Postcard from California
I’ve just enjoyed an indulgent two week break in the Golden State and have been pleasantly surprised at how diverse California is - there really is something for everyone! I think weather-wise the best months to visit are April, May, June, September and October and for the majority of my holiday I enjoyed clear skies with very little smog and pleasant temperatures.
Belmont Shore near Long Beach is where the famous 2nd street is located. This is a great place to mingle and make new friends – plus it’s only a 5 minute walk to the beach so take a towel to lie out on the sands and relax after a morning’s shopping. This great little street has a really nice vibe with lots of quaint shops, coffee shops, bars and restaurants – perfect for people watching, day or night. There are so many restaurants to choose but I’d recommend dining at Open Sesame, a Mediterranean shrimp restaurant which offers a great menu at unbeatable prices, they do particularly great hummous, kebabs and grilled shrimp! It’s always very busy so be prepared to wait for a table, especially if you want to sit outside, but it’s definitely worth the wait. Cher’s daughter owns a restaurant on 2nd street called "Bono’s" which is really nice too (although fairly pricey) but it’s well worth a visit for the great cocktails and you can make your money go further by visiting at happy hour.
Huntington Beach is a great destination to visit and it is well known for its well maintained 8.5 mile path that runs parallel to the Pacific Coast Highway. On a nice day this ‘’boardwalk’’ attracts lots of people as it is the perfect place to enjoy a long bike ride or a run. I particularly enjoyed roller skating down the boardwalk and there are plenty of local shops where you can hire skates fairly cheaply. If skating isn’t really your thing then you can also rent bikes and tandems on an hourly basis.
Huntington Beach is also known for its great waves making it a surfer’s paradise. But if (like me!) you aren’t too keen on the swell you can still feel part of the action by visiting the town’s Surfing Museum. Huntington Beach Central Park Equestrian Centre offers tourists the chance to ride a horse around the park enjoying flower covered hills and fantastic views of Long Beach Harbour and the Pacific Ocean. But visit on a weekday when the area is less busy.
Of an evening pay a visit to one of the rock and roll sushi bars - the sushi here is so fresh it tastes divine. Tuna Town has a great atmosphere and if you’re not a fan of sushi you can always opt for the teppanyaki grill.
California has so many fantastic food options - there is a restaurant for every flavour you require and they always come in extra large portions! If you want to do as the Americans do and enjoy a good burger then the In and Out Burger hits the spot. Serving up a simple menu with the option of eating in or taking away it is an ideal stop off after a long day of site seeing. It has the added bonus of appealing to the health conscious as you can skip the bun and instead enjoy your burger wrapped in a lettuce leaf!
This trip, I have been lucky enough to visit the magnificent Hollywood Bowl to enjoy a live concert. The atmosphere in this bowl shaped stadium is electrifying and if you plan on going I would recommend paying a little extra and purchasing a garden ticket. Situated in a boxed off section, the seats surround a picnic table so you can eat under the stars. It’s worth taking a picnic blanket too to keep you warm as the evening cools. There are plenty of shows all year round with live performers, family shows and firework displays.
If you are travelling with children (or you’re a big kid at heart) then a great place to visit is Six Flags Magic Mountain. Situated in the North Hollywood, Six Flags is not for the faint hearted but there is plenty of fun to be had by all! The theme park is probably best known for its Superman ride which is a hair raising experience but there are also plenty of smaller” Loony Tunes” rides for those of you who want to take it a bit slower. And if it all gets a bit much and you need to cool off then simply wander next door to Six Flags Hurricane Harbour Water Park which is great fun.
These are just a few of my holiday highlights but rest assured, there’s plenty more! Wherever you go in California there is always a friendly face waiting to help and make your stay memorable. When I go back again I intend to see even more. - I’ll keep you posted on what I get up to!
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