We all have out of town guests, & this is the regular question. To get the ball rolling, here's my list prepared for another forum. I'm a Ford guy, so some of my list leans in that direction.
What do you recommend to out of town guests?
-Eat at
In-N-Out while you're here. It's just a drive thru burger joint, but it's part of being in California. If the menu seems too short, ask for a 4x4 if you're hungry, the Flying Dutchman for an odd surprise, or Fries Animal Style just because. Whatever you do, don't leave the empty box in your car.
-
Catalina Island -Sort of touristy, but, then again, you are a tourist.
The
boat (1 hour) or the
helicopter (15 minutes) leaves from Long Beach. Everything is pretty much within walking distance, with the exception of the helicopter pad (I've walked it, but it's a good walk). If you take the helicopter, there are taxis available to get into town. At the North end just barely outside of town there's
Descanso Beach which is cool for kicking back (There's an open air bar on the beach) or kayaking. Back to middle & South side of town there's parasailing, glass bottom boats, flying fish boats after dark, snorkeling, restaurants overlooking the ocean, golf cart rentals (The primary form of transportation in Avalon), & Big Olaf's ice cream. Check to be sure whatever your interested in is running currently (More stuff is usually open in the warmer months).
Live camera feed. (We used to provide support for a swing dance camp there every year, & got to goof off after it was over. It was a lot of fun.)
-
Queen Mary -In Long Beach, you can tour the ship, & they have a Russian sub there too. If you're not really into these sort of things, it's a little dull.
-
Petersen Automotive Museum -I've haven't been yet, but friends say it's good.
-
Speedzone -Timed driving of small race cars on a dragstrip or road course. Mini Indy cars & mini 70mph dragsters.
-
Irwindale Speedway -
1/2 Mile Oval on Saturday nights ($15 General, $25 reserved) & the
1/8 Mile Dragstrip on Thursday nights ($10 to watch, $20 to run. I suppose the rental car company wouldn't approve).
-
Medievil Times -Dinner & show with knights jousting.
-
Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino -Sort of far, but I enjoyed it. Eat at
Flo's if you go.
-
Sea World -Down in San Diego. Big fish type critters.
-Skiing or snowboarding in
Wrightwood or
Big Bear during the Winter.
-
Huntington Beach -Beach, pier & small town. Usually something going on. Looks like they're doing
Surf City Nights on Tuesdays.
Wahoo's fish tacos.
-
Santa Monica.
Pier &
beach. Usually some surfers in the water.
Live pier camera
-
Warner Brothers Studios tour. $48 for a 2-1/2 hour tour in 2010. The tour varies day to day depending on what's being filmed.
-
Universal Citywalk is interesting (If you want to see lots of people) & free if you don't buy anything, except for the $10 to park. [Grandpa McCoy voice]
That's where them youngfolk go & just hang around. [/voice]
-Pasadena's
Rose Parade.
December 31/Jan 1 (Unless the 1st is on Sunday, then it's Jan 2). Camp overnight on the curb & watch a parade with a million of your closest friends. Or buy
grandstand seating & be above the crowd.
-
NHRA Drag Racing at Pomona -
February & November. There's nothing like the sound of a wide open top fuel dragster. We could hear them from our house when we lived about 8 miles away.
-Nascar racing at the
Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.
February & October.
-
Fabulous Fords Forever. In April. All Ford car show at Knott's Berry Farm. Some of our local FSBs are usually in the show. Well worth going if you're here at the right time.
-
LA County Fair -In Pomona. If you like fairs, this is the bigun.
September 4 - October 3, 2010. NHRA drag racing museum, old trains, live concerts, a bunch of exhibit buildings, animals, rides, Mexican village, garden stuff, fine arts, barkpark (With dog stunt shows), blacksmiths, & on & on.
The usual theme parks
-
Knotts Berry Farm -Personal preference. Has the ghost town & old west stuff as well as rides. Ghost rider :thumbup.
-
Disneyland/California Adventure -It's Disneyland, what more can you say?
-
Six Flags Magic Mountain -I haven't been on X2 yet, but X1 was something else:shocked. X2 is supposed to be more so. Lots of other good rides too.
-
Universal Studios. -Movie making stuff & rides. Haven't been in years. That's where Citywalk is located.
And there's ThingsToDo.com for
LA,
Orange County,
San Diego , or the
Inland Empire all close enough to drive to, depending on your time.
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