Lunch in Pasadena? And LA beach, big sur question
 

Finally going to Huntington Library. Any good food in the area? Mid price probably. Hoping maitaitom is lurking about but would appreciate anyone's input;)

Also, anything fun in the area that would be worth checking out after Huntington? We are geeks and pretty much into a bit of everything.

Have one full day for the whole beach experience. Where do you recommend? I've been to Santa Monica and I'm not crazy about the beach, but it's a possibility because of its walkability. And we could rent bikes to bike to Venice and people watch. Alternatives? I think my friend just wants that south California beach experience. And cheap food. She's not a surfer and not a serious hiker. So pretty beach with food nearby would be the top priority.

I know there are Nepenthe fans here- how long does lunch generally take there? Is it long and leisurely or more like a good, casual stop. How's the menu? My companion loves good food but is generally intimidated by exotic or complicated.

Don't pass on the Norton Simon museum, one of the finest, by content and by building and sculpture gardens! https://www.nortonsimon.org

The Huntington has a couple of restaurants on site if you are just looking for a place to eat, but if you are looking for something special, give us an idea of the type of food you like. There are tons of restaurants. For Thai food, I like President Thai on Rosemead Blvd. Breakfast, either Russells or Marston's. I can't think of anyplace else right off the bat, but I am sure Tom will pop on here and give you a whole list.

Would you be interested in going to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena as well? It has a nice collection and not too overwhelming.

Depending on when you are in town, there is the Rose Bowl Flea Market, or Santa Anita to watch the horse races, or Descanso Gardens if you didn't get enough park like setting at the Huntington.

In La area July 14-19. 2 days are for Disney (my friend's priority for this trip). I will eat anything, just require fresh, nonchain type food. NO BUFFETS. Love salad and ceviche. My friend is a carnivore and a street food type gal. I tend to splurge- she'd prefer meals in the 20 dollar or less range. We both like Asian food, Mexican food, burgers.

Forgot about Norton Simon. OK. If it was between Getty Villa and NS which would you go for? I suspect I can only inflict one museum on my friend;)

You can't get to Nepenthe right now. Hwy 1 is closed north of Ragged Point due to mudslides. And now the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge is closed due to structural issues. What a crazy winter!

AustinTraveler- I will be there in mid July. Are they really expecting it to be closed that long?

Sounds like you're going to do the whole California Coast trip! So jealous!

On Nepenthe, the longest time you spend there is generally the wait to get a table. And that depends on what time you get there, obviously the earlier the better, but sometimes you can grab a spot fairly quickly mid to late afternoon.

Food there is not exotic or complicated at all. We always, always get the ambrosia burger, which used to be the most expensive burger on the west coast (for a casual place). We always ask for a side of the ambrosia sauce to dip the great fries in. It does come with 1 sides, and I like to get the side salad, their dressings are so yummy!

Lunch menu (partial menu) is Here:
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/menu_lunch.html

If you have to wait, you can just go downstairs to the Phoenix boutique store and peruse. Love that little store.

As for the Norton Simon vs. the Getty (Villa), I'd do the Norton Simon in a heartbeat, but that is because their collection of impressionist art is brilliant; love their outdoor garden that includes a Monet-style pond with lily pads; and I'm a loner on this one, but I never thought that Getty had great taste in art. Well, it never meshed with my artistic style.

Now, you might want to check if the Huntington still allows this (haven't been for about 2 decades), but we used to bring a picnic lunch and sit on the grass (and there was, before the drought, plenty of lawn to play on), eat, and soak up the sun.

Sorry mouse, I had no idea your trip is in July. There has been no announcement on the bridge as it was just closed yesterday. I will post back when it reopens, or if something else crazy happens.

As for Nepenthe, we usually have lunch there around 2:00 and we've never had to wait very long. But, we do not go up to Big Sur on weekends so that does make a difference.

Look for maitaitom's threads on places to eat in L.A., which includes some in Pasadena as I recall.

For a beach day, you could visit Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach.

If you want to go to Newport Beach, definitely eat at The Crab Cooker, across from the pier. Awesome grilled lobster and fish, in a fun, funky place.

maitaitom on Feb 10, 17 at 10:51am
I'll be the Poor Man's Stu Dudley and give you my Los Angeles list (only ones I think are really good) from restaurants I've dined at in last two years.

In Santa Monica...Forma...By the way, it has a wheel of cheese, too.
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/forma-santa-monica-ca/

In Long Beach...Restauration...casual dining...fantastic food
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/rest...long-beach-ca/

In Koreatown...Guelaguetza...Historic Mexican restaurant...Mole baby!
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/22459-2/

In Los Angeles Arts District...Officine Brera...My best restaurant of 2016
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/22424-2/

In Pasadena...Union...My best restaurant of 2015 that we still frequent
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/union-pasadena-ca/

In Eagle Rock...Little Beast...get there early for even better deals
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/18365/

Finally...in Los Angeles...Maccheroni Republic...the freshest pasta we've enjoyed
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/macc...os-angeles-ca/

You might want to checkout Olivera Street.It is the oldest street in Los Angeles and has small shops that cater to Mexican crafts and several Mexican food restaurants that are definitely not chains and fairly authentic.

We also like to go to Phillipes, which is very close to there for French Dip sandwiches. It has been around since 1908. Definitely not fancy, but an interesting place if you like the sawdust on the floor type.

http://www.philippes.com/philippes-history.html

I also prefer Norton Simon to the Getty. Less crowded, love the impressionists the collection is really good.

I vote for Hermosa Beach too. I like this place because you can sit outside and eat while watching the volleyball players and people walk by.

https://eatgoodstuff.com/locations/hermosa-beach/

Tabernash, Yes the Crab Cooker is a must if you are in Newport Beach

ltr, we discovered The Crab Cooker when DH was in the Air Force in the early 70s, and we go there anytime it is possible.

Now my mouth is watering for grilled lobster tail, with Romano potatoes and cole slaw on a paper plate!l. Mmmmmmm

Thanks, tabernash2! I vaguely remembered that thread, but for some reason couldn't find it when I went back to look. User error, I'm sure:)

Where exactly is the possibly damaged bridge? I'm wondering if it turns out to be a long term thing- can I salvage my camping? Or is it going to be a situation where I'll need to go all the way up I5?

1 night at Morro Bay, one night at Pigeon point lighthouse hostel, and one night at Von Damme. I'm not set on 1 (drove it a few years ago) and mostly I'm just worried about no back up plan should 1 be closed for the summer.

Hi mm

Also, anything fun in the area that would be worth checking out after Huntington?

...Norton Simon Museum
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/nort...seum-pasadena/

...In Glendale, for something a little different...Forest Lawn...complete with a stained glass Last Supper.
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/22863-2/

Pasadena Drive-by after Huntington...Castle Green
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/castle-green-pasadena/

For brunch...We like Cafe Verde on Green Street
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/cafe-verde-pasadena-ca/

La Grande Orange...good for breakfast, lunch or dinner...and has a patio. Never had a bad meal here.
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/la-g...e-pasadena-ca/

What day of the week are you here?

For dinner...lots of good choices...

In Eagle Rock...a great choice...get here before 6 and some dishes are half-priced...10 minutes from Pasadena...Little Beast
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/18365/

15 minutes away..The Proper...fun place in La Canada/Flintridge
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/flin...da-flintridge/

Cafe Santorini...Mediterranean
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/19664-2/

Union (can get expensive...but fantastic)
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/union-pasadena-ca/

Good Italian in Pasadena...Celestino
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/cele...na-ca-updated/

Good Italian (went here twice in December). It's in Montrose...about 15 minutes away.
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/trat...a-montrose-ca/

Downtown L.A. has plenty of good restaurants..if interested I can add.

Have fun! Love your trip reports.

((H))

The bridge is the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge and it is located 2 miles north of Nepenthe.

BTW, if you want to camp in the Big Sur area, our favorite campground is Plaskett Creek.

Here's a good link for checking out closures - it's the Caltrans quick map: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

If Hwy 1 is closed through Big Sur, you can take Hwy 101 instead to bypass Big Sur. This won't affect your plans to camp at Morro Bay or Pigeon Point

Thanks for the map, November moon! Well, at least I won't have to change the camping. That's a relief! The Friday night north of SF was getting tricky.

Thanks so much, maitaitom, much appreciated. I love your trip reports also! Would love some downtown LA recs. Not fancy/expensive- I tend to be a much more adventurous eater than my friend. But I think she'll like the LA food scene- from what I saw of it, it was more laid back than SF.

Will be in area on a Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. But haven't decided where we're going on what day. Still hotly debating on whether we should go to Disney Saturday or Monday. Monday is apparently Disney's birthday and the day after the D23 convention so the parks may be more busy than usual. But there doesn't seem to be any consensus on that, so it's likely we'll do Disney first thing- my friend is really excited about seeing the original park:)

Are food trucks a thing in LA like they are in Portland? I don't remember seeing any but I was on a seafood streak last time.

I can't answer too much on the food truck scene. I'd rather enjoy a restaurant.

The Arts District in L.A. is where it seems many of the hot restaurants are cropping up. We just went to Manuela last Saturday for dinner and are going to try out the brunch this Saturday. If you stay away from the wine bottles, you can get out reasonably well. No big dishes, however. The small plates were all delicious.

On my website is Officine Brera, Factory Kitchen and Church and State (all in the Arts District and all very good)...lots of sharing dishes, just like Manuela, so you can keep within a budget, but we just jeep eating and drinking so the tab increases accordingly (: All need reservations made on advance.

For a little slice of L.A. (literally), you can try Philippes,one of the restaurants that lays claim to the invention of the French Dip. I'm partial to the beef...Tracy to the lamb dip. The review is from a few years ago, but everything vitually stays the same there. Get in line and order. Cheap and good!

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/phil...os-angeles-ca/

Virtually across from Union Station (if you can get an L.A. Conservancy Tour), it's interesting. If not, wander through. Cool place.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/unio...n-los-angeles/

Another idea, head over to Koreatown and check out beautiful Saint Sophia's Cathedral... check website to see if open on day you're going.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/21883-2/

Then have lunch at the nearby Guelaguetza...historic Mexican restaurant with terrific mole.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/22459-2/

Also nearby is the gorgeous St. Vincent de Paul Church
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/st-v...h-los-angeles/

About 30 minutes north of downtown is my favorite museum nobody knows about, The Nethercutt Collection. You need reservations for the tours (only on certain days). It's all free and very, very cool!

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/neth...ection-sylmar/

Hope this helps.

((H))