Travelling in California
- Thread starter Tilluin
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I went to two of those. Boot and Shoe Service (only for coffee and a scone in the daytime,) and some snacks at La Farine. Gotta keep that list in mind when I finally make it back there.
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California travel thread bump: I've been living in the bay area for six months now. I'm in Oakland now and will be staying here. After trying for four months I was just hired by the corporation I've been trying to get into and officially start the 28th though I've been there for two months as a contractor already.
I'm obviously no expert yet, but I get out a LOT, so if anyone ever comes to the east bay, Oakland in particular I can tell you some good food joints and fun places to grab a drink. I've spent _entirely_ too much money on food here, like bad amounts. I cringed last time I paid my credit card bill off. Must cook at home more.
Some standouts for me on that list:
Shan Dong
Chop Bar
Camino
Kronnerburger - this place is great. I dunno what they do exactly but it's a damn fine burger. Poutine is good.
Zachary's pizza
Mentioning Cafe Colucci since I was just there Saturday night. Good prices, but seems like all these Ethiopian places taste the same. I'd go again though.
In any case I love it here. I need to make it to the city more often.
I'm obviously no expert yet, but I get out a LOT, so if anyone ever comes to the east bay, Oakland in particular I can tell you some good food joints and fun places to grab a drink. I've spent _entirely_ too much money on food here, like bad amounts. I cringed last time I paid my credit card bill off. Must cook at home more.
I've been to a number of these now. Looking for a good excuse to go to Commis some day.
Some standouts for me on that list:
Shan Dong
Chop Bar
Camino
Kronnerburger - this place is great. I dunno what they do exactly but it's a damn fine burger. Poutine is good.
Zachary's pizza
Mentioning Cafe Colucci since I was just there Saturday night. Good prices, but seems like all these Ethiopian places taste the same. I'd go again though.
In any case I love it here. I need to make it to the city more often.
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Drake's is great, been there once. Surprising SF doesn't have a lot of places like that. Matter of space I suppose.
OneofOne
Silver Baronet of the Realm
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The BEST Chinese in the area is on the island - Gim's Chinese. Little hole in the wall take out joint, next to the Alameda public library, and I've never had such good Chinese in my life. I'm in Santa Rosa now, and nothing up here remotely compares. Gim's is quite cheap, too.
BrutulTM
Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun.
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I finally just went to Santa Cruz a month ago. We also went to Capitola, rode a train somewhere through the woods, etc. Of course we had to stop at the Mystery Spot. It was all fun and I'd visit again, but I wouldn't want to live there.
Last week (long weekend) we went to some of the gold rush towns southeast of Stockton. Murphy's, Angel's Camp, and so on. We went ziplining and took a cave tour at this place. Worthwhile if you're in the area:
http://caverntours.com/moaning-caver...oaning-cavern/
Then Monday evening we randomly went to Dorrington and found a cool little burger shack, and the entire area was covered in snow. As someone who has lived in Florida for decades, it's pretty cool to randomly be driving along through green forests then literally out of nowhere in minutes you find this place covered in snow.
I'm starting to develop "favorite" places in Oakland for food, with the help of my long time resident female companion.
One is Ole's in Alameda. Classic breakfast fare in a non hipster, non pretentious diner.
Ole's Waffle Shop - 434 Photos - Diners - 1507 Park St - Alameda, CA - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
We go to Sidebar a lot (Lake Merritt,) Lake Chalet, and Barlago. Feels like I'm missing a couple of things I go to more regularly than others. Typically I like trying new stuff.
Back to that list posted a long time ago, been to a lot of these places now.
The Big Eat Oakland: 50 Things to Taste Before You Die | 7x7
Shan Dong: Been there about three times. Always good. The home made noodles are killer.
Pican: Took a date there about a month ago. Don't remember what she or I ate. I recall both of us liking it. Kinda trendy for my taste, overpriced, even though I like that on occasion.
Boot and Shoe Service: I guess I could lump this in with restaurants I go to semi-frequently. Great pizzas, other entrees are small and shit and you'll feel ripped off. The pizzas are small but are plenty well portioned for one and will fill you up.
Fenton's Creamery: Fuck this place in its ass. It was in some Disney movie so people go there. It's not at all above average as far as ice cream goes and you pay a boatload.
Flora: See also Pican. They have good food, but you pay a lot for the trendy ambiance.
Grand Lake Kitchen: Good breakfast. Wait times to get in for breakfast / brunch can be asinine.
Chop Bar: Consistently good. Been here a few times. Think I've got a burger every time but once. Maybe I got a steak once.
Camino: It's good. See also: Trendy places with nice ambiance. Small amounts of food for too much.
Kronnerburger: A date once took me here and I've been back a couple times since. Good burgers.
Zachary's Pizza: Been once if not twice. It's really fucking good. And super filling.
Wood Tavern: This place is good. Also expensive, and can be hard to get into as people make reservations a week in advance sometimes it seems like. I don't mind paying so much here.
Cafe Colluci: It's Ethiopian food. It's good, but it's like every other Ethiopian place I've tried.
Pizziaolo: Good pizza, good ambiance. You also pay for it (see a trend in Oakland?) Same people own Boot and Shoe, so they know pizza well.
All this shit and I have way more to try still. I spend way too much money on food on a weekly basis.
Last week (long weekend) we went to some of the gold rush towns southeast of Stockton. Murphy's, Angel's Camp, and so on. We went ziplining and took a cave tour at this place. Worthwhile if you're in the area:
http://caverntours.com/moaning-caver...oaning-cavern/
Then Monday evening we randomly went to Dorrington and found a cool little burger shack, and the entire area was covered in snow. As someone who has lived in Florida for decades, it's pretty cool to randomly be driving along through green forests then literally out of nowhere in minutes you find this place covered in snow.
I'm starting to develop "favorite" places in Oakland for food, with the help of my long time resident female companion.
One is Ole's in Alameda. Classic breakfast fare in a non hipster, non pretentious diner.
Ole's Waffle Shop - 434 Photos - Diners - 1507 Park St - Alameda, CA - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
We go to Sidebar a lot (Lake Merritt,) Lake Chalet, and Barlago. Feels like I'm missing a couple of things I go to more regularly than others. Typically I like trying new stuff.
Back to that list posted a long time ago, been to a lot of these places now.
The Big Eat Oakland: 50 Things to Taste Before You Die | 7x7
Shan Dong: Been there about three times. Always good. The home made noodles are killer.
Pican: Took a date there about a month ago. Don't remember what she or I ate. I recall both of us liking it. Kinda trendy for my taste, overpriced, even though I like that on occasion.
Boot and Shoe Service: I guess I could lump this in with restaurants I go to semi-frequently. Great pizzas, other entrees are small and shit and you'll feel ripped off. The pizzas are small but are plenty well portioned for one and will fill you up.
Fenton's Creamery: Fuck this place in its ass. It was in some Disney movie so people go there. It's not at all above average as far as ice cream goes and you pay a boatload.
Flora: See also Pican. They have good food, but you pay a lot for the trendy ambiance.
Grand Lake Kitchen: Good breakfast. Wait times to get in for breakfast / brunch can be asinine.
Chop Bar: Consistently good. Been here a few times. Think I've got a burger every time but once. Maybe I got a steak once.
Camino: It's good. See also: Trendy places with nice ambiance. Small amounts of food for too much.
Kronnerburger: A date once took me here and I've been back a couple times since. Good burgers.
Zachary's Pizza: Been once if not twice. It's really fucking good. And super filling.
Wood Tavern: This place is good. Also expensive, and can be hard to get into as people make reservations a week in advance sometimes it seems like. I don't mind paying so much here.
Cafe Colluci: It's Ethiopian food. It's good, but it's like every other Ethiopian place I've tried.
Pizziaolo: Good pizza, good ambiance. You also pay for it (see a trend in Oakland?) Same people own Boot and Shoe, so they know pizza well.
All this shit and I have way more to try still. I spend way too much money on food on a weekly basis.
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Yep, only once, for a quick brunch. There's a cool little alley nearby with a coffee shop as I recall.
Oh, that's right near Genova too. Great sandwich spot.
Oh, that's right near Genova too. Great sandwich spot.
In last year my friend have been visited Genova, after coming back he shared with me about this city of Italy. He said that Italy has many beautiful cities but Genova is a perfact destination for enjoying holidays. Now I want to go there soon I wish in this summer holidays I will go Genova for having some enjoyment,,,,,
BrutulTM
Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun.
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I have said it before in this thread but I'm a fan of the Monterrey Aquarium. That's an all day stop though or at least a couple hours. There's Solvang as well for touristy things. Other than that it's shitloads of nice scenery over on the coast and shitloads of wineries and such along the way.