Posted May 1, 201213 yr So I finally made my way to California - specifically Southern California, and more specifically L.A. to celebrate my birthday and see a taping of 'Hot In Cleveland'. Part 1 of 2, I'll add more detailed captions when I can: Landing in LAX, downtown L.A. in the distance: Yes folks, this is the 'Theme' Building (apparently most people don't know this has an actual name?) For those who might be hoping for a thorough photo exploration of L.A.'s inner city... this is as close I got this time around: Heading toward the Inland Empire (where we were staying with family): Yeah, that's ONE house on the right - the pinkish stuff is floral groundcover: Glad we didn't have to go through whatever the hell that smog cloud of doom was! We made a quick stop near Lake Elsinore and were en route to San Diego: Palomar Medical Center in Escondido: I *believe* that's San Diego in the distance: Suburbia of San Diego: Unfortunately, the only shot of downtown San Diego I was able to catch - bad weather and a hectic schedule were at fault: Had a great Mexican dinner in Old Town - this place has the tortillas prepared in the storefront: Immaculate Conception Church: Two night shots of Old Town: And unfortunately, a downpour prevented any photos of downtown San Diego. The next day, we headed over the mountains via the Ortega Highway: I should have packed some Dramamine! Great views, as long as you don't sh!t your pants around the sharp curves! Fortunately there's a rest stop near the peak: Heading down the other side, we pass through a little bit of home - well, the Cleveland National Forest: More curves, more of me holding on to the car's 'oh sh!t' handles! Fortunately, things evened out: Close to the coast: We had some friends who took us to some new construction along the water: Yep, that's a dolphin! It cracks me up that people can actually grow these gorgeous Bird of Paradise plants (being from Cleveland and all): Time to head over toward Laguna Beach - the coast was pretty much filled with these houses stacked on top of each other: Lunch at Greeter's - apparently the 'Greeter' was a well known local back in the day: Views of and from the Boardwalk: Off we go to South Coast Plaza (helLO, gotta get some shopping in!) The mall itself isn't much to look at, and of course it's surrounded by suburban office park dreck: Although if you have to have an office tower in the 'burbs, this is a little more appealing than the rest: Next up - L.A., Studio City, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
May 2, 201213 yr Congrats, happy birthday, and great photos. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 2, 201213 yr Happy Birthday and sorry it has been cloudy in San Diego (it called "May grey, June gloom"). I hope you made it to some of the great urban hoods such as Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, and my soon to be new neighborhood of Ocean beach. If not, maybe next time. Safe travels!
May 21, 201213 yr Nice photos! I grew up in Southern California in the 1960s. As a kid I would go on road trips to Los Angeles with my family to see relatives. On the way, we would pass through Laguna Beach. I remember clearly the "greeter" who would stand alongside the road and say hello to all the cars driving through town. (We did not use the interstate -- either it had not been built yet or we took the coastal road for some reason.) He would walk right up to your drivers-side window and wave and say hello. As a kid, I considered him a unique feature of the town, and didn't wonder if he was merely a vagabond. Your photo rekindled those memories: Here's an article about the guy. He was apparently an educated man with a very interesting background. http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/06/local/me-then6 Stuart
May 21, 201213 yr Happy Birthday and sorry it has been cloudy in San Diego (it called "May grey, June gloom"). I hope you made it to some of the great urban hoods such as Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, and my soon to be new neighborhood of Ocean beach. If not, maybe next time. Safe travels! Hey Peabody, my dad's moving to Ocean Beach next month!! He loves it. Says it's the only part of SD that has not really changed since the 60's. Lots of character there for sure.
May 21, 201213 yr This picture made me laugh Erosion is the battle you can't win. You just end up destroying the beach.
May 24, 201213 yr Happy Birthday and sorry it has been cloudy in San Diego (it called "May grey, June gloom"). I hope you made it to some of the great urban hoods such as Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, and my soon to be new neighborhood of Ocean beach. If not, maybe next time. Safe travels! Hey Peabody, my dad's moving to Ocean Beach next month!! He loves it. Says it's the only part of SD that has not really changed since the 60's. Lots of character there for sure. very cool! I love OB, it is loaded with charm (and insanity) We are a block and a half from the beach and lots of other interesting places!
May 24, 201213 yr Happy Birthday and sorry it has been cloudy in San Diego (it called "May grey, June gloom"). I hope you made it to some of the great urban hoods such as Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, and my soon to be new neighborhood of Ocean beach. If not, maybe next time. Safe travels! Hey Peabody, my dad's moving to Ocean Beach next month!! He loves it. Says it's the only part of SD that has not really changed since the 60's. Lots of character there for sure. very cool! I love OB, it is loaded with charm (and insanity) We are a block and a half from the beach and lots of other interesting places! Ha ha. I'm hoping the old man can sleep through the ruckus at night. Then again, he may end up causing it. When he lived in Pacific Beach in the 60s there was a passing car every 15 minutes or so. Super chilled out back then. I've noticed some of the listings on Craigslist say "on a quiet street" lol. Few and far between I imagine. I'm guessing the Point Loma border is where things calm down a bit. p.s. my dad is hoping to find a cottage-style place ie first floor, where there aren't shared walls. Seems like 85 percent of the rentals are that classic, SD motel style.
May 28, 201213 yr we bought a small house right in the middle of a lot of rentals a few blocks from the main drag, Newport ave. I can tell you we are SHOCKED at how quiet it is-with the exception of jet noise and feral parrot flocks squawking at sunrise. we were expecting a lot of noise, something we have gotten used to living downtown (SD) and to some degree in Cleveland. I think people like to have good time here, but it does not involve yelling or load music. I hope not to jinx ourselves and have loud neighbors move in. From what I can tell, people seem to really like fire pits, micro brew, and weed all of which when mixed with sea air are calming.
May 29, 201213 yr we bought a small house right in the middle of a lot of rentals a few blocks from the main drag, Newport ave. I can tell you we are SHOCKED at how quiet it is-with the exception of jet noise and feral parrot flocks squawking at sunrise. we were expecting a lot of noise, something we have gotten used to living downtown (SD) and to some degree in Cleveland. I think people like to have good time here, but it does not involve yelling or load music. I hope not to jinx ourselves and have loud neighbors move in. From what I can tell, people seem to really like fire pits, micro brew, and weed all of which when mixed with sea air are calming. Good to hear. Sounds like you've found a pretty good spot! Your parrot issue is at least an interesting one. If my dad ends up close by you, I'll remind him to turn down the Steppenwolf, Doors or whatever other tapes he's been listening to lately ha ha.
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