Just got back from Cali...

tonyb

....and fell in love with it. Keep in mind,I've been to southern cali many times and hated it. Northern California though is a whole different story.

Started in San Fran, yeah,took the alcatraz tour,China town was also cool and riding the cable cars the wife dug. Don't miss the alcatraz tour if you go,way cool. Fishrmans Wharf...very cool,alittle touristy for my taste,alot of homeless, beautifull none the less. Rented a car,drove up to wine country. Again,shocked at the beauty of it,the fantastic wine we just can't get where I live. Needless to say,some of the nest egg we spent will be comming UPS this week from the likes of Duckhorn,Ledson,Flora Springs,Frank Family. Sonoma was very friendly, fantastic views,more laid back. Napa was also beautifull, bigger,more snobby,but in the end,had the better wines. More Italians there than I thought would be. Food in both valley's was simply outstanding. I'll be back for sure. Needless to say,the biggest surprise was driving from wine country to the Pacific coast. Started about 20 miles north of Bodega Bay and thought I'd just go south back to San Fran airport along highway 1. Holy smokes was it beautifull. The ocean,the cliffs,the fresh seafood, the winding roads, sea lions that kept you up at night talking to each other,and some of the best clam chowder your tongue will ever touch. In that whole time, not a speck,not a can,cup,wrapper,could be found on the side of the road. Prestine,and they take great pride in keeping it that way. Locals were friendly and food again,was fantastic. I can now see the attraction to the San Fran area. From the Golden gate bridge,which by itself needs to be seen because pics just don't do it justice,your in wine country in 40 minutes. From wine country to the coast,about a half an hour to 45 minutes. You have ocean beaches,redwood forests,mountains,wine all within 30 minutes to an hour of the city. Had a very good time but one thing still amazes me,and thats how small San Fran is. I think some of our suburbs are bigger. Also,aside from the parks and the shoreline area's,not a patch of grass to be found in the city. I guess that could be said for every major metro area. Well,glad to be home,the dogs were vacationing at my inlaws in Hoffman Estates where all the kids on the block came over to play with them so they are very tired. Any pre-conceived notions I had about California from past experience was soundly laid to rest apon visiting the north. If you get a chance,go...you won't regret it.

mantis

My brother lives in San Fran and I want to get out there to visit. He talks about the place as you do.
I spent time in Beverly Hills and LA and I had an incredible time. It's was such a treat to be there.
I also spent time in Chicago where I thought was a fantastic city.

I think once you get off the east coast the world starts to be a better place.

Sherardp

Glad you liked and enjoyed your trip. I lived in So Cal for quite sometime, not sure I'll ever go back. The traffic out there in Cali, overall sucks. I been to San Fran, and it was the same thing. Don't get me wrong, some excellent weather, a very nice state, but I just hate traffic and of course cost of living is a joke.

NotaSuv

You visited some beautiful places I love the drive along the coast from Half Moon Bay up to the OR state line....great little towns, great people and fantastic views...sounds like you had a great time..

cfrizz

Sounds like you & the wife had a great time Tony. Welcome home.

virtualdean

tonyb wrote: »

....and fell in love with it. Keep in mind,I've been to southern cali many times and hated it. Northern California though is a whole different story.

Started in San Fran, yeah,took the alcatraz tour,China town was also cool and riding the cable cars the wife dug. Don't miss the alcatraz tour if you go,way cool. Fishrmans Wharf...very cool,alittle touristy for my taste,alot of homeless, beautifull none the less. Rented a car,drove up to wine country. Again,shocked at the beauty of it,the fantastic wine we just can't get where I live. Needless to say,some of the nest egg we spent will be comming UPS this week from the likes of Duckhorn,Ledson,Flora Springs,Frank Family. Sonoma was very friendly, fantastic views,more laid back. Napa was also beautifull, bigger,more snobby,but in the end,had the better wines. More Italians there than I thought would be. Food in both valley's was simply outstanding. I'll be back for sure. Needless to say,the biggest surprise was driving from wine country to the Pacific coast. Started about 20 miles north of Bodega Bay and thought I'd just go south back to San Fran airport along highway 1. Holy smokes was it beautifull. The ocean,the cliffs,the fresh seafood, the winding roads, sea lions that kept you up at night talking to each other,and some of the best clam chowder your tongue will ever touch. In that whole time, not a speck,not a can,cup,wrapper,could be found on the side of the road. Prestine,and they take great pride in keeping it that way. Locals were friendly and food again,was fantastic. I can now see the attraction to the San Fran area. From the Golden gate bridge,which by itself needs to be seen because pics just don't do it justice,your in wine country in 40 minutes. From wine country to the coast,about a half an hour to 45 minutes. You have ocean beaches,redwood forests,mountains,wine all within 30 minutes to an hour of the city. Had a very good time but one thing still amazes me,and thats how small San Fran is. I think some of our suburbs are bigger. Also,aside from the parks and the shoreline area's,not a patch of grass to be found in the city. I guess that could be said for every major metro area. Well,glad to be home,the dogs were vacationing at my inlaws in Hoffman Estates where all the kids on the block came over to play with them so they are very tired. Any pre-conceived notions I had about California from past experience was soundly laid to rest apon visiting the north. If you get a chance,go...you won't regret it.

I hope you spent lots of money. Uncle Schwarzeneger (sic) needs it.
And ..just think.. u just scratched the surface of what Cali has to offer.
Mt. Shasta, Mammoth Mt skiing, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Sequoia...yep..lots more. and then you get the desert regions and the sky. Camping in Bristlecone Pine forest at 9200 feet.. the milky way looking like its within arms reach.....

tonyb

Sherardp wrote: »

Glad you liked and enjoyed your trip. I lived in So Cal for quite sometime, not sure I'll ever go back. The traffic out there in Cali, overall sucks. I been to San Fran, and it was the same thing. Don't get me wrong, some excellent weather, a very nice state, but I just hate traffic and of course cost of living is a joke.

L.A....YEAH,traffic is a joke,but hey,I hail from chicago where traffic isn't exactly heaven. San fran traffic seemed moderate at best to me and very light once out of the city. This brings up something else I was amazed at. How polite the drivers were, and even more so on the coast and in wine country. Blew my mind, nobody honking horns, ready to run you over in a heart beat, was nice.

Don't worry,the Governator got plenty of my coin, but I also will be drinking some of the benefits for awhile.:)

Polk addict

Next thing you gotta do is go from Big Basin down to the beach... It's a 15 mile walk or so...

Glad you enjoyed your stay!

bigaudiofanatic

OP, you do not need to tell me about falling in love with it. I was flown there for a audio install for 3 days. I have to say best 3 days of my entire life so much fun!

Link to fun
http://www.the370z.com/audio-video/8156-california-install.html

http://www.the370z.com/lounge-off-topic/8025-cali-pics.html

jojomgee

east coast blowz

tonyb

Yet another thing I don't get. Driving south on Highway 1,going up the mountains on corkscrew roads,no guardrails, straight down cliff on your side,and you have to contend with....bikes! These guys are riding mountain bikes with a cliff on their side and a foot between you and them. Must have a death wish. I would love to see stats on the deaths from falls of those roads.

DeusExa

I just returned from SF/SJ today...

shack

California is a nice place to VISIT.

hearingimpared

Glad you enjoyed the trip Tony. Again, tell me about the food!!!

tonyb

shack wrote: »

California is a nice place to VISIT.

Of coarse....still can't figure out how the hell they can afford to live up there. Not exactly the center of commerce. Must retire with boat loads of cash or drive into the city. Nothing was cheap by any standard. The cheapest place,believe it or not,was Fishermans Warf,China town. Once out of the city,200 bucks on up was standard fare for dinner for the wife and I.
We ate at one place in Napa Valley called "Go Fish",obviously for the fresh seafood. I wanted raw oysters but didn't see it on the menu. I asked a waiter if he had them,he says yes,bring me a dozen,with a side of their cabernet sauce. Outstanding to say the least,so I order up another dozen,then proceed to order dinner. I get the bill,and those friggin Oysters were 76.00 bucks for 2 dozen. Thats 3 bucks each,holy smokes,they were cheaper if I would had have them cook 'em. Throw in some vino,and I dropped 350 on that dinner. What the hell though,how many times you gonna do that? Exactly 6 times on that trip.:p:D

Polk addict

Umm... Throughout my family's travels in California, we've never spent over $80 on a meal...

You're a tourist for sure! :o

hearingimpared

Polk addict wrote: »

Umm... Throughout my family's travels in California, we've never spent over $80 on a meal...

You're a tourist for sure! :o

Hahaha, zingaroonie!!!:p

tonyb

Polk addict wrote: »

Umm... Throughout my family's travels in California, we've never spent over $80 on a meal...

You're a tourist for sure! :o

Nah... I just like to eat at places that don't have the word "Pit" in their name.:p

Danny Tse

Tony, next time you visit the Bay Area, be sure to....

- take in a game at AT&T Park, perhaps the Giants vs. the Cubs
- visit the wine country across the Bay, in Livermore (as in Altermont Pass)
- check out the new California Academy of Science at Golden Gate Park
- visit Japantown, the Castro district, North Beach, etc. in San Francisco
- take a drive down to Monterey/Carmel/Santa Cruz
- pick up a Oppo universal player at their corporate office

As for traffic, you must've lucked out. Congestion here can be hell on earth. You get a major accident on one of the bridges and you can kiss your day goodbye.

But as the Governator say in one of his TV commercials to promote California tourism...."You'll Be Back"

Ron-P

virtualdean wrote: »

I hope you spent lots of money. Uncle Schwarzeneger (sic) needs it.
And ..just think.. u just scratched the surface of what Cali has to offer.
Mt. Shasta, Mammoth Mt skiing, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Sequoia...yep..lots more. and then you get the desert regions and the sky. Camping in Bristlecone Pine forest at 9200 feet.. the milky way looking like its within arms reach.....

Don't forget the beaches, and the near perfect year 'round weather. Oh, and of course the happiest place on earth, and my favorite place on earth...Disneyland!

People bag on Cali for many, many reasons but I'm sure where ever these same people live we Cali's could find many reasons as well. I for one will never move out, Cali has way too much to offer to do that.


...and my house was just appraised last week at $495.65 per sf. YEAH BABY!!!

virtualdean

I cant seem to find a way to post a new thread.
Nor a way to contact a moderator for help, hence me jumping in where I don't belong and asking any passing soul to help me out.

Help!

cheddar

tonyb wrote: »

Yet another thing I don't get. Driving south on Highway 1,going up the mountains on corkscrew roads,no guardrails, straight down cliff on your side,and you have to contend with....bikes! These guys are riding mountain bikes with a cliff on their side and a foot between you and them. Must have a death wish. I would love to see stats on the deaths from falls of those roads.

Heh, heh, yeah, you're forgetting the very liberal bent of the area. Biker's rights and all. They actually have days where bikers mass in the middle of the SF financial district, shutting down traffic, to draw attention to their 'rights'. That stretch of highway 1 after the GG bridge is pretty scary to drive on with or without the bikers. But it's probably more of an illusion because of the sheer drop off to one side. Like a rollercoaster, no matter how secured you actually are, your mind responds as if you're about to die on the first drop...

danger boy

Northern Cali beats So Cal

danger boy

Cool tonyb... fun times and you are right.. the cliffs, coastline is stunningly beautiful. if you think that is amazing looking... try the same coastline in Oregon. I talk up the Oregon coastline every chance I get. it's as close to heaven as you can get in terms of high cliffs, not over populated and beautiful scenery with old fashioned lighthouses.

cheddar

tonyb wrote: »

Nah... I just like to eat at places that don't have the word "Pit" in their name.:p

Well, locals don't spend much of our time at the touristy places in fisherman's warf or chinatown. Once you get off the tourist paths, just like anywhere else, you can find even better food for less. I remember being at a conference in Chicago and spending a lot of money on food when I had to eat near the conference centers. There were probably plenty of good, cheap places to eat, but I had no idea where they were. But the cost of living in the bay area is high since everything is either bordered by water or mountains. There is very little room to actually expand. That's why SF is so small, it's almost an island.

cheddar

Isn't there supposed to be a girl lying on top of that car?

mutelight

Glad you enjoyed yourself, tonyb!

shack wrote: »

California is a nice place to VISIT.

And even better to live in. :cool: There is just simply too much to do and places to go to just visit if you really want to take in all it has to offer.

I have lived all over the east coast and in the south and while I liked many things about all the areas, I still came back to CA. Couldn't imagine living anywhere else.

shack

mutelight wrote:

Couldn't imagine living anywhere else.

Based on my visits there...I couldn't imagine living in CA.

Don't get me wrong...some parts are beautiful...like the Monterey Peninsula , Napa, Yosemite, the Sierra Nevadas, etc...

But...there are all those Californians...

Ron-P

shack wrote: »

But...there are all those Californians...

and...

shack

Ron-P wrote:

and...

Too damn many...and too many wackos...

Polk addict

Well, there's more people...