I am new to SoCal and need some help with figuring out which beaches are the coolest. Please give me your favorites. I think Huntington Beach is the best for a everyweek destination and Laguna Beach is the best for a weekend getaway. However, your opinion matters. We need a destination for Memorial Day. Would you like to influence where L+D spend their weekend? Please vote. Here are some criteria for the best beach. We need a beach with...
- Relatively easy & cheap parking
- Good cheap restaurants (burgers NOT steaks)
- Wide and long strands of sand to walk on
- Relatively clean water
- Shops: clothes, ice cream, trinkets
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Saturday, April 29, 2006
In-N-Out vs. Chik-fil-a
Today L & I worked out and I ran 4.25 miles in 45 minutes. It was really tough and will give me a tough mark to beat. But hopefully I am still improving.
For a late lunch we went to Chik-fil-a. It reminded me of the good ol' Indiana days when I used to eat at the University library Chik-fil-a. It was in the basement of the library, and it was good. The Chik-fil-a we went to today was right by a In-N-Out, and the Chik-fil-a was packed, but it didn't look like In-N-Out was that busy. I was thinking what my favorite fast food place was. L said I already decided it was Wendy's however that wasn't decided until today. I like Chik-fil-a the best. Eating chicken makes me feel healthy, even though it is battered and has butter on it. Further, they were started by Christians, similar to In-N-Out. Chik-fil-a doesn't open on Sundays, and In-N-Out has bible verses on their wrapper. However, I have looked for them in the past and have not seen them. My friend J says she has. Anyway, the sandwiches are really good and I am glad they have expanded. The fries are criss-cut and the sandwich comes with a pickle. Chik-fil-a is expanding in CA and now there is one in Santa Ana and Long Beach.
For a more formal dining experience I like Outback Steakhouse. Ribeye is my favorite. Unfortunately, L doesn't like going there very often.
For a late lunch we went to Chik-fil-a. It reminded me of the good ol' Indiana days when I used to eat at the University library Chik-fil-a. It was in the basement of the library, and it was good. The Chik-fil-a we went to today was right by a In-N-Out, and the Chik-fil-a was packed, but it didn't look like In-N-Out was that busy. I was thinking what my favorite fast food place was. L said I already decided it was Wendy's however that wasn't decided until today. I like Chik-fil-a the best. Eating chicken makes me feel healthy, even though it is battered and has butter on it. Further, they were started by Christians, similar to In-N-Out. Chik-fil-a doesn't open on Sundays, and In-N-Out has bible verses on their wrapper. However, I have looked for them in the past and have not seen them. My friend J says she has. Anyway, the sandwiches are really good and I am glad they have expanded. The fries are criss-cut and the sandwich comes with a pickle. Chik-fil-a is expanding in CA and now there is one in Santa Ana and Long Beach.
For a more formal dining experience I like Outback Steakhouse. Ribeye is my favorite. Unfortunately, L doesn't like going there very often.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Magazine Overload
Today at Costco I saw that they offer a selection of magazines at 30% off the cover price. Some of the ones that caught my eye are InStyle, Real Simple, and Cooking Light. Now, I did not buy any, mind you. See, that would feed into the magazine addiction that I have (as well as the rest of my immediate family).
Here is a list of magazines that I have subscribed to in my life:
Highlights
Ranger Rick
Cricket
Penny Power (Consumer Reports for kids)
Brio
Alf (I'm not kidding, but it was just because the original magazine I ordered, Muppets, was discontinued before I received even one issue)
Seventeen
InStyle
Glamour
Allure
Shape
Self
Marie Claire
Jane (only b/c it was free)
Vogue
Lucky
Cooking Light
Gourmet
Bon Appetit
Better Homes & Gardens
Budget Living
Sunset*
Audrey*
Domino*
Los Angeles Magazine*
*Currently subscribe
I'm sure there's more, but those are the ones I can think off the top of my head. Of course, this does not include all of the magazines that D, my parents and sister subscribe(d) to, which we swap on a regular basis. I don't think that web 'zines will ever fully replace regular mags--there's just something about the feel of a new magazine, with the fun new ads and glossy pages that cannot be replicated.
Here is a list of magazines that I have subscribed to in my life:
Highlights
Ranger Rick
Cricket
Penny Power (Consumer Reports for kids)
Brio
Alf (I'm not kidding, but it was just because the original magazine I ordered, Muppets, was discontinued before I received even one issue)
Seventeen
InStyle
Glamour
Allure
Shape
Self
Marie Claire
Jane (only b/c it was free)
Vogue
Lucky
Cooking Light
Gourmet
Bon Appetit
Better Homes & Gardens
Budget Living
Sunset*
Audrey*
Domino*
Los Angeles Magazine*
*Currently subscribe
I'm sure there's more, but those are the ones I can think off the top of my head. Of course, this does not include all of the magazines that D, my parents and sister subscribe(d) to, which we swap on a regular basis. I don't think that web 'zines will ever fully replace regular mags--there's just something about the feel of a new magazine, with the fun new ads and glossy pages that cannot be replicated.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
A Creative Birthday Party
On Sunday night D and I went to licoreen's birthday party. For those of you who don't know, licoreen, my former college roommate, is an artist. She had a lot of her old artwork sitting around and had the great idea of holding a silent auction at her party. (Some of her art is seen here, on the bottom row). The proceeds went to two charities, World Team and International Justice Mission. D and I got in a mini bidding "war" over one painting, which we ended up buying! I'm still trying to figure out where it looks best, but I'm thinking over our fireplace, for now. We've moved up from posters! I was in charge of the food, although I felt like I didn't really help too much.
I made waaay too much orange cream cheese dip for the strawberries.
Reni made these cute cupcakes.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Palm Springs Weekend
To celebrate our 2nd year wedding anniversay, D and I took a weekend trip to Palm Springs. On our way there, we made a breakfast stop at Hadleys and I had my date banana shake. Next we stopped at the Cabazon outlets. D found some deals at the Nike outlet for some more running gear. He was especially proud of the deal he found on a pair of shorts.
Then we drove to the Palm Springs tram, which rotates as it goes up the mountain. We ate lunch at the top and took in the view.
The food is really nothing to write home about, but here I am, doing it anyway. This is the "Santa Fe Chicken Wrap".
An aerial view of Palm Springs.
There's snow at the top of the San Jacinto mountains, even though it was in the 90's in Palm Springs last week (it wasn't that hot when we were there).
After coming back down the mountain, we checked into our hotel, the Doral Princess Desert Resort, which we bid on through Priceline.
D took a quick swim, even though it was windy, as can be seen here:
On Rachael Ray's recommendation, we ate at the Kaiser Grille for dinner. I had made reservations for 5 p.m. (for the early bird special), but after walking on the main strip for a bit, D was famished. So, we ended up going to dinner at 4:30! I think that is a record for us.
The ambience is pretty nice.
Here is D's pork chop. Overall, we enjoyed our food, but it wasn't at the very top of any of our rankings. We overheard another couple talk about Rachael, too. I guess they didn't pay very good attention to her though, because they neglected to ask about the early bird dinners. Apparently, the waiters keep them under wraps, so you have to specifically ask for the special menu. I felt bad because the woman ordered something from the regular menu that was also on the early bird menu, and the waiter did not even say anything! Doesn't that seem unethical?
The next morning we went to another R.R. pick: More than a Mouthful Cafe. I'm afraid R.R. led us a bit astray with this one. It was kind of overpriced, and the portions, while large, did not really justify the prices. D enjoyed his eggs benedict and I had french toast with boysenberry syrup--yum. The menu even mentioned that the breakfast soup, which R.R. ordered on $40 a Day, was a "Food Network Favorite".
Overall, it was a fun weekend get-away. D had fun zoom-zooming in the Mazda 6. The past two years have gone by pretty fast. I'm looking forward to the years to come.
Then we drove to the Palm Springs tram, which rotates as it goes up the mountain. We ate lunch at the top and took in the view.
The food is really nothing to write home about, but here I am, doing it anyway. This is the "Santa Fe Chicken Wrap".
An aerial view of Palm Springs.
There's snow at the top of the San Jacinto mountains, even though it was in the 90's in Palm Springs last week (it wasn't that hot when we were there).
After coming back down the mountain, we checked into our hotel, the Doral Princess Desert Resort, which we bid on through Priceline.
D took a quick swim, even though it was windy, as can be seen here:
On Rachael Ray's recommendation, we ate at the Kaiser Grille for dinner. I had made reservations for 5 p.m. (for the early bird special), but after walking on the main strip for a bit, D was famished. So, we ended up going to dinner at 4:30! I think that is a record for us.
The ambience is pretty nice.
Here is D's pork chop. Overall, we enjoyed our food, but it wasn't at the very top of any of our rankings. We overheard another couple talk about Rachael, too. I guess they didn't pay very good attention to her though, because they neglected to ask about the early bird dinners. Apparently, the waiters keep them under wraps, so you have to specifically ask for the special menu. I felt bad because the woman ordered something from the regular menu that was also on the early bird menu, and the waiter did not even say anything! Doesn't that seem unethical?
The next morning we went to another R.R. pick: More than a Mouthful Cafe. I'm afraid R.R. led us a bit astray with this one. It was kind of overpriced, and the portions, while large, did not really justify the prices. D enjoyed his eggs benedict and I had french toast with boysenberry syrup--yum. The menu even mentioned that the breakfast soup, which R.R. ordered on $40 a Day, was a "Food Network Favorite".
Overall, it was a fun weekend get-away. D had fun zoom-zooming in the Mazda 6. The past two years have gone by pretty fast. I'm looking forward to the years to come.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Welcome Home
It is a rare occasion that D and I go out on a weekday night. We made an exception last night, however, to join fellow YAGgers in welcoming ebidebbie home. She likes Thai food, so we met up at Thai Nakorn, which is close to WPC, on Garden Grove Blvd. This restaurant passes the previously mentioned authenticity test (there were a lot of what seemed to be Thai people). D and I had been once before and I must say it is delish. We ordered family-style and there was lots of food. D was happy to have the yellow curry (he claims I always make us order panang, not true). Of course, there was the requisite pad thai and chicken satay. I also really like the pad see ew (I think my littlest sis would like this--think Thai chow fun) although it is not listed by that name. I believe it is described as rice noodles with broccoli and chicken, or something). We also had a fried fish appetizer and something that looked like beef jerky. Oh yeah, there was also a beef salad and spicy soup. D can't believe I never ate Thai food until I was in college. What can I say--I was missing out! Anyways, we're glad that ebidebbie is back in the States! :)
Monday, April 17, 2006
D's Top Destinations
Top North American Destinations
City Travel - Urban Cities
1 New York, NY Y
2 San Francisco, CA Y
3 Chicago, IL Y
4 Boston, MA Y
5 Vancouver, BC Y
6 Washington D.C. Y
7 Seattle, WA Y
8 Montreal, QB N
9 New Orleans, LA N
10 Los Angeles, CA Y
City Travel - Beach Cities
1 Honolulu, HI Y
2 San Diego, CA Y
3 Miami, FL N
4 San Juan, PR N
5 Puerta Vallarta, Mexico Y
Adventure Travel - National Parks
1 Yosemite, CA Y
2 Grand Canyon, AZ Y
3 Yellowstone WY Y
4 Banff, AB N
5 Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica Y
Adventure Travel - Skiing
1 Whistler Blackcomb, BC Y
2 Snowbird / Alta, UT Y
3 Vail, CO N
4 Mammoth, CA N
5 Squaw Valley, CA Y
Adventure Travel - Islands
1 Maui, HI Y
2 Big Island, HI Y
3 Kauai, HI N
4 U.S. Virgin Islands: St. John N
5 Bahamas: Harbour Island N
Top California Weekend Trips
Northern
Carmel By-The-Sea
Napa
Southern
Laguna Beach
Palm Springs
Top Overseas Destinations I Have Visited
Europe
Paris, France
Zermatt, Switzerland
Asia
Hong Kong, China
Phuket, Thailand
City Travel - Urban Cities
1 New York, NY Y
2 San Francisco, CA Y
3 Chicago, IL Y
4 Boston, MA Y
5 Vancouver, BC Y
6 Washington D.C. Y
7 Seattle, WA Y
8 Montreal, QB N
9 New Orleans, LA N
10 Los Angeles, CA Y
City Travel - Beach Cities
1 Honolulu, HI Y
2 San Diego, CA Y
3 Miami, FL N
4 San Juan, PR N
5 Puerta Vallarta, Mexico Y
Adventure Travel - National Parks
1 Yosemite, CA Y
2 Grand Canyon, AZ Y
3 Yellowstone WY Y
4 Banff, AB N
5 Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica Y
Adventure Travel - Skiing
1 Whistler Blackcomb, BC Y
2 Snowbird / Alta, UT Y
3 Vail, CO N
4 Mammoth, CA N
5 Squaw Valley, CA Y
Adventure Travel - Islands
1 Maui, HI Y
2 Big Island, HI Y
3 Kauai, HI N
4 U.S. Virgin Islands: St. John N
5 Bahamas: Harbour Island N
Top California Weekend Trips
Northern
Carmel By-The-Sea
Napa
Southern
Laguna Beach
Palm Springs
Top Overseas Destinations I Have Visited
Europe
Paris, France
Zermatt, Switzerland
Asia
Hong Kong, China
Phuket, Thailand
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