Quote:
Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan
You obviously should stop in SF on your way. The whole bay is nice, but the city is a lot of fun and there are great restaurants everywhere and fun watering holes. I still recommend doing the Alcatraz tour, but you need a few hours and probably should buy your tickets in advance. Fisherman's Wharf is really touristy, so beware.
|
Just expanding on this, I think going to the Tues/Thurs/Sat farmers market (pier ~13? or so) is one of the best cultural experiences in the city. That the the mission. Fisherman's Wharf is a bit of a dog and pony show.
On LA, just quick notes... Santa Monica is my fav part of the area, note that parking garages (free/cheap) on 3rd street might be completely full but then go down 1 street to 2nd and they are 50% occupied. Kind of funny how that is. Obviously, the promenade and pier are both really popular and fun. There is a Italian place down PCH that, when we went, saw a lot of celebs. On the outside it looked really ordinary; go inside and you are a can of sardines with famous hollywood people. Funny how that is.
Around UCLA, tons of food to eat at collage prices. My girlfriend did undergrad/grad school there so she knew all the great places to go. The most popular is this cookie ice cream sandwhich that has mile long lines even at 1am. No idea why. Seems other UC's and now Stanford picked up that chain and ridiculousness. Bella Pita makes a really good medaterrainian (wowosha?) burger... thats my personal fav. I'm told the 3 things to try in LA... Tito's Taco's (West LA).... dang forget the other 2, have to ask my girlfriend.