Choose my vacation (Southern Cal?) +Hot Chick

[theTourne]

I have a bunch of vacation time that I'll lose if I don't use it by the end of the year. Since I'm running out of time to make real plans, and I'm single, I'm thinking about a solo trip of some sort.

I'm thinking of an LA/San Diego type trip because:

1. I currently live in NJ, and have never been to the west coast
2. Southern California should be warm in early December
3. I can't think of any place better

So my question for you if you're familiar with the area: Can I keep myself reasonably entertained for a week? If yes, what should I do? What things are worth seeing? Should I drive along the coast, check out a certain city, anything else I can't think of?

I'm not going to be more specific with things I like to do, or research I've done (none), because all suggestions are welcome, and I haven't really thought this through.

Thanks, OOT.

go to a usc football game

[pokergrader]

Go USC!

But just as a notice, Southern California isn't so much warm in winter as not cold. Also, the rainy season in SoCal is mostly in the "winter," so it is possible you can come for a week and only see rain. Not entirely likely, but over the summer it may rain once, and in the month of december it will probably rain 4-5 times.

Play golf!

[jester710]

Some options:

-If you come at the first of the year, there's the Rose Bowl and all the accompanying hoopla.
-San Diego Zoo/Seaworld.
-Mann's Chinese Theater/Hollywood in general.
-Several casinos in the area, including Bicycle Club and Commerce.
-Many restaurants/nightclubs that are good for seeing stars, if that's your thing.
-Lots of beaches (although "warm" in January will be high 50s/low 60s, and you do run the risk of rain).
-Lakers or Clippers games; Clippers are cheaper and less packed, while the Lakers have the Hollywood crowd. Or UCLA/USC basketball, if you prefer college hoops.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

[Tron]

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USC basketball

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Ahhhhhhhh this is the worst idea ever!

[jester710]

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USC basketball

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Ahhhhhhhh this is the worst idea ever!

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You're forgetting that they're coached by Tim Floyd now.


No, wait....you're right. This is the worst idea ever.

[smoore]

norcal all the way. take a car and drive.

[theTourne]

Thanks so far. I think a visit or two to both the beach and a couple of the card rooms would be a given. I didn't realize it would be the rainy time of year.

If I were to rent a car, are there scenic drives to be made (along the coast?) in SoCal?

More suggestions welcome of course.

[Los Feliz Slim]

You could drive north to Santa Barbara, but the coast drive really only starts to get good around San Simeon, around 2.5-3 hours north of LA. It's worth it, though. It should be reiterated that if we have a rainy season, this is it, and it's usually chilly at night (50's). You could drive south to San Diego and/or Mexico, if that's your thing. Or, you could go east into the desert and check out Joshua Tree. Driving east has the added bonus of Casino Morongo, which is actually very nice. They play craps with cards there.

If you drive fast, the drive to Vegas from LA takes 4-5 hours (6-7 on the way back b/c of traffic, though).

Things in LA I would recommend, some are repeats I'm sure:
The Getty Center
Sunset Strip (stay at The Standard, good place to meet people if you're alone)
The Improv
Santa Monica Pier / Promenade
The Beach Cities (Newport, Laguna, etc)
The Reagan Library (if you've gotten very bored, it was cool, but it's an hour away)
The La Brea Tarpits
Universal Studios (touristy, but I like the backlot tour)
Venice Beach

An entire week alone in one city is going to be a looong time, IMO. If I were you I would A) really try and find someone to do this with and/or B) make is a SD/LA/LV trip).