September 28, 2012

Sierra City: Mountain Creek Restaurant + Buckhorn Tavern (CLOSED); restaurant review

garden seating at Mountain Creek Restaurant + Buckhorn Tavern in Sierra City, California
Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Mountain Creek Restaurant  + Buckhorn Tavern 

CLOSED  225 Main St., (530) 862-1171. B-L-D (days vary); $$.

Though inside seating is available at garden seating at Mountain Creek Restaurant + Buckhorn Tavern in Sierra City, in good weather most diners opt for the outside garden. There, a gentle waterfall flows through the center of the terraced patio, with seating on either side. Portions are large, and especially good dishes on the extensive menu include rib-eye steak, burgers (including veggie burgers), onion rings, ranch dressing, baked potatoes, garlic-cheese bread, and Bloody Marys.


September 26, 2012

Special Events around the San Francisco Bay Area; things to do

San Francisco

All these exciting events take place this weekend:

**On Saturday, September 29th, museums nationwide will offer free admission.  For a list of participating museums in California visit http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-search/?state=California. To avoid disappointment, I suggest you call the museum you are interested in directly to confirm their particpation and any restrictions. 

**All 397 national parks will offer free entrance on Saturday, September 29, for National Public Lands Day. This 19th annual event encourages everyone to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Visit www.nps.gov for a list of parks and information to help plan your park adventure.

**San Francisco’s Travel Show is at the downtown Concourse Exhibition Center on Saturday and Sunday, September 29-30.  Meet hundreds of exhibitors highlighting destinations from around the globe.  Great vacation deals and specials will be available right at the show--even some trip giveaways, including a 4-person California whitewater rafting trip courtesy Mother Lode and a 6-day Fly-Drive Vacation courtesy of Virgin Vacations.  Tickets are $8 at the door; kids under 18 free.





September 24, 2012

Nevada City: My Favorite Things; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

My Favorite Things  

425 Broad St., (530) 265-4900. 

merchandise at My Favorite Things in Nevada City, California
merchandise at My Favorite Things in Nevada City, California


At My Favorite Things you will find well-priced handmade treasures that are sure to please your girlfriends—little decorated boxes, tiny crowns, heart soaps, charming cards saying things like “Girlfriends Matter.”  This is my favorite shop in town!



More things to do in Nevada City.

More things to do in Gold Rush Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 22, 2012

Nevada City: Asylum Down; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Asylum Down  

300 Broad St., (530) 265-9666. 



This hippie-style shop is filled with natural fiber clothing and tie-dyed everything--don’t miss the trippy cotton t-shirts or the large children’s collection that includes darling onesies for babies.  The shop also purveys a large collection of baskets and novelty items.  

overview of Asylum Down in Nevada City, California
overview of Asylum Down in Nevada City, California


tie-dyed baby wear at Asylum Down in Nevada City, California
tie-dyed baby wear at Asylum Down in Nevada City, California


checkout counter at Asylum Down in Nevada City, California
checkout counter at Asylum Down in Nevada City, California



More things to do in Nevada City.

More things to do in Gold Rush Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated 7-17-21

September 19, 2012

Graeagle: shops; things to do

Gold Rush Country/Plumas County


The main drag in the charming town of Graeagle is lined with little red cottages that were once the homes of lumber mill workers and now are converted into unique shops.  Here are a few that I particularly enjoyed browsing on my recent visit.

Red House Art shop in Graeagle, California

Graeagle Mercantile shop in Graeagle, California

Graeagle Mercantile  

108 Hwy. 89, (530) 836-2515.

The pleasant Graeagle Mercantile shop features a nicely edited collection of greeting cards, clothing, souvenirs, and lots more.

Red House Art  

126 Hwy. 89, (530) 836-0104.

A variety of fine art, jewelry, and gifts are displayed at Red House Art—everything from lovely oil paintings of local scenes to whimsical bird feeders made from recycled kitchen gear.


More things to do in the area.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 17, 2012

Graeagle: Graeagle Restaurant; restaurant review

Gold Rush Country/Plumas County

Graeagle Restaurant  

7430 Hwy. 89, (530) 836-2393.  B-L daily; seasonal; $. 

Graeagle Restaurant in Graeagle, California
Graeagle Restaurant in Graeagle, California


The large open dining room at Graeagle Restaurant looks like nothing has changed since the 1930s or ‘40s.  Decor is non-existent, with a line of counter seating and a sprinkling of tables and chairs filling the space.  Breakfast features scrambles and omelettes as well as old-time biscuits and creamy sausage gravy.  Lunch choices include burgers, a hot pastrami sandwich, and milkshakes and freezes.  Homemade desserts include fruit pies and cinnamon rolls. 


More things to do in the area.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 6, 2012

Sierra City, Sardine Lake Resort; restaurant review

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country 

the boathouse bar at Sardine Lake Resort in Sierra City, California

Sardine Lake Resort  

900 Sardine Lake Rd.  Open mid-May-mid-Oct. 

Start dinner at the idyllic Sardine Lake Resort with cocktails in the jammin' boathouse known as George's Playpen, and follow it with an elegant full dinner in the cozy dining room or out on the deck  Menu items include rib-eye steak, a full rack of ribs, and fresh fish. (Seatings at 6 & 8pm; $$.  Reservations required.) 


More things to do in Sierra City. 

More things to do in Gold Rush Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 4, 2012

Berkeley: What’s up with Hyatt and Alice Waters?; restaurant review

Alice Waters-designed dessert in Berkeley, California
80 North

What’s up with Hyatt and Alice Waters?


Hyatt hotels has been busy as a bee working with Alice Waters, of Chez Panisse fame, to produce a three-course organic and seasonal children’s prix fixe meal.  It is now on the menu at all full-service Hyatt hotels and resorts throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean.  The idea behind this is Alice’s philosophy of not over-complicating food and keeping it recognizable in an attempt to help get kids interested in good-for-them foods.  The salad course includes Romaine lettuce hearts, carrot curls, and a radish rose served with a flavorful lemon vinaigrette for dipping.  The main course is simple grilled chicken with pesto aioli, roasted potatoes, and a skewer of cherry tomatoes, and dessert is fresh fruit—perhaps orange pieces and strawberries served in a reamed-out orange cup with fragrant lemon verbena.   The price for this meal is $16.95.  Indeed, Hyatt is dedicated to bringing more organic choices to its entire menu, including meat without supplemental growth hormones or antibiotics, beverages with natural sweeteners such as agave nectar, and cage-free eggs.

Alice Waters signs “In the Green Kitchen” in Berkeley, California

Alice Waters’s cook book, “In the Green Kitchen,” is a great gift for you or someone you know who is in need of basic information on how to organize their kitchen and prepare simple meals with good ingredients.  I plan to work the Grand Aioli and the Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Kale into my repertoire.  The book itself is a work of art, with an easy-to-use layout and delicious images.


More things to do in Berkeley.


Way more things to do in Berkeley.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image of Alice Waters ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Popular Posts

followers