Travelling western US, tips needed

I am travelling western USA in July with 2-3 of my friends. We will be flying to Seattle July 12th or 13th, then going to vancouver for a couple of days, heading back down to San Francisco for a couple of days, then spending the second weekend in LA and then driving to Las Vegas for a 2-3 days and probably leaving US from LV on 26th.

I would like to hear recommendations what places in those cities and also between the cities we should definitely take a look at. Also, if you guys (and naturally gals ;)) want to arrange us something cool to do, please feel free to do so.

-Pingviini

su ping
I live in norcal
Humboldt County to be specific
not much to look at where I live, aside from redwoods and tripping hippies

I don't have a car so I don't know the area that well
however I can make some suggestions

for good seafood in SF, hit up Fisherman's Wharf
If you feel like gambling when you're in L.A., go to The Commerce
I hear they have some of the best no-limit cash games in the world
If you drink wine you might want to drop by Sonoma/Napa County on your way down to SF, they've got some great wines
Disneyland's in Anaheim if you want to go on some rides and spend a lot of money

Hey Ping--I lived in LA for three years and just moved. My advice, definitely drive part of US 1 aka the PCH--it's the highway that runs along the coast of California. It's completely amazing.

In LA, the Getty museum is pretty awesome if you're in the mood for a little wholesome educational time. If not, some good bars in LA=Boardner's (famous old-school Hollywood place), the Short Stop ($1 PBRs until 8 PM), the HMS Bounty (also old school LA), the Gold Room (scary Mexican bar with a mariachi band and free tequila shots w/ every beer), the Cat and Fiddle (British garden pub), and the Standard (overpriced stupid Sunset Strip place, but lots of hot girls).

I would also suggest bowling at 39 Shatto Lanes, getting a burger at Pie and Burger in Pasadena, watching a movie at the Arclight in Hollywood (the best theater in the world), eating a fancy dinner at Blair's, getting rotisserie chicken at Zankou chicken in Little Armenia, going to Malibu and fucking around, and avoiding the west side of LA entirely.

Have fun!

I think Ake is from san francisco. That's where all the gays are from.

When you head to Vancouver you should try and set up a day where you can hook up with myself and other known Vancouverites on this site such as Bmxicle and Courtie. Have ourselves some kind of stupid drinkfest.

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Originally Posted by Galapogos

When you head to Vancouver you should try and set up a day where you can hook up with myself and other known Vancouverites on this site such as Bmxicle and Courtie. Have ourselves some kind of stupid drinkfest.

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Hell yeah! Look up my number, it's somewhere on the site. Or PM me or something. Vancouver is the best!

There are quite a few of us Vancouverites I think. Me, bmx, Galapagos, Blinky, Acefone, RiverMonkey (I'm pretty sure?) ... And more that I'm sure I've forgotten.

yeah im in kamloops only few hours from vancouver, riverrock casino is good to hit up also the cecil is a nice spot to go for a few drinks.
i go to vanabout once a month , so i'll try to schedule it to get there when you are, also i'm always up for vegas trips., i should be flying out of calgary into vegas around the 25th, so maybe i'll try and hook up with ya down there instead.

Ville, Im counting on you to show these yankees how to drink like a northener. Don't let me down!

ake let's go with him, he can pay because he is a finnish $$$-machine amirite?

yeah, whaddaya say ping?

If you don't travel down the coast of California, make sure you visit Sequoia National Park. Also, spend a day in the vineyards of the Napa or Sant Ynes valleys - some of the wine is superb.

Vancouver roxors too - I wish I could go back. Wonder if it's changed in the last decade...

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ake let's go with him, he can pay because he is a finnish $$$-machine amirite?

yeah, whaddaya say ping?

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Stop living on well fair and start making some money, on your own.

Ake, I will do some travelling in europe when you are travelling with your friends. If you have any good parties somewhere let me know. There is no way I am gonna hang out in Germany for 2-3 weeks straight.

Ping, are you coming out here in June or July? Your first post suggests both.

Ping, our route is pretty much set up now. But the dates aren't clear (and wont be until we're actually there)

but in case you want to know;

departure from karlskrona, sweden june 19th

amsterdam, paris, nice, monte carlo, rome, ferry to greece, through bulgaria , romania hungary and austria up to czech, not sure about the stops on that route, through germany and home.

most of the partying will be taking place in amsterdam and greece..but we'll be drunk most of the time more or less

Ping,
Seattle is awesome.. If you wish to engage in poker travel south to Tacoma and any of the Silver Dollar Casinos have tournys. There is a place called the Swiss in Tacoma and its pretty fun. Down the street is a place called the LOFT. Seattle has a place called Market and there is like 30 bars in Market Square. San Fran is awesome. Be very careful walking down the streets at night. Everything isnt what it seems and one wrong turn will put you in the Bay Area slum. A place called Skoomas is on the Wharf for really good seafood. Do not leave San Fran untill you have had a chowder bowl in sourdough bread... Drink Anchor Steam and Liberty Ale for beer. That area is called Pier 39. Lombard street is full of titty bars and crazy shit. Stay away from the Castro district unless your gay or bi curious. If you would like to just go there, fine... Take some pictures while your on the trolley. There is a place called the Mad Cow... I think you will like it .. Take a cab.
Drive down to Santa Cruz for a night. Go to the Beach Boardwalk for the day. Cali is pricy... So dont come broke down. I hope this helped. Westcoast is awesome ... If you dont eat at In and Out Burger , you suck .

Here are some spots I recommend:

Northern California Area:
Mt. Shasta
Lake Tahoe
San Francisco
Yosemite

Southern California and Surrounding Area:
Santa Monica
Hollywood
Hermosa Beach
Catalina Island
Tijuana, Mexico (if you like cheap beer and tequila)
Palm Springs (if you like golf/tennis)

Yeah, make sure you stop at Yosemite. It's a great place.

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Originally Posted by fasin8ing

... If you dont eat at In and Out Burger , you suck .

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this is a must do

and Lake Tahoe has gambling

Gotta hit the In-N-Out man... greatest thing in all of California....

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Originally Posted by kingnat

Gotta hit the In-N-Out man... greatest thing in all of California....

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Hmmmm, sounds interesting

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kingnat wrote:
Gotta hit the In-N-Out man... greatest thing in all of California....


Hmmmm, sounds interesting

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The In-N-Out Man in West Hollywood is my favorite.

Definately should set something up for when your in Van. There is more than enough of us here to get something going.

I hear penguins can be huge party fouls.

If you can swing it, Monterey and Carmel are awesome. Make sure you drive down Hwy 1 to Big Sur. Awesome coastline.

The best Clam Chowder in sourdough bowl is on the wharf in Monterey. Expensive, but worth every penny. I can't remember the name of the restaurant. It may be Mike's. Also went to a great fondue place in Carmel. The aquarium in Monterey is one of the best in the US.

SF is great!! You gotta walk through Chinatown and at least have lunch at a Chinese place there. Also, the Cliff House was good food but overpriced.

The Napa Valley is beautiful and interesting. Definitely worth a look.

You will need jackets even in July. The northern Pacific coast is chilly and foggy. You are probably used to that weather, but still....

Hope you have a great time. I sure did!! Too bad it's so expensive or I would love to live there....

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Originally Posted by Xianti

Ping, are you coming out here in June or July? Your first post suggests both.

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July, edited my post.

In-N-Out at your place BigRed?

Ping, look up roscoes chicken and waffles (seriously) in L.A. The one on peco's is the best. Get the smothered chicken and pick some sides, trust me its wroth it.

http://www.roscoeschickenandwaffles.com/

bah thier website sucks, but the food does not.

also if you feel like droppin some cash on an amazing meal, check out fogo de chao. I havent eaten at the one in L.A. but the one in chicago is amazing. its like 50$ a plate for dinner though, but youre a baller.

http://fogodechao.com/dining.htm

And when your done you can go to

LA Fortuna Grocery Store
3378 Griffin Ave in LA

and pick up some real nice WATERMELON

Thanks for the food tips, I think we wont starve. How about more some beautiful places while driving from city to city, or recommendations to stay at Vegas?

Bring lots of bottled water. The west coast has a notoriously unsanitary water supply. Unless you like peeing out of your ass I would stay away from it. You can drink their beer though. It's pretty cheap and not too bad tasting. Make sure your vaccinations are up to date too. This is a must. It's nice if you can speak the language, but if you can't it's not a big deal. The local people are pretty simple folk, but if you grunt and gesture to them they can usually understand what you mean. Lastly, never pay full price for anything. Full price is for the ignorant tourists. Even paying 50% is a bit much. As a rule I'd give them ~40% of what they ask for. They'll probably pretend to get angry and threaten to call the police, but just act like it's all you have and you'll be fine. With the value of the US dollar dopping so fast, Americans are scrambling to get ahold of Euros. Four euros can feed the average Californian family for like a month. Have fun, but use common sense and you should be fine.

Dnuts is my new favourite poster

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Originally Posted by midas06

Dnuts is my new favourite poster

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Whatever you do make sure you eat at a FAT BURGER its a lil expensive but they have the best burgers in the world. Dont forget the bacon on the burger too! Look online im sure you can find locations, most are in California I think.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...50757953992418

[quote="boostNslide"]also if you feel like droppin some cash on an amazing meal, check out fogo de chao. I havent eaten at the one in L.A. but the one in chicago is amazing. its like 50$ a plate for dinner though, but youre a baller.

Dinner, in seattle - THE MET - hands down best place around - I've been to "great" restaraunts in New Orleans, Vegas etc. and they all pale - I've spent $250 at the stupid eiffel tower in Vegas and got GARBAGE - stay away from that place...The met will run you $30-50 a plate, and then drinks, appetizers etc. but if your going to drop your money for dinner anywhere, do it there -

Also, good tournaments in Tulalip (north of seattle about 30-35 min's) and the Muckelshoot - Depends on what $$ buy in you want - Mukelshoot has a thursday tourney for $45 with $20 rebuys and first place is usually $5k or more - Lots of people show up -

Sounds like a great trip - Have fun whereever you decide to go - Sounds like you can't go wrong with those destinations....

ps - In&Out is OKAY - i've been there - But Nations gets my vote for best burger joint/chain in Cali -

fat burger is good I guess, I like giant burger up in the bay area better.

Ping as for places to see, while in the bay area, head across the bridge to berkeley. Thier downtown is pretty cool, but telegraph st. is a must if youre in the bay area. Its like the original hippy hang out (aside from haight and ashbury) and its not all run down and decripped. Lots of 'tobacco' shops, skate shops, decent fast food, and on certain days (maybe its just sunday... youd have to look it up) all the street venders come out and have cool shit to buy.

In L.A., I dont really know... to me the whole place felt like a big mall. Westwood was one of the coolest places that I went to in L.A., its like a cool shopping district, but like I said it feels kinda mall like. However westood has a farmers market once or twice a week, with some good food and street vendors. If youve never been surfing I think that would probably be the must do thing in L.A., you can look online or go to one of the beaches and ask around for a good surf shop to rent from.

DO take lots of bottled water, in case your car breaks down somewhere remote. Seriously.

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Originally Posted by bigred

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Originally Posted by midas06

Dnuts is my new favourite poster

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Originally Posted by chardrian

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=116950757953992418

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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, I FUCKING TOLD YOU

july, hmmm, i thought u were going in june, i think i'll probly be in vegas for most of july for the wsop, so i'll probly see ya down there, u gonna have enough time in vegs to play a wsop event?

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Originally Posted by Eric

Here are some spots I recommend:

Northern California Area:
Mt. Shasta
Lake Tahoe
San Francisco
Yosemite

Southern California and Surrounding Area:
Santa Monica
Hollywood
Hermosa Beach
Catalina Island
Tijuana, Mexico (if you like cheap beer and tequila)
Palm Springs (if you like golf/tennis)

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I second Lake Tahoe. Forgot that one.. Good call Eric.

watch out for the weed in CA
it be chronic

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Originally Posted by PO$$E$$ED

watch out for the weed in CA
it be chronic

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You mean the city ... or weed?

Bump.

What is the best way to get cash in US in general/ in casinos? Credit cards like mastercard or Visa, Neteller ATM card, something else?

Also, more invitations to parties with loads of free alcohol, and half dressed beautys can be send to my PM box. Thank you!

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Originally Posted by Pingviini

Bump.

What is the best way to get cash in US in general/ in casinos? Credit cards like mastercard or Visa, Neteller ATM card, something else?

Also, more invitations to parties with loads of free alcohol, and half dressed beautys can be send to my PM box. Thank you!

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Originally Posted by Pingviini

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pingviini

Bump.

What is the best way to get cash in US in general/ in casinos? Credit cards like mastercard or Visa, Neteller ATM card, something else?

Also, more invitations to parties with loads of free alcohol, and half dressed beautys can be send to my PM box. Thank you!

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I'd probably just bring travelers checks instead of a boatload of cash. You should be able to get them in USD at your bank over there so you don't have to jack around with the exchange rate here. You can also use your credit cards at pretty much any US bank for a cash advance if you should need to, but the casinos and 99.9% of all other businesses in the US take credit cards too, so you really shouldn't need a ton of cash.