Heading to California....HELP!!!

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

seeker_two

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2002
Messages
3,616
Location
Deep in the Heart of the Lone Star State (TX)
Due to my new job, I'll be going to Simi Valley for two weeks (March 1-12). While I'll be in training on the weekdays, I'll have one weekend to entertain myself. This is also going to be my first commercial airline flight :)what: ) and the farthest west I've been since traveling to Glorietta, NM. So I have a few questions....

1. What can I expect at the airport (I'm flying from Waco to DFW, then to Burbank)--esp. from the TSA weenies?

2. Any good gun-related sights to see in the Simi Valley area? (I'm planning to go to the Ronald Reagan Library & maybe the Gene Autrey museum, but I'd like something more "hands-on" b/c I can't bring mine. :( )

3. Are the Ken Onion assisted-opening knives still legal out there? I just got a new one (Rainbow Leek), and I'd like to take it with me.

4. Any other advice you could give to a newbie tourist heading to California? :confused:


Many thanks in advance...
 
Ya, the Ken Onions are still being classed as normal folders. The only issue you might run into is local 3" ordinances but they're not enforced very stringently unless you have a "gangbanger look" about you. Even then, it's infraction-level stuff.

Per state law, you can fully conceal such critters. I recommend doing so in SoCal towns such as Glendale and LA.
 
1. What can I expect at the airport (I'm flying from Waco to DFW, then to Burbank)--esp. from the TSA weenies?
Click to expand...
I can help with this part:
Firstly, be a little early, just in case. Go through all your carry on stuff and leave behind (or place into checked luggage) anything like scissors, nail clippers, etc. Have your ID and ticket ("papers, please...papers...") out as soon as you get in line.
I always dress casual when I fly, its more comfortable, and there are less things that might offend the metal detectors. Last time I traveled I set off the metal detector because I didn't put my shoes into the xray machine. The TSA "weenie" suggested that I try tennis shoes next time I fly, he's never seen a 'clean' pair set off the metal detector.
I always just remove everything that might offend the metal detector (except my shoes, I refuse to take 'em off unless instructed) and place it in my carry on, and run it through the Xray machine. This includes belts, watches, spare change, keys, and sunglasses.
Wish I could help with the rest of your questions. I've heard that the Wine Country is awesome, but I haven't spent alot of time in that part of California.
Good luck!
 
Despite its location, clientelle, traffic levels and reputation, Burbank is a tiny tiny airport. Part of the L.A. nonsense, though, and their TSA reps are a pathetic as any. I'd strongly advise being as completely in compliance as you can be, and be prepared to quote chapter and verse when they screw up.
Pack your knife in your checked baggage, and I'd advise finding and printing out the L.A. & Burbank (is a separate city) ordinances on knives so you can tell any inspectors to 'pizzof'.

Nothing much to see in Simi. ~10mi due north, next valley north is the location of the Lake Piru / Wes Thompson gun ranges (Steel Chellenge, Southwest Pistol League, etc.)
If you want to play tourist and want to see guns, I strongly recommend a visit to the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum http://www.autry-museum.org/
They have a huge display of historic western arms. They share a parking lot with the Los Angeles Zoo, which is ~30mi ESE of Simi.
 
Well I think the best place to go shooting in SoCal would be Oak Tree. http://www.oaktreegunclub.com/ On the website they have directions from Simi Valley. The people here are super nice and have gone up beyond the call of duty.

If you are into shotguns, they have a world class Sporting Clays course. Along with top of the line trap, skeet, 5 stand.

They also have an awesome pistol range, absolutely filled with reactive targets. It's open air, lighted and heated if necessary.

You can rent shotguns and I believe pistols.

HTH
 
Don't forget the

Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, CA. That's a must see for any WW II buff. They also have a jet hanger for more modern planes. Just head for the Chino Airport and you'll find the museum.
 
I will second the Oak Tree Shooting Club they have lots of rentals and it is open late 11pm I think. It is a hoot I shoot there on Fri. Closed on Tues and Wed IIRC they have a good site but call the pistol folks they may have different hours than the general range. :cool:
 
Fees for pistol are 16.00. Just a little steep but worth it for me once in awhile. They have falling plates and timing equipment to see how fast you are. Go through the week and it should be available without a wait. It is a blast to shoot all steel targets even moving ones. Give it a Shot. :D
 
limit for flashlights is allegedly < 4 D cells
but i do not have a reference.
i do have plenty of personal experience traveling with
a 3 C cell maglite, surefire and scorpion all in the same bag
without trouble...
TSA "You sure have a lot of flashlights!?"
Doc "Yep. It gets dark where I am going."
 
Head back.
Click to expand...

If only I could...:uhoh:

(But, if Skunk's willing to show me his new Chief's Special & carbon-fiber banjo collection, the trip won't be a total loss..:D )

Thanks for all the information. I'll probably mail my Scorpion & one knife ahead to the hotel or office, pack another knife in my checked baggage, & carry a Mini-Maglite on the plane. And I'll have to check out all the sights mentioned (esp. the pistol club).

Keep it coming. I still have a few days left as a free man...;)
 
You may be a little put off by the distances in LA. Simi is more than an hour from the Gene Autry (which I highly recommend) and 2+ from Chino. Oak Tree is about an hour also, depending on traffic.

I would seriously consider sending you North towards Santa Barbara and Solvang, instead of South. There is an excellent sporting clays range up that way. Also, last time I checked anyway, the range at Port Huyenemee was still open.

If it was me, I'd pass on the purely firearms related stuff and visit a couple other things in the time I had. From Simi you and take Kanan Dume road and drop down right onto Malibu beach. Drive up the coast to Zuma and Leo Coreillo, and into Ventura. Then you can head up towards Atascadero and see Weatherby's and Paso Robles to Rigby's. That gives you a look at some of the most beautiful part of CA, a chance to vist several historic sights (like the missions), and a tour through the lower Wine Country.

If you are going in and out of Burbank you should take the time to visit King's, which is far and away the oldest gunshop in several hundred miles.
 
IMO everything between Simi and South Orange County is urban wasteland. If you're into pretty stuff and scenery you're either going to have to go north or south past where I am if you like hiking and stuff.

Our redeeming note is that if I wanted to shoot every IDPA/steel/IPSC/two-gun match there was to offer within a 40 minute radius, that would exceed both my food and gas budget combined.

Lotsa shooting here, just not pretty.

Simi is a good hour and a half to two hours for me...if you're in on a weekend, I want to visit a friend in Santa Clarita (near Simi-ish, relatively) so maybe give me a jingle.

My banjo is maple (I think), ebony and hard chromed steel...CF banjo is still in the conceptual stage. ;)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top