USVI-On-Line

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 3:26 pm**

Hi All!
Rainy day at my house, so I'm planning some fun stuff for my upcoming work weeks. Thanks for all those who sent along Sonoma County Wine suggestions. That trip is in a couple of weeks and I shall send along a report.

In the coming weeks, work will be sending me to San Jose, two weeks in Sacramento, and 2.5 weeks in Costa Mesa. I have accomodations and work most nights and weekends. So mostly, I need suggestions on day trips, outdoor activites, interesting things to see/do. I will have a car in all the locations.

In Sacramento, I hope to spend some days driving over to the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe and in Costa Mesa...hopefully, some interesting beach excursions. I haven't spent any time in this part of CA, so I'm a blank slate. No pressure, CA Girl, but I'm counting on you here!

Thanks in advance for taking the time to send along your suggestions...

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 3:56 pm**

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Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:22 pm**

since you will be up in sonoma anyway--head due west and check out the coast around bodega bay

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:10 pm**

Hi Sun! Cool that you have 2.5 weeks in Costa Mesa! That's close enough to meet for happy hour or something!

Since you have enough time in the area, I suggest you take a day trip to Catalina Island. http://www.catalinaexpress.com/scheduleFares.php . Avalon is a really small town (3 blocks long, maybe?) and you can do the whole thing on foot. There are also bus trips to the interior of the island, but private cars aren't allowed. Catalina is an easy 1-day trip from Long Beach or Dana Point (I think Dana Pt. is closer to Costa Mesa).

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is pretty cool too. http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/planyo ... ces_hours/

If you feel like a little drive, head up I-405 to I-10 and head west. It ends in Santa Monica ... go to the pier!

http://www.santamonicapier.org/

The Newport area is really fun, too. Check out the Newport Pier. It's been years since I was there, but I imagine it's still a cool place to walk around.

If you can get a weekday off, take a chance on "standby" tickets and go to a TV show taping. (Or you might still have time to get tickets to whatever shows you'd like to see.) Tickets are free, all you have to do is either sign up on the show's website or call them, I think. I was looking for tickets for Ellen yesterday, but none of the available dates work for me. Maybe you could get some Ellen tickets!

What else? What else? There's so much to do.... I'll get back to you!

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:40 pm**

Hi Sun,
I'm a native Californian (although I live in VT - brrr) and grew up in the Bay Area. If you haven't spent much time in San Franciso, you could easily do that from San Jose. Also, spend time in Marin (Sausalito, Tiburon, Angel Island). Heading south or southwest from SJ you could visit Santa Cruz, or as someone mentioned earlier Monterey (great aquarium) and Carmel. There's lots of preserved land around Carmel with great hiking.

Enjoy your visit!

Posted: **Sun Mar 01, 2009 1:28 pm**

Thanks for all the tips, everyone!

Lovermont-I've never done any hiking near Carmel, but have a friend that lives near there. So if I can't make it this trip, then I have something for next time!

SJ - I agree regarding the drive through Big Sur, etc. I have done that...AMAZING. Not sure if I will have time for repeat performance, but will try.

CA Girl- We should definitely hook up. I'll PM you when its closer to time...early April for my trip. Are you a theatre person? That's what brings me to town.... Catalina Island sounds great and I'll see what tv shows might be available. FUN!

Posted: **Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:42 pm**

Sun, are you coming to the Orange County Performing Arts Center? I like most theatre, depending on what it is.

Now I have to look up the Performing Arts schedule!

If you're involved in theatre, then you would definitely like seeing the "behind scenes" of a television show!

Posted: **Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:53 pm**

Yes, Orange County PAC for the first two weeks of April. No need to look it up, I work for Avenue Q.....its a contemporary show and certainly NOT for everyone. Though personally, I think its hilarious!

Posted: **Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:53 pm**

Hey,
What about Balboa Blvd and riding bikes up and down the strand?

Crystal Cove State Park is right there and a great little restaurant down on the beach not too far from where famous films were shot, like the cottage where "Beaches" was filmed. Nice biking and hiking around there also.

It's whale watching season for hump backs. Go to Dana Point and pay half price on Tuesdays to go out in the a.m. for a great ride and you'll see dolphins and hopefully some whales. We saw 4 whales last year at this time! It was amazing.

San Clemente Pier is our favorite for a fish meal. Be sure so ask for "rail side".

Go to Dana Point to the marine museum and hear the history of Mr. Dana and the area.

San Juan Capistrano Mission is beautiful and full of history.

Best breakfast is at Ramos House in San Juan Capistrano http://www.ramoshouse.com A bit pricey, but well worth it for one time experience. Best bloody mary with a crab claw!

Posted: **Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:09 am**

Thanks Terry! Its been so cold lately, that I forgot all about having my bike with me! It will finally be warm enough when I hit that area to get back on two wheels again! Thanks for the suggestions!

Posted: **Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:11 am**

Terry's right! Dana Point Harbor is about 4 miles from my house and I can literally walk to the Mission San Juan Capistrano! If you want to see the mission and Los Rios Street (Ramos House Cafe), I'd be happy to be your tour guide!

The San Clemente Pier has a great 'over the water' bar & restaurant! Breakfast at Ramos House & lunch at the pier? Hmmm...

P.S. I've been all over the Avenue Q website! Cool!

Posted: **Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:19 am**

Sounds like a date!

BTW- Serving PENIS...still laughing...

Posted: **Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:21 am**

Is Avenue Q the Muppets thing? I think it already came to Nashville, and I missed it, but I wanted to see it. Oh well.

Now, back to California. I have only been there once, but I absolutely loved the Santa Monica Pier and I went to the Jay Leno show and had a blast. The best part was that you go to pick your tickets up in Salem, the Days of Our Lives town!!!! (I guess that's where they shoot the exterior shots for the show.)

We were supposed to go to Catalina, but we ran out of time. I really enjoyed it out there, though. The Pacific Ocean seems a lot different than the Atlantic, I think.

Posted: **Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:28 am**

Jay Leno would be fun..I should look into the possibility of tickets...Do they do Advance Sales or you stand in line the day of?

Yes, Ave Q is the Muppets thing...Though Jim Henson would roll over if he heard me say that! I don't think he meant for the Muppets to talk about porn!

We did play Nashville in the fall. But I'm sure the next leg of the tour will be back your way eventually!

Posted: **Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:03 pm**

Sun,

We saw Avenue Q at The Forrest in Philadelphia last Jan '08... loved it!

Is there just one touring group? Were you there then?

Sounds like you are getting lots of good CA rec's. Hope you will let us all know what you end up doing.

Carolyn

USVI-On-Line

Suggestions for my California Trip, please...

Suggestions for my California Trip, please...