Sights
Palo Alto & Stanford | San
Francisco | Monterey & Carmel | The
East Bay
The Napa Valley Wine Country | Marin
What to do
Stanford University is where Gina and Tyler met. Be sure to check out the Rodin sculpure garden next to the Cantor Arts Center. And of course you won't want to miss Memorial Church, which is where our wedding ceremony is being held.
For a description of Stanford sites in Japanese, click here.
Where to eat
Bangkok Cuisine 650-322-6533
407 Lytton Avenue, Palo AltoAuthentic Thai cuisine. Patio seating available.Swagat Indian Cuisine 650-948-7727
2700 W. El Camino Real, Mountain ViewOur favorite dishes include Palaak Paneer, Navasaratan Korma, Baigan Bharta and Vegetable Samosas.
Where to stay
The Stanford Terrace Inn 650-856-5299
531 Stanford Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
sti_reservations@att.netThe wedding party and many of our wedding guests have already reserved rooms here. Please contact Gina and Tyler or the Stanford Terrace Inn directly if you would like to reserve rooms at the special rate.
Cardinal Hotel 650-323-5101
235 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto 94301Hotel California 650-322-7666
2431 Ash Street at California Avenue, Palo Alto 94306
SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco has something to offer for everyone. We head into "the City" nearly every weekend and have put together a list of some of our favorite destinations. For information about the more popular tourist attractions, visit the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, or try The Boulevards Guide to San Francisco for a virtual tour of San Francisco off the beaten path.
What to do
North Beach
We probably spend more time strolling up and down Columbus Street in North Beach than at any other place on this page. Be sure to walk up to Coit Tower for a magnificent view of the City and the Bay. While you're in the area, take a walk down Grant Street through Chinatown where we often stop to buy fresh Chinese noodles and other Asian delicacies.The Marina
Chestnut Street is a great place to start with it's abundant shops and quaint bistros. Visit our friends Mari-chan and Junko-chan at Asian Point of View or stop by Gourmet Greetings with its ecclectic mix of gourmet gifts and greeting cards. Also in the area is the Palace of Fine Arts and Exploratorium (415-561-0360).If you're up for beautiful stroll along the water, start at the newly restored Crissy Field Crissy Field and head toward Fort Baker... you might even try making it all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Park
Enjoy in-line skating on JFK Drive which is closed to through traffic on Sundays. Golden Gate Park has much to offer; the Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the California Academy of Sciences (and Steinhart Aquarium) and the Asian Art Museum are some of our favorite places to stop.Where to eat
For brunch, we recommend Home Plate (2274 Lombard St. 415-922- 4663) or the Town's End Restaurant & Bakery (2 Townsend 415-512-0749).
For espresso and Italian pastries, visit Stella Pastry (446 Columbus Ave between Green and Vallejo 415-986-2914) and don't leave without trying their fresh biscotti dipped in chocolate or amaretti topped with toasted pine nuts. Tell sisters Silvia and Cristina that you are friends of ours, and you'll be certain to be warmly received.
Or if you want a more lively atmosphere, stop by the Steps of Rome for a cappuccino and an impromptu serenade (348 Columbus Ave 415-397-0435, Open 7:30 a.m. - 3 a.m. weekdays).
For an extraordinary night out, try dinner at one of the following:
Greens 415-771 6222
Fort Mason Center, Building AMillennium Restaurant 415-487-9800
246 McAllister StreetRose Pistola 415-399-0499
532 Columbus AvenueAnd if you're anywhere near Golden Gate Park, stop by Park Chow (1240 9th Avenue between Lincoln & Irving 415-665-9912) for an impressive meal at an even more impressive price. You won't want to miss the ginger cake with honey ice cream and caramel sauce, so be sure to save room for dessert!Where to stay
While staying in the city can be a bit pricey... we really like the Miyako Hotel (1625 Post Street 415-922-3200) in Japantown. This is where Tyler proposed to Gina last February.
Or, for an entirely unique experience, check out the funky and fantastic Hotel Triton (342 Grant Avenue 800-433-6611).
A couple of good comprehensive guides to the Monterey Peninsula can be found at http://www.monterey.com/ and http://www.gomonterey.com/, but if you want our picks check them out below.
What to do
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the world. Check out the kelp forest, the sea otters, and the penguins.
Take a walk down historic Cannery Row and check out the local shops.
The 17-Mile Drive between Carmel and Pacific Grove makes for a spectacular bike ride around the peninsula.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect place for window shopping.
Where to eat
Il Fornaio 831-622-5100
Ocean Avenue at Monte Verde, CarmelLocated throughout the Bay Area, Il Fornaio is one of our favorites.La Boheme 831-624-7500
Dolores Street at 7th, CarmelVery good French restaurant highly recommended by the Aliotos. Table reservations not taken - seating on a first come-first served basis.Piatti 831-625-1766
6th Street and Junipero, CarmelAn Italian restaurant chain, with restaurants also located in Yountville, Mill Valley, Sonoma, and Stanford.Where to stay
Hotel Pacific 831-373-5700
300 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940La Playa 831-624-6476
Camino Real at 8th, Carmel, CA 93921
What to do
Berkeley
Visit the UC Berkeley campus and see where Tyler spends his weekdays, walk down Telegraph Avenue for a visual feast of street vendors, record shops, and restaurants or enjoy Tilden Park.Mount Diablo State Park
Drive up to the top of Mount Diablo for a breathtaking view of the Bay Area and beyond.Where to eat
Berkeley and Oakland have a multitude of good restaurants. Following are just a few of them.
Kamal Palace 510-848-9907
2175 Allston Way, BerkeleyA good place for Indian food when you can't make it to Swagat in Palo Alto.Sabuy Sabuy 510-653-8587
5231 College Avenue, OaklandOne of the best Thai restaurants in the East Bay, in our opinion. Their pad thai is excellent!La Note 510-843-1535
2377 Shattuck Avenue, BerkeleyThis little French restaurant is a good lunch spot. If it's sunny out, try to sit in the back patio area.Jupiter 510-THE-TAPS
2181 Shattuck Avenue, BerkeleyVery popular ale house close to the Berkeley campus. They serve very good sandwiches and pizza and their beer is good, too!
Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant 510-528-9880
901 Gilman St. Berkeley, CA 94710
THE NAPA VALLEY WINE COUNTRY
What to do
Shopping at Dean and Deluca in St. Helena.
607 South St. Helena Highway 707-967-9980Wine-tasting at any number of wineries. Take your pick!
Where to eat
The Oakville Grocery 707-944-0111
7848 St. Helena Hwy. (Route 29), OakvilleOne of our absolute favorites, (also located in the Stanford Shopping Center) the Oakville Grocery first opened its doors a century ago and is still a food-lover's delight. The Grocery is a great place to stock up on sandwiches, Napa Valley wines and tempting treats for a gourmet picnic. And don't miss the large offering of free samples!
Mustard's Grill 707-944-2424
7399 St. Helena Hwy. (Hwy. 29), YountvilleA Napa Valley staple, Mustard's Grill offers a lively, casual bistro environment with a diverse menu including grilled meats and poultry, salads, burgers and ribs. If you like the thin, crispy kind of onion rings, these are not to be missed. If you request it, they can also serve an entree of grilled vegetables. Delicious! Serves lunch and dinner.Where to stay
Vintage Inn 707-944-1112
6541 Washington Street, Yountville - Napa Valley, CA 94599Villagio Inn & Spa 707-944-8877
6481 Washington Street, Yountville - Napa Valley, CA 94599Chateau Hotel 707-253-9300
4195 Solano Avenue, Napa, CA 94558
What to do
If you're in the mood for a good hike and you like tall trees, you may be interested in walking around Muir Woods or hiking up Mount Tamalpais.
But if you're in the mood to stroll around and browse in shops, we recommend downtown Sausalito.
Where to eat
Downtown Sausalito has a number of excellent restaurants overlooking the Bay.
For additional ideas, go to the Marin Markets Restaurant Guide.
