Should I vacay in Cali?

[Scooter311]

Ok my apologies right off for the sorta OT, but seein's how you all live there, maybe you can wag a finger in the right direction
I've got a bit of vacation time for next year coming up, and we have to plan waay ahead to use it. So my atv buddy and I were talking "Wouldn't it be cool to go to California and ride some dunes, or do a desert camp/trailride". I've always wanted to visit, and maybe even check out some local motocross - I'm interested in how it differs from up here in NY.
Apparently, now I'm all bent for these cars too, and it'd be cool to check out where you West Coasters have all the fun. I'd love to go to an event, or a swap meet, or a race/ride of some sort. Do the car shows, for example, happen during a certain time of year, and do you usually wait for a certain season to get together for a drive? I dunno, maybe visit Pelican? Meet some of you wackos?
I guess if I have to aim for a certain time of year, I should start thinking ahead (and finding some money somehow - how much is a burger out there anyway ?). I have a best friend who lives in Burbank, and we can stay there, which is cool. But is that near anything I'm looking for, and anyone from around there?
Maybe early next year sometime, I'd be checking airfare soon too - maybe the cost'll scare me, who knows........
Cheerio
Jeff

[914Ghost]

Jeff-
dunes eh?
Pismo Beach! Its hundreds of square acres (if not thousands) of beach and dunes where you can moto/dunebuggy/sandrail. World Famous I think. Theres a couple other places I hear about in central cali but, they would require more beer to enjoy I think.
Hit Pismo the last week in may, then join the classic the first week in June- there also BIG swap meets in anaheim and the big VW meets same time of year. 6 flags Magic Mountain is right in the area. All this stuff is within a few hours drive on the Coast of Cali. Given a choice I take a drive down there or to VEGAS once a year.
Robert O

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

For events, check the calendars of the Regions in PCA Zone 7 and Zone 8. If you hunt around http://www.pca.org , you will find a directory of the Regions in each of those Zones. There will be links to their websites, and you can go there and check for an events calendar. They may not have anything firmly scheduled this far in advance, though.

Zone 7 covers California from about Bakersfield on north, and a little of Nevada.

Zone 8 covers southern California.

The weather tends to be nicer in Zone 8... Plus Pelican Parts is located in LA. But High Performance House in the SF Bay Area is worth a visit (it's much bigger than AA, says one who has been to both). Ever seen a three-story warehouse crammed to the gills with (used) 914 parts??

--DD

[skline]

Great idea, come out, visit, have some fun, but when you leave, take some people with you. Try to lighten up the traffic and the population out here.

[red-beard]

Nahhhhhhhh

You need to come for the next BAJA run!!!!!

[MarkusB]

Come on out & hit the dunes at Pismo. I live just a couple minutes away from there. Don't expect the 914 to get close to the water, tho.....

[Dbelleperc]

In San Diego you have Octillo Wells and in Imperial County there is Glamis, Blow sand, and Gordon Wells. Out of all of the Glamis is huge and has dunes every where, and for trail riding you can't beat Octillo Wells.

[Barber Dave]

skline : I thought the taxes in Cal. was starting to take care of that problem. Dave

[Dbelleperc]

Dave, Really, suck me dry, but with Arnold, we shall see in a couple of months, if he is a real Republican or not.

[skline]

Not really, the taxes are only running the buisnesses out of California, the people are still here. This coming weekend will probably be the last time I drive my teener until after the holidays. For some reason, the stupid people are all out driving around now. It started on Monday and is getting progressively worse each day. They do not know how to drive and think that they are the only ones on the road. It is everything you can do to avoid crashing into them. The holidays seem to bring out the worst in people instead of the best like it should. I like what Arnold has done so far. I think he will do well. I hope anyway, I voted for him.

[Toast]

Hey Jeff,
The difference between here and NY is it is ALOT WARMER. Actually, I havent been to NY, so I cannot really comment on much else. There are alot of places to run a teener, and there is usually some event going on at any time. We dont need to wait for seasons here. Weather is a very cooperative (and did I mention Warm?) factor. Current temp at 6:00 am in Riverside (Inland) is 50 degrees. Will be close to 70 today!

It is expensive here. A loaf of bread is about $2.50, gas is about 1.70 per gallon (reg.), a burger is aprox 5.00. Attractions are rediculiously priced too. Disneyland--$40 enterance fee. Seems like everyplace has a high charge to enjoy their service. When my friends visit, they can spend $800.00 in a week easily! (for a family of 3)

There Is plenty to do, and you will have a blast! So common out......and give me a call when you arrive.

Buy tickets at least a month in advance for a cheeper rate!

Scott,
The stupid people are ALWAYS out. But it Does seem that they get more idiotic around the holidays. Not only do you have to aviod crashing into them, but you also have to avoid them crashing into you (and running) or them causing you to crash into someone (or something)else! "I am surrounded by Morons!"

Have a good Turkey Day!

Toast

[Scooter311]

Heya
Thanks for all the tips so far, keep 'em comin!
I've read a lot about Ocotillo Wells and Pismo - what's it cost to rent a quad or bike? I suppose I could fit most of my 250 into some carry-ons, but I don't think I could get the wheels and frame into the overhead I'd REALLY like to take my car, but if I went through with this I'd be renting something - can you rent a teener?
I'll check into the May/June possibilities (if I haven't spent my tax money yet on a 2.0! That's it, either a vacation or a motor.....I wish I was independantly wealthy)
Hey Toast, looks like I'm gonna bring a box of saltines and a jar of peanut butter - I might be able to smuggle a few loaves of fresh bread too (99 cents from the Italian bakery around the corner, best you've ever had mmmm). Gas was a buck seventy three here over the summer, and it's down to a one-fifty-four in some places if you look hard enough - nice to have the car for the summer, 'cause my Ram gets 10mpg.
Next step - get a map of California and figure out where everything is, and start saving too.......
Jeff

[red-beard]

You might not be able to rent a teen, but I'm sure you can get passenger seat action in the next Baja run...

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by Toast
The difference between here and NY is it is ALOT WARMER.

Sadly, that is not the case at the moment. At least, not for some parts of CA. A local (SF Bay Area) friend of mine is visiting her family in upstate NY, and the temps there are about 10 degrees warmer than here....

But that will change--a lot--in the next two months!!

--DD

[Barber Dave]

If you can be there durnimg the 914 classic early June I will have a empty seat for tours and such ,your more than welcome to ride with me Dave

[red-beard]

Originally posted by Dave at Pelican Parts
Sadly, that is not the case at the moment. At least, not for some parts of CA. A local (SF Bay Area) friend of mine is visiting her family in upstate NY, and the temps there are about 10 degrees warmer than here....

But that will change--a lot--in the next two months!!

--DD

Well, they call it Indian Summer.

My 1st wife and I liked to Canoe in the mountain streams and lakes in Northern NY. Columbus day weekend it was over 70 F. 2 weeks later it was snowing as we paddled around another lake.

Scooter: Southern California is not and "Endless Summer". It's more like an "Endless Spring". At least in San Diego by the Ocean.

Oh yeah, if you come to San Diego, you must go to Symbolic Motors in La Jolla. This is not to be missed. Last time I was in, they had a 1989 Turbo, with 187 original miles on it!!!

And a price tag to match. It is not a museum. EVERYTHING is for sale.

James

[Toast]

Temperature in Riverside, Ca. for Turkey Day until Monday will be High 76, Low 45. BUT, I can drive 45 minutes and go skiing, or drive 45 minutes and go to the Beach! I would agree with James, it is like a constant spiring here. Except summer when everything dies because its so damn hot. (here in the 'desert'....im not in the same area as James )

San Francisco (the correct spelling!) IS much colder than other cities in Cali.. plus it rains alot and has heavy fog. Current temps in SF are low 60's and low 40's, scattered showers. But then you also have the high elevations cities that DO have snow and cold temps.

I dont complain! I could live in Utah, where the current temp is 30 with low of 18 and 10mph winds! BBBUUUURRRR........

Ok, im done with my weather forcast.

Just dont bring any Fruit or Vegitables with you. They will be confenscated because it is unlawful to transport those eatable items in or out of California. (rolleyes...cant seem to get my Smilies to work)

[skline]

I love it here in California, I just wish there were less people. I hate the cold, but deal with it better here than any other place I have lived. I have spent winters in Minnesota and North Dakota so I really do know what cold is. The year I was there, they said with the wind chill factor it was 144 degrees below zero. Your skin would freeze in minutes. The wind chill factor is amazing. I will never live in those conditions again. Needless to say, I am not a skiier. Give me a surfboard anyday.

[Scooter311]

How 'bout that dirty, greyish, gritty slush that gets all over and you don't see it go away for 6 months? It freezes in lumps all over everything. You get used to the whole joint being covered in it. In the spring, your car looks like you washed it with sandpaper and a broom. Carpets ruined, any exposed metal turns powdery white and corroded. Don't drive behind a salt truck, you'll hear it ping on your hood and grill, and it sloshes and grinds all underneath making you wince. Then try changing your oil in a heated garge as it melts and slides off in chunks, and drips into your eyes and down your sleeve! Woo hoo! Rochester!
Yes, and it's all worth it 'cause Indian Summer really is awesome This year was great, it lasted quite a while, it actually spoiled us a little. Great time for camping and hiking, trailriding, etc. I think I have a couple pix of a recent ride I'll post sometime when I finds 'em if you'd all like.
Fruits and veggies? What are those? I think I walked past them in a supermarket once. Lots of cool, healthy colors. I don't think anyone's in danger of that anytime soon
I'm gonna call my friend in Burbank this weekend, and see what he says about all this and if he can fit a moocher into his schedule.

[Toast]

I lived in Skrewtah for 19 years and never liked the snow because I had to live in it 8 months out of the year! And I know all about the wind chill factor too. Damn.....buuurrr......it would bring down the temp like 10-20degrees. (sometimes more!)
Funny thing: 3 years after I moved to Cali, I learned to Ski, and really enjoy it! Still would never want to live in the stuff again!

Not a water person, although I am a certified Diver. I like the dirt! Give me a dirt bike or something i can get the wheels off the ground and I am extactic! Well, a rock concert will substitute just fine!!