West Coast trip report
 

CA:
In-N-Out. First report is of the (in)famous burger joint, which we dont have in NYC. I convinced the driver to take the group there instead of the same old boring buffet.
Ok. Well, hated it. The lettuce was cold, portion was small, beef was undercooked, fries were boring, and the price too high. For the same price I'd rather go with Five-Guys' cajun fries and x2 beef patty instead.

The Crystal Cathedral is closed. Too bad, as I was there during the 90% empty ceremony by Rev.Schuller.

San Diego - Interesting place. Been there 5 years ago, saw nothing new now. Too bad the Coronado Hotel is closed to tourists. Old Town is all the same shops, eateries; it's like a huge LA Olvera street with better decor.
Balboa Park - too busy, too much stuff, and many goings on, all piled on next to each other, etc. Compared to Central Park, it's just too touristy. Atleast in CP anyone could find a silent private bench or patch of grass to sit on and relax. In Balboa you just cant get away from it all or anyone.

LA - Hollyweird: some tourists were attacked in the ladies room; others got cursed at for taking photos by pushy costumed idiots. Really not much to see besides prints in cement but you cant shoot them as people walk all over.
Met a vendor who worked Central Park, he gave a bag for free. What was the point of that huge bed?

Venice Beach: saw the snake-man, did not see the black guy with guitar. Possibly the coolest beach in the world. Will be back.

SF - full of homeless all over. The tram ride down to Lombard st. was the most dangerous I had ever taken in my life, and wont be doing it again. I was hit twice in the head by the operator's elbow, when someone got on he blocked my view, but he was almost hit by a double parked car, a lady lost her wallet
but someone threw it back to her. The ticket agent did not ask me to pay, so I didnt.

La Jolla - fine nature watching. Good calm educated folks live there. A fine place to visit, will be back.

NV:
Laughlin.
A much less exciting place than Vegas, and even AC. A place for retirees, locals, smokers, old folks, and has-been artists like Frank Sinatra jr. The tables and shops were empty; but ifcourse as it goes in
such "locals" places every vendor and table worker knew the players' names.
Interestingly, the casinos had video slots could not find in Vegas. My fave game was the 1c 'The Twilight Zone' on which I won $12 on $1 bet. Unless there is a specific need to go to Laughlin I wont be back.

Vegas.
Been there before, but only now drove down to the 'Welcome' sign at night. There are too many shops in the center, no customers.
Stayed in CC(dont ask). The buffet was ok, self-serve drinks(hooray!). Run-down, but not as bad as I thought.
Tropicana was renovated, good. I checked out Gordon Ramsay's place; too mucho denero for steak for my tastes, so no go.
Went to see the Volcano show... cool, but they seem to change it. In the Winter the girls dont walk around with tops half open, but it beats the deathly heat of Summer.
So, you either love Vegas, or you dont.

Then we went to see Bryce and Zion canyons. Bryce was impressive, loved it with the snow cover. Took lots of photos. I recommend it over Grand Canyon, unless you are hiking through it. The GC looks like a huge hole in the ground, with some color, and a few cool spots to shoot. Zion did not impress and I took no shots as we drove thru it without stopping. The security guard checks for banned tourists, and there is a risk of boulders falling.

We also went to some so-called 'Ghost Town' called Calico.
Only some 8 people live there from a high of 1200 in 1881. Sheriff's office was closed, as was the jail, and some other homes and safes which would really show tourists what life was like back then. The place is run down, dirty, bad food, and is just not worth the admission nor the time.

We visited The Rusty Bolt souvenir shop in Arizona on Route66 that had old classic cars with mannequins all over. Fun place, good stuff for sale, a good photo opportunity. But it looked like a wax museum, or some cheap
madame toussea with over-priced clothing and gifts.

In & Out--You have to order off the "secret menu"-Get the Double Double Animal Style.


"Zion did not impress and I took no shots as we drove thru it without stopping"
Good Grief is all I can say to that. I spent 4 days there and think its one of the best places on the planet.

Good grief is right.

Did you enjoy anything?

He liked Venice Beach and La Jolla.

Pretty jaded, I'd agree.

I have to agree about In-n-Out Burger. I hadn't done my research before going so I didn't realize it was a fast food burger, thought it was a real burger when I heard the hype about how good it was. Won't be going back.

I don't get the In and Out hype either. Meh.

In&Out plus 5 Guys were the worst burgers & fries of my life. Salted peanuts at 5 Guys were good however - and they were free. I threw the mushy fries in the trash after eating a few - quickly followed by 2/3 of the burger. Then went back for more peanuts.

Tram????? What's that???? Was that the only thing you did in San Francisco - other than seeking out the homeless?

GC and Zion???? - what can I say? Fabulous places.

Next vacation, go to Orlando (a Rick Steves quote).

Stu Dudley

Attention travelers:

-The a Grand Canyon is just a big hole in the ground
-You'll risk your life riding a SF cable car (errr... "tram")
-There's nothing worth seeing in San Diego
-Only visit Las Vegas in summertime so you'll see the girls with their tops half open
-You're likely to be attacked and cursed at if you visit Hollywood. There's nothing to see but you may get a free bag!

So you all might as well stay home.

How terrible! it sounds like you were with a tour...is that right? if you don't mind, which one? I've been to most of those places independently and didn't have the same reaction...but, now that I am thinking about it, Are you a Troll? I think so.

I have to agree about In n Out, but it appears from this trip report that it's difficult, if not impossible, to please you.

You obviously did not visit the right places in California. Most of the places you visited attract MANY visitors. Too bad you did not visit the lesser know beautiful areas of California.

I would not compare Central Park to Balboa Park in San Diego...not even close. Did you visit Golden Gate Park in San Francisco? With the mention of many of the places you stopped, I have to question your judgement of places to visit.

BTW, I am starting to hate 5-Guys these days as I find their burgers saggy and tasteless.

Anyway, the trip was rushed this time, perhaps I'll spend 5 days in just San Diego or SF or LA next time instead of 10 days to see it all.

But, the homeless populace in SF did turn me off. I bet those people are homeless because they just want to be.

Ah, come on, San Francisco deserves more than 5 lines!

Homeless are mostly addicts or mentally sick, not because they "want" to be homeless.

You like warm lettuce on your burgers?

And you topped your 18 month old thread to complain about 5-Guys?

I'm happy for you!

I'd say it's a pretty bad trip when the only thing that gets a "hooray' is the self-service soda pop at the Circus-Circus buffet.