CALIFORNIA - The Golden State

[VISION_OF_LOVE]

Pansin ko lang, walang thread 'ata' ng about California so I'm making this. I hope Pinoys in CA could contribute here. I have not been to CA but we're going to California in October or November and we are sooooo excited planning about it as early as now! Hope you could all be of help.

We plan to enter thru SFO and exit in Las Vegas to Manila. Is it ok sa immigration na hindi RT same city? we chose SFO kasi we've read sa tripadvisor na di mahigpit sa immigrtaion nila of all the US! Not that we're scared much, it's just that it will be our first time in the US and ayaw namin ng any hassle at all sa airport.

Speaking of no hassle, example is, Not to brag about it, we are considering First or Busines Class sa plane para minimize ang hassle sa comfort. What do you think is Ok to SFO na airline? as much as possible sana is direct flight para to get over quickly ang trip at this will be my first time din to fly ng more than 5 hours!!!scared but super duper excited haha. minsan nag daydream na ko hahaha. it all started when we got approved with the US visa but its another story.

eto pala ang plan iti namin, pa-comment na lang: SFO-LA-NEW YORK SANA OR kung may flight from LA TO WASHINGTON DC, DC muna -NYC-CHICAGO-LAS VEGAS (most likely PAL kami pauwi at may Las Vegas-Manila sila).

what are the must see/shops/amusement parks/etc sa SF, LA, CA. I'm secretly reading the NYC threads na rin dito sa pex.

pls. folks. help!!Kahit anong travel tips/tricks/advice/trivia/anecdotes/stories/etc are welcome!!

thanks a lot!!!

[Septembermom]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/GoldenGateBridge-001.jpg/220px-GoldenGateBridge-001.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...lywoodSign.jpg

Pansin ko lang, walang thread 'ata' ng about California so I'm making this. I hope Pinoys in CA could contribute here. I have not been to CA but we're going to California in October or November and we are sooooo excited planning about it as early as now! Hope you could all be of help.

We plan to enter thru SFO and exit in Las Vegas to Manila. Is it ok sa immigration na hindi RT same city? we chose SFO kasi we've read sa tripadvisor na di mahigpit sa immigrtaion nila of all the US! Not that we're scared much, it's just that it will be our first time in the US and ayaw namin ng any hassle at all sa airport.

Speaking of no hassle, example is, Not to brag about it, we are considering First or Busines Class sa plane para minimize ang hassle sa comfort. What do you think is Ok to SFO na airline? as much as possible sana is direct flight para to get over quickly ang trip at this will be my first time din to fly ng more than 5 hours!!!scared but super duper excited haha. minsan nag daydream na ko hahaha. it all started when we got approved with the US visa but its another story.

eto pala ang plan iti namin, pa-comment na lang: SFO-LA-NEW YORK SANA OR kung may flight from LA TO WASHINGTON DC, DC muna -NYC-CHICAGO-LAS VEGAS (most likely PAL kami pauwi at may Las Vegas-Manila sila).

what are the must see/shops/amusement parks/etc sa SF, LA, CA. I'm secretly reading the NYC threads na rin dito sa pex.

pls. folks. help!!Kahit anong travel tips/tricks/advice/trivia/anecdotes/stories/etc are welcome!!

thanks a lot!!!

Hi! We also entered the US via SFO last summer of 2008. Immigration was a breeze for us (my husband, 2 sons and I). Unlike fellow Filipinos dun na talagang pinabuklat sa Kanila mga luggages/boxes nila. One question asked by the IO was : do you have any bangus or tinapa? good thing our luggages only has clothes in it.

Our iti was SFO, San Diego, Las Vegas then balik sa San Diego. Plane ride to Chicago (which took 5 hrs). From Chicago New York and Washington DC then Tennessee then balik Chicago ulit. For our return flight to Manila we exited from SFO also.

Hope this helps.

[VISION_OF_LOVE]

Hi! We also entered the US via SFO last summer of 2008. Immigration was a breeze for us (my husband, 2 sons and I). Unlike fellow Filipinos dun na talagang pinabuklat sa Kanila mga luggages/boxes nila. One question asked by the IO was : do you have any bangus or tinapa? good thing our luggages only has clothes in it.

Our iti was SFO, San Diego, Las Vegas then balik sa San Diego. Plane ride to Chicago (which took 5 hrs). From Chicago New York and Washington DC then Tennessee then balik Chicago ulit. For our return flight to Manila we exited from SFO also.

Hope this helps.

Thanks a lot po!

[donutboy]

San ka pala mag sstay? Kung mag tatagal kayo sa SF, the usual golden gate bridge, crooked st @ lombard, pier 39, The presidio, Ocean Beach, Haight St. I'm sure you've researched those spots.

Magandang gawin sa SF.. mag bike around the city. from Embarcadero to Sausalito then ferry back to the city. For local flavor, look for food trucks. Google "Off the Grid SF" then look for their sched. Those food trucks are ran by professional chefs in SF. They are known for their fusion foods. Make sure you got some cash in your pockets. Some of them don't accept credit cards..

If you got any questions or want to know more info, feel free to PM me here in PEx or email me at cuevas.carlo@gmail.com

Good luck!

[keyser_soze]

just got back to Anaheim yesterday after a 3d/2n weekend getaway in Vegas.. recharging.. then we'll head off in just a couple of hours, alis kami ng 10am mamya (iwas trapik sa LA), to a 3-day Santa Barbara-Monterey-San Francisco-Napa Valley-Yosemite trip.

will post pics later.

cheers!

[wanderer9020]

just got back to Anaheim yesterday after a 3d/2n weekend getaway in Vegas.. recharging.. then we'll head off in just a couple of hours, alis kami ng 10am mamya (iwas trapik sa LA), to a 3-day Santa Barbara-Monterey-San Francisco-Napa Valley-Yosemite trip.

will post pics later.

cheers!

wow, California...Enjoy..... And Europe right?? excellent, world traveller....

What are the things I can say about CA, I have just been to LA and a day in San Francisco. In LA, spent some time hanging at Hollywood Boulevard night places. Can recommend The Avalon, 40 bucks for entrance fee but 8 bucks for a drink, not bad, cool music, good crowd. Then, strolled at Beverly Hills.. I guess LA is a good place. One thing in US, the food serving is good for two hirap ubusin , di ako sanay Lot of Pinoys/Pinays in LA and SFO, kakatuwa...... kahit sa airports...I guess, CA is really really a good place. Personally, I love it..

Hate LAX airport, but love SFO airport. thats all for now. More, more, California dreaming..Will be in SFO this December

[donutboy]

keyser_soze - sounds like you guys are taking hwy 1. I heard Big Sur in San Luis Obispo is pretty amazing. I'll be riding my bike to hwy 1 from SF going to LA this summer. (good luck sakin).

Anyways, If you're in the east bay and want to go dance with locals, every last saturday of the month there's an event called People's Party at New Parish in Oakland. Only $10 to get in. Ofcourse you have to be 21 and over. Best night everytime I go there.

[keyser_soze]

hi bro wanderer, donutboy

yea, we took the US101 "Pacific Coast" hwy. very scenic drive, fantastic views all the way!!!

we hit the seaside hwy from Long Beach-Redondo-El Segundo-Marina del Rey-Santa Monica-Malibu (we stopped here to recharge and for some photo ops at the pier, it's so beautiful out here! no wonder the Hollywood stars reside here..)

then we drove on to Zuma-Leo Carillo-Pt Mugu-Channel Islands-Ventura (we got inside the town for a quickie late lunch at a local McDo where the seagulls outside beg people for a grub lol ) this town have a beautiful marina right next to a Holiday Inn hotel.

then we drove on to Santa Barbara 'the French Riviera of the USA' -Gaviola state park-then turned right inland onto Buellton then finally to Solvang.

Solvang, an old Danish settlement wherein they have made efforts to preserve the centuries old Euro-style houses, bakeries, chocolate shops, etc. it was like being taken back in time. we had traditional Danish coffee, cakes and ice cream here.. just sat on a bench and watched the architecture in amazement, time seems to slow down in this town, the overall ambience/feel was so relaxing. i highly recommend this place.

then we drove onto the Pinot Noir vineyards in Santa Maria, grapevines as far as the eyes can see! beautiful hillside ranches..very scenic.

right now, as i type this, we retired at the SeaCrest Oceanside Resort in Pismo Beach. located on a seaside cliff, this is a good place to rest, for just 110$/night with 2 queen-sized beds, free breakfast, this accom is fantastic. very friendly and helpful staff. i'm gonna write a positive review for this resort in TripAdvisor.

strolled the beach and just watched the locals surf, play retrieve with their Labradors and Golden Retrievers, while admiring the beautiful Pacific sunset.

will drive on to Monterey-San Francisco in a few hours.

ciao!

[donutboy]

that's great man. Di pako nakakaikot sa Socal like you did but I've been to Santa Barbara, LA, SD and Hollywood. They're pretty good. I think mas magugustuhan mo ang SF. Wala masyadong flat lands, maganda architecture, and masarap ang food! Pag nakarating kayo sa SF, aside from the touristy spots, don't miss the food trucks. Sobrang sarap nila and super cheap. check their website at offthegridsf.com.

So any trips pa after SF?

[faaip_de_oiad]

Solvang was just... surreal. LOL. It has tourist-trap feel but they dont try to rip you off. Hehe.

Yosemite National Park is a must see!

[keyser_soze]

keyser_soze - sounds like you guys are taking hwy 1. I heard Big Sur in San Luis Obispo is pretty amazing. I'll be riding my bike to hwy 1 from SF going to LA this summer. (good luck sakin).

Anyways, If you're in the east bay and want to go dance with locals, every last saturday of the month there's an event called People's Party at New Parish in Oakland. Only $10 to get in. Ofcourse you have to be 21 and over. Best night everytime I go there.

I just realized your plan to bike from SF to LA. omg ang laaayo nun ah! good luck man!!

yea, passed by Big Sur today, pretty amazing indeed. rolling seaside cliffs, forest parks good for camping.. very scenic.

that's great man. Di pako nakakaikot sa Socal like you did but I've been to Santa Barbara, LA, SD and Hollywood. They're pretty good. I think mas magugustuhan mo ang SF. Wala masyadong flat lands, maganda architecture, and masarap ang food! Pag nakarating kayo sa SF, aside from the touristy spots, don't miss the food trucks. Sobrang sarap nila and super cheap. check their website at offthegridsf.com.

So any trips pa after SF?

just arrived here in SF around 6pm. it's a cold, foggy and rainy evening.. the Golden Gate bridge was completely shrouded by the fog. we went to the vista points at both ends of the bridge, only the approach were visible. praying for clear skies tomorrow, as weather forecast on local tv says it's gonna be another gloomy day.

yea, i like the architecture here. dikit-dikit ang mga bahay, pero magaganda ang style, iba-iba ang kulay, parang crayola lol

steep inclined roads.. we drove through Lombard Street. oh man, that was scary. imagine driving on a steeply inclined paving block road, with tight 8 hairpin turns, on a rainy evening at that! that one was memorable, will try to pass by that street again tomorrow for some souvenir shots.

we're spending the night here at the Fisherman's Wharf area, at the Courtyard Marriott hotel.

derecho kami ng Napa, then Yosemite, on the way back to Anaheim.

Solvang was just... surreal. LOL. It has tourist-trap feel but they dont try to rip you off. Hehe.

Yosemite National Park is a must see!

Solvang was surreal indeed.. it looked like a replica of a centuries-old Danish town.

we'll be heading to Yosemite, after Napa, tomorrow.

[faaip_de_oiad]

Another tourist-trappy place along the road to San Fo is... THE HEARST CASTLE. Go if you have time. hehe

[faaip_de_oiad]

During my family's first trip to CA (around 15 years ago), my dad decided that it was best to take a bus tour from Los Angeles to San Francisco. It seemed like a good idea until we realized that we were going to be in an bus filled with Chinese-speaking tourists - and yes, a Chinese-speaking tour guide. T_T We were the only non-Chinese speaking family along with another family from Indonesia on the the entire bus.

The guide would go on and on about something in Chinese and then attempt to translate the same thing with a very thick accent. Oh, those were the days.

[keyser_soze]

Another tourist-trappy place along the road to San Fo is... THE HEARST CASTLE. Go if you have time. hehe

passed by the Hearst Ranch gate that leads to the castle on top of a hill and skipped that one.

walang appeal, a castle in america? c'mon. lol

[donutboy]

Nice! Buy lots of wines at Napa. Mahal ang California wines overseas. Pero kung gusto mo ng good wines na affordable, go to Bevmo. Oo nga pala, don't miss out eating In-and-out burger and Jack in the box.

[keyser_soze]

yea, we bought a bottle of red and white from each of the wineries we visited.

In-and-Out burger. yan ang pinakaunang kinain namin pagkalabas ng LAX. not really into burgers, but InO is good. ito raw yung pinaglihian ni Juday nung buntis siya, nagpapa-airline delivery pa raw!

last night we had Krispy Kreme via drive-thru, how cool and convenient. pati donut may drive thru din pala, wala lang, inosente mode lang hehe yung mga pamangkin ko nag-crave after watching a movie, 'The Raven', at AMC30 at The Block in Orange. hindi pa palabas ang 'Battleship' at 'The Avengers' dito.

napa impulse shopping na naman kagabi, 70% sale kasi sa mga outlet stores ng American Eagle, Hollister, Aeropostale.. same place at 'The Block'.

sa SF, 70% sale din sa outlet ng Roxy, The North Face, Mammut..dun sa stores at the Fisherman's Wharf.

baka ma-excess baggage na kami nito, panay shopping kasi sa mga outlet stores na madaanan, simula sa Primm in LV. sa LV ako nakabili ng 60$ Oakley, pati Ray Ban titanium polarized aviators! the missus bought bags and shoes from Coach, Jimmy Choo, Versace, Vera Wang.. Victoria's Secret at the Forum Shops was on sale too.. kaskas to the max ang mga CCs namin lol

[donutboy]

walang problema yan. tingin ka ng Atlas Cargo sa Anaheim or dito sa Bay area. 20x20x20 box, $50 lang ang padala papuntang Philippines at saka walang weight limit. It'll take a month lang to be delivered. So pwede pa mag shopping!

[keyser_soze]

^^thanks for that helpful info.

allowed nga pala ng 2pcs na tig-23kgs/pc (50lbs/pc) na luggage, so pwede pa hehe

dito na kami ngayon sa NJ, will post some pics of our California Pacific Coast trip later.

[camibry]

Hi po! Punta ako ng California this coming September for my cousin's wedding. September 10-26 po ako dun. And ask lang po ako regarding purchasing airline tickets. When's the best time to buy? I found kasi pinaka-mura na mga $1200, PAL. Sabi nila try ko pa daw next month, mas bababa pa daw yung mga presyo. Sabi naman nung iba mas maaga binili, mas mura. Totoo ba yun? Eto kasi:

1. 1st time ko mag-out of the country (Yup, US agad. hehe Pano na-grant ang visa? Swerte. mahabang storya. :P) Kaya hilo talaga ako sa mga ganitong travel ek-ek. So although mas mura yung mga flights na may stopover and change of airlines, advised ako na mag-direct flight nalang para walang hassle. Next time nalang daw ako mag-take ng may mga stopover at mamasyal sa airport ng ibang bansa.

2. Mag-isa ko lang pupunta sa US. So, the less complicated the flight is, the better.

3. Sagot lahat ng pinsan ko pati tickets. Pero sana kung cheapest possible makuha ko di ba. Pocket money nalang yung extra.

4. Travel date not flexible. September 10 alis (Kasi may exam ako ng September 9, good luck sa pagre-review at excitement ). September 15 ang wedding. Kaya yun lang pwede. May mga nakita kasi ako promo na September 16 ang alis, mura talaga. Kaso out of the question na nga.

May mga tips ba kayo about travel fairs, promos, when's the best time to buy etc. Sana po may makatulong. Salamat!

[warlocke]

I am hoping to visit San Francisco this coming July. How's their public transpo? I'm a male solo traveller who doesn't know anybody there. Will i survive?