Travel ROAD TRIP Las Vegas


OUR ADVICE? NEVER fly to Vegas from L.A.; the drive is too much fun to miss. First, check out Calico Ghost Town (36600 Ghost Town Rd; 800-862-2542, calicotown .com) in the Calico Mountains. It’s not the most authentic of ghost towns (more Disney than dude ranch) but is still a worthwhile detour for a bit of Wild West history. For a different peek into the past, look out


for Exit 23 on I-15, which leads you to the ruins of the former Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa. The spa was created back in 1944 by quack radio evangelist Curtis Howe Springer, who duped visitors into thinking they were soaking in healing natural hot springs, when in reality, all the pools were boiler-heated. (Eventually the FBI shut this operation down. Turns out Springer was squatting illegally on the land, to boot.) Grab some out-of-this-world road snacks seven miles north at Alien Fresh Jerky (72242 Baker Blvd, Baker, CA;


Neon Museum


877-254-3636, alienfreshjerky.com), a kitschy, extraterrestrial-themed sundries shop selling flavored jerky, olives, nuts and candy. If you’re hungry for something more substantial, don’t miss the Mad Greek (72112 Baker Blvd; 760-733-4354) just down the block, a delicious Greek fast-food joint. You can’t miss it, thanks to the life-size plaster statues and Parthenon-evoking patio. Order a gyros plate to fuel the rest of your journey to Sin City. Upon arrival, drive right past the Strip


(relax, you can gamble later), and head to the Neon Museum (770 N Las Vegas Blvd;


702-387-6366, neonmuseum.org). Housed in the restored lobby of the now-defunct La Concha Motel (a Googie architecture masterpiece designed by Paul Williams, who also worked on the Theme Building at LAX), this collection of neon signage is one of the best in the country. Make an appointment to tour the boneyard, home to more than 150 colorful, towering signs— some of which still light up—dating back to the 1930s, each with their own unique history. ■ Kate Wertheimer


FIND MORE ONLINE AT TIMEOUT.COM/LAS-VEGAS.


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Lake Tahoe, CA


HAVE A YEARNING for the kind of winter chill (and knee-deep, sparkling snow) that L.A. can’t provide? Just 400 miles north, the winter wonderland of Lake Tahoe awaits. Known for its laid- back vibes, stunning scenery and world-class slopes, Tahoe and its surrounding mountains draw visitors from across the globe while still managing to feel like a cozy, friendly and unspoiled escape. If it’s hip vibes you’re after,


book a room at Hotel Coachman (4100 Pine Blvd; 530-545-6460, coachmantahoe.com). This beautifully designed, rustic-chic hotel offers Stumptown-trained baristas, fireside s’mores service, a beer and wine bar, a cozy lending library and a steamy hot tub.


Ski (or board) bunnies have lift ticket options aplenty: Check


TIMEOUT.COM/ LOS-ANGELES/TRAVEL


Winter Olympics). For an après-ski bite, you


can’t beat Base Camp Pizza Co. at Heavenly (1001 Heavenly Village Way; 530-544-2273, basecamppizzaco.com); try the Base Camp pie topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage, roasted peppers and onions, and portabello mushrooms. Thirsty? Grab a local


out Northstar (5001 Northstar Dr, Truckee, CA; 530-562-2267, northstarcalifornia.com) for luxury (including a Shaun White–designed superpipe for daring snowboarders); Heavenly (3860 Saddle Rd; 775-586-7000, skiheavenly.com) for a family- friendly affair; or Squaw Valley (1960 Squaw Valley Rd; 800- 403-0206, squawalpine.com) for an old-school, anticorporate vibe (the resort didn’t get its first formal trail map until 2010, despite hosting the 1960


Time Out Los Angeles October–December 2016 70


microbrew at Sidellis (3350 Sandy Way; 530-600-3999, sidellis.com)—we suggest the barrel-aged red Moonshine Murder—or rub flannelled elbows with the regulars at Bar of America (10042 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA; 530- 587-3110, barofamerica.com) in a neighboring town. Prefer cocktails? Look for something served with Tahoe Blue Vodka, a local spirit made with water straight from the Tahoe mountains—perfect to warm you up after a day in the snow. ■ Kate Wertheimer


PHOTOGRAPHS: TOP: CC/FLICKR/DANIEL COOMBER; CENTER, BOTTOM LEFT: SHUTTERSTOCK


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