Travelling to LA and San Francisco, need advice what to see | FerrariChat

Travelling to LA and San Francisco, need advice what to see

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by AndersJL, May 23, 2005.

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  1. AndersJL

    AndersJL Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2001
    376
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    AL
    Hi,
    I will be going (from Sweden) to LA and San Francisco. As I will have a rental car and some time to kill, I will be able to go and see some collections / museums.
    Please give me some advise what to see, where to go (address / web / opening hours) etc.
    For example, I have heard that Symbolic Motors should be worthwile a visit...?
    -Anything else ?

    Ciao,
    Anders
     
  2. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    35,532
    Victory Circle
    Full Name:
    HUBBSTER
    Symbolic is good to see
    In LA I would go to
    Santa Monica beach
    Peterson Auto Museum
    Disney Land
    The Mann Chinese theatre on Hollywood Blvd, then theres a new Mall a few blocks away which is pretty cool
    Melrose Ave is nice
    Then theres Rodeo Dr on Beverly Hills
    Hollywood is sort of a Mexican middle class neighborhood so theres not much to see unless you can get invited to a studio

    Careful though in LA make sure you stay on the West side of the city because the East side can get dangerous

    In San Francisco, Ferrari has a company dealership not too far away.
    Then there is Sears Point race track nearby,
    In the city there is Pier 39 & the whole Fishermans wharf area
    China town
     
  3. AndersJL

    AndersJL Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2001
    376
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    AL
    Many thanks William !

    That´s enough to keep me and the family busy for a while :)
     
  4. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,855
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    If you are driving from San Fran to LA or LA to San Fran, definitely go up/down the coast through Big Sur. Monterey, Carmel (Great little town, and don't miss the 17 Mile Drive through Pebble Beach), San Simeon, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara. Stop at Ventana while driving through Big Sur. It's a great ride. North of San Fran, check out the Muir Woods, and if you have the time, drive up to Napa region and try some wine. In San Fran, if you want to go to Alcatraz, book tickets in advance. In LA, Peterson is good. Check out LaBrea tar pits. And if you can, book tickets in advance to the taping of a show like Jay Leno or one of the others. If you've never seen how they do it, it's fun. Just a few ideas. There is just an unbelievable amount of stuff to do out there.
     
  5. marks308GTB

    marks308GTB Karting

    Jun 6, 2004
    114
    Los Altos Hills, Ca.
    Full Name:
    Mark S.
    You already have a good list.

    But here are a few more things:

    In SF: Museum of Modern Art (Moma)
    China town (a real living piece of China)
    Golden Gate Bridge
    Go to a baseball game at the beautiful SBC baseball stadium
    on the Bay
    Endless worldclass restaurants (search the web)
    Walk Market Street....you get to see the real SF
     
  6. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    For cars check out Fantasy Junction just accross the Bay Bridge. Usually a ton of rare cars. And for dinner, does anything really top Kullettos?
     
  7. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    52,422
    SFPD
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    Dirty Harry
    Anders, when is your trip?
     
  8. tvrfreak

    tvrfreak F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Mar 31, 2003
    3,879
    Arkansas
    Full Name:
    F K
    For car-related stuff:

    San Francisco area:
    Blackhawk museum
    BMC dealership on Van Ness
    Ferrari of San Francisco in Mill Valley
    Ferrari of Silicon Valley
    Fantasy Junction
    Sears Point racetrack
    Laguna Seca Raceway
    Google these items and see if anything is happening at the tracks on the days you could go...

    Los Angeles area:
    Petersen Museum
    Marconi Museum
    JB Nethercutt collection
    Ferrari of Beverly Hills
    Keuylian Motors
    Symbolic

    You would be doing yourself a huge disservice if you neglected all the other things there are to do and see in these areas. There's tons of tourist books to point you to those items, but here's a smattering:

    San Francisco area:
    MOMA, Metreon, "painted ladies", Haight Street, Coit Tower, North Beach, some historical house tours, Palace of Fine Arts, Asian Arts pavilion, Union Square, Embarcadero walk and markets within the piers, Lombard street (crooked street), Presidio, tram tours, Marina district, Fisherman's wharf, walking the full length of the Golden Gate bridge, Skyline drive,

    North of SF
    Sausalito, seaplane tours, Muir Woods, Napa vineyards, World-class Chinese, Thai cuisine, etc., etc.

    South of SF
    Hiller Airplane museum, Skyline drive, Stanford University and University Ave. in Palo Alto, science museum in San Jose, the Winchester Mystery house in San Jose, shopping at the outlet mall in Gilroy, Monterey, Carmel (make sure you do the 17 mile drive), Big Sur, drive along the coast (Rte.1) to LA, with stops in San Simeon (do not miss Hearst Castle), Santa Barbara

    LA Area:
    I will let the experts/tourbooks tell you. There's a lot to see! I definitely recommend a Korean bbq dinner in Koreatown. The Getty museum is simply unforgettable, both for its collection and its architecture, horticulture. Take a guided tour there. I believe there is no entrance fee either. Universal Studios is also very nice--they have tours. And there's a nice shopping center with eateries there--I think it's called Universal City.

    Both places have pretty good zoos as well. There's a wild animal sanctuary in the LA area called Shambala, but you have to make arrangements months in advance. See if you can get a tour. Up here, in the San Francisco area, they are all closed to the public except for the safari park within Six Flags Adventure Park in Vallejo.

    Let me know when you will be in town and I will keep you in the loop for any exotic car gatherings. There are lots. :)
     
  9. jharkercfduc

    jharkercfduc Karting

    Sep 4, 2004
    133
    riverside california
    Full Name:
    jonathan harker
    there is one that has not been mentioned yet, and it, if you are an enthusiast is a must, crystal cove on saturday morning. please look at the southern california forum for the details, but I have been a few times and seen an enzo, an f40, and lots and lots of other toys. there are many fchat people that are there. it's a must.
     
  10. AndersJL

    AndersJL Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2001
    376
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    AL
    Wow, I am amazed ! ! !
    You are really promoting your country.
    Thanks a lot guys.

    I am travelling twice: November this year and Feb/March next.

    Would Feb. be a good time to visit Disneyland (avoiding the x hours of ques) ?
    For sure, there will always be ques, but some periods may be better than others....

    Cheers,
    Anders
     
  11. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,614
    The Brickyard
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    The Bad Guy
    I can only speek for LA. I like doing things cost effective.

    Free stuff:

    Zuma State Beach in Malibu.
    This is the place that they made the Bay Watch TV show about. If you park along the Pacific Coast Highway you won't have to pay for parking.

    Crystal Cove in Newport Beach.
    Get there early in the morning around 7am. You will see just about every car you can think of. Have a look at the Southern California section to get an idea of what I'm talking about.

    Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
    You can park for free at one of the city parking lots for I think 90 minutes. Have lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Beverly Center.

    The Getty Museum in Santa Monica, or the J.Paul Getty on Pacific Cost Highway in Santa Monica. Both are free. At The Getty it is $5 to park and no reservation needed. I think the J.Paul Getty Museum has free parking but you need to make a reservation.

    If you get in contact with Paramount Studios you can get in free to see the taping of a show. You can also go see the live taping of the Price Is Right game show at CBS studios on Fairfax. You may even get to be on the show. you will need to get there VERY early to get a seat.

    Hollywood.
    As mentioned you can see the Mann's Chinese Theater. Also the walk of fame down Hollywood Blvd, and for lunch eat at Mel's on the Sunset Strip, near La Cienega Blvd.

    Travel Town in Griffith Park.
    If you have children they will like it. It is an outside train museum that is free, or at least it was the last time I was there. They also have miniture train rides a little further down, I think they do them every other Sunday. Call information to find out.


    Cheap stuff:

    Go see a Dodgers Baseball game. You can't come to the U.S and not see our national sport in person. The parking is $15 and the cheap seats are about $7 per person. I would get the tickets ahead of time, especially if you are going to go to one of the games on the weekend. But take some extra money, bacause the food is not cheap.

    Paramount Studios Tour.
    Forget about Universal Studios, it is really expensive, and in my opinion SUCKS. You can get a tour of the Paramount Studios for I think $15 per person. You can even go after you see one of the free shows.

    Los Angeles Arboretum in Arcadia.
    It is a very large botanical garden. I think admission is $6. They used to film the TV show Fantasy Island there, as well as the old Tarzan movies. It is a very nice place for a picnic. They have Peacocks all over the place.


    Hope you have a good time.
     
  12. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 19, 2001
    22,614
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    The Bad Guy
    When you go to Disneyland go during the week. Tuesday or Wednesday is pretty good.

    Oh yeah one more thing. If you spend the night at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, you get to go to the magic shows in the private club. The place is world famous, and is were the hold the world championships of magic. It is kind of expensive to stay at the hotel, but it is well worth the price. The only other way to get in the club is if you are a member, or if you know a memeber that can get you in. I highly recommend you stay there if you are planning on doing the Hollywood thing. You can walk to all the places to see on Hollwood blvd from the castle.
     
  13. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 19, 2001
    22,614
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    And yet another one I forgot.

    The Aqarium of the Pacific in Long Beach isn't bad either.
     
  14. Prancing Horse

    Prancing Horse Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2003
    532
    I lived in Santa Monica before moving to the Bay Area and love both areas.

    For a nice itinerary:

    Check out incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge from Crissy Field/ Presidio on the SF side.

    Cross Golden Gate Bridge, tour Sausalito and enjoy Japanese at Sushi Ran considered one of the best in the Bay Area.

    Drive up north a few miles to Ferrari of SF in Mill Valley.

    Head up to the top of Mount Tamalpais (one of the highest points in the Bay Area) where you can see absolutely stunning views of the Pacific, the Bay and SF in the distance. This is a must do!

    Drive back down and head to Tiburon for relaxing drinks at Sam's- great bar/ food place with seating right on the water.

    ENJOY!!
     
  15. tvrfreak

    tvrfreak F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Mar 31, 2003
    3,879
    Arkansas
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    There's good surfing spots up and down the entire coast--Santa Cruz (40 miles south of San Francisco) is a prime surfing spot.

    There's a world class aquarium/marine wildlife refuge in Monterey as well.

    Feb/March--it's cold/chilly (for us, you'd probably be in shorts!) and rains a lot during those months. You'd be better of going to Disney during your November visit.
     

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