Off the beaten track in San Francisco
Oct 13th, 1999 | 08:33 AM
#1
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Off the beaten track in San Francisco
My husband and I will be visiting our son and daughter-in-law at Walnut Creek, CA this weekend. Friday we our on our own and I am wondering if anyone can suggest some off-the-beaten track things to do or see or places to eat near this area - including San Francisco or the Napa Valley. We've been there several times and have seen the major attractions, so I'm looking for some things we wouldn't know about from the guide books. Thanks for your help. We're really looking forward to getting out of the 100 degree weather here in Phoenix for a few days!
Oct 14th, 1999 | 07:14 AM
#2
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Bev-
Where to start. Walnut Creek has a collection of restaurants downtown. I've never eaten there, but many looked good although probably a little pricey for what they actually offer. There isn't much to do there other than shop at the mall.
There are many interesting parks to choose from. Here are 4 "biggies":
Mt. Diablo is right next to Walnut Ck. Nice views from the top. Skip this if it looks like the day will be hot. The mountain is aptly named in heat, but a good alternative if the rest of the Bay Area is socked in with fog.
Mt. Tamalpais is in Marin county. It isn't as tall as Mt. Diablo but it has much nicer views of the bay. Muir Woods is near by and affords a nice walk through coastal redwoods.
Angel Island. This is a big island in the middle of the bay. THus it has the best views of the bay and surrounding cities. To get there I would suggest that you either take public transportation into SF and take a ferry from there, or else drive to Tiburon (in Marin county off N. 101) park there and take the ferry from there. Skip it if it's foggy, you'll just be cold.
Golden Gate Park in SF is largely undiscovered by tourists. Not only do they have a nice botanical garden, you can also take tea in the Japanese Tea Garden. There are several musuems in the park too.
A full day trip to wine country is nice too. In this case I recommend either Anderson Valley outside of Healdsburg, or the wineries on the Silverado trail. Anderson valley is my top choice especially if you stop to get a picnic lunch at the Oakville grocery in Healdsburg. Gourmet goodies of every type.
Where to start. Walnut Creek has a collection of restaurants downtown. I've never eaten there, but many looked good although probably a little pricey for what they actually offer. There isn't much to do there other than shop at the mall.
There are many interesting parks to choose from. Here are 4 "biggies":
Mt. Diablo is right next to Walnut Ck. Nice views from the top. Skip this if it looks like the day will be hot. The mountain is aptly named in heat, but a good alternative if the rest of the Bay Area is socked in with fog.
Mt. Tamalpais is in Marin county. It isn't as tall as Mt. Diablo but it has much nicer views of the bay. Muir Woods is near by and affords a nice walk through coastal redwoods.
Angel Island. This is a big island in the middle of the bay. THus it has the best views of the bay and surrounding cities. To get there I would suggest that you either take public transportation into SF and take a ferry from there, or else drive to Tiburon (in Marin county off N. 101) park there and take the ferry from there. Skip it if it's foggy, you'll just be cold.
Golden Gate Park in SF is largely undiscovered by tourists. Not only do they have a nice botanical garden, you can also take tea in the Japanese Tea Garden. There are several musuems in the park too.
A full day trip to wine country is nice too. In this case I recommend either Anderson Valley outside of Healdsburg, or the wineries on the Silverado trail. Anderson valley is my top choice especially if you stop to get a picnic lunch at the Oakville grocery in Healdsburg. Gourmet goodies of every type.
Oct 14th, 1999 | 08:26 AM
#3
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I too am a big fan of the Anderson Valley, although be warned it's quite a drive (about an hour and a half farther than Napa Valley) and traffic on 101 is horrendous at rush hour. But if you do go, I recommend Yorkville if you like reds, and Husch Cellars for a very nice Chenin Blanc (and I don't normally like that variety). Booneville is quite cute, there's a good brewery there and a stop at the little museum is fun--learn all about Boontling, the language they all used there in the turn of the century.
Oct 14th, 1999 | 09:15 AM
#5
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Hi, Bev,
If you haven't been, a visit to Fort Point, right under the SF end of the Golden Gate Bridge, makes for awesome views and a bit of bona fide American history; combine it with a drive through the Presidio and a visit to the Legion of Honor museum - much improved since a lengthy refurbishment.
While it's been years since we (over)indulged, dinner at a family-style Italian restaurant in Occidental (try the Union Hotel, www.unionhotel.com ) is a lot of fun - west of Sebastapol in Sonoma County - and a lovely drive.
If you haven't been, a visit to Fort Point, right under the SF end of the Golden Gate Bridge, makes for awesome views and a bit of bona fide American history; combine it with a drive through the Presidio and a visit to the Legion of Honor museum - much improved since a lengthy refurbishment.
While it's been years since we (over)indulged, dinner at a family-style Italian restaurant in Occidental (try the Union Hotel, www.unionhotel.com ) is a lot of fun - west of Sebastapol in Sonoma County - and a lovely drive.
