hey guys,

I was wondering where some nice/chill places to travel to for food/picture/site seeing? Im located in SGV el monte to be exact.

I was wondering if theres anything special out there in socal.. Since my girlfriend has to be home around 11pm/12am probably no more than a 2-3 hour drive. We "want to be" kinda big on traveling. Since we are both in college so funds are kinda tight, but it doesn't mean we wont spend!

 

come down to san diego. girls like road trips and spontaneous getaways hahaha not tooo sure how far it is

 

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/N2yaE...Ey9EI7PVe9n0Pg

took my girl there and the pancakes were amazing..
drive is around 2.5 hours?
just a cool place to chill

this is i believe as far as u might go..

 

The 10 East will be your friend..
http://www.pstramway.com/
It's passing the Casino, it's nice up there. You can do some hiking up there if you enjoy that stuff. The drive itself is a little boring because some desert, but once you get there it's a whole different feel to it. It's like taking you up to Sequioa national park. I am not sure if you like italian food but in http://www.mariositaliancafes.com is some good eating in that area.

 

+1 San Diego plenty in a nice area. Coronado, La Jolla, Old Town, downtown...

There are also the beach communities north on 101 that go through Del Mar up to Oceanside. If you like Italian, we've enjoyed these places:
http://www.vigiluccis.com/

If you want unique chocolates and what female doesn't like them...
http://www.chuaochocolatier.com/cafes.html

There is also Santa Barbara on State St. to wander.
More chocolate:
http://www.chocolatemaya.com/

Newport Fashion Island:
We like this place though simple:
http://www.cafebeausoleil.net/

You can also do the OC version of Diamond Plaza on Jamboree

Solvang is a nice visit as posted above, if you enjoy wine, plenty to have a go at.
Food, average IME. Paula's is good and it is pretty busy on weekends due to local crowds coming in for the day. In town, head into Los Olivos
http://www.losolivoscafe.com/

This is the inn but the restaurant offers very nice dining.
http://www.fessparker.com/

As well, the various steak places in Buellton on the road into Solvang.

In the general area is this place just outside of SB and out of Solvang. This restaurant has lots of atmosphere especially at night:
http://www.coldspringtavern.com/

Don't go on a Sunday afternoon. It is the hangout for hot dog hour and it attracts mega bikers. Not a problem in peeps, but it is very-very crowded and parking will be difficult.

 

Go wine tasting in Temecula. it's about an hr and half away

 

For some nice scenery, food, and sight seeing, you can travel to Temecula or Santa Barbara into wine country. Lots of rolling hills, relaxed twisty roads, and perfect SoCal weather. I ride my motorcycle there all the time just to be away from regular traffic.



A cruise up PCH is also good. Take the 10 to Santa Monica which turns to PCH, and travel up the coast. The Getty Villa is an awesome place to check out (free admission, but you need to make reservations), and if you keep traveling north, you can grab some seafood at Neptune's Net, and then do a photoshoot at Point Mugu State Park.

 

The PCH is the route I usually take to LA, Low traffic for the most part and there is also a private beach with a resturant there. Good steaks there, not horrible on the price. If you eat there you only pay like 3-5 bucks for the beach enterence/parking.

Paradise Cove Beach Cafe‎
28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265-3928
(310) 457-2503‎

 

Thanks for this. me and my girls anniversary is this weekend. I think I may do this. Hows the traffic you think for the 30th? being that monday is memorial day.

 

Monday may be crowded with travelers. Also, the L.A. commute through the 10 freeway may be aggravating, even if it is a holiday.

PCH is relatively light on Sundays. I recommend doing it then instead of Monday.

 

Thanks guys! I'll probably hit up PCH and what TLDRIVER mention.. all this wine tasting that i cannot drink! still under the age :thmbdwn:

RA40 I try to hit up vigiluccis? depending if we are in that area.

ZhiuPei, those hotcakes look tasty.

Oh i should of been more specific.. i dont mind driving pretty far out, but if i am driving 100+ miles just for a meal i don't think i am up to it..

i will probably go down to SD to chill with friends and eat a phils bbq or hodads as i hear they are amazing.

 

In Temecula, we've been eating at Baily's when in town. They used to be in the shopping center just off Rancho California but moved into Old Town. Last time I had the seared duck. Eat upstairs, the downstairs is casual and has a different menu. The winery also has a nice lunch offering.

http://www.oldtowndining.com/

South Coast Winery & Resort is pretty nice though I was expecting a bit higher level food. It is still good, I have different expectations considering what is offered among Napa and Sonoma region restaurants. The wine is also pretty tasty.

http://www.wineresort.com/

They have a restaurant in Costa Mesa, some similar menu items but it seems like average taste to me.

Phil, have you eaten the BBQ place in Old Town Temecula?

 

PCH gets my vote, beautiful place to cruise and enjoy life.


On a side note, do you by any chance go to PCC?

I always see this around lol.

 

Which one? Penfolds?

 

I willbprobably visit Temecula.

Vietunit. Yeah I do go to PCC and that is my car 7am classes aren't that great either hah