susant100

We are staying for 5 nights at the Princeville resort in July. We usually stay in the Poipu area, so we are not familiar with restaurants and activities on the north shore.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. We have 2 boys, ages 13 and 15. We are looking for surf spots, dive operators/locations, kayaking, hiking, etc.

Thanks for your help!

auntiemaria

Kayak Kaua`i is in Hanalei -- ocean and river kayaking; guided or not:
http://www.kayakkauai.com/

Hanalei Surf will rent you equipment, tell you the current conditions, point you to the best spots for surfing, and recommend dive companies:
http://www.hanaleisurf.com/

And if you want to windsurf -- or take lessons -- head to Anini Beach.

susant100

Thanks auntiemaria.

Any restaurant recommendations??

auntiemaria

Plenny...

Not knowing your budget, I'll just rattle off a few of our northshore favorites:

burgers and/or salads - Hanalei Gourmet
sushi and/or fresh fish - Sushi Blues
breakfast - WakeUp Cafe
brunch - Princeville Hotel Cafe Hanalei
dinner - CJs Steakhouse, Sabellas, Princeville Hotel La Cascata, Hanalei Bay Resort (new chef; improved menu!)
sunset drinks - Princeville Hotel or Hanalei Bay Resort

susant100

Thank you again. We are looking for all types of restaurants. Not that money is no object, we do plan to have a few nice meals (usually dinner)while on the north side of the island.

Thanks for the suggestions!

gyppielou

Check with the conceirge at The Princeville for an evening if and when they have authentic hula in their livingroom, or any early evening entertainment. Choose a sofa, enjoy a burger or california roll and the entertainment. Very educational and elegant!

auntiemaria

And I forgot to mention another fun offering at the Princeville Hotel (in The Living Room_ -- Tuesday afternoon "high tea" (3:30pm). It's not a big crowded affair, but reservations are required (so they've got enough goodies to go around).

$21 per person gets you a large assortment of exotic teas, and a _feast_ of nibbles...tiny sandwiches, pastries, and other delectables served at your table (go early so you can get a table by the window and gaze out over Hanalei Bay).

No bathing suits allowed, but there's no need to dress up -- you'll see folks in everything from shorts & t-shirts, to resort wear.

Kal

AuntieM,
:-? Whatever happened to the "ex-nay on Wake-Upscray"?

We did Zelos for the first time and their seafood burrito special was chock full o' seafood..unlike some where there is a higher beans/rice to seafood ratio.

We tried to hit Sabella's but we found out they weren't opened for lunch. Was disappointed in the location, tho.
Can't recall what was in there before.

Ditto your sunset drink at HBR...espcially if it's Sunday during the open jam session at Happy Talk Lounge.

iceeu2

oooooohhhhhhhh, Kal, if I go to my favorite place and get more beans and rice than seafood...I'm gonna have a case of the raw rear! But, I guess you will be able to say I told you so..

AuntieM...I had to laugh so loud when I read about High Tea...I can just see myself and the real icee doing "High Tea" in Hawaii..Grief, I may just do it to post a photograph for all of you! Kinda like "When I am an old woman, I will wear purple with a red hat" type of thing!

Also, which of these would you prefer...the Friday night seafood buffet at Princeville or their Sunday Brunch?

dfarr

susant100.....Be sure to check out Hideaways beach. Your boys will love the adventurous trail heading down there and the beach and snokeling are amazing! Sort of hard to find the trail if you don't know where to look. As you are leaving the Princeville you'll come to a parking area on your left and then the tennis courts for Pu`u Poa condos. There's a very narrow "goatpath" between the parking lot fence and the tennis court fence. About 100 yards out there are very steep, rickity steps that go part way down. From that point you're on your own and will slip and slide down until the path finally levels out a bit. Make sure you wear shoes with decent tread and be very careful if it has rained recently. It's a little tricky but WELL worth your trouble. Have fun and enjoy!

auntiemaria

Kal:
Ooops...sorry...forgot about the ixnay deal! Okay folks...do NOT eat at Hanalei WakeUp Cafe.
Sabella's predecessor was The Beamreach.

iceeu2:
Amazingly, both of the men at our table are still talking about how much they enjoyed the high tea (go figgah!) -- and seriously telling us (da wives) that we'll do it again...sometime. No need to dressup -- our guys were in shorts, slippers, and aloha shirts.
If someone's heading to Princeville for just one meal, I'd steer them to the Sunday Brunch so the view can be seen and enjoyed.