Don't forget Bakersfield, Barstow and Weed. If you don't have time, then I suppose Highway 1 will have to do.

ok, lets get some stuff in there for the new wife. you are getting here by new years's eve? you will need a party to go to. i am taking my gfriend to a new years gala at the SF symphony. i scored major points! dancing, drinks, getting dressed up... (i am sure some music that will make you wish your ears had a on/off switch). i actually hear that the crowd is very hip and young. how about a spa for two. i did OSMOSIS in the wine country. some touch-feely stuff that made me want out, but very relaxing. some kinda hot bath in decomposing sawdust. (they say enzymes, i say decomposing) and massages. forget nanking chinese food. way too touristy. do some dim-sum at hongkong flower lounge. really go ethinic! no sweet and sour pork there. and for the meat lover, HOUSE OF PRIME RIB! nuff said. all this stuff is available for research on the net. PM me and i can get my gfriend to send some links.

congrats, friend.

cliff

more great ideas!!
cheers

Andy
UK

I have to agree with David on the Santa Ynez valley (north of Santa Barbara). This is defintely an area worth visiting. I would highly recommend visiting Los Olivos and staying at the Fess Parker Inn. As far as the inland areas of CA, I would recommend a detour to Joshua Tree National Monument for a taste of the southwest desert unlike any other.

Isn't there a dim-sum in Chinatown up some stairs? If you're facing north beach it's on the left. The menu is on the door leading up stairs. That was our first time for dim-sum, really cool.
Will you get me one of those boxes with the electric crickets. Those things drive my wife nuts. Short trip.
They have great clam chowder in a bread bowl down on the wharf. It's every bit as delicious as they say it is. God I love California.

This scraping ice off windows is gettin' me down. I was complaining to my wife that it's been months since I've heard the wail of a flat six. She corrected me and said that it's only been a few weeks. This has the makings of a long winter.

Enjoy the colonies.

thanks again. Limble, ive put a deposit on the 1974 PORSCHE CARRERA RSR 2.1 TURBO at heritage classics. the bride to be don't know yet but i think shes gonna love her new daily driver......
AddictionMS, that would be amazing but unfortunately we arn't about until the 7th/8th. Im gutted! (maybe we can change the schedule.........)
thanks for the offer anyway, the porsche looks awesome!

limble, pm me if you want an annoying cricket thing.