Sorry to be that guy (if there is another thread for this please point me in that direction). Flying to Orange County this Friday for family stuff, gonna spend a couple days in SD which I know fairly well. But, Sunday night my friend Christina (also from TX.) and I are looking to get out and try some really cool beer bars and cocktail spots. Any advice would be much appreciated. I don't know LA geography that well, I do know my cousin lives in or near Monrovia. We do have transportation and are down to travel for something awesome Thanks in advance to the West Coast BA's
Monrovia just opened 38 degrees ale house, they usually have a ton of stuff on tap. I don't know if lagunitas is open to the public yet, if it is.. it's also really close to monrovia. Stone is a little bit west of there in Pasadena. You can take the gold line from Monrovia and get off at the del mar stop and stone is right in front of you. A bit more west is highland park brewery. Cocktail wise DTLA has some great spots, faith & flower, Emerson Royce Bar, 7th grand.
So my family is up in the Pasadena/ West Covina area. The Sunday ill be getting out to explore, I'll have a car and I am up to travel anywhere for an awesome beer. I know we will probably head towards Venice or something to that effect. But, no real set plans yet.
Old Town Pasadena has: Lucky Baldwins, Slaters 50/50, Kings Row, Stone, and Congregation which are all gonna have good selections. The Alhambra 38 degrees is about 10 minutes south from there and then you could scoot over and hit Highland Park. Eagle Rock is not too far from there (but not amazing either). I will say, it would be a shame for you to come to SoCal and not hit the Bruery, so try to make time for that on your way from SD to LA if possible.
If you are going to be venturing out, I would suggest a drive down south to the Anaheim/Fullerton/Placentia area. Other than hitting up Firestone Venice, you will have more options in North OC than out toward Venice. You could check out The Bruery, Noble, Bottle Logic and some other great spots out that way.
stop at Highland Park for sure - best brewery in LA imo. if you are in the Venice area, I would make a stop at Father's Office (they have two locations) if you havent been there before and eat meat. I love their burger and they have a good beer selection. my favorite beer bar in LA is the Surly Goat in West Hollywood. they always have really really good beer and the ambiance is like an upscale dive - good for a Saturday night. Firestone Walker just opened a brewpub in Venice that has all the regular offerings plus a few special ones. the ambiance is like a Yard House essentially.
