Who lives near Anaheim and SF?

Hi M-C, My DH and I have done the Muir woods tour. I must say it was excellent. We also did the boat ride around Alcatraz island. Both were a wonderful adventure. We also went to the Coit tower in SF. I recommend seeing all of the above Very high. God Bless and Enjoy, Dorothy in NY

Have fun in Anaheim. Too bad I'm not there or I would definitely have gone to meet you. CHA is amazing, but be prepared for lots of walking. Do you know where you are staying yet?

I love San Francisco. Make sure you go to the Boudin bakery and get some bread and then have a walk-away shrimp cocktail on Fisherman's Warf.

Cathy wrote:

Thumbs up to the other suggestions! Muir Woods, lovely, but lots of walking. About an hour north of there the Napa Valley/Sonoma Valley have TONS of vineyards to visit--the cool thing is many have museum like sections with great artwork, etc to check out, as well as tasting rooms if you like that sort of thing. We used to love the Sterling Vineyards, you take a gondola car in the air up a mountain to the actual winery, which, IIRC, used to be a monastery. Very beautiful building and views from up there! Also, there's a train tour through the valleys that's wonderful from what friends told us, but when we lived there, DH was laid off so we couldn't afford it at the time--

Sounds like a lovely, romantic trip! :-) While at Fisherman's Wharf, be sure to try the chowder in the sourdough bowls, it's a given when you go there. :-) Get to eat the bowl and all. Yum! Also, if you like the touristy thing, check out Pier 39, it's pretty neat. Not sure if the sea lions are still allowed but they were kind of cool to check out when we lived out there several years ago too. Some of them are simply gigantic!! Also the regular Ferry across the bay to Larkspur is pretty inexpensive and kind of cool to check out, you can ride it there, and then ride it back--so is the Ferry Building when you are in SF proper. Lots of market type things going on there, food, artists, etc. Lots of fun but be ready to walk!

Be sure to check out Ghiardelli Square while you are there in SF. Sometimes they have street musicians giving free concerts, plus you can tour the chocolate factory and stores--OH...MY...GOSH...that chocolate is to die for!! :-)

Have a lot of fun there, M-C. Godspeed!

Carolyne in TX

That's another place to add to my got to get there one of these days list....... Sandy

Do you happen to have any suggestions on where to stay in Anaheim? I want to be really close to the convention center so that I don't have to wait for a shuttle. On the other hand, I'm staying there from the 9th till the morning of the 13th as I don't want to have to try and fit everything into just two days. I still have to consider that my legs are not quite as good as they used to be, even with an artificial knee!

M-C

The Anaheim Marriott and the Hilton are the closest (right next door). So they would be your best bet. There is also Raffles which is a Best Western and pretty nice. It is across the street from the Marriott again within walking distance. Also the Anabella and the Desert Inn Suites, both on Katella. Is this enough or do you want more? We have stayed at or know some one who has stayed at all of these except for the Hilton, but you really can't go wrong with a Hilton.

Thanks Cathy! Because I was so late deciding to go, all of those were already filled up or not on the convention list. And I have to admit that the prices out there are all pretty outragious. I hope I won't regret staying at the Clarion as I've got a 5 night stay! But at least I didn't have to pay up front and hopefully if I don't like it I can just move somewhere else when I'm there.

I was planning on going to San Francisco after CHA, but it now looks like I'll be there from the 4th till the 9th as my SIL was going to be away.

M-C

Glad I could help. If you need anything else, let me know.