California Vacation

Wine Stuff

If driving from LA to SF, try to stop at Bonny Doon, whose cellar door thing is in Santa Cruz (where the Lost Boys was filmed). You can lose yourself in their website which will give you a flavour of what to expect. The wines are very good. Not great, but very good.

In Napa then Sterling (Calistoga) is perhaps the best overall package as the building is architecturally significant, the view is stunning (you catch a cable car to get to the winery) and the wines well worth tasting.

If you can get as far north as Mendocino then Fetzer is well worth a visit, and they also have a fantastic place to stay (expensive I suspect, I was a very grateful guest) and to eat - everything is organic, including the market garden that the restaurant uses. This would be a good place to explore the redwood forests from, and you could go into Hopback for some of the eponymous brewery's amazing beers (Red Tail Ale especially) as a cleansing wine-antidote.

If your holiday is going to be more wine-y than this, then let me know and I can recommend places endlessly.

If you can book 'The French Laundry' someone already recommended (in Yountville) then do so, for a food experience that you will never, ever forget, although it will cost you. It is one of the finest restaurants in the world - a bit Fat Ducky - although that is hardly fair to Thomas Keller the chef who could reasonably claim to have started the whole thing. I hear it went a fraction off the boil when Keller opened Per Se in New York but is back on form now. I recommend staying nearby as you will wish to walk or take a taxi because you will probably want to spend as much on wine (contemplation as well as money) as on the food to make the whole experience worthwhile.

Enjoy yourselves

Rod

Sorry yes it is Gilroy and Paso Robles, I know there must be a Los Robles road around LA. Paso Robles has nice wineries tho my friends that live there say the older ones on the ocean or west side of 101 are best.

Well only 7 grand to sleep for a night? Stay for a longer weekend. Back when it was a bit more tawdry Hockney painted the pool with his big swipes. The health and safety guys had them paint it over because you couldn't tell where the surface of the water was. Oh how dull, that was the IDEA! Wish I'd seen that.

And famously rockers took over creating mayhem. One scene was Paul Simon and John Belushi dueling Star Wars sabers around the pool.

Now it's too posh for that. Merv did a good thing tho saving that hotel, other developers would have torn it down.

Rod, I'll mark you as my next tour guide up north. I was taken by a friend when I had nothing to offer but conversation to some wonderful and wild restaurants on trips up there. Alice Waters has retired but a foodie friend said I should try it, never did, she was the top cook that galvanized the organic produce and great restaurants, all that started. I'm sure you know that but others might not. God bless her, now retired.

I've been to Yountville in 83 or so, a great restaurant was there tho probably not yours mentioned. They had an amazing art collection. It was a class act, but I heard a few years later it closed as the owner would not pay his local suppliers.

If you get to Calistoga consider one of the baths. A friend took me on a cold and rainy day back at that time 83. It was amazing experience being sunk into a concrete tub of volcanic ash with sulphuric water, face wiped regularly. Then out to shower off and into a huge ceramic tub to soak . I didn't have one cell of my body tense after that. We walked to a diner and I felt like I was high. Glad I wasn't driving home.....

A friend just called and said Chateau Marmont is famous with actors and musicians. Famously for Belushi dieing there. David used to live in the neighborhood and would walk around after work and often saw famous people incognito. Once on his motorcycle at a light a guy pulled up next to him and for 2 miles they rode together down Sunset, it was Billy Idol. billy took off for the hills and probably home.

On the phone he mentioned if you want to keep it simple stay on the west side in Santa Monica. Many hotels to choose from, then when you go north just take Highway 1 north thru Malibu to Ventura and Santa Barbara. In late summer that's not a bad idea, it can be 15 degrees cooler by the ocean. There's a Pier at Santa monica and famous path down to Venice, rent a bike, enjoy the scene. Lots of art things on the path and lovely old Deco hotels in SM. There's also 3rd Street Promenade for food and shopping, I took a German friend and a middle of sidewalk place, under umbrellas we had wine, pate' and great salmon salad. For art there's Bergamont Station, a collection of old warehouses that has art galleries and design studios. Then the 2 Gettys to choose from. And you don't have to get into crazy LA traffic or freeways.

First time in LA I wouldn't drive too much. It is a huge sprawl. Typical for a large city, the locals know what to stay away from or alternate scenic routes. To keep it simple get Sunset Blvd from Coast Highway 1 in Malibu and drive east ending up in Hollywood. Go back on Santa Monica Blvd.

Coincidentally I just got back from a weekend in calistoga (2 hrs from home) for a birthday vacation. We stayed (with kids) at the Indian Springs Spa, one of the oldest and nicest. It was incredible. Got a great deep tissue massage straight off and then got in the olympic size pool that is heated to about 102 farenheit via geothermal heat. The cottages are very spacious for about 200 bucks a night. It was raining and cold the whole time, but we didnt care, we just went to the pool We hit alot of nice restaurants and saw some sights. I am grateful to have this right in my backyard. I am willing to give any advice or guidance about California (mostly northern) I can via email, but it seems like everyone pretty much covered what there is to see and do in my home state! Most of my advice revolves around the mountains or beach as I am an avid surfer and skiier. I also have a good handle on the used and new vinyl sources around the sf bay area if interested.

I had a great time with big howard and his wife when he came over and would love to have some more visitors in Oakland...

John

Hi Guy's,

Thanks for all the help, we have decided to send a few days in San Francisco for our starting point before drifting down the coast and down to Los Angeles. We've decided not to do Yosemite this visit, maybe next time, as we've not got enough time to do it justice.

Anyway.... we are thinking of finding somewhere around Union Square for SF, we enjoy walking in cities ( and of course the trams ) so hopefully this is well placed for that. If this is a good location do you have any recommendations for hotels ?

We will look for something on Sunset Boulevard in LA, as this seems to be the feedback from people on the forum - we have got couple of suggestions already but the more the merrier

Again, we are much obliged for all the help and advice you've all given

Cheers

Barrie

Is Betelnut still on form?

I had a fantastic meal there, but was years ago. Recommend you try it.
http://www.betelnutrestaurant.com/

we both love Asian food so we will give it a whirl

Thanks

Barrie

quote:

Anyway.... we are thinking of finding somewhere around Union Square for SF, we enjoy walking in cities ( and of course the trams ) so hopefully this is well placed for that. If this is a good location do you have any recommendations for hotels ?

I've stayed at the Westin St Francis on Union Square a few times and found it to be fine. Always on business so it may be a bit on the expensive side.

CA is so large I think it's about the size of Italy it's just not possible to see it all. When I had my first trip to Europe after college, like so many others, My father got me onto a Cooks Tour starting in London. Being taken around gave me a good idea where I wanted to go after I got off and went back on my own. Later trips you can do justice to Northern CA, Yosemite and Redwoods/coast. It is really wonderful up there.

I've mentioned these posts to friends and they all seem to say LA doesn't often appeal to people because of "hollywood" and the urban sprawl, but from living here it has it's own beauty and so many things to do. SoCal is really a coastal desert tempered by the Pacific, but that makes for really great weather and a wonderful mix of cultures.

I rather liked this when I was in CA

http://winetrain.com/

SoCal is dog shit; it really is. Has/been since Jack Benny died. Only a sucker looking for money would waste their time let alone career there. No offense Wolfe, sincerely, but given your desire to pass judgment on numerous topics, I offer some of my own crap, geo lesson missing.

Get north and fast!


Any brother will tell you that,

Jim

P.S. Calistoga is truly lovely.

On your way out of SF, stop for lunch at Duarte's Tavern in Pescadero. Pescadero is worth a quick look, and the cream of artichoke soup is to die for.
Less than an hour south of Pescadero is a state beach where elephant seals hole up for a season. I don't remember exactly which season it is, but check it out. The sight of hundreds of these prehistoric monstrosities lying inthe sun is unforgettable.

oh I know Northern CA is phenomenal, and Yosemite is breathtaking, even better, it's a spiritual event to visit. I spent a year near teh Russian River and love the small road from Santa Rosa to Calistoga, and been back many times. That coast hwy 1 from Mt Tam to Eureka and beyond is just mind blowing. I've been many places in my past, but my life has centered in this area, I can't move. I've moved over 2 dozen times in my life, I have roots here now, I've found home in LA.

Many opportunities here that most people don't know of. And yes you need to have a car and learn the freeway system, but I also travel roads with lots of character and views, I'm not interested in the flatland grid. I've been to native plant society talks and hiked here, tho not much any more, the whole CA ecosystem has been fascinating to learn about. When storms blow thru like recently our mountains are amazing and out to the desert. This spring I have to get to Joshua Tree to see the desert bloom. Sadly the sprawl has just ruined most flat areas here. UGH!

Sorry to have upset you. I'm just having fun on this forum, I learn so much and like to join in. Here was a guy wanting to know more about CA. I guess I gave too much information.

I got my masters in Landscape Architecture and ENV Planning, worked 3 years in Santa Barbara for the Forest Service. It was a rare treat to live there. I'm not saying it's the best, but it's best for me and I dearly love it here. Wish I could see more of the world. If I had one last trip I think it would be to South Africa because we have so many plants from there.

I'm not trying to top anyone or slam an area tho there is a lot of tension between the north and the south. I just thought I'd write creatively about my living here and what I notice. I'm just stymied about England and I'd love to see many areas of the whole British Isles. But it's not going to happen, I'm really rather poor so I can't just pick up and move. too much of that in my past.

Again, Sorry to have pissed you off Jim.

Guy's,

Please don't stressed over this topic, I really appreciate all the great help and advice, I am putting the final itinerary together this week, and I will let you see it when it's finished.

Northern California is for our next visit

Thanks again,

Barrie

wish I could travel more but I'm taking care of my aging parents. Yesterday after Sunday breakfast with a friend took him to the Getty for an Italian Masters painting show. Good to be there on opening we had our noses 12 inches from them taking in every detail. We've both painted in the past. Out in the garden the azaleas were blooming in the pond. Hazy marine layer made the pale blue Pacific have no horizon, gorgeous day.

three more pics

An update as promised, I have now booked our 10 day trip with stops at:-
San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Simeon, Indian Wells, Los Angeles

I just need to settle down to re-reading these posts and a few books

Thanks again for all the help guys

Barrie

We did those in 2 days, well not SF.

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
We did those in 2 days, well not SF.

We just want to relax, with a bit of time to wind down, so we have deliberately kept each days drive time down.

Shortish drives, nice places to stay, time to stroll, interesting places and good food and wine will do it for us.

Thanks again

Barrie

quote:

Originally posted by baz100:

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
We did those in 2 days, well not SF.

We just want to relax, with a bit of time to wind down, so we have deliberately kept each days drive time down.

Shortish drives, nice places to stay, time to stroll, interesting places and good food and wine will do it for us.

Thanks again

Barrie

I understand, we did choose to cover a larger area, to include LA, Yosemite , Tahoe, Nappa etc.
So our visits were by necessity shorter. Driving long distances is so much easier in the US so it's not much of a trial to do these trips.
We know more, if we do plan to go that way again.
Enjoy it Barrie, there's so much for every taste.

quote:

I understand, we did choose to cover a larger area, to include LA, Yosemite , Tahoe, Nappa etc.

They are hopefully for our next trip

Barrie

quote:

Originally posted by baz100:

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
We did those in 2 days, well not SF.

We just want to relax, with a bit of time to wind down, so we have deliberately kept each days drive time down.

Shortish drives, nice places to stay, time to stroll, interesting places and good food and wine will do it for us.

Thanks again

Barrie

Smart man. Hope you have a great trip!

I look forward to a post and maybe some pics on your return.

good for you Baz, you'll have fun.

I did a wild thing this week. Qantas is having a fare war and it was down to $650 RT. I waited a day to hear from friends and when I booked it was $850. Still a bargain and I"m looking forward to discovering this great city on my own. Still a bit daunting as 2 weeks away from my elderly parents really makes me nervous. My best friend says you need 2 weeks where you don't have to worry about them, GO HAVE FUN!