The food has to be good, and the atmosphere is definitely important, but sometimes a killer view can make or break your eating experience. We're going to take a look at some cool rooftop restaurants in Central and Southern California that have the most incredible views imaginable! If you're planning a date night these are definitely the places to consider taking that special someone.

Only The Best Rooftop Restaurants

 San Francisco

El Techo de Linda - Fabulous rooftop dining that boasts "Latin American Street Food". A must for amazing food with an fabulous view! From El Tech website The Cheesecake Factory [off of Union Square] - Sure, there are Cheesecake Factory restaurants all over California, but what makes this one special you may ask? Well the view of course! Enjoy Cheesecake Factory favorites with an incredible rooftop view. From Mike In Singapore Blog Top of the Mark - Though on the more expensive side, the view alone may be worth it! The Top of the Mark is a fantastic place to enjoy good food and a stunning rooftop view that will take your breath away. From Lifesabento.blogspot via GlobalTravel.com Jones - New. Hip. Manhattan-esque. It's the place to be in San Francisco. Flickr- Mark H. Anbinder

Los Angeles

High Lounge at Hotel Erwin - Located in Venice Beach, this rooftop restaurant and lounge has a stunning view that cannot be found anywhere else in Venice. From highvenice.co Perch - As their website boasts, Perch is a "French inspired rooftop bistro". There's no better place to find a birds-eye-view than resting in this perch! Take flight and enjoy this incredible view ;) From Perch LA The Roof - The Roof on Wilshire has it all: breakfast, brunch, lunch, a sunset menu, dinner, and desserts. With poolside service and a view like this, what more could you ask for? From The Roof Elevate Lounge - Elevate is your perfect night-on-the-town experience with room for dancing, modern music, and an atmosphere that cannot be beat. From Elevate

Orange County

Club 33 - Ok, ok, so this is a bit of a stretch, but it is an amazing restaurant with an incredible view...of Disneyland! If you're lucky enough to know the right people, you could find yourself enjoying the view onto New Orleans square in the heart of Disneyland. Flickr-Gregg L Cooper The Deck - Situated in beautiful Laguna Beach, The Deck offers ocean side dining at its finest. From Pacific Edge Hotel Nirvana Grille - Come to eat and relax and peace may follow at the Nirvana Grille with its soothing ocean view and elegant interior. From Laguna Beach Foodies Vivo Bar - Enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand seated in one of these plush lounge chairs at the Vivo Bar located on the fourth flour of the Double Tree by Hilton at the Doheny Beach in Dana Point. They offer extend happy hours during the summer! From Double Tree

San Diego

RoofTop600 at Andaz - Cassy and trendy, the RoofTop 600 is the place to be in San Diego. It may not be easy to get into, but it's worth trying just for the killer view alone! From Chemistry PR Bertrand at Mister A's - They claim to be the "Top restaurant in San Diego" and to have the "best dining with a view". With command of the San Diego skyline and an exceptional staff, they may just be right! From San Diego Essential Guide Cannonball - Live music, sushi, and an oceanfront view to die for. The Cannonball needs to be next on your list for rooftop restaurants. From WaveHouse San Diego JSix - Claiming "Honest Food & Drink" JSix has an honestly amazing view to match. They recently underwent a renovation so make sure to check out their new design with the same classic view. From Puccini Group

We know this isn't a complete list. Did we miss your favorite rooftop spot? Let us know in the comments below!

  Source: Rooftop Restaurants Cover Photo: Flickr-Prayitnomore

When things get shaking here in California the biggest question you need to ask is: Is your home earthquake-ready? We'd like to provide some great tips and procedures to help in earthquake proofing your California home. Flicker - J J Those of us down in Southern California have recently been experiencing a little earth-moving fun, and though the small quakes hardly do much damage [see a funny video of an overreaction here] there is the potential that larger quakes could follow. The best way to live without worry is to live prepared.

Earthquake Proofing Your Home

Structure

It's no fun thinking that you may need to have your house or building inspected, but when it comes to the structure you live in, being up to code an prepared is 100% worth it. Some key areas that will need to be assessed are your homes foundation, anchoring (where the walls are secured to the foundation), walls, main lines for gas, water, and electricity, as well as your water heater (source: SFGate.com). We recommend checking out the CA.gov Seismic Safety Commission website for more helpful information that is specific to California. Flickr - Jens H.

The Small Stuff

We're always told not to sweat the small stuff, but in this case, paying attention to the little details in your home could save you a lot of trouble should you experience an earthquake. Here is a list of items to consider securing to the wall:

• Bookcases
• Televisions
• Top-heavy or tall furniture (armories, entertainment centers, dressers)
• Refrigerators and other large kitchen appliances

Flickr - Jeremy Levine Here is a list of items you should consider moving or altering:

• Large or heavy items placed on top shelves (move to lower shelves)
• Adding latches to kitchen cabinet drawers
• Heavy or large wall art above beds (move away from bed)

When you can single out these potential issue areas, a few quick fixes will mean a world of difference should things start to shake.

Earthquake Kit

Being prepared goes past evaluating your home or living space. When you've got a handy earthquake kit ready, you can rest easy knowing that you're prepared no matter what. These items could come in handy in other situations as well so it's a win-win. Flickr - Kristian Niemi Suggested Earthquake Proofing Kit items:

• Water - Store a pack of water bottles (recommended 3 day supply) and calculate a ration of four quarts per person per day at minimum.
• Food - In this case, canned goods are a great way to go (don't forget the can opener!). You should also consider snacks and calorie-heavy foods such as peanut butter, granola, oatmeal, protein bars, nuts, and whole-grain crackers.
• Medicine - Have a backup supply of any necessary medicines just in case.
• First Aid Kit
• Additional clothing
• Blankets
• Flashlights & batteries (consider investing in a phone battery charger for emergency calls or to check the earthquake app for information)
• Simple tools (wrench to turn off gas etc.)
• Fire extinguisher
• Essential documents stored in a safe

TotallyUnprepared.com recommends purchasing a large trashcan with a waterproof lid to store all of your earthquake proofing items in. Check out their site for additional information on making your own kit. Flickr - Joe Burke We hope these tips help you to feel confident and secure that, no matter what happens, you can be assure you're earthquake proofing is complete. Living worry free in California is always the way to go!

Sources: Earthquake Safety & Survival and How Stuff Works Cover Photo from Flickr by Paree

Easter is only a few short days away. You may find yourself entertaining guests but not having an idea of something fun to do. We all know that FUN isn't far when you're living in Southern California so take a look at these 5 ways to celebrate Easter with your family and friends.

Eggs, Eggs, Eggs

Enjoy Easter Egg games on the beach. Take a look at this list of fun egg games we've compiled. Flickr-tina negus

• Classic Easter Egg Hunt - maybe not for the beach (unless you want to bury them like hidden treasure) but a good way to keep things fair in larger families is to designate an egg color to each child!
• Spinning Egg Fight - This is a hilarious game for the whole family. Take a knee-high nylon and drop an egg into the bottom then pull the nylon down over each competitors head. Have them face off and "fight" by trying to twist nylons. Whoever pulls the other persons nylon off first wins (or whoever's egg doesn't break).
• Egg Toss - Partners pair off and face each other taking a step back after each completed throw. The pair that is furthers apart wins!
• Egg on a Spoon Race - Place eggs on spoons and run a relay without dropping the egg!

From PInterest

The Amazing [Easter] Race

Go to the park and create "The Amazing Race" for your family. With a little careful planning you can involve everyone from children to grandparents in different legs of this race. Checkout Pinterest from some great ideas!

Brunch, anyone?

Do a "Brunch from around the world". It's easy to get sucked into the usual meals during any holiday and Easter is no exception. Try something new this year with an around the world brunch. Assign each relative a country and a specific dish and see what they come up with. Ask them to explain part of the history of their dish if they can find it. Flickr- last-s*it

Staycation...Kind Of

Take a Mini-Vacation or Day Trip to somewhere you haven't been (or been to in a while). Sunday afternoon is a great time to do a little exploring. Try taking a hike or visiting a museum (make sure and check the hours of operation) or even go out to dinner in another town near by. Sometimes a little time away can be as refreshing as a whole week of vacation.

Camping in Comfort

Sometimes, leaving the comforts of home to experience the great outdoors is just too much of a hassle - especially when you are past your Spring Break days off of school.  To liven up a short weekend with a little bit of outdoor fun, we recommend a back yard camping party. Roast marshmallows, put up a tent (or sleep out under the starts), and enjoy all the comforts of home.

The beauty in this activity is that you experience all the fun of camping without the fuss of packing!

Flickr-Karl-Petter Åkesson These activities are fun and can give you ideas that may spark your creativity, but really it's not so much about the activities as it is about the people you share them with. Take some time this Easter to enjoy being with your family and friends. A great way to spark some conversation is to go around the table at dinner and ask for one favorite memory from each family member. This can be sentimental as well as hilarious depending on what type of memories are shared. Either way, we wish you a happy Easter filled with lots of fun and beautiful California sunshine!  Cover photo by Bahman Farzad

After a long day at the beach, nothing hits the spot like fish tacos with a splash of lime and cilantro. Thinking ahead to summer, we've decided to search out the best fish taco places we can find in Southern California. We recommend grabbing a group of friends and picking a location that's near you to enjoy some fantastic food in good company.

Best Fish Tacos this Side of the Border

Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market

Located up in Oxnard, Ca Andria's is a local staple for seafood of all kinds including some of the best fish tacos! The location is small and nestled next to the Ventura harbor but don't be fooled by the limited space. Andria's is usually packed from opening until closing.

Best Fish Taco In Ensenada

If you're anywhere near Hollywood we have the perfect place for you and the name says it all, "Best Fish Taco In Ensenada."  They boast tacos that are "The closest thing to standing on a beach in Baja" (website). Why travel all the way to Mexcio when you could have a great fish taco here? Rated with 4 starts on Yelp this is definitely the place to go!

Senor Fish

The crazy and eclectic Senor Fish is a great option for tasty fish tacos. The original restaurant has been around since 1988 and is still going strong today in four different locations in Southern California. A menu under $10 makes this a great first date location! [caption id="attachment_981" align="aligncenter" width="922"] From herviewfromhome[/caption]

Ricky's Fish Tacos

Rated with 4.5 stars on Yelp, Ricky's Fish Tacos located in East Hollywood is said to have "the best fish tacos" by many of its patrons. With great prices (all under $10) you cannot go wrong by checking out this hole-in-the-wall.

Bear Flag Fish Company

If you ask the press, this is THE place to go in Newport Beach if you are searching out that perfect fish taco. According to Food Beast, Bear Flag Fish Company has the, "Freshest fish taco's in Orange County." I don't know about you, but that's a great recommendation! [caption id="attachment_982" align="aligncenter" width="922"] Flickr-eatlivetravelwrite[/caption]

Long Beach Fish Grill

Another highly rated restaurant on Yelp (4.5 starts) the Long Beach Fish Grill is a great location to settle down after riding the waves to drink a beer and enjoy some tasty fish tacos.

Harbor Fish & Chips

Heading down to San Diego? Take a detour to Harbor Fish & Chips located in Oceanside Harbor and rated with 4 stars from Yelp! This little restaurant has had it's share of media coverage for its authentic fish and chips as well as its fish tacos. The view is spectacular and the food is great, what more could you want? [caption id="attachment_983" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Flickr-Carolyn McCaffrey[/caption]

The Fish Market

With locations ranging from Palo Alto to San Diego, The Fish Market is a great place to find seafood of all kinds including the coveted fish tacos! It may not be an 'off the beaten track' type of restaurant, but the additional selections will keep your taste buds entertained time and time again. [caption id="attachment_985" align="aligncenter" width="922"] Flickr-Ian Lee[/caption]

Did we miss your favorite fish taco spot? Let us know in the comments below!

Cover photo from Lieslicious

We've compiled a list of some of the best California based TV shows from the past that we probably all remember. Whether you were a fan of reruns or liked to stay current with shows during high school, this list of the best California based TV shows will likely spark your memory. So, slip into your legwarmers or bell bottoms, add some frizz and volume to your hair, and take a step back as we enjoy a blast from the past!

Best California Based TV Shows

The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971)

This show is an oldie, but definitely a goodie! The Beverly Hillbillies depicts a quirky, redneck family that is transplanted into the heart of Beverly Hills after striking it rich in oil. This beloved old show ranked in the top twenty for most watched shows for the first eight seasons (source).

The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)

What happens when a man with three boys and a woman with three girls fall in love? Well, the Brady Bunch of course! This classic California based TV show aired for five seasons but has since been syndicated and many Brandy Bunch movies have also been made.

[caption id="attachment_965" align="aligncenter" width="575"] From Larryfire.files[/caption]

Charlie's Angels (1976-1981)

You may be familiar with the movie version of this show that came out in 2000 featuring top list actresses like Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu, but before the movie came the hit TV series. In Charlie's Angels, we follow three beautiful private investigators working in Los Angeles for the infamous (and faceless) Charlie. They use their cunning and charm to solve crimes all while wearing tight, high-waisted jeans and flaunting their fantastic, fluffy hair. It was the 70's after all. [caption id="attachment_967" align="aligncenter" width="637"] From bionicdisco[/caption]

Full House (1987-1995)

Set in beautiful San Francisco, Full House is a genuine classic and truly one of the best California based TV shows. If you have watched reruns of this show you'll know the names Danny, Jesse, Joey, DJ, Stephanie, and Michelle. You may even recognize fashionistas Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen who both played the youngest daughter Michelle. [caption id="attachment_968" align="aligncenter" width="560"] From Eonline[/caption]

Saved By The Bell (1989-1993)

This classic California based TV show is the epitome of California with stars like Zack and Kelly always one step away from romance and the loveable Screech creating the perfect comedic relief in all of his geeky-ness. [caption id="attachment_963" align="aligncenter" width="665"] From brokeassstuart[/caption]

Baywatch (1989-2001)

Yet another perfect, though exaggerated, example of California life, Baywatch followed the lives of Los Angeles County Lifeguards on duty at the beach. Lasting for 11 seasons, this dramatization of lifeguard duties and their interpersonal relationships is sure to spark a memory from the past.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)

Fans of Will Smith likely remember this sitcom from the 90's with its hip hop/rap intro by the man himself. Set in a Bel Air mansion, this show highlighted the elite side of Southern California. You've also likely found yourself dancing "The Carlton" at one point or another.  If not, do yourself a favor and watch this video. [caption id="attachment_970" align="aligncenter" width="600"] From Whatculture[/caption]

Beverly Hills 90210 (1998-2000)

One of the newer, and most popular California based TV shows, Beverly Hills 90210 follows the path that Saved By The Bell laid out with the idea of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air as twins Brandon and Brenda adjust to life in Beverly Hills. The show hits harder on some of the more difficult real-life issues that Saved By The Bell didn't address and had a long run of 10 seasons. [caption id="attachment_966" align="aligncenter" width="700"] From TheStudioTour[/caption] Cover Photo from Pinterest