Orange County, CA Activities

Ravvenn · 06-01-2009, 01:00 PM

Hello!

I got great news for my birthday that my dad is finally going to come visit me here. He has never been to California and I've only lived here for like 6 years, so I'm still not sure on all of the great places to go (I mean in terms of what a dad would like).

I would really love to plan a fishing trip with him and was wondering if anyone had some suggestions. I've only done basic fishing, like in lakes and ponds with cheap beer and a campfire. I think it would be cool to do some fishing in the ocean but I don't know what to even Google to look into that.

I don't know what else to plan with him. I'd like to find some type of food related thing. Like one of those "Taste of ______" events. We both love cooking, so anything food related would work.

We went 15 years without ever seeing eachother and our visits have always been limited to a few hours for the past few years once we talked. He is currently in remission from prostate cancer.

I'd really like to do some cool father and daughter things so we can bond. I'm not super girly, so I'm find with things that involve getting dirty.

Thanks in advance!

PS: He's coming the third week of July.

Adam12 · 06-01-2009, 01:05 PM

Fishing: Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead would be a great trip I think. It's fun, really pretty in the Summer, and easily doable in a day from OC.

Deep Sea Fishing: Plenty of chartered (but relatively inexpensive) boats head out from the San Diego area, so I'm sure that OC has the same.

Foodie stuff: Head to LA I think...it's summer though so there should be festivals going on all over the place. Google around and I'm sure you can find some interesting things.

Mixtilplix · 06-01-2009, 02:19 PM

I second what Adam said. There are boats from the marinas in LA that go out fishing and I believe a couple of barges for fishing as well, pretty sure OC has them as well. Honestly only thing to do in the OC is visit Disneyland otherwise make all your culutural/dining outings to LA.

Ravvenn · 06-01-2009, 02:50 PM

He's not interested in Disneyland, hehe. San Diego isn't far from me actually. If I take traffic into account, it's closer than LA. So that's also an option. I'm not familiar with either areas short of going to the airport and visiting a friend for dinner.

Adam12 · 06-01-2009, 02:55 PM

I can help you more with San Diego. I think for fishing your best bet is still Bear Mountain. It doesn't take long at all to get there, and it's a world away from the coast.

In San Diego you have fishing charters that go out daily, the whales might be out then (I always saw them at the end of May/beginning of June though)and then you have the gaslamp district downtown which wouldn't be bad for the evening. Good restaurants, the Padres (if he's interested in that), etc.

AtwaKom · 06-01-2009, 03:35 PM

Redondo Beach has a fishing / whale charter thats fairly reasonable. I would probably do Big Bear though as it's more serene and beautiful in my opinion ( besides sweating your ass off on the drive there through the Inland). Maybe go hike Runyan, you get an AWESOME view if you go on a smogless day. Most of the fine dining is in LA ( Mastro's, Urusawa, Fogo de Chao, etc etc) but expect to pay some serious coin. Drinks and dinner at Ruth's Chris last week was $230 w/ tip. Maybe board down in Laguna since there are nice rentals there and head down to San Diego for a day?

ToeMissile · 06-01-2009, 06:09 PM

Orange County, California Visitor Information

Ravvenn · 06-02-2009, 11:58 PM

I keep that page bookmarked. I was wanting to actually go to that Gala, the amount of food that will be there is very tempting. Plus, I have never been to a Gala.

Dad changed the time hes visiting to September. Do those fishing trips and whale watching things go on year round?

I also found out he has never been deep sea fishing, so I am thrilled. He goes to Aruba ever year and other cool places, so I figured he did. His wife isn't 'down' with getting dirty, so he never got to go. He sounded thrilled when I told him.

Hopefully I can find a sport-related event to take him to, also. My dad has a full bedroom in his house which is filled with baseball stuff, it's his man room. My best memory was being about 6 and him opening baseball cards and stacking up the pieces of gum that came in them and giving them to me.

He has a lot of autographed things, and lots of stuff from Pete Rose but our family knew him (arrogant prick), so he always got free items.

I'm bummed he delayed the trip, but still thrilled he's coming. It looks like Bear Mountain is about a 2 hour drive, not too bad. Do you recommend getting a cabin for a night and also, do you know a good place to check for them? I'll probably check VRBO if not, I've used it many times and always had great luck.

Thanks for suggestions. I am so excited! I haven't had chances to show my true colors since moving here as I don't know any people who won't freak out at the thought of getting dirty. Prior to moving here we used to go to Red River Gorge and camp for 2 weeks, I can cook an entire meal on a campfire (biscuits, too) - showered in water falls, went down in the caves, climbed every rock, etc. I really miss doing things outside that aren't limited to picking up my dogs shit.

Bury · 06-03-2009, 12:19 AM

If you want to take a road trip, there's a cool lake north of Santa Barbara called Lake Cachuma. Santa Barbara County Parks
I went camping with an ex-gf a few years back and had a great time--you can camp right on the lake. Santa Barbara is kind of a sleepy town, but Solvang's tacky Danish bent is a decent day trip. There's also an Indian casino in that area for "free" booze.

Another cool place I've stayed overnight (this is back in junior high, with Scouts) was on the beach near San Onofre in San Clemente. There's also supposed to be a pretty remote trail in Crystal Cove State Park between Newport and Laguna Beach.

Orange County Restaurant Week is Sept 13-19, as well.

k^M · 06-03-2009, 12:26 AM

maybe 8-9 years ago my parents took a trip out to SoCal and got to go around on a boat with a glass see throat hull/bottom. Not sure if your dads ever done that, but that sounds wicked fun if you can fish at the same time!

Adam12 · 06-03-2009, 07:20 AM

Yeah, baseball is easy in September. You have your choice of the Angels (in Anaheim), Padres or Dodgers.

For Big Bear, I don't know about cabins. We always just went up for the day and came back at night, never was a problem from San Diego...and you're closer.

I'm sure that the whales are gone by September, but fishing charters are year round, and it should pretty damn near perfect weather at that point.

[LVC]DeGrassi · 06-03-2009, 08:47 AM

If your going to do a 1/2 day or 3/4 day deep sea fishing boat, tip one of the deck hands befor you get to where your going, explain to them that you havnt really fished befor and neither has your dad and you would like some help and or tips with gear ect. I take it you will be probably renting your rods and reels from the landing you will be traveling out of so that takes care of that .. On these type of boats depending how many people are on them .. you will get line tangles and snags .. your tipped deckhand will always make sure your the first to be untangled. This goes a long way in how much you will enjoy the boat.

If your going to big bear. Sept is a great time for fishing. Lots of active catfish and the waters starting to cool from the july/august months so the trout will start becomming more active. On the cabin side of things, it can get expensive in big bear, not so much in the summer but they can be pricey. Really, its just easier if your driving from OC, to leave at like 4 ish or even 3:30 ish and get up there right as the sun is comming up. And then booking it back down the mountain say right at 4 pm.

If you really wanted to do something father/daughter ish, and your cool with spending the night ... and you want to get some fishing in as well and really impress your dad. Take a trip up the 5, to the 14 ... the 14 to the 395 .. and the 395 all the way up to mammoth. It takes about 5 hours , probably a little bit less. Leave early in the morning, you will have all day to fish .. at any of the hundred lakes or so, and they have alot of really nice cabins you can rent. Welcome to the Convict Lake Resort - Mammoth Lakes, California!
I pretty much take at least 15 trips a year up there during fishing season, its that good. Nothing beat it in terms of looks feel anything. You want some quality father/daughter time, there ya go. Thats kinda the extreme if you were just looking to do a 1/2 hay trip but well worth it.

Sweet Prince EmpireF4i · 06-03-2009, 09:35 PM

Honestly, Big Bear sucks for fishing unless you know Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead or Silverwood and where to fish there. Big Bear is a few hour drive from where youre at and its not a fun drive. Once you get there, theres not much to do really.

September the water should still be warm enough to go out of Dana Point and get some nice Tuna. They are fun to fish and put up a good fight. You can get 1/2 day 3/4 day or full day boats chartered if you get enough people to go with you. You can also just join a fishing party already going out if you dont mind fishing with strangers.

If he likes baseball go to an Angels game. Its close, you dont have to drive through the ghetto like you do to Dodger stadium and the fans are usually cool.

Late September you can go to an Anaheim Ducks gave if he likes hockey at all or might be interested.

There are tons of other things to do in the LA/OC area like museums, restaurants, sites to see too depending on what he likes/feels up to doing.

Laven · 06-05-2009, 08:46 AM

Just go hit up a party in Isla Vista ;p

Sweet Prince EmpireF4i · 06-05-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laven

Just go hit up a party in Isla Vista ;p

Hah. Kind of a far drive from OC, but man, ive been to some crazy shit there. A kegger every other house pretty much with just thousands of kids walking around drunk. I loved it there.

06-01-2009, 01:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ravvenn Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 3,298 +260 Internets	Orange County, CA Activities Hello! I got great news for my birthday that my dad is finally going to come visit me here. He has never been to California and I've only lived here for like 6 years, so I'm still not sure on all of the great places to go (I mean in terms of what a dad would like). I would really love to plan a fishing trip with him and was wondering if anyone had some suggestions. I've only done basic fishing, like in lakes and ponds with cheap beer and a campfire. I think it would be cool to do some fishing in the ocean but I don't know what to even Google to look into that. I don't know what else to plan with him. I'd like to find some type of food related thing. Like one of those "Taste of ______" events. We both love cooking, so anything food related would work. We went 15 years without ever seeing eachother and our visits have always been limited to a few hours for the past few years once we talked. He is currently in remission from prostate cancer. I'd really like to do some cool father and daughter things so we can bond. I'm not super girly, so I'm find with things that involve getting dirty. Thanks in advance! PS: He's coming the third week of July.

06-01-2009, 06:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
ToeMissile Ambient light is not sufficient. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: socal Posts: 4,493 -12 Internets	Orange County, California Visitor Information __________________ Trees are not a biological organism you dolt.

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06-01-2009, 01:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Adam12 Hobophobic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US and A Posts: 9,573 +100 Internets	Fishing: Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead would be a great trip I think. It's fun, really pretty in the Summer, and easily doable in a day from OC. Deep Sea Fishing: Plenty of chartered (but relatively inexpensive) boats head out from the San Diego area, so I'm sure that OC has the same. Foodie stuff: Head to LA I think...it's summer though so there should be festivals going on all over the place. Google around and I'm sure you can find some interesting things.

06-01-2009, 02:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mixtilplix Begin from the begining. Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 854	I second what Adam said. There are boats from the marinas in LA that go out fishing and I believe a couple of barges for fishing as well, pretty sure OC has them as well. Honestly only thing to do in the OC is visit Disneyland otherwise make all your culutural/dining outings to LA.

06-01-2009, 02:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ravvenn Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 3,298 +260 Internets	He's not interested in Disneyland, hehe. San Diego isn't far from me actually. If I take traffic into account, it's closer than LA. So that's also an option. I'm not familiar with either areas short of going to the airport and visiting a friend for dinner.

06-01-2009, 02:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Adam12 Hobophobic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US and A Posts: 9,573 +100 Internets	I can help you more with San Diego. I think for fishing your best bet is still Bear Mountain. It doesn't take long at all to get there, and it's a world away from the coast. In San Diego you have fishing charters that go out daily, the whales might be out then (I always saw them at the end of May/beginning of June though)and then you have the gaslamp district downtown which wouldn't be bad for the evening. Good restaurants, the Padres (if he's interested in that), etc.

06-01-2009, 03:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
AtwaKom And why is the carpet all wet, Todd? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PDR, So Cal Posts: 1,586 +15 Internets	Redondo Beach has a fishing / whale charter thats fairly reasonable. I would probably do Big Bear though as it's more serene and beautiful in my opinion ( besides sweating your ass off on the drive there through the Inland). Maybe go hike Runyan, you get an AWESOME view if you go on a smogless day. Most of the fine dining is in LA ( Mastro's, Urusawa, Fogo de Chao, etc etc) but expect to pay some serious coin. Drinks and dinner at Ruth's Chris last week was $230 w/ tip. Maybe board down in Laguna since there are nice rentals there and head down to San Diego for a day?

06-02-2009, 11:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ravvenn Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 3,298 +260 Internets	I keep that page bookmarked. I was wanting to actually go to that Gala, the amount of food that will be there is very tempting. Plus, I have never been to a Gala. Dad changed the time hes visiting to September. Do those fishing trips and whale watching things go on year round? I also found out he has never been deep sea fishing, so I am thrilled. He goes to Aruba ever year and other cool places, so I figured he did. His wife isn't 'down' with getting dirty, so he never got to go. He sounded thrilled when I told him. Hopefully I can find a sport-related event to take him to, also. My dad has a full bedroom in his house which is filled with baseball stuff, it's his man room. My best memory was being about 6 and him opening baseball cards and stacking up the pieces of gum that came in them and giving them to me. He has a lot of autographed things, and lots of stuff from Pete Rose but our family knew him (arrogant prick), so he always got free items. I'm bummed he delayed the trip, but still thrilled he's coming. It looks like Bear Mountain is about a 2 hour drive, not too bad. Do you recommend getting a cabin for a night and also, do you know a good place to check for them? I'll probably check VRBO if not, I've used it many times and always had great luck. Thanks for suggestions. I am so excited! I haven't had chances to show my true colors since moving here as I don't know any people who won't freak out at the thought of getting dirty. Prior to moving here we used to go to Red River Gorge and camp for 2 weeks, I can cook an entire meal on a campfire (biscuits, too) - showered in water falls, went down in the caves, climbed every rock, etc. I really miss doing things outside that aren't limited to picking up my dogs shit.

06-03-2009, 12:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bury Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2 +0 Internets	If you want to take a road trip, there's a cool lake north of Santa Barbara called Lake Cachuma. Santa Barbara County Parks I went camping with an ex-gf a few years back and had a great time--you can camp right on the lake. Santa Barbara is kind of a sleepy town, but Solvang's tacky Danish bent is a decent day trip. There's also an Indian casino in that area for "free" booze. Another cool place I've stayed overnight (this is back in junior high, with Scouts) was on the beach near San Onofre in San Clemente. There's also supposed to be a pretty remote trail in Crystal Cove State Park between Newport and Laguna Beach. Orange County Restaurant Week is Sept 13-19, as well.

06-03-2009, 12:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
k^M AoE Hazzard Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,135 -31 Internets	maybe 8-9 years ago my parents took a trip out to SoCal and got to go around on a boat with a glass see throat hull/bottom. Not sure if your dads ever done that, but that sounds wicked fun if you can fish at the same time!

06-03-2009, 07:20 AM	#11 (permalink)
Adam12 Hobophobic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US and A Posts: 9,573 +100 Internets	Yeah, baseball is easy in September. You have your choice of the Angels (in Anaheim), Padres or Dodgers. For Big Bear, I don't know about cabins. We always just went up for the day and came back at night, never was a problem from San Diego...and you're closer. I'm sure that the whales are gone by September, but fishing charters are year round, and it should pretty damn near perfect weather at that point.

06-03-2009, 08:47 AM	#12 (permalink)
[LVC]DeGrassi Smells like 1983 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: La Verne, Ca Posts: 557 -51 Internets	If your going to do a 1/2 day or 3/4 day deep sea fishing boat, tip one of the deck hands befor you get to where your going, explain to them that you havnt really fished befor and neither has your dad and you would like some help and or tips with gear ect. I take it you will be probably renting your rods and reels from the landing you will be traveling out of so that takes care of that .. On these type of boats depending how many people are on them .. you will get line tangles and snags .. your tipped deckhand will always make sure your the first to be untangled. This goes a long way in how much you will enjoy the boat. If your going to big bear. Sept is a great time for fishing. Lots of active catfish and the waters starting to cool from the july/august months so the trout will start becomming more active. On the cabin side of things, it can get expensive in big bear, not so much in the summer but they can be pricey. Really, its just easier if your driving from OC, to leave at like 4 ish or even 3:30 ish and get up there right as the sun is comming up. And then booking it back down the mountain say right at 4 pm. If you really wanted to do something father/daughter ish, and your cool with spending the night ... and you want to get some fishing in as well and really impress your dad. Take a trip up the 5, to the 14 ... the 14 to the 395 .. and the 395 all the way up to mammoth. It takes about 5 hours , probably a little bit less. Leave early in the morning, you will have all day to fish .. at any of the hundred lakes or so, and they have alot of really nice cabins you can rent. Welcome to the Convict Lake Resort - Mammoth Lakes, California! I pretty much take at least 15 trips a year up there during fishing season, its that good. Nothing beat it in terms of looks feel anything. You want some quality father/daughter time, there ya go. Thats kinda the extreme if you were just looking to do a 1/2 hay trip but well worth it.