Google Maps, San Francisco, Sausalito, Lake Tahoe Mini-Vacation
Jul 27th, 2013, 08:43 AM
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Google Maps, San Francisco, Sausalito, Lake Tahoe Mini-Vacation
This report will cover a bit about the following:In San Francisco, Scoma's at Pier 47, the GIants game at ATand T Park and the Larkspur Giants Ferry ride to and from the ballpark. Then in Sausalito, The Inn Above Tide and Spinnaker's Restaurant, and the Hayatt Regency Resort at Lake Tahoe in Incline, Nevada.
We drove from Santa Barbara , CA on a Friday night after work... I was sleeping happily in the shotgun seat and woke up to, " What exit should we take?" This from a smart, gorgeous man whom I love... so I quickly entered Scoma's Pier 47 into my I-Phone and waited for directions. They seemed wrong to me. ( I have lived in CA my entire life and have fairly good directional sense. I'm a good map reader... and I generally know where things are in SF.. just maybe not the street names or the exact quickest way to get somewhere but I know to " go that way" usually find it.) He'd actually been to Scoma's last year... I've never been... but the directions were heading us to 1st street.. and the ballpark is near 3rd and Berry, which isn't near the Embarcadero.. so I knew they were wrong directions. Mr. Right didn't believe me. He sweetly suggested that google must be correct and perhaps I had midread the instructions. . In a moment of hungry desperation, I decided it was time to find out the strength of our relationship, I pulled out the Thomas guide (you youngsters won't know what I'm talking about but its a paper map with squiggly lines that shows every single actual possible street in the whole city!) and proved my case. He admitted that I had a point. We were on a dark street nowhere near the Embarcadero. We changed course and got to Scoma's in about 7 minutes!!
Scoma's: Quick valet ( we were there at 10 pm) and taken right to our table for two near the window. Heather our waitress was attentive and fun without being obnoxious. We loved her and she made our dinner experience exacly what we wanted with her suggestions and answers to questions about the menu. I have to say that theirs is the most impressive menu I have ever seen. So many things were to my liking, it was a tough choice to decide on what to try. Both the ceasar salad and the lobster ravioli was incredible. The bread was great too and at that late hour, we didn't have dessert or coffee but I think we would go back sometime. It wasn't inexpensive but the service and menu were worth it for us. I would like to try their cioppino and the risotto too.
Inn Above Tide: We drove over and checked into the wonderful Inn Above Tide which is right on the water. I had seen this hotel years ago on a day trip to Sausalito and have always wanted to try it but didn't have an occasion to go. Mr. Perefct's birthday was THE perfect reason! I usually throughoutly peruse the hotels own website, check here and also read trip advisor reviews... also calling the hotel to see how their phone service is before booking. This usually gives me a good idea of what the hotel is like and I am usually happy with my choices... this was no exception. Daniel was wonderful on the phone. They only had two rooms available, a king room with no balcony and the Penthouse Suite! Most of the room photos on the webiste are of the larger suites and not every room has a balcony. The views however, look back across the bay to the bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island andd the City. The also provide binoculars!
The room was comfortable and nice, great water pressure in the bathroom and very comfortable chairs to sit in to look out to the view. The only complaint I had was the skylight ( we were on the third floor) which was BLINDING in the morning. They covered it within three minutes of my comment about it. I would recommend to anyone that if you are on the third floor to have them cover it immediately.We watched the sailboats and ferries but the highlight was the seal that swam by to make my day! Amazing to watch him right out the window. The breakfasts and coffee were great, we never took advantage of the wine and cheese in the eveniing.
Spinnakers Restaurant: We shared a shrimp cocktail and cheese/fruit plate in the bar area tables. ( The wait for the actual restaurant was 45 minutes at 2 pm on a Saturday. )Go here and enjoy the view. We were happy and relaxed, had great service from the waitress. watched the sailboats and the whole back wall is a giant window to the water/bay.
Larkspur Giants Ferry: This is the best discovery ( thanks Fodorites!) ever! $11 each way per person delivers you right to the ferry landing directly behind ATand tTpark! No bad traffic, on the way to the game, no waiting to get out of the parking lost after the game... just perfect! Definately the thing to do. Sit inside somewhere though because the outside seats get WET!!
At and T Park: My favotie ballpark. Tried the Orlando Cepeda Cha Cha bowl for the first time ( thanks again Fodorites!) and just didn't love it. It was okay but I think I'll stick with hot dogs in the future.Fun to try something different though. Got to see Buster Posey hit a homerun in person! Made my night!
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe ( Incline Village, Nevada): This resort is really nice. Went to the private beach each day and ate in the sit down breakfast restaurant each morning early. The food was good, service inconsisent.
Am looking into going back with the kids next summer... the rooms, pool area and beach were that nice. Many acitivites ( Camp Hyatt) which I wouldn't do with small ones but my two youngest woud be the perfect age 9 and 12 for it and there were things to do like kayaking and parasailing for my 14 year old as well. All I did was read my Kindle while Mr. Perfect was in meetings.
Perfect vacation.
Happy to answer specific questions if you have them.
We drove from Santa Barbara , CA on a Friday night after work... I was sleeping happily in the shotgun seat and woke up to, " What exit should we take?" This from a smart, gorgeous man whom I love... so I quickly entered Scoma's Pier 47 into my I-Phone and waited for directions. They seemed wrong to me. ( I have lived in CA my entire life and have fairly good directional sense. I'm a good map reader... and I generally know where things are in SF.. just maybe not the street names or the exact quickest way to get somewhere but I know to " go that way" usually find it.) He'd actually been to Scoma's last year... I've never been... but the directions were heading us to 1st street.. and the ballpark is near 3rd and Berry, which isn't near the Embarcadero.. so I knew they were wrong directions. Mr. Right didn't believe me. He sweetly suggested that google must be correct and perhaps I had midread the instructions. . In a moment of hungry desperation, I decided it was time to find out the strength of our relationship, I pulled out the Thomas guide (you youngsters won't know what I'm talking about but its a paper map with squiggly lines that shows every single actual possible street in the whole city!) and proved my case. He admitted that I had a point. We were on a dark street nowhere near the Embarcadero. We changed course and got to Scoma's in about 7 minutes!!
Scoma's: Quick valet ( we were there at 10 pm) and taken right to our table for two near the window. Heather our waitress was attentive and fun without being obnoxious. We loved her and she made our dinner experience exacly what we wanted with her suggestions and answers to questions about the menu. I have to say that theirs is the most impressive menu I have ever seen. So many things were to my liking, it was a tough choice to decide on what to try. Both the ceasar salad and the lobster ravioli was incredible. The bread was great too and at that late hour, we didn't have dessert or coffee but I think we would go back sometime. It wasn't inexpensive but the service and menu were worth it for us. I would like to try their cioppino and the risotto too.
Inn Above Tide: We drove over and checked into the wonderful Inn Above Tide which is right on the water. I had seen this hotel years ago on a day trip to Sausalito and have always wanted to try it but didn't have an occasion to go. Mr. Perefct's birthday was THE perfect reason! I usually throughoutly peruse the hotels own website, check here and also read trip advisor reviews... also calling the hotel to see how their phone service is before booking. This usually gives me a good idea of what the hotel is like and I am usually happy with my choices... this was no exception. Daniel was wonderful on the phone. They only had two rooms available, a king room with no balcony and the Penthouse Suite! Most of the room photos on the webiste are of the larger suites and not every room has a balcony. The views however, look back across the bay to the bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island andd the City. The also provide binoculars!
The room was comfortable and nice, great water pressure in the bathroom and very comfortable chairs to sit in to look out to the view. The only complaint I had was the skylight ( we were on the third floor) which was BLINDING in the morning. They covered it within three minutes of my comment about it. I would recommend to anyone that if you are on the third floor to have them cover it immediately.We watched the sailboats and ferries but the highlight was the seal that swam by to make my day! Amazing to watch him right out the window. The breakfasts and coffee were great, we never took advantage of the wine and cheese in the eveniing.
Spinnakers Restaurant: We shared a shrimp cocktail and cheese/fruit plate in the bar area tables. ( The wait for the actual restaurant was 45 minutes at 2 pm on a Saturday. )Go here and enjoy the view. We were happy and relaxed, had great service from the waitress. watched the sailboats and the whole back wall is a giant window to the water/bay.
Larkspur Giants Ferry: This is the best discovery ( thanks Fodorites!) ever! $11 each way per person delivers you right to the ferry landing directly behind ATand tTpark! No bad traffic, on the way to the game, no waiting to get out of the parking lost after the game... just perfect! Definately the thing to do. Sit inside somewhere though because the outside seats get WET!!
At and T Park: My favotie ballpark. Tried the Orlando Cepeda Cha Cha bowl for the first time ( thanks again Fodorites!) and just didn't love it. It was okay but I think I'll stick with hot dogs in the future.Fun to try something different though. Got to see Buster Posey hit a homerun in person! Made my night!
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe ( Incline Village, Nevada): This resort is really nice. Went to the private beach each day and ate in the sit down breakfast restaurant each morning early. The food was good, service inconsisent.
Am looking into going back with the kids next summer... the rooms, pool area and beach were that nice. Many acitivites ( Camp Hyatt) which I wouldn't do with small ones but my two youngest woud be the perfect age 9 and 12 for it and there were things to do like kayaking and parasailing for my 14 year old as well. All I did was read my Kindle while Mr. Perfect was in meetings.
Perfect vacation.Happy to answer specific questions if you have them.
Jul 28th, 2013, 12:32 AM
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Hi. Thanks for your report. We are five Australians visiting in September. Can I ask how much you paid approximately at Spinnakers. I dont want to incur expense for others in the group but would love to go. If we just wanted a sandwich and a glass of wine, or similar to what you had, should we book a table in the bar area or just book regularly in the restaurant?
Jul 28th, 2013, 12:28 PM
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Cruizen Susan,
Re Spinnaker's: I don't know if they accept reservations for the regular restaurant, they might, but if not, the bar tables were wonderful and as I mentioned, we walked right in. I didn't look at the entire menu, just the appetizer menu. I remember that what I ordered, the cheese and fruit plate was very generous and was $12.95 USD. I think for both appetizers, a glass of pinot grigio and two non alcoholic beers the tab was right about $50.00 USD. Hope this helps you. Have a wonderful trip!
Re Spinnaker's: I don't know if they accept reservations for the regular restaurant, they might, but if not, the bar tables were wonderful and as I mentioned, we walked right in. I didn't look at the entire menu, just the appetizer menu. I remember that what I ordered, the cheese and fruit plate was very generous and was $12.95 USD. I think for both appetizers, a glass of pinot grigio and two non alcoholic beers the tab was right about $50.00 USD. Hope this helps you. Have a wonderful trip!
