OT: So I'm out here in AZ and...

I'm trying to find things to do with my sister while I'm visiting. I know I asked you guys a few months ago when I planned my trip, but now I'm thinking of driving into CA to do some sightseeing and possibly check out some landmarks. It's a 5+ hour drive to LA from where I am right now (Chandler), which means I'd probably have to rent a car for a trip like that, so I am curious to find out, what (if any of you guys here are AZ or CA natives) are the surrounding cities that border AZ and if there;s anything worth checking out? I can make the drive to LA or San Diego, but if there;s something closer to the border, please, I'm all ears!

Hey Foosa, if you read this, aren't you in Chandler too? I'm off McQueen (I think...)

Originally posted by WhinyLittleRunt I'm trying to find things to do with my sister while I'm visiting. I know I asked you guys a few months ago when I planned my trip, but now I'm thinking of driving into CA to do some sightseeing and possibly check out some landmarks. It's a 5+ hour drive to LA from where I am right now (Chandler), which means I'd probably have to rent a car for a trip like that, so I am curious to find out, what (if any of you guys here are AZ or CA natives) are the surrounding cities that border AZ and if there;s anything worth checking out? I can make the drive to LA or San Diego, but if there;s something closer to the border, please, I'm all ears! Hey Foosa, if you read this, aren't you in Chandler too? I'm off McQueen (I think... )

I haven't been to AZ in 26 years...there's Lake Havasu which is on the border but I don't think it's worth going to unless you're a colelge student on Spring Break.

But Las Vegas is halfway to Los Angeles, you might wanna check out Vegas, especially if you've never been there.

There are many great shooting ranges/tactical training places in AZ. Go throw some copper.

Heh - yeah, my sister will love that

Seriously though, I considered Las Vegas, except neither one of us really has tangable cash other than what we would need for a road trip. I still may do it, just for sightseeing purposes. We just don't gamble.

ive lived in southern cal all my life and I would say there is really nothing worth driving to see either on the border or in la. oh...maybe analogue haven...but there closed today.

I used to travel out there about 8 times a year. I recommend #1: the Grand Canyon. #2: Sedona. #3: Flagstaff. Just get on 17N and drive! Have fun and enjoy!

... and take a camera with lots of film!

Head east on the Superstition fwy towards Mesa and get off at Power road. Drive north (about 20 miles IIRC) to the Salt River. You can rent an inner tube and float down the Salt river for about 2 or 3 hours. They have a bus to drop you off and pick you up. It's kinda fun.

Rick

Most certainly. If you're the outdoorsy type, I know a bunch of astounding hikes with crazy-ass swimming holes and cliff jumping up there.

Sedona is drop-dead gorgeous.

Discovered after moving here: no one in LA goes outside, unless it's to the beach.

/off to Venice Beach!

yeah.... what midinut said!

sedona and flagstaff are about 2 hrs outside town and weeeelllll worth the trip! i think the grand canyon is about 4 hrs? its been awhile since i drove up there.

you may never want to go home......

oh, mexico is ony about 3 hrs south too. nogales is the border town. pretty seedy, but quite an adventure. especially if you like trinkets or if you need some antibiotics.

oh again..... i dropped you a message at your myspace acct....

Originally posted by The Audacity Works Discovered after moving here: no one in LA goes outside, unless it's to the beach. /off to Venice Beach!

LOL, that's cos you only know transplants like yourself. So your knowledge of "LA people" is really just a reflection of yourself. I actually don't know anyone who does the stereotypical actor/waiter thing. But I'm a local and my social circle is much more diverse.

If "no one goes outside," there would be no traffic. There's the mountains, people go hiking or mountainbiking (Santa Monica Mtns). People go skateboarding/rollerblading and if it's spring, you can go to the beach and ski on the same day.

You transplants crack me up. No one goes outside? Aren't you just here for the weather? LOL.

You could always stop by here if you're really bored:

http://www.organstoppizza.com/welcome.htm

Great suggestions, guys. I am heading out to run some errands today but I think we may make the drive to the Grand Canyon. She went to Sedona the other day, and even though I would like to see it myself, she is kinda "eh"...

I was just trying to justify going to the Grand Canyon or driving to So. Cal which is probably the same distance give or take an hour. I've seen the canyon before, but not Sedona. Would be nice to take some pictures. I have no instruments either this week, so I'm going to go nuts unless I stop at the GC (this time I mean "guitar center" ) to goof around a little and not buy anything.

The only sucky part is having to rent a vehicle if we go outside of town, because out of respect I really don't want to put a {censored}load of miles on my aunt's car that she said I could use for around town.

Wow, I'm a "transplant"? You should hear what Zonies call their mass influx of Californians.

Anyway, yeah. Obviously, people here go outside. By outside, I mean canyoneering, rock climbing, cliff jumping, caving, kayaking, etc. Sure, I suppose I could hang out around REI and befriend people, but you have to admit, there's a much lower propensity for that sort of thing here than in, say, Phoenix, Tucson, or Denver. Most likely because there are so many alternative recreations... Like freeway shootings, fake-tittied hookers, and blow.

I kid, I kid.

The fact that it takes forever to actually leave the city can't help, either. Lake Hollywood and Runyan Canyon aren't exactly proper hikes, you know.

I shouldn't honestly complain, as there are most likely tons of caving and canyoneering clubs and {censored}. It's just a bit weird that none of the hundreds of people I've met (most of whom are locals) are into that sort of thing: "Huh? Naw man, we're just gonna barbecue."

Learning to surf, tho'. That's fun as hell.

Anyway, if you're aware of any cool, out-of-the-way spots with crazy cliff-jumping into freezing water, please let me know.

Oh, and where the hell can I find decent carne asada? A city with 10 million mexicans, and not one worthy California or adobada burrito?

Originally posted by WhinyLittleRunt Hey Foosa, if you read this, aren't you in Chandler too? I'm off McQueen (I think... )

Yes.

The guy who recommended Organ Stop Pizza had a good idea. Honestly, there is not much to do around here (or not much that I know of/like to do). That place is really neat though, they've got this massive organ hooked up with various things all around the dining area. Check into when they've got guys playing there and stop in for dinner.

You could always go to the Tempe GC and play all the romplers.

Actually they had a Radias there that I wanted to play with but nobody I could find knew how the whole midi area was set up and the one guy who knew was busy with several other people.