Not being a native to San Francisco has made me constantly treat this city like I am on vacation. There are so many things to do and see that it is easy to be a perpetual tourist in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. However, on the other hand, there are a million tourists with the same idea. So, Los Angelinos, here are my local’s, day and night must-do’s if you are coming to the City By the Bay.

Day!:

The Farmer’s Market at The Ferry Building:

This is by far my most favorite thing to do in the city. The market is open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and is a flavor explosion to all of your senses. You can walk around and sample everything from seasonal fruits and veggies to artisan cheeses, breads and jams. One thing not to pass up is the Primavera Tamale Stand…get the chilaquiles and a cup of coffee from Blue Bottle Coffee. That, my friends is the breakfast of champions (and the best hangover cure ever). If you have two hours to kill, grab a round trip ferry ticket to Sausalito, but don’t get off the ferry. This will give  you the best views of the city, the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz.

The infamous Alcatraz.

Don’t worry, there is a bar on the ferry, so, grab a beer and take in the views while you text all of your friends that you are “on a boat”.

Fisherman’s Wharf and North Beach:

I know what you are thinking…Yes, this is the belly of the beast as far as tourist traps in San Francisco go, but hear me out. Go specifically just to grab a crab and chowder from a stand. After said food is obtained, immediately walk to Washington Square in North Beach and enjoy the people watching and the best weather in the city, under the shadows of Saints Peter and Paul Church. While in North Beach, stop and have a drink at Northstar Cafe. The John Daly is a delicious choice. Or if you are looking to get your cardio on, climb the steps to Coit Tower.  The views up there are second to none.

Delores Park:

Performers abound in SF.

If you are in the mood for some flopping around in a park and people watching, go buy a six-pack and picnic fixin’s from Bi-Rite Market and then head to Delores Park. If you are lucky, you will be able to see tight rope walkers, a drum circle and be able to join in an impromptu dance party. This is definitely something that is quintessential to San Francisco, and is a very enjoyable time.

The Marina:
I highly recommend having brunch at Circa. How can you go wrong with bottomless mimosas? The one thing I do caution you in, is doing brunch at Circa the same day you fly back. Between the mimosas, great food and fun atmosphere, many flights have been missed, changed, or cancelled all together. After brunch, take in some of the boutiques in the neighborhood. This neighborhood has some of my favorite shopping in the city. I suggest Meggie, Marmalade, and Red Dot. All of those shops have a great selection in price ranges and labels.

Night!:

The Mission:
I really love hanging out in The Mission. There are bars and restaurants on every corner. One of my favorite things to do there is grab tapas at Esperpento or pizza at Delfina and then head over to the Elbo Room for some dancing into the wee hours of the night. Elbo Room is a lounge meets, dive bar, with fun music. Definitely a place I frequent.

Financial District/SOMA:
If you are staying near Union Square and not wanting to get too far from your hotel, I suggest getting out of that central area and checking out what the Financial District and SOMA have to offer. One place that I really like eating at is Wayfare Tavern. Yes, it’s owned and operated by Tyler Florence, yes there is a lot of hype, but I promise you, that it actually lives up to it. For something to do after dinner, make a reservation at Bourbon & Branch. This is a reservation only speakeasy that you need a password to get into. Not only are the drinks amazing (the cucumber gimlet is my favorite), but its a very fun and unique experience. If you want to do something a little more low key, head to Zero Zero for pizza (save room for the build your own sundae) and then check out the Bloodhound for their plethora of classic cocktails.

Nob Hill/Polk Street:

One thing that you must have if you come to SF is cioppino. We are known for it!

MMM...cioppino.

The best cioppino I have ever had in the city was at the Hyde Street Seafood House and Raw Bar. Definitely also get the daily special oysters while you are there. After dinner, head down to Polk street and walk North (do NOT walk South, or you will have an entirely different experience all together). There are a ton of dive bars on Polk Street all of which are fun, but nothing beats the shot of jack and PBR for $5 you can get at Hemlock. If Mexican food is on your agenda, try Nick’s Crispy Taco. The food and drinks there are fabulous.

I hope that you all have a wonderful time when visiting Frisco. Don’t hesitate to ask people for suggestions on where to go and what to do. I have learned that there is nothing that San Franciscans love to do more than tell others what their favorite things to do in our beloved city are. – Angie Paglino

Angie is the beauty and brains behind the fabulous fashion blog, The Hotness Your Momma Warned You About. Check out her blog, and say “hi” from STC.

Sometimes you feel you need to, bomp bomp, get away. We all do. While our precious LaLa land (that’s an official name now) has much to offer as far as entertainment, art, shows and nightlife, we still want to leave the hustle and bustle of HollyHood and go on an adventure. The worst and worst part of any trip is the packing and unpacking.

Guilty?

I’ll admit I’m part of the try-to-jam-everything-I-own-into-one-suitcase-even-if-I-have-to-sit-on-it-to-close-it club. Because what if I really need those tan sandals? And that new maxi dress isn’t gonna wear itself. In addition, I’m also guilty of re-packing clean clothes and not wearing half of what I intended. It happens. Generally, we like our “stuff” and it’s hard to part with. (Thank god, otherwise there wouldn’t be quality television like Hoarders and Hoarders: Buried Alive.) However, the point of trips is to escape, and you certainly can’t escape a 55-pound piece of polyester containing a week’s worth of under-roos, tanks and various vacation gear, so we must learn to pack efficiently. Since I’ve already admitted I’m not the best at the packing game, I might reference the experts on a few of our tips below. And I should add, while I may not use safe packing techniques all the time, I do have the knowledge.

Think Before Packing

Take a few minutes to ponder your upcoming trip and fashion needs. Think about the destination and even hit the web to check out sites such as weather.com to know what you are getting into. Also, consider how you will get from the airport to the hotel or where you are going to have to lug your bags. Do you need a formal outfit? Do you need running or athletic shoes? Pausing before you pull out the suitcase is the first step to efficiency.

Get Solid Luggage

While that Hello Kitty pink suitcase might be calling your name, you might want to stick to the basics and trusted names in luggage brands. According to prolificliving.com, investing in one piece of smart, durable luggage is essential to packing right. A bag with compartments and tough material is best.

Write It Down

Making a list is the best way to do many things in life. Granted, I’m a girl with lists

Get organized!

of lists, but it’s time and energy-saving to glance at a sheet and know right where you are in the packing process. Fodors.com says in a survey that, “29 percent of respondents said they make lists at least one week before a trip.” And while the list is great for packing to go, it’s also handy for making sure you didn’t leave anything behind on the return. If only I’d made a list on last trip to Mammoth, my precious blue Snuggie wouldn’t be in some stank hotel room in Bishop.

Play Favorites

According to your destination and itinerary, pick out your favorite appropriate clothes. Lots of walking? Don’t forget your Pumas. A fancy dinner calls for your favorite LBD (or LBS, that’s little black suit for the fellas). With your favorite clothes in tow, you won’t feel the panic of something fitting ill or not being ideal. Also, consider packing in layers. Often climates will differ, so be prepared for a little bit of anything. Stick to a few color combos to reduce the number of shoes and belts you will need to bring. But while you’re are at it, bring a scarf or accessory that could change the look of your outfit, but be minimal to pack.

Rollin’ in the Suitcase

When putting items into the suitcase or bag, think about how to utilize the space. Shoes and things that can get wrinkled should go first. Pack dedicates in a small bag, and use minimal space for toiletries. Think about what you really use daily in the bathroom, and what you can purchase at your location. No need to bring full size  bottles and call ahead to see if they have a hairdryer. The rest of your clothes can be rolled to prevent wrinkles and make the most use of space. If you haven’t rolled your clothes before, check out this Youtube video for help.

Wear the Heavy Stuff

Wear winter gear to save space.

Cold weather calls for trench coats. Yeah, coming from SoCal it’s great to rub it in that you came from our fabulous warm weather, but getting trench out of your bag is gonna be a pain. Just rock it on the plane and use it as a comfy blanket. Saves space and time when getting to your destination.

Try not to stress the trip packing dilemmas. C’mon, you are going on vacation and it’s gonna be awesome. Keeping things organized while you are there will help you get everything back into your bag, and keep losses minimal. Now, pack it up, pack it in, let me begin…..

- Lori Bartlett

Whether it’s cold where you are, or just need a change of pace, we all need to escape from time to time. And whether it’s a debaucherous stint in Cancun or a relaxing family vacay to the land of Mickey, booking travel can be hectic, stressful and expensive. Luckily, we did the leg work for you and came up with a list of top tips when planning an escape.

Booking Flights

Book on Tuesdays for the best rates.

Leaving on a jet plane costs a pretty penny these days, and especially now that gas prices are expected to increase yet again with the turmoil in the Mid-East. However, there are a few tricks to help you get the most fair fare. According to USA Today, plan to book early, but not too early. The ideal time frame is about 21 days in advance.

Booking online is the most common method today, and the fares are rumored to be best on Tuesdays. Rates are typically highest on weekends when more traffic hits the travel sites. To get a quick idea of cost, first try sites such as SideStep and Kayak to compare a host of the popular travel sites in one go. Bing.com/travel also has a fare predictor that while not perfect, can give some good perimeters to cost. Also, sign up for fare alerts on any site that offers for your destination.

Another money saving idea (if you can wait and take the risk) is to get in on last minute deals. The major travel sites such as Expedia and Travelocity may have deals as the date approaches. Also check LastMinuteTravel.com for more affordable options.

Yet, another path to try when frantic for cheap fare is to check out one way tickets. In some cases, one way tickets are cheaper to popular destinations. June through August is peak flying time, so it will be more difficult to snag cheaper fare during this time no matter what you do. Of course, if you can get a credit card that accrues miles or join a frequent flyer program, you are one step ahead of the their game.

Booking Hotels

Auction and blind sites offer huge discounts on hotels. With Priceline.com, you tell

Blind deals are often deeply discounted.

the site  when and where you want to go, and what price you are willing to pay. Usually in a short time, you will get a response as the whether you offer was accepted. Granted, your credit card will be charged without your knowledge of the particulars, but you will get your price.

Hotwire.com has offers on hotels that are blind. You can see the star rating and approximate location, but not the hotel name. Yet, these are usually great deals on decent hotels particularly in hot destinations such as Vegas and New York.

Signing up on sites like TripAdvisor and Travelzoo, gives you the inside knowledge on some killer deals, as well. If you can handle the spam, sign up for every travel site you can. They really do produce deals you may not see otherwise.

Getting Around and Things to Do

If you are going somewhere with much to do, check out Craigslist for people selling tickets to events or parks. StubDog.com and Ticketmania have discounted tickets for select cities.

For a cheaper car rental, it’s usually best to avoid renting at the airport. See if your hotel can shuttle you from the airport and go to a local rental agency. Or, if you plan to use public transportation, check out HopStop for transit times and directions.

The journey to get to your dream destination can be a frustrating one. If money is no object, well the world is your oyster. But for us working class sclubs, we will keep our eyes peeled for the reduce rate “bing.” – Lori Bartlett

As much as this particular survivor has grown to love the city of Los Angeles, sometimes I need to escape. As many know Los Angeles has access to many great local mountains and Mammoth by car or plane, but I like to head to Colorado for snowboarding/skiing vacations that are close to Los Angeles and affordable. My family takes an annual ski trip in Frisco, Colorado every year, mid-January. Colorado is a great meeting spot as my younger brother is on the East Coast, my parents are in the Midwest, and my older brother and I are on the West Coast. Somehow the Rocky Mountains serve as the perfect half-way point to meet friends from the East Coast.

The sleepy town of Frisco, CO.

When I book my ticket in advance to Denver, airline fees are very reasonable, making it easy to get from Los Angeles to the slopes. I usually purchase my ticket for somewhere around $150 round trip. Recently I booked on Southwest, and they do not charge extra for bags which allows me to easily travel with my snowboard bag, complete with all my gear, for no extra fee. Other airline favorites are United and Frontier, as they both have hubs in Denver and, thus, frequent flights.

Once arriving in Denver, several options exist for the seasoned and novice traveler. The main concern is to rent a car or not to rent a car. In my particular case, I took the shuttle called Mountain Express to the ski resort towns, located just an hour and 45 minutes away. I knew that my parents would be arriving with a 4-wheel drive SUV and my younger brother was renting a car, so an extra car was not needed. Things to consider are how confident one feels driving on winter-conditioned roads. If you don’t particularly feel confident on the roads, it is better to consider a ski-in/out resort. My parents condo in the charming town of Frisco, Colorado is almost a ski-in situation, as there is a shuttle a block from the condo that runs one straight to Copper Mountain, a fantastic resort with all level skiing.

On the Mountain Express shuttle, I enjoyed a great conversation with the driver and another couple. Although the driver was supposed to let me out at the transit center, he happened to be driving right past my parent’s condo so he gave me a lift there. Of course, travelers, always have plenty of cash, so you can tip people nicely for their services.

The town of Frisco has a quaint Main Street, with cute bars, shops, and local services all within walking distance. Bigger stores are located closer to the highway and better accessible by car. Other great ski towns and resorts nearby include Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Dillon, Keystone, Vail, Copper, and Beaver Creek. Frisco tends to be quaint, while Vail and Beaver Creek tend to be higher end. So depending on one’s preferences, you can find your mountain town. Aspen and Telluride are further away, but amazing, as well.

If you stay in Frisco and don’t have a car, it is wise to have boarding/ski stuff already with you or rent at the mountain. There is a Christy Sports store nearby for great ski rentals, but again more accessible by car.

Snowboarding fuel at Moose Jaw.

Since I arrived a day and half before my family, after parking my bags in the condo, I rushed out to get some provisions. It was an extremely cold day and threatened to be an even colder night. However, this is rare, and temperatures are usually in the 40s, and the sun and active lifestyle can cause a little perspiration. I went to the local health food store, and bought groceries for the morning, then I headed to the Moose Jaw, the local bar, famous for delicious burgers and strong drinks!

Arriving back at the condo, I blasted the heat, and relaxed, excited to board the next day. I woke up early in the morning, my stomach had so many butterflies you would have thought it was a butterfly resort. It was my first day of boarding for the season. I stretched every muscle in my body and ate a really healthy breakfast. I bundled up with the appropriate gear and headed down to Main st. to catch the shuttle to Copper Mountain. The shuttle is free and runs on the hour and half hour. I already had a lift ticket, as tickets are slightly cheaper when bought online. It is a good idea to check out prices beforehand and plan your trip accordingly. Sometimes there are better deals for longer time spent. If you think you might be doing a lot of skiing in Colorado, it is better to just get a season pass. My dad had bought two season passes, one to Copper for $349 and one to A-Basin for $299. Keep in mind that these two came out cheaper than my friends Mammoth passes which cost them each $1000. Also, the passes come with plenty of perks including unlimited skiing/boarding, free days at other resorts and discounted tickets for friends. However, for me, I mostly tag onto my dad’s pass, getting discounted lift tickets when he is around.

Conquering the first day butterflies.

I will be honest, skiing and snowboarding are not cheap sports, but when my snowboard is gliding down the mountain, switching from one edge to another in a perfect flow, there are few experiences that could match that, thus, it is priceless. If you are new to the sport, be aware that the first couple days can be difficult, and hang in there.

I had never gone snowboarding by myself before, but once I exchanged my Internet receipt for a lift ticket, tightened my boots, and got on the first chair lift of the morning, I fell in love. Snowboarding solo was great for so many reasons. The only thing that I would say negative is that I did not challenge myself to anything really extreme as there were not enough other riders and I do promote the buddy system, especially if you are getting lost in the trees (not that I really do that anyway, but it sounds cool).

The rest of the trip was amazing. My family arrived and we hit up A-basin and Copper Mountain. My boarding improved and the conditions were great, lots of fresh powder. If only it was so easy to deal with family dynamics. Oh well, I guess that is why I am headed to a grad school program to study family interaction patterns. Overall, the slopes were amazing and nights were spent lounging in front of the fire, eating steak and fish, and slurping hot cocoa.

By the end of the week, when the plane again landed in the haze of L.A. smog, I felt refreshed and ready to face Los Angeles. I hit the ground running with dinner with friends at Hama Sushi in Venice. When all is said and done, it is just as good to return to L.A., as it is to get lost in the mountains. Until next time, see you on the slopes! – Annie Kotok

Vin

Greetings! My name is Vindictive Vin and it is not a pseudonym. In fact, it is another facet of my complex and obsessive compulsive personality. I am here to answer questions about life, love and relationships. Why? Because I can. Make no mistake, I’m a nice guy. And yes, that was a stolen shot. And yes, I love California. Got a problem with that?

If you have L.A. dilemmas, send me your questions at dr.joint665@gmail.com or STC editor, lori@survivethecity.com.

Dear Vindictive Vin,

Holiday travels are coming up soon. Do you have any advice for traveling? Avoid red eyes or take them; what’s your take? What about the TSA scanners? What about rude flight attendants? When did they become unattractive and unable to speak clearly on the loud speaker? What about delays? Any advice for getting upgrades? Oh, and babies – how the heck do you deal with a crying baby on an airplane?

~Travlin’ Scrooge

Vindictive Vin’s Reply:

Traveling should be fun. It is not the destination that counts – it’s the journey itself (unless you’re traveling to spend a night with Olivia Wilde or Blake Lively.) Some simple advice would be to pack light and bring lots and lots of money. You will never know what will happen along the way, and it’s helpful to have pocket change to pay for drinks and the company of a teenage comfort girl that goes by the name of Lady Cum-a-lot. You never want to be bored during stopovers, right?

The TSA scanners are there for a reason. We will never know what the Department of Homeland Security is up to, but it is helpful to just let the perverts do their job. If they find pleasure in scanning the penis, breast and butt size of helpless travelers, then let them be! To be frank, I would personally prefer watching porn on HD than squint my beautiful eyes on a hazy monitor. Where’s the fun in that? Playing the part of a peeping Tom is more fun and rewarding, too. As for the inaudible barking of those pesky flight attendants, this is where noise canceling headphones or ear plugs could prove useful. Sit back, relax, consume as much alcohol as you can, and put on the ear plugs for the flight of a lifetime. A bong hit before the flight would induce lots of bliss, as well.

I agree with your comment that flight attendants get uglier by the minute. Well, they’re not porn stars or movie stars to begin with, but a magazine will do the job. Bring along a copy of your favorite magazine – the latrine is always available at your behest, anyway. Bring lots of paper towels – and for goodness sake try not to make too much of a mess. If that don’t work then scour around the passenger cabin for potential prey. If Turtle managed to lure Jamie-Lynn Sigler for an in-flight hand job then I can see no reason why you can’t, either.

Flight delays are a common occurrence especially during the holiday season. Thinking about upgrades? There is not much you can do unless you had a sensual relationship with the senior flight attendant (which, in this case, you need to get ready to join the mile high club) or the pilot itself. You want lots of space when you’re traveling? Hire a chauffeur and rent a minivan for crying out loud, you cheap bastard.

The incessant sound of crying babies is annoying – not just during a flight. If the bong hit and the noise canceling ear plugs are not enough to drown your sorrow, then something stronger like a sleeping pill will do the job quite well. Take 2 for good measure. Seriously, I wouldn’t recommend bringing along a baby toy just in case (because you will kill your chances with the one and only pretty flight attendant in the group) but when you think about it, the crying noise is the perfect cover for your planned bathroom shenanigans upon reaching 30,000 feet.

Send me an email via dr.joint665@gmail.com. Forget the website. I would love to hear your comments, queries, suggestions or similar advice. Until then, stay civilized and try to stay out of trouble. Happy Holidays!

After living in L.A. for a few years one begins to understand the importance of making the most with the time they’ve been given. This is why when the opportunity to road trip to Las Vegas instead of fly, I jumped on it! My boyfriend’s company had a holiday party in Las Vegas on a Thursday, so we decided to drive there and do a little winter camping in the Mojave Desert on the return trip. So to save you some time, I’m here to give you my top five tips to avoiding the speed-bumps we came across while out in the unknown (literally).

The prep work is key to a successful desert camping trip.

Maux-jave Camping Tip #1: Print out a map (or two). If you have AT&T, you don’t have cell service 90% of the time, and especially not in the desert. Do not count on GPS to be your guide. The campsites are pretty well marked, though, and this map tells you how many miles it is between each intersection so you can watch your odometer: http://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/upload/MOJAmap1.pdf .

Maux’jave Camping Tip #2: Arrive Early. The desert is a haunting place when its dark, and it gets dark super early. The eerie feeling of a Joshua Tree lit by your headlights can be fun, but not when you’re trying to figure out where your campsite is and you can’t assess your surroundings. It takes a while to get to any campground in the Mojave from Interstate 15– they are all mostly in the center of the desert and you will not go faster than 45-50 MPH on those roads.

Maux-jave Camping Tip #3: Don’t forget your lantern. A little light goes a long way, but no light will put you in the dog house – ask my boyfriend! It’s not fun to feel your way around at night, and it’s cheating to use your car headlights. A headlamp also helps – you can get both of these at Sports Chalet for cheap.

Roadside assistance may be your only friend in the desert.

Maux-jave Camping Tip #4: Know how to change a flat tire and have the phone number for roadside assistance stored in your phone before you get there just in case. The way in to the desert from I-15 includes some pretty crazy dirt roads and a flat tire will take the air out of any good time.

Side note: Make friends with and tip your tow truck driver if you end up getting one. When you’re out in the desert and the nearest tire shop/tire graveyard is the local hangout, you may run into him again and you’ll want to be on good terms.

Maux-jave Camping Tip #5: Pack enough sense of humor to last everyone the whole trip (do not skimp). Any time you plan a trip with feeble variables, you are surrendering your right to get pissed off and complain. Go with the flow and always give yourself a time buffer on both ends of the trip. You may find a fun or beautiful site you want to stick around for, or you may get a flat tire; either way being rushed will ruin the fun of any experience.

Here’s a sample winter weekend itinerary from Los Angeles:

A week before:

Research campsites and determine which ones have fees, and which site is right for you. We chose Hole-In-The-Wall . Hole-In-The-Wall was equipped with picnic tables and fire pits which made it pretty easy, and the view was gorgeous every direction.

Friday Night:

Pack, print maps, load the car and do research on area wildlife (predators) and how to dress for cold weather camping in the desert.

Be prepared to gaze at some amazing stars.

Saturday:

Drive to the desert in the morning (I suggest entering from I-15 if you have time) and set up your campsite! Hike around the rocks until the sun starts to set, then return to your campsite and enjoy dinner. Prepare to be blown away by the stars at night.

Sunday:

Wakey Wakey, eggs and bakey! Enjoy the morning, and pack your campsite and head to Mitchell Caverns for a guided tour of the only limestone caves in the California State Park system. It’s about an hour and a half and it is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 16. The tour is awesome and the guides are hilarious. Make sure you check out the baby rattlers at the tour center before you go for a good laugh.

Side note: Be careful for roaming steers as you exit the Mojave Preserve in your car. Exit easily by the I-40; it ends up merging with the I-15 in Barstow and it will then dump you back onto the I-10.

No matter what your experience is, you’re guaranteed a great story. But to avoid camping on the couch upon your return, I recommend you remember to pack the lantern. – Maux Gitto

Road trips can be a great chance to bond, snack and be creative.

Whether you have a long trek across a chunk of the nation or a few hour hustle to reach your family for the holidays, road trips are always daunting. In L.A., the holidays bring everyone out onto the freeways of our already busy city, to create jams, congestion and, unfortunately, accidents. Especially now with car travel being the economic way to get to your holiday destination. So, how do you stay sane and in the holiday spirit when you are braking non-stop and hear the insistent wail of car horns in place of carols? Don’t fret yet, STC is here with our top 10 ways to ease the pain of car travel with time killers for everyone. Don’t worry, we won’t suggest an unending game of I-spy.

10. Use Technology

While this one is pretty apparent, make sure you pack up a portable DVD player, Iphone, Ipod or any other movie watching device. Bring some classics or some of your favorite movies. That way, even the driver can listen along and get what’s happening in the story. Comedies or TV shows are a safe bet. And if you don’t have any fancy movie-playing gadget, tell Santa to put it on your list.

9. “Freebird” and Good Music

Like with movies, pick a selection of songs you know. If there are a few passengers, you can even have each person create a playlist ahead of time, and then vote as to who’s was best. Play it loud, sing-a-long and throw in some “Freebird;” it’s a great driving song.

8. Make Holiday Calls

If you are driving solo, get the holiday calls out of the way. Sure, you might rack up quite a few of your precious minutes, but it’s worth it to spread the holiday cheer. Surely, hearing about your uncle’s budding stamp collection or catching up on the latest church gossip from grandma will just make the time fly. Perhaps, balancing family calls with those to your old college buddies is a safer option.

7. Get Creative…Digitally

If you are solo or in a small group, a digital voice recorder is a great investment. Gather ideas for a screenplay, a novel or even just a wacky short film to make with your friends when you get to your destination. Talk it all out, and get it on tape. If nothing else, you can listen to your ideas on the way back and re-record refining the original. And just talking, no one gets a pen-streaked page or car sick.

6. Learn a Language

You’ve got nothing but time, so you might as well take advantage of it, and learn something new. Sometimes the local library may even have a language disc you can check out for free. Want to brush up on your high school Spanish? It’s a good thing to be bi-lingual in Southern California, so why not brush up the ol’ espanol.

5. Revert Back to Childhood

If you have a few friends with you, spice things up with a good, old-fashioned fire drill. Throw your fists up in the air, and get those trucks a-honking. Or pre-plan the childhood fest with some printable games such as tic-tac-toe and license plate bingo.

4. Snack, Drink and Be Merry

Gas stations hold a virtual wonderland of un-diet-friendly snacks to splurge on while on the road. Grab those Twinkies and extra large energy drink. Why not? This Survival Guide is partial to gummi bears or worms. While it’s smart to pack a cooler ahead of time, especially if you are traveling through the desert, watch your drink intake. Don’t wanna have to stop for bathroom breaks more than needed.

3. Get Creative with Your Neighbors

Describe the people in the car next to you, then make up a story about their journey. Kinda like Mad Libs without the grammar. Surely, with all the time you have at hand, you can get pretty in depth into the story of the blue BMW with the aviator-laden red-head.

2. Read Without Reading

Again, visit your local library and get some free culture. Many bestsellers and classic are available in audiobook form. It’s a fun way to pass the time, and let your imagination wander as you traverse more of the open road. Plus, you can sound super smart over the holiday dinner table.

1. Stop and Smell the Oddities

Every little town has a story, and many have oddities all their own. Check out Roadside America or Eccentric America for ideas. While you’re out stretching your legs and checking out the world’s largest ball of paint or the toilet seat art museum, exercise a little of that snacking, and grab some local cuisine. The best part? You don’t have to worry a thing about how you look, because you will likely never see these people again. Well, at least not until the next road trip.- Lori Bartlett

Have more tips for road trip time killers? Let us know in the comments.

New NYer, Connie Sommerville

Two months ago I was enjoying the good life, working in Santa Monica, living in West L.A. Then, BAM, I’m selling my car, furniture and most of my worldly possessions and headed to a city I had never even visited. The only New York I had ever known was the one I saw on episodes of Friends and Gossip Girl. What would make someone move to a city she had never visited? Well, a girl will do crazy things for the man she loves.

In what I like to call my “adjustment period” in New York, I’ve noticed some remarkable differences that go beyond just weather and beach access. It’s not that these differences make one better than the other, they just make me wonder, can I get used to this new way of life?

Apartments for dummies. I lived in four apartments in seven years in Los Angeles. It was never hard to find a good place. You can literally walk down any street in L.A. and see FOR RENT signs littering the landscape. Now with craigslitst, apartment renting in Los Angeles is as easy as online shopping. Not to mention, apartments in L.A. have things like dishwashers, garbage disposals and bathrooms that are larger than a linen closet. I didn’t know these amenities are considered an elusive pipe dream east of the Mississippi.

Much to my surprise my rent is essentially the same here in New York. Granted, I live across the bridge in Astoria but I’ll take my 15-minute commute for good rent. However, finding New York apartments is an entirely foreign and backwards process. Not only do the rental applications ask for everything short of a DNA sample, but the income requirements can be astronomical. Thus, you see three young professionals cramming themselves into a space that only one person should inhabit. The very worst thing, and this is where I am still at a loss, is this invention of an apartment broker. Literally, a real estate agent for apartments, their fees range from one month’s rent to as much as 15% of your annual rent, due up front of course. That is money you never see again, poof, gone. Then you still have to pay your new landlord first month’s rent and security deposit. I’ve heard that back in 2008 when the economy was really in the dumps that landlords were paying the broker fee for tenants. Why oh why could we not have moved earlier? There are no-fee listing websites and craiglist, but unfortunately brokers use these sites as well so getting around this fee can definitely be tricky. When you find an apartment you love, I guess you stick with it here. Maybe there is something to be learned from that.

My car, my inner sanctum. Sometimes in L.A. when I was bored, stressed, troubled or just restless I’d get in my car and just drive. Up the PCH, through a deserted downtown or over the winding canyon roads, L.A. is a dream for those looking to escape reality for just a little while. When you’re in your car, you can feel truly alone in the middle of a city and that is something not to be taken for granted.

In New York, I have no car and it’s an island. Not exactly the freedom I felt in L.A. I will say, walking around the West Village, getting lost in its tiny, twisted streets, offers a bit of that same feeling. It has become my lost in the moment; forget where I am and just dream place. And I guess now it doesn’t cost me $3.50/gallon anymore.

The sports fan. In L.A. you can walk into a bar on any given Sunday and see a veritable melting pot of NFL fandom. Even better, you can find bars dedicated to each and every team (the Browns even had a bar in Santa Monica for a while). A city of transplants means everyone is looking for a little piece of home.

Move 3000 miles to the right and you might feel like a pilgrim in an unholy land. You are now in J-E-T-S and Giants territory. Even worse, come baseball season this devoted Cubs fan will be in Yankee town. Seems people who grow up in New York, stay in New York and keep rooting for their beloved teams. There are gems like Gael Pub that take in ex-pat Chicago fans and prove that maybe, just maybe, New York is willing to allow newcomers a little space to call their own. But boy, it’s going to be a VERY long baseball season.

There is a reason that Los Angeles and New York are on opposite coasts. I don’t think that they could co-exist much closer to each other. They are both a challenge, a conquest to be made by those looking for something different than what they grew up with. While both are steep summits to climb, they each provide their own distinct challenges, surprises and experiences. Some people hate L.A., some people hate N.Y., I’m just trying to find a way to love both. – Connie Sommerville

Follow Connie’s NYC adventures on STC NYC blog.

You’re struggling to make rent payments, your car needs a tune up and the fall holidays are rapidly approaching. It looks like you aren’t gonna make it back home for Thanksgiving, and you know what, we are here to tell, an orphan holiday in L.A. ain’t all that bad. Instead of playing board games with the fam, you can play drinking games with your pals. Hosting or going to a potluck Thanksgiving seems like a tradition every transplant Angeleno has gone through at one point in time, and sometimes they are even better than with the peeps back home. And, if you are gonna spend your dollars on a flight, my guess is mom would rather have you home for the big December holidays.

Gather your friends for a seasonal flick.

Start asking around and see who else is in town, and likely your guest list will grow. You’ll get many responses such as, “Can I bring my friend, ____? They are in town, too.” And as long as everyone contributes, why not make it a more the merrier occasion? Plan some games or get a seasonal flick ready for a screening. Our favorites include Planes, Trains and Automobiles, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Thankskilling (very not suitable for all ages).

And let’s say your skills aren’t so good in the kitchen. Well, don’t worry. That’s why you have your gathering potluck style. But if you need to contribute a few things, many local restaurants are offering Thanksgiving meal packages. Koo Koo Roo has feast packages for 10 to 20 people starting at $99. If you are feeling a little fancier, Napa Valley Grille in Westwood has ala carte items for a group to-go. Joan’s on Third has some killer mac n’ cheese and Thanksgiving goods available as well.

Whatever you do for the holiday, it should be a day to let go of the diet, have a slice of pumpkin pie and relax with family and/or friends. We gathered some of our STC Survivor Guides favorite moments below for inspiration. Now, get to planning, turkey. – Lori Bartlett

“A thanksgiving tradition at my home on Georgia was a little game we called ‘Lets see which uncle who just got outta jail is gonna drink too much and tell us something about prison we didn’t want to know’. Its super fun, but this year I’m staying in L.A. with non-felons to see what its like to see the electric carver used in a non-deadly way. Happy Puritan’s day, everyone.” – Yassir Lester, Comedy Nobody.

“I never liked Thanksgiving until I moved to Los Angeles. It was here that I got to escape family pressures and guilt trips and enjoy the holiday with people looking to do the same. Also, in a town where everybody is a transplant, the city empties out and you get to experience what the freeways should be like every day. Thanksgiving weekend means getting from the Westside to the Downtown in 10 minutes no matter what time of day it is.” – Connie Sommerville

“Thanksgiving means only one thing to me: Pie! Since I am not returning home for Mom’s apple pie this season, I intend to subsist on the selection at Dupar’s. Avoid peach pie (not in season). Apple, rhubarb, or pumpkin take the cake. There is nothing to stop me from baking my own pie except laziness to peel apples. I already have Mom’s secret crust recipe. (Send me an email, and I will share it with you.) – Metro Mary, www.metromary.com

“As far as L.A. related stories, when I first moved to L.A. so had a lot of my friends. My family came to visit, but a lot of my friends decided not to travel home for the holiday, so my parents hosted all of them (in my apartment) for an “Orphan Thanksgiving.” Everyone was from different walks of life (different ethnicities, old, young, gay, strait) – they just we’re from L.A. I loved having family and friends around the table; that’s what Thanksgiving is all about, right?” – Heather Broeker

“I love celebrating the holidays L.A. style. I rarely go home (to Nebraska) as it is way too cold and traveling on Thanksgiving is too hectic. Here in Los Angeles, conditions are perfect lacking snow and the leaves are changing just slightly. By the beach, the days are warm with a slight chill in the air, and at night, the temp dips as low as 50 degrees, which is nothing compared to chilly Nebraska. My best hint that Thanksgiving is upon me is when Starbucks brings back their pumpkin latte and their seasonal cups.

One thing I truly love about Thanksgiving is just the peaceful hush that falls over the usual busy city. Another great aspect of Thanksgiving and Christmas by the beach is for some reason the weather is always perfect with near perfect surf.

I have a few rituals that I have incorporated into my own Thanksgiving traditions. The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest day at the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmer’s market, but I get there early so I can bring a fresh veggie dish to my friends or brothers’ home. Also, on the actual day of Thanksgiving, I wake up slow, have my coffee and usually make it to a yoga class. For me it makes the pumpkin pie that much more delicious later in the day! Inevitably the day ends up with me overstuffed and reclining with friends and family. Truly, I am so grateful for the special friends that have become my family here.” – Annie Kotok

“One of my most memorable Thanksgivings was a few years back while I was still in college. I was swamped with school work and I really couldn’ t get away to spend the holiday with family so I stayed put and decided to do something quiet in town with my boyfriend (my now husband) who was also swamped with school work. We got all dressed up thinking that every restaurant in town would be open and offering a nice turkey dinner spread for the lazier of Thanksgiving fans but to our disappointment, every restaurant we saw, with the exception of a few fast food spots, was closed.

After an hour of keeping the hope alive, we succumbed to the cold hard fact that Thanksgiving was not going to happen for us. Defeated and hungry, we started making our way back home and figured we’ d just heat something up from the fridge and call it a night. As we were turning the corner onto our street, we noticed that the local Chinese restaurant still had its lights on so we quickly pulled up and ran in, sure that they were probably in the process of closing down and that we’ d be turned away. Miraculously, they were open for business and serving a special five-course Thanksgiving dinner. While no sign of the usual turkey day trimmings made it to our table that night, we will always be thankful for egg drop soup, chicken chow mien, pork fried rice, Szechwan sauce and dumplings. To this day, we still joke about making Chinese food our traditional Thanksgiving meal. Happy Thanksgiving!” – Paola Parsons

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving memory? Let us know in the comments.

The beauty of Mammoth.

Checking out Mammoth Mountain’s Facebook page today, I see a wondrous site. Powdery goodness covering the slopes in preparation for opening day this Thursday. Sure, it’s not exactly deep, it’s certainly ice-y and a good portion is coming from the snow blowing guns and not from the heavens, but it signals the time is near. Fall is slowly turning to winter, and the ski season is about to begin.

While the local mountains scratch the boarding and skiing itch, the snowy mountains of Northern California are bigger, colder and, well, generally more badass. Survive the City is here to break down to of our favorite Nor Cal cold spot.

Mammoth Mountain

Make sure to grab a sammie on the ride up at Erick Schat's.

The drive from L.A. to Mammoth takes about 5 and half hours with no traffic. It’s definitely a little hike up to the northern part of the state. You pass through Death Valley and past Mt. Whitney, which is the highest point in the contiguous U.S. This Survival Guide suggests bringing some good friends, fun tunes and lots of snacks. Another driving suggestion is, if at all possible, stop at Erick Schat’s Bakkery in Bishop. This tiny nook serves up fresh deli sammies, amazing pastries and don’t skip the jalapeno bread.

Recently, another popular option for getting to Mammoth is to ditch the four wheels, and replace them with two wings. There is a small airport which has daily flights from L.A. to Mammoth. The flight clocks in at just over an hour and the cost starts around $120 on up. United and Horizon are the two airlines going to the Mammoth airport. Once you are in town, getting around is not a huge struggle. The airport, most of the hotels, the resort and even the town itself is laced with shuttle and bus routes. Mammoth’s website offers more information you can check out here.

So, now you know your travel options, you gotta have somewhere to crash right? Mammoth Mountain has 4 lodges on its property. The Village Lodge, Juniper Springs Resort, Mammoth  Mountain Inn and Tamarack Lodge are the properties under the Mammoth umbrella. While these will give you easy access to the slopes, they are certainly not your only lodging options. From my experience, if you have a group, renting a larger property and splitting the cost is the way to go. There are many rental agencies to check out, but 101 Great Escapes provided a really solid experience and customer service for this Survivor. There is also a Motel 6 located in the town, which provides one of  the cheapest rooms for proximity to the slopes. If you want to go the cheaper route, the town of Bishop is just about 45 minutes from the slopes, and has many chain hotels with rooms at reasonable rates. Also, Convict Lake is not far from the slopes and has a many cabins available for rental.

This Survivor Guide also suggests not to rent any gear directly from the resort. If you can, rent gear in L.A., not only will you have time to set it up for you

Be ready to pound some powder when you get there.

and be ready to hit the slopes with a quickness, it’s much cheaper. Yet, if you find yourself in Mammoth missing gear, there are stores that offer equipment rentals and repairs. I suggest renting from Wave Rave, a store not far from the slopes and packed to the gills with the newest snowboarding and skiing gear.

So, now you’re there, you’ve check into your temporary pad, you’ve got the gear, and you’re ready to hit the slopes. Next stop, purchasing lift tickets. Lift tickets are a wallet hurting $92, and season passes start at $899. Deals on tickets are sometimes available through Costco.com.

You can start your day at one of the three lodges that host lifts. With over 150 named trails, 28 lifts and the mountain climbing to a whopping to 11,ooo feet elevation, you can always find a trail for you. From the nearly flat green bunnies to the double blacks, Mammoth lives up to its name. It can take nearly a full day to get from one side of the mountain to the other. Especially since you’ll have to stop for a boarding brew from time to time.

At the end of the day, dining options are plentiful through the resort and at the Village. While you can definitely go out and party on the town, this Guide likes to get some food supplies from the local grocery, cook up some warm grub with the housemates, and relax by a warm fire. And if this article can teach you one thing about a snowy mountain getaway to the North, it’s to never, ever forget the s’mores. – Lori Bartlett