The Central Valley Doesn't Stink

Writers cannot please, nor appeal to everyone. I recently received feedback on my Northern California: An Explorer's Guide from a woman who lives in Modesto. She said that I misrepresented the Central Valley, by presenting the information in a snarky, insensitive way, highlighting the pastoral smells rather than the cultural highlights of California's Central Valley.

Of course to her, I did present the region poorly. She lives there and loves it. She has friends and community and all the ingredients of home, regardless of how this traveler perceives Modesto. And surely there are highlights, scenic spots, worthy treats for all palates, including theater, poetry slams, and international cuisine.

However, I live in San Francisco and love it here. As a guidebook writer, it is my job to siphon through all the possible journeys you will take in this region and present you with the worthy trip for your taste buds. Yet, on all levels you are traveling with me, using my perception. That is the glory (and occasional) problem with using and depending on a guidebook. You may not have the same worldview as the writer, food tastes, inherent belief system, but you are getting her opinion, her eyes on a locale.

I write this to encourage you to travel with your own eyes. To use the book as it is meant to be used: as a catalogue of information, painstakingly researched by this humble writer and her family (A writer who doesn't mean to insult or be snarky about any person's hometown). We will not agree on everything. Nor do I want us to. That is part of the conversation. I use your feedback (and the generous responses like the woman from Modesto) to update information and get to know towns with your eyes as well.

Writing a guidebook is ultimately a group effort; a give and take between writer and reader and place. And while I may (and will) get information wrong, my book also informs you of a restaurant or hike you never knew existed; a town's charms; a region's quirks. Together we can get to know Northern California's highs and lows even better. And maybe we'll learn to look past our various smells and appreciate all towns--big and small.

Which Northern California county offers summer festivals with cowgirls, salmon, art, and music?

Some destinations rely on their notoriety to draw tourists back year after year. Mendocino County has a different agenda. Combining rich redwood forests, windswept beaches, and artsy towns with one-of-a-kind festivals, San Francisco's northern hippie neighbor makes it nearly impossible not to take advantage of her riches year after year.

For more information, click here.

Northern California's top inns for romantic getaways--part one

With honeymoons, anniversaries, and the summer heat all begging to be celebrated, Northern California has its fair share of places to woo your sweetheart. Selecting which is right for you is the only problem. Here are my top romantic inns for all budgets.

To keep reading, click here.

Last minute Northern California Fourth of July ideas

San Franciscans have a love/hate affair with the 4th of July. Oh how we love to celebrate BBQ, family and friends, the languid days of summer, lounging in Dolores Park with Bi Rite honey lavender ice cream, and a six pack, just waiting for the fireworks to explode. Yet, most years we are plagued with dense fog and chilly winds that make the holiday downright miserable. Most years, we wait to see what the weather is like before getting in the car and heading to warmer pastures. So if you are like me and looking for some summer on the first weekend of July, here are a few last minute ideas.

For details, click here.

The How-To guide to planning a trip in the Internet age

After prowling through Travelzoo, Travel-ticker, and Smarter Travel, we finally found a reasonable airline flight to Thailand. But this fickle traveler had to marinate on the price ($670--in summer!), the dates, and if I could handle a 25 hour travel day with a two year old. When I return to the above-mentioned websites the next day, I suddenly found that I could fly from San Francisco to Rome, or Athens, or Barcelona, or Paris, or Amsterdam for $350. Now my brain was fried. Would I rather sip sangria or ouzo on a beach or drink from a freshly chopped coconut? Would I sacrifice some rainy days in Phuket for epic sun drenched strands on the Costa Brava?

For more, click here.

Searching for that special romantic getaway?

Sometimes a hotel captures your heart. In the most unlikely of Sonoma County locations, the Farmhouse Inn is my Wine Country destination of du jour.

For more information, click here.

Northern California's top kid-friendly music venues--part one

People call me crazy when I say I bring my toddler most everywhere. He's stayed at Meadowood, eaten Thomas Keller meals, and been to more festivals than many adults I know. With all this experience, though he might not remember his night, say, at Auberge du Soleil, I imagine he will be a more adaptable adult because of it.

For more information, click here.

Northern California hot springs

Imagine dipping your toes in a pool of natural hot springs, while surrounded by whizzing birds and prancing deer. Or maybe you prefer soaking in clawfoot tubs perched on a cliff with the ocean crashing below. Whether you aim for maintained hot springs or wild hike-in ones, Northern California offers a wealth of soaking options.

For more information, click here: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-6346-Northern-California-Getaways-Examiner~y2009m6d10-Northern-California-hot-springs

Northern California: An Explorer's Guide gets a glowing review

OK, I am blushing a bit. I wanted to share this review of my new Northern California: An Explorer's Guide.

http://www.examiner.com/x-5514-Phoenix-Travel-Industry-Examiner~y2009m6d3-California-dreamin-Great-guide-to-get-you-around

Hob Nob Tours in San Francisco--the correct contact info

HI all,

I just learned from Val at the wonderful Hob Nob tours that the phone and address for Hob Nob is incorrect in the new Northern California: An Explorer's Guide. The correct contact information is 650-814-6303 and P. O. Box 2302 Livermore, CA 94551. As you might expect with us humans, we occasionally mess up. I hope you all understand and forgive my blunder.

For detailed information about the excellent Hob Nob Tour of Nob Hill, pick up Northern California: An Explorer's Guide (Countryman Press).

Escape to California's secret mountain towns--Part two

I'm letting the cat out of the bag. But I assume that if you are on the prowl for secret mountain towns, you probably deserve to know about Northern California's finest. This is the second installment of my favorite hidden mountain towns, this time highlighting Dunsmuir.

Click here for information about Dunsmuir.

Northern California June events

With summer, comes a slew of Northern California's finest events. An array of June festivals leave you no excuse to be bored at home. Here are a few of my favorites.

Click here for more information:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-6346-Northern-California-Getaways-Examiner~y2009m6d3-Northern-California-June-events

Northern California: An Explorer's Guide: A guidebook for all budgets

Looking for summer road trip ideas? Romantic getaways? Family friendly getaways? Campsites, gourmet taco trucks, hikes and hidden mountain towns? My new guidebook Northern California: An Explorer's Guide addresses the need for honest coverage of California's most beautiful landscape from a local perspective. The book covers the region from Big Sur to Yosemite, all the way up to the Oregon border, including hidden gems like Dunsmuir, Gualala, Shelter Cove and Twain Harte, not to mention Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Wine Country and the redwoods.

For more information, click here.

Escape to California's secret mountain towns--Part one

Interested in escaping to mountain towns away from summer crowds?

Click here.

Close to home: Bay Area lakes equal summer fun--Part 2

Here are most Bay Area lakes to cool off in summer.

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-6346-Northern-California-Getaways-Examiner~y2009m5d27-Bay-Area-lakes-for-summer-swimmingPart-2

Bay Area lakes for summer swimming

When I think of summer, I imagine long hot days in the sun, swimming, picnicking and BBQing with friends. Since San Francisco doesn't (often) offer enough opportunities to do this, I have compiled an initial list of Bay Area lakes to catch some rays and swim sans fog and wind.

Close to home: Bay Area lakes equal summer fun--Part 1.

Northern California's top swim lakes

When the days get longer, do you pine to swim in a lake? If so, check this out: Nor Cal Swim Lakes.

Island dining on the San Francisco bay? You bet!

It begins with a boat ride from Fisherman's Wharf. Forbes himself motors over on a pontoon to collect you from the pier. Step aboard, sail past the barking sea lions and step onto shore at Forbes Island--San Francisco's one of a kind dining experience.

For more information, click here.

So you think you know Northern California?

Road trips are this year's travel trend. With stellar landscapes, peaks, valleys and windswept beaches, Northern California is by and large the finest place to venture out in your car. Whether you want a romantic trip along the Central Coast, a down and dirty trip through the Trinity Alps, redwood trails, wine tasting or under the radar antique shopping, Northern California delivers.

See more about my new book at http://www.examiner.com/x-6346-Northern-California-Getaways-Examiner~y2009m5d18-So-you-think-you-know-Northern-California

Getaway to Downtown Napa—finally!

Looking for ways to enjoy Napa? Check this out!

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-6346-Northern-California-Getaways-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Getaway-to-Downtown-Napafinally