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The Swanky's Do Cali |
Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4807
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
|  Posted: 2011-06-23 1:44 pm Permalink
We are making it a California tour vacation on our way to Oasis. Flyinf into SFO on the 13th, then flying down to LA, and then likely driving down to San Diego from there. All we know for sure is we will be in San Diego on Thursday.
We want to see all we can. All the vintage and just plain old places. Funky. Vintage shopping. Funky museums. I think BigBro has volunteered as a tour guide for a day in LA. We'll likely be at Tiki Ti Wed night. Must get to Smuggler's Cove and TV Emoryville. Go see the Tonga Room while we can.
Beyond that list, what are the recommendations of the veterans and locals. Please think in terms of variety as we can't just go bar to bar to bar, and if you have an itenary, please share. Breakfast to dinner to late drinks, what would you lead us on?
Looking forward to my first real trip to California for fun!
Oh, and hotel/motel suggestions in SFO and LA?
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WooHooWahine
Grand Member (7 years) 
Joined: Mar 04, 2005
Posts: 2902
From: Mission (Impossible) Viejo, Ca
| Posted: 2011-06-23 6:37 pm Permalink
Don The Beachcomber in Huntington Beach is a MUST-Stop. All Day Happy Hour on Mondays (which is TC Night) & Happy Hour from 4-7 Tues.-Thurs. Let us know if you plan to stop by Don's 
[ This Message was edited by: WooHooWahine 2011-06-23 18:38 ]
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2459
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2011-06-23 7:39 pm Permalink
Here's my suggestions for a Los Angeles Mid-century itinerary:
1. If it's within your budget, stay at the historic Biltmore hotel in Downtown LA.
2. Start off with breakfast at nearby Clifton's Cafeteria, Philippe's French Dip, or the Pantry.
3. If it's a Saturday, try to sign up for an LA Conservancy walking tour in Downtown…
http://www.laconservancy.org/tours
I highly recommend the Broadway Historic Theatre tour...
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic=37666&forum=17&start=30
The Art Deco tour and Historic Downtown tour are good 2nd choices.
4. Afterward, head north towards Los Feliz to visit the Griffith Park Observatory.
5. If it's a Wed-Sat, you can then visit Tiki-Ti when it opens at 4pm.
6. You can then walk down the street to Wacko/Soap Plant, it's one of the best places in LA for Pop Culture shopping. Mrs. Bigbro is the manager there.
7. For dinner, head west towards Hollywood for dinner at Musso & Frank. IMHO, this is a must !!
8. And attending a concert at Hollywood Bowl has been a classic LA summer night tradition since the 1920's.
[ This Message was edited by: JOHN-O 2011-06-23 23:14 ]
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8262
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2011-06-23 8:25 pm Permalink
just Skip Nor. Cal.
and come strait to So. Cal. for this:
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=40410&forum=17&11
just kidding, well kinda,
Jeff(btd)
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TikiSan
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 29, 2003
Posts: 246
From: O.C., SoCal
| Posted: 2011-06-23 11:05 pm Permalink
Welcome to California, you'll have a great time!
I suggest Oceanic Arts in Whittier and ribs at Bahooka in Rosemead.
Insider pro tip: If you want to sound local, think of California as two states, NorCal and SoCal. I've noticed people from out of state call California "Cali." Residents call our state California, or refer to a specific region, Southern California (SoCal) or Northern California (NorCal), but never "Cali."
TV news, newspapers, and the utility companies call the greater L.A. area SoCal. You won't hear "Cali" on the local news or in the newspapers.
From Wikipedia:
Southern California (SoCal) is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles, Greater San Diego, the Inland Empire and Orange County. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego, spilling over the international border into Tijuana.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_California
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4807
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2011-06-24 10:46 am Permalink
Looking at 3 hotels in SFO. The Hayes Valley Inn, The Hotel Beresford and the Andrews Hotel. Anyone have experience? The Inn is just feet from Smuggler's Cove which could be a good or bad thing...
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Luckydesigns
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 15, 2002
Posts: 1892
From: Costa Mesa
| Posted: 2011-06-28 4:38 pm Permalink
If you're in the SF area, you HAVE to go to Forbidden Island! I couldn't believe the place when we went up there (from southern California) to play. The details in the decor and the amazing attention to the quality of the cocktails sets this place apart from ANY other tiki bar that I have ever been to before.
No joke.
I have only been there once...and I actually MISS the place.
You HAVE to go to Forbidden Island!
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www.facebook.com/thehulagirls
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Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 2079
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
| Posted: 2011-06-28 4:57 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2011-06-23 23:05, TikiSan wrote:Insider pro tip: ... NorCal and SoCal. |
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A continuation on the theme...
San Francisco is simply called 'The City.'
"Hey! We're going to the City tonight and gonna hit Trad'r Sams for some drinks. Wanna come?'
Which gets back to your question of what to do in the area.... Can't miss the best dive bar in all of the City! Trad'r Sams! Where every drink comes from the blender and has a scoop of ice cream in it!**
** Its been about 7 years since I've been to Trad'r Sams... do they still make every drink in the blender with a scoop of ice cream?
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Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 3929
From: Santa Barbara, CA
| Posted: 2011-06-28 5:03 pm Permalink
Swanky,
I agree with Lucky, you need to hit Forbidden Island. It is only 15-20 minutes away from Trader Vic's in Emeryville, so you can do them both in one trip.
When I went up last year I started early at Trader Vic's for happy hour drinks and pupus then hit Forbidden Island on my way back to SF. Can't help you with the hotel selection.
Hope to meet you in LA for Wednesday at Tiki Ti, let me know your schedule as it percolates.
DC
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VampiressRN
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 5086
From: Sin City Lincoln Hills (NorCal)
| Posted: 2011-06-28 8:21 pm Permalink
In San Diego, my fave place of all is the Bali Hai on Shelter Island. JMHO Drive around the island, have lunch (cheaper) or dinner and get a picture with Mr Bali Hai. Have a great time on your vacation.
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Kon-Hemsby
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Sep 17, 2003
Posts: 1225
From: Andover, England
| Posted: 2011-06-29 04:23 am Permalink
Any news on recommended hotels on in San Fran?
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4807
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2011-06-29 07:54 am Permalink
DC, we WILL be at Tiki Ti Wednesday. Probably need to be there an hour in advance to get in!
We have picked the Hayes Valley Inn for our stay. Reviews are all over the map, but, we may change our plans. Seems hotels in California are all pretty expensive. We may do the Priceline route and just pick an area.
Really really need more things to see and do that are not bars! Can someone suggest good vintage shopping in SF or LA? Is there an area for that? I have heard so many stories of how full of great vintage stuff California stores are, and we must see for ourselves!
What we plan to do: Forbidden Island, Smuggler's Cove, TV Emoryville, Tiki Ti, Tonga Room, http://www.museemechanique.org/ and ...
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Luckydesigns
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 15, 2002
Posts: 1892
From: Costa Mesa
| Posted: 2011-06-29 09:15 am Permalink
Swanky, when you are down for your Don the Beachcomber trip, you should go by 'Vintage row' in Long Beach. It's on 4th Street and has a couple of really good stores on it... http://4thstreetlongbeach.com/about-4th-street-retro-row/
Also, if you are in LA, I've always liked Jet Rag in West Hollywood... Fairly close to the Tiki Ti. http://www.yelp.com/biz/jet-rag-los-angeles
That should get you started.
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www.facebook.com/thehulagirls
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4807
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2011-06-29 09:36 am Permalink
Thanks for those!
Can you locals tell us if the Hollywood Downtowner Inn in LA is okay or in a scary area or what?
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2459
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2011-06-29 09:52 am Permalink
I think that place used to be a mid-century dump but has been renovated over the last several years. That general area is urban and might appear at first glance to be seedy and/or scary. It however is fairly safe due to the "gentrification" effect of nearby Thai Town. FYI, arguably some of the best Thai food outside of Thailand is just down the street. That hotel is in a good central location. (Walking distance to Harvard & Stone as well as Jumbo's Clown Room. And La Descarga is only a mile away !!).
I'd also recommend this place as good value...
http://www.yelp.com/biz/best-western-hollywood-hills-los-angeles
[ This Message was edited by: JOHN-O 2011-06-29 10:28 ]
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