Oh darn, I was hoping there had been some kind of meeting put together. Darn those people with their UK and babies and apartment-hunting.... :-)

x-posted from Press:

It's time to start the 2012 F2F process! West coasters, it’s your year. You have between now and November 20th to sell us on why your city is the city we should gather in next spring/summer. Post your initial interest, do your research to give us some hotel options (or just pick the best one and focus on it), and decide which two weekends you would like to propose to go with your city. We will vote at the end of November. (I didn’t realize that with the shift in dates the week we’d said we’d vote this year is Thanksgiving--we should probably wait until the following week to vote.)

PIMP YOUR WEST COAST CITY, BUFFISTAS!

All discussion will take place here in F2F. If you’re interested in potentially attending the F2F next year, you may want to subscribe to this thread during this month to participate in (or just observe) the conversation.

I know you all know this already, but I will be proposing Pasadena this year, which is a city with unique charm, very distinct from Los Angeles (and not technically part of the city, though we are in LA County). it is also near many local Buffistas and within driving or shuttle distance of four airports (so lots of travel options). I currently have an RFP out to the Sheraton Pasadena Hotel: [link] Their rates are affordable (and will be more so by the time I get back the response to my RFP), and the hotel is in the heart of Old Town Pasadena: [link] . It is walking distance from dozens of restaurants, shops, bars, museums, and more. It is also walking distance from the Metro, which will take you quickly and cheaply to downtown LA or Hollywood if you wanted to do some exploring. A short carpool drive (or, I just learned, free shuttle from the hotel!) can also get us to some truly awesome Pasadena sites, such as these:

The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens (their rare book collection is astounding and includes the First Folio and one of the original Canterbury Tales--and the gardens are breathtaking and massive) [link]

The Norton Simon Museum: [link]

The Pacific Asia Museum: [link]

The Gamble House: [link]

and much more. Nearby also is Allyson’s beloved JPL, of course, which I have never toured but would love to: [link]

Plus, the hotel is near the best frozen yogurt place in existence, 21 Choices: [link] . Buffistas who have been there with us can back me up. Tastes like normal soft serve ice cream and is SO GOOD. (Like a Cold Stone Creamery, but with more verve!) They have six homemade base choices that change every day, and these can be mixed with anything you can imagine.

And, of course, Vromans: [link] , SoCal’s oldest and largest independent bookstore.

ETA: We could also do a Very Buffista high tea at sj’s friends’ teahouse, Rose Tree Cottage: [link]

For the few of us who like to hike, there are some amazing trails in the area in the nearby mountains [link] and Griffith Park [link]

You can check also out ND’s work on the sound at any of the Griffith Observatory’s amazing planetarium shows: [link]

Most of this is not in LA, by the way--and that’s just a sampling of the local stuff in Pasadena itself. Want a visual of why Pasadena rocks? Check out this awesome video, called Pasadena: What are you waiting for?: [link]

I love this city so much and would love to show it off to Buffistas!

Coffee: Sorry--I had some formatting issues initially, but I think I’ve now cleaned them all up.

Come to Show Low, Arizona! Ride down the Deuce of Clubs, named for the turn of a card that won a town! Enjoy the cool mountain breezes and the local wildlife! Get in barfights with the local cowboys! That's...okay, that's all there is really, and it's not a good idea.

Go to Pasadena!

Bwah! I love you, Liese.

I think a cowboy barfight would be hot. And if it's not, please don't burst my city slicker bubble.

I've stayed in the Sheraton Pasadena and it's cheap and decent.

We could have a barfight in Pasadena and wear cowboy hats.

I have boots!