We are in Sacramento right now and wanted to report back to you on our experiences so far. Thanks for all the good advice we got here.

Thanks to good buddy Kal, I was able to secure a $104/night rate at the Sheraton Grand on J Street through Hotwire. I was afraid we'd be assigned a less than stellar room due since this was literally half of what the internet price was for the same room. Nope. I'd heard reports of tiny rooms with no closet space. No such problem here. We have a corner room with two double beds and two windows, each with a window seat, cushion and pillows with a great view on the 21st floor. Nice big closet for all our clothes, iron and ironing board. Beds are comfortable with five pillows each. The website stated that the pool was closed for renovation, but we are allowed to use the beautiful pool facilities at the Hyatt practically next door. There are several places here in the hotel to sit and have a drink, or hold a meeting, or eat.

I like the location, too, since our main reason for being here is to attend the California Musical Theater production of Evita. It is within a 10 minute walk. This morning we wandered around to get our orientation and stopped at an outdoor cafe overlooking the Capitol building called La Bou. It's a chain, but I had the best omelet of my life there! Smoked Gouda, mushrooms, roasted red peppers and pesto drizzled on top. Wow. It's gonna be hard to top that for breakfast anywhere else. We also ate dinner before the theater today at McCormick and Schmick, a few blocks away from the Sheraton. Also a very good dining experience. So far we are batting 1000.

The play was great! Fabulous cast, everyone was very strong, (especially Eric Kunze as Che) It's theater in the round so the actors come in and exit through the aisles. The stage revolves and has sections which raise up so the whole audience gets a good view of the action. Can't wait to see it again tomorrow night. I'll post back if there's anything else to tell.

La Bou is a locally owned establishment that has many stores in the area. Every La Bou I have ever gone to has the best baked goods, sandwiches, etc. I have never had a better croissant anywhere than La Bou. Isn't there another LA Bou on J Street across from the Sheraton - in the 1300 block? There is no outdoor seating at that one but by lunch you may not want to sit outside since it's getting so hot.

Love McCormick & Schmicks and it seems like it's always hopping in there. We had the crab cakes one time waiting for a table - they were so good.

So you are at Music Circus. On the corner of 14th & H is Brew It Up where we have gone for a preplay drink or even dinner. Also on 15th near H is the Melting Pot. Dinner is super expensive but maybe you'd want to stop in for dessert on you way back. It's fondue.

Thanks for the update. It has been pretty hot, but hopefully it will cool off a little for you by the weekend.

MY

Just be VERY glad you are attending the Music Circus now. In the "old days" (not so very long ago) it was a tent w/o air conditioning

The food right in the Sheraton is pretty good if you are just too bushed/hot one day to go out. Esquire Grille is good too just outside the hotel around on the Mall between you and the Hyatt

How hot is hot?!? And is it a dry hot?

It's like 102 right now so it will get a little hotter today before it cools off. It's a dry heat but then so is the oven and I don't get in the oven by choice!

Hello Maggi, here is a good article about the Sheraton Grand that the SF Chronicle posted today. It made me think of you. It is hot but I am glad you are having a wonderful time!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...TL&type=travel

Hey that's a pretty good article but it left out some fun spots close by like Marilyns on K and also within staggering distance is the Blue Cue. It was hoppin on a recent night. Across K street Mall and up L Street is the Park which a happening place.

Hi all, Suz, yes I noticed Brew it Up and the Melting Pot walking to the theater. We're getting ready to head out to the theater again and are going to try Lucca for dinner tonight. Had a nice little visit with our Fodors friend Kal at lunch! I'm not supposed to tell he's really a nice guy and spoil his "reputation"

Yes, it is hot, the thermometer at the pool albeit in the direct sun, read 120 degrees. But seriously we are not unhappy. We live in Michigan and the temp when we left was like fall already.

So today, my niece and I treated ourselves to pedi/manicures at a little asian shop called Cams on 21st Street. Had a bit of a problem with the parking meter. It took my card but didn't print out a ticket. So we threw in four quarters. Later there was a ticket on the car, even tho we came back in time. A little parking cart was driving around and we talked to the driver. He said someone had put it on there mistakenly and he would take care of it for us. That was nice! Wouldn't happen in Detroit for sure.

LoveItaly, thanks for the link. I read the article - interesting. Kal mentioned you by the way.

I'll report back again tomorrow. I know this isn't information packed, we're hanging pretty loose. Tomorrow we might drive to Napa and Saturday to San Fran. Just two gals enjoying the California sun. Thanks to all for the replies!

I worked at La Bou when I was in high school! My mom still lives up in Sac. Glad you are having fun. Come down to SF and see the Chihuly at the de Young--you won't regret it.

I just saw the Chihuly exhibit at the deYoung. It is amazing.

Weather Report:

6pm. Thursday - the breeze is really kicking in out here in the Delta. Cooling coming your way Sacto for the evening.

MY

Maggi, did Kal tell you that the Sheraton has no closet space? You have to watch out for that guy.



PS: I met Kal for the first time on this board when he posted that his room at the Sheraton had no closets, and I replied that mine did. Definitely love at first post.

Leely/Suzie, I love Chihuly and see his work whenever I get a chance. It's definitely on my itinerary for SF. Michelle, it was really a pleasant evening when we exited the theater this evening. Clear sky, almost full moon and definitely cooler. That Kal, what a kidder!

The show was amazing again tonight. It gets better and better with each viewing. I'm a big Eric Kunze fan and run a fansite for him: www.erickunze.com

Yikes Maggi, don't you believe a word about what Kal said about me..I am sure it is not true, lol.

Even the part about how nice you are?

Hey hey hey!!!!!


Now the Faina comments were ALL true!

Day three: Today we took a leisurely drive to Napa and ended up at Copia and lunch at Julia's Kitchen. My niece and I are both very interested in cooking and wines, so this was the perfect place for us to indulge those two passions. There are wine tasting stations where you buy a credit card which you insert into your choice of tastings. My niece is only 19, but quite mature, and I had no trouble with her taking small tastes of the various offerings. Neither apparently, did they, since no one asked to see her ID. I am still into Chardonnays and concluded that my favorite was the Rombauer, which I happily have two bottles of in my room! After lunch we finished off the card with two tastings of the ice wine.

Our lunch at Julia's Kitchen was delicious. Perhaps a bit pricey for what we ordered, but I was very happy with our choice. My favorite, fois gras, was on the menu and I had a fabulous lobster and avocado salad. Jessica ordered the mushroom soup and crispy duck breast. The bread basket had five different kinds of bread, all house made and fresh. We took a walk in the gardens and made our way to Yountville. Just driving aimless in the area was enjoyable. Much of the area reminded me of wine country in France. I kept thinking of the Russell Crowe film " A Good Year". Yountville was charming as well and we had our coffee and dessert at Bouchon Bakery. The espresso macaroons are to die for! We enjoyed sitting in the outdoor dining alcove, just people and dog watching, while the birds enjoyed our crumbs.

Our drive took a little further, just so I could take a photo of The French Laundry and say I had at least stood in front of this renowned restaurant. Lots of photo ops across the street too, of the picturesque gardens belonging to the restaurant. I'll be posting all my photos after I get home. I'm using my niece's Mac laptop on this trip and it's driving me crazy (shhh).

It's a good thing we allowed ourselves plenty of time to get back to Sacramento, because even though it is a Friday, not a weekend, we ran into lots of traffic. Took us a little over an hour to get there and 2-1/2 hours to get back. We were a little worried because we had the theater again in the evening.

Today we are going to tackle San Francisco! Wish me luck!
Maggi

Hello again Maggi, I will be thinking of you two while you are in San Francisco today. Reading about your activities reminds me of a wonderful S CA trip one of my aunts took me on when I was just a bit younger than your niece. Beautiful memories and I know this time together will be remembered forever for you two also! Also am sure you are enjoying the cool SF weather.

Enjoying your report, Maggi.