What should I do in SoCal?

[BelleLovesTheBeast]

My DH and I have planned a trip Aug 28 - Sept 4. The first 2 days we don't have planned and the last 5 will be spent at DL.

I've been once before.. 19 years ago. At that time I went to Universal, San Diego Zoo, Le Brea tar pits, Spruce Goose and Queen Mary. I know that I don't want to do Universal.

Anything anyone recommends to see or do our first 2 days?

Also are there any restaurants I should try? Both DH and I are adventurous eateries. I don't want anything that is a chain. In Nashville there are so many chain restaurants that I want something that I can't get at home.

Thanks!

 

[LavenderPeach]

You could explore more down in San Diego. There's the rest of Balboa park (minus the zoo since you already went there), the wild animal park, or the USS Midway aircraft carrier. There's also Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter or La Jolla.

Or you could go to Catalina, either for just a day trip or you could stay the night over there at one of their hotels. They have various tours you can go on or you can just wander around the town. I'm pretty sure all the restaurants over there are non-chain restaurants but I haven't been over there in years so I have no idea what is good.

There's also Palm Springs which would be HOT during the time you're going but the upside of that is that you can stay at a really fancy resort for 1/2-1/3 of the price it would normally be. And you can go up on the Aerial Tramway which takes you way up to the top of the mountain where the air is cool. We went up at the end of May several years ago and it was probably in the 90s at the bottom of the mountain but on top we needed our coats and there was still snow on the ground. There is also a restaurant up there.

There's a cute little town east of DLR called Oak Glen. It's known for it's apples and Aug/Sept is right at the beginning of apple season. There are little stores and restaurants and you can pick your own fruit. Not sure if the apples would be ready but they might have raspberries to pick. If you go to Los Rios Rancho (one of the apple orchards) they have some nice little hiking trails that are open on the weekends and they also have their barbecue going then as well as having fabulous apple pie and apple crisp. There is often entertainment on the weekends too.

I know of a great restaurant but it's not close to any of the major Southern California attractions. If you headed towards Oak Glen or Palm Springs then it would be on your way though. It's called The Gourmet Pizza Shoppe. There is one in Redlands and one in Yucaipa. They have some crazy pizzas like fried chicken and mashed potatoes on one. We love that place. They also have dessert pizzas that are SO good.

Have a fun trip!

 

[LavenderPeach]

Oh, I just thought of another one. You could go to Pasadena. There are a ton of shops and restaurants (lots of non-chain ones too). And near Pasadena is the Huntington Library and Gardens which is fun to walk around. They have Gardens and Art Galeries and the library has interesting things on display like a Guttenberg Bible. The LA Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is also near that area and is a nice place to walk around.

 

[woody73]

Anything anyone recommends to see or do our first 2 days?

If you haven't been here in 19 years, I can recommend the Getty Center, the Grove (next to the Farmers Market), and the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

Where are you staying?

Woody

 

[Spacepest]

You could explore more down in San Diego. There's the rest of Balboa park (minus the zoo since you already went there), the wild animal park, or the USS Midway aircraft carrier. There's also Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter or La Jolla.

This. Go to downtown San Diego and hit up the Gaslamp Quarter and if you like museums, Balboa Park. Balboa Park has a deal where you can buy a week long pass that allows you admission into 12 different museums in the park(like in the $30ish range) and if you want to try food that isn't a chain, there are all kinds of small cafes and odd restaurants in the Gaslamp District. Just doing these should eat up a couple of days!