[TheKaeptain]

IMO it's also unbearably hot out there in the summer. Its going to be hot everywhere, mind you, but for some reason the SFV just feels like the worst.

Yeah I'm from Fresno. The heat doesn't bother me.

So where would be the best place to live that is a reasonable driving distance from CSU Northridge?

[MonkeyKing]

Yeah I'm from Fresno. The heat doesn't bother me. So where would be the best place to live that is a reasonable driving distance from CSU Northridge?

CSUN is smack dab in the middle of the SFV, I don't think there is any place in "reasonable driving distance" that would be a substantially different environment.

Northridge isn't a bad place, though. The campus is nice, theres decent places to go eat around there. Its just going to start getting hot as a mutherfugger out there in a couple of weeks LOL.

Edit: here in LA, its really not about driving distance. Drive around enough and nothing really seems "far" anymore. The bigger concern is driving hassle; the amount of street lights, cross traffic, etc. Depending on the area, a relatively close distance can take forever or just drive you nuts by the time you get where you want to go.

[TheKaeptain]

CSUN is smack dab in the middle of the SFV, I don't think there is any place in "reasonable driving distance" that would be a substantially different environment. Northridge isn't a bad place, though. The campus is nice, theres decent places to go eat around there. Its just going to start getting hot as a mutherfugger out there in a couple of weeks LOL. Edit: here in LA, its really not about driving distance. Drive around enough and nothing really seems "far" anymore. The bigger concern is driving hassle; the amount of street lights, cross traffic, etc. Depending on the area, a relatively close distance can take forever or just drive you nuts by the time you get where you want to go.

That's kind of what I meant. I've never been to SFV. So I have no idea how traffic is around there.

Also, I'll be living in Santa Monica until I find a place of my own. So if any of SM gaf wants to get some drinks let me know.

[thirty]

i graduated from CSUN about 11 yrs ago. the neighborhood is great. it feels very safe yet isn't too quiet compared to other comparable colleges in suburbs. plenty of great eating establishments within walking distance from campus; senor sol, california chicken cafe.

traffic from santa monica is hell on earth. the 10/405 freeway intersection i believe is worst in the entire country. so yeah, enjoy SM while you can but you don't want to commute from there for too long.

[TheKaeptain]

i graduated from CSUN about 11 yrs ago. the neighborhood is great. it feels very safe yet isn't too quiet compared to other comparable colleges in suburbs. plenty of great eating establishments within walking distance from campus; senor sol, california chicken cafe. traffic from santa monica is hell on earth. the 10/405 freeway intersection i believe is worst in the entire country. so yeah, enjoy SM while you can but you don't want to commute from there for too long.

Will only be in SM until I find a place around CSUN. Hopefully that is before the semester starts. Some of the places I have seen online would be perfect for me since I don't need much room and won't be having a roommate. Just have to get some finances straightened out because FinAid/Fed Loan didn't cover all of my school stuff.

[otake]

Yeah when I hear people say go to Chinatown for good Chinese I'm like... WTF. The concentration of Chinese here surpasses anything else in America. I'd recommend anyone considering coming tonight to not bother coming at all. We're going to have some big ass birthday party full of Latinos who probably don't give a shit about our craft beers (we're going to stock Tecate and Dos Equis just for tonight which we normally don't serve). 120-150+ people and I'm by myself in kitchen.... fun times.

Where/What is the restaurant your work in? I spent 7 days in LA last week, I could have visited. I'm coming back in July, the weekend of the George Lopez special. My customer is covering that. I will be there and studio city for the weekend.

[MonkeyKing]

Taking my kid to her first Dodger game next week. It's Hello Kitty Dodger Bobblehead night so I'm sure she's going to dig that. Tickets cost a hell of a lot more than I remember, but then I haven't gone for years. Next time I'll just go for bleacher seats.

And what's up with them running your DL at the stadium, when you just want to buy tickets?

[Sobriquet]

Taking my kid to her first Dodger game next week. It's Hello Kitty Dodger Bobblehead night so I'm sure she's going to dig that. Tickets cost a hell of a lot more than I remember, but then I haven't gone for years. Next time I'll just go for bleacher seats. And what's up with them running your DL at the stadium, when you just want to buy tickets?

Hello Kitty night! I might have to go.

[rc213]

Taking my kid to her first Dodger game next week. It's Hello Kitty Dodger Bobblehead night so I'm sure she's going to dig that. Tickets cost a hell of a lot more than I remember, but then I haven't gone for years. Next time I'll just go for bleacher seats. And what's up with them running your DL at the stadium, when you just want to buy tickets?

Just the super security implemented after the beating of Bryan Stow.

[Tapiozona]

Found these a while ago and figured they'd fit good in this thread...

Canoga Park Tourism Video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH7Te9Q8KBk

Van Nuys Tourism video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMiEAr60yMY

Can't say I miss living in LA.

[thirty]

gonna take some out of towners to kbbq ayce this weekend, any recommendations? a decade ago, manna was the place, what are the best places now? a kbbq ayce where the 20 somethings go, even though my friends and I are in our mid 30's.

[Zyzyxxz]

Where/What is the restaurant your work in? I spent 7 days in LA last week, I could have visited. I'm coming back in July, the weekend of the George Lopez special. My customer is covering that. I will be there and studio city for the weekend.

It's not a restaurant it's a bar in Monterey Park so a bit out of the way from Studio City.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/spirit-house...t_by=date_desc

If you are in Studio City be sure to try Ramen Jinya for lunch if you are into that, their chicken based ramen is great!

gonna take some out of towners to kbbq ayce this weekend, any recommendations? a decade ago, manna was the place, what are the best places now? a kbbq ayce where the 20 somethings go, even though my friends and I are in our mid 30's.

Road to Seoul

[Black Mamba]

Taking my kid to her first Dodger game next week. It's Hello Kitty Dodger Bobblehead night so I'm sure she's going to dig that. Tickets cost a hell of a lot more than I remember, but then I haven't gone for years. Next time I'll just go for bleacher seats. And what's up with them running your DL at the stadium, when you just want to buy tickets?

Wait til you see the food prices!

(don't eat at Dodger stadium. Then again, kid's first game, so you probably have to do so)

[MonkeyKing]

Wait til you see the food prices! (don't eat at Dodger stadium. Then again, kid's first game, so you probably have to do so)

Yeah shes gotta get a Dodger Dog and some peanuts. Maybe we'll share some nachos too. Dunno what other food stuffs they offer nowadays.


Today's lunch: either Juan's in Baldwin Park or Mr. Pollo in Covina.

[Liquidsnake]

So I thought I could just roll up to Pinks hotdog on Saturday night around 10:00 pm and eat.

Wow was I fkn wrong. The line went down the damn street. Ended up going back home and eating cereal.

Is there ever a time in the week that place doesn't have a line 1 mile long? I have lived here for 35 years, and have never eaten there. Go online look at their menu, it is of the gods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Verano]

So I thought I could just roll up to Pinks hotdog on Saturday night around 10:00 pm and eat. Wow was I fkn wrong. The line went down the damn street. Ended up going back home and eating cereal. Is there ever a time in the week that place doesn't have a line 1 mile long? I have lived here for 35 years, and have never eaten there. Go online look at their menu, it is of the gods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dont believe the hype man. its not as good as you think it is. trust me.

[DBebm5]

dont believe the hype man. its not as good as you think it is. trust me.

Agreed. It's good to do once, just to say you've done it, I guess, but you're not going to have an amazing culinary experience.

[Sobriquet]

dont believe the hype man. its not as good as you think it is. trust me.

Yeah, you're not really missing anything.

[MonkeyKing]

Yeah, save your money and go to Oki-dog instead. Assuming you have health insurance.

[Zyzyxxz]

So I thought I could just roll up to Pinks hotdog on Saturday night around 10:00 pm and eat. Wow was I fkn wrong. The line went down the damn street. Ended up going back home and eating cereal. Is there ever a time in the week that place doesn't have a line 1 mile long? I have lived here for 35 years, and have never eaten there. Go online look at their menu, it is of the gods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So not worth it. Honestly their hot dogs are actually pretty shitty.

[timetokill]

So I thought I could just roll up to Pinks hotdog on Saturday night around 10:00 pm and eat. Wow was I fkn wrong. The line went down the damn street. Ended up going back home and eating cereal. Is there ever a time in the week that place doesn't have a line 1 mile long? I have lived here for 35 years, and have never eaten there. Go online look at their menu, it is of the gods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't bother. It's really not worth it.

[Hazaro]

Pinks is not worth it at all. Average at best.

[PG2G]

Zyzyxxz, thought you'd be interested even though it is pretty far from your area

http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2...enya-iroha.php

Why is Iroha, a Japanese mini-chain from the city of Toyama, such a big deal? Its claim to fame is winning the people's choice award at the Tokyo Ramen Show in 2009, 2010 and 2011, as well as being one of the most popular stalls in Singapore's Ramen Champion store, a sort of multi-kitchened restaurant that invites six of the most renowned ramen chefs in Japan to compete in a single space. Iroha's ramen is so popular in Japan that the company does brisk business selling an instant version of the soup online.

[Zyzyxxz]

Zyzyxxz, thought you'd be interested even though it is pretty far from your area http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2...enya-iroha.php

DEAR LAWD I hadn't heard of this! Thanks for telling me! I will be there probably Friday for lunch before work.

Hopefully I can leave from SGV and get back before work.

My ramen to-eat list is growing too much.

[TheKaeptain]

Zyzyxxz, thought you'd be interested even though it is pretty far from your area http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2...enya-iroha.php

Until September is great news.

[DBebm5]

Non-food alert: There's a cool Halloweeny art show opening this weekend in Burbank (who says nothing interesting happens in Burbank!). It'll feature the work of Rick Baker, among others. A very talented friend of mine is also involved.

http://www.halloweentownstore.com/pa...ansion_Tribute



A secret benefit of living in the LA is the concentration of amazing TV/film artists who show off their own art at local galleries and events.

[Rorschach]

That's kind of what I meant. I've never been to SFV. So I have no idea how traffic is around there.

I used to live in SFV. Traffic is not that bad compared to the rest of LA. Especially if you're heading into the SFV in the morning. It's getting out of there in the AM that can be a hassle (or coming in at rush hour in the evening) depending on where you're going, but for the most part, it's not bad. Part of my commute was through CSUN and it's really not that much of a chore if you stay off Victory as much as possible (especially around 8-9-ish).

The campus itself is small, clean. Just got a few new buildings. The surrounding area is not bad. There is plenty of housing for students nearby too.

[henhowc]

So the Expo Line extension to Culver City finally opened last week (after like a two year delay). I must have been living under a rock or they didn't really do much advertising in the community.

Has anyone ridden this thing into downtown yet or vice-versa? How are transit times?

[kevo_huevo]

It's not a restaurant it's a bar in Monterey Park so a bit out of the way from Studio City. http://www.yelp.com/biz/spirit-house...t_by=date_desc

reposting from previous page:

will be checking out spirit house on saturday with my gf and some friends who live in mpk for a little double date. the gf and i will be making the trek from oc so it better be worth it!

quick question:
yelp only shows two pictures of the menu, which from a noob's perspective, looks like there are only 4 things to eat. is that pretty much it?

[beat]

So the Expo Line extension to Culver City finally opened last week (after like a two year delay). I must have been living under a rock or they didn't really do much advertising in the community. Has anyone ridden this thing into downtown yet or vice-versa? How are transit times?

It's faster than the 733 limited stop bus line, but inconvenient enough (long waits between trains) that for me, most times it's just faster to ride the 733.

[Zyzyxxz]

reposting from previous page: will be checking out spirit house on saturday with my gf and some friends who live in mpk for a little double date. the gf and i will be making the trek from oc so it better be worth it! quick question: yelp only shows two pictures of the menu, which from a noob's perspective, looks like there are only 4 things to eat. is that pretty much it?

no its an old menu there's about 10 items on it now.

[Sobriquet]

So the Expo Line extension to Culver City finally opened last week (after like a two year delay). I must have been living under a rock or they didn't really do much advertising in the community. Has anyone ridden this thing into downtown yet or vice-versa? How are transit times?

I rode it from downtown to the coliseum. It takes a bit longer through downtown because it occasionally has to stop for traffic. Not a bad ride, though. I'll try to take a trip to Culver sometime soon.

[HP_Wuvcraft]

Who here is going to SDCC?

[Argyle]

DEAR LAWD I hadn't heard of this! Thanks for telling me! I will be there probably Friday for lunch before work. Hopefully I can leave from SGV and get back before work. My ramen to-eat list is growing too much.

Have you made it to Hayatemaru yet? It's a chain from Hokkaido:
http://www.laweekly.com/2012-06-28/e...-besha-rodell/

I tried it a few weeks back, it was pretty good. I think they were out of gyoza when I went, though. :(

[TheKaeptain]

Have you made it to Hayatemaru yet? It's a chain from Hokkaido: http://www.laweekly.com/2012-06-28/e...-besha-rodell/ I tried it a few weeks back, it was pretty good. I think they were out of gyoza when I went, though. :(

This whole thread is like a food thread.



Also, a fellow gaffer might be moving to SFV with me.

[plasticpassion]

Stay away from Sunset Thai in Hollywood. Last night's takeout was disgusting - dry and bland. What happened to that place? ;__;

[Nintendoll]

Stay away from Sunset Thai in Hollywood. Last night's takeout was disgusting - dry and bland. What happened to that place? ;__;

Go next door to Toi Thai, they're the bomb!

[Fatal Futanari]

Who here is going to SDCC?

I will be there on Sunday (the only day I managed to score a pass :( )

[MonkeyKing]

This whole thread is like a food thread. Also, a fellow gaffer might be moving to SFV with me.

One indisputable fact about SoCal is that this a great place to eat. There is no reason to eat lousy food, and you will have plenty of options when it comes to meal time.

[Smitty3000]

Just got redirected here from my thread about going to Pasadena..already have a few suggestions on things to do but was looking for some real help on traveling throughout Pasadena and LA, I know we'd like to do a day trip to Venice beach can anyone help me out should we take a cab or is the subway or bus an easier option really could use some help, thanks.

[Black Mamba]

Just got redirected here from my thread about going to Pasadena..already have a few suggestions on things to do but was looking for some real help on traveling throughout Pasadena and LA, I know we'd like to do a day trip to Venice beach can anyone help me out should we take a cab or is the subway or bus an easier option really could use some help, thanks.

IMO, Venice Beach is lame and is just for tourists to see. I'd rather go to Santa Monica Pier, which is the same as far as touristy goes, but at least you can ride something or play carnival games.

However, you need a car. Pasadena to Venice (or SMP which is next door so you can do both) is going to be an hour drive during most hours. Bus would take forever, subway won't cut it, and a cab would be expensive as hell.

[plasticpassion]

Who here is going to SDCC?

Me +1 for all four days

[Zyzyxxz]

Just got redirected here from my thread about going to Pasadena..already have a few suggestions on things to do but was looking for some real help on traveling throughout Pasadena and LA, I know we'd like to do a day trip to Venice beach can anyone help me out should we take a cab or is the subway or bus an easier option really could use some help, thanks.

lol public transport? Stereotypes are true here man you need a car. Although Venice Beach does have a nice vibe and you can check out Abbot Kinney for their hipster scene but you need a car nonetheless.

There are no "subways" that even get conveniently close to there. Buses maybe but you could be looking at 2 hours each way. Also try to go on a weekend to avoid traffic.

[beat]

lol public transport? Stereotypes are true here man you need a car. Although Venice Beach does have a nice vibe and you can check out Abbot Kinney for their hipster scene but you need a car nonetheless. There are no "subways" that even get conveniently close to there. Buses maybe but you could be looking at 2 hours each way. Also try to go on a weekend to avoid traffic.

Also, I think a cab from Pasadena to Venice Beach and back would cost more than just renting a car for a day.

There is public transit - light rail and buses. According to Google Maps, the trip will take two hours. Good luck! =P

[MonkeyKing]

Just got redirected here from my thread about going to Pasadena..already have a few suggestions on things to do but was looking for some real help on traveling throughout Pasadena and LA, I know we'd like to do a day trip to Venice beach can anyone help me out should we take a cab or is the subway or bus an easier option really could use some help, thanks.

You could take the bus to Venice. Theres a line that takes the freeway into downtown, from there you can take the Venice line all the way down to the beach. Its not a bad way to see the heart of the city, to be perfectly honest.

On the other hand, it would take a couple of hours. Eff that. Rent or borrow a car. Time saved is better spent at your destination.

Get down to Venice, where I spent my ditch days way back in high school. Rent a bike, ride it up to Santa Monica (or just walk along the beach, its not that far). Check out the pier, 3rd street, all that good stuff.

Just get out of Venice before it gets too dark. Its great during the day but at night its definitely GTFO time. Find a nice place to eat and chill for a while until traffic dies down.

As stated in your other thread, defintely check out JPL and Caltech. Griffith Park is nice too, and not that far away. A couple of good local joints to eat at are Daisy Mint (Thai) and Dog Haus. At night theres an awesome taco truck at Fairoaks and California. Someone mentioned a $3 dollar theatre: Its called The Academy and they get films right after the major theatres have had their run. Next to the Academy is The Gourmet Cobbler Factory. It sounds fancy but its a hole in the wall and if you like cobblers, you must try one.

What else..... In n Out on Foothill. Tops Burger on Colorado. Old Town is cool for hanging out at night. Its a chill city and I think you'll enjoy your time here.

[Nintendoll]

Just discovered this awesome place: Golden Road Brewery

It's on the border of Burbank/Glendale on San Fernando Blvd. They make a mad decent IPA, and the sandwich I had (prosciutto and herbed goat cheese with fig compote) was very good as well. Taproom is open 7 days a week, it's open air and perfect for day drinking in the summer.

[plasticpassion]

Just get out of Venice before it gets too dark. Its great during the day but at night its definitely GTFO time. Find a nice place to eat and chill for a while until traffic dies down.

This. Last time I went to show a friend around, it was even sketchy during the day (a Tuesday afternoon). Anticipate a lot of people begging, especially younger ones.

[Parallax]

Found these a while ago and figured they'd fit good in this thread... Canoga Park Tourism Video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH7Te9Q8KBk

it seems they finally updated the damn sign in front of the high school.

[Zyzyxxz]

Just discovered this awesome place: Golden Road Brewery It's on the border of Burbank/Glendale on San Fernando Blvd. They make a mad decent IPA, and the sandwich I had (prosciutto and herbed goat cheese with fig compote) was very good as well. Taproom is open 7 days a week, it's open air and perfect for day drinking in the summer.

Yup we serve their beer too, good stuff.

[kevo_huevo]

so i went to spirit house on saturday. will probably yelp this soon.

food and drinks were superb.

bartenders/service/vibe, lacking.