This travel blog focuses on things to do in BERKELEY and SAN FRANCISCO. It also features more travel destinations throughout Northern California. All are presented in small, easy-to-digest chunks of text along with plenty of photos so you really get the picture. Discover even more weekend adventures at my BERKELEY AND BEYOND website at www.berkeleyandbeyond.com. This blog is a continuation of my out-of-print guidebook--WEEKEND ADVENTURES IN SAN FRANCISCO & NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
2637 Ashby Ave., Elmwood, (510) 649-0471. M-Sat 4am-6pm, Sun 6:30am-2pm.
donut case at Dream Fluff Donuts in Berkeley, California
Dream Fluff Donuts has been my go-to donut store for many years. I am especially fond of the maple-glazed long john, but they also make a mean glazed raised, French cruller, and jelly donut. I usually do a grab-and-go here, but recently I decided to sit down at the counter and have a cup of coffee—French vanilla—with my long john. I could have changed my choice to a croissant, scone, breakfast sandwich, pancakes, or even bacon and eggs. The menu on the wall is full of options, as well as bags of potato chips for purchase. Lunch choices include sandwiches, burgers, and fries, plus there is a case full of round tubs filled with ice cream waiting to be scooped.
interior of Dream Fluff Donuts in Berkeley, California
Just a tad bigger than a hole-in-the-wall, this casual spot has seating at two tables and at a very small counter with short floor stools. Definitely on the other side of trendy, it has no Wi-Fi and no website. But the TV was tuned to “The View” during my visit, and the vintage screen door made a satisfying squeak when anyone entered or exited.
1095 Rollins Rd./near Cadillac Way, (650) 342-4923. L M-F, D daily, Sat-SunBr; $$-$$$. Free parking lot adjacent.
Located out by the car dealers near Broadway and the 101 freeway, this reworking of a former club-style restaurant provides spacious and comfortable seating, plenty of booths (many are the old-fashioned Hollywood half-moon style), and white tablecloths. The Italian menu at Fattoria e Mare is locally sourced and mostly organic. Specialties include house-made charcuterie, salumi, and pasta. My dining partner and I shared everything, and at the end of each course the plates looked like we had licked them clean—each item was that good.
beet salad at Fattoria e Mare in Burlingame, California
We started with a delicious and lovely beet salad accented with crispy quinoa and carrots and a yogurt dressing.
burrata salad at Fattoria e Mare in Burlingame, California
We followed that with a pretty burrata made seasonal with pumpkin puree and pomegranate kernels. Grilled octopus and seafood fritto misto with aioli also sounded enticing.
Stracchino cheese pizza at Fattoria e Mare in Burlingame, California
After hearing that the light Italian Stracchino cheese used in the stuffed foacaccia al recca pizza was made with cheese from the milk of “tired Italian cows,” we ordered this unusual dish. Made fragrant with white truffle oil, it is chewy and satisfying and I recommend adding on the optional prosciutto. Another of these light, thin-crust pizzas that sounds particularly tasty is the calabrese sausage with padron peppers and fennel.
futuristic pizza oven at Fattoria e Mare in Burlingame, California
The pizzas are cooked in a silver-painted, futuristic-looking masonry oven with a brick floor that it is seen when entering the restaurant.
wild mushroom pappardelle at Fattoria e Mare in Burlingame, California
persimmon bread pudding at Fattoria e Mare in Burlingame, California
egg nog panna cotta at Fattoria e Mare in Burlingame, California
For dessert, we enjoyed a warm, homey persimmon bread pudding and a rich, dense egg nog panna cotta. Gelatos, sorbets, and cheeses are additional options. I look forward to returning when stone fruits are in season and when freshly prepared zabaglione is added to the menu. Throughout our meal, music from the 50s entertained—“Mambo Italiano,” “Volare”—along with a few more unexpected tunes. If you time your visit for Wednesday through Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m., you’ll be treated to a live jazz performance. A full bar serves up specialty cocktails, including Il Colosseo, which serves three and is made with brandy, dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lemongrass, sweet & sour, and almond syrup.
A special exhibition, “Walt’s Trains,” is currently running at The Walt Disney Family Museum. Using, vintage photographs, video, and artifacts, it explores the maestro’s interest in trains. Several model trains chug through the exhibit as well. The show is located in a separate building behind the main museum, which is a bit closer to the spectacular view here of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Walt Disney with Santa
You can purchase this in the gift shop.
view of Golden Gate Bridge from restroom at The Walt Disney Museum in San Francisco
In fact, I was surprised and pleased to be able to enjoy a loo with a view—I could see the two orange towers from the women's restroom! The train show runs through February 9, 2015. Admission is included with museum ticket. More things to do in San Francisco
3380 Blackhawk Plaza Circle. M-Sat 10-8, Sun 11-6.
Landscaped with manmade rivers and waterfalls, the exclusive Blackhawk Plaza shopping center provides a soothing atmosphere in which to shop.
Santa and Christmas display at Blackhawk Plaza in Danville, California
fresh berry cheesecake in Draeger's Market at Blackhawk Plaza in Danville, California
Though the exclusive market that once serenaded its customers with shopping music played live on a grand piano is gone (posh Draeger’s Market has replaced it), exclusive shops here provide a glimpse into the lifestyle of the area's wealthy residents.
At the elegant Blackhawk Grille a pianist sometimes entertains. Refined salads and trendy pizzas share the menu with fresh fish entrees and a hamburger.
Expect informal dining and big portions of well-priced polished comfort food--the Rodzilla burger, deep-fried artichoke hearts with aioli, plus salads and sandwiches. Both sweet and savory crepes are also available.
exterior of Blackhawk Automotive Museum at Blackhawk Plaza in Danville, California
3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, at one end of Blackhawk Plaza, (925) 736-2277. W-Sun 10-6. $8, students & 65+ $5, under 6 free.
Now an official venue for the Smithsonian Institution, the stunning Blackhawk Automotive Museum building is constructed with plenty of gleaming glass and polished granite. Really two museums combined into one, this automotive museum provides a complete history of automotive design along with a display of approximately 90 classic and rare automobiles dating from the late 1890s into the 1980s. Especially impressive are the huge, shining Bugattis and Duesenbergs. An Automotive Art exhibit displays 110 years of automotive fine art dating back to the mid-1800s.
I’ve always enjoyed all the wonderful Christmas sights and events in the Bay Area and have written about them since my very first book, which was actually a booklet, titled “Getting in the Spirit: A Guide to Bay Area Christmas Events.” I've added a page at my website that is inspired by this interest and by my appearance on John Hamilton’s On-The-Go talk show on KGO on December 14, 2014. Here are some of the best San Francisco Bay Area Christmas lights, sights, and events. Get on out there and enjoy them!
2-story gingerbread house at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco
Artist Ai Weiwei is a political prisoner under house arrest in Beijing. Because he is not permitted to travel outside China, he helped install this extraordinary exhibit from there. He says, “When you constrain freedom, freedom will take flight and land on a windowsill.” In this case it landed on our windowsill at Alcatraz. The exhibit is installed in parts of the former prison that have never before been open to visitors. By demand of the artist, there is no additional charge to see this show. However, a guided tour is an additional $20 fee and is available only on the first trip of the day at 8:45 a.m. These reserved tickets are not available through Alcatraz Cruises; reservation information. The show runs through April 26, 2015.
These are the exhibit sites: Building 64, at the landing.
View an introductory video about the exhibition and also some video works by Ai Weiwei.
1. New Industries Building
Inmates who had earned the privilege were permitted to work here for money or to earn time off of their sentence.
dragon at Ai Weiwei exhibit at Alcatraz in San Francisco
With Wind: This airy exhibit centers on a traditional Chinese dragon kite made from kites. The dragon’s face has Twitter-bird eyes and @aiww eyebrows.
overview of Trace Lego work at Ai Weiwei exhibit at Alcatraz in San Francisco
closeup of Edward Snowden portrait in Trace Lego work at Ai Weiwei exhibit at Alcatraz in San Francisco
closeup of Tan Zuoren portrait in Tace Lego work at Ai Weiwei exhibit at Alcatraz in San Francisco
Trace: Constructed by volunteers from more than one million LEGO bricks and resembling needlepoint, these portraits depict more than 175 political prisoners from around the world.
While here, select one person. Then look him up in the book provided, read his story, and remember his name for later. My person was Tan Zuoren. His biography reads, “Convicted of subversion of state power, Tan is a writer and activist who had published articles online about the repression of the 1987 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protest, and investigated the deaths of thousands of children when their schools collapsed in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. In 2009 he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was released in March 2014.”
fuzzy view from Gun Gallery of Tace Lego work at Ai Weiwei exhibit at Alcatraz in San Francisco
Refraction: A separate entrance leads into the narrow Gun Gallery section, where a large sculpture depicts a bird’s wing in which the feathers represent Tibetan solar cookers.
2. Cellhouse—A Block
This is the only remaining section of the original military prison constructed in the early 1900s. The Birdman of Alcatraz, Robert Stroud, was moved permanently to a cell here because of his disruptive behavior.
Stay Tuned cell at Ai Weiwei exhibit at Alcatraz in San Francisco
Stay Tuned: This audio installation occurs inside twelve cells. It
uses sound in the form of music, poetry, and spoken words—all from
people who have been detained as political prisoners because of their
creative expression of their beliefs.
●Arya Aramnejad: This Iranian singer performs “Ali Barkhiz” (“Ali, Rise”).
●Pussy Riot: The Russian feminist punk rock group performs "Virgin Mary, Put Putin Away (Punk Prayer)."
3. Cellhouse—Hospital
Illumination: In two psychiatric observation rooms you’ll hear the sound of Tibetan and Native American chanting, drawing connections between China and the U.S.
Blossom at Ai Weiwei exhibit at Alcatraz in San Francisco
Blossom at Ai Weiwei exhibit at Alcatraz in San Francisco
Blossom at Ai Weiwei exhibit at Alcatraz in San Francisco
Blossom: Porcelain toilets, sinks, and bathtubs hold fragile, beautiful porcelain castings of flowers.
4. Cellhouse—Dining Hall
writing table in Yours Truly at Ai Weiwei exhibit at Alcatraz in San Francisco
Yours Truly: Here you can write a postcard to your selected prisoner. Look him up in the books to determine which postcard picture you will find his mailing information on, secure a postcard, and write a message with words of hope.
mail bin in Yours Truly at Ai Weiwei exhibit at Alcatraz in San Francisco
When you are done, place it in the mail bin and it will be mailed.
Free WiFi is also available here--a first on Alcatraz--so that you can post your experience to social media. Use #AiWeiWeiAlcatraz.
●The free exhibit brochure provides many insights, as does this webpage.
●“Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry” is an informative documentary about the artist and is worth seeing before your visit.
This literal hole-in-the wall has no seating, either indoors or out. Cafe Dolci is grab-and-go. However, the made-to-order banh mi sandwiches are delicious, inexpensive, and fast. A trio of fresh shrimp spring rolls stuffed into a soft wrapper with mint, lettuce, and noodles include a peanut dipping sauce. Combo #8 with ham and pate is made with crunchy bread and packed with pickled veggies. Pate, soy sauce, and cilantro are optional.
counter at Cafe Dolci in San Francisco
Shumai dumplings and barbecue buns dim sum are also available.
Emirates is now flying a daily non-stop from San Francisco SFO to Dubai using the huge double-decker Airbus A380, which is the world's largest passenger aircraft.
Emirates flight attendants; a slew of spiffy stews
economy section on Emirates A380
The entire lower deck is devoted to 399 seats in economy service, and the entire upper deck is divided between 76 business-class seats with lie-flat beds and 14 first-class suites with private cubicles.
shower cubicle on Emirates A380
If you are able to snag one of those top-level seats, you will also have access to two lounges and--are you ready for this?--a shower cubicle! Someone asked me if I would take a shower there. I replied a resounding YES!, absolutely!, simply because I could not pass up the opportunity to say I had done so. Techies are going to like features such as the 1,800 world-wide entertainment channels available on demand as well as Wi-Fi and satellite telephone service.
first class seat on Emirates A380
Having flown Emirates Business Class a few years ago on its Boeing 777, I can attest to the luxury, comfort, and food. I would love to fly this airline again if only for the memorable Indian black pepper chicken entree that still causes me to salivate when I think about it.
customer John Briggs enjoys Business Class on an A380 flying from Bangkok to Hong Kong
699 Chenery St./Diamond St., in Glen Park (Monterey exit off Hwy. 280), (415) 334-3235. D daily, SunBr; $$.
It’s hard to beat Sunday brunch here in this often-sunny neighborhood business enclave.
interior of Le P’tit Laurent in San Francisco
Cozy bistro decor in cheery French Le P’tit Laurent includes Venetian plaster walls, a pressed-tin ceiling, a 1940s art deco-style wood bar with seating, and classic French advertising posters adorning the walls. Some banquette seating is available, but I fell in love with our small table positioned next to a half-open Dutch door that let in revitalizing air.
Eggs Benedict at Le P’tit Laurent in San Francisco
After, we browsed theBird & Beckett bookstore a few doors down, then headed up Diamond Street to wind our way up and over Twin Peaks and on down to Market Street, which is quite a scenic drive during daylight hours.
Alemany Flea Market
Alternatively, the free Alemany Flea Market that operates on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. is just a few freeway exits away.
12221 San Pablo Ave. #8/after MacDonald Ave., (510) 234-7428. L-D M-Sat; $. No reservations.
Located in a strip mall, this formerly small place recently knocked
out a wall and doubled in size. Huong Tra continues to serve up large portions
at bargain-basement prices but now without a wait line. Tabletops are
polished granite, chopsticks and forks are wrapped up neatly in a
napkin, and beer glasses are chilled.
interior of Huong Tra in Richmond, California
Sure things on the extensive menu include the fabulous #5 Vietnamese crispy pork-and-shrimp pancake with fresh herbs (super messy and super good),
Vietnamese crispy pork-and-shrimp pancake at Huong Tra in Richmond, California
the #54 spicy chicken rice plate,
spicy chicken rice plate at Huong Tra in Richmond, California
and the crispy prawns served atop a sort of onion-ginger salad.
crispy prawns at Huong Tra in Richmond, California
Additional popular dishes include shrimp fried rice, lemon-beef salad with minced peanuts, and a cubed beef rice plate that is a version of shaken beef (bo luc lac). Rice plates and vermicelli bowls are generally good, as are shrimp dishes. Drinks include a good Thai iced tea, iced coffee, and boba smoothies.
CLOSED 425 University Ave., (855) 200-2326 (BEAM).
Taylor is a face in a Roomba-like robot who chats with me from upstate New York. He is the host in this unmanned Beam store, which has been open just two weeks and is the first remotely staffed store in the world! Apparently Beam can beam you around the world for the price of a car. I suspect you are probably first hearing this here!? If I received one as a gift, I think I would save it until I find/select my new cat and then I would use it to keep in touch with my kitty when I am traveling. Or maybe I would dress it up in one of my outfits and give it to my grandkids to have video chats with me--I could follow them around and we could keep talking. What would YOU do with it?
blacksmith building in Rough and Ready, California
In 1850, about 3,000 people lived here in Rough and Ready. A proposed government mining tax got townspeople angry enough to vote to secede from the Union. They named their town for the 12th President, Zachary Taylor, who was nicknamed “Old Rough & Ready.” The new republic lasted just three months.
12888 Spencerville Rd., in Penn Valley, 10 miles from Grass Valley, (530) 432-3321. Free tasting Sat-Sun 12-5pm (Mar-Oct), 1-4pm (Nov-Dec).
Getting here takes you through peaceful rural countryside, making for an enjoyable and scenic excursion.
comparative tasting at Pilot Peak Vineyard & Winery in Penn Valley, California
You can do a comparative tasting while seated under mature shade trees on beautiful stone-walled terraces overlooking the expansive Pilot Peak Vineyard & Winery property. You’ll sample a flight of four wines in numbered glasses that match tasting notes to guide you. A small plate of complimentary appetizers are provided so you can experience the delicious interactions created by the marriage of food and wine. Be sure to also try Peak a Boo, a blend that uses the best red grapes available each year, and Grenache--my favorite—a delightful summer-weight red. Bring a picnic, buy a bottle, and stay a while. All wines are sold only on site. Do consider joining their active wine club so you get invited to the many very special events scheduled throughout the year.
sandwich from Blue Cow Deli in Penn Valley, California
17500 Penn Valley Dr., (530) 432-5500. M-Sat 10:30-5:30.
This deli is a great spot for lunch or a picnic pick-up. Sandwiches are made to order on really good breads, and side salads and decadent cookies round things out. Seating is provided both indoors and out on a patio.
843 San Pablo Ave./Solano Ave., (510) 525-2791. L-D W-M; $$.
interior of White Lotus Thai Cuisine in Albany, California
Spacious and colorful, White Lotus Thai Cuisine consists of one large room with a scattering of tables and chairs. A complimentary hot tea is offered with the extensive menu, which takes some perusing. Many dishes have meat and tofu options, and you can choose the degree of spiciness. I liked adding heat from the condiments, my favorite being the pickled hot green peppers.
Kao Rad Kang at White Lotus Thai Cuisine in Albany, California
I tried the Pad Kee Mao with chicken, a delicious flat-rice noodle dish with chili, garlic, tomato, and Thai basil; and the Kao Rad Kang, a pretty red curry with chicken and veggies. On future visits, I plan to try the spicy chicken wings and the Thai samosa appetizers, the spicy sweet-and-sour fish filet, the Pad Thai, the spicy basil chicken, the pumpkin curry, and the traditional Massaman curry. A large section of the menu lists special vegetarian items, and rice-plate or noodle lunch specials are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
121 Bank St., 1 blk. from historic downtown, (530) 477-1700. 80 rooms; 3 stories. Breakfast; afternoon wine. Fitness room. Pets ok.
guest room at Gold Miners Inn in Grass Valley, California
Located freeway-side, the Gold Miners Inn--A Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites offers easy-on, easy-off plus the expected chain amenities. In addition to a complimentary buffet breakfast, a complimentary afternoon wine reception sometimes includes appetizer samplings from local restaurants.
pillow at Gold Miners Inn in Grass Valley, California
Guest rooms include large flat-screen TVs and a variety of pillows for sleeping. I got a kick out of a towel folded into an elephant on the bathroom counter, but I didn’t like that the windows didn’t open and that the couch felt like sitting on a brick. Keep your eyes open here for celebs, as this is where many stay when performing in town.
210 N. Auburn St., 1 blk. from historic downtown, (530) 272-7696. 38 rooms; 2 stories. Breakfast; evening snack. Some fireplaces & kitchens. Heated pool (seasonal); hot tub; fitness room; small health spa. Pets ok.
Grass Valley Courtyard Suites in Grass Valley, California
Family-owned, the attractive Grass Valley Courtyard Suites motel has a bit of B&B in it that is especially noticeable at breakfast, when the owner often gets in there herself and whips up waffles to order.
guest room at Grass Valley Courtyard Suites in Grass Valley, California
Guest rooms here are extra-large and feature a comfortable memory-foam mattress. Nights are very quiet in the residential area the inn is located in, but keep in mind that noisy events are sometimes booked at its new complex across the street which also has some nice new guest rooms.