Visit to the west coast

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locomotive engineer_imp

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Hi all,
Really looking forward to our trip to the west coast end of April. Would love to do it on the cb maybe some day, however this is coach trip from San Francisco, stops at Monterey .Carmel , Cannery Row, Pismo Beach , Santa Barbara, LA [Buena Park], Las Vegas.
Would like a bit of input from you guys, There is an optional excursion when in LA to Palm Springs not sure if we should do it or use the day to go to maybe, Hollywood, Malibu, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, or maybe Sunset blvd to see Whisky a gogo, [big west coast music fan] . Main point i guess ,is Palm Springs a must see? Any input greatly appreciated.
Dave.
 
You're going to be zipping right passed me. Wave as you go by. :D
 
It all depends on what you're after. There are some very scenic areas in the Palm Springs area, including Joshua Tree National Park, and there is also a scenic tram ride from Palm Springs to the summit of Mt. San Jacinto, but the area itself is a few hours from LA when you factor in the traffic, so it'll consume most of a day to see it and come back. Others may disagree, but I don't think the town itself is worth the drive. I think your current itinerary sounds better.
 
locomotive engineer_imp said:
Hi all,
Really looking forward to our trip to the west coast end of April. Would love to do it on the cb maybe some day, however this is coach trip from San Francisco, stops at Monterey .Carmel , Cannery Row, Pismo Beach , Santa Barbara, LA [Buena Park], Las Vegas.
Would like a bit of input from you guys, There is an optional excursion when in LA to Palm Springs not sure if we should do it or use the day to go to maybe, Hollywood, Malibu, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, or maybe Sunset blvd to see Whisky a gogo, [big west coast music fan] . Main point i guess ,is Palm Springs a must see? Any input greatly appreciated.
Dave.
Click to expand...
Dave,
I’ve visited LA a few times. If I was in your position I’d probably get a bus or Uber to Wilshere Boulevard to visit the La Brea Tar Pits followed by the Petersen Automotive Museum. Then spend the afternoon wandering from Santa Monica to Venice Beach and the Venice Canals. Good place to watch the world go by over a nice cold beer.
Hollywood and Malibu aren’t very exciting (in my opinion!). Palm Springs is a bit of a long journey, but the flying museum is worth a look. There is a cable car up the mountain for good views and the tour of the original Indian settlement is interesting. You really need a week in LA, rather than a day, to do it justice. Have a great trip.
Simon
 
Hearst Castle should be on your list, since you'll be so close. There are multiple tours - they're all good.

Alcatraz and Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco are really good - suggest you get tickets NOW if you want to reserve a spot to go to Alcatraz.

May not be anything going on, but you could y Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey.
 
Dave_imp said:
Hearst Castle should be on your list, since you'll be so close. There are multiple tours - they're all good.

Alcatraz and Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco are really good - suggest you get tickets NOW if you want to reserve a spot to go to Alcatraz.

May not be anything going on, but you could y Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey.
Click to expand...
I would 2nd the trip to Alcatraz. We took the self guided tour with headphones. They had many sounds of the prison when in operation. There is a lot of other history there also. Would take most of a day though.

https://www.alcatraztickets.com/offer/18342/Alcatraz-Day-Ticket
 
I took this when they had the shuttle on it's last flight.
 
Great shot, Randy B.
 
Thread starter
A big thank you to all you guys for your input, the day of the optional palm springs excursion i think we will get an uber from our hotel in buena park to the beach and cover what we can that day ourselves, again many thanks.
 
Cormanus_imp said:
Great shot, Randy B.
Click to expand...
GoldOxide_imp said:
Very good capture.

Much better image than ones taken in far bygone yesteryear over the Toronto skyline.
Click to expand...
Desert viper_imp said:
Great pic Randy!
Click to expand...
peterbaron_imp said:
Perfect moment, Randi
Click to expand...
Thanks guys. Make sure you click on it and then again to see the large version of the pic. You can actually see a yellow spec on the top of the near tower next to a communications dish. That is a bridge worker up there getting his own pics.
Man I would have loved to be up there.
 
Hi Dave, I vouch for the Alcatraz tour. As mentioned earlier buy your tickets now. It always sells out. Depending on how long you'll be in San Francisco include Chinatown, North Beach area, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Crossing the bridge will take you to Sausalito. A quaint Village vibe and gives you a great view of the city of San Francisco. Near the houseboats is where Otis Redding penned "Dock of the Bay." The main street is called Bridgeway. Before crossing the bridge back to SF, go up to the Marin Headlands. Here you will see the Bay open up to the Pacific ocean and beyond. Many commercials and movies have used this location for a stunning backdrop.
When in Carmel, take a moment to walk to the end of Ocean Avenue. A nice white sandy beach will be waiting for you. Pick up a sandwich and a pint and enjoy the view of the Monterey Peninsula. Leaving Carmel, if you're on Highway One stop for a photo at the Bixby Bridge. Another location used for car commercials and "Then Came Bronson" series made in the 60's.
When you're in Southern California, Venice and the Santa Monica pier will beckon you. If you don't feel like walking, you can rent an electric Scooter. Download the "Bird App." In addition to the beach in Venice, walk up to Abbot Kinney Blvd. Many places to shop and eat. If you're suffering from bike withdrawal, Iconic Motorbikes should satisfy you. They're in Marina Del Rey near Venice.
You can use Uber/Lyft to get to any of the areas I've mentioned. Get the Apps.
I rode my Honda all the way down the coast from SF to LA then to San Diego. An epic trip! You can pm me for questions. Have Fun! Russ
 
I'm in LA and just wanted to reiterate that palm springs is an easy skip. Don't bother unless you're on your way to Joshua Tree which is amazing! Or Death Valley, if you can (not sure what temps are in April, I usually go in the winter!). Venice is great, I second the Petersen Museum. Malibu has some lovely roads for cruising. In April, weather permitting, take Angeles Crest Highway (just look at it on the map!) out to the desert if you're going to Vegas that way. It's another of those must-do roads. Once you get past Newcomb's Ranch the weekend riders thin out and it's just hours of curves, canyons, and vistas. I mean HOURS.
 
That looks a great road iamheero. What's the road through Falling Springs like?
 
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