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I'm planning a bike tour from Portland to San Francisco via the coast and would ideally like to sleep in a hammock the whole way, but I've noticed online that some California state parks explicitly forbid it. How prevalent is this kind of policy? [more inside]
posted by Gymnopedist around California at 9:51 PM - 3 answers

We are planning a six day trip, driving down Highway 1 from Monterey to Los Angeles next week. Challenge: where to spend the nights. Looking for towns to stop in, hotels to stay at. Other trip ideas are also welcome. Theme is relaxation and recovery. [more inside]
posted by metahawk around Los Angeles, CA at 5:27 PM - 13 answers

Being entirely unprepared for San Francisco traffic, when should we hit the road for the airport if our flight leaves at 11:30 PDT? [more inside]
posted by emelenjr around San Francisco, CA at 3:46 AM - 19 answers

I need to practice driving, and I'd like to go across the Golden Gate Bridge. Where should I go in the North Bay on Saturday? [more inside]
posted by wym around Northern California, CA at 9:56 PM - 9 answers

We would like to visit a family member who lives in L.A. We're flying from the U.K. but can only stay with the family member a couple of nights. After that we need something else to do but don't want to spend a lot. Any ideas? We'll be staying around a week in total and the budget is flexible but pretty low if possible. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane around Los Angeles, CA at 10:30 PM - 14 answers

I’ll have one full day in San Francisco next month. Normally I’d explore on foot, but I’ll be on crutches, and, well, hills. So what’s one place I could easily visit that would be accessible and memorable? [more inside]
posted by tr33hggr around San Francisco, CA at 2:31 PM - 8 answers

I will be attending Friday's CHVRCHES show at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley (YAY) and have questions about parking and dinner/drinks. [more inside]
posted by sacrifix around Berkeley, CA at 9:34 AM - 5 answers

I'm coming up on a week-long trip to San Jose / Santa Clara area for work. I've done a few of these over the last year or so, and I could really use some suggestions for mixing it up for breakfast and dinner / drinks. What are your favorite local spots, both upmarket and down? What am I probably missing by just relying on Yelp? [more inside]
posted by mmc around San Jose, CA at 1:51 PM - 18 answers

Hi Hive Mind! I'm confirmed for a business trip in San Francisco for the end of April (21-29, not counting travel). I'm from Central Europe, this is my first business trip and my first US trip. I have questions. [more inside]
posted by kmt around San Francisco, CA at 6:41 AM - 38 answers

I'm taking my girls, ages 6 & 9, to San Diego for five days (including travel) at the end of March. I haven't been there since I was 6 myself. Trying to plan an itinerary. [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky around San Diego, CA at 11:24 AM - 15 answers

So we're taking 6.5 year old Schwingg! Jr. to LA next week and looking for movie industry things to do! He's very interested in the history of movie production, silent movies, and black & white comedies. Pretty much uninterested in going to Disney. To give you an idea, here are the stars he wants to see on the Walk of Fame: Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Erol Flynn, Oliver Hardy, Stan Laurel, Groucho Marx, and Donald Trump. I understand that most of the movie set tours don't allow kids under 8, so that puts us in a bind. Ideas for movie activities (and any other non-Disney activities?)
posted by schwinggg! around Los Angeles, CA at 9:51 AM - 21 answers

In about a week, I will be at the Long Beach Convention Center in California. I don't know if I will have time off, but if I did, are there any used book stores that shouldn't be missed? Anything else there that is a must see? [more inside]
posted by wittgenstein around Long Beach, CA at 2:30 PM - 2 answers

California first-timers here. Would you recommend starting our sightseeing adventure in San Francisco and heading south, or starting in San Luis Obispo and heading north? [more inside]
posted by emelenjr around California at 11:15 AM - 16 answers

Uncovering kid-friendly East Bay/Northern CA gems within ~2 hours of Benicia/Vallejo? [more inside]
posted by thenewbrunette around Northern California, CA at 12:13 PM - 20 answers

I'm looking for restaurants in Chula Vista, California, that have good takeout. Ideally restaurants east of 125 that I can call ahead of time (or do something on-line) and then drive up, run in, grab my delicious food, pay, and run away to eat it elsewhere. Any kind of food so long as it's delicious and won't leave me feeling regretful. Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library around Chula Vista, CA at 2:31 PM - 2 answers

How am I able to find an apartment to rent without a job or rental history and from across the country? [more inside]
posted by morning_television around Long Beach, CA at 10:55 AM - 9 answers

Heading to the Southern California desert over Thanksgiving weekend for some desert decompression, and trying to decide where to go and what to do. [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky around Kelso, CA at 10:32 AM - 9 answers

We have two nights booked in Yosemite in early June next year. It seems like flying in and out of Sacramento is easiest. Looking for ideas about what to do after. [more inside]
posted by starman around California at 4:22 PM - 21 answers

I'm taking my kiddo on a short weekend college-tour trip to the LA area this weekend. We are flying into Burbank and staying in Claremont. The kid and I are both adventurous eater and we will have a car so the sky's the limit (budget is not!) Looking for breakfast and Dinner suggestions near Claremont. I'd love a good Dim Sum suggestion too. (especially one that's okay in the afternoon as our mid-mornings are filled.)
posted by vespabelle around Claremont, CA at 7:52 AM - 8 answers

I'm dragging my wife and preschool-aged daughter to LA next week for a conference. We're (unfortunately) staying at the conference hotel, the Loews Hollywood at Hollywood & Highland, but will have a car. A trip to Griffith Park is in the plans, but what else might they want to do while I'm schmoozing all day Thursday and Friday? [more inside]
posted by uncleozzy around Los Angeles, CA at 7:05 AM - 19 answers