Hi all, I am going out to Anaheim next week for work and will have a little free time. I have tracked down two places to visits for trek photo ops the Japanese gardens of the Tillman Water Plant ( used as Star Fleet academy) or the Vasquez Rocks ( used as the battlefield in Arena and many other episodes). I only have one day to myself, I am leaning towards the Gardens, but I was wondering if anyone else has gone, and was hoping for feedback. Thanks
If you are going to CA and don't get there often, I can think of a thousand different places to go besides either place. But if you are set on one or the other, the water plant is going to be closer to Anaheim.
A place of knowledge vs a place of battle. Easy choice! I'd totally go for the water plant! I had no idea that's where the Starfleet academy gardens were from. I'd love to go there myself! I am jealous! edit to add: just looking at some pics of the plant! Amazing! I wonder how many people have gone there wearing TNG era uniforms? Look forward to seeing your pics - if indeed you end up going there!!
...thanks I am actually aware of the time distance, as I looked up directions before considering the venues in question, and felt these two to have more merit than crossing the street and going to Disney Land for the day Again thank you for your feedback, however, a constructive suggestion would be appreciated more, and I do not require a thousand locations, as I am sure there are a million things to do CA, but maybe the top two or three, within an hour or two of the Anaheim convention center. and maybe a reason or personal anecdote or two of why it made your list. Of course as my two choices are trek related, I would be grateful if you would cross reference the aforementioned thousand different places that come to mind to have some connection to trek or sci-fi in general (I am out on business and will have free time, without the fear of turning a family vacation into a trek pilgrimage). Thank you, I found out by accident, a friend share this link with me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo2YRwlZxjI and I said hey I have a day to myself and a car rental
I did both - it turned out that a few fellow fans were also at the rocks in costume having fun, so I hung out with them and later headed to the Gardens on the way back. http://s104.photobucket.com/user/CarlMarchese/library/trek%20in%20CA?sort=3&page=1 Every time I have been in CA it's in the cites and it looks like a city. The Rocks were amazing, coming from back east, deserts are just so alien to me. I have to say as I drove up I got giddy just seeing the "witches hat" as they call it and standing there was really fun, going with others is a must, but make sure they are into it. I know my wife and 2 year old would of been miserable in the heat and sun, while my 6 year old and would get heat stroke before heading back in. The welcome center was nice had some inexpensive fossils and pins from the new movies, and the clerks were really nice. There was a constant flow of traffic from Trek fans to hikers to just tourists. The Gardens were less friendly LA county prevents using tripods in the park ( LA wants their cut of your guerrilla film) and the clerk rolled her eyes at my Star Fleet tee. I threw on my DS9- Voy shirt and took a selfie or two, then asked a person to take a pic. Still a fun outing. The gardens were really composited alot in the show, but it was still cool.