LA trip end of Jan

[Chip]

San Jose/ Palo Alto has it's own group of stuff to check out, albeit not as cool as SF though. There's that one in Santa Cruz as well that's not that far from there (relatively).

That's a whole different trip altogether though!

But San Jose does have it's own Lupicia. (saldy I don't like it as much as the two SF ones).

Having flown 3000 miles, I would definitely make the trip to SF. I am a bridge buff, so I would have to check out Golden Gate as well.

[scruffmcgruff]

I am thinking San Jose maybe, or is it Palo Alto. Sounds like a nice area.

There isn't much (as far as tea goes) in the Palo Alto area. Believe me, I've looked.

The only thing I would even bother mentioning is this place called "Mountain View Tea Village" in downtown Mountain View. They have some decent Taiwanese oolongs, and some other assorted stuff, but TBH nothing to write home about.

[andy825]

Avoid Dr. Tea. It's garbage.

Do not want!!!

x2

Dr. Tea is crap. It's a lot of hype for people who don't know much and want to hear all about the majickal properties of tea, and how it will make their unborn children smarter and help them win Major Awards.
Also, I was over there last month and there was a for lease sign on their space, so they are either moving or going out of business. Its REALLY not worth your time if you are visitingg LA for tea shops and have limited time. It would be on my list somewhere near the Teavana in the Glendale Galleria (which is at the bottom, after the tea section at Whole Foods, just to give you an idea)

[Vulture]

I just don't like it combined with the LA trip. My thought is even if we say 12:00, it or we may not all get started till 12:30. I would be very amazed if it took us under 2 hours. (I would not be surprised at even 3 hours.)

I think we need two separate trips. Or a much earlier start.

I think we could go with an earlier time if we set it up with the owner (Imen). I don't know what the operating hours are as they are not on the site. I would like to avoid cutting this place out of the trip. As wyardley said, we can probably go to the shop and just have a nice time sampling things rather than the official 'tasting' session.

Dr. Tea is out for two reasons. 1. Some people don't like it. 2. we don't have enough time.

Adjusted scedule:

Tea Habitat - 10am(?) meet and greet
Lupicia - Start of the Vendor Chain!
Honkook - Stop 2 on Vendor Chain
Wing Hop Fung - Stop 3 on Vendor Chain
Ten Ren - If we have time, Stop 4 on Vendor Chain (in same building as Wing Hop Fung)

[wyardley]

Adjusted scedule:

Tea Habitat - 10am(?) meet and greet
Lupicia - Start of the Vendor Chain!
Honkook - Stop 2 on Vendor Chain
Wing Hop Fung - Stop 3 on Vendor Chain
Ten Ren - If we have time, Stop 4 on Vendor Chain (in same building as Wing Hop Fung)

I think she opens at 10, but I can check.

If we're going to drink all this tea, I would suggest planning in time for food.

maybe something like this would work:

10:30-1:00 - Tea Habitat
[lunch or snack somewhere?]
2:30 - Lupicia
3:40 - Honkook
4:45 - Wing Hop Fung / Ten Ren
[optional dinner]

Lupicia is tiny and there's not that much to see (and I think someone mentioned they don't let you try tea, other than what they have brewing?). However, getting in and out of that mall (and over to K-town) will take some time.

So definitely going to the Chinatown WHF / Ten Ren then? The other ones are close to each other, but not in the same building. Better food options by the SGV ones, though. Also, the SGV Ten Ren / Tea Station on Valley stays open late, so we could go after dinner if there isn't time before dinner. I think the Chinatown stuff mostly closes down at 6 or 7.

Someone should make a google map with all the locations on it. I can do it if no one else has time.

[Vulture]

Someone should make a google map with all the locations on it. I can do it if no one else has time.

I already did but let me adjust it for the new agenda. I knew there was going to be food somewhere in there. Just wanted to plan out the tea places first.

Here is an updated Google Map

[Janine]

Having flown 3000 miles, I would definitely make the trip to SF. I am a bridge buff, so I would have to check out Golden Gate as well.

And the Bay Bridge. They doubled it (made another layer) back in the 60s... now they are doubling it side-by-side.

[wyardley]

Imen said she opens at 11, but can open at 10:30 if we want.

She also thought Chinatown stuff closed early (6), and mentioned that the Ten Ren / Tea Station on Valley may in fact have gong fu service. The WHF in Monterey Park closes at 7, I believe.

http://www.winghopfung.com/contactus.html

Since it's only another 10 minutes or so past Chinatown, I think that would be a better bet.

Possible Map (SGV variation)

Afternoon food-wise, I know a couple of places in the South bay (near Imen's shop)... a soba place that makes their own soba fresh, an udon place that makes their own udon, a ramen place or two, and a vegetarian Chinese place that's decent but not fantastic. There may or not be a farmers market near Imen's shop that morning (forget if it's Saturday or Sunday).

There's also food near Lupicia, both in the mall and in the surrounding areas. Even without the time factored in, it's definitely looking like a long and tiring day.

[Vulture]

Even without the time factored in, it's definitely looking like a long and tiring day.

Yes but thoroughly enjoyable, rewarding, and fun

Thanks for the input; though I have been up to LA a bit, I don't live there.

[geeber1]

Sounds like you guys should have a slumber party somewhere!

I'm jealous of all the great places you are planning to visit. In my part of Oregon there is absolutely NOTHING and a 4-hour drive to Portland to anything good.

There better be lots of pictures posted after your adventure!

[andy825]

I was doing some christmas shopping in Chinatown yesterday, and Wing Hop Fung is having a SALE!!! As if everything wasn't cheap enough already. There's a catch, though. In order to get the sale prices, you need to sign up for their VIP program, the cost of which is the ungodly sum of ONE DOLLAR! The membership lasts for life.
sale flyer:
http://www.winghopfung.com/benimages/Christmas08.pdf

Also, if you go to the chinatown WHF, you are just a few blocks from Utsuwa-no-yakata, japanese tableware heaven.
http://www.tokiusa.com/index.php
It's maybe a 20-30 min stop, but worth it. And there is a Beard Papa cream puff dispensary in the building. If you have never had one, they are really fabulous!

[Pentox]

It's maybe a 20-30 min stop, but worth it. And there is a Beard Papa cream puff dispensary in the building. If you have never had one, they are really fabulous!

Mmmmmm beard papas mmmmmmmm *drooool*

[Vulture]

Alrighty, now that I am back on the forum from holidays, lets get this thing back in gear.

I need a repoll to see who is going on this little outing. It is still a few weeks away so I don't expect absolutes.

[Victoria]

I'm in of course - and My SIL Marsha wants to come too. She is not on the board, but she drinks tea daily. She really wants to experience the tea tasting. She is way farther along than a newbie, so she will be fine.

[Pentox]

Do we have a concrete date for this yet?

I want to go, but work travel is being tossed around for the month of Jan currently.