I've been in Southern California working for the past few weeks and next week I have a bunch of days off. I'm planning on driving up the PCH from Santa Monica towards San Francisco, with the aim of enjoying the drive and stopping to see cool shit. I'm looking for recommendations on places to stop and check out, whether it be an awesome beach, historical, restaurant, bar, etc. Thanks.
I drove up the PCH this past summer (posted a few photos here: http://www.theidiotboard.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11&start=525) there's plenty of cool shit to see, Hearst Castle http://hearstcastle.org/ (near where I took the photo of the contemplative elephant seal) then just north of the Bixby Bridge is Rocky Point Restaurant <a class="postlink" href="http://www.rockypointrestaurant.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.rockypointrestaurant.com/</a> (where I took the coastline photo & ate a great lunch) is just south of Carmel and Big Sur (don't get gas in Big Sur, was over $5.50/gal) which are only a couple hours south of San Francisco. If you have time, stop at some of the state parks along the coast as well. Point Lobos State Reserve is worth a look for sea otters, more seals, sea lions tidal pool sea life, etc. Keep in mind there aren't many hotels/campgrounds along the route and all of the 'scenic stop' parking spots were listed with a $200 dollar fine for overnight camping/parking but I don't think you'll have an issue this time of year. I did read that it's a better drive visually during the winter months as the vegetation is more green. Keep an eye out for wildlife...you'll see plenty. I almost clocked an owl early one morning trying to get to Bixby before sunrise. I planned for a week driving up the coast and easily could've spent another week exploring my way up the coast.
Hearst Castle is amazing, and when I lived in the area was my go to "seal the deal" date spot. Motorcycle ride up the coast to beautiful early 20th century opulence? Money. But a little south of that, and inland about half an hour, is the wine town of Paso Robles. Great local restaurants and bars, and a shit ton of excellent wineries in the area. Paso is the new Napa, being about where Napa was 10 years ago in terms of quality and production, but cheaper. A LOT of big, jammy Zinfandels and complex Cabernets. A smattering of very good Syrahs and Petite Syrahs (Shiraz for you Aussies) as well. Not so much with the Pinot Noir. Decent buttery Chardonnay, and some nice bright Viognier if you like whites. I would recommend Oso Libre as my favorite winery, on Vineyard road, just past Peachy Canyon road.
Planning to take the kid to NYC this summer, but not sure when specifically. I would guess August would the hottest, but are there any other factors about when we should go? I.e., avoid certain dates or maybe even encourage certain dates because something cool is going on? I know I'm being vague, I guess I just wanted to try and narrow it down. Or maybe just throw a dart at the calendar.
Okay, me too, me too - for San Diego. Been once before and fell in love. Going back in a few weeks, because this shit weather is killing me and I want good beer and sunshine. Last time we were there we did Green Flash and Stone - which I loved. Will do them again, for sure. I want to visit a few other breweries while we're there, but the problem is that there's like a million of them and I don't know which to waste my time on. We're staying in Point Loma if that matters. Also... Mexican food restaurants and trucks. This is all I care about. Last time we were in Santa Monica, we met some dude who drove us to some weird Venice Beach bar to party. Along the way he stopped at some crazy good Mexican food hut on the side of the road and I fell in love. No idea where that was, and it's too far to go to this time anyway - since we're staying in San Diego the whole five days. I had a bunch of other good Mexican food, but none of the places we visited were in San Diego proper. TO SUMMARIZE my excitable rant here, most importantly - I need you to tell me which breweries to visit and where to go for amazing Mexican food. As an aside, I wouldn't mind tattoo shop recommendations for in or around Point Loma. I'm also doing this. Is it as much of a party as it seems? Is it a thing? Do people go?
I'll let someone else chime in on breweries, but if you want fish/seafood tacos, this place is the shit. I go at least once a visit: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/kikos-place-san-diego-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.yelp.com/biz/kikos-place-san-diego-2</a>
I also like Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Glen Canyon Dam. Two hours north of Flagstaff in Page.
Spending a couple weeks around NYE in Australia and New Zealand. I don't particularly care whether I fly into Melbourne, Auckland, or Wellington, but I don't want to pay out the nose for the plane tickets. I found tickets right within my price range (<$1800 R/T); I'm curious whether I should book them now or wait. I know December/January is peak tourist season, so I don't want to wait too long, only to not be able to go because the only seats available are $5K, but I don't want to pay $1800 if I can buy them for $1500 in a couple weeks or months. Does anyone have experience flying from the US to Oceania around that time of year? When's the best time to buy? Also, should I buy in-area flights (e.g., Auckland to Melbourne) when I buy the trans-Pacific tickets, or should treat them like domestic travel in the US and buy a month or two out?
I'll be in Yuma, AZ for the next month and a half on base. I'll have a bit of free time, but access to a car might be a little difficult. Any suggestions?
Considering taking an Asia trip at the end of September for abotu 10-14 days. I'm open to all kinds of ideas, but it needs to be budget friendly. ($1000 for the ticket, $1000 for spending in country) Japan seems too expensive, as does Hong Kong. Burma could be sweet, as would Vietnam. Currently I'm most interested in maybe renting a car in Thailand and doing a country tour. I would probably be going solo, although there's a small chance I can convince a friend to come along. Any input would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks.
Hey gang! I am going to Greece for my honeymoon. Specifically Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. Tips/thoughts if any?