Question for the locals

by royhobbs on May 11, 2008 1:54 PM PDT Comment 18 comments

Wow, talk about a first bulletpoint in the blog TOS. Look at my user icon - I miss the hell out of Andruw Jones, no matter how much he struggles. I consider any Braves fans that had the audacity to boo him when y'all were over in Atlanta to be ungrateful and fair-weathered.

But that's not why I'm posting. I'm not here to troll, instigate, and/or pick fights. As a baseball fan, I come to seek ideas, and pick the brains of the locals.

On my ongoing quest to tackle every Major League Ballpark in America, I am making the trip out to LA later this month (During the series against the Cardinals) to see Dodger Stadium. I can google LA, look around on craigslist, and seek out generic things to do from the internet, but I think that I can get some better ideas of things to do from like-minded baseball/sports aficionados.

So that being said, what's there to do in LA for a die-hard sports fan? Novelty/giant foods, cool places to see, best areas to see the Pacific, etc?

Any and all constructive suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I can't wait to see your beautiful park, and I sure hope that Andruw knocks one out "for old time's sake" when I'm there.

0 recs | Comment 18 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Are you talking close to the Stadium, or just LA in general? Things tend to be pretty spread out around here.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on May 12, 2008 2:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Preferrably

Within the vicinity of the stadium. I know LA’s pretty big, but I’m only staying for two days, seeing both Dodger Stadium, and then Angel Stadium the following day. I suppose the things I’m looking for are at least 1-2 really can’t miss restaurants for the jock-sports-fan type, as well as decent areas to look for on the beaches.

one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males

by royhobbs on May 12, 2008 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your best bets close to the Stadium are probably Phillipe’s for the French Dip and Original Tommys for a burger that will fill you up for two days.

The beaches in the general Downtown area are pretty bad in terms of being beaches, but Venice is something you need to see at least once. The nicest beach is probably Manhattan Beach which is about twenty miles south of Downtown.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on May 12, 2008 7:20 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Any good Mexican?

I’ll have a rental, and yes I know how horrific the LA traffic can be, but I don’t mind making the trek to Venice for a good beach. I appreciate the tip.

I’ve heard both of those restaurants, but do you have any tips for good Mexican food? I’ve always heard that there were good Mexican restaurants out there. Any local favorites to recommend? I don’t mind having to search out, if you or anyone can provide a general location.

one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males

by royhobbs on May 12, 2008 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I personally prefer San Diego’s stuff, and I live far enough away from Downtown that I really am able to just grab some fast Mexican food. Tito’s Tacos is famous, but overhyped in my opinion. Honestly, your best bet may be finding some dude with a grill and a cooler on the corner.

Zankou Chicken is probably my favorite LA institution in the Downtownish region.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on May 12, 2008 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

DO NOT

pass up the opportunity to have an Original Tommy’s burger and Phillipe’s French Dip Sandwich while visiting Los Angeles. You can save the mexican food for San Diego (Fish Taco’s at South Beach restaurant) and the In-N-Out burger for orange county.

Paul Lo Duca is MLB's Pablo Escobar..

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2008 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You could look for good mexican

around Olvera Street close to Union Station. While near the revine you could also pop over to china town. You should get out to the beach at some point, near LA… venice and santa monica are the most touristy places, but if you have time you can go up the coast about 10 minutes into malibu.

If your staying in LA for the night, you could go into hollywood, sunset strip and go to the many bars clubs and or see a show, house of blues is great.

O.A.

by Ollie on May 13, 2008 12:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately

I’m staying in Anaheim in the night. Is traffic still horrendous at night time on a Sunday night, to where it might be a pain to enjoy the sights of LA, and get back to Anaheim? I’ll also be fighting the -3 hour time change that day, since I’m literally landing in LA with just enough time to pick up my rental and head to the park, but I still want to enjoy my evening.

one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males

by royhobbs on May 13, 2008 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve randomly hit traffic where the 10 and the 405 meet at 10 at night, but that’s the only place traffic may be bad.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on May 13, 2008 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aside from Dodger Dogs

Any other park food of any notoriety?

one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males

by royhobbs on May 13, 2008 9:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

depends where you are sitting

If your down on the field level the gordon biersch stands are pretty good…When im there I usually get a classic dodger dog, and follow it up with a Louisiana hot, or a turkey sausage.

But if your by any chance in the right field pavilion (outfield) you’ll be enjoying all you can eat nachos, dodger dogs, sodas, peanuts…and you can buy beer of course..

O.A.

by Ollie on May 13, 2008 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There also is a Canters Deli down on the field level, but I have no idea how well it translates to Stadium Food.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on May 13, 2008 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In Response to...

You’ve all been many times more helpful than Dodgers fans I’ve reached out to; and it was worth the two day wait to get all your fine ideas

this is embarrassing that you have received more help from a bunch of bums in orange county, maybe we should pose this question in Dodger thoughts so you are not led to believe that orange county has anything close to the attractions, sights, and activities that LA has to offer, ot thats its fans are more helpful, knowledgable, or passionate than ours : )...

Note:someone from Orange County recommended Lazer Tag….

O.A.

by Ollie on May 14, 2008 1:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Someone actually suggested Dodger Thoughts

But considering I’m only in the LA section for part of the day, I didn’t think it was necessary. Clearly you and Andrew have given me some good ideas, but for a team as cult-statused as the Dodgers, I thought I’d get a little more help. I mean no disrespect by any means, but volume is volume, and Angels and Padres fans have given me suggestions and ideas by the truckload.

As for the laser tag, I kinda laughed – my goals for travel usually include things that I can’t do anywhere else in the country. And the Pacific Ocean is pretty much one of those things.

one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males

by royhobbs on May 14, 2008 6:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yea when your in a hurry, In and Out

is a must…and yea I’m not offended, but I’ll make anything competitive when it comes to the OC Angels of Anaheim : )

O.A.

by Ollie on May 14, 2008 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Orange County is so bereft in activities that lazer tag might honestly make the top 10.

Co-Author Of The Fourth Most Popular NL West Based Blog On SBN

by Andrew on May 14, 2008 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

mexico city

a personal favorite, at los feliz blvd and hillhurst ave. i went there every couple of weeks. and it’s not as far from dodger stadium as venice.

I am Bill S. Preston, Esquire.

by Dubman on May 19, 2008 4:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Inn n Out

Tommy’s is great, but you also got grab an In and Out Burger. You can do that while in the O.C. also. hit Olvera Street for some Mexican food and check out the birthplace of L.A.. Enjoy your stay in SoCal.

by PasadenaBruin on May 20, 2008 11:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs