Berkeley/Monterey

We will be travelling to Berkeley and Monterey in March and I really want to get away from the chain places (that my kids insist on) so does anyone know of great inexpensive family type places in the Berkeley and Monterey areas? Or anywhere along the way from Cheyenne, WYO to Berkeley along I-80.

Get off in Winnemucca for the Martin Hotel-family style basque.
How old are your kids? Looping Lake Tahoe is a neat detour from I-80 also.

On the way from Berkeley to Monterey...

'Phil's Fish Market' in Moss Landing - wide variety of good seafood at reasonable prices.

'Central Texan' in Castroville - our best approximation of decent BBQ.

'Dennis the Menace' park in Monterey - the snack bar has good cheeseburgers and other things the kids should like.

If you take the 101 to Salinas, and then Hwy 68 to Monterey, the 'Toro Cafe' (on 68) has the best burgers in this area.

If you're so inclined, there's also the 'In-N-Out' burger on the 101 (Leavesley Rd exit) in Morgan Hill if you haven't experienced one yet.



Dino

Hey! Thanks guys! My kids are teens but are big fans of the big three fast food burger places. I know we liked In and Out when were there before so will most likely check it out again. We are coming out to check out Cal Berkeley for my grad school (I'll graduate in '06 here). The kids want to go on a whale boat in Monterey so, of course, we'll go there. I 2will check out a couple of the places you mentioned.

Dino your absolutely right when you recommend Phil's Fish Market..................
I venture to say for me it is the very best sea food joint on the west coast
Alecs ...this has got to be a must for your California coast visit........... here's there web site
http://www.philsfishmarket.com/

Dino that is(Leavesley Rd exit) in Gilroy not Morgan Hill............. Gilroy the Garlic capital of the world ...... home of the Garlic Festival and you right "In-N-Out Burger" is pretty good for a California burger joint

quote:

Originally posted by fpczyz


Dino that is(Leavesley Rd exit) in Gilroy not Morgan Hill.............

You are so right fpczyz. Gilroy, not Morgan Hill.

See what not having a SJ Sharks season has done to me. I can't even remember where I stop to eat when going to/from the 'tank'.


Dino

A really great family place in Berkeley is Picante Cocina Mexican on 6th St (just south of Gilman.) It is very popular with families and everyone else and I've never had a bad meal there.

If you are going to have breakfast in Berkeley one of my favorite places is the Gilman Grill on the corner of Gilman and 4th St. Their toast is made from Acme Bakery breads.

I've never been there, but I know a lot of people like Saul's in Berkeley:
www.saulsdeli.com

Casa de Fruta is always fun to stop at:
www.casadefruta.com/visit.html

If you decide to travel on Hwy 1 through Santa Cruz County, make sure you stop at Carpo's in the little town of Soquel:
www.carposrestaurant.com

Then there's the Giant Artichoke Restaurant in Castroville: www.lukecole.com/Roadside%20Attractions/World's%20Largest/artichoke.htm

Oh yeah, and if you drive through Concord, stop at Claim Jumper!

www.claimjumper.com

quote:

Originally posted by bill voss

Get off in Winnemucca for the Martin Hotel-family style basque.

Oops. When I started reading, "Get off in Winnemucca . . . ." I thought you were going to recommend an entirely different experience.

quote:

Originally posted by bill voss

Get off in Winnemucca for the Martin Hotel-family style basque.
How old are your kids? Looping Lake Tahoe is a neat detour from I-80 also.

Doing the entire loop takes a LONG time. But taking Rt. 89 down the western side of the lake to Rt. 50, then taking that to Sacramento where you connect back to I-80 isn't so bad and a very nice and scenic ride.

quote:

Originally posted by BT

quote:

Originally posted by bill voss

Get off in Winnemucca for the Martin Hotel-family style basque.
How old are your kids? Looping Lake Tahoe is a neat detour from I-80 also.

Doing the entire loop takes a LONG time. But taking Rt. 89 down the western side of the lake to Rt. 50, then taking that to Sacramento where you connect back to I-80 isn't so bad and a very nice and scenic ride.

Gotta agree---50 is alot prettier and mellower ride down into Sac then going back up the loop to 80 and it doest take any longer either.

If your kids are hooked on fast food, take them to Fat Apples just north of Berkeley in El Cerrito. Their big fat juicy burgers will make them forget about fast food burgers. They also have great apple pie and breakfasts. My other favorite place for breakfast in Berkeley is the Homemade Cafe, but I haven't been there for a long time so I don't know if its still there. They is a very good diner on 4th St. in N. Berkeley ( can't remember the name, maybe 4th St. Diner ). I haven't lived in Berkeley for a while but those would be my suggestions. My brother lives in Pacific Grove,next to Monterey, and there is a neat place I remember in Monterey called El Crocadillo (sp?).

A half loop's a great idea, as is Hwy 50, or Ca. 4 if you are really adventurous. Also show them Santa Cruz, which
brings out the kid in most.

I'll second Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing. Great fresh fish in a really funky, working, fishing town. Monterey Fish House on DelMonte Ave.(the main drag in Monterey) is also excellant for seafood.

But not a word about San Francisco? There is a bridge that connects Berkeley and the East Bay to the City, as SF is called by Bay Area residents. We allow people to cross that bridge westbound and enter the City at no charge. It's the State that collects that bridge toll.

Here's something you can do for free, other than bridge toll. At the extreme southwest corner of Marin County, that which is north of the Golden Gate Bridge, you will find the Point Bonita lighthouse on a rocky spur of land that juts out into the Golden Gate. Here are some nice pix:

http://lighthousegetaway.com/lights/calif.html

The photo on that header page is of Point Bonita. Click on that name in the text to see the rest. Point Bonita is open every SA-SU-MO 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Be there by 2:45 at the latest to see it all. Why so few hours? The National Park Service doesn't have the funds to pay rangers to open the Lighthouse, so volunteers like me are afforded the great pleasure of taking you, the visiting public, out to see this devastatingly beautiful place.

Prretty much the only cuisine you won't find in SF is bbq, so if you will eat there rather than us listing some of the 11,000 restaurants, tell us what it is you'd like to have so we can narrow our sugggestions.

quote:

Originally posted by michaelgemmell

But not a word about San Francisco?
Prretty much the only cuisine you won't find in SF is bbq, so if you will eat there rather than us listing some of the 11,000 restaurants, tell us what it is you'd like to have so we can narrow our sugggestions.

But you CAN get bbq in the East Bay! Try Everrett and Jones---i like the one at University and San Pablo in Berkely but i think the origianl is in Oakland.

quote:

Originally posted by michaelgemmell

But not a word about San Francisco?
Prretty much the only cuisine you won't find in SF is bbq, so if you will eat there rather than us listing some of the 11,000 restaurants, tell us what it is you'd like to have so we can narrow our sugggestions.

But you CAN get bbq in the East Bay! Try Everrett and Jones---i like the one at University and San Pablo in Berkeley but i think the origianl is in Oakland.

While it's been a few years..... For family fare at a decent price try Spaghetti Factory. Unfortunatley my favorite of the chain in Oakland closed it's doors, there is still one open in Concord. Cheap and fillin'.

If you have a cravin' for barbeque, check out Flint's at the corner of San Pablo and University. Tasty food, and it has a family friendly menu.

Another great spot with kids, especially teens is in Oakland right across from the police station, Mexicali Rose. Open til' 3:00 AM, good food great prices too.

Koryo Japanese eatery is right on Telegraph in Berkeley. Great food and atmosphere.

One thing definately worth doing is park the car on southside Telegraph (below the 7-11) and walk up the street and stop at any number of fooderys. Don't forget to drop by my favorite hot dog place in America, Top Dog. They have several stands all around Berkeley and Oakland.

One other hamburger place of note you should look for is 1/4 Pound Giant Burgers. The good side is the hamburgers are among the best anywhere, the bad side is that for the most part the restaurants are in (say it carefully) difficult neighborhoods. Still worth it though.

Finally if you are in the Oakland area you have to check out Fenton's Ice Creamery on Piedmont Ave. The lines can be long, but that tells you something. The ice cream is good and the portions are almost comicly large.

We are planning on going to Point Reyes and I want to go to Muir Woods so we'll be heading north. I used to live in San Anselmo and in Santa Rosa but it has been YEARS ago. My son was telling me today he can't wait til spring break so we can go! Me too!

quote:

Originally posted by michaelgemmell

But not a word about San Francisco? There is a bridge that connects Berkeley and the East Bay to the City, as SF is called by Bay Area residents. We allow people to cross that bridge westbound and enter the City at no charge. It's the State that collects that bridge toll.

Here's something you can do for free, other than bridge toll. At the extreme southwest corner of Marin County, that which is north of the Golden Gate Bridge, you will find the Point Bonita lighthouse on a rocky spur of land that juts out into the Golden Gate. Here are some nice pix:

http://lighthousegetaway.com/lights/calif.html

The photo on that header page is of Point Bonita. Click on that name in the text to see the rest. Point Bonita is open every SA-SU-MO 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Be there by 2:45 at the latest to see it all. Why so few hours? The National Park Service doesn't have the funds to pay rangers to open the Lighthouse, so volunteers like me are afforded the great pleasure of taking you, the visiting public, out to see this devastatingly beautiful place.

Prretty much the only cuisine you won't find in SF is bbq, so if you will eat there rather than us listing some of the 11,000 restaurants, tell us what it is you'd like to have so we can narrow our sugggestions.

quote:

Originally posted by michaelgemmell

But not a word about San Francisco? There is a bridge that connects Berkeley and the East Bay to the City, as SF is called by Bay Area residents. We allow people to cross that bridge westbound and enter the City at no charge. It's the State that collects that bridge toll.

Here's something you can do for free, other than bridge toll. At the extreme southwest corner of Marin County, that which is north of the Golden Gate Bridge, you will find the Point Bonita lighthouse on a rocky spur of land that juts out into the Golden Gate. Here are some nice pix:

http://lighthousegetaway.com/lights/calif.html

The photo on that header page is of Point Bonita. Click on that name in the text to see the rest. Point Bonita is open every SA-SU-MO 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Be there by 2:45 at the latest to see it all. Why so few hours? The National Park Service doesn't have the funds to pay rangers to open the Lighthouse, so volunteers like me are afforded the great pleasure of taking you, the visiting public, out to see this devastatingly beautiful place.

Prretty much the only cuisine you won't find in SF is bbq, so if you will eat there rather than us listing some of the 11,000 restaurants, tell us what it is you'd like to have so we can narrow our sugggestions.

Oh, Michael, I was trying not to upset Bill Voss who keeps trying to convince people that the ultimate Bay Area experience is to be found in West Oakland or somewhere. The fact is, though, that we do NOT allow people across that bridge westbound into town for free (or maybe you meant that we City residents do, but the state collects the $2 toll). At least even The Governator lets 'em leave and run home to the burbs for free.

As for BBQ, there's some that's OK but not worth a ride across the bridge since I have to admit that the best available in the Bay Area probably really is in West Oakland (Flint's). If you have to have some in SF, try Leon's (on S. Van Ness as I recall) or Brother-In-Law's (on Divisadero). Once upon a time, there was Hog Heaven on Stanyan which I actually liked (in spite of the slaw made with red cabbage), but those days are gone.

Jeez, are you guys funny. Finally, someone actually ASKS about the East Bay and you 2 start sounding like herb caen. I just wanted them to see some Sunlight while they were in the Bay Area. I think everyone should spend some time in SF proper, but Trees and Grass can be nice things too.
Bill

quote:

Originally posted by bill voss

Jeez, are you guys funny. Finally, someone actually ASKS about the East Bay and you 2 start sounding like herb caen. I just wanted them to see some Sunlight while they were in the Bay Area. I think everyone should spend some time in SF proper, but Trees and Grass can be nice things too.
Bill

I was going with you on the sunlight thing (though my place in Civic Center usually gets about 5 hours of sun, 11 AM to 4 PM, daily), but you will not find nicer plots of trees and grass than Lincoln Park (views of the Golden Gate and its bridge to die for), Golden Gate Park (check out the nearly finished new de Young Museum and/or the recently refurbished Conservatory of Flowers) or even Dolores Park (and the latter has plenty of the other kind of grass available too).

Here's a bit of Lincoln Park

Here's a bit of Golden Gate Park:

The Japanese Tea House

And then there's possibly the best bit of grass in the Bay Area (OK, no trees):

The way I see it ............ God created the East Bay so that tourists can get that most spectacular view of the City By The Bay ....................... and please fallow Michael's lighthouse tour where one would get another great view of the city.

PS. Thanks for you volunteer work Michael. Lighthouses are truly one of our country's treasures

quote:

Originally posted by mistertawny

While it's been a few years..... For family fare at a decent price try Spaghetti Factory. Unfortunatley my favorite of the chain in Oakland closed it's doors, there is still one open in Concord. Cheap and fillin'.

If you have a cravin' for barbeque, check out Flint's at the corner of San Pablo and University. Tasty food, and it has a family friendly menu.

Another great spot with kids, especially teens is in Oakland right across from the police station, Mexicali Rose. Open til' 3:00 AM, good food great prices too.

Koryo Japanese eatery is right on Telegraph in Berkeley. Great food and atmosphere.

One thing definately worth doing is park the car on southside Telegraph (below the 7-11) and walk up the street and stop at any number of fooderys. Don't forget to drop by my favorite hot dog place in America, Top Dog. They have several stands all around Berkeley and Oakland.

One other hamburger place of note you should look for is 1/4 Pound Giant Burgers. The good side is the hamburgers are among the best anywhere, the bad side is that for the most part the restaurants are in (say it carefully) difficult neighborhoods. Still worth it though.

Finally if you are in the Oakland area you have to check out Fenton's Ice Creamery on Piedmont Ave. The lines can be long, but that tells you something. The ice cream is good and the portions are almost comicly large.

Top Dog Yeah!!! Used to eat there all the time. Also liked The Smokehouse which was a burger joint down on Telegraph (I think) near the Oakland city line. Flint's was great but...uhh...they could be somewhat hostile if you weren't a brother (maybe things have changed).

quote:

Originally posted by Rayme

quote:

Originally posted by mistertawny

While it's been a few years..... For family fare at a decent price try Spaghetti Factory. Unfortunatley my favorite of the chain in Oakland closed it's doors, there is still one open in Concord. Cheap and fillin'.

If you have a cravin' for barbeque, check out Flint's at the corner of San Pablo and University. Tasty food, and it has a family friendly menu.

Another great spot with kids, especially teens is in Oakland right across from the police station, Mexicali Rose. Open til' 3:00 AM, good food great prices too.

Koryo Japanese eatery is right on Telegraph in Berkeley. Great food and atmosphere.

One thing definately worth doing is park the car on southside Telegraph (below the 7-11) and walk up the street and stop at any number of fooderys. Don't forget to drop by my favorite hot dog place in America, Top Dog. They have several stands all around Berkeley and Oakland.

One other hamburger place of note you should look for is 1/4 Pound Giant Burgers. The good side is the hamburgers are among the best anywhere, the bad side is that for the most part the restaurants are in (say it carefully) difficult neighborhoods. Still worth it though.

Finally if you are in the Oakland area you have to check out Fenton's Ice Creamery on Piedmont Ave. The lines can be long, but that tells you something. The ice cream is good and the portions are almost comicly large.

Top Dog Yeah!!! Used to eat there all the time. Also liked The Smokehouse which was a burger joint down on Telegraph (I think) near the Oakland city line. Flint's was great but...uhh...they could be somewhat hostile if you weren't a brother (maybe things have changed).

When I worked in Oakland, my secretary who was a "sister", used to make the BBQ runs at lunchtime which got around that problem. The first time I tried to go with her, she advised against it. But as you say, this was a long time ago (before the Cypress Freeway came down in 1989). Under Mayor Jerry Brown, much in Oakland has changed. Not sure if it includes this issue.

This San Francisco versus East Bay thing is kinda like the North Side versus the South Side in Chicago. The South Siders say "You named all your streets because you can't count to 130" while the North Siders say "You numbered your streets between 1 and 130 because you have no imagination." Mostly a lot of fun.

Hey, alecs, are you getting the info you need? Remember that most of the roads in non-urban Marin County are mountainous and twisting, with speed limits of 30 MPH or below, so please don't plan to try to see the Light, the Woods and Point Reyes in one day. The views are too good to rush, beside the safety factor.