If your in the Napa Valley your might try a restaurant called Tra Vigne. I found it here... http://www.ilovenapa.com/visitors_restaurant_review.php?listingId=217 If I remember correctly I am pretty sure St Helena is close to Calistoga. I have never had ANY kind of beef dish (including a Kobe filet) as tasty as a short-rib dish prepared there. It didn't sound all that special, but it was unbelievable, I could have eated it with a spoon. There is a pretty interesting and tasty Cuban or Puerto Rican place I used to go in the city but can't rmember the name. I am sure the name will pop in my brain sometime if that sounds good to you. Numerous phenomenal Chinese places in the City or East Bay--but can't help with names there. San Fran is a great city to party in.
Whatever you do, do go any further south than San Jose. What lies between there and LA is not pretty.
becareful around downtown san fran at nite ,especially the Market St. area, lots of druggies and shady lookin types. San fran has some nice strip clubs
Monterey/Carmel/Pebble Beach, Big Sur, Cambria, Santa Barbara????? You must be thinking I 5 (central valley), because some of the places I mentioned are some of the prettiest places in the US (well from what I have heard about Santa Barbara, I have been to the others and can vouch for them). And of course if you go east of I5 you get the places like Yoesemite & Kings Canyon & Tahoe (ditto from what I said about the central coast).
Technically, Pizza My Heart is in Capitola, not Santa Cruz. I would suggest that you focus on things that California has and Texas (or wherever you are coming from) does not. Check out Yosemite, the Pacific Ocean, etc. Don't worry about restaurants, all cities have restaurants. Carmel is nice if you are into shopping, otherwise it's crap. If you want a romantic place to go for dinner, head to Capitola (it is just south of Santa Cruz on Hwy 1 and go to the Shadowbrook. Excellent atmosphere. For more San Francisco centric activities, you can check out Fisherman's Wharf, the Sea Lions on pier 39, Alcatraz, the Presidio, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Yah.....and if you're going to D.C., don't worry about government buildings, all cities have government buildings.
Except for that one in downtown Santa Cruz. I echo Alcatraz. If you haven't done it, it's a must. I did the self-guided audio tour for the second time in January and it was just as interesting. Next time we go out there, we're gonna spend the entire day on the Rock.
Yes, but not all cities have federal government buildings. Besides, you would look like a goober if you went down to tour the local courthouse. I was under the impression that Houston had some very nice restaurants (that is to say, the equal of SF restaurants). Maybe it was all BS posturing by the "Everything in Texas is better than everything else" types around here.
Thanks all for your recommendations.....I am definitely going to experience as many of them as I can.
Hoop-T- How was the trip? I'm planning to go out there mid-April to see a Giants game among other things. I've already gotten tix to Beach Blanket Babylon (Thanks Deckard!) I'm staying in Union Square, but plan on being on the west side of downtown SF one day to go the Legion of Honor museum and visit Lincoln Park. Does anyone have other suggestions? especially for the west side, like places to eat, etc... I can't drink (health reasons) so any Napa valley things are out. TIA!
anybody know how much it costs to ride the train from LA to san fran? where is a nice inexpensive hotel.
Hey Ollie, On the west side, especially not too far from the Legion, you're talking about the Richmond district. In the inner Richmond, you will find some *exceptional* Asian cuisine. Let me recommend, very strongly: Straits Cafe (on Geary near Parker)... it's Singaporean food. You won't regret this. Burma Super Star (on Clement near 4th St., I think)... it's Burmese food to die for, and the prices are pretty cheap. Also, very nice staff here in a small setting. You'll have to get the "tea leaf salad" if you eat there. J DIDDY, don't know about cheap hotels. Even the cheap weeklies for the nearly homeless crowd look expensive here.
Check out tripadvisor.com That is where I found my place. I'll be staying at the Chancellor Hotel or the Hotel Britton for ~$79/night. B-Bob- Thanks for the suggestions, I will definitely check out at least one of those places. Are they within walking distance of the Legion? I'm planning on not renting a car out there, and taking advantage of the public transportation system. Everyone else- I still have 1 morning, 1 afternoon and 1 evening (all on separate days) that have no plans yet, so keep the suggestions coming! Something romantic would be nice. Again TIA!
