So Cal GTG
 

Ok, the rumors are confirmed. Our sweet swisshiker is going to be visiting the Golden State from, well, what State is Texas anyways?

We have two days to pick from - Dec. 16th or 17th.

Either lunch or dinner is fine with me. We could have it near LAX or in Orange County or anywhere in between.

Come on, So Cal. We need to represent. The SF GTGs kick a** and I know we can do just as well!

Who's in?

Bookmarking and a maybe I need more details. This may be fun :)

We're trying to get a <font color="indigo">Southeastern States GTG</font> off the ground. I'm sure your So Cal GTG won't hold a candle to ours!!! ;-)

It's your turn cat (see the purple GTG thread). Maybe a little healthy competition will get everyone fired up!!!

swisshiker? I met her at the Gruene GTG earlier this year. I would definitely come to this one.

I am not good at linking threads but I will also post about this in the Lounge. As soon as we get a few more on board, we'll decide more details.

Golly gee willikers, cat. Now you've gone and made my face as red as a pomegranate! Sweet? Shucks, where in tarnation did you hear that?

But yes, I'm coming and I'd sure love to meet y'all!

I'm actually flying out to escort my parents to Texas for Christmas (too hard for them to do it on their own).

Sure would be a hoot to hook up with a few of you friendly folks.

And cat, just as an FYI, Texas is the Lonestar State! &lt;):)

Hey there rkkwan :) It will certainly be MY pleasure to see you again! We miss you here in Texas.

(I need to pick your brain about the Schulenberg churches tour.)

I should be able to attend and either day is fine. Also doesn't really matter where because I am always on the road somewhere in So. Cal.

Dinner would be best and although Orange County would be a closer drive home for me, it doesn't really matter where we meet.

I know I'm no help! But really anything will work for me.

I would love to attend.

I work very close to LAX two days a week and travel throughout the IE the other three, so either location could work for me if I have enough notice to set my schedule.

Southern OC would be a little harder for me, but whatever fits with everyone else is fine, as long as it is dinner. Lunch time is too crazy.

paula and ltr :) :)

Dinner it is then!!

We're narrowing it down, lol!

Sorry that it's a weeknight, folks. Tough for some, I know.

It seems dinner works best. That's a good start!

So, now we've got to decide two things:

Tuesday, December 16th
-or-
Wednesday, December 17th

And location? We've got folks coming from San Diego all the way up to Los Angeles. Somewhere in the middle perhaps?

So far, attendees:

Yes:
cat111719
swisshiker
rkkwan
paula1470
ltr

Maybe:
lpeabody
MomDDTravel
socaltraveler

Are we all girls so far? Some of you I don't know.

If we stay all girls, let's have it on Tuesday. If we have it on Wed, Mr. Kat will come for sure. Either way is fine with me, and truthfully, Mr. Kat won't mind if it is all girls.

If we are all girls we could have it on Tuesday AND invite Mr Kat. I know MR LTR would enjoy those odds. Too bad he hates to travel.

That's what I meant Mr. Kat will come whether it is all girls or not. Either night is fine with me, but usually Wednesdays I don't have kids so those are always reserved for Mr. Kat. He doesn't mind sharing me, though.

Cat, rkkwan is a male. He is also a fantastic photographer! If you click on his name you will find his travel photograpy..I have always so enjoyed his photos.

Oh good! Well, I will just tell Mr. Kat he is going, no matter what. Either night is fine for me, then.

Hi cat,
Why don't we just decide on Tuesday then? It seems a toss-up as to either day, and this way you could enjoy your &quot;day off from the kids&quot;. And any mother (or father for that matter) knows what a relief that can bring at times, esp. the busy holidays!!

So fodorites, can we settle on Tuesday, the 16th, for dinner?

What is the name of the place at King's Harbor we ate at before? That was nice. Is this a good location for all?

Bluewater Grill is where we ate before. There is another place close by that I just love, and that is Baleen. On a Tuesday night we could probably meet in the bar and just buy a bunch of small plates and split the food. We can each get our own drinks at the bar.

http://www.hotelportofino.com/portofino_dining.aspx

&quot;The SF GTGs kick a** and I know we can do just as well!&quot;

HA!

DOUBLE HA!!

TRIPLE HA!!!

So Faina, what time will you be arriving in town?

Someone from SF better make the trek!

I wonder if we can send Kal instead :))

I may be coming end of March though.

Oh, Kal! That would be good!

Faina, let us know and we'll do another one when you are here.

Of course!

And I will try not to forget my unmentionables in the hotel :))

Or was Mr Kat left behind?
:-p

No, Mr. Kat is never left behind, but sometimes he is just not brought along.

Faina, well, size doesn't always matter, ya know! ;)

This one will be small but mighty!

Bluewater - yes, that was it! It was delightful.

But the Portofino looks nice too. The menu on the website, is that the only one they have, or is there a happy hour menu or bar menu, if you know?

Tues is fine. Are other people coming from the San Diego area or is it just me? It might be easier for some of those from OC if we met a little further south. I was thinking Huntington Beach area would sort of be in the middle.

I guess lets just see where everyone is coming from.

I'll be coming down from UCLA. Don't worry, wherever whenever is fine. I'll be there when I get there. :D

rkkwan - you're the man!! See us when you see us, lol!!

Paula - good idea! There really is no big rush to this. We've got several weeks. Huntington Beach or maybe even inland somewhere would be easy too.

We can wait to decide until time gets closer. I like the idea of waiting to see who else can join us.

((i))

What about Seal Beach? I think something close the the 405 would be good for people coming from all over.

405, 406 whatever it takes...

I am open to anyplace now that we have a firm date.

Since it is so close to the holidays, what about doing a travel related gift exchange? I was thinking about something in the stocking stuffer range. What do you think?

Kal, you are silly!!!

ltr, I think a gift exchange would be fun!

What price range are we looking at for food?

I am open to any price range on the food. I am not sure how the others feel.

I don't know the OC area very well, so I will leave that up to someone else. I will be happy eating anyplace....well, not so happy eating those wimpy little tacos from Jack in the Box, but even then, sometimes you just have to have one.

Great idea about the travel-related gift exchange! ((y)) Would something in the $10 range work?

Paula - would Seal Beach or thereabouts work for you? I like cat's idea of somewhere not far off the 405.

Do you think more casual or fine dining?

This might be just right

Spaghettini Grill &amp; Jazz Club
3005 Old Ranch Parkway,
Seal Beach, California 90740
Tel: 562-596-2199
714-960-6002
You couldn't get any closer to the 405.

http://www.spaghettini.com/

Since I live and work in Seal Beach, I think it would be an excellent location for a GTG. Surf city would be good too.

I'd totally like to come as well. I'll be driving down from Pasadena.

I'll have just flown back from a 2 week vacation in NYC, and of course i'm working halfday that afternoon. But i'd def would like to meet up w/ the awesome ppl on this forum who've given me great travel advice. :)

Awesome!

Can't wait for more details, I'm sure we can out-do the SF GTG'ers..

mmmm I'm hungry already!