The Official "Explore Southern California!" Thread

[DznyGrlSD]

Here's my take on the LA/Hollywood Experience tour:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...sney-land-may-2013.879292/page-2#post-5895056

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

Has anyone visited JPL in Pasadena? The hubby brought up the idea, and it sounds like a neat and unique excursion.

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/tours/views/

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Has anyone visited JPL in Pasadena? The hubby brought up the idea, and it sounds like a neat and unique excursion.

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/tours/views/

I didn't even know they offered tours, but it sounds cool!

 

[ddbowdoin]

Man, this thread is awesome.

We decided against anything too formal for our upcoming visit. We had planned 4 days at the parks but now we bumped it to a 5 day hopper, the price difference was like 22 a head, so 44 dollars.

My wife and I decided against making a day of touring SoCal. Everything seemed a little stretched out and we decided that we would return for another vacation in the future. She spent a week in wine country two years ago so she wants to go back.

I think what we'll do is fly into LAX, see SoCal with the rental car, one day at DL, drive the coastal highway, make our ways to San Fran to visit the Disney family museum, see Sonoma and then fly out of SFO back to Boston.

 

[Figments Friend]

I think what we'll do is fly into LAX, see SoCal with the rental car, one day at DL, drive the coastal highway, make our ways to San Fran to visit the Disney family museum, see Sonoma and then fly out of SFO back to Boston.

Sounds like my first West Coast trip, but i flew into Long Beach instead ( AWESOME small airport....a must in the future!)
Not sure about now, but Jet Blue used to fly nonstop from Beantown to Long Beach. Worth checking out whenever you decide to return.

Anyway, you two will absolutely love the coastal highway drive. Nothing like it and the views are pretty spectacular up on those cliffs.
San Fran is a must...glad you are visiting...and the Disney Family Museum. A place well worth spending some hours enjoying.

Have a great time !

 

[ddbowdoin]

Sounds like my first West Coast trip, but i flew into Long Beach instead ( AWESOME small airport....a must in the future!)
Not sure about now, but Jet Blue used to fly nonstop from Beantown to Long Beach. Worth checking out whenever you decide to return.

Anyway, you two will absolutely love the coastal highway drive. Nothing like it and the views are pretty spectacular up on those cliffs.
San Fran is a must...glad you are visiting...and the Disney Family Museum. A place well worth spending some hours enjoying.

Have a great time !

Unfortunately that's a future trip, nothing planned officially. I was saying if I'm going to explore CA it's a separate trip on its own.

 

[Californian Elitist]

What?: Cinespia: Hollywood Forever Cemetery Screening

Where?: Los Angeles, California

How far from Disneyland?: Roughly thirty miles away, with at least a thirty-five minute drive.

How much?: It depends.

Film is a part of California culture, especially Los Angeles. The Hollywood Forever Cemetery occasionally hosts movie screenings. It's a real cemetery and, as you can guess, lots of celebrities are buried there. Cinespia hosts the screenings. Tickets are usually twelve dollars, but I believe the price fluctuates, depending on the movie. If you go, bring a chair or a blanket, be one with the locals and enjoy the movie.

"Heerreee's Johnny!"

 

[Californian Elitist]

What?: Broadway Historic Theater and Commercial District Walking Tour (phew)

Where?: Broadway Theater District (Downtown Los Angeles)

How far from Disneyland?: Roughly twenty-five plus miles away, with at least a thirty-five minute drive

How much?: Ten dollars for adults and five dollars for children

The Broadway Historic Theater is a block of old movie palaces in Downtown Los Angeles. It is apparently the only group of movie palaces left in the United States. There are twelve palaces that stretch along six blocks. In (for the most part) chronological order, the theaters are as follows:

Cameo Theater (1910)
Arcade Theater (1910)
Palace Theater (1911)
Globe Theater (1913)
Rialto Theater (1917)
Million Dollar Theater (1918)
Loew's State Theater (1921)
Orpheum Theater (1926)
Tower Theater (1927)
United Artists Theater (1927)
Los Angeles Theater (1931)
Roxie Theater (1932)

There are other surrounding theaters as well, including Warner Bros. Downtown Theater, Olympic Theater, Mayan Theater and the Belasco Theater.

Some of the theaters have been converted into stores or clubs. Others, like the Los Angeles and the Orpehum are used for other things, like auditions for American Idol, filming and events. Some of the theaters are in ruins, and there are plans of renovation and preservation. There's a current project called "Bring Back Broadway".

http://www.bringingbackbroadway.com/index.htm

The tour includes the palaces, as well as other things Downtown. Due to the multiple uses of the Los Angeles and the Orpheum, tours are subject to change. It's two and a half hours, and ten blocks of walking. I hear the tour is a lot of fun, and I plan on doing it someday.

https://www.laconservancy.org/events/broadway-historic-theatre-and-commercial-district-walking-tour

Cameo (Now a market):

Arcade:

Palace (Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was shot here):

The Palace has received a makeover:

Globe:

Rialto (They're planning to put an Urban Outfitters here):

Million Dollar (This was turned into a Spanish church, and then it re-opened as a theater in 2008, showing live, Spanish theater. The word is there are plans for the theater st start hosting movie premieres):

Loew's State (Now seems to be a church):

Orpheum (Seen in multiple movies):

Tower (I believe there's a renovation currently happening):

United Artists (Now the Ace Hotel):

Here's a room:

Los Angeles (Lots of filming here, including screenings. This Valentine's Day, the Los Angeles will be screening Titanic for lovebirds):

Roxie:

 

[Californian Elitist]

The nearby ones:

Warner Bros. Downtown:

Olympic:

Mayan:

Belasco:

 

[bh7812]

Well, 2014 has gotten off to an interesting start for me..tomorrow night I'm flying to LA (LAX) from Chicago for a trip to Southern California I hadn't been planning to a month ago. The night of my birthday I remembered Jay Leno's Tonight Show run ends Feb. 7th so I thought why not try to get tickets? I went on the site for the show, and requested tickets for 3 January dates fully expecting nothing. Usually you need to request those tickets at least 2 months in advance and it can take a month to get them if you're lucky to get any at all. I sent a very complimentary letter to Jay with the ticket request figuring at the very least I'd thank him for all the years of entertainment he's given everyone.

The next night, I get an e-mail from NBC..not only did they get my request, they gave me 2 tickets to this Thursday's show (the 30th)!! So at that point I was very shocked to say the least having gotten tickets less than 24 hours after requesting them. That was a total surprise..I'd sure like to think Jay got my letter and personally granted the request. I got to thinking okay I actually pulled off the stunt of getting the tickets, is there any realistic way I can make this trip? I asked my brother if he wanted to go..he said he wanted. To but couldn't afford it due to switching jobs. Asked my sister she said she doesn't think my 3 year old niece will handle that flight well-it's twice as long as the trip to Disney World is. I figure ok I tried I'm outta luck, at least I have nice souvenir tickets! I tried one more person-my brother in law-not expecting him to be able to go, but he said he would go! The next hurdle was the airfare which I thought would sink my hopes for sure. I was able to get tickets on Southwest to LAX for 109 each way per person!! That should be more like...a lot higher! The last hurdle was time off from my job and I really played a hell of a gamble there because to get a week off you need at least 3 weeks, more like a month or more notice. To add to this, at my job you can't request the time off online internally so you have to submit the request in person. The night I submitted it I waited for the HR people to go home, slid the vacation request under the door and bolted out of the place as fast as I could! I got home and seriously shook my head thinking this is crazy, there's no way they will grant my request this close to the trip date, that cancellation penalty fee urgh. The next week to my surprise I got the time off I asked for.

So here I am about to fly out there tomorrow night-I got pretty much a 6pm flight because I am NOT doing the get up at 4am for a 7am flight like I just did in Oct to go to WDW! This way I will get my regular full night sleep tonight. It's a non stop flight. Staying in Anaheim right next to Disneyland-I really wanted to stay at the Grand Californian but it's 600 a night and I can't afford that so right next to Disneyland it is. Originally I was just going to fly out tomorrow, see Jay Leno Thursday and fly home that day. In the end I decided to stay until Sunday. I'm really wanting to go to Disney for a day so I'm hoping I can do that.

This isn't my first trip to Southern California though, I've been there twice before, went to DL both times. Last time I was there was almost 8 years ago in 2006. I figure I almost never get to go out there and I wanted to see Jay before he wraps up so why not? All I know is I'm getting out of this brutal cold for a few days-keeps going back and forth between upper 60s and low 70s for the forecast there which will be summer like compared to this. So, unexpected trip indeed..if I do go to DL I'm going to check out Cars Land!

 

[Californian Elitist]

^^^ I hope you have a nice trip.

 

[Maryssa*]

Sounds like my first West Coast trip, but i flew into Long Beach instead ( AWESOME small airport....a must in the future!)
Not sure about now, but Jet Blue used to fly nonstop from Beantown to Long Beach. Worth checking out whenever you decide to return.

The Long Beach airport is beautiful and modern now!! And it's definitely much less crowded/slow than LAX.

 

[bh7812]

^^^ I hope you have a nice trip.

Thank you! I got my full night of sleep as planned and will be leaving for the airport in a few hours. It was definitely a wiser choice choosing an early evening flight out instead of an early morning one. I'm already glad I did that since it was a lot easier on my sleeping. When my family makes it's yearly trip to WDW this Fall I will be strongly suggesting a later in the day flight haha!

 

[Figments Friend]

The Long Beach airport is beautiful and modern now!! And it's definitely much less crowded/slow than LAX.

Yes, i have since learned that it has been completely updated and redesigned since i last used that particular airport in 2007.
It had a 'quaint little shack' feel before, but now it is very modern and sharp looking.
Really looking forward to passing through there again at some point in the future.

I adored the place when i passed through the first time.
Nothing beats walking off the plane onto the tarmac, and seeing that West Coast sun!
I felt like one of The Beatles...

In May i will be flying into SNA...for the first time.
I was fairly thrilled at being able to do so, as it is usually not a option due to the higher airfares into it from my point of departure.
I found the perfect flight however this time around, that was surprisingly less then LAX, ( a rarity on my end ) so it will be nice try something new.
Looking forward to it....i like trying out alternative airports!

 

[gboiler1]

Love the theaters, some are absolutely spectacular. My last visit to LA in 2008, we enjoyed touring the Chinese and taking in a movie at El Capitan. This year I hope to tour the Egyptian and perhaps see what's playing at the Chinese.

 

[trs518]

Thanks to @Laura for the tip on the Oceanside pier with Rubies. We ate their yesterday at sunset after visiting Sea world. Good food at a reasonable price with a spectacular view.

 

[Laura]

Thanks to @Laura for the tip on the Oceanside pier with Rubies. We ate their yesterday at sunset after visiting Sea world. Good food at a reasonable price with a spectacular view.

Glad you liked it! I was just thinking yesterday that I haven't eaten there in way too long. It's just SUCH a long walk to the end of the pier LOL.

 

[Laura]

Has anyone posted about the World's Oldest McDonalds yet?

We like to hit it up sometimes on our way to LA. It's very unique and practically unchanged since the 1950s. They even have a little (free) museum. Only thing is you'll want to bring cash. If you try to pay with debit, they run the card like an ATM card and you get hit with fees.

The address is 10207 Lakewood Blvd, Downey, CA.
(15 miles north of Disneyland - right up I-5)

 

[Californian Elitist]

Ziplining, hiking, camping and skiing/snowboarding are also options to consider when visiting Southern California (yes, it snows in Southern California). Since these options are available in multiple areas, I won't put the info in the usual format. You'll be sure to be taking some drives from Disneyland or even Los Angeles, should you decide to do any of these activities.

Ziplining:

One can go ziplining in multiple places in SoCal, but the most popular one is located in Catalina Island. You also receive a tour of the area, along with the ziplining. I've never done this before, but I hear the staff is very kind and they make it very special for guests. I've wanted to go ziplining for a while, now. It looks like a lot of fun. Boating and camping are also available through the same name.

http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/activities-adventures/land/zip-line-eco-tour

Hiking:

Again, there are multiple sites near Los Angeles where one can hike, too many to name, actually. I'll list the places where I've hiked to narrow it down, but I'll also leave a link to a list of places. I've hiked in Topanga Canyon State Park and Will Rogers State Park. I liked both, but I prefer Will Rogers. Don't ask why, I just do. Lots of people like to hike in the Hollywood Hills to get to the Hollywood sign. Hiking can be a lot of fun, and it's great exercise! Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water.

Topanga Canyon:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=629

Will Rogers:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=626

List of hiking trails in Los Angeles: http://www.hikespeak.com/los-angeles/

Camping:

Aahh, the outdoors! Lots of people love to camp. I'm planning on going camping with some friends sometime this year. So far, we're looking at Malibu Creek, so I'll leave some info on that and a list of other places to camp. Grab a tent, a lantern, a fishing rod and some bug spray!

Malibu Creek State Park:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=614

List of camping sites in Los Angeles: http://parks.lacounty.gov/wps/porta...ome/amenities/full+list+of+amenities/camping2

Skiing/Snowboarding:

The most popular ski resorts Angelenos like to visit are Big Bear, Mt. Baldy and Mammoth. Big Bear is about a two hour drive away from Los Angeles and Mt. Baldy is an hour away. Mammoth is much further away, with at least a four hour drive away from Los Angeles. Bring a big coat, gloves and boots!

Big Bear:

http://www.bigbear.com/

Mt. Baldy:

http://winter.mtbaldyskilifts.com/

Big Bear cabins:

List of skiing resorts in SoCal: http://trailmapcompare.com/ski-resorts/southern-california

 

[teacherlady19]

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is located in Simi Valley. If you like to tour through Presidential Libraries (as we do), or you were a Ronald Reagan fan (movie or as President), this is a lovely way to spend 3 or 4 hours. It's about an hour and a half drive from Anaheim. We chose to go on the way home from a special concert in Ojai. (We'd gone up on a Friday, went to the concert on Friday evening, and drove back to San Diego on Saturday but stopped first at the Presidential Library.)

If you decide to go, check the website's instructions for how to get there, first! GPS directions aren't always correct, and sure enough, ours tried to send us the wrong way. I was glad I'd taken a print out from the website.

https://www.reaganfoundation.org/home.aspx