*Absolutely Nothing 'Kook'-thread-related in this post*
Mr. 'berg (can I call you 'Ice' for short?) Your email address wasn't listed so I'll impose on the thread. June 28 approaches and you have a Bay Area graduation to attend. Here's a few tips to make the most of your vacation experience:
1. Hotel - you've probably booked someplace already but the Corte Madera Inn is so outstanding in price vs. benefit ratio that it's almost as good as investing in IOM...well worth switching reservations. Cozy, furnished, kitchened, spacious rooms, 15 minutes from 'The City' but out of the way of tourist throngs with views of the Marin hillsides and the SF Bay. Inevitable thanks from 'chix' and wallet both.
2. Sunday Champagne Brunch - Casa Madrone Hotel in Sausalito. Actually, this would be a better hotel move, but pricey too. The few visitors that have taken me up on this swear they had a spontaneous 'second honeymoon' in this hotel that put the 'Q' in 'quaint'. It's spectacular Bay views, elegance, and privacy have swooned brides and 'post-brides' for decades. You and Mrs. Berg will have think you've both gone to heaven. But so will your vacation budget...you only live once! Whilst 'Chix' diggit, dig deep in the wallet. Hey, it's graduation, right? Anyhow, go to the Sunday brunch - spectacular cuisine and unlimited Robert Mondavi champagne whilst watching the bay. Book the Friday before - not too bad at $19.95 per.
3. In 'The City' - Many people ride the cable cars, but few visit the Cable Car Museum at Washington/Mason streets. A most fascinating place, put this on your list of 'to do's
4. DO NOT - visit Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, Pier 39, or give money to the street people. All 4 are of equal value and you only encourage them (all 4). Somehow, tourist packages consist of all this, but all visitors I have advised about this have ignored my advice, did it anyway, came away with a huge feeling of "so what" and wished they had listened to my advice and ignored the travel agencies. Hold your nose from the stinky smell (seriously) and hand out your wallet if you chose to ignore this advice.
5. Go have a drink at the 39th floor of the Marriot on 4th and Mission (before/after you visit the Museum of Modern Art on 3rd - SF MOMA, we call it.)
6. You *must* ride the Golden Gate Ferry from the Embarcadero to Sausalito (or vice versa, or both)
7. I don't know how much time you have, but if you intend to venture into 'Wine Country', which isn't too far (plan a whole day) then email me about which wineries to visit.
8. Have coffee at 'The Steps of Rome' on Columbus and Grant. Whilst there, get a cab to take you to Coit Tower. Do not attempt to drive a rental car to Coit Tower. You will spend more time attempting to park, than you will spend getting to the top of Coit Tower (and don't worry about the rickety elevator, it's fun, and we haven't had a major earthquake in quite some time).
9. Have dinner at Scoma's. There is a Scoma's on Fisherman's Wharf - FW is the worst but Scoma's makes it, uh, OK. Better off to have dinner at the Scoma's in Sausalito. This is an Italian seafood restaurant that is miles above all others.
10. Nightlife - around the newstands and coffee shops of 'The City' you'll see a newspaper, "The SF Weekly". It's very easy to find and will tell you all the current events of the Jazz Clubs, Dance Clubs, Rock Clubs, Bondage and Sex Clubs, throughout the city.
11. Have dinner at 'Ya Ya' on 9th and Lincoln. A 'mesopotamian' restaurant by name, this features some unique beef, lamb, and vegetarian pastry dishes. Most 'middle America' palates that I have recommended this to have thought the concept unusual but came away with incredibly satisfied appetites, and craving to move to SF just for this restaurant.
12. Before you go to 'Ya Ya', visit Golden Gate park, just a few blocks away. In particular, see the Japanese Tea Garden, the DeYoung Museum, and The Arboreteum. This should be a nice 2-3 hour appetite builder.
Have fun, don't forget that SI participants are meeting on the 29th for a Beach Party, as I have mentioned previously on this thread.
-MrB |
