San Francisco, Berkeley, and Napa, California beckons in December

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BERKELEY AND BEYOND

MY 1960'S RELIVED

By RON KAPON

Everyone has written about San Francisco and the Napa/Sonoma wine regions, only one hour away. I have even written about Oakland and the Livermore Valley wine area. Looking for another angle and arriving on Christmas night I found a helper in Barbara Hillman, President of the Berkeley Convention and Visitors Bureau

But first a short San Francisco visit. Arriving late on Christmas night on a half empty plane I opted to stay at the Crowne Plaza San Francisco International Airport Hotel. What I liked was the 24 hour business center, the 24 hour fitness center and the indoor swimming pool. Driving into San Francisco the next morning my hotel choice was the Argonaut, located on the edge of San Francisco Bay at Fisherman's Wharf, in the Maritime National Historical Park. The early 20th Century architecture with red brick walls and wood beams had an ultra modern interior. I usually stay in the Union Square area but decided to try a different perspective. I was able to walk, trolley and bus downtown to Union Square and then to the Ferry Building and its shops; the Embarcadero, Pier 39, the Cannery, Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.

Like New York, San Francisco is a walking city and I ended up back downtown for an early dinner at Tommy Toy's for their signature 6- course dinner including whole Maine lobster, Peking duck and Medallions of Beef ($65). The atmosphere was opulent, with upholstered rosewood chairs and 300-year old tapestries inlaid with hand silvered mirrors, brass chandeliers and original Chinese antiques. What an evening.

Well worth the Trip is Copia Center for Wine, Food and The Arts in downtown Napa. This 13,000 square foot gallery space is set on a 12- acre site adjacent to the Napa River. Copia is named after the Goddess of Abundance; the center includes long-term and changing exhibitions of art, culinary history and science. There is a 280 seat theater for films and lectures, a rare book library; classrooms and an 80- seat demonstration kitchen. The gourmet dining room is named for Julia Child. Outside is a 500- seat grass concert terrace for holding performances and 3 ½ acres of landscaped edible organic gardens. Open Thursday through Monday 10AM-5PM. The $12.50 admission price ($10 for seniors & students) includes a one-hour tour and 30 minute classes. Other programs have an additional cost.

University of California - Sather Gate

So, what do you think about when you hear the name Berkeley? I guess it depends on your age. Besides being the home of the University of California Berkeley, many may think of the 1960's and the hippy movement; pot, tie-died shirts, protests etc. I have driven past the city many times on the way to Napa or Sonoma. This trip I stopped for two days to see it for myself.

My home was the Doubletree Berkeley Marina, a 375 room, two story, multi-building hotel located on the picturesque San Francisco Bay (one minute from the interstate) with panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline. My room faced the Berkeley Marina. There were two indoor swimming pools, two Jacuzzis, sauna, fitness center (free) and several high speed computers (free).

Berkeley is a short drive (10 miles) east of San Francisco, or by BART transit system with a bit over 100,000 residents, plus 23,800 undergraduate and 9,300 graduate students. Because of the university the cultural life includes drama and musical theater, its own opera company, symphony and ballet. Cal-Performances, on the campus, presents a stellar program of dance, theater, jazz, symphonic and contemporary musical performances. In the heart of downtown Berkeley is the Addison Street Art District, a vibrant neighborhood of art groups and business.

Ron Kapon & Kermit Lynch Takara Sake Distillery

Gourmet Ghetto is an area full of shops, markets, sidewalk cafes and restaurants. I had lunch at the birthplace of California cuisine, the Café at Chez Panisse (the restaurant is only open for dinner). Along Telegraph Avenue get into the groove of "Flower Power" by buying a tie-died t-shirt from the many street vendors who line "The Ave". University Avenue has a collection of shops, restaurants and bazaars filled with Indian imports. Stop by the Takara Sake Distillery, as I did, for a tour and sampling. Nearby is the famous importer/retailer Kermit Lynch. I was lucky to find him in his shop as he lives half the year in the Burgundy region of France. If you plan, as I did, to have breakfast at Betty's Ocean view (no view) Diner, get an early start or prepare for an hour wait. They are open for breakfast and lunch only.

The best thing about Berkeley is the easy driving times. My hotel was at the far end of University Avenue, yet the center of the campus was only a 15 minute drive. So the next time you are on Interstate 80/580 heading to wine country stop, and spend some time in Berkeley. You will thank me for the suggestion. By the way, I flew out of Oakland Airport which is a lot less crowded than San Francisco.

INFO:

Berkeley Convention & Visitors Bureau- www.visitberkeley.com - (800) 847-4823

www.sfo_airport.crowneplaza.com - (800) 411-7275

www.argonauthotel.com - (866) 415-0704

www.tommytoys.com - (415) 397-4888

www.copia.org - (800) 51-copia

www.berkeleymarina.doubletree.com - (800) 222-8783

CONSUMER ALERT- All the things listed below happened to me on this one trip. BEWARE- CHECK YOUR BILL- READ THE SMALL PRINT IN YOUR HOTEL ROOM DEALING WITH THE TELEPHONE, MINI-BAR & INTERNET. ASK-ASK-ASK. I complained and every charge was removed.

Some business centers do not charge for use of their computers. Some charge very high per- minute charges. Check the cost for high speed service in your room.

A gift was delivered to my room by hotel management and a room service charge was added to my bill.

Check the valet parking rates. I parked across the street from the hotel and saved $10 and the car was always available to me.

Check your cell service BEFORE you go on a trip. I was assured that my company had service in San Francisco. When I could not get a signal I stopped at a store that sold the company service and they switched my signal to a local carrier that worked with my company and did not charge roaming fees.

Check the cost of "resort fees." If you are paying $300 for a room why should you have to pay an additional $15 per day to ride their stationary bicycle? I complained and was issued a free pass for the day.

I checked the card in my room that said all 800 calls were free up to 45 minutes PER CALL. I used my calling card's 800 number a few times. When I checked out there were two 249 minutes charges on my account. TO THE SAME NUMBER AND AT THE EXACT SAME TIME. Of course, I was at dinner when the calls were made and how could I talk for 3 hours to the same number at the same time. They were removed.

Beware of gift certificates for rental car companies. I received one for $250 for Christmas and was renting from the same company both in northern and southern California. Since my first rental was LESS than the gift certificate I asked that the balance be credited to the second rental. I was told they could not do that and I would lose the $60 balance. Since it was late at night on Christmas I asked to have the manager call me the next day. Of course he never did and was always unavailable. A very nice lady at the customer service center did exactly what I asked and credited the difference, even offering to send me a check for the balance. BE PERSISTENT AND KNOW YOUR RIGHT, BUT BE CALM AND POLITE.

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	Real Travel Adventures International Magazine Send this Page to a Friend Flag of California BERKELEY AND BEYOND MY 1960'S RELIVED By RON KAPON Everyone has written about San Francisco and the Napa/Sonoma wine regions, only one hour away. I have even written about Oakland and the Livermore Valley wine area. Looking for another angle and arriving on Christmas night I found a helper in Barbara Hillman, President of the Berkeley Convention and Visitors Bureau But first a short San Francisco visit. Arriving late on Christmas night on a half empty plane I opted to stay at the Crowne Plaza San Francisco International Airport Hotel. What I liked was the 24 hour business center, the 24 hour fitness center and the indoor swimming pool. Driving into San Francisco the next morning my hotel choice was the Argonaut, located on the edge of San Francisco Bay at Fisherman's Wharf, in the Maritime National Historical Park. The early 20th Century architecture with red brick walls and wood beams had an ultra modern interior. I usually stay in the Union Square area but decided to try a different perspective. I was able to walk, trolley and bus downtown to Union Square and then to the Ferry Building and its shops; the Embarcadero, Pier 39, the Cannery, Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square. Like New York, San Francisco is a walking city and I ended up back downtown for an early dinner at Tommy Toy's for their signature 6- course dinner including whole Maine lobster, Peking duck and Medallions of Beef ($65). The atmosphere was opulent, with upholstered rosewood chairs and 300-year old tapestries inlaid with hand silvered mirrors, brass chandeliers and original Chinese antiques. What an evening. Well worth the Trip is Copia Center for Wine, Food and The Arts in downtown Napa. This 13,000 square foot gallery space is set on a 12- acre site adjacent to the Napa River. Copia is named after the Goddess of Abundance; the center includes long-term and changing exhibitions of art, culinary history and science. There is a 280 seat theater for films and lectures, a rare book library; classrooms and an 80- seat demonstration kitchen. The gourmet dining room is named for Julia Child. Outside is a 500- seat grass concert terrace for holding performances and 3 ½ acres of landscaped edible organic gardens. Open Thursday through Monday 10AM-5PM. The $12.50 admission price ($10 for seniors & students) includes a one-hour tour and 30 minute classes. Other programs have an additional cost. University of California - Sather Gate So, what do you think about when you hear the name Berkeley? I guess it depends on your age. Besides being the home of the University of California Berkeley, many may think of the 1960's and the hippy movement; pot, tie-died shirts, protests etc. I have driven past the city many times on the way to Napa or Sonoma. This trip I stopped for two days to see it for myself. My home was the Doubletree Berkeley Marina, a 375 room, two story, multi-building hotel located on the picturesque San Francisco Bay (one minute from the interstate) with panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline. My room faced the Berkeley Marina. There were two indoor swimming pools, two Jacuzzis, sauna, fitness center (free) and several high speed computers (free). Berkeley is a short drive (10 miles) east of San Francisco, or by BART transit system with a bit over 100,000 residents, plus 23,800 undergraduate and 9,300 graduate students. Because of the university the cultural life includes drama and musical theater, its own opera company, symphony and ballet. Cal-Performances, on the campus, presents a stellar program of dance, theater, jazz, symphonic and contemporary musical performances. In the heart of downtown Berkeley is the Addison Street Art District, a vibrant neighborhood of art groups and business. Gourmet Ghetto is an area full of shops, markets, sidewalk cafes and restaurants. I had lunch at the birthplace of California cuisine, the Café at Chez Panisse (the restaurant is only open for dinner). Along Telegraph Avenue get into the groove of "Flower Power" by buying a tie-died t-shirt from the many street vendors who line "The Ave". University Avenue has a collection of shops, restaurants and bazaars filled with Indian imports. Stop by the Takara Sake Distillery, as I did, for a tour and sampling. Nearby is the famous importer/retailer Kermit Lynch. I was lucky to find him in his shop as he lives half the year in the Burgundy region of France. If you plan, as I did, to have breakfast at Betty's Ocean view (no view) Diner, get an early start or prepare for an hour wait. They are open for breakfast and lunch only. The best thing about Berkeley is the easy driving times. My hotel was at the far end of University Avenue, yet the center of the campus was only a 15 minute drive. So the next time you are on Interstate 80/580 heading to wine country stop, and spend some time in Berkeley. You will thank me for the suggestion. By the way, I flew out of Oakland Airport which is a lot less crowded than San Francisco. INFO: Berkeley Convention & Visitors Bureau- www.visitberkeley.com - (800) 847-4823 www.sfo_airport.crowneplaza.com - (800) 411-7275 www.argonauthotel.com - (866) 415-0704 www.tommytoys.com - (415) 397-4888 www.copia.org - (800) 51-copia www.berkeleymarina.doubletree.com - (800) 222-8783 CONSUMER ALERT- All the things listed below happened to me on this one trip. BEWARE- CHECK YOUR BILL- READ THE SMALL PRINT IN YOUR HOTEL ROOM DEALING WITH THE TELEPHONE, MINI-BAR & INTERNET. ASK-ASK-ASK. I complained and every charge was removed. Some business centers do not charge for use of their computers. Some charge very high per- minute charges. Check the cost for high speed service in your room. A gift was delivered to my room by hotel management and a room service charge was added to my bill. Check the valet parking rates. I parked across the street from the hotel and saved $10 and the car was always available to me. Check your cell service BEFORE you go on a trip. I was assured that my company had service in San Francisco. When I could not get a signal I stopped at a store that sold the company service and they switched my signal to a local carrier that worked with my company and did not charge roaming fees. Check the cost of "resort fees." If you are paying $300 for a room why should you have to pay an additional $15 per day to ride their stationary bicycle? I complained and was issued a free pass for the day. I checked the card in my room that said all 800 calls were free up to 45 minutes PER CALL. I used my calling card's 800 number a few times. When I checked out there were two 249 minutes charges on my account. TO THE SAME NUMBER AND AT THE EXACT SAME TIME. Of course, I was at dinner when the calls were made and how could I talk for 3 hours to the same number at the same time. They were removed. Beware of gift certificates for rental car companies. I received one for $250 for Christmas and was renting from the same company both in northern and southern California. Since my first rental was LESS than the gift certificate I asked that the balance be credited to the second rental. I was told they could not do that and I would lose the $60 balance. Since it was late at night on Christmas I asked to have the manager call me the next day. Of course he never did and was always unavailable. A very nice lady at the customer service center did exactly what I asked and credited the difference, even offering to send me a check for the balance. BE PERSISTENT AND KNOW YOUR RIGHT, BUT BE CALM AND POLITE. Home Previous Page Thanks for visiting us! <\|Add to Bookmarks Real Travel Adventures Web Magazine © 2004 Bonita Productions Inc. <\| If any links don't work PLEASE NOTIFY US.