SFMM: Gold Rusher Review

Okay, it's pretty much a no-brainer that Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) deserves an A+ for their amazing fourteen back-breaking rollercoasters and family friendly environment. However, what about the roller coaster that started it all? What should we rate the first roller coaster at SFMM? Well based upon today's standards of upkeep and fun, I'll have to give it:

C

Why so low? Well, the only reason it got such a decent rating in the first place is that it is an historic ride by SFMM standards. If it weren't for that reason, it would definitely get a lower rating.

First the theming of the trains is very nice. Basically it looks like you're boarding a mine train and about to head into one of the dangerous mines in the west! The lapbar system is quite unique in that for a car with three rows, all three lapbars come down only to the largest person. So if a very "tall" man was to sit in one of the rows, then the lapbar would only come down to his stomach while it might be loose on everyone else! Sounds dangerous? Trust me, though, you really don't need a lap bar on this ride. It might do more harm than good.

This is truly one of the bumpiest steel tubular roller coasters that I've been on. True, it does give you a good view of Log Jammer flume ride and gets you really close to some trees that need trimming, but considering how slow it is going, it should not be this bumpy. Every turn it seems like it is falling apart and the unpadded lap bar just adds more hurt and insult.

The highest point on the ride comes at the end with the speedy banked turns in the end. My brother said that they slowed down the ride since he last went on it, and maybe that's true, but it certainly made this part of the ride exciting. I could actually feel the g-forces push against me and onto the hard metal as we were turning. Seems like a lot of people lost plenty of stuff on this ride too because there was a bunch of loose items at the bottom of the turn.

For a ride that is slow, bumpy, and harsh on the butt, I would have given this a lower rating. However, I'll enjoy a classic roller coaster anytime. This ride definitely needs some upkeep and refurbishing but you should definitely check it out while your at the park. It's a walk-on anyways.

San Diego Zoo

Ah, yes! The world famous San Diego Zoo! Unlike other so cal attractions (ahem, USC marching band), this is a real WORLD FAMOUS zoo. So I must give this place a rating of:

A

Out of all the zoos in the entire world, you must visit this one! Then purchase a pass to their sister park the wild animal park.

As far as zoos go, they've got everything. They got reptiles, monkeys, rhinos, giraffes, and even gigantic elephants. They also got a botanical gardens and several rare animals to check out. I love the panda exhibit. When we visited, one of the pandas was sleeping in a tree like a lazy person. It reminded me of a lazy red-head I know!

The Elephant Odyssey is new. It took them a couple of years to finish the place, but you can tell all the hard work that they have done. The elephant pen is huge! Theming is great, although you get see the speakers where they emit the bugs sounds. There was also a lion and a cheetah. For further pictures, you'll have to check out my facebook page. The zoo animals are on Day 2 of our trip.

Food was mediocre and pricey. To make up for it, the tram was excellent. There is this forty minutes double-decker bus tour that goes around the park. We had a special pass that paid for it, otherwise it's extra. However, it is well worth the price (whatever that may be). They take you pretty close the exhibits, plus if you're tired, it's a great place to simply relax and take in the scenery. The only other "ride" at the park is the skyfaria which is pretty much like the old Disneyland Skyway. It takes you over the park (and yes it's normally extra $$$) but the view from above is amazing! The ride really shows you how large the entire park is.

I must warn you, there is plenty of walking here, and none of the pathways are completely flat. For you sore soles, there are a couple of shows to check out. I didn't have time to see them, but they didn't look that exciting. There was a sealion show (Seaworld rip-off!) and a bird show (Universal rip-off). Even these shows are knock-offs of more popular shows at other theme parks, the real reason you came to the zoo isn't to visit these shows, but to see the animals in their natural habitat.

There are plenty of other museums to check out in the Balboa Park area of San Diego, but definitely check out the zoo if you have the time. Parking is free and the admission is negligible for such a memorable visit!

HB Independence Day Parade

Free parade! Jets above! Live bands! WWII Vets! Gotta give you:

A

For all the free stuff in the world, there ain't nothing like a free parade. Especially when you can arrive at this one five minutes before show time and still stake a place in the shade!

This parade has marching bands, bands from around the county, a famous celebrity (that guy that plays Freddie from iCarly), WWII re-enactors and real vets, and horses! It was a fun atmosphere to be in and a great day to be outside. There was just one incident of notice. It was when one lady fell off her horse drawn carriage and was caught in the balloons tied to the carriage. She was dragged along a few feet, but was okay after the incident.

The people were great. No one was truly obnoxious...at least that we ran into. It was also great to bring your bike and go around downtown because most of the major streets are closed.

In the evening there was a spectacular fireworks show launched from the pier. It went on for about fifteen minutes and had one of the longest finales that I have ever seen. The show however, is best watched from the car with the windows down and your own music playing in the background.

Parking is tough for the parade and fireworks, so I definitely suggest walking or taking another form of transportation to get you there.

Oh yeah, another celebrity I saw was Snoopy. I think he was getting more applause from the crowd than the iCarly fellow.

Post comments below!

PS2: GTA Liberty City Stories

This game deserves a:

B+

I know that this isn't anything particular to Southern California Attractions, and I know that you can play this game anywhere on the planet. Yet, I think that the best place to play this game is in Southern California. No doubt!

Basically, this game came out for the PSP a few months ago and then recently it was re-released on the PS2. This is just another excuse by Rockstar to earn a few bucks but who can blame them!

This game is a classic revisit to the original Liberty City of GTA3 (sorry not the new one from current generation consoles). You play as Toni who was a hit man that was in hiding for killing a made man (ironically you become a made-man later in the game). Controls and shooting are much tighter than in the original however they are not as good as those found in GTA4. I would not say the gameplay is a step-above San Andreas either. In fact, it might even be a step backwards.

There isn't a bunch of customization and weird player building stats. Like the original you find guns, shoot people, and earn cash. Pretty simple, except the language and sound FX might be a little too much for the younger gamer. Graphics are what you would expect from a game on the PSP originally, however, it looks as good as the PS2 classic.

Definitely a must buy for GTA fans, but watch the language!

The Apple Pan

Last Tuesday I took a visit to the APPLE PAN in West Los Angeles. Just Google map it for directions. My rating:

A-

Awesome place to visit, but my only negative is that there is no place for large groups (or even groups of 4) to sit together.

Established in 1947,

nothing much has changed since then. Several of the employees there have been there for years and decades. It's still family owned by the granddaughter of the original owner; yet unlike In-n-Out which has expanded into over two hundred stores, there is only one Apple Pan.

Their famous burger is the Hickory burger. It's topped with a special Hickory sauce, fresh lettuce (they only use the inside, crispy part of the lettuce head), two pickles, and mayo (sorry, no tomatoes folks). Of course it's wrapped in the famous wax paper. Fries are extra but they give it to you by the butt-load! Also if your order a drink, it will come in a cone-shaped paper cup placed inside a metal tin. Yum-yum.

Of course they have their famous pies to try out. For $5.50 a slice, a huge slice, it's sure worth the money.

The other burger they got was the Steakburger, but I didn't try it. It looks just as good but it has a different sauce. "Quality Forever" is their motto and they sure live up to it. Fresh, never frozen patties, and everything is made till you order it.

This place is definitely a nostalgic place to visit. They even had old cash registers! We had to get it go, but everyone in my party agreed that this certainly is a place to visit again sometime in the future. Just don't go during rush hour, folks!

Welcome to So Cal Attractions!

This is a fan's perspective about upcoming and recent Southern California attractions in the area. Although I won't be able to hit up all the big attractions, I'll be sure to write my opinion about the biggest ones in towns.

Let's go over some definitions before we continue.

ATTRACTIONS: It's a vague term, I know! On this website, it means any new theme park ride, theatre show, amusement venue, or interesting movie that opens in the southern California region.

I should let you know that I am a big theme park fan. And by BIG I mean BIG!!!! Most of the information written on this website will be about theme parks and rides and shows that have recently opened up. Occasionally, I will post my comments about a movie or theatre show, but again I will highlight rides, rides, and rides!!! I just love summer specials to these places.

Here's some background information about myself: I am a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. FIGHT ON TROJANS! I worked in the entertainment engineering field for about 10 months before leaving. I am currently working as a teacher for a small private high school in Huntington Beach. While in high school and a couple of years in college, I worked at the Disneyland Resort as a store operations host specializing in hat writing. In fact, I used to be an original hat writer that wrote the hats by hand!!!! Not on any of these computers that the new guys use. After college, I worked in attractions for a couple of months before landing my first "career" job. GO FAN CLASSSICS! I enjoy Disney parks even when they do some things wrong, but at least they try, especially in Anaheim!

Coming up next Monday I will be visiting Six Flags Magic Mountain, so I will try to post a report about that as soon as I return.

Thank you for visiting! Please leave some comments!