Travel Log: California

Technology and entertainment -- a perfect match for stock-car racing of today as the old days of driving up and racin' what you got are over, as well as the lack of celebration that surrounds each event.

There's perhaps no better combination of the two than NASCAR. Except, perhaps, Southern California, widely known for its academic surplus of schools and of course as the movie capital of the world.

To the select old-school NASCAR fans, California is the standard bearer for the sport's shift into a new, hipper generation. We've gone away from our roots, they may claim. Yet to the sport's true traditionalist, it will be obvious that at least one branch of that root stems all the way to the West Coast.

NASCAR has been racing in California since 1951 and has put on 119 events in the Golden State, spread across 15 racetracks -- some still open, but most closed for good. California was even the site of the season opener for 12 years, and closed the season on 13 occasions (read more).

Live Studio Audience -- Be a part of Hollywood by attending the taping of a live television show where tickets are free but the timing must be good to get coveted seats for the popular shows. The shows heading into the weekend may be booked, but if travelers are sticking around an extra day after the race, the price may be right early in the week.
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Frevr3fan -- You got Tommy Burgers on Rampart and Beverly. You have Pinks that's on Melrose and La Brea. You also have a burrito place over here in my town of La Puente called Boca del Rio. Manny's Tepeyac where you can get a burrito that will feed the whole family for 10 bucks. It's about two and a half feet long and weighs about 3 pounds. That's in East Los Angeles on Evergreen. Also Tio's Tacos in Culver City. Felipe's for beef dip sandwiches in Los Angeles. The Pantry for breakfast or dinner on Figueroa in Los Angeles. Leroy's for breakfast in Monrovia. B.C. Cafe in Montclair off of Indian Hill Boulevard; that is about 15 minutes from the track for breakfast or lunch.

changingto18 -- Must do lunch at In-N-Out Burger and Del Taco. Dinner at El Torito and Claim Jumper. Plus any family owned Mexican restaurant. If you crave something different, Rubio's Fish Tacos. All of these places are all over the southland.

Join the California Speedway Crew!

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with highs near 62 degrees, low of 44
Friday: Mostly cloudy with highs near 64 degrees, low of 46
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with highs near 62 degrees, low of 49
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with highs near 65 degrees, low of 45
Complete Forecast

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• Let NASCAR.COM help book your last-minute travel.
• Directions and aerial map of Fontana, Calif.

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