There’s something romantic about a road trip, about packing into the car with several friends and hitting the road in pursuit of adventure. It’s probably the best way to see our country. So when the folks at Toyota proposed a Southern California road trip in one of their vehicles, how could I say no?
An epic road trip requires the perfect vehicle and Toyota knew just the car – the 2016 Scion iM. But I found their selection to be rather perplexing, considering the Scion line will cease to exist after 2016. However, I was assured the vehicle would return in 2017, shifting to the Toyota line as the Corolla iM.
With a mapped out route, I would start in San Diego then work my way up the coast, eventually landing in Los Angeles and encountering some of Southern California’s best adventures along the way.
SAN DIEGO: A BEER DRINKER’S PARADISE
The five-door, bright green vehicle was packed with luggage for whatever I might encounter, though the first stop required little more than my taste buds. While San Diego might be known for Comic Con, Ron Burgundy and Legoland, it’s actually one of the United States’ biggest beer cities. Home to more than 100 craft breweries, San Diego County is nicknamed “The Craft Beer Capital of America” and there’s certainly no shortage of watering holes around town. Several big west coast breweries operate in the area, companies like Alpine Beer Co. and Stone Brewing Co. – but one has long been a favorite.
Nestled downtown in Little Italy – one of several locations – Ballast Point was one of the city’s first craft breweries and, as of last year, was the second largest in the greater San Diego area. There were more beers on tap than I could count and I was treated to a private tour of the brewing process, making sure to sample some of the unique beers I couldn’t get my mitts on back home. Ballast Point is currently celebrating 20 years of operation, a milestone not too many competitors can boast, and after tasting some of the best the brewery had to offer, it was clear just why they’ve been so successful.
(note: I took an Uber to and from the hotel when visiting Ballast Point)
MISSION BAY: FLYING WITH THE SEAGULLS
Located a short drive from downtown is Mission Bay, a scenic salt water area chock full of parks and outdoorsy things to do – a true adventurer’s paradise. There, I was sent to Jetpack America, a company that specializes in water technology such as water jetpacking and jetblades. Opened in 2013, the company has provided tens of thousands with the opportunity to live out their dream of flying with a jetpack. From Iron Man, to The Rocketeer, to Boba Fett, there are many Hollywood comparisons but they do little justice in showing just how awesome jetpack technology can be. These jetpacks didn’t run on fuel, but rather, were attached by hose to a jetski, which would power it by pushing up water.
Certified instructors showed a brief video beforehand, explaining how to control the equipment and what exactly is involved – there’s even a small segment teaching customers several tricks. The jetpack can shoot customers 10 to 15 feet in the air, controlling the system with their hands and balance, all while listening to commands via a helmet speaker. Once I was given a quick walkthrough, it was time for the real thing and while it proved challenging – and stressful – at first, I began to pick it up.
After several face plants – for which I think I swallowed about half of the bay – and a slight crash in shallow water that did a number on my feet, I was flying high and attempting tricks. The fear subsided and, to be perfectly honest, I would have liked an additional 10 minutes for my 20-minute flight.
While I did not attempt the jetblades, they appeared to be just as much fun – and maybe even a little scary. As I watched several others in my party, it was clear I made the right choice. Blowing customers up about 25 feet or so, they were the closest I’ve seen to an actual hoverboard, though in the beginning stages instructors would keep the pressure low, making it look like they were swimming fast.
After a quick dry off, it was back in the Scion iM and off to my next stop.
NEWPORT BEACH: PADDLING WITH STYLE
Slightly bruised and still a little soggy, I arrived at my next destination. I was still feeding on the adrenaline of jetpacking above the water and living out basically every child’s dream – but it was time to slow it down a bit, to take in the beauty of the area at a pace anyone could enjoy. With the offer of kayaking or stand up paddle boarding, I chose the latter – since I’d never had the opportunity to try it. I should preface this by saying that I lack great balance, though I can paddle with the best of them.
It took me a few tries – and a complete lack of gracefulness – to grasp the concept of standing up, though I’m proud to say I did not get a taste of the water this time around. Newport Beach is where the high rollers live and this specific tour, called the “Back Bay Glam Tour”, allowed me to see some of the area’s finest homes and yachts up close and personal. I even saw the former home of Nicholas Cage who, after one night there, put it on the market because of an intruder hiding out in his closet. At times, it was even tough to focus, taking in all of the scenery while watching out for oncoming traffic in the form of kayakers, paddle boarders and boats looking to dock. When all was said and done, it was time to head back to, what I had nicknamed, the green machine and continue on the road trip. But with all that exercise and activity, I needed dinner before the next adventure tomorrow brought with it.
LOS ANGELES: SOAKING IN THE CULTURE
The next day I woke with the a different plan, to take in some of California’s greatest art but to do that, I had to battle some of the state’s worst roads. It’s the kind of traffic east coasters like myself only hear about in movies – but on this particular day, I got lucky. Cruising up Route 5, my foot on the pedal and the Scion’s Bluetooth system playing a playlist from my phone, I headed through some of the most famous concrete jungles. Long Beach, Culver City and Compton – at which point I blared Straight Outta Compton while drifting down Interstate 405 – gave me a feel for just how massive the greater Los Angeles area is, along with all the stuff there is to do.
Upon my arrival to the Getty Center, I was prepared to see something much different than the previous day. There was no water or sun block needed, instead just my attention and perspective. Right as I entered the sprawling and overwhelming scenic museum, I was treated to one of the most famous paintings on the planet, one you don’t have to be an art lover to recognize – Vincent Van Gogh’s Irises. The Getty had countless pieces of priceless art, works by Claude Monet, Rembrandt van Rijn and Auguste Rodin, all of which were stunning to the eye and thought-provoking to the brain.
But what stood out the most to me where the cave temples. These caves, authentic reproductions of several found in China, dated back to the year 500 and featured gorgeous paintings of Buddha, Hindu gods and other mythological beings that people of that time deemed important. To stand in these rooms and immerse myself with the culture and history was truly awe-inspiring and an impressive 3-D show at the end of the tour explained the entire story and put everything into perspective.
Once I sponged up the art and the gorgeous Los Angeles landscape, it was back into the car and off to Beverly Hills. While the green Scion iM was definitely noticeable, it failed to compare to some of the world’s most expensive supercars, which could be seen at almost every traffic light. But as I blared Weezer’s Beverly Hills – I’m a tourist, I’ll be the first to admit that – it was evident I was out of place, meaning it was time to put up shop in Hollywood before making my way to my final adventure.
HOLLYWOOD: LIGHTS, CAMERA, HIKE
Probably my favorite portion of the road trip, Hollywood lived up to my expectations and had a certain charm about it, which could have just been the nostalgia from its past. A large part of that charm was due to where I would be laying my head that evening – the famous Roosevelt Hotel. Located right on the Hollywood walk of fame, this hotel opened in 1927 and housed some of the earliest stars, not to mention the first-ever Academy Awards two years later. It blended history with contemporary and it’s even believed that Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift and Errol Flynn haunt it’s halls during the night. But I had little time for stories – I had to see the area’s most recognizable landmark.
The Hollywood sign was a short drive from the hotel and it required a look at the famous Chinese Theater as well as the bizarre street performers standing outside, looking to make a quick buck. Once at the entrance to the sign, it was clear that the lack of humidity would work in my favor during this decent trek. It took about a 20-minute walk, uphill, to get to the front of the sign – a spot that might have more selfies taken on any given day than just about anywhere. I know I took my fair share.
The trek was scenic and gave a great view of downtown Los Angeles, as I, with the help of several others, was able to point out such landmarks as the Staples Center and the Capitol Records Building. If sweating and walking doesn’t excite you, there is horse tours that can take you to the top, which certainly looked fun as I dodged the random piles of excrement littered throughout the path. After several more photos and acting out a few cheesy movie lines, I made my decent back.
As the weekend closed, I had to begrudgingly give up my Scion iM and make my way home. With so much occurring over the span of about 72 hours, I was still processing all I had seen, all I did and just how lucky I was to go road tripping up California’s coast and conquer some famous spots. If you get the chance, I highly recommend it – either way, get out and go places, you’ll definitely be glad you did!
Ed Miller is a contributor for CraveOnline Sports and a movie quote extraordinaire. You can follow him on Twitter @PhillyEdMiller or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo of Scion iM in front of Chinese Theater courtest of Paul Strauss.
