Any CA Experts out there ?!?

[Jeanne G]

I'm excited to say I've got a trip planned in Nov. to visit your beautiful state. I would love any suggestions for places you recommend to EAT in the following cities :
San Francisco
Santa Cruz
Monterey
Carmel (by the sea)
And if you know of any quaint B & Bs to stay. If anyone at all could help, that would be great and much appreciated!!!

[iqueen]

JeanneG: I don't live in CA but I go to San Francisco a ton on business. There are so many good restaurants there that it is disgusting. I love Palio D Asti on Sacremento for Italian. Boulevard is nice. First Crush is a great wine bar with good food. Hawthorne Lane is excellent too. Tadich Grill...Mooses....Bix....they go on and on.

[Gail]

Hmmm... I was hoping we still had the info on San Francisco in the archives. Probably that was the old board. Somebody (CathieA?) was going to the San Francisco/wine country area and there were several ideas. Perhaps she will tell you where she ended up eating...

As for the Monterey Peninsula, we do have some suggestions in the archives. Check out: www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/000791.html (http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/000791.html) .

Bay area dwellers! Where ARE you?


[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 09-14-2000).]

[Peggy]

Hi Jeanne!

A former Bay Area girl answers your call... I moved away about four years ago, but I can tell you some of the places we have enjoyed over the years...

San Francisco:

Can't help much with B&B's here because I lived so close, I rarely stayed in the city. However, I can tell you some of the restaurants we liked.
Fish: The Waterfront - excellent seafood, but the service can be alittle slow here. Don't go if you are in a rush!
Neptunes - at the end of Pier 39, Great view and good seafood.
Tadish Grill - I recall it being in the Financial district.
Scott's Seafood Grill - In Embarcadero Center

Italian:
Kuleto's - It is south of Union Square in some hotel. Can't remember the name.
The Iron Pot - Financial district. Not much to look at, but the food is great!
The North Beach Restaurant - location obvious!!!
Julius' Castle - at Coit Tower. I recall having to park somewhere else and they shuttled you to the restaurant.

Vegetarian - "Greens" is the place to go if you are into vegetarian!

Misc:
Postrio - California Cuisine, not too far from Union Square
Carnelian Room - It's on top of the Bank of America Building. Beautiful view, excellent food. A little pricey, but nice for a special occasion.
Stars - in the theater district.
Gaylords - Indian food. I think it is located in one of the Embarcadero sections.

Most important!!! Try to see the show "Beach Blanket Babylon" while you are in SF. It is fabulous!!!! It plays at the Club Fugazi in North Beach. (Perhaps dinner at the North Beach Restaurant and then a show...???) Check our their website - www.beachblanketbabylon.com, (http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com,) phone #415-421-4222. Reservations are a must because they sell-out every night.

Monterey/Carmel - I have posted all my recommendations on the site Gail has directed you to.
A good B&B in that area is the Green Gables Inn in Pacific Grove. Phone #408-375-2095.

Santa Cruz:
I highly recommend the "Shadowbrook Restaurant" in Capitola. It is a beautiful setting overlooking a creek and the food is very good. The restaurant is actually built into a hill and you can either walk down through the gardens or ride a funky little rail car down. Phone #831-475-1511.
If you are around for Sunday Brunch go to the Coconut Grove Restaurant at the Boardwalk. The ceiling is temperature monitored so it opens up and lets in the sea breeze if it gets too hot. Good food and great atmosphere.

Well, I must go get my family off to work/school! Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions and have a great vacation! I think I'm feeling homesick! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif There is no where quite like the Bay area!

Peggy



[This message has been edited by Peggy (edited 09-15-2000).]

[Jeanne G]

So far you all have been a GREAT help. It's getting me excited for our trip!! Thank you all for the help. I'm copying the info into my "San Fran/CA" vacation file!! I haven't checked out the archives yet, but I will this weekend. And Peggy, sorry to make you homesick!!! My sister emailed me photos of the central coast and I was amazed! I think it is incredible. I might email you direct and get some other suggestions besides food if you don't mind! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Missi]

Hi Jeanne! I know this wasn't on your list, but only 3 1/2 hours away from San Fran is Lake Tahoe. I live on the South Shore and there is a ton to see and do. It's beautiful here and well worth a day trip from the Bay.

Definately go to Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf in Frisco. There is a great hotel called The Tuscan Inn at Fisherman's Wharf (Best Western) that is moderately priced and within walking distance of the pier and Alcatrez.

Have fun on your trip!

[Gail]

Peggy,

Is THAT where Scott's went?? I thought it had gone out of business...

We used to go there when it was on Lombard, and one day I noticed it was kaput (I only get up to SF two or three times a year as a rule). I wanted to take my family there and was so disappointed. Thanks for the update.

Jeanne,

Although I haven't been to Julius' Castle, I used to go to the restaurant next door. (Then a German place called The Shadows) What Peggy forgot to mention is the fabulous location. The Shadows had a great view. I'd imagine the one at Julius' Castle is every bit as wonderful!

[Missi]

I meant the hotel is within walking distance of the boat that takes you to Alcatrez! (obviously you could not just walk to Alcatrez!)

[Peggy]

Jeanne,

Please feel free to e-mail directly if I can be of any further assistance. Gail is right...I did forget to put a plug in for the view from Coit Tower (Julius' Castle). It is wonderful. Also, forgot to mention you should stop in for Irish Coffees at the Buena Vista Bar, (I think that is the name!!! Someone correct me if I'm wrong!), around the Ghiradelli Square area. I believe it is on the corner across from the cable car turn around. That is where the drink Irish Coffee originated. Very crowded, but a definate touristy thing to do.

Any time for the Napa/Sonoma wine country? I posted my ideas on Gail's wine lovers thread.

Gail,

I believe Scott's is still at Embarcadero, though it's been a long time since I went there. They also have another restaurant across the bay at Jack London Square. Same great menu.

I think it's time for a trip home...

Peggy

[Veronica]

Our favorite place to stay is the Grand View Inn in Pacific Grove. It's right next to the Seven Gables Inn, which you may have seen in that old American Express commercial. Both inns are run by the same people.

The inn is very romantic w/gorgeous views of Monterey Bay. We just love it. Check out http://www.7gables-grandview.com/ for more info.

[Gail]

Thanks for the info, Peggy!

Jeanne,

One more thought. Since I'm gathering this is your first time to San Francisco, may I caution you that if you're going down to the wharf, expect major crowds and traffic congestion. Food is good there, but there's far better to be had elsewhere, away from the usual tourist stops. Typically weekends at the wharf are mobbed, but on the other hand, that's when the street vendors and entertainers are out doing their thing. So, if you hate mob scenes, go during the week-- but if you like crowds and party atmosphere, the weekends will be fine. Just a thought.

[MaryH]

Well, I'm not in the Bay Area (but wish I was). However, I slum in Fresno (and if you have to ask where that is - any Bay Area person will tell you its definitely slumming http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif but I try to get out that way as often as possible.

Right now the only thing that's coming to mind is a tiny French restaurant in Carmel called Chez Feliz (or something like that). It only seats about 30 but the chef and his wife shop every morning and make meals based on what's available. And we stayed at a B&B called Stone Street Inn which was about two blocks away. (At least I think that's the name, my memory cells aren't what they used to be.)