So, things are shaping up so that I might spend a couple of weeks in California this summer for leisurely travelling around. Nothing yet set on stone but it'll most probably involve being hq'ed in Davis, between SanFran and Sacramento, and hitting as many spots as possible in the area. There'll be a preference for outdoors kind of stuff, rather than urbanite things, although I guess that visiting LA and SanFran are a given.
Tips are more than welcome. :cheers:
Run down Route 1 for a day or two. You've seen it in the movies a million times, might as well see it for yourself.
You can try to get to Hearst Castle, that's a really cool stop.
Muir Woods would make a good daytrip from Davis. SF is hard to get a feel for from just a few days, but SFMOMA, Dolores Park (and the Spanish mission nearby), Golden Gate Park, and the Embarcadero are worth it. Alcatraz is nice (you get pretty much free rein on the island), but skippable.
LA is even harder to get a handle on. The LA County Art Museum, Hammer Museum, and the Tar Pits are right next to each other, so go there. Also Venice Beach and Disneyland or something.
Parts of Yosemite and Death Valley are amazing -- try to check out the sailing stones in DV if it's not too remote.
Next time I have to go out to Santa Barbara or Irvine I'm probably going to try to spend a day in Los Angeles (and fly into LAX instead of Santa Barbara or Orange County).
Quote from: Caliga on March 14, 2012, 06:50:51 AM
(and fly into LAX
Yuck. Faster to fly into JFK and take a taxi.
As Seedy said, take a day and drive down 1 at least to Hearst Castle. Do the vinyards and see how California viticulture saved French grapes. See the City (San Francisco) and wonder how you can be so cold in summer when the fog rolls in.
Quote from: Grinning_Colossus on March 14, 2012, 06:46:52 AM
Parts of Yosemite and Death Valley are amazing -- try to check out the sailing stones in DV if it's not too remote.
You're suggesting Death Valley in summer? :hmm:
My advice, stay coastal.
I've only been to California once, but from that trip I recommend going to Point Reyes National Seashore (in Marin County, North of SF). It was a true "the West Coast is actually as amazing as they say it is" moment.
Agree about the Pismo/SLO area idea. Also, you'll be right on top of Napa. It wouldn't make sense to skip it.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on March 14, 2012, 11:49:54 AM
Agree about the Pismo/SLO area idea.
So absolutely gorgeous there. My grandparents lived in Arroyo Grande for years, and my aunt and uncle still live in Morro Bay.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on March 14, 2012, 11:49:54 AM
Agree about the Pismo/SLO area idea. Also, you'll be right on top of Napa. It wouldn't make sense to skip it.
Pismo? SLO?
Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo, a few hours south of San Francisco along the coast. Beautiful area.
A bit north of the Golden Gate Bridge is the Redwood National Park or whatever its name is. Maybe a one-hour drive from the city and definitely worth it to see those gigantic trees. Of course Sequoia NP is even more interesting in that regard.
I second those suggesting Highway #1 along the Pacific.
If you venture further inland, cross the Tioga Pass in Yosemite.
Cool, thanks. :)
Besides Yosemite, what about other National Parks? Redwoods & sequoias anyone?
Edit: Zanza'ed.
Quote from: Zanza on March 14, 2012, 11:57:45 AM
A bit north of the Golden Gate Bridge is the Redwood National Park or whatever its name is. Maybe a one-hour drive from the city and definitely worth it to see those gigantic trees. Of course Sequoia NP is even more interesting in that regard.
There's Muir Woods but that's not quite the same. Redwood National Park is quite a bit further up.
That's the 2nd mention of Muir Woods, I'll have to check that.
Carmel to Big Sur coast (the Bixby Bridge stop)
Santa Cruz (so you can buy a UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs shirt)
Quote from: The Larch on March 14, 2012, 12:10:25 PM
That's the 2nd mention of Muir Woods, I'll have to check that.
Yeah, its like the close at hand Redwoods. Not as impressive but still pretty phenomenal.
Hopefully it is cooler than when Tricky Dick and I did the road trip up coast.
Quote from: PDH on March 14, 2012, 12:13:51 PM
Carmel to Big Sur coast (the Bixby Bridge stop)
Santa Cruz (so you can buy a UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs shirt)
I look forward towards dressing up like Vincent Vega.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffusionanomaly.net%2Fpulpfictionjulesvincentsantacruz.jpg&hash=bddcc93a85525d1adf1358b25d117e8e12a050a4)
When are you looking at being there Larch?
I need to head down to LA for Union dealings and want to go visit friends and family(which I have all through out the state)
If you're going to LA you might want to stretch it a little further and hit San Diego too. Sea World baby! And arguably the most beautiful women in America. Is the SEAL training base open to visitors?
Then stretch it just a little further and hit Tiajuana. Donkey show baby!
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 14, 2012, 03:39:59 PM
If you're going to LA you might want to stretch it a little further and hit San Diego too.
Definitely!
Quote from: katmai on March 14, 2012, 03:29:37 PM
When are you looking at being there Larch?
I need to head down to LA for Union dealings and want to go visit friends and family(which I have all through out the state)
2-3 weeks in July, precise dates still TBD.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 14, 2012, 03:39:59 PM
If you're going to LA you might want to stretch it a little further and hit San Diego too. Sea World baby! And arguably the most beautiful women in America. Is the SEAL training base open to visitors?
The base? probably not, but Coronado Island where it is located is Beautiful.
Quote from: The Larch on March 14, 2012, 03:45:48 PM
Quote from: katmai on March 14, 2012, 03:29:37 PM
When are you looking at being there Larch?
I need to head down to LA for Union dealings and want to go visit friends and family(which I have all through out the state)
2-3 weeks in July, precise dates still TBD.
Cool, I'm heading east coast for wedding first week of July and as it is such a pain leaving state, trying to get all my travels done that month, and finish with stop in Seattle to catch a Sounders game.
Quote from: katmai on March 14, 2012, 04:00:50 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 14, 2012, 03:45:48 PM
Quote from: katmai on March 14, 2012, 03:29:37 PM
When are you looking at being there Larch?
I need to head down to LA for Union dealings and want to go visit friends and family(which I have all through out the state)
2-3 weeks in July, precise dates still TBD.
Cool, I'm heading east coast for wedding first week of July and as it is such a pain leaving state, trying to get all my travels done that month, and finish with stop in Seattle to catch a Sounders game.
Coolness indeed. When would you be back from the east coast?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 14, 2012, 06:58:06 AM
Yuck. Faster to fly into JFK and take a taxi.
:hmm: Guy I work with flew into LAX and drove up to Santa Barbara last October. He said the traffic wasn't too bad once you clear Hollywood as long as you don't hit it at "the wrong time of day". :ph34r:
Quote from: Caliga on March 14, 2012, 06:32:37 PM
"the wrong time of day". :ph34r:
For LA, that's from 4am to 2am. :ph34r:
Is LA recommendable at all? There's quite a few places/cities I'd like to visit or things I'd like to do (like a roadtrip through the Deep South or the rural Midwest), but LA somehow is pretty far down my list.
Quote from: Syt on March 14, 2012, 10:46:03 PM
Is LA recommendable at all? There's quite a few places/cities I'd like to visit or things I'd like to do (like a roadtrip through the Deep South or the rural Midwest), but LA somehow is pretty far down my list.
Yes it is. Certainly more than those other two. :x
So, tell me ten things to see in L.A. before I die.
Quote from: katmai on March 14, 2012, 03:29:37 PM
When are you looking at being there Larch?
I need to head down to LA for Union dealings and want to go visit friends and family(which I have all through out the state)
Is this a euphemism for mafia hit?
Quote from: The Larch on March 14, 2012, 06:04:18 PM
Coolness indeed. When would you be back from the east coast?
Wedding is on 7th of July, i would rather read all of Lettow's posts then stay on East coast in July so probably be in Cali after 10th.
I have tons of friends and family, not to mention need to spend week on training classes for Cinematographers Guild in Burbank, so would be in Cali most of rest of July.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on March 15, 2012, 02:43:19 AM
Quote from: katmai on March 14, 2012, 03:29:37 PM
When are you looking at being there Larch?
I need to head down to LA for Union dealings and want to go visit friends and family(which I have all through out the state)
Is this a euphemism for mafia hit?
Nothing that exciting, have to take week of safety training classes for IATSE 600 union membership.
Quote from: katmai on March 15, 2012, 06:09:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 14, 2012, 06:04:18 PM
Coolness indeed. When would you be back from the east coast?
Wedding is on 7th of July, i would rather read all of Lettow's posts then stay on East coast in July so probably be in Cali after 10th.
I have tons of friends and family, not to mention need to spend week on training classes for Cinematographers Guild in Burbank, so would be in Cali most of rest of July.
Great, we'll keep in touch then, and maybe you could show us around LA, which seems to be a monster to navigate.
Also, I bow down to your superior knowledge of yanqui car rentals. For how much would a RV for a party of 4-6 people go? It'd be a couple of weeks plus mileage, right? I've seen estimations on the 3000 $ area.
I don't have much knowledge of RV rentals (the luxury have having one already :D)
I've rented them for work up here, and that sounds about right for Rentals here (but Alaska is usually more expensive then any other place in US, so not sure how compares to Cali)
CruiseAmerica (http://www.cruiseamerica.com) Is one of biggest national rv rental places i know of, are their prices comparable?
Quote from: katmai on March 15, 2012, 07:10:25 AM
I don't have much knowledge of RV rentals (the luxury have having one already :D)
I've rented them for work up here, and that sounds about right for Rentals here (but Alaska is usually more expensive then any other place in US, so not sure how compares to Cali)
CruiseAmerica (http://www.cruiseamerica.com) Is one of biggest national rv rental places i know of, are their prices comparable?
It was with them that I checked. :lol:
Quote from: jimmy olsen on March 15, 2012, 02:43:19 AM
Quote from: katmai on March 14, 2012, 03:29:37 PM
When are you looking at being there Larch?
I need to head down to LA for Union dealings and want to go visit friends and family(which I have all through out the state)
Is this a euphemism for mafia hit?
He's a union delegate.
Quote from: katmai on March 15, 2012, 07:10:25 AM
I don't have much knowledge of RV rentals (the luxury have having one already :D)
I've rented them for work up here, and that sounds about right for Rentals here (but Alaska is usually more expensive then any other place in US, so not sure how compares to Cali)
CruiseAmerica (http://www.cruiseamerica.com) Is one of biggest national rv rental places i know of, are their prices comparable?
How is driving in California, btw? Doable for a furriner?
I'd think so, only pain in the ass areas are LA and rush hour traffic in SF/SD areas. But you guys at least drive on the right side of the road.
Quote from: Syt on March 15, 2012, 12:04:34 AM
So, tell me ten things to see in L.A. before I die.
Venice Beach
Rodeo Drive
La Brea Tar Pits
Getty Museum
Griffith Observatory
LA Nightlife
Olvera Street
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Star Maps (:D)
See a concert at the Hollywood Bowl
And maybe as an honorable mention - Universal City Walk / Universal Studios (this one only occurred to me when I looked up how my list compared to published top ten lists)
Quote from: katmai on March 15, 2012, 11:19:48 AM
I'd think so, only pain in the ass areas are LA and rush hour traffic in SF/SD areas. But you guys at least drive on the right side of the road.
I'm not sure I understand the point of coming to California if one wasn't planning on driving. :D
Quote from: garbon on March 15, 2012, 12:53:47 PM
I'm not sure I understand the point of coming to California if one wasn't planning on driving. :D
No shit. What movie was it in where the guy from New York was out on a street in downtown LA, bitching about how a city this big could have no taxicabs?
You do understand that travelling in an RV will limit your urban mobility quite a bit, right Larchy?
An RV on lombard street would be fun.
I'm imaging an RV on Sunset trying to get onto the 405. Don't do that.
Quote from: The Larch on March 15, 2012, 07:03:24 AM
Quote from: katmai on March 15, 2012, 06:09:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 14, 2012, 06:04:18 PM
Coolness indeed. When would you be back from the east coast?
Wedding is on 7th of July, i would rather read all of Lettow's posts then stay on East coast in July so probably be in Cali after 10th.
I have tons of friends and family, not to mention need to spend week on training classes for Cinematographers Guild in Burbank, so would be in Cali most of rest of July.
Great, we'll keep in touch then, and maybe you could show us around LA, which seems to be a monster to navigate.
Also, I bow down to your superior knowledge of yanqui car rentals. For how much would a RV for a party of 4-6 people go? It'd be a couple of weeks plus mileage, right? I've seen estimations on the 3000 $ area.
Buddy of mine was the GM of an RV sales/rental place in Whitehorse. I talked to him about renting an RV once - it seemed just crazy expensive. We wound up buying a used one privately for only 2-3x what the single rental would have cost.
Rent an RV if you're set on seeing the countryside and a camping-like atmosphere. And I don't want to disparage RVing - I love my camper trailer and can't wait to get it out again in the spring. But If you want to see the urban areas forget an RV.
Too true, if just looking for something big enough for 6-7 people can get a large SUV or Pass Van for cheaper than the RV
A Boogie Nights custom pedo-van would be perfect for LA. THOSE ARE GREAT NAMES
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 15, 2012, 01:12:20 PM
You do understand that travelling in an RV will limit your urban mobility quite a bit, right Larchy?
Yup, totally aware of that, but as I previously said the main focus of the trip will most probably be outdoorsy stuff, with urban tourism being the exception rather than the rule.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 15, 2012, 12:57:42 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 15, 2012, 12:53:47 PM
I'm not sure I understand the point of coming to California if one wasn't planning on driving. :D
No shit. What movie was it in where the guy from New York was out on a street in downtown LA, bitching about how a city this big could have no taxicabs?
They are probably like Seattle, they -have- taxicabs, it's just that you actually have to call on the phone for them. :yucky:
Euro-hippies on Highway 1. They will fit right in. Remember, when in an RV on a two lane in California to never go faster than 40mph.
People in Cruise America RVs are my sworn enemy. Especially if they are Germans. :mad:
Is there even a stereotype for that? :lol:
Over here RV tourism is mstly associated with Germans and Dutchies.
Quote from: Tonitrus on March 15, 2012, 06:23:02 PM
People in Cruise America RVs are my sworn enemy. Especially if they are Germans. :mad:
No shit. It may be an RV, but they still drive those fuckers like they're on the Ukrainian steppes. PANZERGRUPPE WINNEBAGO
Quote from: The Larch on March 15, 2012, 05:11:44 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 15, 2012, 01:12:20 PM
You do understand that travelling in an RV will limit your urban mobility quite a bit, right Larchy?
Yup, totally aware of that, but as I previously said the main focus of the trip will most probably be outdoorsy stuff, with urban tourism being the exception rather than the rule.
Yeah but you'll really be limiting yourself all around at the speed you'll be traveling at. And won't most places require a large fee for your RV? I know Muir Woods has a cost even for passenger cars.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 04:37:27 AM
Quote from: Tonitrus on March 15, 2012, 06:23:02 PM
People in Cruise America RVs are my sworn enemy. Especially if they are Germans. :mad:
No shit. It may be an RV, but they still drive those fuckers like they're on the Ukrainian steppes. PANZERGRUPPE WINNEBAGO
I want to attach external speakers to mine and play the
Panzerlied now going town the road.
We get the Russian RV groups here. The come in, descend on the local Wal-Mart to buy camp stools and coolers, then head to the national/state parks to dump their waste and get trashed. Much like how they retook the Ukraine in 1943-44.
Quote from: garbon on March 16, 2012, 07:49:22 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 15, 2012, 05:11:44 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 15, 2012, 01:12:20 PM
You do understand that travelling in an RV will limit your urban mobility quite a bit, right Larchy?
Yup, totally aware of that, but as I previously said the main focus of the trip will most probably be outdoorsy stuff, with urban tourism being the exception rather than the rule.
Yeah but you'll really be limiting yourself all around at the speed you'll be traveling at. And won't most places require a large fee for your RV? I know Muir Woods has a cost even for passenger cars.
This is all still in a rough draft stage, nothing is set on stone yet. The RV thingie is still something we're considering, but we're not married to the idea. We have to put together all the pros and cons, and then decide. Hell, we don't have the final group of people yet! At the moment only 3 of us are committed to the plan.
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 16, 2012, 08:19:03 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 04:37:27 AM
Quote from: Tonitrus on March 15, 2012, 06:23:02 PM
People in Cruise America RVs are my sworn enemy. Especially if they are Germans. :mad:
No shit. It may be an RV, but they still drive those fuckers like they're on the Ukrainian steppes. PANZERGRUPPE WINNEBAGO
I want to attach external speakers to mine and play the Panzerlied now going town the road.
Fuck that. Jericho Trumpets on the bumper, like those silent deer whistles.
Quote from: The Larch on March 16, 2012, 03:37:54 AM
Is there even a stereotype for that? :lol:
Over here RV tourism is mstly associated with Germans and Dutchies.
:yes:
Tons of German RV tourists in Yukon. Generally seem pretty nice though.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 08:31:56 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 16, 2012, 08:19:03 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 04:37:27 AM
Quote from: Tonitrus on March 15, 2012, 06:23:02 PM
People in Cruise America RVs are my sworn enemy. Especially if they are Germans. :mad:
No shit. It may be an RV, but they still drive those fuckers like they're on the Ukrainian steppes. PANZERGRUPPE WINNEBAGO
I want to attach external speakers to mine and play the Panzerlied now going town the road.
Fuck that. Jericho Trumpets on the bumper, like those silent deer whistles.
:lol:
It is ridiculous how many Germans are at major American National Parks at any one time.
What did we blow up all of theirs or something?
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 08:53:46 AM
It is ridiculous how many Germans are at major American National Parks at any one time.
What did we blow up all of theirs or something?
When my mother's cousins came over from Der Vaterland a while back, they were so totally entranced with all of our parks. Hell, they were fascinated with our front yard. Chasing chipmunks with the camera and shit.
One of them explained that they simply no longer have the same amount of flora und fauna anymore. They're over fucking industrialized.
Quote from: The Larch on March 16, 2012, 08:23:08 AM
This is all still in a rough draft stage, nothing is set on stone yet. The RV thingie is still something we're considering, but we're not married to the idea. We have to put together all the pros and cons, and then decide. Hell, we don't have the final group of people yet! At the moment only 3 of us are committed to the plan.
Yeah, I'd just look up the attendant costs as even a larger end SUV might be a better bet - although if you actually want to do any sort of camping in the outdoors part...which is conceptually difficult for me. :D
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 08:56:35 AM
One of them explained that they simply no longer have the same amount of flora und fauna anymore. They're over fucking industrialized.
There's something to it. I doubt there's very many spots in Germany (or anywhere in Central Europe, for that matter) where you can stand, turn a 360° and not see anything man made - streets, houses, power lines etc.
Since our attempts to add a bit more
Lebensraum to our borders were kinda frowned upon, many now seek the wilderness of Canada, U.S., Scandiweenia during their vacations.
Quote from: Syt on March 16, 2012, 11:39:33 PM
Since our attempts to add a bit more Lebensraum to our borders were kinda frowned upon,
You people never do anything in moderation.
We had no Indians from whom to steal land. :(
:P
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 08:53:46 AM
It is ridiculous how many Germans are at major American National Parks at any one time.
What did we blow up all of theirs or something?
Germany looks like this:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fotografie.fabrik1design.de%2Fwp-content%2Fmyfotos%2Fgarzweiler%2Ftagebau_garzweiler_02.jpg&hash=05f4647d7a7d6e6b8c73eebbf3de8527ee7d7f46)
Or like this.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.me.com%2Fcdullo%2FWebsite%2FEDHK_-_EDXR_files%2FIMG_2659.jpg&hash=351f9f682c6efb0adcb97f2b47ae111fda0a765f)
Quote from: Zanza on March 17, 2012, 01:07:57 AM
Germany looks like this:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fotografie.fabrik1design.de%2Fwp-content%2Fmyfotos%2Fgarzweiler%2Ftagebau_garzweiler_02.jpg&hash=05f4647d7a7d6e6b8c73eebbf3de8527ee7d7f46)
The composition is very nice. :)
Both look nice. I admit most of the members of my family had a low opinion of Germany. Of course they visited back in the 1940's. I've heard some things have changed since then.
I'm told I family in Germany, but nobody has talked to them since the nineteenth century. A cousin of mine traced some of them to an area around a town called Ravensburg.
Quote from: Syt on March 17, 2012, 01:21:17 AM
Or like this.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.me.com%2Fcdullo%2FWebsite%2FEDHK_-_EDXR_files%2FIMG_2659.jpg&hash=351f9f682c6efb0adcb97f2b47ae111fda0a765f)
:yuk:
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 17, 2012, 12:14:37 AM
Quote from: Syt on March 16, 2012, 11:39:33 PM
Since our attempts to add a bit more Lebensraum to our borders were kinda frowned upon,
You people never do anything in moderation.
That is the key to the German character IMO, enthusiam. Their Greens are the greenest Greens, their hippies are the hippiest hippies and so on. Europe's tragedy is that when the fashion swung to jackbooted dictatorships they naturally had the "best" jackbooted dictatorship.
Reflecting on this it's a damn shame I only ever had one German girlfriend :P
Quote from: The Larch on March 14, 2012, 06:33:44 AM
Tips are more than welcome. :cheers:
Take the battlefield tours.
Quote from: katmai on March 17, 2012, 03:06:53 PM
Quote from: 11B4V on March 17, 2012, 02:30:16 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 14, 2012, 06:33:44 AM
Tips are more than welcome. :cheers:
Take the battlefield tours.
In California?
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fen%2F2%2F29%2FBattle_Los_Angeles_Poster.jpg&hash=d2ae0cce1be8264332ac76c9eff10f105d985dec)
:unsure:
Quote from: katmai on March 17, 2012, 03:06:53 PM
Quote from: 11B4V on March 17, 2012, 02:30:16 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 14, 2012, 06:33:44 AM
Tips are more than welcome. :cheers:
Take the battlefield tours.
In California?
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sandowbirk.com%2Ffiles%2Fgimgs%2F24_birkscan7.jpg&hash=7d8baba51e941a4cf6b5b1d4653eece50bf1cb13)
http://www.sandowbirk.com/paintings/the-great-war-of-the-californias/
Quote from: 11B4V on March 17, 2012, 05:17:26 PM
Quote from: katmai on March 17, 2012, 03:06:53 PM
Quote from: 11B4V on March 17, 2012, 02:30:16 PM
Quote from: The Larch on March 14, 2012, 06:33:44 AM
Tips are more than welcome. :cheers:
Take the battlefield tours.
In California?
Compton, Crawford, Downtown Oakland, etc.....
Altamont.
Richmond
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 17, 2012, 05:24:21 PM
Altamont.
Now that you mention it...are there any interesting events taking place in Cali during the month of July? Festivals? Fairs? Concerts?
Quote from: katmai on March 14, 2012, 04:00:50 PM
Cool, I'm heading east coast for wedding first week of July and as it is such a pain leaving state, trying to get all my travels done that month, and finish with stop in Seattle to catch a Sounders game.
My plan is coming together.
QuoteSounders FC announced Monday that it will host Chelsea FC of the English Premier League in a July 18 friendly at CenturyLink Field.
For the record, this is still on the table, but revamped, as the guys I was going to travel with bailed on me and I had to form a new coalition of the willing. My plan is now for the 2nd half of September, spending the first week between LA and SF, and everything in between, and the second week hitting the parks in the interior.
I was just wondering about this over the weekend.
Quote from: katmai on July 09, 2012, 04:15:45 PM
I was just wondering about this over the weekend.
Well, now you know! ;)
Ok, so this is shaping up quite nicely. Here's the prospective schedule:
- Arrival at LA. Couple of days to visit the city.
- Travel up tho coast through Route 1, stopping for a day or two along the way, at Santa Bárbara/Big Sur/SLO/Monterrey Bay.
- Arrival at SF. Another couple of days to visit the city.
- Stopover at Davis for a day.
From here on we'll start the "wilderness" part of the trip. Nothing set on stone, but we have the following plans:
- Visit to Tahoe.
- 2-3 days at Yosemite.
- 1 day at King's Canyon/Sequoia National Forest.
- Trip through Death Valley/Mojave.
- Visit to Joshua Tree/Salton Sea.
Thoughts? Tips? Big no-nos?
Why do you stop in Davis? That seems to be a nondescript mid-sized town...
Quote from: Zanza on July 15, 2012, 12:54:49 PM
Why do you stop in Davis? That seems to be a nondescript mid-sized town...
The friend we're visiting as an excuse for the trip lives there. :P
Drop Davis and do Napa/Santa Rosa. Do wine tasting most of the day, end up at Russian River Brewery in the evening for dinner and awesome 100% real American beer that is not yellow piss water. Bring your Davis friend.
Surely you will want to hit Death Valley *before* you head north? :huh:
Have you settled on ground transportation yet?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 15, 2012, 03:24:30 PM
Surely you will want to hit Death Valley *before* you head north? :huh:
Have you settled on ground transportation yet?
If he's flying back out from LA, then the way he's got it does sound good actually. He'll get to travel both highways 1 and 395, which are both amazing. 1 up, 395 down.
Ah, right.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 15, 2012, 03:24:30 PMHave you settled on ground transportation yet?
We're considering renting some kind of campervan instead of the RV, but I don't know if we can get the model we'd like over there. We'll have to scourge the websites of the rental companies.
Ideally we'd pick a VW California (formerly Westphalia) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_California (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_California)) kind of ride but it seems that their availability is limited in the US. What we're mainly looking for would be sleeping space for 4 people (the VW model has two bunk beds) and a built in kitchen.
Also, it's possible that for the 1st week we'd pick a normal car instead of a camper, but it'd depend on the possibility of picking up a camper in SF and dropping it in LA.
And it's done! Tickets have been bought, and I'll finally arrive to San Francisco on the 16th of September and will stay around until the 5th of October. It's on, baby!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db1LhWdo91I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db1LhWdo91I)
Don't be afraid to use your español. I've been to a few places where orange juice sells for $3 and jugo de naranja costs $2.
So what are your plans for all that time now?
Quote from: katmai on August 05, 2012, 02:13:01 PM
So what are your plans for all that time now?
Roughly the same, we'll do the same route I outlined earlier, but starting in SF and hitting the natural parks first and LA and the coast afterwards. We'll also have 3 extra days for SF and its area by the end of the route, as we'll have to go there by the 2nd of October to drop off the girl in our group becaue she has to come back to Spain earlier, so the other three of us get that extra time to goof off.
While in LA check out the beachside courts in Venice Beach. White Men Can't Jump territory.
If you and your campaneros decide to get a game, my advice is don't call any fouls. From my experience of street ball it's a great loss of face to call them.
Damn seems like just missing you in So Cal. Will be down there. Sep 14-24
Quote from: katmai on August 05, 2012, 04:24:52 PM
Damn seems like just missing you in So Cal. Will be down there. Sep 14-24
Not necessarily, we might be around LA for the end of that period. :)
katmai-Larch-Jaron meetup? :) (If you guys end up in Salt Lake City)
Quote from: Jaron on August 05, 2012, 10:33:18 PM
katmai-Larch-Jaron meetup? :) (If you guys end up in Salt Lake City)
Sorry I'm not Lettow, squee!
Better to end up dead than in Salt Lake City.
I don't think he's going that far east.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on August 06, 2012, 05:10:25 AM
I don't think he's going that far east.
Nope, we don't plan to leave Cali, and if we did it'd be to go to the Vegas/Grand Canyon route.
Ok guys, I need some advice. There's a plan brewing to try to attend a baseball game while we're there, so now we have to choose where to go. I can see that in SF there's the Giants and in LA the Dodgers, and both have games on while we're over there. Which would be a better option? We've also seen that the football season will also be on while we're there, but schedules don't match so nicely.
Both teams are doing fine this season. Given the choice I'd probably go for SF - their park seems a lot nicer. You may also want to consider The L.A. Angels of Anaheim or the Oakland A's.
But katmai and garbon are the experts (though I'm pretty sure they'll go for the Giants).
Of course, relocating both Dodgers and Giants in the 50s was a huge mistake by the MLB.
I imagine it's essentially impossible to get a ticket for a 49ers or Raiders game unless you want to sell a kidney to a scalper. You might however give thought to a high school football game.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 07, 2012, 07:21:57 AM
I imagine it's essentially impossible to get a ticket for a 49ers or Raiders game unless you want to sell a kidney to a scalper. You might however give thought to a high school football game.
Or college football- I bet tickets are relatively cheap on the West Coast. Options include University of Southern California, UCLA, Cal, or Stanford.
Quote from: stjaba on August 07, 2012, 07:30:49 AM
Or college football- I bet tickets are relatively cheap on the West Coast. Options include University of Southern California, UCLA, Cal, or Stanford.
You think those guys are going to have empty seats?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 07, 2012, 07:55:27 AM
Quote from: stjaba on August 07, 2012, 07:30:49 AM
Or college football- I bet tickets are relatively cheap on the West Coast. Options include University of Southern California, UCLA, Cal, or Stanford.
You think those guys are going to have empty seats?
Yep. All those programs, with the exception of Stanford, had an average attendance of below capacity in their home stadiums last year. http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2012/01/02/Research-and-Ratings/Attendence.aspx
In my experience, it's pretty easy to get tickets to non-marquee matchups in college football.
The good thing about baseball for our purposes is that there are so many friggin matches that it's not a problem at all to find a day that suits us, while with football it's much more difficult. I mean, with the Giants we have 3 or 4 days that we can choose from, with football games we have 1 if we're lucky.
Quote from: The Larch on August 07, 2012, 07:12:12 AM
Ok guys, I need some advice. There's a plan brewing to try to attend a baseball game while we're there, so now we have to choose where to go. I can see that in SF there's the Giants and in LA the Dodgers, and both have games on while we're over there. Which would be a better option? We've also seen that the football season will also be on while we're there, but schedules don't match so nicely.
You are missing other baseball teams in California: the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Angels, and the Oakland As. Although the two teams that would be the best to see due to fan interest (and the fact they don't suck this year) are the Giants and Dodgers. But look at those other teams if scheduling is tight.
Speaking as a baseball fan, keep in mind that baseball is an acquired taste. Also there are 162 games in a year. Baseball fans are laid back--the greatest team in history is going to lose 50 or so games a year so no one gets bent out of shape over a single game. California fans in particular are especially laid back, with a reputation of showing up in the 3rd inning and leaving after the 7th. So don't expect to walk into a Real Madrid - Barca atmosphere.
Football is a lot more passionate and would be more exciting for the uninitiated--if you can only squeeze in one I'd give preference to college football over baseball. Those games are played on Saturday, and there are a number of teams in California.
Also, you should try to make time to go to some beaches in Southern California.
The Rangers will be in Anaheim Sept 18 - 20 for three games with the Angels. By that time, the Rangers might have pissed away the remainder of their lead in the division.
The Giants, Dodgers, Angels, and A's are all doing well (they all have 58-59 wins right now, I believe) this year. Schedules:
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/schedule/SF
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/schedule/LAD
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/schedule/LAA
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/schedule/OAK
The Padres suuuuuuck e:but I suppose I shouldn't leave them out:
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/schedule/SD
The Padres are initially out as we don't plan to go that far south. The Athletics and the Angels I don't know, how easily accessible are their stadiums from SF or LA?
So far I think our best bet are the Giants against the Rockies, as they play three games between the 17th and the 19th..
Quote from: The Larch on August 07, 2012, 09:36:52 AM
The Padres are initially out as we don't plan to go that far south. The Athletics and the Angels I don't know, how easily accessible are their stadiums from SF or LA?
So far I think our best bet are the Giants against the Rockies, as they play three games between the 17th and the 19th..
Sounds like a plan. Just in case though, the A's should have a BART stop for their place, so shouldn't be bad to get to at all, although...uh...it's Oakland, which sucks. Garbon should be able to tell you about BART in the general area, I would think. Anaheim is off of I-5, and is a suburb of LA. In Orange County. Disneyland is there. I don't remember it being any more or less difficult to get to than anywhere else in the LA area. vOv
Quote from: The Larch on August 07, 2012, 09:36:52 AM
The Padres are initially out as we don't plan to go that far south. The Athletics and the Angels I don't know, how easily accessible are their stadiums from SF or LA?
So far I think our best bet are the Giants against the Rockies, as they play three games between the 17th and the 19th..
They should all be accessible. The Giants have a much nicer stadium than the As, much better fan support, and are in contention this year. I'd go there unless there is a scheduling problem.
A's is accessible by BART stop though google seems to suggest you'd have to walk a bit as you have to walk from the stop around most of the length of the stadium.
Giants is probably better for convenience although suckily the only easy transport there is by bus. Pretty easy to walk there from downtown SF though (~20 minutes). There is a trolley type service that runs to it, but isn't the most convenient as it curves a fair bit out of the way and unless you arrive right as it is taking off - time is comparable to walking. Can't vouch for Oakland but stadium for Giants is in a nice yuppie area.
Quote from: alfred russel on August 07, 2012, 08:55:11 AM
Football is a lot more passionate and would be more exciting for the uninitiated--if you can only squeeze in one I'd give preference to college football over baseball. Those games are played on Saturday, and there are a number of teams in California.
Plus with football your get cheerleaders. :perv:
With baseball all you get is a guy in a furry suit.
Quote from: alfred russel on August 07, 2012, 10:16:05 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 07, 2012, 09:36:52 AM
The Padres are initially out as we don't plan to go that far south. The Athletics and the Angels I don't know, how easily accessible are their stadiums from SF or LA?
So far I think our best bet are the Giants against the Rockies, as they play three games between the 17th and the 19th..
They should all be accessible. The Giants have a much nicer stadium than the As, much better fan support, and are in contention this year. I'd go there unless there is a scheduling problem.
It seems to be the more convenient team to watch, as the stadium is also quite close to the city center, so we don't have to go somewhere in the podunks to get there.
How much would the tickets go for? We want to go there mainly for the atmosphere and the experience, so we don't need to get the best seats, just something affordable where we can reasonably get to see the game and have a good time.
Baseball tickets are generally alot cheaper though.
Quote from: The Larch on August 07, 2012, 10:55:09 AM
so we don't have to go somewhere in the podunks to get there.
There aren't really any podunks in that area. :D
/Dodger Stadium is basically downtown LA. So you've a wealth of options.
Go to see the Giants.
- The DH-less National League is by far superior.
- The Giants park is only a couple of years old and supposed to be one of the nicest in baseball. No shot at the classic Dodger stadium, but AT&T park is top notch.
Quote from: The Larch on August 07, 2012, 10:55:09 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on August 07, 2012, 10:16:05 AM
Quote from: The Larch on August 07, 2012, 09:36:52 AM
The Padres are initially out as we don't plan to go that far south. The Athletics and the Angels I don't know, how easily accessible are their stadiums from SF or LA?
So far I think our best bet are the Giants against the Rockies, as they play three games between the 17th and the 19th..
They should all be accessible. The Giants have a much nicer stadium than the As, much better fan support, and are in contention this year. I'd go there unless there is a scheduling problem.
It seems to be the more convenient team to watch, as the stadium is also quite close to the city center, so we don't have to go somewhere in the podunks to get there.
How much would the tickets go for? We want to go there mainly for the atmosphere and the experience, so we don't need to get the best seats, just something affordable where we can reasonably get to see the game and have a good time.
Cheapest seems to be in 10-25$ range. Depends who's the opposition.
Quote from: garbon on August 07, 2012, 10:31:43 AM
A's is accessible by BART stop though google seems to suggest you'd have to walk a bit as you have to walk from the stop around most of the length of the stadium.
Giants is probably better for convenience although suckily the only easy transport there is by bus. Pretty easy to walk there from downtown SF though (~20 minutes). There is a trolley type service that runs to it, but isn't the most convenient as it curves a fair bit out of the way and unless you arrive right as it is taking off - time is comparable to walking. Can't vouch for Oakland but stadium for Giants is in a nice yuppie area.
Oakland's stadium is very close to BART. It's one stop from the Oakland airport IIRC and you can see it from the the train. Riding that line also gives you a wonderful panorama of creative graffiti. It's not in the kind of neighborhood you get with AT&T Park. :P
Shock. :D
Any news on a new park for the A's? They've been talking about it for some time, no?
It's also kinda funny--Oakland stadium has these two enormous banners on it, one for the A's and one for the Raiders. The green one says Oakland Athletics, World Champions 1972, 1973, 1974, 1989. The Raiders banner just says "a tradition of excellence" or something like that. :P
Dodger's stadium is the one with the fan asshole problem in the parking lot, right?
I think this will be an awesome trip.
Try to speak Spanish to the local speakers when you come across them, and let us know how appalled you are.
Quote from: alfred russel on August 07, 2012, 03:19:23 PM
Try to speak Spanish to the local speakers when you come across them, and let us know how appalled you are.
:D
Los Gigantes de San Francisco!
AT&T park is nicest of the 4 you are thinking about going to. All 4 teams are doing well atm and by that time will be near end of season so will be fighting for playoff spot.
Ed- it is recommended if Dodger fan not to be wearing their jersey in SF and vice versa if at Chavez Ravine in LA.
Quote from: katmai on August 07, 2012, 03:24:43 PM
Ed- it is recommended if Dodger fan not to be wearing their jersey in SF and vice versa if at Chavez Ravine in LA.
One dude was beaten to death a while back for wearing Giants colors. There was probably some smack-talking as well behind that story.
If you mean the story from last year he thankfully didn't die and is recovering slowly.
Quote from: katmai on August 07, 2012, 03:45:33 PM
If you mean the story from last year he thankfully didn't die and is recovering slowly.
Yeah the one that was in the news. Glad he didn't die.
Quote from: alfred russel on August 07, 2012, 03:19:23 PM
I think this will be an awesome trip.
Try to speak Spanish to the local speakers when you come across them, and let us know how appalled you are.
I already assume that local Spanish speakers will only be marginally more understandable to me than the rest of the population. :lol:
Whew, if we do somehow meet up I won't even try butchering the mother language and stick with English. :P
I should ask Tricky Dick to see if he found any language barrier when dealing with colonials, it's a similar situation after all. :P
:lol:
Damn!
Quote2nd Yosemite-related hantavirus death prompts campsite closures
Yosemite officials send warnings to 1,700 recent visitors and begin rolling closures and cleaning of some cabins in Curry Village.
A second hantavirus death has prompted partial closures of a popular Yosemite National Park campsite and warnings to 1,700 recent visitors as officials try to understand what is being characterized as an "unprecedented" outbreak of the disease.
After learning that a Pennsylvania visitor's death was caused by hantavirus, Yosemite officials sent emails Monday evening to those who stayed in the "signature tent cabins" in Curry Village between mid-June and late August, said park spokesman Scott Gediman. Letters were sent to visitors whose email addresses were not on record.
The fatality marked the third confirmed case of the rare rodent-borne disease linked to the park — last week, park officials said a 37-year-old Bay Area man had died and an Inland Empire woman in her 40s was recovering after being exposed to the virus. Park officials believe there may be a fourth case but had yet to receive confirmation Tuesday.
All four stayed separately at the signature tent cabins in June, Gediman said. Officials have traced the outbreak to deer mouse droppings in the area.
We were probably going to stay on that campsite (although not on those tents). :ph34r:
You don't have to sleep in the park. Plenty of nice places nearby. Mammoth Lakes is probably the best, but there's also Mariposa on the Cali side.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on August 29, 2012, 04:24:46 PM
You don't have to sleep in the park. Plenty of nice places nearby. Mammoth Lakes is probably the best, but there's also Mariposa on the Cali side.
We'll be staying at least 3 days in the park and want to make the most of it, so sleeping inside the park seems to be the best option for us. It's not expensive at all.
Btw, how feasible/worthwile would be a detour to see the Grand Canyon? One of the group members is HUGE on it and is trying to convince us to make an effort to visit it. Doing a rough calculation I'd say it's a 2 day detour if we go from the Death Valley-Mojave area straight at it, about 7 hours in each direction, so it'd be kinda tough for a relatively short visit.
Quote from: The Larch on August 29, 2012, 06:31:12 PM
Btw, how feasible/worthwile would be a detour to see the Grand Canyon? One of the group members is HUGE on it and is trying to convince us to make an effort to visit it. Doing a rough calculation I'd say it's a 2 day detour if we go from the Death Valley-Mojave area straight at it, about 7 hours in each direction, so it'd be kinda tough for a relatively short visit.
If you can stretch that night before over to Vegas, you could probably bag it in a day trip.
Or if you're ballin', do a one-day helicopter tour from LV.
Luggage prepared (I think I've packed too much stuff), ready for the trip. Tomorrow I leave for Madrid and on sunday we'll go from there to SF via Washington. I'm getting goosebumps. :ph34r:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIqESwzCGg4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIqESwzCGg4)
Have so much fun. :)
Have a good time! :hug:
Well being a spaniard you will be accustom to the temps so cal is going through now. :P
Quote from: katmai on September 14, 2012, 06:02:40 PM
Well being a spaniard you will be accustom to the temps so cal is going through now. :P
Heh, well, SF seems to be around the 60s at night at this point so we'll have to carry something thick for the plane trip. :p
Seriously, switch to Celcius. Geez.
SF is almost always breezy.
Oh and keep that metric propaganda out of California! :mad:
Quote from: The Larch on September 14, 2012, 06:38:29 PM
Seriously, switch to Celcius. Geez.
No thanks. Our bodies can't handle Celsius temperatures in the 60s and 70s.
According to wiki only the USA, Liberia and Burma haven't officially adopted the metrical system. Get on with it, chop chop.
Your douche is showing.
And don't get me started on miles, pounds and gallons!
Be sure to lecture the largest American you meet on that.
I already got a Cali girl to support metrification. :lol:
Quote from: The Larch on September 14, 2012, 06:58:59 PM
the USA, Liberia and Burma
AKA the "Axis of Awesome" :cool:
No fucking way I go metric. Counting by 10s is tough.
Meter is no problem. It's a yard give or take. No freakin' clue about that celcius nonsense.
Quote from: The Larch on September 14, 2012, 06:58:59 PM
According to wiki only the USA, Liberia and Burma haven't officially adopted the metrical system. Get on with it, chop chop.
I thought the US did officially adopt the metric system. It just didn't make it
mandatory.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 15, 2012, 01:50:58 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 14, 2012, 06:58:59 PM
According to wiki only the USA, Liberia and Burma haven't officially adopted the metrical system. Get on with it, chop chop.
I thought the US did officially adopt the metric system. It just didn't make it mandatory.
It says it's used in science, in the military and partially in industry, but not at the household level, where customary units still prevail for most stuff.
Anyway, I'm leaving. See you on the other side (of the Atlantic)! :w00t:
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 15, 2012, 01:33:35 AM
Meter is no problem. It's a yard give or take. No freakin' clue about that celcius nonsense.
Celsius scale makes much more sense for daily use conceptually, as zero is the water freezing temperature. Of course nothing beats the force of habit - to be Fahrenheit scale is completely nonsensical too.
Quote from: Martinus on September 15, 2012, 04:14:50 AM
Celsius scale makes much more sense for daily use conceptually, as zero is the water freezing temperature. Of course nothing beats the force of habit - to be Fahrenheit scale is completely nonsensical too.
Fahrenheit's smaller degrees gives it the edge IMO. Easier to conceptualize a difference in temperatures when the gap is nearly twice as large.
Quote from: The Larch on September 15, 2012, 03:55:58 AM
It says it's used in science, in the military and partially in industry, but not at the household level, where customary units still prevail for most stuff.
Anyway, I'm leaving. See you on the other side (of the Atlantic)! :w00t:
Eh, we use it all the time for everyday consumer stuff. Household level and everything.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 15, 2012, 05:43:48 AM
Quote from: The Larch on September 15, 2012, 03:55:58 AM
It says it's used in science, in the military and partially in industry, but not at the household level, where customary units still prevail for most stuff.
Anyway, I'm leaving. See you on the other side (of the Atlantic)! :w00t:
Eh, we use it all the time for everyday consumer stuff. Household level and everything.
Yeah, most of our products are labeled in both.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on September 15, 2012, 04:28:17 AM
Quote from: Martinus on September 15, 2012, 04:14:50 AM
Celsius scale makes much more sense for daily use conceptually, as zero is the water freezing temperature. Of course nothing beats the force of habit - to be Fahrenheit scale is completely nonsensical too.
Fahrenheit's smaller degrees gives it the edge IMO. Easier to conceptualize a difference in temperatures when the gap is nearly twice as large.
Also once you've learned 32 is the freezing point, not conceptually hard to master.
Quote from: garbon on September 15, 2012, 08:58:57 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on September 15, 2012, 04:28:17 AM
Quote from: Martinus on September 15, 2012, 04:14:50 AM
Celsius scale makes much more sense for daily use conceptually, as zero is the water freezing temperature. Of course nothing beats the force of habit - to be Fahrenheit scale is completely nonsensical too.
Fahrenheit's smaller degrees gives it the edge IMO. Easier to conceptualize a difference in temperatures when the gap is nearly twice as large.
It isn't hard to do the math either, if you know the boiling point is 212. Although it is easier to go from celcius to fahrenheit.
Also once you've learned 32 is the freezing point, not conceptually hard to master.
I agree even though your use of quotes was horrendous.
Quick update from Cali! I'm at picturesque 29 Palms, right next to Joshua tree NP, and tomorrow we'll get to LA. So far so good, having a blast over here. :)
Quote from: The Larch on September 27, 2012, 01:24:34 AM
Quick update from Cali! I'm at picturesque 29 Palms, right next to Joshua tree NP, and tomorrow we'll get to LA. So far so good, having a blast over here. :)
:thumbsup:
Good to hear Larchie.
Just arrived in lA, turns out our hostel is located right into little seoul or something. We're surrounded by yis.
Btw, after braving the LA access freeways nothing scares me about driving anymore. Driving into Death valley was less stressful.
:lol:
You should be safe if rioting breaks out. :)
Did we ever get a proper AAR for this? How did it go? :)
Quote from: alfred russel on November 08, 2012, 11:03:51 PM
Did we ever get a proper AAR for this? How did it go? :)
It was great! Nope, you didn't get a proper AAR, will get to do one when I have a bit more time. :)