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Alhambra is home to many delicious restaurants, with Chinese cuisines being one of the most popular fares. These are some of the most authentic Chinese restaurants you can find in the Alhambra area. more 101 Noodle Express 101 Noodle Express is an important part of the local Alhambra area. They have three separate dining options throughout the San Gabriel Valley. 101 Noodle Express is well-known for its dedication to an exceptional customer experience. You will enjoy the signature authentic Chinese dishes while dining in an exclusive upscale environment, yet with an affordable price tag. A few of the local favorite items on the menu include the crispy pancakes with simmered beef, the De Zhou Chicken, and the fish and pumpkin dumplings. The biscuits are also made from scratch daily and are reason enough to visit 101 Noodle Express. Lunasia Dim Sum House Lunasia has successfully taken authentic Chinese cuisine and given it a modern twist. This upscale, Hong Kong-style spot serves fresh dim sum and seafood dishes. Lunasia is open for both lunch and dinner and has a full menu that caters to all food preferences. The lunch menu includes items like the hot and spicy popcorn chicken, the pan-fried mushroom with pork belly, and the sweet and sour spare ribs. Each of these dishes pairs well with the full Chinese tea menu. The dinner menu looks similar to the lunch menu but includes the Poon Choi dishes. This comfortable restaurant often fills up fast, so make sure you book your reservation ahead of time. Empress Harbor Seafood Restaurant Empress Harbor is just a short drive outside of Alhambra in the neighboring city of Monterey Park. The interior of Empress Harbor is luxurious and fit for any VIP event. It combines traditional Chinese decor with modern concepts for an environment that is unlike anywhere else. Each menu item at Empress Harbor is carefully created by the renowned chef to give you the most authentic and best-tasting experience possible. A few of the items on the menu include the fried rice in lotus leaves, spicy eggplant with minced pork, and a full live seafood menu. Make sure you leave room for some of the exceptional dessert options including mango pudding or sweet walnut soup. ACC Chinese Fast Food You do not have to dine in an upscale environment to try the authentic tasting Chinese food at ACC Chinese Fast Food. This casual spot might be small, but it still serves some of the freshest and most authentic tasting Cantonese Chinese cuisine in the area. The affordable dishes lead to a busy lunch rush most days of the week. Be sure to try the clay pot rice, salted fish fried rice, or the spinach beef noodle soup. One of the most popular sections on the menu is the fried rice. You can try it with fried duck, BBQ pork, or beef. Alhambra is a culturally diverse area with many exceptional and authentic tasting Chinese restaurants. Try each of these Chinese spots out and be the judge of which one is the best. Image “ Shandong chicken” by T.Tseng, used under CC BY 2.0

Alhambra, California, is a smaller Los Angeles suburb that is known for its beautiful and historical architecture. The city is separated into different districts, each with their own history. See some of Alhambra's most unique architecture in each of these districts. more Emery Park District Emery Park District is in the northwest quadrant of the city. This northwest neighborhood combines the communities that were once known as La Marguerita, Souders, La Senda Tracts, and the Wuest. The neighborhood includes a group of architectural homes that date back to 1924. The area was originally a farming community until real estate investors decided to capitalize on the addition of railroad transportation known as the Electric Red Line. A few of the housing styles you can find in the Emery Park District include Spanish Colonials, English storybook cottages, and revived English Tudors. Emery Park also includes 25 homes that were built specifically for disabled soldiers of World War I. Bean Tract District The Bean Tract District is in the northeast quadrant of the city and is one of the priciest Alhambra neighborhoods. Main Street runs through the northwest and northeast quadrants of Alhambra and is a popular retail and commerce area. The street was referred to as Boabdil Street until 1902, when it was changed because local residents had a hard time pronouncing it. The Bean District was originally a part of the San Marino area. In an attempt to establish its own city, they developed their own municipality with unique housing and building restrictions. Some of the most popular architectural styles in the Bean Tract District include English Tudors, two-story craftsman, and a few mid-century modern ranch style homes scattered throughout the neighborhood. Midwick Tract The Midwick Track is in the southwest quadrant of the Alhambra city. The majority of the houses in this area are from the 1940s, and this specific district was once home to the 208-acre Midwick Country Club. This popular country club was frequented by some of the most famous movie stars and golf players at the time. Unfortunately, the country club burned down in 1944. Many of the local streets pay tribute to some of the famous golfers that once played there. Some of the housing styles you can find in the Midwick Tract include storybook homes, Spanish-style designs, and a one-of-a-kind French Chateau Castle built by Sylvester Dupuy in 1925. Airport Tract The Airport Tract was once the home of the Alhambra Airport, which was a crucial shipping port during World War II. The neighborhood was built in a rush to accommodate returning soldiers to the area. This led to an increase in smaller, single family homes, much different than the expansive homes of the other districts. A few of the homes styles you can find in the Airport Tract include English Tudors, early century modern minimalist, and mid-century ranch style homes. Alhambra is one of the oldest and most historical cities in the country. Spend a day exploring the interesting homes of this prominent city. Image “ Site of Los Robles, San Marino, California” by Ken Lund, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Located deep within the Los Angeles metro, Alhambra is a short trip east of central L.A. and a great spot for people who want to spend all day shopping. The stores, malls, and boutiques of Alhambra cater to both high and low-end shoppers, but if you really want to spoil yourself you should check out one of the places on this list. more JuL Head JuL Head is right in the heart of Alhambra, and you'll find it just west of where Main Street meets Garfield Avenue. It's a piercing studio run by best professionals in the business, and they can put a stud, barbell, or hoop in just about any part of the body a piercing can go in. They also offer a wide selection of jewelry in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and while you can start at the low-end with titanium barbells you can also get diamonds in 18-karat gold fittings and designer creations. Nucleus Art Gallery The Nucleus Art Gallery is another Main Street business, although this one is on the east side of Garfield. It's the city's premier venue for artists, and they offer both original art and prints created both by independent artists and by major creative teams like film studios and video game developers. Their main gallery has new exhibits constantly rotating through, and you can stop by just about every month to see something new and possibly take it home with you. Vidorra Vidorra is a women's fashion boutique, and like the other stores on this list, you'll find it downtown on Main Street. The boutique's owner personally picks out the clothing and accessories she stocks from the labels and collections that meet her standards. She takes care to offer a look that's both attractive and respectable. She also stocks clothing that fits and flatters bodies of all different sizes, and the staff does their best to make everyone who stops by feel welcome. Maido Stationery Maido Stationery started out in San Francisco's Japantown, and it now has a few more stores along the California coast including one on Alhambra's Main Street. Thanks to the business's Japanese roots, the store in Alhambra offers some specialized writing equipment you'd have trouble finding anywhere except online, and the rest of their shelves are full of unique gifts, trinkets, and toys. If you ever wanted to send someone a handwritten note or give a budding artist something they could really use, you should stop by Maido Stationery. As you must have guessed by now, Main Street in Alhambra is a lively part of town where you can find all kinds of upscale shops selling jewelry, art, clothing, stationery supplies, and so much more. So if you want to spoil yourself silly and you live in the Los Angeles area, head up to Alhambra, find a good parking spot near the city's center, and then wander from one end of downtown Main Street to the other and stop in any store that strikes your fancy. Image “ More Prints” by Sam Howzit, used under CC BY 2.0

When you're starving, nothing beats a buffet for giving you the most food for your money. It's more expensive compared to a normal meal, but on days when you can pack it in, it's great to have all the options a buffet has to offer. Alhambra is part of the Los Angeles metro, so you won't have any trouble finding great restaurants where you can eat all you like. more Gold Hibachi Buffet Gold Hibachi Buffet offers something a little unusual out of the Alhambra Hotel on West Commonwealth Avenue. While you don't have to look hard to find a Chinese restaurant with a buffet option, Gold Hibachi is a Japanese buffet complete with a long list of sushi rolls and sashimi. They also offer a few Chinese options, especially those that use seafood as the meat, and they have a fresh grill where you can get some freshly carved meat. Don't eat too much, though, because you need to save room for mochi ice cream. Mahan Indian Restaurant Mahan is a quality Indian restaurant you can find over on West Main Street. They offer a long list of vegetarian and vegan options like naan, bindi masala, pumpkin curry, and basmati rice pilaf. However, if you'd rather have some meat with your meal, you can also get the tandoori chicken or shrimp, lamb curry, or chicken kebabs. You can order their food online for delivery or takeout, or you can have a seat in their restaurant and get a little of everything from their lunch and dinner buffet. Big Catch Seafood Restaurant Big Catch Seafood is an L.A. area chain with three locations, and one is a half a block away from where Main Street and Garfield Avenue meet. Big Catch Seafood offers a mix of Eastern and Western options, but either way they're all about seafood. They offer a raw bar with oysters from all over, fish and shrimp tacos, New England Chowder, and a decent list of sushi rolls. They also offer a buffet, although it's only for Sunday brunch. Road to Seoul If you're looking for some Korean barbecue without a plate limit, Road to Seoul is practically across the street from Big Catch Seafood. The restaurant has only recently branched out from its original location in Los Angeles, and they offer all kinds of meats and other protein sources. It's not all about the meat, either, because Road to Seoul also offers several buffet-style side-dish bars for guests who want to choose their own sides or prefer not to eat pork or beef. Just within Alhambra you can find all kinds of restaurants with buffet options. Meat-eaters and vegans alike can enjoy the food at places like Road to Seoul and Mahan Indian Restaurant, and you can have all the fresh seafood and cooked meats you can eat when you go to Big Catch Seafood or Gold Hibachi. So if you're hungry in Alhambra, you won't have to stay that way for long when you can visit one of several excellent buffets. Image “ Indian” by 22n, used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Looking for a place to go fishing this weekend? Check out one of these fantastic destinations near Alhambra, California. more Legg Lake Park Legg Lake Park is in the nearby town of  South El Monte. It's located inside the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, which is a huge park with three lakes, a shooting range, a disc golf course, a horse center, and an urban farm. However, Legg Lake Park is the only lake where you can go fishing inside the recreation area. There's no fee to enter the park unless you need to park your car inside the park. Parking costs $6 for the entire day. You can fish off the side of the lake or bring a boat and head out on to the lake to fish that way instead. The only boats available to rent when you arrive are paddle boats, which cost about $25 for the afternoon. Spane Park Spane Park is in Paramount, California, roughly 20 minutes from Alhambra. It's a fantastic place to bring the whole family and spend the day fishing, walking, and relaxing on the grass. The pond where you can go fishing is fenced in, and you have to pay a small fee to fish here. There's also a fishing club that uses the area on Friday afternoons. If you want to get involved, speak to the team at the recreation center when you visit. In addition to a pond, the park has a basketball court, a playground, picnic benches that are free to use, and restrooms. Bring all of your fishing equipment and plenty of snacks to keep you going for the whole afternoon. Huckleberry Pond If you're trying to teach your kids how to fish, head to Huckleberry Pond in Anaheim. There are several small ponds where kids can catch trout. You can choose to purchase the fish and take it home with you to cook, or you can throw it back in. Another nice thing about Huckleberry Pond is that you don't need to own your own fishing rod to come and fish. There's plenty of equipment to use, including small rods for kids and bait for fishing. Simply show up and watch your kids enjoy a day of fishing on Huckleberry Pond. Diamond Valley Lake If you really want to get out and catch some big fish, make a day trip south of Los Angeles to Diamond Valley Lake. The trip takes about an hour both ways, but the fishing experience makes it totally worthwhile. In order to fish here, you must have a valid California Fishing License and you must use bait that has been approved by the State Department of Fish and Game. You can bring a boat and launch it into the lake, or you can rent a boat when you get to the lake and take it out on the water. There are also designated areas around the lake where you can fish without needing a boat. Image “ Fishing” by ralph and jenny, used under CC BY 2.0

Regardless of whether you're Irish, St. Patrick's Day is a fantastic celebration in Alhambra and the entire Los Angeles area. Head to these local bars for a fun day of festivities. Limerick's Tavern Limerick's Tavern is one of the few Irish pubs in downtown Alhambra. It's a fun spot no matter the occasion, but patrons go all-out for St. Patrick's Day. There will be live music and a special menu on for the event. There are no tickets, but be sure to make a reservation in advance because the bar and restaurant fill up quickly. If you just want to come for drinks, arrive early and snag a space in the bar area. If you're planning to enjoy the party with a meal, you'll want to call a few weeks ahead of the big day. The festivities will go on all day, with plenty of Irish food options like Guinness stew, bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, and fish and chips. more St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl If you want to head to Los Angeles for the night, book tickets to the Downtown Los Angeles St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl and Beer Garden. For $18, you get a free shot when you arrive and a drinks voucher to use at the 10 different bars that are participating in the pub crawl. There will be DJs playing music at different venues and live music at other bars. At the end of the pub crawl, use your ticket to gain free entry into several of LA's nearby nightclubs to keep the party going well into the morning. St. Patrick's Comedy Special If you want to celebrate St. Patrick's Day without all of the Guinness and pub crawls, consider getting tickets to the St. Patrick's Comedy Special. This year, there will be performances from Brandon Lawrence, Renaldo Evans, Andy Southern, Christine King, and the Funny Comics. The event takes place at Busby's Restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles. Pre-sale tickets cost $15, or you can pay for them at the door for $20. There are plenty of food and drink options to choose from once you're there, and there's even a cigar lounge. You're welcome to bring your favorite cigars to enjoy. St. Patrick's Celebration in the Rathskeller Head to this yearly celebration for a ton of great food, drink, and Irish entertainment to celebrate St. Patrick's day. It's located at the Athenaeum at Caltech and will take place Friday, March 16. The main specialty that you'll be able to enjoy is corned beef and cabbage with all of the trimmings, potatoes, carrots, whole-grain mustard, and horseradish. There will also be plenty of Guinness and even flights of Irish whiskey to sample. Whether you want to have a casual St. Patrick's Day with your friends at a local Alhambra pub or you want to go all-out on a pub crawl in the big city, there are plenty of St. Patrick's Day events to choose from. Just make sure that you make plans well in advance so that you don't miss out on tickets or table reservations. Image via Pixabay

Sometimes you just want to get away for the weekend enjoy some beach time, stay in a swanky hotel, and dine at a new restaurant.  San Diego is an easy two-hour drive south of Alhambra, making it a great place for a weekend getaway. Follow this guide to help plan the perfect escape to San Diego. more Book Your Hotel The first thing you want to do when you are planning a weekend getaway is secure your hotel. There's nothing worse than making plans, dreaming about the perfect room with a view only to check at the last minute and discover all of the best places are booked. For a slice of boutique luxury, the Kimpton Solamar Hotel is a great option. They have spa rooms where you can soak in an oversized tub after a day of exploring the city. The hotel also has a rooftop pool, in-room massages, and bikes that you are free to use to explore San Diego. Plan What You Want to Do There is so much to see and do in San Diego, there's no way you'll be able to fit it all into one weekend. Prioritize the things that you really want to do while you're there so that you can make a mini-itinerary and see as much as possible. If you want to see a lot in a small amount of time, consider driving San Diego's 59-mile Scenic Drive. This road loops its way around all of the major sights and attractions and you can get out and explore the ones that interest you most. You'll pass the downtown area, Harbor and Shelter Islands, Ocean Beach, Mission Bay Aquatic Park, Soledad Mountain, La Jolla Cove Park and Cave, Mission Beach, and the San Diego Zoo. Choose a Few Great Restaurants San Diego is a bustling city with tons of great restaurants. If you're heading to the city on a weekend, you'll want to make reservations before you arrive so that you don't miss out on the best places. Snooze A.M Eatery in Hillcrest is a must for brunch. It's set up like a retro diner, but the food is so much more creative than your average diner. If you're feeling really hungry, go for the Snooze Classic, farm fresh eggs cooked just the way you like topped with your choice of ham, bacon, chorizo, pulled pork, chicken sausage, or soy sausage with hash browns and toast. For great modern American fare in an upscale setting, go to Juniper and Ivy. The menu changes weekly, so locals flock here for the freshest seafood and farm-to-table meats they offer. They specialize in tapas-style small plates that make sharing their dishes easy. You'll definitely want to try their menu staples like bone marrow tartare and chorizo stuffed squid. There are so many reasons to take a weekend trip to San Diego. Whether you enjoy the beach, experience the big sights like the San Diego Zoo, or want a change of scenery, you'll get it all with a quick trip down the coast. After you explore San Diego once, you'll be making plans to visit again and again. Image “ Shelter Island Sunset” by Chad McDonald, used under CC BY-ND 2.0

In a city as big as Los Angeles, it can be hard to figure out which restaurants are the best. This is our list of the best burgers in Los Angeles and where to find them. more The Big Mec The Big Mec burger is a thing of beauty and can only be found at Petit Trois. It is a truly indulgent experience that combines the American burger with a French twist. Between the soft bun, you'll find a beef burger, cooked rare unless otherwise requested, topped with American cheese, a bordelaise sauce, foie gras, and a heaping scoop of deliciously caramelized onions. It's an enormous burger that you'll no doubt make a mess of, but it's totally worth it. Just be sure to ask for extra napkins before digging in and don't wear that new white shirt. Petit Trois is located on Highland Avenue in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles. The Single Burger It may not sound very exciting, but the Single burger from Everson Royce Bar is delightful. The burger is made with four ounces of prime chuck beef topped with Tillamook cheddar on a house-made egg brioche bun and served with a heaping pile of pickles on the side. This offering is simple but totally delicious. Everson Royce Bar doesn't serve much food. Its specialties are the delicious cocktails, beers, and outdoor seating area, but when hunger strikes, you'll be glad you're at one of the best burger spots in town. Everson Royce Bar is located on East Seventh Street in downtown L.A. The Burger The name doesn't give much away, but The Burger at Cassell's Hamburgers is one of the most famous and most delicious burgers in Los Angeles. This restaurant has become an institution in Los Angeles thanks to owner Al Cassell's management. The burger closed temporarily but was re-opened in 2012, when they resumed cooking up amazing burgers. The Burger at Cassell's is a house-ground premium beef patty topped with lettuce and tomato on a Parker House bun and served with pickles and onions on the side. Adventurous diners can add Swiss or cheddar cheese, grilled onions, or a fried egg, but the original burger has enough juice and flavor to satisfy any burger lover. The Smash Burger For something totally different and totally L.A., go to Electric Owl to try their Smash Burger. This favorite consists of a third of a pound of dried, aged beef topped with white cheddar, grilled shallots, pickles, and horseradish mustard aioli on a parmesan-marmite bun. This burger is salty and slightly sweet with a little bit of spice from the aioli. Electric Owl wants you to enjoy that umami sensation with all of their food, and you certainly get it with this. You won't taste another burger like it. There are so many burger joints in Los Angeles to try. Whether you're looking for a good fast food burger, a nice thick beef patty, or something unlike any burger you've tried before, you'll find it all in the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles.   Image “ Truffle Burger KCI_1426” by kurmanstaff, used under CC BY 2.0

Winter is challenging this year with several major storms hitting the country, but you can still enjoy your weekends. Alhambra has many interesting activities you can do whether you're willing to brave the cold weather or prefer to stay indoors. If you are looking for something fun to do, then here are three winter activities near Alhambra. more Mount Waterman Skiing is a major part of winter in and around Alhambra. One of the first places that people turn to is Mount Waterman, a major ski resort. Mount Waterman has 25 skiing areas with a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs. It is the closest ski lift to the Los Angeles area. If you don't know much about skiing, there are instructors on site that can help you learn for your first run. Mount Waterman has several ski lifts that can get you up the mountain. Since all of the facilities are on the top of the mountain, you can take the scenic ski lift up to the facilities and ride back down just to see the sites if you want. Whispering Pines Cottage Winter can be a great time to go on a romantic couples vacation. If you need to get away for awhile, then you can go stay at the Whispering Pines Cottage. It is a nice little cottage in the mountains that maintains an old-world charm. You can cuddle up by the fire with a glass of wine or just spend some time alone in your room. The cottage is within traveling distance of many of the area's leading attractions in the area. You can also go hiking on the forest trails when the weather is mild. Mountain High Snowboarding Lessons Getting out on the slopes is tricky if you don't have the skills to do it safely. Fortunately, you can go to Mountain High Snowboarding Lessons. Mountain High has a resort where you can take skiing and snowboarding lessons. The resort is always packed, so there are always instructors starting new lessons for beginners. Even if you have some experience, you can take a refresher course or take more advanced lessons to upgrade your skills. If you have kids that want to learn skiing or snowboarding, you can get them lessons there as well. Group lessons are available, and Mountain High has special training areas for kids with man-made snow and terrain. The groups are relatively small, usually capping at eight or ten people based on the needs of the group. Winter can be exhausting if you stay inside the whole time. Even in the cold, there are plenty of things you can do to have fun. If you are planning on visiting snowier areas, you'll need a vehicle that can keep you warm and handle inclement weather. Bravo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has a lots of new and used vehicles that will help you drive on slippery roads and get home safely. Stop by and take one out for a test drive. Image “ Blue & White” by Ian D. Keating, used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from Original

Nearly everyone loves coffee or some type of caffeinated beverage, which is why there are so many coffee places across California. You could visit the ones in your area to see which ones you like the best. However, having so many to choose from makes it difficult to find the best ones. Fortunately, there is an easier way to find the best cup. Read up on our three favorite coffee shops in Orange County, and try visiting one of them. more Portola Coffee Lab There are a lot of factors that go into the best cup of coffee. So, you will want to find a place that has put in the work to figure it all out. Portola Coffee Lab serves some of the best coffee in Orange County, and it puts a unique twist on flavors and forms. Portola goes the extra mile to get the best ingredients from around the world and to find the best ways to prepare it. The staff take their time making the right cup every time which is why the coffee is so good. This company has several locations including Costa Mesa, Tustin, and Santa Ana. Kean Coffee If you know who Martin Diedrich is, you know something special about coffee in Orange County. He is primarily responsible for the coffee boom and for high-level coffee houses. Fortunately, Martin has a new coffee shop called Kean Coffee that follows many of the standards he started. Kean Coffee sources organic and fair trade coffees from around the world, and it goes through an extensive brewing cycle to get the best flavor from each bean. Kean is also a great place to go try seasonal variations from around the world. Rose Park Rose Park is an up and coming brand that started as a bean delivery service that had messengers make deliveries on bikes. Much has changed, and Rose Park now has a brick-and-mortar store where you can get one of the best cold brews on the market. It is especially good on hot days because it can cool you down fast and give you more energy. Rose Park is also known for it exceptional presentation. The lattes served in the store are works of art. Alta Coffee Another great place to try is Alta Coffee in Newport Beach. Alta roasts its own coffee, much like many of the other leading shops. Alta is also well known for its fresh baked goods that pair well with its coffee options. Customers go crazy for the Iced Toffee Latte that features iced coffee, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and toffee bits. If you want something sweet and packed with energy, Alta's Iced Toffee Latte is what you need. Traveling around Orange County to try different coffee shops can be an adventure. With the right vehicle, you could make it a weekly trip. Bravo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has many of the new vehicles that you can get for 2018 that would be great for weekly road trips. Image “ UltimoCoffee” via Flicker by shinya, used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from Original

Flying is the most common method of long-distance travel today. But there's something special about taking a road trip and exploring different parts of the country. You get to see things that you wouldn't otherwise get to experience. The key to a successful road trip is being fully prepared. Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind for your vehicle and yourself during your next road trip Clean First Start the road trip prep by cleaning out the car. While driving on a day-to-day basis, things build up. This ranges from paperwork to clothes, kids, toys, food, and other trash. Taking the time to remove these items makes the road trip more comfortable for everyone during the long stretches of drive time. more Check Your Car and Your Documents Anticipating problems before they happen is a good mindset to have before and during a road trip. Checking your vehicle to make sure that its fluid levels, tires, battery, and other parts are in good shape before leaving is one way to avoid trouble on the road. Don't forget to go through all of your important paperwork either. An expired license, insurance card, or missing policy causes delays and adds unnecessary stress to an otherwise fun trip. Another important document to consider having for your road trip is a roadside service membership card. Joining a roadside service is optional. However, being a member of one connects you to approved towing services to get you back on the road and away from the dangers of breaking down while on the road. Be Flexible Build flexibility into your trip plans. Traveling on the road allows for exploration, however, unexpected roadblocks or detours also come up. By accounting for minor road issues during trip planning, you'll spend more time having fun instead of rushing to get to the next destination because of an unforeseen detour. Practice Self-Care Keeping your car in good condition, having the right documents, and being flexible about travel stops are all good preparation tips. But don't forget about the driver. Factor in enough hours during the drive before leaving to account for sleep. Get at least 7 hours of sleep in the two days leading up to the trip. This builds up reserves of energy. Staying off the road between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. is another way to cut sleepiness because that's when people feel drowsy naturally. Eating healthy and staying hydrated are two other key points of a successful road trip. Purchase healthy snacks like carrots or almonds, and consume them in small quantities to stay energized. Don't forget to drink plenty of water and take note of rest stops along your route for bathroom breaks when necessary. A road trip is an exciting and adventurous prospect for people to undertake. Having a reliable vehicle that is well maintained, clean, and has the right paperwork eliminates many common issues. A prepared driver doesn't hurt either. Hit the open road ready for anything with these preparation tips. Image via Pixabay

A great sports bar has an attentive staff, multiple televisions, and a bartender who knows how to use the remote. Whether you're looking for a place to watch the Dodgers play, see some college football action, or root for the Lakers, Los Angeles has a sports bar for you. Here are three of the best. more 2nd Floor Gastropub & Sportsbar The 2nd Floor Gastropub & Sportsbar in Koreatown is known for friendly service and great food. It has a lot of seating, and multiple TVs line the walls. Customers come here to watch MMA in addition to the most common sports. Because 2nd Floor is also a gastropub, you'll find things like kimchee pasta along with traditional favorites like wings in a large and diverse menu. It's a place to come not only for the game, but also for dinner too. Overall, the atmosphere is great. Parking is an issue though, so be sure to plan accordingly. The Parlor The Parlor sports bar solves one major city issue right off the bat. It has valet parking for $10, making finding a spot much less of a challenge. It's a good place to come and watch games with friends. The Parlor has multiple televisions and has drinks designed to serve small groups. One such item is the Tower, which is a device that serves multiple people beer at one time. The bar offers special event nights, game-time action, and a trivia night during the week. You'll find staples like pizza served here, as well as other dishes like a breakfast croissant. The atmosphere is fun and friendly. It serves an official viewing place for fans of Michigan in Los Angeles. 33 Taps 33 Taps in Silver Lake has televisions circling the space, making it the perfect game-watching spot with plenty of seating. It gets slightly loud during Sunday games, but the food is good. Dishes served here include favorites such as bacon cheddar fries, Fried buffalo cauliflower, and a blackened chicken sandwich. On the weekends, 33 Taps is open for brunch. Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., they offer unlimited mimosas or Bloody Marys for just $10. They also offer a happy hour, and their specialty, as the name implies, is beer. 33 Taps has mainstream beers and some local ones. A few craft beers appear on the menu as well. The bar is in a shopping center with limited but dedicated parking. A security guard is outside to make sure patrons park in the dedicated slots with street parking also available. Overall the atmosphere is lively, service is good, and patrons receive a free dessert for checking-in on social media. Finding a good sports bar to watch the game is important. The best sports bars in Los Angeles are a combination of television, great food, a variety of beers and other beverages to finish off the experience. Visit them for a night out, an event, or a good brunch with your friends.   Image “ Pool Tables” via Flickr by Sam Howzit, used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from Original