Best Los Angeles Day Trips?

[thebunny]

Originally Posted by jimmykem

Originally Posted by capoeira
For something different, Orange County and nearby parts of LA county have many very authentic ethnic enclaves. You can go to Koreatown in Garden Grove, Little Saigon in Westminster,Little Cambodia(Little Phnom Penh) in Long Beach,Little India in Artesia,Mitsuwa Marketplace & Japanese food court in Costa Mesa or stay in Irvine and get Chinatown style Chinese food at Sam Wo. I have eaten at more chain restaurants in San Francisco than I ever did in Orange County!

Sorry, but I find this a little off. Forget about the OC when it comes to Asian food, Vietnamese being the exception. Better Korean food and more authentic Koreatown is in K-Town in LA. Better and more varieties of Japanese food can be found in Little Tokyo, the Sawtelle area, and Torrance. And Chinese food in Irvine and Chinatown is very lacking and can't compared to San Gabriel Valley. That's where you have to explore for the best Chinese food and for more of an authentic Asian enclave. The Sam Woo in San Gabriel is far superior btw. I agree Little India in Artesia is cool.

As for a day trip idea, I suggest Joshua Tree if you guys haven't done that already.

i lived in Alhambra for a while, and agree that is the best Asian. Sam Woo is fantastic and quite an experience the first time you go, as I had just moved here from a MUCH smaller area and had never really been to anywhere authentic. It was an experience.

Little India is on the list. I LOVE Indian.

[kttam186290]

Angelenos love day trips north to Ventura, Ojai and Santa Barbara. I love that area any time of the year but it seems funnest in Spring and early Summer.

In the fall, go east past San Bernardino to the town of Yucaipa. From there, go up into the foothills to Oak Glen for apple-picking and pumpkins.

In late fall and early Winter, Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead are fun for skiing and snowboarding activity. Both are also good places to go in the Summertime to get up out of the heat in the Valleys and basins.

Palm Springs is good to explore in the Winter and early Spring months. Lots of interesting mid-century architecture out there.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by thebunny

i lived in Alhambra for a while, and agree that is the best Asian. Sam Woo is fantastic and quite an experience the first time you go, as I had just moved here from a MUCH smaller area and had never really been to anywhere authentic. It was an experience.

Alhambra, MP, San Gabriel, Arcadia, Rowland Heights, and Hacienda Heights (all SGV areas) essentially have the best and most authentic Chinese/Taiwanese food in North America.

The SGV restaurant scene is a SoCal treasure that thankfully is still largely "rumored" and hasn't been "discovered" by the mainstream LA culture in the westside and SFV.

Authentic Chinese food served to Chinese patrons who expect nothing less.

[jimmykem]

Originally Posted by thebunny

That's actually one of them on my list. As I mentioned, my fiancee likes the desert stuff, so I think this would be a great trip for him. And I love the Joshua Tree's themselves, so I think it would be great.

Have you been there and if so, any tips on making it the best possible?

Yes, I have been. For me, it was an amazing and spiritual experience, hiking and exploring the park. The Joshua trees are otherworldly...it's everywhere. Spring and fall are the best times to go, when the days are comfortable and the nights are cool. I wouldn't go in the summer, unless you enjoy the heat, as it will be hot - over 100 degrees during the day. Look for the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm on the way there, which I believe is the 4th largest wind farm in the US. It was so cool to drive through it. I entered through the closest entrance, the West Entrance, off SR 62. There is a North Entrance too, but it's a little further down. I suggest stopping at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center before the entrance to pick up information (i.e. free maps and guides that offer good recommendations). The national park is huge, so you guys won't be able to do everything. But one entire day, there will be enough time to hike several trails, picnic, rock climb, explore the backcountry on mountain bikes,and a host of other activities. One thing you absolutely have to make time for is Keys View. From an elevation of over 5,100 ft, the view is nothing short of amazing. On clear days, the vista extends beyond the Salton Sea to Mexico! It blew my mind. You'll see the mountains in Mexico! Looking down below, you'll see the actual San Andreas Fault running across the Coachella Valley, as well as being able to see Palm Springs, Indio, and the entire Salton Sea! Some of the trails I recommend hiking are Barker Dam, Wall Street Mill, Hidden Valley, Ryan Mountain, and Hi-View Nature Trail at Black Rock Canyon. And all the rock piles and formations are worth paying attention to. Here are some pictures I took...


Hemingway Buttress...notice the rock climber on top

Barker Dam



From Keys View...

Nightfall

[Samoi137]

Originally Posted by thebunny

That's actually one of them on my list. As I mentioned, my fiancee likes the desert stuff, so I think this would be a great trip for him. And I love the Joshua Tree's themselves, so I think it would be great.

Have you been there and if so, any tips on making it the best possible?

For Joshua Tree, look at the park's Web site, and visit the visitor's center. I also enjoyed Anza-Borrego State Park, but it's a bit far for a day trip.

Other desert locations:

Red Rock Canyon State Park: Red Rock Canyon SP and http://www.google.com/search?q=red+r...w=1600&bih=722

Randsburg: Randsburg - California Ghost Town and Randsburg General Store | A golden spirit stills shines in Randsburg, Calif. - Los Angeles Times(not really a ghost town since people live there, but still much like one; be sure to visit the White House Saloon).

For a weekend: Lone Pine and Alabama Hills, in the shadow of Mt. Whitney: The Alabama Hills - Bishop Field Office, Bureau of Land Mangement, California On the way home, drop by the Maturango Desert Museum in Ridgecrest.

[Avex]

I live in hacienda heights and there is so much Asian variety it's crazy!

For Mexican and central American food head to downtown, central and Olympic, it's basically a foodies wet dream!

For hiking I'd recommend the slot canyons at Mecca hills near palm springs, it's the best hike I've ever been on!

[thebunny]

Originally Posted by jimmykem

Yes, I have been. For me, it was an amazing and spiritual experience, hiking and exploring the park. The Joshua trees are otherworldly...it's everywhere. Spring and fall are the best times to go, when the days are comfortable and the nights are cool. I wouldn't go in the summer, unless you enjoy the heat, as it will be hot - over 100 degrees during the day. Look for the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm on the way there, which I believe is the 4th largest wind farm in the US. It was so cool to drive through it. I entered through the closest entrance, the West Entrance, off SR 62. There is a North Entrance too, but it's a little further down. I suggest stopping at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center before the entrance to pick up information (i.e. free maps and guides that offer good recommendations). The national park is huge, so you guys won't be able to do everything. But one entire day, there will be enough time to hike several trails, picnic, rock climb, explore the backcountry on mountain bikes,and a host of other activities. One thing you absolutely have to make time for is Keys View. From an elevation of over 5,100 ft, the view is nothing short of amazing. On clear days, the vista extends beyond the Salton Sea to Mexico! It blew my mind. You'll see the mountains in Mexico! Looking down below, you'll see the actual San Andreas Fault running across the Coachella Valley, as well as being able to see Palm Springs, Indio, and the entire Salton Sea! Some of the trails I recommend hiking are Barker Dam, Wall Street Mill, Hidden Valley, Ryan Mountain, and Hi-View Nature Trail at Black Rock Canyon. And all the rock piles and formations are worth paying attention to. Here are some pictures I took...


Hemingway Buttress...notice the rock climber on top

Barker Dam



From Keys View...

Nightfall

WOW...beautiful. Adding your tips to the list. Didn't know you could see the San Andreas from there...something I have seen but the fiancee wants to see. Thanks for sharing the photos...the trees are beautiful.

[quixotic59]

Has anyone used "boats4rent" to rent a boat at Marina del Rey?