November 30, 2012

Burlingame: Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia; things to do

214 California Dr./Howard Ave., (650) 347-2301.


KISS Pez dispensers at Burlingame Museum of Pex Memorabilia in Burlingame, California
KISS Pez dispensers at Burlingame Museum of Pex Memorabilia
in Burlingame, California


Operating in what was once a computer store, the small Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia displays all of the more than 600 styles of plastic Pez candy dispensers that have been produced from the 1950s to the present.  Owner Gary Doss says, “I haven’t sold a computer in 16 years.  Pez is a lot more fun and requires less customer support.”  The rarest item is a 1972 Make-a-Face.  Snoopy, Bugs Bunny, and Fred Flintstone are all on display, along with Tweety Bird, who starred in a Seinfeld episode that was declared by TV Guide to be the 42nd most funny episode on TV.  A collection of classic toys that are also 50-plus years old--including Lincoln Logs and Mr. Potato Head—and an example of the original Barbie and the world’s first comic book are also displayed.  A large selection of contemporary and collectible Pez dispensers (even Santa!) and candy refills are for sale in the well-stocked gift shop, where you can also have your picture taken with the world’s largest Pez dispenser.  The Pez mint was invented in Linz, Austria—where they are still made--in 1927.  It was introduced to the U.S. in fruit flavors and offered in a head dispenser in 1952 (the first dispensers were head-less).


More things to do in Burlingame.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 28, 2012

San Francisco: Great Dickens Christmas Fair; things to do

San Francisco

Great Dickens Christmas Fair

Actually held in Daly City in a building adjacent to the Cow Palace, the spectacular seasonal Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a don't-miss.  I attended last weekend and fell in love again with stepping from the real world into the fantasy world of Dickens' London.  And I had the surprise pleasure of enjoying afternoon tea in the Dickens Family Parlour and meeting the great man himself.  Entertainment here is on-going, so you can walk for a spell and sit for a spell and eat for a spell.  Highlights include a traditional tea in the Cuthbert's Tea Shoppe (make reservations for the popular 4 p.m. tea with complimentary entertainment), opera in the Victoria & Albert Music Hall, and cancan dancing at Mad Sal's.  All this is punctuated by periodic parades featuring The Queen and her procession, and colorful characters mingling in the "streets."  Oh yes, and there are shops galore--I loved the Fitz-Gerald Manor Shop's gigantic collection of English tea cups and saucers--and crafts and games for kids and the young at heart, including the London Sweep Dispatch and Boot the Cat.  Runs weekends through December 23; 10am-7pm.

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November 26, 2012

San Rafael: Terrapin Crossroads (CLOSED); restaurant review

ribs and potato salad at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, California
101 North

Terrapin Crossroads  

CLOSED  100 Yacht Club Dr./Francisco Blvd., central San Rafael exit off Hwy. 101, (415) 524-2773.  D Tu-Sun, Sat-SunBr; $$. 

Located in an unlikely spot behind a frontage of car dealerships, this new restaurant and music venue is owned by Grateful Dead musician Phil Lesh.  It is expansive, with both indoor and outdoor canal-side seating.  An adjacent auditorium where Lesh performs regularly with musician friends is in the process of being refurbished.  Terrapin Crossroads  decor features light hardwood floors, some portholes, and rough weathered barn-wood walls adorned with photos of Lesh and others.  Seating areas are varied—one is especially for families--and include many comfortable oversize booths.  Organic and local is the aim of the eclectic seasonal menu featuring wood-fired pizzas with exceptional thin crust, housemade pastas, a burger on a potato pepper bun with housemade pickles (a veggie version, too), Alaskan cod fish & chips, and a chopped chicken salad.  My choices were a creamy-smooth cauliflower soup and spectacular, tender balsamic-glazed pork ribs with a perfectly prepared mustard-spiced potato salad.  My dining partner chose a satisfying mushroom risotto.  We shared and demolished the best chocolate cake I’ve had in ages—sort of a devils food-style double chocolate cake with a creamy chocolate frosting.  I can see why people become loyal repeat customers—the menu holds more mouth-watering items than can be sampled in one visit.  More reasons to return include for brunch on the patio that stretches into the San Rafael Canal, for the complimentary live music at Wednesday dinner and Sunday brunch, and for the scheduled concerts in the auditorium.  The taproom bar dispenses draught beers, wines by the glass, cocktails, and more.  Should you want a souvenir, a counter at the entrance sells posters and t-shirts, 


More things to do in San Rafael.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 21, 2012

Monterey: Royal Presidio Chapel; things to do

500 Church St./Figueroa St., (831) 373-2628. 

exterior of the San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey, California
exterior of the San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey, California


Known today as San Carlos Cathedral, this structure stands on the site of the original Monterey Presidio and next to the site of the original mission, Mission San Carlos, founded in 1770 by Father Junipero Serra (he then moved on to Carmel to reestablish the mission there in 1771).  Completed in 1794, it is the fourth Royal Presidio Chapel and is now the only original presidio building still standing (and thus the oldest building in Monterey).  It is California’s first cathedral, the country’s smallest cathedral, and the state’s oldest church in continuous use.  Constructed with an elaborate sandstone façade, adobe walls, and a stone base, it was recently restored (windows in the interior walls permit viewing sections of unplastered adobe).  An adjacent history center displays found artifacts. 


More Monterey adobes.

All-adobe tour of Monterey.

More things to do in Monterey.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 19, 2012

Burlingame: Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport + Knuckles Historical Sports Bar + Swiftwater Cafe; hotel review + restaurant review

1333 Bayshore Hwy., (800) 233-1234, (650) 347-1234.  10 stories; 789815 rooms; $$.  Heated pool; hot tub; fitness room.  3 restaurants; room service.  Pets ok.

The fabulous 10-story atrium at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport features greenery, revitalizing natural light, and a cascading waterfalls.  Prime guest rooms face the airport and bay, but rooms opening on the immense indoor atrium are also enjoyable.  Beds are made with Italian-made Egyptian cotton linens, and each room has an iHome clock radio and a desk with an Aeron office chair.  Complimentary amenities include a 24-hour airport shuttle and a shuttle to nearby downtown Burlingame for one-of-a-kind shops and specialty restaurants. 

Park, Stay N’ Fly Package  

A Park, Stay N' Fly Package is sometimes available.  It Includes a spacious guestroom, complimentary shuttle to/from the San Francisco International Airport, and free parking for up to ten days in a covered lot (additional parking days are $10 per, with a maximum of twenty days).

beers at Knuckles Historical Sports Bar in Burlingame, California

Knuckles Historical Sports Bar 

L-D daily. 

Knuckles Historical Sports Bar features 30 big flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and several pool tables.  Non-gustatory delights in this atmospheric pub include pressed-tin ceilings and old-time tiny 1-inch white floor tiles.  But I was most impressed by the 30 ice-cold beers on tap—my favorite being the Spaten from Germany (my companion favored the Pilsner Urquell from Czechoslovakia).  Fish & chips and fall-off-the-bone-tender barbecued ribs made tasty accompaniments.  Salads, sandwiches, and hand-tossed pizza round out the menu.  There are plenty of stools at the friendly bar, as well as high banquettes with small round tables and also regular table seating.

brunch buffet at Swiftwater Cafe in Burlingame, California

Swiftwater Cafe 

B-L daily, Sun brunch, D sometimes.

Swiftwater Cafe is open to the dramatic  atrium and serves a daily breakfast buffet in addition to an a la carte breakfast and lunch menu.  The Sunday Champagne Jazz Brunch offers an expansive array that includes fresh seafood, sushi, dim sum, made-to-order omelets and pancakes, meat carving stations, salads, breakfast classics, and a colorful and decadent dessert table.


More things to do in Burlingame.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 14, 2012

Monterey: Olio Vintage Fun & Osio Adobe; things to do

1 South

Olio Vintage Fun  

in Osio Adobe


380 Alvarado St., (831) 375-6546.  W-Sat 10:30-5:30, Sun 11-4. 

exterior of the Oslo Adobe in Monterey, California
exterior of the Oslo Adobe in Monterey, California


Operating inside the historic 1849 Osio Adobe, the Olio Vintage Fun boutique purveys 1950s items--think rotary phones and vintage sewing patterns.  The appealing adobe is one of the few still standing on this street and is a good example of a two-story adobe with a cantilevered balcony. 


More Monterey adobes.

All-adobe tour of Monterey.

More things to do in Monterey.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.  

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 12, 2012

Lafayette: Amarin Thai Cuisine; restaurant review

curry dish at Amarin Thai Cuisine in Lafayette, California
Greater East Bay

Amarin Thai Cuisine  

3555 Mt. Diablo Blvd./Oak Hill Rd., (925) 283-8883.  L M-Sat (11-3), D daily; $$.  Reservations advised. 

Traditional dishes are served here at Amarin Thai Cuisine in a pleasant, casual atmosphere.  Among the best items are panang beef and pumpkin curry.  Massaman chicken features long-simmered chicken that is fall-off-the-bone tender in a lightly spiced sauce made better with some sweet-hot sauce.  A crisp green salad comes with lunch.


More things to do in Lafayette.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 9, 2012

Monterey: Casa Serrano; things to do

1 South

Casa Serrano  

412 Pacific St., 831-372-2608.  Tours on Sat 2-4. 

Casa Serrano in Monterey, California
Casa Serrano in Monterey, California


Built in 1845 by Thomas O. Larkin, the graceful Casa Serrano adobe has been completely restored and is furnished with antique furniture and local historic art.  It was one of the first U.S. schools in the area.


More Monterey adobes.

All-adobe tour of Monterey.

More things to do in Monterey.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.  

image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 7, 2012

Kettleman City: In-N-Out Burger; restaurant review

order counter at In-N-Out Burger in Kettleman City, California
5 South

In-N-Out Burger  

Exit 309, 33464 Bernard Dr./Hwy.41, (800) 786-1000.

Only burgers, fries, shakes, and soft drinks are on this super-popular, always buzzing spot’s focused menu.  Patties at In-N-Out Burger are made from fresh beef that has never been frozen.  Buns are preservative-free, and fries are made fresh each day from Kennebec potatoes and fried in cholesterol-free oil.  Onions are also fresh, and grilling them is a free option.  But unfortunately, the veggie burger is basically a grilled cheese. 

In-N-Out Burger is also in:

Santa Nella 

at 28900 Henry Miller Rd, Gustine, (800) 786-1000.

and

Tejon Ranch 

at Exit 219A, on west side of freeway, 5926 Dennis McCarthy Dr.


More stops on Highway 5 South.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated 1-20-20

November 5, 2012

Monterey: Vasquez Adobe; things to do

1 South

Vasquez Adobe  

On Dutra St./Jefferson St., behind Colton Hall. 

exterior of Vasquez Adobe in Monterey, California
exterior of Vasquez Adobe in Monterey, California


The family home of the colorful bandit Tiburcio Vasquez, this 1835 adobe has changed dramatically since it was built as a single-story structure.  Charming and flamboyant Tiburcio was into cattle wrestling, horse stealing, and stage coach robbery.  He was captured in 1874 where the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles is today, then tried and hung in San Jose.  Today the Vasquez Adobe houses city offices and is not generally open to the public.


More Monterey adobes.

All-adobe tour of Monterey.

More things to do in Monterey.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.  

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 2, 2012

Monterey: Introduction to Monterey Adobes + Lara-Soto Adobe; things to do

1 South

Introduction to Monterey Adobes


Monterey is home to the most adobes west of Santa Fe.  The largest adobe concentration is in the historic downtown area and near Fisherman’s Wharf.  Monterey State Historic Park protects a large collection.  A few others are owned by private organizations and individuals, and some have been adapted to business use. 

Luckily for us, today we can shop, dine, sight-see, sleep, and more in historic adobes.  For a while, I will be posting descriptions some of the many adobes I discovered on a recent research trip.  Let's start with:

Lara-Soto Adobe  

460 Pierce St.. 

exterior of Lara-Soto Adobe in Monterey, California
exterior of Lara-Soto Adobe in Monterey, California


Built in the 1830s, this property was one of the few lots granted directly to a woman.  It was once owned by John Steinbeck, who began writing “The Pearl” here.  Legend has it that the magnificent Monterey cypress in the front yard was planted as a seedling over the grave of an occupants' infant first child.  The the Lara-Soto Adobe is currently the admissions office for the Monterey Institute of International Studies.


More Monterey adobes.

All-adobe tour of Monterey.

More things to do in Monterey.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.  

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

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