L.A./Orange County/San Diego advice

[Ace]

Will be heading to California in early May. Staying in Irvine. May take a day trip to San Diego.

Any SJ.com tips on must sees, dos and eats while in the area?

 

[Songbird]

Belmont Shore in Long Beach. Bring an orange roundie and shoot around awhile at Horny Corner then go kick off the shoes and lounge in front of the bay.

 

[ChrisLong]

I live in Irvine. PM me if you want. There is nothing interesting in Irvine (except the Spectrum, which is all national chain restaurants), but it is central to most everything. Angel Stadium and Honda Center are 10 miles north, Dodger Stadium/Staples Center 40 miles north but bad traffic all the way. Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach are few miles west. San Diego (Petco Park, SD Zoo) about 80 miles south. Of course, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm are close by. Santa Monica (my hometown) is 50 miles north and the city is virtual gridlock most of the time. It is a beautiful drive from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara (about 100 miles) on Pacific Coast Highway.

 

[Songbird]

Definitely the drive up the coast as the full moon bounces off the Pacific. I'd take that ride all the way up to about SLO, even Paso Robles, spend the night, then drive back in the morning.

Few things in life sexier than driving the California coast. Roll down the windows, Turn up the volume.

 

[Buck]

If you in San Diego area, I recommend Stone Brewery in North County and Taylor Guitar factory in El Cajon.

 

[Buck]

In San Diego itself, marina tour and the Whaley House.

 

[ChrisLong]

I know the OC Register has a lot of crap in it, but the restaurant critic, Brad Johnson, is highly thought of, so you might spend some time at ocregister.com to get some tips on restaurants.

 

[SnarkShark]

If it's really early May, maybe head up to Santa Anita for Kentucky Derby Day.

 

[Huggy]

Hodad's in Ocean Beach for burgers, Balboa Island, the Fisherman's restaurant on the pier at San Clemente.

 

[Songbird]

Neptune's Net in Malibu.

 

[Buck]

Ace, you gotta pick an area an stick to it.
If you're trying to hit places between San Diego and Malibu, you'll spend most of your time driving and very little time enjoying anything.

 

[MileHigh]

CLong hit the high notes. Definitely no need to go inland too far as in the IE. Thumbs up for the Santa Anita recommendation. Close to good spots in Pasadena. And, yes, the traffic will suck ass.

 

[Buck]

If you are in Anaheim, do not eat Zito's Pizza, which is hands-down the worst pizza I have ever eaten.

I'd rather get kicked in the testicles.

 

[Ace]

So no San Diego and no testicle kicking. Thanks. Keep 'em coming. Staying in Irvine to piggyback on wife's business trip and will have 20-year-old son and his girlfriend along.

 

[Vombatus]

Ditch the wife and son, bang the girlfriend.

 

[WriteThinking]

Just hit up Disneyland and the beach. I'd suggest the boardwalks/nearby beach communities in either Huntington Beach or Laguna Beach.

That'll be enough for a short, busy time span, you'll be able to do it without having to go crazy driving, and you'll all have a nice time.

 

[Ace]

Ditch the wife and son, bang the girlfriend.

Dang. I had the over/under on that post at two postings.

 

[Buck]

So no San Diego and no testicle kicking. Thanks. Keep 'em coming. Staying in Irvine to piggyback on wife's business trip and will have 20-year-old son and his girlfriend along.

I'm pro-San Diego. I'm just saying it isn't as convenient as might look on a map from Orange County.

I went to a fantastic carneceria in Santa Ana, but I don't remember the name.

 

[BB Bobcat]

If you want to go to San diego you can take Amtrak down there pretty easily. It's a nice ride along the ocean and the train lets you off either right in old town or in the heart of downtown SD. It's like $18 each way.

 

[Songbird]

I vote Long Beach, with the Queen Mary, the aquarium, great food, Horny Corner, 2nd Street -- full day. 25 minutes up the 405.