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So, Hive Fleet Oblivion Junior has laid out the essentials for next summer's vacation.

Criteria:

1: good surfing, preferably near Cardiff, Encenitas, California
2: good gaming.
Not quite simultaneously, I don't think the new 'Nid codex will include any aquatic gribblies.

This summer we had a pretty groovy time, surfing at Sennon Cove in Cornwall, then battles between Nids and all comers at trolltrader, and also the GW store, in Truro. Was perfect.

Now the Hivefleet is set on California. So - anyone got a recommendation for a good location? Especially stores that are suitable for (mature) 13 year olds with a nasty selection of 'Nids. We are hoping to do this as a houseswap, and have had offers from Santa Monica and Orange County, but don't know much about the gaming in either place. If it's a location with cool bars/restaurants for the parents to chill while the ymgarls strut their funky stuff, so much the better.

TIA

I am not familiar with a lot game shops near the beach, but Game Empire in Pasadena, California is top notch. Lot of gaming tables, a variety of games are played there regularly (including a large 40k following) and it is kid/teenager friendly.

Depending on the freeway traffic it takes about 30-45 minutes to get to the beach from Pasadena which for Southern California is "not bad" in terms of travel time. Pasadena also has some great restaurants and bars, and is centrally located to some other neighborhoods that offer great dining and drinking as well.

After a quick Google search there is Aero Hobbies in Santa Monica, California. I have only been there once and it was small, but well stocked and the staff were friendly. It is like a closet compared to Game Empire, but it is only a couple of miles from the beach. Can't comment on the surrounding area as I don't spend a lot of time in Santa Monica, but I am sure they would have places to keep you and the missus happy.

Thanks, Darktraveller, that's really helped clarify our options.

Surfing in the North Atlantic sounds freezing.

 Khornholio wrote:
Surfing in the North Atlantic sounds freezing.

Grim and frostbitten is the way to go though.