not sure if I'd have enough time or not.

Thanks!

natnabour · Oct 19, 2006, 10:34 AM

oh well aren't you mr. huff-puff.

LA isn't so bad. In fact, it's down right GREAT. Don't mind the superstardom and fake boobs.

what is it you wanted to do? San Diego is famous for Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park. Balboa Park is the second largest park in the nation (with Central Park being the first), it has aboug 7 museums, a green house, lily pond, rose garden...etc. Its also right across the San Diego Zoo. Right next to the park is this little place called ''Extraordinary Desserts'' that serves some of the BEST cakes, tarts, chocolate & pies I have ever tasted in my life. You can also catch a Padre's game at the new Padre stadium which is built literally on top of buildings in the Gas Lamp disctrict. You can also go to Coronado Island and spend the day shopping & walking around.

If you're in a more mellow mood, go to Solvang in Santa Barbara. Its a Danish village with the BEST pastries. OR, you can go wine tasting in Santa Barbara as well.

screamingFit · Oct 19, 2006, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by natnabour

oh well aren't you mr. huff-puff.

LA isn't so bad. In fact, it's down right GREAT. Don't mind the superstardom and fake boobs.

what is it you wanted to do? San Diego is famous for Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park. Balboa Park is the second largest park in the nation (with Central Park being the first), it has aboug 7 museums, a green house, lily pond, rose garden...etc. Its also right across the San Diego Zoo. Right next to the park is this little place called ''Extraordinary Desserts'' that serves some of the BEST cakes, tarts, chocolate & pies I have ever tasted in my life. You can also catch a Padre's game at the new Padre stadium which is built literally on top of buildings in the Gas Lamp disctrict. You can also go to Coronado Island and spend the day shopping & walking around.

If you're in a more mellow mood, go to Solvang in Santa Barbara. Its a Danish village with the BEST pastries. OR, you can go wine tasting in Santa Barbara as well.

Guess I should of been more succinct in what I'm into, huh?

I'm not into going to any place I have to pay an admission. Or eating stuff. Or seeing games. Basically, old fart, boring stuff without a lot of people around. For example, when I was in the Northwest last October, I just drove from the tip of Washington down to San Francisco along the water camping along the way and thought it was the best vacation I ever had.

Solvang sounds more my style as does Balboa Park - which, sounds downright awesome.

Thanks for the tips!

residentEvil · Oct 19, 2006, 01:35 PM

so things you do not want to do:

drink unique wines, eat some good food, pay admission to see animals or art/history or sight see (tourist stuff).

hmmm...i guess you could sit in your room and watch TV?

residentEvil · Oct 19, 2006, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by natnabour

You can also catch a Padre's game at the new Padre stadium which is built literally on top of buildings in the Gas Lamp disctrict.

the padres play after their season is over?

itai195 · Oct 19, 2006, 01:39 PM

You could drive to Yosemite I suppose, tho it's getting cold for any camping. There are some other national parks around that area to visit. Or just drive up the coast from LA, maybe check out Big Sur if you have enough time. Personally I've never spent much time down in SoCal so I'm sure there are better suggestions. I do really like San Diego, but mostly for the touristy stuff you don't want to do (e.g. the old mission area and the San Diego Zoo).

In my experience, the desert east of LA can be pretty but it's the most boring place on earth. I used to have to go to Palmdale a lot on business, their biggest attraction is a Barnes & Noble.

RAILhead · Oct 19, 2006, 01:40 PM

Maybe sit in your car and read?

residentEvil · Oct 19, 2006, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

Maybe sit in your car and read?

exactly

screamingFit · Oct 19, 2006, 02:07 PM

Maybe instead I should be asking, "I'm going to Southern California and since it's a carbon copy of every other city, please tell me where to score some hallucinogenic drugs".

Some of us like being out in nature, seeing new and interesting things on the cheap and not huddling about with a bunch of tourists.

I can drink wine, eat food and see caged animals within 10 minutes of my front door. I'd like something different!

screamingFit · Oct 19, 2006, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by itai195

You could drive to Yosemite I suppose, tho it's getting cold for any camping. There are some other national parks around that area to visit. Or just drive up the coast from LA, maybe check out Big Sur if you have enough time. Personally I've never spent much time down in SoCal so I'm sure there are better suggestions. I do really like San Diego, but mostly for the touristy stuff you don't want to do (e.g. the old mission area and the San Diego Zoo).

In my experience, the desert east of LA can be pretty but it's the most boring place on earth. I used to have to go to Palmdale a lot on business, their biggest attraction is a Barnes & Noble.

Noted about the desert.

I was actually thinking Bug Sur might be interesting.

Thanks for the tips!

RAILhead · Oct 19, 2006, 02:10 PM

Right -- so sit outside on a rock and read.

residentEvil · Oct 19, 2006, 02:14 PM

Well, you can't go to the ocean/beach in Ferndale; you can't see the habors and their wildlife in Ferndale; you don't have to be with a group of tourists to enjoy driving through wine country (it is a lot different than Paw Paw or Traverse City). All those things are cheap (gas money is it).

There are several national parks in the area to hike and see trees and plants. Since you have so much time, check out local chamber of commerce websites in some of the smaller towns in the area for the things you do like.

screamingFit · Oct 19, 2006, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

Well, you can't go to the ocean/beach in Ferndale; you can't see the habors and their wildlife in Ferndale; you don't have to be with a group of tourists to enjoy driving through wine country (it is a lot different than Paw Paw or Traverse City). All those things are cheap (gas money is it).

There are several national parks in the area to hike and see trees and plants. Since you have so much time, check out local chamber of commerce websites in some of the smaller towns in the area for the things you do like.

Ocean, beach, harbors, wildlife : exactly some of the things I'm looking for!

Looking for advice like, "(Some place) along the coast or desert is absolutely breathtaking". Sorry I was so vage in my original post.