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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

Mr. 77 and I are heading to San Diego this weekend for 4-5 days. We haven't vacationed much outside of visiting family, and I'd like your help with general advice as well as San Diego-centric advice. [more inside]
posted by hydra77 around San Diego, CA at 9:43 AM - 21 answers

I'm free from breakfast until but not including dinner. Could you recommend me a couple of places to eat, a newspaper that lists small theatrical productions, and ainteresting grocery store? Also, is it worth walking across the golden gate Bridge if you like walks and fog and scenery but not people? [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet around San Francisco, CA at 5:34 AM - 13 answers

I'm due to go to a retreat in northern California in a couple of weeks and the site is evacuated due to wildfires at the moment. I may end up with a plane ticket and no retreat to go to. Help me come up with a contingency plan vacation in/starting from the Bay Area that can be deployed on fairly short notice. [more inside]
posted by hoyland around California at 11:00 AM - 11 answers

I'm picking up a friend at Oakland Airport in a few days. I'd like to take her to a coffeeshop or somewhere else that we can hang out for 3 hours till we go back to pick up another friend. Can you recommend a place that will be open through 5 PM, is within a 15-20 minute drive (even Alameda), is a comfortable place with wifi and coffee, has parking, and has some character? (She's new to the West Coast and it'd be nice to hang out in something other than a Starbucks if possible.)
posted by wintersweet around Oakland, CA at 7:39 PM - 13 answers

So I'm flying into Burbank airport in early Dec on a Saturday, going to a show at the Palladium Sat night, and flying out on Sunday. I'll be using Lyft to get around. Given this set of information, anyone have any good lodging recommendations for me? Near airport, near venue, someplace reasonable in-between, I don't care. Just someplace that will work for that kind of in-and-out weekend. Also, I'm not fancy.
posted by hippybear around Burbank, CA at 12:12 PM - 9 answers

I'm planning a trip that involves flying into San Francisco and catching a bus the next day. I've heard that this city has a lot of homeless people. I'm wondering if I could avoid paying for a hotel. How difficult, dangerous, or expensive would it be for a healthy young man with a backpack and some camping experience to unroll a bivy sack under a hedge somewhere for the night? [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet around San Francisco, CA at 4:28 PM - 39 answers

I'm looking for a bar in San Francisco that is within 15 mins walking distance of Market and 1st to watch the England v Croatia match tomorrow (11am). I don't mind a crowd, but I'd like a reasonable chance of a seat if I turn up 15 minutes before kick-off. I don't care about food. I know there are lots of bars with TVs in that area. I'm more looking for recommendations based on personal experience during this world cup.
posted by caek around San Francisco, CA at 1:06 PM - 3 answers

My out of state license expired two days ago because I’m dumb. What do I need to do to get a CA drivers license? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar around San Francisco, CA at 5:56 PM - 6 answers

I’m in LA tonight, leaving tomorrow night. I would love to see some of the most exciting contemporary art showing there right now. What do you recommend?
posted by Dragonness around Los Angeles, CA at 6:16 PM - 7 answers