Things to do in and around LA and Santa Monica? Going this year, need insider tips.

WickedPissah · #1 12-31-2008, 12:33 PM

Hey all, I'm going with my family to Santa Monica in February. Does anyone have any insider tips on what to do, what to see, where to eat, general tips for the area? What's the weather like that time of the year?

Keep in mind, I'll be 17 when I go, so nevermind the porno stores/theaters, strip clubs, and bars.

WickedPissah · #2 12-31-2008, 03:30 PM

114,000 people on this site, and no one has any tips on LA?

Bob Lee (QSC) · #3 12-31-2008, 03:33 PM

There's plenty of cool stuff to see and do and eat and drink. But the important question is, will you have a car available to use?

**Mark Wilson** · #4 12-31-2008, 03:39 PM

I'll be going this summer if I'm not playing on a cruise ship.
I'm very excited.

steve21 · #5 12-31-2008, 03:40 PM

Eat at The Counter in Santa Monica. Awesome burgers.

WickedPissah · #6 12-31-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

There's plenty of cool stuff to see and do and eat and drink. But the important question is, will you have a car available to use?

We will.

MJ5150 · #7 12-31-2008, 04:13 PM

Make a trip out to San Bernardino and have breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the Taco Station. I have no idea how far away that is from where you will be, but I do know it will totally be worth it to drive out there.

Try to organize a SoCal GTG. There are plenty of TB'ers in the area.

-Mike

Bob Lee (QSC) · #8 12-31-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Make a trip out to San Bernardino and have breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the Taco Station. I have no idea how far away that is from where you will be, but I do know it will totally be worth it to drive out there.

Try to organize a SoCal GTG. There are plenty of TB'ers in the area.

Major Metal is out in San Bernardino.

I thought the Taco Station is in Riverside, but I could be wrong.

MJ5150 · #9 12-31-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

I thought the Taco Station is in Riverside, but I could be wrong.

You're right. My bad.

I was staying in SB myself, and I drove out to Riverside. Thanks Bob!

-Mike

MatticusMania · #10 12-31-2008, 04:32 PM

San Bernardino/Riverside is about an hour and a half drive from Santa Monica.
Head south and visit Maki in Huntington Beach. Eat some In-N-Out while youre here, theyre everywhere. Enjoy the weather. It was stormy and rainy the last 2 weeks, now its back to nice and warm.
I can always point you in the direction of my ex wife if you need someone to hang out with, you'll probably find her in one of covina's local drinking establishments... just not mine.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #11 12-31-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

San Bernardino/Riverside is about an hour and a half drive from Santa Monica.

That can vary a lot.

A lot.

MatticusMania · #12 12-31-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

That can vary a lot.

A lot.

Thats true, but LA traffic, especially in the Santa Monica area can be very unforgiving. I work out in redlands, near san bernardino, and it takes me 45 minutes to get back to covina, which is about 20 minutes from LA, and easily another 45 to Santa Monica. Depending on traffic. And which freeways you take.

Google maps gives an estimated time of 1 hour 21 minutes.

WickedPissah · #13 12-31-2008, 06:51 PM

This is all very good, does anyone else have anything to add?

csala · #14 12-31-2008, 07:15 PM

Take a trapeze lesson on the Santa Monica pier. Seriously, it's fun and safe. Then rent bikes and ride the bike path on the beach from Santa Monica to Venice Beach. Stroll around Venice Beach and buy some cool trinkets and art. Drive up the PCH and have lunch at Geoffrey's in Malibu. Great view.

Then ditch the family and go to the strip clubs in Hollywood. LA strippers are something. Look in the LA Weekly between lap dances and see if any good bands are playing that night within walking distance of the strip clubs. Have dinner at Dan's Sushi on Sunset (I suggest a sea urchin shooter to round out the meal). Go see a good band.

Visirale · #15 12-31-2008, 07:31 PM

Going with the family?

There goes my suggestion...

MakiSupaStar · #16 12-31-2008, 08:53 PM

You don't have to drive out to riverside/San Bernardino to eat good Mexican food. I used to work in Santa Monica. There are a lot of great restaurants in the area. If you want good Mexican, then you need to hit a little joint off of Olympic blvd, called Tia Juana. Not only can I vouge personally for nearly every item on the menu, but they make their own tortillas onsite. Delicious and very reasonably priced.

If your folks like Japanese food there is a little J town on Sawtelle and Santa Monica blvd. Hot chicks and great food. Good sushi. If you and the family want to walk around and window shop, then you can hit 3rd street promenade. There is also the pier. In the summer there are great free shows there. I've seen Burning Spear, and Toots and the Maytals there. February can be cold, but it's also not unusual to score 80 degree sunny days. Have fun. Lots of bars for you and pops too.

WickedPissah · #17 12-31-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csala

Take a trapeze lesson on the Santa Monica pier. Seriously, it's fun and safe. Then rent bikes and ride the bike path on the beach from Santa Monica to Venice Beach. Stroll around Venice Beach and buy some cool trinkets and art. Drive up the PCH and have lunch at Geoffrey's in Malibu. Great view.

Then ditch the family and go to the strip clubs in Hollywood. LA strippers are something. Look in the LA Weekly between lap dances and see if any good bands are playing that night within walking distance of the strip clubs. Have dinner at Dan's Sushi on Sunset (I suggest a sea urchin shooter to round out the meal). Go see a good band.

Can you get into a strip club when you're 17?

WickedPissah · #18 12-31-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

You don't have to drive out to riverside/San Bernardino to eat good Mexican food. I used to work in Santa Monica. There are a lot of great restaurants in the area. If you want good Mexican, then you need to hit a little joint off of Olympic blvd, called Tia Juana. Not only can I vouge personally for nearly every item on the menu, but they make their own tortillas onsite. Delicious and very reasonably priced.

If your folks like Japanese food there is a little J town on Sawtelle and Santa Monica blvd. Hot chicks and great food. Good sushi. If you and the family want to walk around and window shop, then you can hit 3rd street promenade. There is also the pier. In the summer there are great free shows there. I've seen Burning Spear, and Toots and the Maytals there. February can be cold, but it's also not unusual to score 80 degree sunny days. Have fun. Lots of bars for you and pops too.

I'll be 17

MakiSupaStar · #19 12-31-2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WickedPissah

I'll be 17

LMAO. Ok. Forget the bars and strippers.

MJ5150 · #20 01-01-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

You don't have to drive out to riverside/San Bernardino to eat good Mexican food.

But he will in order to go to the Taco Station.

No matter how far away it ends up being, go anyway! The food is great, Riverside is a cool city, and you're not far from the bar where they filmed the bull riding scene in Borat.

-Mike