Although the hotel we're staying in is in Calabasas, we are renting a car and will be doing plenty of driving around and visiting different places. I'd like some restaurant ideas guys. I'm looking for good seafood at reasonable prices, a good burger place, Ribs, chinese and mexican. We'll most definately be in L.A. area, we'll be visiting Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Hermosa, Venice Beach and still not sure of where else but am open to ideas. Want this trip to be WOW for my girls and my family. We'll be vising at the end of July for 6 days and then driving to Vegas for a 3 day weekend.

Fodor's recommended restuarants are always good. Look them up. I heard a few names in Santa Monica. They all have ocean view and are expensive: BOA steakhouse, Sushi Roki, Ocean Restaurant.

In Camarillo, a few miles to the West, there is Bandits BBQ, which offers some good burgers and steak sandwiches. They also have an outfit in Thousand Oaks. Whether there is a "wow"-factor, I am not sure - they are down to earth places, but honest and quite good for what they are IMHO.

Here's the link:

http://www.banditsbbq.com/camarillo.html

Thanks for the link. Looks good!

If you drive up to Santa Barbara, I would recommend a visit to Beachside Café in Goleta, near UCSB.
It sits right on the beach and the environment is stunning. The food is a bit better than average and sitting on their terrace, soaking up the sun and listening to the surf, things tend to taste better than normal. They feature a choice of seafood plus one or two meat and poultry entrees.

Should you drive into the Santa Ynez Valley, there is Cold Spring Tavern right behind San Marcos Pass. It is situated in a tree-shaded area and consists of a rustic cabin that used to be a former stage coach stop. Their chili enjoys a very good reputation and their burgers aren't too bad either. They also serve some nice brews from the Carpinteria brewery.

http://www.coldspringtavern.com/

For Santa Monica (where I work), Boa Steakhouse is a little overpriced for what you get; still, the room is quite swank and at night it's a bit of a Scene. Sushi Roku is pretty good. Ocean Ave. Seafood is far and away the best seafood restaurant in Santa Monica.

The Lobster, at the SM Pier, has unbeatable views, but I've never had a really good meal there. Whist, at the Viceroy, has a cool vibe (and, according to a Fodorite who stayed there, the food is quite good). One Pico, at Shutters, has some of the most incredible views of the ocean you'll get. Capo is a jarringly-expensive Italian specialist, but it's great and the celebrity quotient tends to be pretty high.

Neptune's Net in Malibu is a no-atmosphere seafood joint, not too expensive and quite good, with a loyal clientèle (and it's Malibu, so they are quite well-heeled and often famous). That might be worth a trip from Calabasas.

You guys have some great suggestions.

Just in case you're eating in Calabasas, King's Fish House is a great seafood place at The Commons. 4798 Commons Way, Calabasas, 818 225 1979
I feel Fins used to be good but the service is now terrible so it's an expensive wildcard.
Also, if you're taking Las Virgenes canyon out to Malibu there is a great Mexican restaurant not too far from the freeway and I've heard the Sunday brunch is amazing. The name is La Paz, mexican seafood at 4505 Las Virgenes, Calabasas 818 880 8076
Have a great time.

Thanks so much. I'm writing all of this down so I'm prepared when I get there.

I second the LA PAZ suggestion! YUMMY!

is kings fish house expensive?

Go to their website kingsfishhouse.com and determine for yourself. Prices are listed under menu option.