Lodging

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Forget waiting for the government’s bailout package to appear, Mendocino, California’s MacCallum House Inn is the place to turn for financial relief.  From October 30 until February 1, 2009, guests of the MacCallum House will receive 50 percent off their reservations for a two night minimum stay. If that’s not enough to get you heading to the Mendocino coast, the MacCallum House will have a bottle of local wine waiting for you in the room.  All good deals must come to a close.  The MacCallum House bailout will expire on November 7, 2008 and reservations must be made online.

Horseback Riding in Mendocino County

I visited the MacCallum house in August for a little me time.  Both of my children were at camp and my husband couldn’t get away from work.  I was giddy with anticipation for this trip.  Upon my arrival I noticed several women dressed in riding boots and pants.  My curiosity got the best of me, and I asked the ladies if they had been horseback riding earlier.  Turns out, the MacCallum House offers a riding package with Ricochet Ridge Ranch, two miles north of Fort Bragg.  The quality of the horses and the scenery are both outstanding.

Lodging Options

Gwen MacCallum Room 1

The Gwen MacCallum room was located on the second floor of the Main House. Considered to be one of the most romantic rooms in the house, the solid mahogany queen sleigh bed with its down comforter suited me perfectly.  What captured my eye when I entered the room was the claw foot bathtub.  Imagine a bubble bath with no interruptions?  Pure heaven.

In addition to six rooms in the main house and seven cottages on the property, there are six rooms in the adjacent Barn.  All but the rooms in the main house are pet friendly. 

Food, glorious, food

That evening I dined at the MacCallum House Restaurant.  I was seated to the right of the fireplace and enjoyed a lovely Comanche Creek Heirloom tomato “BLT” salad with house made mozzarella, applewood smoked bacon, butter lettuce, Stella Cadente olive oil and balsamic drizzled over herbed croutons.  Next up, pan roasted halibut in a tomato beuree blanc sauce with roasted fingerling potatoes and a broccoli puree.  I finished the meal with a raspberry mascarpone cheesecake souffle with a mini pot of chocolate sauce served on the side. Don’t forget, breakfast is included with your stay.  Weight Watchers, here I come.

Room rates: $175-$425

Reservations  (800) 609-0492

You could take the kids to Sea World. Or you could do one better. If you’re headed to Orlando, Florida, make plans to swim with manatees — in the wild. And there’s no better time than the winter for guaranteed sightings. Mothers and their calves swim in to warm themselves around the hot springs.

Manatees floating

American Pro Diving offers day trips: They rent all the necessary gear (wetsuits, masks, fins, snorkels) and shuttle you via pontoon boat out to the best spots. For the manatees’ safety, there are a few rules, such as no reaching for the gentle giants, that must be observed. But play nice and you’ll enjoy every minute of the encounter.

You could drive the two hours back to the mouse’s lair, or you could opt for local accommodations and lodge at the family-friendly Seagrass River Resort in Homosassa Springs. As you wait for dinner at the Seagrass Pub and Grill, let the river be the canvas for the night’s light show: start with the watery reds and pinks of the sunset, then watch as the boats’ signals flicker like red and white pixie dust across the ripples.

They might not remember that third ride down “It’s a Small World,” but they’ll definitely remember a day spent petting these wrinkly swimmers.

Special thanks to Muenzer for the fun manatee photo.

Patrick’s Point State Park is 25 miles north of Eureka, sitting high on a bluff over-looking the Pacific Ocean. Here, in the heart of redwood country the sounds of the surf will lull you to sleep after a day of hiking and gathering agates on Agate Beach.

Yurok Family House Photo nps.gov

A unique feature of this state park is the Yurok Village of Sumeg ( a place name for the Patrick’s Point area).  In 1990 the newly constructed village opened to the public. It was built to carry on the traditions of the Yurok tribe’s lifestyle. The village consists of three family houses, a sweathouse, dance pit, three changing houses, and a redwood canoe. All of the structures are made from boards split from redwood trees that have fallen in north coast state parks. Visitors can experience the inside of the sweathouse without breaking a sweat. A Native American plant garden is located next to the Yurok Indian Village.

Whale-watching is a favorite activity during migration. Hikers can climb up old sea stacks that have been left high and dry when the ocean receded, allowing a closer viewing point to spot those whales. Sea lions bark from the sea stacks beyond.

The Abalone, Penn Creek and Agate Beach campgrounds have 124 campsites, each with table, stove and cupboard. Water faucets and restrooms are close by. A group campground, Beach Creek, can accommodate up to 120 people.

Picnic tables are placed in many areas throughout the park for day hikers.

Grab your tent, or just a pack and a picnic, and experience the stunning beauty of the far north coast.

“Hut trips” into the Colorado backcountry are popular winter activities among mountain residents. This involves cross-country skiing or snowshoeing miles into the wilderness to “camp” at rustic cabins far away from civilization. You need to pack in (and out) all of your food and supplies. While this sort of outdoor adventure can be romantic, exciting and exhilarating, it does involve quite a bit of endurance and strength.

However, the Shrine Mountain Inn offers Colorado visitors (and residents, for that matter) a more accessible way to overnight in the woods. Its three log cabins are less than three miles from the parking lot at the top of Vail Pass (Interstate 70).

I overnighted at Chuck’s cabin in the summertime, which is an absolutely gorgeous time to spend in Colorado’s mountainous country (and it’s certainly easier to hike the dirt roads to the accommodations, as opposed to ski or snowshoe in through snow). Plus, in the summer, you can drive even closer to the cabins — it’s less than a mile walk to reach the affordable lodging. An easy hike!

Whether you plan to stay in summer or winter, you can book an entire cabin with family or friends, or share the rooms hostel-style with like-minded travelers. The charmingly rustic huts are equipped with electricity, running water, flush toilets and full kitchens — many more amenities and services than your typical backcountry huts. Wrap-around decks provide an ideal place to kick back and admire the stunning panoramic views from 11,209 feet.

Photos by Kara Williams, taken in June 2007.

The Carter House Inn

Four magnificent Victorians sit perched above Humboldt Bay in Eureka, California. The Carter House Inns and Restaurant 301 together create an opportunity to visit in style. The AAA Four Diamond rated accommodations and service will please the most finicky traveler, with a choice of three options:

• Hotel Carter has modern-day comfort with all of the charms of a European-style auberge. The lux grand suites all have whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. The restaurant is conveniently downstairs. Each afternoon guest are invited to the lobby for complimentary wine and hors d’ oeuvres, and a full breakfast each morning.
• Carter House-a re-creation of a mansion built in San Francisco in the 1880’s. This was the original inn, and the first of the four buildings that make up the Carter House Inns today. With five bedrooms, four common rooms and a kitchen, it’s a perfect option for group events such as wedding parties, meetings, or reunions.
• The Carter Cottage-complete with its own full kitchen, two full bathrooms, and a luxurious master suite with a deep jetted tub for two. Private dinner parties can be catered by Restaurant 301 for a very special weekend getaway.
  

  Relax by the fireplace

• Bell Cottage-a beautifully restored 1890 cottage with three gracious suites, each with their own private bath and marble fireplace. As with all of the Carter Inn rooms, afternoon wine and hors d’ouevres and a full breakfast are complimentary.

When you come to  Eureka, enjoy the Victorian seaport from the inside out. Stay in the comfort of a Victorian mansion, and let the Carter Inn pamper you.

Photos by Kara Williams, taken during a stay at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, May 2008.

Inn at Occidental

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

When I arrived on a misty February Monday, I was surprised to see adults and school children sitting on the curb in the village of Occidental.  Cyclists in bright logo gear began to trickle in.  I checked into the Inn at Occidental and asked owner Jerry Wolsborn what the fuss was about.  Turns out the 2008 Amgen Tour of California was about to wiz by.  While the exact route has yet to be posted on the Amgen website, I do know that Santa Rosa will be a staging area for Lance Armstrong and his fellow cycling team in February of 2009.

Located off the Bohemian Highway, the Inn at Occidental doesn’t have cell phone towers. In fact, the only thing towering overhead are redwood trees. “Having lived in Marin for 10 years, I’d never been to Armstong,” said Wolsborn.  The 805 acre State Reserve is “under utilized,”added Wolsborn.  From horseback riding, to wine tasting or relaxing at the nearby Oasis Day Spa, the Inn is an ideal launch pad for a wide array of activities.

Osmosis Meditation Garden

Ten minutes away, in the blink-and-you’ll miss-it town of Freestone, I was treated to an Osmosis Cedar Enzyme Bath and a 75 minute Swedish Esalen massage.  Before my treatments I was invited to stroll the Japanese meditation garden and sip herbal tea in the sitting room over looking the bonsai garden.  I have to say, this was one of the best massages of my life, and I’ve had my share of massages.

Another high point of Freestone is Wild Flour Bread Bakery.  Be warned, the organic bakery is only open four days a week, Friday through Monday, including holiday weekends, except Christmas day.  The scones are delicious.

Sonoma Lodge Room

Before you arrive, you’ll want to check out the rooms on-line.  Each room or suite, offers a distinct personality.  All rooms feature overstuffed down beds and fireplaces and include hors d’oeuvres in the evening and a Sonoma Harvest Breakfast in the Wine Cellar dining room. 

 Room prices range from $259 for traditional rooms, to $359 for suites with hot tubs, to $679 for the two bedroom Sonoma Vacation Cottage.  Check on-line for Internet and Mid-Week specials.  The Inn at Occidental is a member of Unique Inns.

Thanks to Iris and Ron Kovarsky for this photo of the Inn.  Osmosis and Sonoma Lodge photo by Nancy D. Brown

The Red Victorian Bed, Breakfast and Art on Haight St.

Janis and Jerry may be long gone, but the Summer of Love is still alive at the Red Victorian Inn in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco.

Eighteen affordable, thematic guest rooms with names like the Flower Child Room, the Peacock Suite and the Redwood Forest Room are vibrant, colorful and individually decorated. The Sunshine room extends the solar motif from the headboard to the walls to the sink basin. Six of the rooms have private baths and five shared bathrooms accommodate the others, though all rooms have their own sink. Here’s the best part — rates range from $75-$229.

The Peace Cafe, a gift shop and art gallery make up the ground floor level. Breakfast is included and world conversation is encouraged at this friendly, funky hotel that was build in 1904 but is associated more with 60’s-era values than those of the Victorian period.

The upper Haight neighborhood is renowned for great retail — trendy boutiques, shoe stores, vintage clothing shops and Amoeba, the legendary independent music store that occupies 24,000 square feet in a former bowling alley and sells new and used music on vinyl and CD.

Vintage shop on the Haight.

Good, inexpensive food abounds here. Besides New York-style thin crust pizza and plump, juicy burritos, the span of Haight Street from Masonic to Shrader includes a wine bar, a brew pub and a Persian cocktail lounge. Cha Cha Cha offers a lively ambiance, delicious Caribbean fare and their signature sangria. At Kan Zaman, diners sit on cushions the floor while eating Mediterranean food and watching belly dancers. Or for those craving Asian flavors, the Citrus Club noodle bar is the way to go.

Golden Gate Park is mere blocks away with miles of open spaces, hiking and biking trails, three museums, botanical gardens and a fabulous children’s playground with vintage carousel.

Relax in the cozy library

The Weaverville Hotel is tucked into the Trinity Alps, built in 1861 during the frenzied gold rush days. The hotel was carefully renovated and re-opened in 2004, and is now on the National Register of historic places.

Weaverville is located in Trinity County, a county without a single stop-light. Several restaurants are within walking distance, and you’ll have fun just looking through the shops and enjoying the pleasures of a small mountain town.Hiking, rafting, kayaking, fishing, and swimming are all activities of daily life here. And at the end of the day you can curl up in front of the fire with a good book from their library and a hot drink.

You can choose from one of seven rooms,  selecting a view of Main Street for people watching, or the beautiful Alps, for a feeling of serenity and solitude. All rooms have private showers and coffee makers, and in a nod to romance, most of the rooms are without television or phone. 

This hotel is geared toward elegance and relaxation. Therefore, children under 12 and pets are not invited.

Room rates are higher on the weekends and in the summer. For a true value, go during the winter.

Rates range from $99-$260

The Joss House, the oldest Chinese temple in California that has been in continuous use since 1854, is just down the street. The serenity of the manicured grounds will surround you as you walk the grounds. It is now part of the California State Park system. Be sure to visit when you’re there.

Some consider Sedona, Arizona, a spiritual vortex. Perhaps you might consider this is a radical concept, until you witness your first sunrise or sunset against the red rocks. 

Sedona

There’s something in the air here. And the best way to maximize your time in this area whose scenery is enough to rival that of the Grand Canyon (OK, almost) is to camp.

Manzanita Campground, open all year, is located 6 miles north of Sedona on AZ-89a. Riverside, it offers 18 sites, 11 of which can be reserved. During the summer, Phoenix locals flock alongside out-of-state tourists for a spot here, where the temperature is enough to lower Arizona’s blisteringly hot average. In other words, reservations are vital. To do so, call 877-444-6777.

The best part? You’ll be that much closer to hiking spots, such as the West Fork Trail. This path, best explored during the week to beat the crowds, winds alongside a river that flows between the canyon walls. Although you could exert yourself and tread to the top, it’s more enjoyable to hike halfway up, sit on the rocks, enjoy a picnic lunch and listen to the gurgling stream.

Thanks to John-Morgan for the inspiring photo of Sedona.