San Francisco to Los Angeles late January
#22
Here's more California butterfly information that you may find interesting, including more about Monarchs.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/2...ed-butterflies
Crellston, sorry about the detour from your original question.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/2...ed-butterflies
Crellston, sorry about the detour from your original question.
#23
Sadly, there were NO monarchs at all in January 2021 in the Pacific Grove survey sites. So to take it back to the original topic, you can scratch the suggestion from Gardyloo that Pacific Grove is the best location. You may still see the odd few floating around your abode in Pasadena, however I think those clusters in that stock photo (?) are a thing of the past.
Last edited by mlgb; Oct 15th, 2021 at 11:19 AM.
#24
Regarding sights close to Pasadena, the County Arboretum in Arcadia is also nearby.
A good way to visit both (on specific dates) with a minimal charge would be to join the Pasadena Audubon Society as a family ($30 for the year). You can join online a few weeks before you arrive, using your friend's address. No need to be a local resident.
https://www.pasadenaaudubon.org/?q=join
They have resumed monthly walks with free admission on specific dates, to both the Huntington and the Arboretum. Typically you enter as a group and afterwards you can stay as long as you like. The Huntington is only the grounds, however most of the buildings are still closed anyways (COVID).
https://www.pasadenaaudubon.org/?q=fieldtrips
The Huntington also has free days the first Thurday of every month, tickets released the last Thursday of the prior month at 9 a.m.
Although I used to work Downtown, I have not gone for a while. The homeless situation has gotten exponentially worse, unfortunately. Sights there I might have recommended would include First Street and the Japanese American Museum in Little Tokyo, Grand Central Market on Broadway and Angel's Flight, the Central Library and "Spanish Steps", Walt Disney Concert Hall (Gehry design), Union Station, Olvera Street and the Chinese/American Museum, City Hall, the new Cathedral, and some of the art museums if you are into that (Broad/MOCA). Probably more stuff that I can't remember at the moment.
As far as Chinatown, it is not really a center for Chinese anymore. East of Pasadena is where the best Chinese restaurants are now. But there are other things happening in Chinatown now.
Check downtownnews dot com for current events and restaurant reviews.
A good way to visit both (on specific dates) with a minimal charge would be to join the Pasadena Audubon Society as a family ($30 for the year). You can join online a few weeks before you arrive, using your friend's address. No need to be a local resident.
https://www.pasadenaaudubon.org/?q=join
They have resumed monthly walks with free admission on specific dates, to both the Huntington and the Arboretum. Typically you enter as a group and afterwards you can stay as long as you like. The Huntington is only the grounds, however most of the buildings are still closed anyways (COVID).
https://www.pasadenaaudubon.org/?q=fieldtrips
The Huntington also has free days the first Thurday of every month, tickets released the last Thursday of the prior month at 9 a.m.
Although I used to work Downtown, I have not gone for a while. The homeless situation has gotten exponentially worse, unfortunately. Sights there I might have recommended would include First Street and the Japanese American Museum in Little Tokyo, Grand Central Market on Broadway and Angel's Flight, the Central Library and "Spanish Steps", Walt Disney Concert Hall (Gehry design), Union Station, Olvera Street and the Chinese/American Museum, City Hall, the new Cathedral, and some of the art museums if you are into that (Broad/MOCA). Probably more stuff that I can't remember at the moment.
As far as Chinatown, it is not really a center for Chinese anymore. East of Pasadena is where the best Chinese restaurants are now. But there are other things happening in Chinatown now.
Check downtownnews dot com for current events and restaurant reviews.
Last edited by mlgb; Oct 15th, 2021 at 12:34 PM.
#25
Since Pasadena is my stomping ground, here are some ideas within two hours of you (and many closer) to perhaps visit.
Historic Los Angeles Farmers Market
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/his...t-los-angeles/
Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/sel...fic-palisades/
Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Pacific Palisades ... highly recommend the tour I highlight below
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/hol...ery-hollywood/
Lotusland - Santa Barbara (Montecito)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/lot...ara-montecito/
Descanso Gardens (15 minutes from Pasadena)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/des...da-flintridge/
Getty Center (about a 40 minute drive (depending on traffic)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/get...y-los-angeles/
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens - San Marino (city next to Pasadena)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/hun...on-san-marino/
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/hun...on-san-marino/
Getty Villa (Pacific Palisades)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/the...fic-palisades/
Mount Wilson Observatory
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/mou...-mount-wilson/
Central Library (DTLA) - free tours ... gorgeous interior
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/22655-2/
A few Pasadena area Restaurants
Union (great Pasadena Italian) noisy inside, but they now have tables outside, but it could be cold when you come
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/union-pasadena-ca/
Hippo (Highland Park)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/hip...hland-park-ca/
Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood) - lots of history here ... Must have a martini
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/mus...-hollywood-ca/
I have a lot more restaurants on my website ... Arts District in Los Angeles has some spectacular restaurants (Dama, Bavel, Factory Kitchen) these days. Also on the website. It's a little gritty there, but the food is well worth the effort.
Have fun!
Historic Los Angeles Farmers Market
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/his...t-los-angeles/
Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/sel...fic-palisades/
Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Pacific Palisades ... highly recommend the tour I highlight below
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/hol...ery-hollywood/
Lotusland - Santa Barbara (Montecito)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/lot...ara-montecito/
Descanso Gardens (15 minutes from Pasadena)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/des...da-flintridge/
Getty Center (about a 40 minute drive (depending on traffic)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/get...y-los-angeles/
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens - San Marino (city next to Pasadena)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/hun...on-san-marino/
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/hun...on-san-marino/
Getty Villa (Pacific Palisades)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/the...fic-palisades/
Mount Wilson Observatory
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/mou...-mount-wilson/
Central Library (DTLA) - free tours ... gorgeous interior
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/22655-2/
A few Pasadena area Restaurants
Union (great Pasadena Italian) noisy inside, but they now have tables outside, but it could be cold when you come
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/union-pasadena-ca/
Hippo (Highland Park)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/hip...hland-park-ca/
Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood) - lots of history here ... Must have a martini
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/mus...-hollywood-ca/
I have a lot more restaurants on my website ... Arts District in Los Angeles has some spectacular restaurants (Dama, Bavel, Factory Kitchen) these days. Also on the website. It's a little gritty there, but the food is well worth the effort.
Have fun!
#26
Sadly, there were NO monarchs at all in January 2021 in the Pacific Grove survey sites. So to take it back to the original topic, you can scratch the suggestion from Gardyloo that Pacific Grove is the best location. You may still see the odd few floating around your abode in Pasadena, however I think those clusters in that stock photo (?) are a thing of the past.
Attachment 5977
Attachment 5977
#28
I would argue against the idea of an excursion up the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada to Lone Pine, Bishop, Mono Lake, etc. The first part (to Lone Pine, Manzanar) would be easy (if not terribly interesting), but in late January, your chances of being hit by snowstorms in the Bishop area and north are fairly high, and driving conditions can become treacherous. Weather forecasts beyond 24 hours aren't particularly accurate, so you'd need a Plan B and perhaps a Plan C.
#29
I would argue against the idea of an excursion up the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada to Lone Pine, Bishop, Mono Lake, etc. The first part (to Lone Pine, Manzanar) would be easy (if not terribly interesting), but in late January, your chances of being hit by snowstorms in the Bishop area and north are fairly high, and driving conditions can become treacherous. Weather forecasts beyond 24 hours aren't particularly accurate, so you'd need a Plan B and perhaps a Plan C.
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry for the delay in coming back. A combination of moving from one house/pet sitting project to another and me not getting to grips with the new Fodors. I had been relying on email notifications but they only seem come through occasionally??
Anyway, about to take a very impatient Old English Sheepdog out for his walk now so will work through the suggestions received so far when I return.
For now though re mlgb’s #1 suggestion of " a meetup during your time based in Pasadena" Absolutely, let’s make that a priority!
Anyway, about to take a very impatient Old English Sheepdog out for his walk now so will work through the suggestions received so far when I return.
For now though re mlgb’s #1 suggestion of " a meetup during your time based in Pasadena" Absolutely, let’s make that a priority!
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks all for so much great input. As always, the responses generate as many questions as they answer!
Highway 1 road trip
Using google maps I have estimated a total drive time of 12 hours from SFO where we pick up the rental car to Pasadena. This pretty much follows H1 along the coast all the way to Santa Babera
I did misunderstand the comments re Yosemite so thanks for putting me straight. I have explored the options of visiting there immediately on picking up the car from SFO and spending a couple fo nights there and then returning and starting as above. However, that is a 9 hour round trip and I think we would be keen to get started on the coastal trip. The other alternative, which I will retain as an option, is to head there as a return trip from Pasadena but that seems an hour or so further.
Will return shortly with more questions re trips from Pasadena ...
Highway 1 road trip
Using google maps I have estimated a total drive time of 12 hours from SFO where we pick up the rental car to Pasadena. This pretty much follows H1 along the coast all the way to Santa Babera
- So far, what I am getting is that we should definitely make Carmel or Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsular our first stop, correct?
- Does two nights at the end in Santa Barbara at the end seem reasonable?
- That leaves two nights somewhere in the middle but where? My first thought is Cambria which maybe provides the option to head inland to the wine areas if the mood takes us and it seems to have more interesting options accommodation wise, or perhaps Morro Bay. Any opinions?
I did misunderstand the comments re Yosemite so thanks for putting me straight. I have explored the options of visiting there immediately on picking up the car from SFO and spending a couple fo nights there and then returning and starting as above. However, that is a 9 hour round trip and I think we would be keen to get started on the coastal trip. The other alternative, which I will retain as an option, is to head there as a return trip from Pasadena but that seems an hour or so further.
Will return shortly with more questions re trips from Pasadena ...
Last edited by crellston; Oct 17th, 2021 at 05:09 AM.
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mlgb - Would clearly love to get together when we arrive in Pasadena lets get that sorted.
Thank your for suggestions for trips out of Pasadena. and for accomdation suggestions which I have added to my “short” list. Also for the Steakhouse rec. menu looks great !!
I think what we are looking for, given the time we have, is maybe a two night trip. Loved the photos I have seen of Joshua Tree so that may be a decent substitute for a visit to Yosemite. presumably this would entail staying in Palm Springs which as far as I can tell is a two hour drive so we could get in some hiking on the day of arrival and on our one full day. will check out the lodging options there. Do you think it would be possible to cover Death Valley and JT in a two night trip?. I am guessing desert scenery most of the way - worth seeing or a bit tedious. (I recall going from San Pedro de Atacama to Iquique in Chile . The first 2 hours I was enthralled, the next 12 hours of looking at sand , not so much!)
Grand Canyon and Zion are tempting but just too big a chunk of our time. If we hadn’t already been to Las Vegas, I may have stretched a point.
Thank your for suggestions for trips out of Pasadena. and for accomdation suggestions which I have added to my “short” list. Also for the Steakhouse rec. menu looks great !!
I think what we are looking for, given the time we have, is maybe a two night trip. Loved the photos I have seen of Joshua Tree so that may be a decent substitute for a visit to Yosemite. presumably this would entail staying in Palm Springs which as far as I can tell is a two hour drive so we could get in some hiking on the day of arrival and on our one full day. will check out the lodging options there. Do you think it would be possible to cover Death Valley and JT in a two night trip?. I am guessing desert scenery most of the way - worth seeing or a bit tedious. (I recall going from San Pedro de Atacama to Iquique in Chile . The first 2 hours I was enthralled, the next 12 hours of looking at sand , not so much!)
Grand Canyon and Zion are tempting but just too big a chunk of our time. If we hadn’t already been to Las Vegas, I may have stretched a point.
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Maitaitom - I subscribed to your blog a while ago and will check out those eating places and see how the correlate with out friends suggestions. She rates the Pasadena Chinese food as good as anything in China or Hong Kong! A visit to the farmers market my be must on arrival!
Last edited by crellston; Oct 17th, 2021 at 06:02 AM.
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regarding sights close to Pasadena, the County Arboretum in Arcadia is also nearby.
A good way to visit both (on specific dates) with a minimal charge would be to join the Pasadena Audubon Society as a family ($30 for the year). You can join online a few weeks before you arrive, using your friend's address. No need to be a local resident.
https://www.pasadenaaudubon.org/?q=join
They have resumed monthly walks with free admission on specific dates, to both the Huntington and the Arboretum. Typically you enter as a group and afterwards you can stay as long as you like. The Huntington is only the grounds, however most of the buildings are still closed anyways (COVID).
https://www.pasadenaaudubon.org/?q=fieldtrips
The Huntington also has free days the first Thurday of every month, tickets released the last Thursday of the prior month at 9 a.m.
Although I used to work Downtown, I have not gone for a while. The homeless situation has gotten exponentially worse, unfortunately. Sights there I might have recommended would include First Street and the Japanese American Museum in Little Tokyo, Grand Central Market on Broadway and Angel's Flight, the Central Library and "Spanish Steps", Walt Disney Concert Hall (Gehry design), Union Station, Olvera Street and the Chinese/American Museum, City Hall, the new Cathedral, and some of the art museums if you are into that (Broad/MOCA). Probably more stuff that I can't remember at the moment.
As far as Chinatown, it is not really a center for Chinese anymore. East of Pasadena is where the best Chinese restaurants are now. But there are other things happening in Chinatown now.
Check downtownnews dot com for current events and restaurant reviews.
A good way to visit both (on specific dates) with a minimal charge would be to join the Pasadena Audubon Society as a family ($30 for the year). You can join online a few weeks before you arrive, using your friend's address. No need to be a local resident.
https://www.pasadenaaudubon.org/?q=join
They have resumed monthly walks with free admission on specific dates, to both the Huntington and the Arboretum. Typically you enter as a group and afterwards you can stay as long as you like. The Huntington is only the grounds, however most of the buildings are still closed anyways (COVID).
https://www.pasadenaaudubon.org/?q=fieldtrips
The Huntington also has free days the first Thurday of every month, tickets released the last Thursday of the prior month at 9 a.m.
Although I used to work Downtown, I have not gone for a while. The homeless situation has gotten exponentially worse, unfortunately. Sights there I might have recommended would include First Street and the Japanese American Museum in Little Tokyo, Grand Central Market on Broadway and Angel's Flight, the Central Library and "Spanish Steps", Walt Disney Concert Hall (Gehry design), Union Station, Olvera Street and the Chinese/American Museum, City Hall, the new Cathedral, and some of the art museums if you are into that (Broad/MOCA). Probably more stuff that I can't remember at the moment.
As far as Chinatown, it is not really a center for Chinese anymore. East of Pasadena is where the best Chinese restaurants are now. But there are other things happening in Chinatown now.
Check downtownnews dot com for current events and restaurant reviews.
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#36
The Thornton Portrait Gallery at the Huntington with The Blue Boy and Wiley's new work reopened October 2 according its website.
Looks like the art galleries are open, but the actual library is closed.
Looks like the art galleries are open, but the actual library is closed.
#37
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There’s so much to see in California that it makes more sense to flesh out sights on your itinerary than add long drives to places like JT or especially Death Valley.
#38
"Thanks for the tips. Sorry to hear of the homeless issues. the way of the world I am afraid. Same here in London. I am awaiting delivery of a guidebook so will go through that with a highlighter! Keen to see some of the typical touristy sights. Hollywood sign, Venice Beach, Malibu. Basically stuff that has been mentioned in every TV program and file since the year dot!"
I would most definitely drop Venice Beach from that list. (I live in another beach town nearby.) Venice is possibly the worst of the worst in terms of the homeless crisis in LA. I doubt anything you've seen in London will prepare you for what you'll see in California, particularly in SF and LA, even in late January, and Venice won't look like anything you've seen on tv programs.
I would most definitely drop Venice Beach from that list. (I live in another beach town nearby.) Venice is possibly the worst of the worst in terms of the homeless crisis in LA. I doubt anything you've seen in London will prepare you for what you'll see in California, particularly in SF and LA, even in late January, and Venice won't look like anything you've seen on tv programs.
#39
Just heading out the door for a few days at Lake Tahoe . . . but I'd definitely try to fit in Yosemite. Drive from SF to Yosemite Valley via Merced and El Portal (the lowest elevation route) and stay 2 nights. Then drive across the central valley to Monterey/Carmel - 2 nights. Then down the coast if you only stay maybe one night in Cambria and Santa Barbara it won't eat up any more time . . . and while Joshua Tree is interesting it is no substitute for Yosemite National Park -- YNP is a winter wonderland.
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just heading out the door for a few days at Lake Tahoe . . . but I'd definitely try to fit in Yosemite. Drive from SF to Yosemite Valley via Merced and El Portal (the lowest elevation route) and stay 2 nights. Then drive across the central valley to Monterey/Carmel - 2 nights. Then down the coast if you only stay maybe one night in Cambria and Santa Barbara it won't eat up any more time . . . and while Joshua Tree is interesting it is no substitute for Yosemite National Park -- YNP is a winter wonderland.
Any suggestions for places to stay around Yosemite?
Last edited by crellston; Oct 17th, 2021 at 09:18 AM.