Southern California Whiskey Club incl Santa Monica & Sherman Oaks notes

7.2.13 Sherman Oaks travel notes

Amtrak #583 SD Old Town 2:46pm, arrive Union Station (LA) 5:40pm
$37, $58 business class

Metrolink #121 Union Station 5:55pm ( #123 6:40pm backup ),
 arrive Van Nuys 6:23pm ( 7:08pm backup )
 $7.25 ( "Ventura County Line 100 Series" ), age 65+ 50% off w/ photo ID

cab from Van Nuys Metrolink station :  south on Van Nuys Blvd,
 right (west) on Ventura Blvd 6 blocks to Blu Jam Cafe 15045 Ventura Blvd
est. $20, approx. 5 mi.

cab from Sherman Oaks event 8:40pm  to Van Nuys Amtrak station
est. $20, approx. 5 mi.

Amtrak #796 Van Nuys 9:05pm,  arrive SD Old Town 12:51am
$39, $59 business class ( well worth it to sleep much easier )

total, incl. $35 event ticket & public transit $158-178 est.
- - -
variables

Amtrak southbound return trip
Last daily Amtrak south leaves Van Nuys 9:05pm
to catch usual 10:10pm from Union Station to SD Old Town 12:51am
per http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/536/483/Pacific-Surfliner-Schedule-040113.pdf
Event start 7:30pm, leave via cab no later than 8:40pm for Van Nuys Amtrak 9:05pm

Amtrak northbound
usual 2:46pm from SD Old Town doesn't go further north than Union Station (downtown L.A.) 5:40pm arrival
Next earliest train is noon from SD Santa Fe station downtown (parking is a challenge)
 or from Solana Beach Amtrak 12:34pm
 to arrive Van Nuys 3:31pm ( Union Station 2:45pm )
http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/536/483/Pacific-Surfliner-Schedule-040113.pdf

Sherman Oaks / Blu Jam Cafe 15045 Ventura Blvd
Roughly five miles from Van Nuys Amtrak/Metrolink station,
at least a $20 cab ride south, either on 405 Fwy or
 Van Nuys Blvd then right (west) 6 blocks on Ventura Blvd
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=218435911468422735208.0004dd807db5f92faa0e4

Metrolink southbound return trip
last trip south to Union Station from Van Nuys 5:45pm = unavailable for 10:10pm Amtrak to SD
Metrolink northbound   "18 miles"
leave Union Station 3:15p, 3:36pm, 4:25pm, 5:10pm, 5:55pm, 6:40pm
 arrive Van Nuys 3:43pm, 4:03pm, 4:53pm, 5:38pm, 6:23pm, 7:08pm
http://www.metrolinktrains.com/schedules/line/name/Ventura%20County/service_id/1141.html
= = =

130514 double tasting SDWC whiskey benefit notes, esp. re Santa Monica

Hotels : Best Western, right on #704 bus line, Comfort Inn, near Daily Pint, the Ambrose only if there is tail in the wind

#704 Metrolink bus from Santa Monica Blvd & 20th in Santa Monica
to Union Station took 100 minutes in Tue. noonday traffic.
Bus fare is $1.50
http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/bus_overview/images/704.pdf
That boarding stop is one block from the Best Western in Santa Monica, twelve or fifteen blocks from the Daily Pint, 2300 block of Pico Blvd, standard SCWC venue.
Also review prices at Comfort Inn 2815 Olympic or Pico

Alternative to lengthy bus ride is leg between Union Station & same bus route via Red Line, transferring at Vermont & Santa Monica Blvd station.
Easiest but very expensive dining is Pacific Dining Car, 2700 Wilshire Blvd, because it's open 24/7. Bar & wine list are limited & very expensive. Ask for dessert menu for ports & sherries.
Places at top of list to try
Buffalo club 1500 block Olympic, closed Mondays. Kitchen open til midnight.
Bistro of Santa Monica.