ShelliDawn

Hi,

I'll be attending a training course the first week of March in Redwood City. The organizers "highly recommend" we stay at the Atherton Inn. Does anyone have first hand experience with this hotel?

Also, looking for recommendations for places for dinner, any interesting places to visit, neighbourhoods to stroll through etc. in the evenings.

What's the weather normally like that time of year?

Looks like we'll be arriving Sunday afternoon/evening and flying out Friday evening.

Thanks!

sf7307

Redwood City the town used to be a workaday town that noone from outside Redwood City would have any reason to visit, however, there has been a great deal of redevelopment in the downtown area over the last few years. We go there because there's a big multi-screen cinema and a lot of new restaurants around the movies. There's also a live theatre mostly for music (Fox and Little Fox). Except for the redeveloped downtown, there's nothing there for "tourists" (unless you're dying to visit the local Costco or Bed Bath & Beyond or Target).

Palo Alto is just south of Redwood City (you pass through Atherton and Menlo Park if you're driving on El Camino -- distances are not very long). University Avenue is wonderful, lots of shopping and eating (Palo Alto is where Stanford University is, too - so you can drive around campus, visit the excellent art museums if you're interested).

Sorry, I've never heard of the Atherton Inn.

iamq

If you are into antique stores, second hand stores, and small, homegrown galleries, the redeveloped area that sf mentions is also a good place for those things.

The weather could be nice, could be cold and rainy. We have been having a VERY warm winter with barely any rain, but who knows what it will be like in a month or two.

You could kill a couple of hours at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park and have a coffee with all the beautiful people next door at Cafe Barone. Nice place on a sunny afternoon.

What are your tastes, budget for dinner?

sf7307

I just looked at the Atherton Inn's website. It's in a good location (I assume you will have a car, which is a must). It's a big bed and breakfast, technically in Redwood City, but adjacent to a very very upscale part of Atherton (Atherton is as upscale/affluent as Redwood City is downscale). If you like B&Bs (I don't), it looks nice. Personally, I'd look into the really nice hotel further south on El Camino, the name of which is escaping me at the moment (iamq?).

ShelliDawn

Hi,

Thanks for the responses. I looked at the Atherton Inn website also and would be surprised if the company agreed to pay for it. Although, then they wouldn't have to reimburse me for breakfast. I do like B&Bs generally.

As for taste/budget for restaurants, probably not too high end as I want to be able to expense it, but I'd prefer local restaurants to chains. I can go to a chain restaurant anytime in my own city. I like most types of food but stay away from really spicy.

iamq

Hi Shelli,

I am not familiar with that many places in RWC, but we've eaten at a place called Milagros a couple of times and like it a lot. John Bentley's and Chantilly are good too, but they are pretty pricey.

Try yelp.com for suggestions.

sf7307

The hotel I was thinking of is the Stanford Park.

maryanntex

I have stayed at the Atherton Inn a couple of times and thought it was fabulous. I can't remember how much it cost, but I remember being surprised at how reasonable the price was, especially for what you got. A full breakfast is included, and there are also cookies and snacks available other times. The room was wonderful. It is almost new, although built in a very traditional style. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Downtown Palo Alto is a fun place to walk around, and there are several inexpensive places to eat on University Ave. Also, Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park has some cute shops and boutiques.

NorthwestMale

The last time I stayed in Redwood City was the night of October 17, 1989.

Lucky me, I checked in early and was sitting on the bed reading the paper when all hell broke loose.

abranz

northwest,
hope that was not your 1st trip to s.f.
after that would you ever return?
that day is forever seared in my mind.

sf7307

hope that was not your 1st trip to s.f.after that would you ever return?

I have friends who were supposed to be here the next week for the Plastic Surgeons conference. They didn't come then (it was probably cancelled, I don't recall) and they never HAVE come.

LoveItaly

NorthwestMale, Caruso fled SF when the EQ hit in 1906 and I don't believe he ever returned either.

abranz

i have family on the east coast that think i am nuts to live here.
i think a potential earthquake is easier for me to handle than the annual snow storms and hurricanes! lol.

NorthwestMale

R
O
F
L

@ Caruso!!!


I had been to SF a number of times before, and have indeed returned a few times as well.

HOWEVER, I went to a Carl's Jr. that night and have NEVER returned to one (ONLY based on superstition, NOT for any practical reason).

I've even dared to spend a few nights in the "south bay" on the peninsula since that date.

And y'know, a hotel room isn't a bad place to be when the big one hits - very little falls off a shelf (an empty bottle of Hawaiian Punch fell off a table, that was it).

Once you survive the obligatory ritual of opening your room door to stare menacingly at whichever neighbor might have been making 'all that noise', then you're pretty safe for the rest of the night (until 1:30am when all the power comes on at once, and you're compelled to sit up watching nation-wide coverage that those in your area have yet to see, without power).

The day after the quake, I drove up to Santa Rosa and stayed there for a couple of days.


LOL at all of this!

trvlgirlmq

ShelliDawn,

If you aren't too picky about food you should visit Harry's Hofbrau. I used to go there with my grandparents and had to go one more time when I went back for my grandfathers funeral. It's right on El Camino (kind of a main drag for the area).

KymH

Hi ShelliDawn,
A great casual burger place is the Canyon Inn. It's a short drive into the hills, but worth it. It's a decent neighborhood to stroll around, but only in the daytime as there aren't any sidewalks! For sidewalk strolls, try the area around Edgewood road, just east of Alameda.
Right downtown is a good lunch place, Alana's. For dinner? Redwood City still doesn't have anything amazing. Palo Alto is best-the university ave. area is fun-lots of great places to shop and eat. Have a great trip!

ShelliDawn

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Looks like we're booked into a hotel in Palo Alto, so I should easily be able to stroll around there and try out its restaurants. Can't remember the name of the hotel (boss picked/booked it); I'm a little concerned it will be noisy because it seemed quite close to a highway. But, if it's clean, I'll be okay.

iamq

Places we like to eat in Palo Alto:

Evvia
Osteria
Tamarine
Three Seasons
Jing Jing
Bistro Elan
Sushi House
Joanie's Cafe

sf7307

I'm a little concerned it will be noisy because it seemed quite close to a highway.

Well, the Four Seasons is right at the freeway, so maybe that's it!!

traveldawg

The Stanford Shopping Center is near RWC. Just find the street El Camino Real and drive south past Menlo Park about 5 miles. This is a great shopping area with all the major stores.