On the flip side...what is great about your state?

[GateandGarden]

Louisiana

-crawfish (if you like that kinda thing)
-rich food that actually has taste to it
-diversity (except we don't appreciate it)
-swamps/bayous (wetlands are biologically important, but, uh, don't ask me to explain why or anything)
-Tony Chachere's (the most important seasoning I know of)
-Cajun/blues music

and
NEW ORLEANS!
(Need I say more?)

Hillary, tryin' to find the good stuff, knowing we'll never have gay marriage like MA

[markolas]

Austin is the only good thing about Texas. If I ever left Austin, I think I'd have to move to the east coast somewhere. I just can't stomach the rest of this state. And Austin isn't as cool a place as it probably was about 15 years ago.

[markolas]

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

Louisiana

-crawfish (if you like that kinda thing)
-rich food that actually has taste to it
-diversity (except we don't appreciate it)
-swamps/bayous (wetlands are biologically important, but, uh, don't ask me to explain why or anything)
-Tony Chachere's (the most important seasoning I know of)
-Cajun/blues music

Yeah, well...you're talking about the good part of Louisiana. Try to find something nice to say about Shreveport. I dare you

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by markolas

Yeah, well...you're talking about the good part of Louisiana. Try to find something nice to say about Shreveport. I dare you

We will applaud when it becomes a part of Arkansas!!!!!!!!

I mean they do not call it SHREVEPIT for nothing

[jadegypsy]

Well I live in CA, what more IS there, Just kidding!

Specifically: SF, the most awsome city, fairly safe (don't go S. of Market.) Golden Gate park, Haight, Embarcadero, Union Sq. SF Center, Fishermans Warf, Ghiridelli, Union Street, Maiden Lane, MOMA, Exploritorium, Cable Cars, Ferry, GG, Free Concerts in the Park, Pier 39...I could go on idefinitly, I LOVE this city. Oh and the ecletic assortment of people, Castro is so very colorful, and public transportation is and adventure

LA: Venice Beach, so great for just stuff...Disneyland, Sunset, Malibu, and even Hollywood...

Monteray/Carmel: Shoes and Jewlery to DIE for! Whittest sand anywhere, and Nepenthe (awsome resturant). Oh and the Aquarium and Cannery row.

Santa Barbara: Soo neat at evening for outside dining, and such cute surfer dudes

Santa Cruz: Gotta love the Boardwalk...

Tahoe: Sigh!

Yosemite: SO BEAUTIFUL, a must see and hike up the mist trail.

Marin: LOVE the towns, the redwoods, the gorgeous hikes.

PEOPLE: yeah we are liberal, laid back, up tight, passionate, scientific, and private (in otherwords is it doesn't hurt me then carry on...)



Highway 1: A Stunning Drive

[amber]

Originally Posted by jadegypsy

Well I live in CA, what more IS there, Just kidding!

Specifically: SF, the most awsome city, fairly safe (don't go S. of Market.)

Unless you want to go to any fun bars....

[jadegypsy]

Amber: I meant alone, but with a group what the h*ll, although I am not a bar person (although had I lived in the 60s I would've pitched a tent in the Fillmore or the Avalon!), hmmm forgot to add North Beach, a place I must go back to on my own time not with a group of ppl who wanted to get home...

[amber]

Originally Posted by jadegypsy

Amber: I meant alone, but with a group what the h*ll, although I am not a bar person (although had I lived in the 60s I would've pitched a tent in the Fillmore or the Avalon!), hmmm forgot to add North Beach, a place I must go back to on my own time not with a group of ppl who wanted to get home...

ah. how long has it been since you've been there? Parts of SOMA have been yupped up quite nicely, and many of the hip bars are there...still, though, there's total scuzzy parts (of course). The Haight has hipped up really well, too, and ...****, i was gonna name that really good restaurant there, but i forgot the name! oh, well, i'm lame

[amber]

Originally Posted by jadegypsy

Amber: I meant alone, but with a group what the h*ll, although I am not a bar person (although had I lived in the 60s I would've pitched a tent in the Fillmore or the Avalon!), hmmm forgot to add North Beach, a place I must go back to on my own time not with a group of ppl who wanted to get home...

North Beach is nice, you'll see real italian people working at the coffee and food places. Like, every waiter is a cute italian gay boy And whenever my friend visits, she insists we eat at the Stinking Rose... She's like "I gotta have garlic mashed potatoes!"

[macmar71]

1.Being on the shoreline and with a decent stretch of path to walk along the water in West Haven.
2.Yale University, the museums and library in New Haven, Cutler's Music shop as well as some boutiques and shops like Chapel Sweet Shoppe and Group W Bench.
3.Some great concert venues of various sizes and locales~~The Arena at Harbor Yard, The Meadows, The Mohegan Sun Arena, The Oakdale.
4.The Casinos~~Foxwoods and The Mohegan Sun, not a big gambler but it is a nice time out to dine and shop.
5.That I am located between NYC and Boston, two fab cities to visit and only a train ride away!
6.The incredible eateries here ~~Seafood by the beach, great Italian spots, pubs that serve killer sandwiches and mixed drinks.
7.Old Glory Store in Old Saybrook where the grateful dead bears roam!
8.The Beach and The Mall in Milford
9.The Thimble Islands Boat ride in Branford is relaxing and interesting.

[jadegypsy]

Amber, its been a while, although I must admit walking to the Orpheum and the through GGPark I was surprised how much nicer it was...As for bars haven't been exploring, but will eventually. The haight, must get back there when I'm not with a guy (shopping is never high on their list), although Ameoba was great...Just wish I had more hippie/music orientated friends...

[sara1998]

Indiana

Well, we have some cool museums. I love that we see all four seasons. That is a wonder in itself in my opinion. I love that the state and the living is somewhat "slow livin' ". The motor speedway is an interesting break in the monotony. Nothing like a race crowd, and the **** we in Speedway, Indiana have to go through on race weekends just to go to the store!

Here's a question to all of you in Cali. I am visiting next year! This is my first trip. I have about a week. I want to go to San Francisco, visit the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, and spend the rest of the time in Santa Barbara. Any other places of interest you could direct me to?

And just for the record, I am reading these posts and paying attention, but if you only had a week, what should the priorities be?

[amber]

Originally Posted by jadegypsy

Amber, its been a while, although I must admit walking to the Orpheum and the through GGPark I was surprised how much nicer it was...As for bars haven't been exploring, but will eventually. The haight, must get back there when I'm not with a guy (shopping is never high on their list), although Ameoba was great...Just wish I had more hippie/music orientated friends...

I hear ya, dear. GGpark is gorgeous, I actually haven't explored it much! Me and my friend went to a beach where she used to play, and it was gorgeous, but it was so fricking cold and windy that we had to leave seriously, the wind was blowing sand onto us and it was stinging...and fuggedabout your hair! I really always wish SF wasn't so fricking cold. It drives me nuts. I think i have to go to Haight soon, cause they have "Skate on Haight" and they have the rollerblades where the wheels detatch so that you don't have to take the whole skate on and off when you go into stores and stuff. oops, random segue... by the way, the clothes shops on haight are expensive...

[amber]

Originally Posted by sara1998

Indiana

Well, we have some cool museums. I love that we see all four seasons. That is a wonder in itself in my opinion. I love that the state and the living is somewhat "slow livin' ". The motor speedway is an interesting break in the monotony. Nothing like a race crowd, and the **** we in Speedway, Indiana have to go through on race weekends just to go to the store!

Here's a question to all of you in Cali. I am visiting next year! This is my first trip. I have about a week. I want to go to San Francisco, visit the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, and spend the rest of the time in Santa Barbara. Any other places of interest you could direct me to?

And just for the record, I am reading these posts and paying attention, but if you only had a week, what should the priorities be?

do you want to see city things, then, not nature things? If so...(which i don't recommend ) I dunno, I would plant my butt in Santa Barbara...BUT...the Monterey Bay aquarium is really nice. But if you're mainly gonna be down south, I don't have many suggestions. I actually prefer the more non coastal places of Cal., like yosemite, big trees, the various national forests and parks. You should try to drive along highway 1, it is breath taking.
I would recommend Tahoe, but it is out of your way, and it's naturey. If you do make it to SF...well, you might want to see the Haight and North Beach. What i would really do, is take a boat ride on the bay. But i'm not as into the touristy stuff. if you go to the piers, it's just touristy and has shops with crap in them. You get to see the sea lions, but...Also, in the main part of town is Union Square, which has tons of shopping and street vendors. Sesly, though, I personally think all the most beautiful stuff is inland, or coastally up north, by Humbolt. you should PM Tiff, cause she lives in LA, and ask her. Unlike the East Coast states, which have many interesting historical sights and buildings, I think our state is kind of new, and a bit lacking in those things. I think our greatest beauty is the landscape. but with only a week, Santa Barbara is probably really nice. My friend just took a week vacation in San Diego, which is great. They went to sea world, and she has pictures of her daughter surfing... OOoo, maybe go to Carlsbad Caverns? I heard it's neat. And i think a trip to Catalina Island would be great, when you're in LA. Mostly i predict you'll be astounded at the humanity, all the different people, and how strange they are I have been since i moved to a city here! You might want to hit telegraph in Berkeley, cheaper shopping and street vendors along the whole thing. But you'll see some strangeness... You might want to hit Hearst Castle at San Simeon, then if you're driving up, Big Sur is great.

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by amber

do you want to see city things, then, not nature things? If so...(which i don't recommend ) I dunno, I would plant my butt in Santa Barbara...BUT...the Monterey Bay aquarium is really nice. But if you're mainly gonna be down south, I don't have many suggestions. I actually prefer the more non coastal places of Cal., like yosemite, big trees, the various national forests and parks. You should try to drive along highway 1, it is breath taking.
I would recommend Tahoe, but it is out of your way, and it's naturey. If you do make it to SF...well, you might want to see the Haight and North Beach. What i would really do, is take a boat ride on the bay. But i'm not as into the touristy stuff. if you go to the piers, it's just touristy and has shops with crap in them. You get to see the sea lions, but...Also, in the main part of town is Union Square, which has tons of shopping and street vendors. Sesly, though, I personally think all the most beautiful stuff is inland, or coastally up north, by Humbolt. you should PM Tiff, cause she lives in LA, and ask her. Unlike the East Coast states, which have many interesting historical sights and buildings, I think our state is kind of new, and a bit lacking in those things. I think our greatest beauty is the landscape. but with only a week, Santa Barbara is probably really nice. My friend just took a week vacation in San Diego, which is great. They went to sea world, and she has pictures of her daughter surfing... OOoo, maybe go to Carlsbad Caverns? I heard it's neat. And i think a trip to Catalina Island would be great, when you're in LA.

I sat here waiting for you to respond! I knew you would really soon! Thank you! I really am into the "naturey" things, and would like to see the redwoods! I actually have 2 weeks, but I'm spending some time in Arizona with a friend, and we are going to Cali together. I'm taking my daughter with me so I have to factor that in also. I'll have to research your suggestions. I'm in "research mode" now, so I can map out a plan!
Thanks again, Darlin'!