KarryOn caught up with American expat Zach Harrison who currently lives in Sydney to talk about California including baseball games, Mexican food and customer service.
Growing up in California what do you miss the most living abroad?
This won’t come as a surprise but I miss my family the most. Outside of that, I miss the service you get in the states when you go to a restaurant. The friendliness and service makes a huge difference to your dining experience. Not all places in Sydney have bad service but you do need to venture away from the tourist restaurants to find a place that makes a bit more effort to make sure you’re happy.
What are you best travel tips for anyone looking to visit California?
There’s more to California than Los Angeles
Best travel tips I can offer is spend a small amount in a few places rather than a lot of time in a few places. Los Angeles is a big place but I would not spend more than 2 days there. Northern California, Central California and Southern California all offer different experiences.
Which is your favourite spot in California?
Discover the marina district in San Francisco
My favourite spot in California is the marina district in San Francisco. It’s a beautiful place near the water with beautiful restaurants, apartments and shops. There are always activities / events taking place in the area whether it’s musicians having a jam session, a place showing art house films or a food tasting event. It’s always a happy and happening place.
You have spent a lot of time in San Diego what is on your ‘not-to-miss list’ for the city?
Make sure you visit Jake’s restaurant in Del Mar
If you’re in San Diego there are a few places you need to see.
1. Del Mar – this place is amazing. It’s located near the beach and the neighbourhoods are beautiful. Wonderful restaurants (including Jake’s – do not miss. The sun sets right in front of the restaurant). It’s safe, clean and full of activities.
2. Gas Lamp District – this area is for the people who like the nightlife. This area erupts in the evening and is full of restaurants, clubs, live music and great food.
3. The UCSD campus – located in La Jolla, this beautiful campus sits on a hill and looks over San Diego. Dr.Seauss has a library on campus that is a must see and it gives you a good college feel.
4. San Diego Padres Baseball Game – great venue to have a few drinks and watch enjoy a sporting event during the summer nights.
The west coast is famous for being very relaxed compared to the East coast, can you get away with flip-flops and shorts?
Yes, the west coast is more laid back than the east. You can wear shorts everywhere but if you’re looking to eat at a nice restaurant, attend a fancy museum or catch a play / opera in the city, you may be turned away or if you do get in, you may feel out of place.
If you are planning a road trip through California do you have any tips on where to stop?
I would start near San Francisco and take the Pacific Highway down to San Diego. Places I would stop include Santa Barbra, San Luis Obispo, Napa Valley, Paso Robles and Newport Beach. If you venture off the pacific Highway, see Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. Squaw Valley in the winter or summer is an amazing place to be.
California is famous for the Mexican food, where can you grab a bite (proper Mexican)?
Colimas in Visalia located in the middle of California serves up great Mexican food
Most places in California have a few Mexican places. Steer toward the ones that are off the main roads that don’t look commercialised or look like they are a massive chain restaurant. For example, there is a place in Visalia California called Colimas which is located in the middle of California and is still one of my favourite places to enjoy a good Mexican meal. San Diego will have taco trucks which provide fantastic food too.
Living in Sydney now, do you see a lot of similarities between Australia and the West coast?
I do. It feels very similar. Sydney is like San Diego and Melbourne is like San Francisco. The big difference to me is there is more accessibility to a variety of beautiful beaches here in Sydney. The beaches also seem a lot cleaner here too.
Lastly if you could only visit one place in California what spot would that be and why?
San Francisco’s public transport is great including the city’s famous trams
If I could visit one place in California it would San Francisco. To me, the city offers a variety of incredible things to do. The weather, the culture, the food, the scenery and the people are amazing. The public transportation works well and it’s not too overwhelming. To me, it’s the most well rounded city and I’m grateful to have lived there and be a part of it.
