sawsee

Well, I guess it is a bit of a "pedal to the metal" trip, although good food and great wine is a nice reward after sitting in the car for hours. Our 'destination' is SF but want to make the 'fast' journey as good as it can be. I was just told of Polmerderos (sp?) in the Noe Valley, as a place to check out (check in?). Any breakfast places of note on Filmore?

Hi! We considered going that way for our next trip. Is there some place we should check out?

Thanks MaryMc! Your story reminds me of a time we had in Montecatini, a small town in Italy. It was Christmas Eve and all the restaurants were full, except one with a fixed menu. We had no other choice and entered, while my wallet quivered. The place was like a Felini movie set: the height of the room, was at least 30 feet with long red cloth banners draping off the marble columns. We both had not packed clothes for such an occasion and I tried to walk formally in my nylon blend sweater. The first course was a nice shrimp salad. Next came an artichoke soup with a light pastry, covering the luscious broth. Then an amazing salmon ravioli, followed by sole and asparagus spears. By this time we thought the next course would be desert; we were wrong....a large platter covered by a silver dome arrived. It was the main course! Turkey and vegetables, including a toasted mash potato--in the shape of a mushroom! Desert was a log cake with chocolate sauce and finally a large fruit selection. We were stuffed and couldn't finish our bottle of wine! The next evening we were faced with the same dilemma: all restaurants were booked, yet again. The only place open was the same restaurant from the night before. Bravely we entered. We were greeted very warmly and brought to the same table we had previously gorged at. And to our amazement, there sat our unfinished bottle of wine! What a memory! I can make a couple of suggestions--not haute cuisine either of them, but a good meal if they're your kinda place. Near Eureka, the Samoa Cookhouse is a 100-year-old logging camp cookhouse that serves good, basic American comfort food (fried chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, biscuits, pie, etc.), and tons of it. You sit at long plank tables, and they serve it family-style, and keep bringing more until you're beyond stuffed. The French Laundry it ain't, but it's a slice of the history of the region, and a pretty good meal for the price. Might make a good breakfast (one that will last until dinner) before you head down the coast. In Redding, Jack's Grill is another blast from the past. Make no mistake--this place is a dive. They've been here since the 1930's, when California Street was the place where the miners and railroad men and construction workers building Shasta Dam came for booze and women and fights. Jack's prides themselves on not having changed much since then (except the bordello upstairs is gone), and you'll find few frills. The menu couldn't be much more basic--steaks, prawns, scallops, and fried chicken. The salad is iceberg lettuce with a few canned green beans on top. But the steaks...OH MY GOD. I got the "small" filet mignon (10 oz.--there's also a 16 oz.), done medium, for $23.45. It came charred just enough on the outside, pink and tender beyond belief on the inside, and the flavor was out of this world. I grew up in Redding, always hearing about Jack's, but I never got there until I went back for my 30th high school reunion. All I can say is, why did I wait so long? Have a good trip! ←

Hi bbqboy! Roughly, we are planning: Day 1: Seattle to Astoria area Day 2: Astoria to Eureka Day 3: Eureka to Sonoma Day 4: Sonoma to San Francisco Day 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13: San Francisco with day trips to Carmel, Sonoma, Marin or? Day 14: San Francisco to Sacramento or Redding or? Day 15: Redding to Bend or? Day 16: Portland Day 17 Seattle

Hi! We are planning the I-5 one way, the 101 & 1 on the way back. It's been a number of years, but enjoyed Mendocino, Sonoma in the past. Cheers!

Dear Currypuff! It's unfortunate that your experience was not a satisfying one. I am responding as I do hope you give this event another try as it one of my favourite events to go to. We know how popular this event is and try to arrive as the gates open. The selection of apples and trees is amazing! We have purchased a number of trees, in the past, and have always been impressed with the knowledge of the sellers. Our little orchard is slowly being filled with UBC apple trees and look forward to more purchases in the future. Once again, I do hope you give this event another shot and, may I suggest to try to get there at the beginning. Cheers!

Hello All! My wife and I are planning a two week driving trip from Seattle to San Francisco and would love to hear recommendations of where to stay and eat. We love small, quaint establishments with simple good food. We strive for local, organic food and enjoy most ethnic cuisine, and will detour to find memorable locations. Any ideas would be most welcome.

Day 11,12,13: Lots of cool wineries in the Okanagan Valley. Day 14: Leaving Osoyoos, travel to Wintrop. Cool town. Day 15: Drive south through Twisp to Chelan/Wenatchee. There are lots of small lake-side resorts along here. Day 16: head back to Seattle area by either taking 2 through Leavenworth (touristy!) or I-90 to I-5 to Tacoma and then to Olympia. Day 17/18 Hiking in Olympic National Park. Day 19: back to Seattle before heading home. If you can't break the Vancouver booking, then: Day 3,4,5 in Vancouver. Day 6: To Victoria. Monroes book store is one of my favourite places to spend a few hours. Day 7: Aerie resort. They have a program called "gourmet trail' which is highly rated (hike in the morning with chef/guide identifying edible mushrooms. Back to the resort for preparing mushrooms for lunch. Beautiful view. Day 8: ferry to San Juan Islands. Stay in Roche Harbour or Friday Harbour. Day 9: Ferry to Anacortes. Stay on Whidbey Island in Langley. Day 10: Ferry to Port Townsend. Day 11 and 12: Spend days hiking in Olympic National Park. Day 13: Drive to Olympia. Day 14: overnight in La Connor. Day 15: Drive to Winthrop. Day 16: Drive to Osoyoos/Okanagan Valley. Day 17 & 18: visiting vineries. Day 19: Drive back to Manning Park. Day 20: hike in manning park. Drive through Fraser Valley, exit to the U.S. through Sumas to Seattle. Overnight. Whew! What a trip! Or you could spend 3 weeks travelling the Pacific North West and plan Winthrop and the Okanagan for another trip. Have fun!

Welcome Chufi! I've spent considerable time travelling in the areas you are planning and have a a few options/suggestions: a) If nothing was booked, other than the Seattle arrival, I would spend 2 days in Seattle. Pikes Market although 'touristy' can be fun watching the fish mongers. There is a lot of restaurants around Pioneer Square. Day 3: If you can get out of the Vancouver booking, then I would head over to Bainbridge Is. and catch the small ferry to Port Townsend. Spend overnight there. There are lots of cool B&Bs and restaurants. Day 4: Next morning take the ferry to Widbey Island and drive to Langley. It is a very small town but has a few nice restaurants, B&Bs and interesting shops. Day 5: The next day, stop off and see La Connor for lunch then drive into Vancouver . On a budget, I would stay at the Parkhill Hotel near Davie Street. Downtown is a 10 minute walk. The small (6 person ferries) are fun to take to Granville Island. Day 6 &7: In the market there are lots of kiosks for snacks/lunch. Hiking: try Lighthouse park or Grouse mtn. Raincity grill and Wild Rice are good. Day 8: Then catch the ferry to Nanaimo from Horseshoe bay. Drive north along the water to Comox. Atlas Cafe is good in Courtenay. Overnight in Comox at a B&B. Saturday is a cool farmer's market in Courtenay. Try local cheese from Natural Pastures. Day 9: Catch the ferry over to Powell River. Drive south and catch ferry to Egmont. Stay overnight at Halfmoon bay or Sechelt. Day 10: Catch earliest ferry to Horseshoe bay. Hwy. 1 to Hope (XA:TEM is a first nations site if of interest), Coquihalla route (toll) to Kelowna cutoff. Drive to Kelowna. This would be a 10 hour travelling day. to be continued...