LA Area Auto Museums and NHRA trip

[Ford_6L_E350]

I'm planning on taking the SMB to the LA area for the NHRA finals (Nov. 10th) and while there I would like to meet as many forum members as possible and take in several well know automobile museums.

Any SoCal members want to meet up for either the drags or any of the museums? Any SoCal members have suggestions for places to camp? For the drags and the NHRA Museum there is either the Fairplex KOA or Puddingstone Reservoir. For other museums it is possible to drive back and forth, but I'd rather stay closer to Tustin, El Segundo, LA, and Sylmar when I visit those museums.

Dates are open, but the NHRA Museum makes sense to visit on Thurs/Fri before the races.

The Marconi Museum in Tustin is the only one open on Monday, so that date is sorta fixed.

The rest are open.

There are two more museums in Oxnard that I might visit on my way out of town, if I have been burned out looking at cars.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

Museums and hours:

Petersen Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036
http://www.petersen.org/Tues - Sun | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Nethercutt Museum 15151 Bledsoe Street Sylmar, CA 91342
http://www.nethercuttcollection.org/ Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Auto Driving Museum 610 Lairport Street El Segundo, CA 90245
http://www.automobiledrivingmuseum.org/ Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 4pm

NHRA Museum Fairplex grounds - Gate 1 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Building 3A Pomona CA, 91768
http://museum.nhra.com/ Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Marconi Auto Museum 1302 Industrial Drive Tustin, CA 92780
www.marconimuseum.org/ Monday thru Friday, 9A - 4:30P

Mike

 

[BrianBlair]

I work in Tustin.....I'll make sure to be around on that particular Monday.

There isn't much in terms of camping around here. There's El Moro......right on the beach just north of Laguna. I'm sure it books up a ways in advance....but if you can get a spot that would be pretty nice.

http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/C ... kId=123400

Also, Oneill Park in Trabuco Canyon would be fairly close to Tustin. It's about a 25 minute drive but fairly scenic. It would let you see the nice, "remote" side of Orange County.

BB

 

[Ocsmb]

If you're here on a Sat you must check out Cars and Coffee in Irvine. Sounds and sight of old and new exotics, customs, rare finds etc.

In terms of camping, there's a bunch of sites along the beach areas. Everything in OC is 20 minutes away. Should be easier to find spots on weekdays and now that we're out of summer. Check reserveamerica.com.

If you firm up a date/location I'm sure you could at least get a half dozen smb to roll out.

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

On a closer look, the Nethercutt Museum has an adjacent Nethercutt Collection only open Thu - Sat (reservation only). So, Thursday the 7th looks like the date I should show up there. Do the Collection in the AM and the Museum in the PM.

Where is a good place to stay near El Segundo? I suppose I could go to the long term lot at LAX and spend the night. Not the best idea. Probably some beach camping available during the week.

Mike

 

[BrianBlair]

Where is a good place to stay near El Segundo?

Mike

I would head North along the coast and stay in one of the parks north of Malibu. There's some nice places right along the beach.

BB

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

On a closer look, the Nethercutt Museum has an adjacent Nethercutt Collection only open Thu - Sat (reservation only). So, Thursday the 7th looks like the date I should show up there. Do the Collection in the AM and the Museum in the PM.

Where is a good place to stay near El Segundo? I suppose I could go to the long term lot at LAX and spend the night. Not the best idea. Probably some beach camping available during the week.

Mike

Boy, I messed that up. The Nethercutt is in Sylmar. I have a reservation for the 1:30 tour. Not much camping nearby, especially since I really would rather have a shower.

Mike

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

I work in Tustin.....I'll make sure to be around on that particular Monday.

There isn't much in terms of camping around here. There's El Moro......right on the beach just north of Laguna. I'm sure it books up a ways in advance....but if you can get a spot that would be pretty nice.

http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/C ... kId=123400

Also, Oneill Park in Trabuco Canyon would be fairly close to Tustin. It's about a 25 minute drive but fairly scenic. It would let you see the nice, "remote" side of Orange County.

BB

Trabuco Canyon looked good on the website, so I booked Sun (10th) and Mon (11) nights. Visitors welcome. 2 vans/8 people per site ok. Marconi Museum on Monday.

I expect it will take until 7pm or so to get there Sun night. Come by and say hi. Or, on Monday I will be in closer to 5. The more the merrier.

Mike

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

I have firmed up my schedule.

Nov 6 - Camp in a forum member's driveway
Nov 7 - Nethercutt Collection and Museum
Camp in a forum member's driveway
Nov 8 - Petersen Museum
Frank Bonelli County Park
Nov 9 - NHRA Museum
Frank Bonelli County Park
Nov 10 - NHRA Finals Drags
O'Neill County Park
Nov 11 - Marconi Auto Museum
O'Neill Count Park
Nov 12 - Auto Driving Museum
Faria County Park No reservations

Should be a great time.

Mike

 

[Gooseberry-SMB]

I'm not to far from bonelli and can meet up for dinner one night. Lots of good places in the area.

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

I'm not to far from bonelli and can meet up for dinner one night. Lots of good places in the area.

Sounds like a plan. In NorCal weeknights are always much better than too busy Fridays for eating out. Same in SoCal? If so, plan on Thursday?

In retrospect, I'm at Bonelli Fri/Sat, so Thursday is out

Mike

 

[boywonder]

Hi Mike: I live in Trabuco Canyon (Coto De Caza) and would love to check out your rig when you are camped at O'neill.

.....and as an FYI, there are two restaurants in the canyon; Rose Canyon Cantina (Mexican) and Trabuco Oaks steakhouse. Both are great places to eat, and Trabuco Oaks is rather cool/funky as well. They both are about 5 minutes from where you will be camping. There is also a general store right across the street from the campground.

 

[BrianBlair]

Hi Mike: I live in Trabuco Canyon (Coto De Caza) and would love to check out your rig when you are camped at O'neill.

.....and as an FYI, there are two restaurants in the canyon; Rose Canyon Cantina (Mexican) and Trabuco Oaks steakhouse. Both are great places to eat, and Trabuco Oaks is rather cool/funky as well. They both are about 5 minutes from where you will be camping. There is also a general store right across the street from the campground.

We should all try to meet up while Mike is in town......I live in Silverado and work a few days a week in Trabuco Canyon(The Path Bike Shop......near the post office).

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

Sunday I will be coming from the Fairplex after the races are over, so it could be 7-8 or later. I will PM you my cellphone # so we can coordinate.

Monday I will be in the campground by 4 or 5.

Let's get together, as I said earlier - the more the merrier!

Mike

 

[copescobra-SMB]

Nethercutt may also have a private tour in addition to the public ones. It is a great place with an incredible history behind it.

I see on Nov 8th you will be in Los Angeles at Petersen.
What time are you going to the Petersen on the 8th ?

I have a home up in the Hollywood hills and if a few people want to get together after the Petersen let me know. It is only a few miles away from the Petersen.

Jeff

 

[Ocsmb]

Nethercutt may also have a private tour in addition to the public ones. It is a great place with an incredible history behind it.

I see on Nov 8th you will be in Los Angeles at Petersen.
What time are you going to the Petersen on the 8th ?

I have a home up in the Hollywood hills and if a few people want to get together after the Petersen let me know. It is only a few miles away from the Petersen.

Jeff

Now you're talking Jeff. A Hollywood party is what's been missing from our smb meets.

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

Nethercutt may also have a private tour in addition to the public ones. It is a great place with an incredible history behind it.

I see on Nov 8th you will be in Los Angeles at Petersen.
What time are you going to the Petersen on the 8th ?

I have a home up in the Hollywood hills and if a few people want to get together after the Petersen let me know. It is only a few miles away from the Petersen.

Jeff

I have the whole day for the Petersen. No hurrying here. I'm on the Vault tour at either 11 or 1, can't remember. Probably be done there between 2 and 5. Depends on how much I enjoy it.

The Nethercutt Collection (across the street from the Museum) is by appointment only. I'm signed up for that also on the same day as the Museum.

Let me know an address and my GPS will get there, even if I need 4wd!

Mike

 

[copescobra-SMB]

Mike --

you are welcome to come up to my house anytime.....

Maybe best to wait and see if more members wish to get together post Petersen visit.

If more than a handful, then I think my Tennis Club offers a great
venue of a lot of parking space, plus inside - outside area for getting together.
depending on the time there is a full Bar and perhaps dining or have something delivered if around dinner time. Club is just off Melrose and Vine area for anyone who wanting to know. The Peterson is at Wilshire and Fairfax just a few miles away.

If just a few people then my home is also a great place off the 101 FWY in hollywood and up a small hill. My home is about 5 miles North East of the Petersen.

The Vault tour should be fun but don't think they will actually let you roam around the race cars they have. I happen a car down in the Vault area. It is an old limited edition Boss Mustang dating back to 1971-72 yr when they shut down the Boss Edition.

Jeff

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

The Vault tour should be fun but don't think they will actually let you roam around the race cars they have. I happen a car down in the Vault area. It is an old limited edition Boss Mustang dating back to 1971-72 yr when they shut down the Boss Edition.

Jeff

The Vault tour is a guided tour, so you are not free to roam. And it is $25, but I should do it while I'm there since I don't know if or when I'll get back to the Petersen.

Looking forward to meeting up with you (and others).

Mike

 

[Ocsmb]

Count me in Jeff. Also, I'm down to meet to check out the Vault. Already did the regular floors of the P.

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

Count me in Jeff. Also, I'm down to meet to check out the Vault. Already did the regular floors of the P.

I believe I'm signed up for the 11:00 tour on the 8th. If you want to go on the same tour you have to call and make a reservation. You can check if M. Ledtje is on the tour to verify.

Mike