Redwoods, Bookstores, artsy little towns and other natural wonders in Cali
Aug 9th, 2002, 10:47 AM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ryan,
I second the replies from previous posters on Guerneville and Occidental - these Russian River towns would be nice places to check out for their redwood forest locations and quaintness. This area also is a short drive from the beautiful Sonoma coast. The towns north of Santa Cruz in the Big Basin area are very similar to the ones in the Russian River area. Ben Lomond, Felton, etc. - all have coffee houses, restaurants and easy access to state parks with redwood forests. BTW, this is an excellent time of year to do your hiking in the redwoods - the groves are refreshing on a hot day, shady and cool. Wintertime can be pretty damp, although the mosses are at their prettiest then.
In San Francisco, I recommend these used book stores:
Green Apple at Sixth Avenue and Clement
Sprawling, funky place, good mix of new and used books. The immediate neighborhood contains many inexpensive Asian restaurants. (As any bookhound knows, you need sustenance to search through reading material)
Aardvark Books at Church and Market Streets. Smaller, but very friendly, had a resident cat named Ace the last time I was in. Good food on the same block, especially at Chow (casual, daily specials, known for their pastas).
In addition, if you are into Japanese culture or Japanimation or manga, check out Kinokuniya Books in Japantown. Not a used book store, but a great place to browse and buy calendars and magazines.
I second the replies from previous posters on Guerneville and Occidental - these Russian River towns would be nice places to check out for their redwood forest locations and quaintness. This area also is a short drive from the beautiful Sonoma coast. The towns north of Santa Cruz in the Big Basin area are very similar to the ones in the Russian River area. Ben Lomond, Felton, etc. - all have coffee houses, restaurants and easy access to state parks with redwood forests. BTW, this is an excellent time of year to do your hiking in the redwoods - the groves are refreshing on a hot day, shady and cool. Wintertime can be pretty damp, although the mosses are at their prettiest then.
In San Francisco, I recommend these used book stores:
Green Apple at Sixth Avenue and Clement
Sprawling, funky place, good mix of new and used books. The immediate neighborhood contains many inexpensive Asian restaurants. (As any bookhound knows, you need sustenance to search through reading material)
Aardvark Books at Church and Market Streets. Smaller, but very friendly, had a resident cat named Ace the last time I was in. Good food on the same block, especially at Chow (casual, daily specials, known for their pastas).
In addition, if you are into Japanese culture or Japanimation or manga, check out Kinokuniya Books in Japantown. Not a used book store, but a great place to browse and buy calendars and magazines.
