More Than Disneyland

There is more to California than its theme parks and celebrity culture. Sure it’s fun to drive around and see the houses where Lucille Ball and Charlie Chaplin used to live. It’s exciting to wander in and out of the same stores that your favorite actors shop in or know that you could run into Charlie Sheen at a Whole Foods. But the true fun of California is all of the little out of the way places that you won’t find in most of the guide books.

Fans of independent stores will love shopping for music in Amoeba. Amoeba began in 1990 as a retaliation against the corporate conglomerates that were quickly buying up all of the independent music sellers and replacing them with top 40 chain music shops. Amoeba, unlike its corporately backed competitors, sells new and used music in every format. Yes, you will find original vinyl here. You’ll also find iPods. The original store opened in Berkeley and was quickly followed by a San Francisco and a Hollywood location. If you’re tired of shopping at Sam Goody, you will find a musical Oasis in the California independent music seller: Amoeba.

Orphan Andy’s is quite possibly the best hamburger joint in California and it is located in the Castro district of San Francisco. This is a twenty four hour diner and yes, you will have to wait for a table—even at two in the morning! Be careful, the apartments upstairs frequently have parties and party goers are not careful about where they spill their drinks or flick their used cigarette butts. Orphan Andy’s, in addition to it’s fantastic food, has affordable prices—broke college students can eat here without having to worry about whether or not they’ll be able to afford the bus fare home.

The Egyptian theater isn’t exactly off the beaten path: It’s right on Hollywood Blvd. It is, however, a California classic. It was once one of the most famous theaters in California and was famous for its glitzy movie premieres. Then it went through a period of being “just another theater.” Luckily, it recently went through a restoration and transition period and now it is back to its “old days” glory. It shows older movies and there isn’t a bad seat in the house! You can’t go to California (especially Los Angeles) without partaking of a little bit of Hollywood history!

California also has plenty of natural beauty as well—its mountains and coastline are the envy of everywhere. East Coast residents will readily tell you that the Atlantic Ocean just isn’t as magnificent as the Pacific Ocean. For those who love to hike or bike ride or camp, there are plenty of great places to do just that—the redwoods up north and the surfing beaches down south—California has it all!

This blog entry is sounding a little bit like a love letter to California, and there are already television commercials that do that. The truth is, no matter what the hype: California is worth exploring. Everyone should take a California vacation at least once.

For more information on California, visit http://www.californiamicroblog.com and http://www.microblogcalifornia.com.

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My husband and I will be driving down the coast from Washington and going to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World, Redwood forest, lego land and all that fun stuff! Anyhow i’m trying to plan it out and am not sure what order I should do things or where I should stay…I’m not quite sure how far apart all the parks are so some input would be great! Thanks!

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Hi(:>) Help! & be Honest here…Any suggestions for improvement on this ad or the features offered? Would you stay here? what strikes you as positive vs negative about it or this home?

http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/33316

I’m having a hard time renting this place. Its SOO beautiful and in a great location (just 15 minutes from disneyland, Knotts AND the Beach. not to mention everything else(lol)!) AND its one of the better priced rentals but i’m just not getting as many inquirers as i was recieving last year & for the life of me i dont know why!
Im sure the economy scare thats been going on has alot to do with it but still if there IS anything i could improve upon on my side i’d sure appreciate knowing(:>) I Cannot emphasize enough: Any suggestions would be appreciated!!! THANKS!

p.s. Everybody that has stayed here has just totally fallen in LOVE with the house so i really think the weakness is more in my writing skills(lol). But inputs still appreciated(=D)!
Hmm the short link works fine for me but for those it doesnt: try the long link(lol)…

http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/vacation-rentals/Long-Beach-California-vacation-rental-home-proID-33316.html

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My parents are taking my husband, my baby(who will be just shy of four months), and me to Disneyland and some other CA attractions. I need tips on going with an extremely low budget(they are paying for it, but aren’t very well off, just determined to go!), and making life a little easier being there with a baby. We will be stopping in Las Vegas on the way and probably spending the night. It is about 19 hours in a car both directions. The biggest help I need is with bringing food to prevent eating out. However, any tips would be WONDERFUL!
The family joke is that Disneyland is our "Mecca", we have to go as often as we can. The reason my dad is so determined to go is because he wants to go with the whole family(my brother(16) and sister(15) are going as well) around the time each grandchild is born. We don’t do many family vacations besides camping, but Disneyland is a constant! So I’m not too worried about my baby not remembering this trip because we have always gone at least once every five years or so(once when my brother was only one month old!).
I’m also BFing. And it’s not like we are doing a daytrip to Disneyland. This is going to be like, a ten day vacation involving Disneyland, the beach, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and I don’t know what else yet.

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I’m taking my family on vacation in California again this year. It happens to be our favorite place to visit. We’ve been to Sea World in San Diego, Universal Studios in Hollywood last year, Disneyland (years ago when the kids were young), and to Six Flags Magic Mountain. My kids are 16yrs old and 13yrs old. We know for sure we’re going to Magic Mountain again for the first two days of our trip, since last couple of years ago we didn’t get to enjoy all the rides. We then intend on touring Hollywood, both at day and in the evening. We’ll spend a day or two at the beach as usual, but that still leaves about a week to burn some time. Any suggestions on fun destinations, or odd and off-the-wall places that are hidden treasures of fun? Or even some fun activities? Please, only serious reply…

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My family is a family of 4. Mom and dad and son and daughter. Both me and my brother are young teens. My family are new to California, only being here 2 years. Where are the best places to go this summer for vacation? We’re interested in just about anything fun… but specifically swimming and rides/rollercoasters. We only been to Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Golf N’ Stuff. Can you give us a list of fun places to go swimming, go on rollercoasters, games + more that are included with hotels? Thank you. Please don’t say the beach although it is beautiful there. We’re looking for a more Ride Park place. Thanks in advance!

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my husband and I are taking our daughter for a two week vacation for her sixteenth birthday, one week in las vegas then a week in california in april.

what would be some places to go preferably in california that a teen girl might like?
like any good spas? or what are some ideas where can take her in the LA, beverly hills area for a special time. wheres good shopping?
As of now we know that we’re spending a day at a beach, disneyland and for part of a day visiting UCLA

any suggestions? Thanks so much!

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So, I’m having a baby at the end of July and my boyfriend and I were thinking about taking a cheap little vacation in California (that’s where we live) before the baby comes. We were thinking about a short trip, probably a day or two maybe longer if affordable. But i was wondering if anyone knew what would be a good trip for us? It’s not like we can just go to Disneyland, I can’t ride any of the rides.

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For summer vacation which for me is from May 21 to Aug 4 or 7, I am planning to spend June 1- Aug 1 in Anahiem, California. With going to Hollywood, Universal Studios, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags and the Beach. I was wondering if anyone knew of any rental house you could rent for 2 months. Ive looked but most of them only have a week.

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I am planning on going to California for my vacation. Of course, Disneyland is a MUST! Just wondering how long does it take for someone to explore Disneyland (2,3 or more days?). Also, just other things that are a must to do in California. We are going to be driving deom Texas, so anything things to do on the drive there? We are thinking of going to Vegas for a day, just to explore, we are gamblers or partiers. Taking all suggestions! Thanks!

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