California

The Golden State

At the top of the San Francisco Bay is the shorline village name Sausolito. On the hill just above the central business district you will find the Alta Mira Hotel. This is the place to go and be for Sunday Brunch. I would suggest you make reservation, because when the weather is beautiful and 11:00 AM rolls around, the restrauant fills up. Although a lot of the locals brunch here, the Alta Mira Hotel is on the tourist agenda as well.

If the weather is beautiful, take a table on the sun deck. You might need a sweater but the view is the best. There is nothing like sitting on the sun deck at one of the umbrella tables, drinking a bloody mary from the Alta Mira Hotel bar, and looking at the sail boats on the bay and the San Fransico city skyline in the back ground.

When it's time to order brunch, here's my favorites.

• Fresh Fruit, I prefer the fresh sliced pineapple
• The Alta Mira's famous Eggs Benedict
• Wheat Toast, I like mine dry (that's no butter)
• Crispy Hash Browns
• Fresh Brewed Alta Mira Coffee

Brunch, the view of the San Francisco Bay, and the sail boats on the bay, will make this one of the best breakfast you will ever have. Oh! Be sure to take your camera. It is a great place to take pictures of the bay, the San Francisco skyline, and yourself having the best brunch in the on the bay.

Plan about $20.00 per person, bar bill not included.
There's a valet parking fee.
It's a nice treat to be spoiled.

In the wine country of Sonoma Valley, is a little fast food place that is locally owned. Should you find yourself driving through the city of Sonoma about lunch time, I would ask you to find the HAPPY DOG. The HAPPY DOG is not one of those franchise chains so don't expect anything like that. This family owned eatery has a really good chicken sandwiches and good burgers, milkshakes, and malts. The Happy Dog is on the hightway that leads west off the square and turns North up Sonoma Valley. Oh! By the way, reservations are not required and the dress code is comfortable.

While spending time touring the Sonoma Valley winery's you should plan and evening of fine dining in the relaxed dining room or patio of Deuce.

This fine dining establish has the best food in town and the dress is business casual. Owner/Operators Peter & Kristen Stewart with the staff know how to take care of their guests. Chances are Kristen will greet you at lunch and Peter at dinner.

Chef, creates a special dinner menu each evening so be sure to ask. Deuce offers an excellent wine selection from the region.

ALERT!! If their desert tray offers a strawberry-pear-rubarb crisp, you must indulge (ice cream optional). It's to die for!