California in January: what to do? where to go?

Me and my girlfriend are gonna spend 3 weeks in California in January.

I for myself would like to see as much traditional hot rod and kustom stuff as possible... Ok she might have another idea of our holidays... But I'd like to see some shops, cruise nights and so on.

We're gonna be at GNRS and maybe at the Pomona swap meet. But are there any local cruise nights or open house events at hot rod shops during that time of year? I already checked out SoCalCarCulture but probably there's more going on.

And as we won't be able to visit the Nationalparks (Yosemite, Sequoia) due to the winter weather, I'm also open to some sightseeing ideas... being interested in architecture, design, lowbrow art, and punkrock there's surely a lot to see. Any suggestions?

Thank you!

Marc

 

You should go to the NHRA Motorsports Museum and talk to Tony Thacker or Greg Sharp. They can point you in the right direction and also you can tour the museum while your there. Check their website. It's in Pomona, CA.

 

I'm going to be spending January 1st-17th in LA.... been looking for stuff to do too!

 

Try this for some ideas!

http://www.socalcarculture.com/events.html

 

If you're at all interested in American Arts & Crafts architecture, then Pasadena and the Gamble House should be on your list. The Rose Bowl is in the same area too.

For WWII aircraft, go to Chino.

The area around Temecula and Mt Palomar is a nice change of pace from the normal So-Cal.

 

The Petersen Automotive Museum is pretty cool:

http://www.petersen.org

 

I live out east and wife and i have adopted California as our favorite vacation spot on earth. we fly into oakland, rent car for 27. per day, stay at friends house in palo alto.

HIGWAY one south of bay area to BIG SUR is my personal favorite. Like to stay at fernwood lodge cabins.

this october we hit interior 120 due east from san fran to YOSEMITE national park. this park is the oldest and first national park, will blow you away with towering rock formations. rent a mule and go on a 4-hour journey into mountains.

Montery bay off moss landing boat tour saw 52 foot humpback whales surfaced next to our vessle. canyon under water they feed in summer . I dont like crowds or people so i only go into san fran so my wife can get her culture fix, eat ty food, suck down expresso and listen to beat poets, go to haight st for thrift store shopping. walk through golden gate park.

You local rodders gotta excuse me for posting all this sappy tourist shit
but my wife and I cant get enough of it.

cold in the snow now haney

 

Try looking at the LA Weekly (laweekly.com) for music and art. I like gong to Spaceland (clubspaceland.com) to check out bands. It's in Silver Lake, which is right next to Hollywood.

With all that time, I think you might want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway and go to San Francisco. Nobody knows how and when winter will hit, so I wouldn't write off the National Parks. Big Sur shouldn't be a problem. If you ski, consider Mammoth Mountain and some natural hot springs.

The Turlock Swap Meet (turlockswapmeet.com) is January 24-25.

If Sonora is on your way enough, I may be able to let you crash at my place.

Thanks,
Kurt

 

Gasoline Gallery is a cool little stop
Petersen
Balboa Park in San Diego is always cool
Take an afternoon and cruise down the 101
There's more to do than we can list here and more than you can do in the time that you are here...no shortage of entertainment both hot rod and non hot rod related...have a good time

 

Go to a Surf Shop and buy some Hang Ten (brand) Board Shorts (treaditional So.Cal style bathing suit*) and go to Huntington Beach near the pier or at the sand bar near life Guard station 11 and go body surfing. Just to be able to say you went in the Pacific Ocean in the dead of winter.
If you do that early in the motning you can also go up in the local mountains and play in the snow on the same day!

*Only "tourists" wear the Euro style "Banana Hammock" swim suit on the beach here.

 

From lookin' at this post I'd be headed to Bad Bob's place for a photoshoot!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=313307

 

Don't call it san fran....people will think your a tourist

San Francisco is a fantastic city, we have the most famous bridge in the world, 2 of the most famous prisons (one you can visit with out committing a crime).

There's a website that has a list of the locations where they shot Bullitt, Brizio's is right by the airport, Arlen Ness & The Blackhawk museum are in the East Bay also.

 

You got Petersen's on Whilshire Blvd. and Bob's Big Boy in Burbank.

 

NOFX is playing a few shows around So Cal in early Feb. if you'll still be around if you're looking for a good punk show to go to.

 

TSOL is also playing at the Glass House in Pomona in Jan. That'd be a fun show.

 

Hot Rod Shops to see in & around LA:
Hollywood Hot Rods
Old Crow Speed Shop
Circle City Hot Rods
Walden Speed Shop
Mooneyes
SoCal Speed Shop

Great Drive: Down the 1 through Laguna Beach. Hang out on Main Beach. Laguna Beach is a old school surfing and artison community. Tons of cafes, galleries, etc. Cocktail in the Ritz Carlton Bar overlooking the ocean at sunset are great! Drive down through Dana Point, then jump on the 5 and cruise to San Diego.

In San Diego:
Balboa Park (Like OddRodGarage said) - 10 museums (including automotive, model train, and aerospace) and the Zoo. Drive over the bridge to Coronado Island and take your girlfriend to lunch at the old Hotel Del Coronado (see the movie "Some like it Hot" with Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis first - filmed there).

Bla bla bla. PM me if you have questions about San Diego.

 

The "big" Turlock swap is usually in January. Not sure of the specific date this year.

 

I went to San Fran is January 08, and it was not much fun, and we got hit up by bums and tweaker for change everywhere we went. I think I'll stay here for the winter. Don't waste your time at any tourist traps, especially Fisherman's Wharf.

 

The trick is ... You ask them for change before they ask you,, gets them every time.

 

The "city" is one of the most fun places Ive been, that area has endless amounts of good stuff to do.

 

Thank you all for your suggestions!! Everything sounds great... Our to do/to see list is gettin longer and longer... I think 3 weeks won't be enough time!

@sgtlethargic: thank you very much for the kind offer, we'll let you know if we're gonna be in the Sonora area.

@Doctor Destructo: San Diego is definitely on our way as I bought my '49 Chevy from a guy in La Mesa and maybe we can catch up with him. Feel like having a beer at the Tower Bar.

@blown49: If there's gonna be another photoshoot like that, I'll be right there! Gotta get some interesting pics for our holidays photo album hahahaha.

 

Yep... Learned that one back in the '60's on Sunset and Hollywood Blvds.

Now I just say "It's 1:30 in the afternoon on a Friday.
You see me doing anything that would put money in my pocket?
How about you give me half of what you got?"
Actually, lately I've seen more than one panhandler take one look and not bother to ask...Could it be the clothes or the smell?

 

Check out the Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar, (818) 364-6464. They have a Model A and 2 Model T's on display. They also have over 100 other high end, well restored, cars that your girlfriend would enjoy Duesey's, Rolls and stuff like that. Well layed out and no cost. Call ahead for a complete tour which your girlfriend would really enjoy. This museum is run by a foundation set up by the owner of Merle Norman cosmetics.

Charlie Stephens

 

If you guys head for the Tower to get a brew, let me know! I am down the road from that place!

 

Uh, yah. I live in La Mesa.
And..... the bar tender at the Tower Bar, Jonny (lead guitarist in the Bloodhounds and for Diablo Dimes), is one of my best friends. I'm there. The beer is on me.

 

If your buyin', I'm drinkin'!

Coldest PBR in town!

 

well if your going through from LA to turlock to yosemite hit me up were in fresno got a couple of car clubs lot of builders and friendly maybe lunch or drinks

 

been there for three weeks in december last year.

Lots of things to see...
Pomona swapmeet is impressive enough for any european
Lots of cruise nights and places, shops to see in the LA metro area, but the time you waste waiting in traffic jams there will drive you mad...

Johua tree, anza borrego and death valley are worth the trip... no snow. San bernardino forest basically burned down, the big bear area has nice mountain roads but dangerous at this time of the year (freezed);
the landscapes especially in arizona are magnificent.

Route 66 between AZ and CA, pacific hwy, scenic drives in the santa monica/malibu area... are just breathtaking
santa monica and san diego towns are worth seeing, you can visit downtown without the car.

have fun !

 

Long Beach Swap Meet - Jan 11 www.toppingevents.com

Pomona Swap Meet - Jan 18

Long Beach Bike Swap Meet - Jan 25 www.toppingevents.com

Every Sat morning Donut cruise, Magnolia and Adams in Huntington Beach (be there early, its over at 8 am)

Peterson and NHRA museums are very good

 

@Doctor Destructo & Daddyfink:
Great! Thanks... I'll send you guys a PM before we get on the road to San Diego. (2nd or 4th week in January)

Again thanks to everyone for their input! much appreciated!!