California Travel - Info, Recommendations, and Links

California

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California

Long Beach - We visited Long Beach in July 2003; it was a business trip for Mike, but Shay used some frequent flier miles to join him and make a mini vacation of it. We celebrated Independence Day during our visit; they set off the fireworks near the Queen Mary, and we had an unobstructed view from our vantage near Shoreline Village. For Mike's birthday, we enjoyed a lovely gondola ride around Naples. Read on for our suggestions on how to make the most of your visit to Long Beach...

Tourist Info:

Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau - This site is a great resource for visitors, offering information on accommodations, attractions, restaurants, nightlife, events, and more. You can even order a free visitors guide online. And be sure to check out the special offers, which you can print out and use as coupons. We took advantage of free admission to the Long Beach Art Museum, two-for-one offers on the Queen Mary and Harbor Breeze, and $3 off aquarium admission.

Online Guide Books - You can find additional information on Long Beach by visiting the useful (and free!) Frommer's online travel guide. (You can also find some Long Beach listings in the Fodors Los Angeles mini guide.)

Local Transportation:

Long Beach Transit - Public transportation in Long Beach is cheap and convenient, with various bus and shuttle routes and two water taxis. In addition, the MTA offers Metro Rail and Bus services that connect Long Beach with downtown Los Angeles (and beyond). Check out the Long Beach Transit web site for detailed information including route maps, schedules, fares, and more. Tip: If you're staying in downtown Long Beach, use the convenient Passport and Pine Avenue Link shuttle services for free transport around the downtown area. If you travel beyond Atlantic Avenue on a Passport bus (for example, if you're heading to the shopping/dining/nightlife area of Belmont Shore), you simply pay the regular local bus fare.

Attractions:

Aquarium of the Pacific - 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach - This fascinating aquarium features over 12,000 fish, animals, and other aquatic creatures, with some excellent opportunities for hands-on interaction. Downstairs, visitors can view a mesmerizing jellyfish display along with ocean life from Southern California. Upstairs, guests can stroll through display areas representing the North Pacific (don't miss the adorable sea otters!) and Tropical Pacific. The viewing areas continue outdoors, with the intriguing residents of the Lorikeet Forest, the exciting Shark Lagoon (where visitors can pet sharks and sting rays), and more of the California/Baja Gallery (including an entertaining seal and sea lion presentation). Visit the web site for visitor information, current exhibitions, events, and more. Note: The admission fees may seem a bit steep (currently $18.75 for an adult), but the aquarium is a non-profit organization, so all of your money goes back into caring for and preserving the many species that reside here. Tip: You can get a small break on admission by printing out a coupon from the special offers section of the Long Beach CVB site.

Belmont Shore - Area surrounding East Second St., Long Beach - Not so much an "attraction" as a shopping, dining, and nightlife destination. There are dozens of shops, from popular clothing stores to unique specialty boutiques. There are also a variety of restaurants to suit every taste, and numerous bars and nightclubs. Check out the map and business directory online. Note: Belmont Shore gets very crowded on the weekends; traffic moves at a snail's pace along East Second St., and parking can be difficult to come by...so you may want to consider taking public transport.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden - Earl Warren Blvd., CSU Long Beach Campus - A charming and peaceful oasis located on the grounds of the California State University Long Beach campus. The Japanese Gardens feature a bonsai collection, koi pond, waterfalls, bridges, and even a traditional tea house. Visit the web site for hours, directions, history, virtual tour, and more.

Gondola Getaway - 5437 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach - Have you ever dreamed of going on a romantic gondola ride? Long Beach's "Gondola Getaway" makes it possible, without having to travel to Italy. This company offers gondola rides around the lovely island community of Naples. They have smaller boats that carry two to six passengers, as well as a larger boat (the Caroline) that carries between 7-14 guests. Our gondolier wasn't one of the singing ones, but he was pleasant and informative. The price (we paid $65 for two, plus tip) includes the gondola ride; a basket of bread, cheese, and salami slices; and a souvenir photo. You are allowed to bring your own beverage (wine, champagne, etc.); they'll provide an opener, ice bucket, and glasses. It may not be cheap, but it is a romantic and highly memorable experience. (Try to book a sunset ride if you can.) Visit the web site for FAQs, directions, prices (scroll down to view), hours, and more. Advance reservations are required (at least one day, although they recommend 2-3 weeks); call 562-433-9595.

Harbor Breeze Harbor Cruises - Dock 2, Rainbow Harbor, Long Beach - Just a short walk from the Aquarium of the Pacific, visitors can board the Kristina for 45-minute narrated tour of Rainbow Harbor. The 85-passenger vessel is nothing fancy, but it has plenty of open seating on the upper deck as well as additional enclosed seating (plus a snack bar and restrooms) on the lower deck. It's a relaxing excursion that allows visitors to see Long Beach from a different perspective and learn a bit more about the local area. Harbor Breeze also offers private charters on the Kristina and the luxury yacht Caroline. The company has a slick web site; unfortunately, it doesn't offer too much in the way of information. Call for hours and other info: 562-432-4900 or 562-983-6800. Tip: Check the special offers section of the Long Beach CVB site to see if they're still offering a two-for-one coupon.

Long Beach Museum of Art - 2300 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach - If you enjoy art, be sure to visit this museum while you're in town. The museum features two floors of gallery space and hosts a variety of changing exhibitions. When we visited, a whimsical exhibition called The Artful Teapot was on display. It went way beyond functional teapots, and included all kinds of wild abstract designs inspired by this seemingly mundane object. The museum grounds also encompass waterfront gardens as well as a historic building housing the gift shop (a bit pricey, but offers some lovely items) and Spaghettini café (do try their delicious herbal iced tea!). Visit the web site for hours and admission (scroll about halfway down home page), exhibitions and collections, event calendar, and more. Tip: Check the special offers section of the Long Beach CVB site to see if they're still offering a free admission coupon.

Queen Mary - 1126 Queen's Highway, Long Beach - The Queen Mary is one of the most famous luxury liners ever built. Not only did she carry vacationing passengers on transatlantic sailings, but she also served in wartime, when her speed and stealth earned her the nickname of "The Grey Ghost." Today, she has found a permanent home in Long Beach, where she serves as a hotel, convention center, and tourist attraction. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the ship, which features a variety of interesting exhibitions. Paid admission also includes the spooky Ghosts & Legends show/tour. For an additional fee (or a special combo ticket price), visitors can also tour a Russian Cold-War-era submarine called the Scorpion. Visit the web site for prices, hours, directions, special events, and more. Tip: The standard $24.95 adult admission is rather pricey, so check the special offers section of the Long Beach CVB site to see if they're still offering a valuable two-for-one coupon.

Shoreline Village - Shoreline Village Dr., Long Beach - This charming "seaside village" encompasses a variety of shops, attractions, and restaurants/bars. The colorful buildings, wooden boardwalk, and waterfront views make this an enjoyable place to spend an afternoon or evening. Our favorite picks: Tequila Jack's for the wonderful margaritas and tasty Mexican food, the Yard House for "the world's largest selection of draft beer," and the Pelican Pier Pavilion featuring an arcade and a lovely carousel (try to get the cool sea-dragon "horse," which was Shay's favorite).

University Art Museum - Merriam Way, CSU Long Beach Campus - The California State University Long Beach campus boasts an interesting art museum. Visit the web site for hours and directions, information on the museum's collection and exhibitions, and more.

Day Trips - If you have the time (and money), try to schedule a daytrip or overnight stay on nearby Catalina Island:

Catalina Island - This lovely island, located 20 miles off the coast of Long Beach, is a popular vacation destination. Most visitors travel to the island by sea, via the Catalina Express, Catalina Passenger Service, or Catalina Explorer. An alternate (albeit pricier) form of transport is an Island Express Helicopter. Several companies offer excursions, including Catalina Adventure Tours, Discovery Tours, Catalina Island Expeditions, Catalina Snorkel & Scuba Adventures, and others. Top attractions include the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens, Casino Ballroom & Avalon Theatre, and Catalina Island Museum. To explore Catalina's port town, Avalon, look into renting a golf cart or bicycle. Among the island's popular restaurants and bars are Luau Larry's, 509 Crescent Ave.; Antonio's Pizza & Cabaret, 230 Crescent Ave.; The Landing, El Encanto Market Place at Crescent & Marilla; Sally's Waffle Shop (becomes Sally's Night Shift, a vegetarian restaurant, after 5:30pm), 501 Crescent Ave. at Green Pleasure Pier; and The Marlin Club (Catalina's oldest bar), 108 Catalina Ave.. Visit the Catalina Island, Catalina Island Visitors Bureau, and eCatalina web sites for additional information on transport, lodging, activities, shopping, dining, and more.

Restaurants:

	Alegria Cocina Latina - 115 Pine Ave., Long Beach - If you enjoy tapas and other Spanish foods, don't miss Alegria. We stopped by for dinner one evening, and were able to get an outside table shaded by trees (which occasionally rained little yellow flowers on our table). The interior had some intriguing murals on the walls, which were clearly inspired by Salvador Dalí. Toward the rear of the building, past the bar, was a stage...several musicians played Spanish music while a man and woman took turns dancing, with lots of clapping and stamping. This colorful restaurant/cantina has lots of ambiance! And our food was excellent. For an appetizer, we had the delicious Pa Amb Tomate al Horno (similar to a bruschetta). Shay ordered the Lasagna de Verduras (tortillas layered with veggies and cheese topped by a cilantro tomato sauce), which was fantastic (apart from the onions, which she insisted on picking out one by one). Mike tried the Solomillo, which was a filet mignon in a mushroom/port wine reduction with potato cakes. Of course, we had to order a liter carafe of Sangria to go with our food! Visit the web site for hours, directions, menus (lunch and dinner), photo gallery, video tour, and more.
	Ascari Ristorante - Hilton Hotel, 701 West Ocean Blvd., Long Beach - While many hotels are notorious for offering so-so food at exorbitant prices, we were pleased to find that the Hilton's restaurant, Ascari, offers excellent food at reasonable prices. Our corporate room rate included Ascari's extensive hot and cold breakfast buffet, featuring cereal, fruits, yogurt, muffins, pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and a changing hot item (on various days, we had pancakes, french toast, waffles, and even cheese blintzes with blueberry sauce!). Your server will bring fresh orange juice, coffee, tea, and/or ice water to your table. And their delicious sourdough toast is yours for the asking! We also had lunch here a couple of times. They offer a lunch buffet (which we didn't try) and a selection of tempting menu items. (Shay recommends the Eggplant Tartine sandwich with an Ascari Salad.) The restaurant is worth trying, even if you're not staying at the hotel.
	Papa Jon's Natural Market & Café - 5006 East Second St., Long Beach - This vegetarian café serves up a variety of tasty meals and a selection of beverages. Shay loved the spaghetti with tofu balls, and the tacos with chili beans and tofu were also quite good. The herbal iced tea was very refreshing! Shay would have liked to explore the menu further, if only we had stayed longer. (Hopefully we'll get back here again someday.) See Veg Dining, Vegetarians in Paradise, Online 49er, The Natural Foods Merchandiser, and Epinions for reviews. Papa Jon's does not seem to have its own web site, although it does have an ad page with an overview, hours, contact info, and map link. *Note:* Belmont Shore gets very crowded on the weekends; traffic moves at a snail's pace along East Second St., and parking can be difficult to come by...so you may want to consider taking public transport.
	Phuket Thai - 5274 East Second St., Long Beach - An inexpensive Thai restaurant located along Belmont Shore's busy East Second Street. We went here for dinner with one of Mike's colleagues. The restaurant doesn't offer much in the way of ambiance (apart from some Thai prints on the walls), but the food is very good and the portions are generous. The menu offered some interesting items that we've never seen before. For example, we had the Mee Krob Jei vegetarian appetizer, which consisted of crispy rice noodles with bits of fried tofu in a tamarind sauce. Yum! (Now our challenge is to find another restaurant in or near Boston that offers this dish.) Mike had the Pad Thai Jei (Tofu Pad Thai), which was excellent. Shay ordered the Kaneng Phed Jei (tofu and vegetables in red curry); it was quite good, but Shay was disappointed to find that the tofu was steamed (rather than fried) and that there wasn't much tofu mixed in with the veggies. Mike's colleague, David, loved his meal, which was duck in a curry sauce. All in all, we'd recommend this place if you enjoy good Thai food. Visit the web site for hours (scroll down), menu, location, and more. *Note:* Belmont Shore gets very crowded on the weekends; traffic moves at a snail's pace along East Second St., and parking can be difficult to come by...so you may want to consider taking public transport.
	Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery - One Pine Ave., Long Beach - We enjoyed dinner and drinks one evening at this (chain) microbrewery and restaurant in downtown Long Beach. They have both indoor and patio seating, and some really good music (which included lots of stuff from the 80s). For an appetizer, we tried the sesame-crusted calamari, which came with two dipping sauces. For our meals, Mike ordered the Grilled Mahi-Mahi, while Shay ordered a veggie cheeseburger with hickory sauce. Our meals were very tasty, and left us feeling too full to try the tempting desserts. See the bar listings (below) for our drink picks. Visit the web site for directions and hours, menu, microbrews, events, and more.
	Cold Stone Creamery - 4725 East Second St., Long Beach - If you're an ice cream addict, be sure to stop by here for a frozen treat. The staff will hand-mix your chosen flavor(s) and mix-ins on a marble slab. (And if you tip them a dollar, they'll sing you a song!) Mike ordered strawberry ice cream with macadamia nuts in a waffle cone, while Shay tried the sweet cream ice cream with amaretto flavor and Butterfinger pieces mixed in. We were both very happy with our selections! Visit the web site to view some sample ice cream creations (originals and "create your own"), location and contact info, map, events, other locations, and more. *Note:* Additional locations in Long Beach include the Bixby Center, Spring Street Pavilion, and The Pike at Rainbow Harbor.
	Tequila Jack's - 407 Shoreline Village Dr., Long Beach - If you're a fan of tequila, margaritas, and/or Mexican food, do NOT miss Tequila Jack's! For starters, how many places do you know of that offer more than 125 different kinds of tequila? Not many that we're aware of! Their delectable mango margarita is probably the best frozen margaritas Shay has ever had. And Mike was duly impressed by his drink selections: a Cadillac margarita and a Mai Tai (which was served in an actual coconut). The food was also stellar. If you go, be sure to try the (somewhat pricey but very tasty) guacamole, which is prepared table-side by one of their "professionally trained guacologists." The chips and salsa are nice and fresh (no day-old chips here). Shay ordered the Blackened Swordfish Tacos, which were delicious (if a bit messy to eat). Mike got the Spicy Pork Burrito. After the first few bites, he said, "This pork tastes very fish-y." Upon closer inspection, he realized that they actually had served him a swordfish burrito! Our waiter quickly replaced the dish, and Mike greatly enjoyed his meal. Visit the web site for directions, menus (margaritas, tequilas, and food), and more.

Clubs & Bars:

	While we didn't get to any nightclubs during our stay, we did hit a few good bars. (Most of them were also restaurants, so see the listing above for details on food.) Read on for our recommendations...
	Goth Clubs - In addition to the many goth clubs in and around LA, Long Beach actually has its own goth club, Release the Bats at Que Sera, 1923 East 7th St. Unfortunately, it only happens once a month (on the fourth Friday), and wasn't going on the weekend we were in town. For a summary of LA-area goth clubs (and an overview of Release the Bats), see the the International Goth Club Listing.
	Belmont Station - 5300 East Second St., Long Beach - A Mexican restaurant and bar located along Belmont Shore's busy East Second Street. We stopped here for after-dinner drinks and snacks. The margaritas were okay, but they weren't as good as Tequila Jack's; and the chips & salsa were nothing special. We've heard that the small dance area gets really crowded on the weekends, but it was fairly quiet the Tuesday evening we were there. We sat in the open dining area near the front, and had fun people-watching. *Note:* Belmont Shore gets very crowded on the weekends; traffic moves at a snail's pace along East Second St., and parking can be difficult to come by...so you may want to consider taking public transport.
	Lobby Bar at the Hilton - Hilton Hotel, 701 West Ocean Blvd., Long Beach - The Lobby Bar at our hotel was your typical overpriced hotel bar. However, it offers comfy seating, weekday happy hours, and some excellent cocktails. (If you do go, try the Key Lime Martini.) They also offer a limited menu with items from the hotel's great Ascari restaurant. But given that Long Beach is full of great bars, you probably wouldn't want to bother with this one unless you're staying at the hotel.
	Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery - One Pine Ave., Long Beach - We enjoyed dinner and drinks here one evening. Rock Bottom has both indoor and patio seating, and some really good music (which included lots of stuff from the 80s). In addition to our tasty meals, Mike tried a brown ale while Shay had a bottle of Wyder's Pear Cider (very crisp and refreshing...much better than the average American hard cider!). Our waitress also brought over a couple additional beers for us to taste: Cyclone Light Lager and Black Seal Stout. While Rock Bottom has a limited selection of brews, all the ones we tried were very good. Visit the web site for directions and hours, menu, microbrews, events, and more.
	Tequila Jack's - 407 Shoreline Village Dr., Long Beach - If you're a fan of tequila, margaritas, and/or Mexican food, do NOT miss Tequila Jack's! For starters, how many places do you know of that offer more than 125 different kinds of tequila? Not many that we're aware of! Their delectable mango margarita is probably the best frozen margaritas Shay has ever had. And Mike was duly impressed by his drink selections: a Cadillac margarita and a Mai Tai (which was served in an actual coconut). The food was also stellar--see our feedback under the restaurants section (above). Visit the web site for directions, menus (margaritas, tequilas, and food), and more.
	The Yard House - 401 Shoreline Village Dr., Long Beach - While the Yard House offers both food and drinks, its claim to fame is the "world's largest selection of draft beer." One look at the dozens of taps situated behind the bar, and you'll have every reason to believe them. What's more, you're not limited to "puny" 16-ounce pint glasses here; the place derives its name from the early Colonial tradition of serving beer in 36-inch tall glasses—or yards—to weary stagecoach drivers. If the ridiculously large yard glasses are a bit too daunting, you can always try a half-yard (which Mike did...it's just too bad he didn't care for the beer he selected at random). Shay was happy to see that the Yard House offered nine different types of cider on tap. (Unlike Mike, she stuck with the pint glasses.) While the Blackthorn wasn't as good as she remembered, the Strongbow was excellent, as always. She also enjoyed a pint of Wyder's Pear Cider, a crisp and refreshing drink that she had previously discovered at another bar. We also tried the Four Cheese Pizza, which turned out to be a bit too decadent...we couldn't even finish half of it between the two of us. Visit the web site for an overview, hours, directions, map, food menu, draft beer list, martinis and wines, photo gallery, other locations, and more.

Accommodations:

Hilton Long Beach - 701 West Ocean Blvd., Long Beach - Our hotel was located in the downtown Long Beach area, adjacent to the World Trade Center. The elegant décor in the common areas of the hotel followed an Asian theme, while our standard king room was spacious, modern, and comfortable. The room had a large bathroom, firm bed, desk, comfy chairs by the window, coffeemaker, blow dryer, iron and ironing board, TV with free HBO (plus movies and video games on demand), mini bar, and good closet space. Our room rate included a breakfast buffet at the Ascari Ristorante. We also ate there for lunch a couple of times, and found the food and service to be excellent. (Surprisingly, the prices were very reasonable.) We had a few drinks in the Lobby Bar; while they were tasty, they were also quite pricey. Visit the web site for information on accommodations and amenities, facilities and services, reservations, directions, special offers, photo gallery, and more.

Los Angeles - We've both been to LA several times on business trips and for a couple of days during our honeymoon, but we haven't really explored the city as tourists. One of these days we're hoping to return to LA for an extended visit, so we'll update this section with more personal recommendations then.

Tourist Info:

	Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau - This site contains a lot of useful information for visitors. You can order a free vacation planning guide online, and/or plan your trip online using the site's Vacation Planning Tool (VPT).
	Online Guide Books - You can find a wealth of information on LA sights, accommodations, dining, entertainment, and more by visiting the incredibly useful (and free!) Frommer's, Time Out, and Fodors online travel guides.

Local Transportation:

Los Angeles is definitely a driving city; the fastest, easiest way to get around is generally by car, and inexpensive parking abounds. However, if you prefer to do your local traveling by rail or bus, check out the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and LA Department of Transportation web sites for detailed information including route maps, timetables, and fares.

Attractions:

	CityPass - This pass includes admission to seven major Hollywood/Los Angeles attractions over a 30-day period. The attractions included are Universal Studios, Kodak Theatre Guided Tour, Hollywood Entertainment Museum, Starline Tours of Hollywood, and Autry Museum of Western Heritage. You can purchase a pass at several locations in and around Hollywood, or order it online.
	Disneyland - Disneyland Drive, Anaheim - Although we've both been to Florida's Disney World several times since we were children, our first visit to Disneyland was during our honeymoon. The parks are very similar, with many of the same major attractions: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Disneyland also features several rides that aren't available in Disney World, like the Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and Storybook Land Canal Boats. The outside of Disneyland's "it's a small world" ride is far more stunning than its Floridian counterpart, while the Haunted Mansion has a distinctly different architectural style than the one in Florida. (During our visit in October, the Haunted Mansion was all decked out in Tim Burton style with a "Nightmare Before Christmas" theme.) We also had an enjoyable meal at Blue Bayou (the non-alcoholic mint juleps were especially tasty); however, if you don't book priority seating in advance, be prepared for a ridiculously long wait. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to visit Disney's California Adventure; that will have to wait for our next visit!
	Universal Studios - Universal City Plaza, Hollywood - Universal Studios is quite entertaining, with lots of fun rides and attractions. Some of the highlights include the Studio Tour (not to be missed), Terminator 2: 3D, and the creepy, walk-through Mummy Returns: Chamber of Doom. After visiting the park, stop by one of the great restaurants at Universal's CityWalk for a meal.

Restaurants:

	Buca de Beppo - 80 West Green Street, Pasadena - Great Italian restaurant chain offering delicious food...and lots of it! (Related to Massachusetts' Vinny Testa's chain.) Bring a big appetite, or a large group of friends. Additional locations in California and other states are listed on the web site. *Note:* Only open for dinner.
	Wolfgang Puck Café - 1000 Universal Center Drive (CityWalk), Hollywood - Delectable food (including Puck's famous pizzas) at reasonable prices in bright & funky surroundings. The Roasted Pumpkin Mezzaluna Ravioli is highly recommended, as is the Wolf's Crème Brulée Sampler dessert. A sample menu is available online, along with a list of additional locations.

Clubs & Bars:

	Alas, neither of us has really experienced much of LA nightlife, so we can't provide much feedback here. But we plan to visit LA again before the end of the year (this time for fun!), so hopefully we'll have some good recommendations then. In the meantime, you can research LA nightlife via the following web sites: LA2Nite, DigitalCity, CitySearch, or Time Out.
	Goth Clubs - LA has a number of goth clubs, none of which we've been to...yet. For a complete list, see the International Goth Club Listing.
	CityWalk Hollywood - Universal Center Drive, Hollywood -This restaurant, shopping, and entertainment complex is located outside of the Universal Studios theme park. There are plenty of fun distractions here. Try the Wizardz bar for some yummy drink concoctions, and have your fortune told by tarot or palm readers. There are over a dozen restaurants within CityWalk; Shay recommends Wolfgang Puck Café and Buca di Beppo, and a good friend of ours recommends Cafe Tu Tu Tango.

Accommodations:

	Embassy Suites - 900 East Birch Street, Brea - Mike has stayed here on business, and claims that this is the best hotel he's ever stayed in. We also spent a couple of nights here during our honeymoon. The suites are comprised of two separate rooms, and each one features high-speed internet connection, a wet bar, and video games. Guests also receive free breakfast (including made-to-order eggs), and the hotel hosts a nightly happy hour with free drinks and munchies. Embassy Suites is conveniently located next to a large shopping mall.
	Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport - 9750 Airport Boulevard, Los Angeles - We spent a night here during our honeymoon, as we had an early morning flight to Tahiti and wanted to be near the airport. The rooms were comfortable and nicely decorated, although not especially large. The hotel offers a free airport shuttle.
	Hilton Glendale - 100 West Glenoaks Boulevard, Glendale - Beautiful hotel with classy, clean, and comfortable rooms. (Most of the rooms have great views of the San Gabriel mountains.) Located north of Los Angeles, between Burbank and Pasadena. A good base for exploring Hollywood and Burbank; not as convenient if you plan to spend a lot of time in downtown LA. Great food in the hotel's restaurants: 100 West American Grill and Coffee Garden Restaurant.
	Radisson Hotel at Los Angeles Airport - 6225 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles - This is the closest hotel to LAX; Mike reports that his hotel room window had a great view of planes taking off and landing. The rooms are clean and good-sized, and feature high-speed internet connection. The hotel is 10 minutes from Marina del Ray and 20 minutes from downtown LA.

San Francisco - We've both been to San Francisco on business trips, and were able to do a bit of sightseeing during our stays. We'd like to go back there someday on vacation and do some more sightseeing and bar/club-hopping; we'll be sure to post more personal recommendations when we do!

Tourist Info:

	San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau - This site contains a lot of useful information for visitors. You can order a free visitor info kit online, download self-guided walking tours, access visitor maps, view event calendars, and more.
	Online Guide Books - You can find a wealth of information on San Francisco sights, accommodations, dining, entertainment, and more by visiting the incredibly useful (and free!) Frommer's, Time Out, and Fodors online travel guides, as well as Bay City Guide, Bay Area Traveler, and The San Francisco Insider. And visit mapwest.com to print out travel coupons and order free maps.

Local Transportation:

San Francisco MUNI - During Shay's business trip to San Francisco, she took MUNI transportation everywhere she went rather than renting a car and paying for parking...and it worked out great! It's a very easy and inexpensive way to get around the city. MUNI transportation includes the subway/light-rail system, electric trolley buses, diesel buses, and the world-famous cable cars. Fares, maps, schedules, and a helpful trip planner are available online. If you plan to do a lot of traveling by MUNI, a single- or multi-day Passport can save you money.

Attractions:

	CityPass - This pass includes admission to five major San Francisco attractions over a 9-day period, plus a 7-day MUNI passport that allows unlimited usage of all city transportation (including cable cars). The attractions included in the CityPass are the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise, Exploratorium, Palace of the Legion of Honor, and California Academy of Science & Steinhart Aquarium. You can purchase a pass at several locations within San Francisco, or order it online. *Note:* You can exchange the bay cruise for an Alcatraz tour if you purchase the CityPass from Blue & Gold Fleet in advance.
	Golden Gate Bridge - Easily the most famous sight in San Francisco. If you plan to take photos, try to visit on a clear day...otherwise, you'll find that fog/smog may obscure your view of this landmark. If you plan to drive across the bridge, note that there is a toll; if you plan to walk across it, bring a jacket—it's always windy above the water. (If you're traveling by MUNI, you can get here via the Route 28 - 19th Avenue bus or the Route 29 - Sunset bus.)
	Golden Gate Park - This sprawling (1,000+ acres) park is filled with fun and interesting things to do and see. If you like museums, check out the de Young Museum, Asian Art Museum, and California Academy of Sciences (which includes the Natural History Museum, Steinhart Aquarium, and Morrison Planetarium). If you like quirky sights, stop by the Dutch windmill and bison paddock. Shay recommends a visit to the Japanese Tea Garden, where you can take a peaceful break among koi ponds and bamboo trees. While you're there, stop by the Tea House and treat yourself to tea and cookies. Click here to view an HTML map of the park, or click here to view a detailed PDF version. (If you're traveling by MUNI, you can get here via any of the following buses: Route 5 - Fulton, Route 18 - 46th Avenue, Route 21 - Hayes, Route 28 - 19th Avenue, Route 29 - Sunset, Route 44 - O'Shaughnessy, and Route 71 or 71L - Haight-Noriega.)
	San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - 151 3rd Street, San Francisco - If you enjoy modern art, you won't want to miss this museum. SFMOMA's collections feature works by such legendary artists as Magritte, Picasso, Mondrian, Duchamp, Rothko, Man Ray, and others. The museum also hosts a variety of interesting exhibitions. (If you're traveling by MUNI, you can get here via any of the following buses: Route 15 - Third Street, Route 30 - Stockton, or Route 45 - Union-Stockton.) *Tip:* While you're visiting the museum, don't miss the opportunity to visit the lovely Yerba Buena Gardens across the street.
	Coit Tower - This 210-foot monument sits high on Telegraph Hill. You can take an elevator to the top; on a clear day, you'll enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of San Francisco. (If you're traveling by MUNI, the Route 39 - Coit bus will get you here.)
	Crookedest Street - Lombard Street, between Hyde and Leavenworth - The famous twisty street is actually a very small stretch of Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth streets. Great fun to drive if you have a car while you're in San Francisco. (If you're traveling by MUNI, the Powell-Hayes cable car passes the intersection of Hyde and Lombard Streets.)
	Metreon - 101 Fourth Street, San Francisco - This huge Sony entertainment complex has something for everyone. The IMAX theatre hosts a variety of large-screen movies, including several in 3D. Portal One is filled with the latest interactive games, while the 175-seat, triple-screen Action Theatre features a line-up of anime, animated entertainment, and action features. Where the Wild Things Are is an interactive play area that is popular among young children. Metreon also features a wide variety of shops and restaurants.
	Painted Ladies - Alamo Square, San Francisco - Be sure to stop by Alamo Square during your visit to San Francisco to take in one of the city's most photographed sights: a row of pretty pastel-colored Victorian houses set against a backdrop of the city skyline. This picturesque stretch of Steiner Street is also known as "postccard row." (If you're traveling by MUNI, the Route 21 - Hayes bus will get you here.)
	49-Mile Scenic Drive - If you happen to have a car during your stay in San Francisco, the scenic drive is a great way to acquaint yourself with some of the city's major sights and districts including Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, The Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Twin Peaks, and more. You can pick up a map that includes the tour route at the Visitor Information Center, or order a free map online. Click here to view an HTML version of the tour route map.

Restaurants:

	Millennium - 580 Geary Street, San Francisco - One of Shay's all-time favorite restaurants anywhere. This gourmet vegetarian restaurant offers delicious food in an elegant atmosphere. Try the Plantain Torte, Estofado Beggar's Purse, and/or Chestnut & 3-Grain Risotto. A sample menu is available online. *Note:* Go early, or make reservations.
	Alegrias - 2018 Lombard Street, San Francisco - Wonderful little Spanish tapas restaurant. Try the Cazuela de Queso de Cabra (oven cooked goat cheese on a bed of tomato sauce), Patas Bravas (crisp potatoes with spicy red sauce), and Setas al Ajillo (mushrooms sautéed in garlic and wine). The full menu is available online. Be sure to order a pitcher of sangria!
	Cliff House - 1090 Point Lobos, San Francisco - A top dining destination for all first-time (and return!) visitors to San Francisco. The Cliff House specializes in fresh seafood; a typical menu is available online. The main dining room offers stunning views of Seal Rocks and the Pacific Ocean. *Tip:* After your meal, walk outside the restaurant and around to the back to visit the Giant Camera (camera obscura) and Musee Mecanique—an arcade filled with unusual antique games.
	Long Life Noodle Company & Jook Joint - 139 Steuart Street, San Francisco - Not-your-average Chinese food. This casual eatery focuses on noodles (either in broth or stir-fried) and jook (a sort of porridge). A full menu and additional locations are available online.

Clubs & Bars:

	Unfortunately, we didn't get to visit many bars and clubs during our trips to San Francisco, so we can't provide much feedback here. But when we do get back there again, we'll be sure to add our recommendations here. In the meantime, you can research San Francisco nightlife via the following web sites: SFGate, SFStation, DigitalCity, CitySearch, and Time Out.
	Goth Clubs - San Francisco has several goth clubs (visit the International Goth Club Listing for a complete list). Mike even visited one of them during a business trip...unfortunately, he can't seem to recall which one it was!
	ThirstyBear Brewing Company - 661 Howard Street, San Francisco - If you enjoy microbrews, Shay recommends ThirstyBear. Visit their web site for the beer list and food menus (they serve tapas and other Spanish-style entrees).

Accommodations:

Harbor Court Hotel - 165 Steuart Street, San Francisco - Shay stayed here while in town for an intranets convention. This is a lovely little hotel in a nice area; it is within walking distance of many restaurants and the Embarcadero Center. Beautifully decorated rooms with canopied beds. Complimentary hosted wine reception from 5-6pm nightly.

Holiday Inn - 330 North Bayshore Boulevard, San Mateo - Mike stayed at this hotel during a business trip to San Mateo. This Holiday Inn is just a few minutes away from SFO airport, and it offers a complimentary airport shuttle. Unlike hotels within the city of San Francisco, this hotel has plenty of free parking for guests. The guests rooms are large and comfortable. The hotel is located right off of Highway 101, and it is about a 20-minute drive from San Francisco.

Note: There are a lot of links throughout this section. Although we try to maintain these pages on a regular basis, web site pages go up, come down, and change addresses at a staggering pace. So if you happen to notice any bad links, please contact us so that we can update our listings. Many thanks!