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My favorite food in California
1. Korean BBQ
My hostfather immigrated to the U.S from Korea. One day he took me and my hostfamliy to a Korean BBQ place. First of all it is soooooo good. You get seated on a Table with grill in the middle of it. You order the meat you want and it gets grilled right in front of your seat. They serve many side-dishes like Kimcil, rice, letters and much more. We had Bulgogi which is marinated beef but there are more meat options. The second thing I really enjoyed was "pajeon" which is kind of a vegetable pancake. The side dishes they serve are all tasty with a exotic but good taste. My hostbrother told be before "I never meet someone who does not like Korean BBQ" and I think it will be hard to find someone who does not like it.
2. IN-N-Out
IN-N-OUT is what I always thought of "Typical American" way to eat fast-food. It looks very old school to me and the burger are basic, but they are increeedible good and pretty cheap. I like the "Double-Double" a burger with 2 paddies, cheese, onion, tomato, salat and a delicious sauce. They have very few options. They have a Cheeseburger, Double Cheeseburger (Double-Double) and a Hamburger, but you can ask for even more Paddies if you want to. IN-N-OUT is a must have when you come to California.
What I enjoyed to do in California
1. Golden Gate Bridge at Night
The Golden Gate Bridge at day time looks pretty good, but it is busy because of may tourists. Different at night. The usually crowded viewing points are empty. The Bridge just glows majestic over the whole bay. The city lights of San Francisco in the background. All that in a quiet, calm atmosphere. Perfect to take unique pictures or just enjoy the incredible view. Standing on the hill above the bridge with the city lights behind it is one of the things I will never forget.
2. Monterey Car Week
It is basically the biggest car meet I have ever seen. They have car shows, car meets and brands who show there cars all over and around Monterey. Where ever you are you are able to see a fast, loud, exotic car. Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti, Porsche etc. are everywhere. You are able to not just to see them sitting somewhere but all driving around making noise. Even if you do not want to spend a lot of money to get into the shows it will be still worth it. If you have the chance to see Monterey during Car Week do it, it is just crazy.
3. The Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum is located right in the heart of LA. 3 stories of Racing Legends, Classic Cars, Modern Supercars and Film cars. The inventory of the Museum changes over time that means every visit is unique. It is even possible to see the inventory under the museum where not shown cars are in. I really enjoyed the Petersen. The cars in there are often unique or very rare and expensive. Even cars which where limited on a production number of one car are in there. You will see cars you won't be able to see somewhere else. Unique cool museum that has something for everyone (if you like cars). One of my favorite museums because it is modern.
4. Kayaking in Morro Bay
Kayaking in Morro Bay is very relaxing and working out at the same time. It is very calm water because of the Bay. On the one site the little fishing town and on the other side the Pacific and Morro Rock. Sea-otters are home in the Bay and I saw ate least three. Kayaking itself makes you forget everything and the mind got relaxed while my body was working out.
5. Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Magic Mountain is a Rollercoaster Park north of LA. The rollercoasters are huge and can not be compared with rollercoasters anywhere I have been. They have so many you won't even be able to do all of them at once. They are fast and make you scream. Fun for the day is safe. Only bad thing are long lines on the cool rides, but still worth it to go.
6. Skiing in China Peak
China Peak is a small mountain resort in the mountains about 1 and half hours away from Fresno. It is in nice location over a lake and has slopes for every skill level. The snow this year was good and it is a lot fun and not to far to go. Fun for the day is safe. It is not quite the Alps what I was used to but it was way better than I expected it to be. It is not worse but it is just way smaller than most Ski Resorts in the Alps. Not a must do but defenetly a very nice location to go ski.
My favorite places to visit in California
1. San Francisco
San Francisco has it all. The beautiful city is located in northern California. The city is directly at the San Francisco Bay and goes steep into the hill on the west side of the Bay. The city is unique because of the up and down. I have never seen streets as steep as in San Francisco. The Cable Cars fight their way up and down these Hills. Downtown San Francisco has high skyscrapers but just some blocks further San Francisco has cute row houses. San Francisco is right next to the Golden Gate Bridge which you can see from many places in San Francisco. The majestic Red Bridge is a thing everyone should have been gone over in a life time. Opened in 1937 and still beautiful. San Francisco can easily be in the race of being one of the most scenic, diverse and beautiful cities.
2. Yosemite
One of the first National Parks in the U.S. and my favorite from those I have seen. It is just looking like entering a new friendly green world when you come out of the tunnel from the Fresno entrance. You leave the tunnel and the whole Yosemite Valley is in your view. I was there in summer and winter. Summer is already beautiful but when I was there in winter it was just mind blowing amazing. The drive with the car is like through winter wonderland. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I am very grateful that i was able to see that. It shows me how crazy good looking our earth can be if we just protect it. It is even like that in Summer. Must see for everyone.
3. LA from the Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory is located in the Hollywood Hills in LA. It is actually right below the famous Hollywood sign. The white building overlooks LA. The view is amazing. It might even be nicer to look at LA from up there than being actually down in it stuck in traffic. You just have to turn around from the look over the city and you see the Hollywood sign behind you. Totally a must do when you are in LA. Only downside is that it is pretty busy without enough parking spots.
5. Monterey
Monterey is directly at the Pacific and about 2 hours by Car from San Francisco. The whole town has beautiful style and you can smell the sea. Downtown is right at the Monterey Bay, if you are lucky you are able to see sea lions from there. On the pier are a lot of restaurants where you can grab snacks or sit down. They sell mostly seafood on there. There is one Candy shop on there too, which sell incredible big candy.
6. UCLA and Stanford Campus
The campus of a college in California looks so much different than what I am used to in Germany. Instead of a very casual buildings, which I am used to, the campus of one of these colleges look very fancy they have old looking buildings. Both of these colleges are in very nice neighborhoods and even they are worth driving through. Colleges in California sell their own clothing and a T-shirt of these Colleges is not something everyone has as a souvenir.