Fullerton Marriott at California State University

Nice small town feel

by TinKan

One of the best things we like about Fullerton is the small town feel and the feeling of being safe here. You can walk the old town area and not have to keep looking over your shoulder all the time.

The town has an old area located at Harbor and Chapman Ave, which I recommend walking around.

There is plenty of parking off Chapman Ave. This is a collage town so there is plenty of bars and places to listen to music and to be seen.

I like all the food places in town and have not found a bad one yet.

Locals Flock to the Big Library Sales

by marinarena

Well, here is a tip for anyone who likes to travel for bargains, particularly for used and collectable books, come for the best "Friends of the Library "book sale in O.C. -- at the Fullerton City Library. It is easily accessible from the train station, just a 10 min walk or so.

I have attended the sale three times in the past few years and have grabbed a few goodies. It's worth the trip to flip and scan through the titles. There are several genres from which to choose-- mostly basic fiction and a very good selection of sci-fi, romance, children's books, art, cooking, non-fiction biographical , political and foreign language titles.

What's interesting to observe during the yearly sales is that there is an active and enthusiastic reading culture in southern California. Each occasion of the grand book sale, people line up and wait with bated breath for the library doors to open. There is a common perception that Los Angeles is not a reading town (and moreover a city of stupid, ignorant uneducated people). Since Orange county is really more associated with the greater Los Angeles area, a town like Fullerton can unfortunately become under the umbrella of L.A. in this aspect. Much too unfortunate!

Hours for the sale are generally from 10 am-4 on Friday, Sat and Sun. However, on Friday, members of the library have first dibs at the sale for the first three hours and teh general public is not let in until the strike of 1 pm. If you are local to the area, it may be worth it to become a member of the library.

So, here are other basics for the sale:

Find the library at 353 W. Commonwealth Ave.

The sales occur tri-annually. For 2006, the dates are in Feb, June and Sept (call or check website below for exact dates and any updated info)

Come with your own sturdy bag to hold your bargains (though they do provide plastic bags).

Besides books, there is other material, including some magazines (some collectable), audio and video.

See the beautiful disaster of Fox

by marinarena

See my travelogue for my pictures and website for a fuller overall picture of the Fox !!

Everytime passing downtown along Harbor Blvd in Fullerton, I see the old movie house, Fox Theater, and wonder why is it not a fully functional building for the arts. The exterior has made some major progress since when I first laid my eyes, just a few years ago. The look is rustic and captures the old romance of Hollywood. No blinding neon lights like those of the multi-plex movie houses here. Only I can imagine how it's like inside since it is not yet restore an open for the public to enjoy. There is a passionate effort for this but the project is suffering from politics and money crunch (a money crunch for such a fine OC town like this-amazing!). At least when riding down south on Harbor on your way down to Disneyland, seek out the beautiful/tragic Fox.

Fullerton

by Christlike

"Fullerton"

This is the city I grew up in for 23 years! I live in Fullerton with my mom on the weekends and help her out around the house, because she is disabled. There is a lot to do in Fullerton. Fullerton is home of the famous school, Cal State Fullerton. Fullerton has practically one of everything! There are "4" Target stores even. I mean, come on, who needs that many stores? One city over is Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

Welcome to Downtown Fullerton!

by marinarena

"The Sunset at the Train Station"

well, no words needed here.

"Boutiques Galore!"

If you are in town to do some unique shopping, here is the place to go!! Dozens of boutiques with their own Fullerton flavor thrive in teh heart of the town.

"Storefront"

As this is Orange County, there are visual representations of Republican figures all over the place. Some are great tributes like the Reagan Federal building in Santa Ana or the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda. This store, pictured on the right, has an icon of Nixon. Regarded highly for his experience and negatively for his scandal, Nixon is indeed a posthumous fixture who is very much part of the pop culture of Orange county.

"Angelo and Vinci's"

A downtown Italian-American restaurant with a lovely bright pink exterior. Inside, the good is just OK but the atmosphere and decor is great. A full restuarant review may or may not come. There are many other restaurants that I want to try first!

"Villa De Sol"

Villa del Sol, a charming Spanish villa in downtown that has quality restaurants like Cafe Hidalgo and Stadium Tavern (the second is review in my restaurant tips) a hair salon , shops and offices. More pics of this to come!

"Strips along Commonwealh!"

Decent, almost classy pawn shops and more down on Commonweath in downtown Fullerton. Great off the beaten path shopping here!!