Beverly Hills & San Diego Gaslamp district

[Nano2nd]

i'm spending 2 nights(with the wife) in Beverly Hills and 3 nights in San Diego (Gaslamp district) next week, anyone got any tips for good eateries and drinking holes? or anything else for that matter?

we're intending on doing a hop on/hop off bus tour in LA to see a bit of the city, i will be hiring a car at LAX and driving to Beverly Hills, then driving down to San Diego - any thoughts on the drive looks like freeway mostingly, i'mm assuming there would be some nice stops on the way? We're doing Sea World on one day(missus loves it) and probably gonna hit the beach for another, also going to go to the Tiuana Premium Outlets for some shopping as i'm hoping it'll be cheaper than the ones in Vegas, we drive up there afterwards...

[Crafty_]

Didn't venture in to the hills too far but most of central LA is a bit of a dump to be honest, its not really what you may be expecting.

When going south take your time and cruise down the PCH through Huntington/Newport/Laguna beaches, looks quite nice down through there.

[Nano2nd]

Yeah saw that laguna beach looked worth a stop

[Bec]

There are tours of the bacall stadium, Petco park available http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/sd/ballpark/tours/i...

I'm not at all a baseball fan (don't even know the rules) but it was really interesting

I stayed there with friends, so mostly was taken around by them, but I also did the San Diego trolley tour - the usual hop on hop off type tour around the city but it covered most of the main attractions http://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/

[Bezerk]

Gaslamp food:

Searsucker is nice for dinner, but gets rammed so you might have to book at a Weekend.
Nobu if you like that sort of thing and don't mind the prices.
Nicky Rottens for a burger and beer.

[llewop]

bookmarked as we've got a couple of nights in San Diego (Gaslamp) in a few months

[Apache]

To be honest, San Diego wasn't all that but Laguna Beach was spot on, great and varied food, lots to see and...nice beaches

[jonott]

Nano2nd said:

i'm spending 2 nights(with the wife) in Beverly Hills and 3 nights in San Diego (Gaslamp district) next week, anyone got any tips for good eateries and drinking holes? or anything else for that matter?

we're intending on doing a hop on/hop off bus tour in LA to see a bit of the city, i will be hiring a car at LAX and driving to Beverly Hills, then driving down to San Diego - any thoughts on the drive looks like freeway mostingly, i'mm assuming there would be some nice stops on the way? We're doing Sea World on one day(missus loves it) and probably gonna hit the beach for another, also going to go to the Tiuana Premium Outlets for some shopping as i'm hoping it'll be cheaper than the ones in Vegas, we drive up there afterwards...

I'm flying into LA too next week! Can't wait! When you pick your car up, if you've got time, drive up Highway 1 beyond Santa Monica and follow the coast road till you get to the junction where Sunset Boulevard begins. Follow Sunset all the way to Beverley Hills and you'll get a great introduction to some of the areas of LA on the way - Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, etc.
Where are you staying? Beverly Hills is a great place. Great place to have lunch is outside at 208 Rodeo at the bottom of Rodeo Drive. You can park underground around the corner. Beautiful place for dinner is Villa Blanca on Brighton Way.
As others have said there's some nice places to see on the coast road to San Diego, Laguna Beach and La Jolla included.
Gaslamp quarter is nice and an ideal central location. Not really eaten much around there, just Hard Rock Cafe which was good. Stayed at the Sofia Hotel which has a nice bar.
There is also a great premium outlet on the way to Vegas at Primm. Vegas itself also has one a few minutes off the Strip.
Can't wait to be enjoying a mojito at Rhum Bar at the Mirage in two weeks!
Have a great trip and don't hesitate to ask anything else about southern California.

[bint]

I loved San Diego the 2 times I have been - ate at Dick's Last Resort in the Gaslamp district for amazing snow crab, in a bucket, with a board and hammer, and not a lot else - beer glasses for souvenirs and abuse from the waiters that's legendary. They also have a coin op claw grab game to win a lobster, that they'll cook for you if you ever manage to get it.

http://www.dickslastresort.com/domains/sandiego/

I also went to a fabulous Mexican restaurant, can't remember the name but it was in a courtyard with shops surrounding it, if I remember correctly, but the margaritas were in huge shallow (think oversize traditional champagne) glasses and second to none.

I also believe I went to the Bali Hai Hawaiian restaurant when I was there (10 years ago so bear with me), it was overlooking the sea, it was expensive, but worth it, and great views.

[thehawk]

I've only brunched at a couple of places, but can recommend them as excellent

Blu Jam Cafe (The Migas is fantastic)
7371 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90036
http://www.blujamcafe.com/

Little Dom's
2128 Hillhurst Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90027
http://www.littledoms.com/

Alcove Cafe & Bakery
1929 Hillhurst Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90027
http://www.alcovecafe.com/

Pizzeria Mozza
641 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles
http://www.pizzeriamozza.com/LA/home.cfm