Favorite spots in SoCal?

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Blueangel

Line Up and Wait
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Scott
So far after moving to San Diego I have really enjoyed my flights to SBA and French Valley airports.

SBA has landing fee that is waived by the FBO with fuel purchase but they still charge a stupid security fee. The Beach Cafe is walking distance and offers tasty food with friendly service and great ocean views of the pier! I liked Atlantic FBO they shuttle you in nice limo.

French Valley has a decent diner and good food with smiles.

I still need to make it to Catalina.
 
Camarillo and the Waypoint Cafe is one of the best airport cafes ever. You sit right next to the planes, food is excellent. It gets packed during sunny weekends, though. The wait gets over 1 hr for a table.

El Monte has a little diner on the field - food isn't as good as in Camarillo, but you sit right by the apron and the portions are generous.

Chino has a classic dirty spoon that will clog your veins good. But the best thing about Chino is the Flying Tigers FBO and the cheap fuel prices. And you might catch a few warbirds on a good day.

I also always went into Corona and took the shuttle to Aircraft Spruce when I needed to buy stuff. Corona is a cute little airfield and it's pretty handy. Unfortunately they shut down the cafe a few years ago and I don't think it has reopened yet.
 
If you go to Camarillo, you can also check out the Commemorative Air Force museum. Park by the Waypoint Cafe (transient parking) or in front of the CAF hangars. It's quite impressive, and they actually fly some of those airplanes. Try not to get distracted by the cops doing donuts on the displaced threshold.

There is a good restaurant at Fox (Lancaster) as well. And no one should forget Big Bear.
 
Camarillo is good, that my home airport. A bit north is San Luis Obispo, good food and a great view of the runway. No cost to park and a nice flight from Camarillo.
 
Casa Machado at Montgomery Field in San Diego has been one of our favorites for many years (how many airport restaurants can say they've been open for a quarter century or more?).

I've heard good things about the new restaurant at Fullerton. Any reviews?
 
Fullerton has a new, good restaurant. Could beg a ride or get Uber or a taxi to Knotts Berry Farm, just a few miles away.

Santa Paula has a restaurant and is a great place to watch see cool airplanes.

General Patton Museum next to Chiriaco Summit, basic roadside food there too.

Big Bear

Good cafe at Hemet-Ryan too.

No lack of places to fly in SoCal.
 
Pilawt said:
Casa Machado at Montgomery Field in San Diego has been one of our favorites for many years (how many airport restaurants can say they've been open for a quarter century or more?).
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:yeahthat::yeahthat::yesnod::yesnod:

I took my wife and stepkids to casa machado the day i proposed to her, their food is GOOOOOD!
 
Blueangel said:
So far after moving to San Diego I have really enjoyed my flights to SBA and French Valley airports.

SBA has landing fee that is waived by the FBO with fuel purchase but they still charge a stupid security fee. The Beach Cafe is walking distance and offers tasty food with friendly service and great ocean views of the pier! I liked Atlantic FBO they shuttle you in nice limo.

French Valley has a decent diner and good food with smiles.

I still need to make it to Catalina.
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I haven't tried it yet, but the High Sierra Grill has opened at SBA (in the former Elephant Bar location). It's a branch of a Fresno restaurant that has decent ratings.

Dave
 
Nice, I've eaten at Casa Machado and concur it is tasty Mexican food and their chips and salsa are so addicting!
 
Big bear.


Aside from that I try to stay away from there, frankly I've had better luck with not having my stuff stolen in Mexico.
 
Brackett (POC) has a good restaurant on the SW corner. Fox Field in Lancaster (WJF) has good food. Apple Valley too.

Tehachipe Mt Valley, glider airport. Used to have a lunch counter, have not been there in years.
 
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Jeff Oslick said:
Fullerton has a new, good restaurant. Could beg a ride or get Uber or a taxi to Knotts Berry Farm, just a few miles away.
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I live just west of Knotts -with a bit of advance warning I'd be happy to pick you up at FUL and drop you at Knott's

Good whiskey bar at Hawthorne :)
 
stratobee said:
I also always went into Corona and took the shuttle to Aircraft Spruce when I needed to buy stuff. Corona is a cute little airfield and it's pretty handy. Unfortunately they shut down the cafe a few years ago and I don't think it has reopened yet.
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Corona has been open now for 2 years, and is a excellent cafe, is open till 15:00hrs daily

Andrew
 
stratobee said:
Chino has a classic dirty spoon that will clog your veins good.
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Documented evidence that you have enjoyed the biscuits and gravy at Flo's should be a requirement to renew your PPL for SoCal pilots :)
 
I did like the food at Flo's but they need to park the cattle trailers a little bit farther from the front door lol
 
Luvrv8 said:
I did like the food at Flo's but they need to park the cattle trailers a little bit farther from the front door lol
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LOL, be happy they don't charge extra for the "local ambiance" :)

Been a while since I've been there, but I can remember when my 4 wheel drive club used to stop there on the way to Big Bear, they had several tables "reserved for pilots"
 
I think you're right. I fly at the R/C field south of the airport in Chino Hills - many times the moo smell overpowered the fuel smell :)
 
Pilawt said:
Bill, is lunch available in that casino next to 0L7?
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Yes, a lot of people stop for lunch when passing through. There is a sidewalk from the terminal building to the Casino with a gate next to the EMT building.

There have been a few from SoCal that fly up for breakfast.
 
Luvrv8 said:
I did like the food at Flo's but they need to park the cattle trailers a little bit farther from the front door lol
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The food makes up for it....and the awesome ads on the tables. This one makes me laugh every time I go.:rofl::rofl:

11086_10205464988694293_6202369137651328237_n.jpg
 
apg86 said:
Corona has been open now for 2 years, and is a excellent cafe, is open till 15:00hrs daily

Andrew
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That's good to know. When I had the Aerostar, Corona was just a little too tight for comfort on a hot day, so haven't been in in about 3 years. I look forward to returning.
 
I would like to add:

oceano L52, walking distance to the beach, lots of activities over there, free bikes to borrow

tehachapi KTSP good restaurant red house bbq

french valley of course and chill at the europa village

santa monica great international food at the airport

compton - then uber to jay bee's bbq

KAVX nice sights, ok food, you can rent bikes to bike down to avalon and catch a bus back, takes like 3-4 hrs, worth doing
 
You can do Solvang from IZA. Good taxi to and park at the door Mexican at L00, nothing else to do or see though. Great on airport Rib Joint at HII and you can do London Bridge. L08 has good chow, not much else to do or see though. L06 for Death Valley, the walk to the Village isn't bad. If you want to "breathe" aviation get to SZP on one of their open hangar days. CCB is another good breakfast place. To bad you're already in San Diego. Flying into SAN, parking at Landmark, then walking to and doing the Midway and the other waterfront attractions, all in a day trip is one for the scrapbook.
 
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