While Hopland is small, it does feature a surprisingly number of good restaurants. Here are a few we have visited to date: Blubird Cafe has been located in downtown Hopland for years and is our go to restaurant when we find ourselves in town. The service is friendly, the food delicious. Recommended items include the elk burger and the Tuscan salad with the addition of ahi tuna on top. Many ingredients are sourced locally including local beef … [Read more...]
Manzanillo, Mexico – Cuyutlan & Paraiso
Cuyutlan & Paraiso are located 30 miles southeast of Manzanillo. Not built up, a number of smaller fishing villages are located in the region along with several fine seafood restaurants. I like this area compared to the city of Manzanillo because this is rural Mexico and is well-removed from the beaten path of many tourists. It is a popular spot for vacationing Mexican families, many of whom are from Guadalajara. Cuyutlan like several of the … [Read more...]
Manzanillo, Mexico – Restaurants
Most of the fancier restaurants are located on or quite close to beaches. There is also a good selection of restaurants in or near the center of town surrounding the primary zocalo (public square). Most of the good restaurants will serve bottled water instead of tap water. However, I recommend asking if they serve bottled water at all restaurants you eat at. Or simply drink beer. Restaurant Bar Roca del Mar is located on the east side of … [Read more...]
Monterey, CA – Carmel Restaurants
Carmel has a great selection of restaurants, many known for their excellent European influenced cuisine. The one type of restaurant you will not find in town are fast food chain restaurants. Note that Carmel does not use street numbers for addresses - so when giving someone directions to a restaurant you have to include the nearest cross streets and or any other signifying landmarks. Some restaurants offer sunset specials - the meals are … [Read more...]
Oaxaca, Mexico – Attractions
A Short Walk One day I decided to walk due west and see where I ended up. I left the phone at the hotel, I didn't research anything. I just began walking. I passed by Mercado de Abastos (a market) and then drifted by an extremely polluted river, an ecological disaster so to speak. I spent some time watching people wade back and forth through the water. I witnessed several people use the soil behind small bushes as a bathroom. I watched the wind … [Read more...]
Mt. Whitney, CA – Big Pine Restaurants
Prices are subject to change without notice. All phone numbers are in the 760 area code unless otherwise noted. Country Kitchen is located right in the middle of Big Pine on the west side of 395 at 181 S. Main St. They serve excellent breakfasts. We've eaten here when it was called Jeff's Country Kitchen and have eaten here again since the ownership change around 2013. Dave's pick is the Eggs Benedict. Casual dining … [Read more...]
Santa Rosa, CA – Attractions & Activities
Santa Rosa and Sonoma County are home to a variety of attractions, museums and outdoor activities. This is a hub for wine country of course but the Santa Rosa area has much more to offer in addition to wine. The following is a list and brief description of activities and attractions primarily in Santa Rosa - but also some elsewhere in in Sonoma County. 9th Street Rookery Charles Schulz Mus Russian River Santa Rosa Creek … [Read more...]
Santa Rosa, CA – Nearby Towns
Santa Rosa is by far the largest city in Sonoma County - the hub if you will in which all the other towns radiate out on the 'spokes'. Along with Santa Rosa, the 101 corridor is home to the largest cities in the county including Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Windsor. Other towns in the county are generally small. There is a marked difference between the west county and the interior of the county (related to the frigid Pacific Ocean) which … [Read more...]
Santa Rosa, CA – Farmers Markets
Numerous farmer's markets are located throughout Sonoma County. Unlike in the southern part of the state where year round farmer's markets are the norm, seasonal farmers markets far outnumber the year round ones up here. Seasonal smaller markets tends to have live music while the year round (often larger markets) do not always use music to liven up your shopping experiences. We have visited all of the farmers' markets in Santa Rosa and Sonoma … [Read more...]
Santa Rosa, CA – Wineries
Sonoma County, while not the first destination in the state for growing commercial grapes (that being in Los Angeles County), is certainly one of the state's most historical viticultural regions and posseses a heritage that the county does not necessarily promote as much as they should. While not the first wineries founded in the state, two of the oldest ones still in existence are both in Sonoma Valley - Buena Vista (dating from 1857) and the … [Read more...]
