longtail

Hi everyone. Beginning to plan excursions for the Kauai part of our trip and was hoping for some advice.

1. We are staying at the Anini Beach House for our anniverasry trip and will be taking one day to tour the South Shore. We'd like to see the Kauai musuem, Spouting Horn and tour the Allerton Botanical Gardens. Any unique Hawaiian shops we shouldn't miss in the area? Planning on a nice, romantic dinner at either the Beach House or Tidepools. We'll probably be in shorts for our day excursions. Is there a place we can change on the South Shore before a nice dinner?

2. We will be taking another day to tour the Waimea Canyon. What's the best route to take from Anini - the west route or the east route and what is the drive time for each? Also any suggestions for dinner on the way back from the Canyon?

The rest of our time will be spent on the North Shore - relaxing, beaching and enyoying the scenery.

Thanks for your help! It's most appreciated/

carbogilligan

I'm not quite sure what you mean by the west or east route for Waimea Canyon?

Ashley24

You can only go one way to Waimea Canyon...go south toward Poipu and keep going around to the west side of the island. The road deadends after Hanalei and Haena on the North shore.

vivi

There are 2 ways to get up to Waimea Canyon after you reach the west side:
Kokee Rd from Kekaha ( Highway 552)or
Waimea Canyon Rd (Highway 550)
After about 10 miles these highways merge into one road. I usually take 552 up and 550 down to see different scenery. Waimea Tech and Visitors Center is worth a quick stop if only for their sparkling clean bathrooms! Facilities up at the canyon and beyond can be primitive. Drive time depends on how many times you stop. It is about 28 miles from the bottom to the very end of the road at the top.

From Anini to the start of one of these canyon roads should take 60-75 minutes.

iamq

There are some interesting galleries and such in Hanapepe. If you are into soaps and candles, there is a neat shop in Koloa just down from Lappert's. You can smell it a block away!
There are public restrooms at Poipu Beach Park and I think there are some at Spouting Horn too.
Allow around 2 hours or so to get to Waimea Canyon from the North Shore. Brick Oven Pizza in Kalaheo is where we have stopped to after a day of hiking in Waimea Canyon. Hamura's Saimin is good way to fill up after an active day (don't forget the the lilikoi chiffon pie)too.
-Bill

auntiemaria

vivi is right on about stopping to use the bathrooms at the Tech & Visitors Center in Waimea. Here in the islands, absolutely no shopkeeper is offended when someone comes in just to use the bathroom or pick up something to drink. The bathrooms up in the park are of the campground variety -- minimal maintenance (and by afternoon, usually no toilet paper; we always have a roll in the truck, just in case).

The Koloa shop is Island Soap and Candleworks (their main shop is in Kilauea town, behind Kong Long store).

Another Hanapepe shop worth touring is Banana Patch Studio. Great stuff, and they'll mail it for you (slight fee):
http://www.bananapatchstudio.com/

longtail

Thanks for the advice, everyone. That gives me a better idea of driving times.

For our dinner - if you could choose between the Beach House or Tidepools, which would you choose? This will be our only trip to the south shore area.

Thanks again.

auntiemaria

Beach House for drinks and pupus at sunset, then Tidepools for dinner.

But...if you want a truly memorable meal (and you've already gotten your "sunset fix" with drinks at the Beach House), head to Roy's. Dinner deeeeeeee-luxe (and save room for dessert).

longtail

Thanks Auntie Marie. Your advice has been invaluable. Can't wait to go - 9 months and counting...

Knowing

I agree with auntiemaria. The Beach House is the only place in Kauai I would not recommend. The view of a sunny Po'ipu beach is great, so go early to get a seat in the bar and have a few drinks there, but then go down to Tidepools for dinner.