Where am I taking the girlfriend?

ircphoenix

ircphoenix

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ircphoenix
Alright party people... I'm based out of So Cal at TOA. This Saturday the girlfriend is going to be flying with me. I don't know where we're going yet. She's already been flying with me twice before, so she's not new to flying or me hauling us around somewhere.

I was considering going up to Monterey, but the weather up there has been pretty crappy (again) for me as a VFR limited noob. And to be honest, I don't even know if Monterey has a restaurant on the field or in the city worth going to.

Any other SoCal flyers here have any ideas?
 
Big Bear? Why Big Bear? We've been there before. It isn't that exciting. And is the restaurant at Crapalina worthwhile?
 
Santa Barbara. Park on the south side at Atlantic. Your about a 10 minute walk from the Beachside Bar-Cafe at Goleta Beach. The restaurant in the terminal ain't bad if you like to watch airplanes while you eat. Downtown Santa Barbara isn't far away. You can get everything from a hot dog on the street to 5 star dining and everything in between in a few block stretch. There is Uber. There are cabs you can get at the Terminal, usually without waiting. Good bus service if you wanna do that. I'm not sure about bicycle availibility but there are all kinds of bike trails. Call Atlantic or Signature on the north side of airport and ask. It's a good day trip. Another one is San Diego. Fly into SAN. it's easy to do but you may get couple 360's on downwind if it's busy. The FBO I think has changed hands so call ahead. Landmark was great when I flew there, very bug smaher friendly. You can walk to Downtown San Diego. There is anything and everything to eat, see and do.
 
I will echo some of the ideas other have already posted and add my thoughts.

Catalina - the restaurant is decent but not great though I really liked the Bison burgers. You can also try to do some whale watching on the way over and back. You can also catch the bus down the hill to Avalon. If you have never been, it is most definitely worth the trip.

Camarillo - a fun flight and the restaurant is pretty good. Plus you get to see some warbirds.

Santa Barbara - a real nice flight. Not much to do at the airport but get a ride into town for dining and shopping or just sightseeing.

Apple Valley - they used to have a decent restaurant there but you might want to see if it's still open. The good thing is you get to fly through the Cajon Pass. You can also fly over Victorville and see the boneyard.

Those are just some of the places that I enjoyed flying to when I was at TOA.
 
If you are outdoor lover, Oceano has some restuarants and an interesting beach (they allow horses in the water, or used to). Its right on the ocean and it smells like ocean there and you can walk to the restuarants. A bit, shall we say get sandy fun. Just go exploring...

If you want top of the line, go to Santa Barbara. Very posh.
 
Solvang, if you haven't been there, might be a nice day trip and there's no shortage of restaurants to choose from. You have to fly into Santa Ynez.
 
1500 MSL photo flight around the Channel Islands? Is there a restaurant somewhere between here and there that you could stop and eat at?

Saturday night overnight to San Diego with an extended outing along 5th Ave?

2 hour flight east to the dessert to watch the stars? Maybe some corny line about watching the stars and contemplating the enormity of the universe and you're glad she is here with you.

Dinner in Vegas?
 
bflynn said:
1500 MSL photo flight around the Channel Islands? Is there a restaurant somewhere between here and there that you could stop and eat at?

Saturday night overnight to San Diego with an extended outing along 5th Ave?

2 hour flight east to the dessert to watch the stars? Maybe some corny line about watching the stars and contemplating the enormity of the universe and you're glad she is here with you.

Dinner in Vegas?
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I'm beginning to think I'm taking the wrong person on this flight. *swoon*
 
SkyDog58 said:
Apple Valley - they used to have a decent restaurant there but you might want to see if it's still open. The good thing is you get to fly through the Cajon Pass. You can also fly over Victorville and see the boneyard.
Click to expand...

Apple Valley is the home drome. I love the airport. Unfortunately the restaurant is closed. It was really good. Airport is great... Just not much to do at the airport currently (avgas is fairly priced though).

There's a decent Mexican place at MYF. I personally like flying into KHND and ubering to a buffet. It's about $25 to the strip with no surge. The surge can mess you with on the way back though. My buddy prefers lyft.
 
You don't want to be anywhere near Monterey right now. The Soberanes fire ahs the entire region contaminated with smoke. I'm across the bay and the smoke has been up here for a few days. Flying in and around it has not been very pleasant.
 
ateamer said:
You don't want to be anywhere near Monterey right now. The Soberanes fire ahs the entire region contaminated with smoke. I'm across the bay and the smoke has been up here for a few days. Flying in and around it has not been very pleasant.
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I was up by Salinas Friday afternoon. Between the haze, the marine layer creeping in, and the smoke, I couldn't quite make out what I was flying into. ATIS said clear... but I turned my happy butt around. Wasn't in the mood to get trapped.
 
ircphoenix said:
Big Bear? Why Big Bear? We've been there before. It isn't that exciting. And is the restaurant at Crapalina worthwhile?
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We are at a disadvantage not knowing what kinds of things you like to do but I find it hard to understand how someone could not like Big Bear.
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Boating from Kayaks to power boats.
Scenic Sky Chair
Zip Line
Plenty of good restaurants
Not LA :D
 
How long have you two lovebirds been together? If she's new in your life, well then, my only insight as a woman... as long as you don't crash the plane, it really doesn't matter where you take her, because she'll think you are hot as hell for just piloting her there. ;)

Also, I was in San Diego last month and, although my first pick was to fly to Catalina (fog got in the way), I ended up flying to Big Bear and thought it was pretty damn cool going through the mountain valleys, landing by the lake and eating at the little restaurant there. Nothing wrong with Big Bear.
 
jkaduk said:
We are at a disadvantage not knowing what kinds of things you like to do but I find it hard to understand how someone could not like Big Bear.
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Boating from Kayaks to power boats.
Scenic Sky Chair
Zip Line
Plenty of good restaurants
Not LA :D
Click to expand...

Well the reason you weren't made aware of the kinds of things I like to do is because I don't like to do much. You mentioned a lot of outdoors things... I don't really do those things... there's a giant orb of fire in the sky, and it seems dangerous to spend too much time out where it can see you.

Cajun_Flyer said:
How long have you two lovebirds been together? If she's new in your life, well then, my only insight as a woman... as long as you don't crash the plane, it really doesn't matter where you take her, because she'll think you are hot as hell for just piloting her there. ;)

Also, I was in San Diego last month and, although my first pick was to fly to Catalina (fog got in the way), I ended up flying to Big Bear and thought it was pretty damn cool going through the mountain valleys, landing by the lake and eating at the little restaurant there. Nothing wrong with Big Bear.
Click to expand...

She and I have been together going on 4 1/2 years. We've been up to visit family at San Luis Obispo (good eats on the field), but not done a flight just the two of us. I'm hoping by some miracle the Soberanes fire will magically be out by Saturday and the marine layer will stay off shore... then we'll do a day in Monterey and go to the aquarium, (she loves aquatic sea life, especially dolphins) then on the way home stop in Santa Barbara for dinner.

I worked in Avalon something like 24-36 hours a week for 6 months in addition to my regular gig.... spent a lot of time in the city and the interior, so it holds no magic for me. I'm actually rather disenchanted with the island, as there's only so much to do... and that stuff is quickly exhausted when snorkeling and hiking aren't your favorite things to do.

As far as Big Bear... we've been there in the winter. It's definitely a forested area that exists. We went and played in the snow though, so there's that.

I don't mean to be dismissive of some of the suggestions. Catalina just makes me irrationally angry. =D So I apologize. I sincerely appreciate all of the input.
 
ircphoenix said:
Alright party people... I'm based out of So Cal at TOA. This Saturday the girlfriend is going to be flying with me. I don't know where we're going yet. She's already been flying with me twice before, so she's not new to flying or me hauling us around somewhere.

I was considering going up to Monterey, but the weather up there has been pretty crappy (again) for me as a VFR limited noob. And to be honest, I don't even know if Monterey has a restaurant on the field or in the city worth going to.

Any other SoCal flyers here have any ideas?
Click to expand...
My vote is for Solvang via Santa Ynez. And bring home some of the homemade danish sausage from the little market in Sta Ynez for breakfast the next morning (wink).

Jim
 
ircphoenix said:
Well the reason you weren't made aware of the kinds of things I like to do is because I don't like to do much. You mentioned a lot of outdoors things... I don't really do those things... there's a giant orb of fire in the sky, and it seems dangerous to spend too much time out where it can see you.
Click to expand...
You live in Redondo Beach and you don't do outdoor things? Is there a "mind blown" emoji? I guess this is the closest. :confused: But hey, to each his own.
 
jkaduk said:
You live in Redondo Beach and you don't do outdoor things? Is there a "mind blown" emoji? I guess this is the closest. :confused: But hey, to each his own.
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The girlfriend lived in Redondo Beach before we consolidated households. She has kids, so the choice was obvious. The ocean is really lost on me. I appreciate the weather it gives me, but that's pretty much it. :D
 
eman1200 said:
I already have pics of your girlfriend HIYOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooo

totally JK, but since you called me out.............how's about some pics of the lil lady???
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a9812486183f46ad33d651fd8b2574a1.jpg
 
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