Andrea by the red Life is Beautiful sign on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Another Southern California Visit

Initially, I wasn’t planning on having us visit southern California during our whirlwind, month-long, five-state tour of the United States. After all, we were there last year when I applied for a residence visa at the General Consulate of Spain in Los Angeles

But then Ryvid–an electric motorcycle startup I’ve been advising–invited me down to ride a prototype of its first product dubbed the Anthem. Of course, I was very interested in doing so, and Ryvid’s CEO even offered to take me on a personal tour of Huntington Beach. Plus, I would get to meet the Chief Technical Officer, whom I had talked with for many months.

So that was the primary reason for the SoCal trip. I wrote a separate post about the Ryvid Anthem prototype, but here’s how we spent the rest of our time in the area:

  • Hung out at Huntington, Newport, and Balboa Beach. I mean in the sand, not just in the towns named after those beaches. 
  • Had lunch at the BLK restaurant and dinner at HQ Gastropub. Both were in Huntington Beach and had an ocean-side view. We were able to watch the Monday night football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles.
  • Visited my friend Dan Shockey, the current Editor of the MG Owners Club.
  • Visited the Petersen Automotive Museum.
  • Have lunch at a Japanese restaurant in Japantown in Los Angeles.
  • Walk through the flower and fashion districts of Los Angeles.
  • Amble through Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
  • Visit Venice Beach, famous for various bodybuilders working out there. Of course, I did some pull-ups there.
  • Take a ferry over to Balboa Island and take a stroll by the waterfront homes there.

Unfortunately, all of the beaches were super windy. On the plus side, we were the only ones there because of the wind.

On our first day in Huntington Beach, there were the ISA World Surfing Games. We took a few moments to admire the skill of the participants, such as this one:

YouTube

Perhaps the most shocking memory was the contrast between the flower district of L.A. and Rodeo Drive ten miles away. 

At the former, we encountered several blocks of homeless encampments. At the latter, we saw Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and Land Rovers. It was like alternating between two alternate realities within a span of an hour. 

The best part was strolling through Balboa Island. It felt very tranquil, uncrowded, and relaxed. It was a great place to grab a beer and unwind before a flight over to Alaska the next morning.

Felix pointing forward while sitting on a prototype of the Ryvid Anthem motorcycle.
Photo by Andrea
Felix pointing forward while sitting on a prototype of the Ryvid Anthem motorcycle.
Felix and Dong doing a short tour of Huntington Beach on Ryvid Anthem electric motorcycle prototypes.
Photo by Andrea
Felix and Dong doing a short tour of Huntington Beach on Ryvid Anthem electric motorcycle prototypes.
Andrea holding the lightweight seat frame of a Ryvid Anthem prototype.
Andrea holding the lightweight seat frame of a Ryvid Anthem prototype.
Expensive homes lining Newport Beach.
Expensive homes lining Newport Beach.
Sunset at Huntington Beach.
Sunset at Huntington Beach.
Dan Shockey and Felix Wong with Dan's merlot and beige MG PA.
Photo by Andrea
Dan Shockey and Felix Wong with Dan's merlot and beige MG PA.
Dan Shockey's merlot-colored MGA, which he installed some aftermarket front fender vents for enhanced cooling.
Dan Shockey's merlot-colored MGA, which he installed some aftermarket front fender vents for enhanced cooling.
Felix Wong with a bicycle rack he designed and manufactured at Stanford University in 1996. It was designed for his MGB, but now Dan Shockey has it for use with his MGA.
Photo by Andrea
Felix Wong with a bicycle rack he designed and manufactured at Stanford University in 1996. It was designed for his MGB, but now Dan Shockey has it for use with his MGA.
A bowl of ramen at Kouraku Japanese Ramen in Japantown in Los Angeles.
A bowl of ramen at Kouraku Japanese Ramen in Japantown in Los Angeles.
Andrea by the red Life is Beautiful sign on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
Andrea by the red Life is Beautiful sign on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
Felix and Andrea in front of a sunset at Venice Beach.
Felix and Andrea in front of a sunset at Venice Beach.
Felix doing pull-ups on Venice Beach.
Photo by Andrea
Felix doing pull-ups on Venice Beach.
A Welcome to Venice sign at Venice Beach in southern California.
A Welcome to Venice sign at Venice Beach in southern California.
We borrowed a turquoise umbrella from the Newport Channel Inn and brought it to Balboa Beach.
We borrowed a turquoise umbrella from the Newport Channel Inn and brought it to Balboa Beach.
Andrea leaving the ferry to Balboa Island.
Andrea leaving the ferry to Balboa Island.
Andrea in front of some waterfront homes on Balboa Island.
Andrea in front of some waterfront homes on Balboa Island.
A white, furry dog sitting on a table underneath a closed umbrella in the patio of a home on Balboa Island.
A white, furry dog sitting on a table underneath a closed umbrella in the patio of a home on Balboa Island.