By Melody Brumis | Member
Since you already signed up for the STC conference this May in Sacramento, now’s the time to plan that extra day away with your STC friends. While I have my favorite spots, I thought I’d poll the locals—STC friends from the Sacramento, Berkeley, and East Bay Chapters—to find out where they would go. This top 10 list is what they shared with me.
All good technical communicators need an assignment, so I gave the locals this one. Where would you go and what would you do if you had an extra day at the upcoming STC conference, a rental car, a couple friends (or more), and money to spend? In looking at our top 10 list, I’d suggest that you map out your day, so you can enjoy more than one.
10. Lucille’s Barbeque in Rocklin
www.lucillesbbq.com/locations/rocklin
I miss the BBQ since moving away from right near there. It’s about a half-hour drive outside of Sacramento and a good place to start or finish your trip.
Shared by Ann Adams of the East Bay Chapter.
9. California Vernal Pools
One thing I suggest is to search out some of the vernal pools that appear in Solano and Sacramento counties in the spring. I think they usually dry up in May sometime, but this year I’d be hopeful that all the rain would mean they’ll last a little longer than usual.
Even if the vernal pools aren’t around that late, the Sacramento River Delta has lots of wetlands that would interest birders, hikers, and other outdoorsy types. It’s something that most people from outside NorCal would not know about.
People who like quirky, out-of-the-way places might like Locke (http://locketown.com/), which was a Chinese immigrant community.
Shared by Prescott Williams of the Sacramento Chapter.
8. California’s Gold Country
I’d head up highway 50 to the Gold Country. Go east on 50 to where it intersects 49 near Placerville. Hwy 49 follows the mother lode in both directions. Most of the towns along 49 have their charms.
At Coloma, about eight miles north of Placerville, the Park Service maintains a park and visitor’s center at the mill where Marshall first discovered gold (www.coloma.com).
To the south, Columbia (www.columbiacalifornia.com) is a common destination, with a state historic park (www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=24254). For those who want to stay in Sacramento, Sutter’s Fort is not to be missed (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=485). To get the most out of the trip, it might be wise to do a little reading first to get a good grasp of what really happened.
Shared by Patrick Lufkin of the Berkeley Chapter.
7. Sacramento River Cats
http://sacramento.rivercats.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t105
I would go wine tasting in Amador County or El Dorado Hills and then catch a River Cats game. The River Cats are a minor-league team of the Oakland Athletics.
Shared by Alejandra Gonzalez of the Sacramento Chapter.
6. Napa Valley Wineries
http://napavalley.com/wineries
I’d head for Napa, grab a map to the wineries, a few water bottles, and start tasting. I’d work my way up to V.Sattui winery (www.vsattui.com), with their deli adjacent to the winery. The wine is just okay, but the deli is great; they also sell plastic utensils and napkins, and they have picnic tables or you can spread a blanket on the grass. I’d spend the afternoon doing more tasting, then have dinner at one of the smaller restaurants in the area. Alternative, see if there’s room to have dinner at the bar at Mustard’s (www.mustardsgrill.com).
Shared by Lori Cooke of the East Bay Chapter.
Sutter’s Fort is not to be missed
5. Riverboat Cruise
In the spirit of helping people enjoy the area, I’d suggest a riverboat cruise. You can have dinner, dance, or listen to jazz. Another idea is to take a train ride.
Shared by Liz Miller of the East Bay Chapter
4. Fly-Fishing
Both the Sacramento and American rivers are nearby, plus the Feather and Yuba rivers are within driving distance. All offer excellent trout fishing at that time of the year. Contact either Kiene’s Fly Shop (www.kiene.com), American Fly Fishing Co. (www.americanflyfishing.com), or Outdoor Adventures (www.sacriverguide.com) to discuss local fishing conditions/tactics and possibly arrange for a guide.
Shared by Jim Collins of the Sacramento Chapter.
3. San Francisco
My first suggestion would be to take trip to San Francisco, including Golden Gate Park/museums, Cliff House, Sausalito, and Golden Gate Bridge. Another great idea is a trip to Napa, including a wine country tour. If you’re a skier, a trip to Tahoe is ideal. For outdoor fun, try Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, or Mount Tam. And depending on your interests, check out a show at the Mondavi Center at UC-Davis (www.mondaviarts.org).
Shared by Gary Cook of the Sacramento Chapter.
2. Sonoma Valley Wine Country
Head over to the Sonoma Valley wine country and have lunch at the Kenwood Restaurant. This restaurant uses fresh produce, some from their garden, and has a nice variety of entrees. If you’re lucky they might even have venison, but I’ve always had an excellent meal, no matter what I chose. They also have local wines by the glass.
Sonoma Valley is not as crowded as the Napa Valley and has some very fine wineries. My favorites are Chateau St. Jean and St. Francis, both of which have lovely gardens as well as wonderful wines. The merlots in both wineries are quite good. A winery whose wines are a great value is Benzinger just outside Glen Ellen, up the hill on the way to Jack London State Park. If you want to walk off the delicious lunch you had at the Kenwood Restaurant, drive up to the park and walk down to Wolf House, the charred remains of his mansion.
I would start with St. Francis (the furthest up the valley toward Santa Rosa), and then work my way back down the valley to Chateau St. Jean. I’d then have a late lunch at Kenwood and visit Benzinger. Finally, I’d stroll down to Wolf House. It would be a lovely, relaxing day.
Shared by Gwaltney Mountford of the East Bay Chapter.
Take a riverboat cruise while visiting Sacramento
1. Point Reyes National Seashore
If they’ve never been, I’d suggest that they go to Muir Woods, too (www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm). Get out of the car and walk around the giant redwoods for two or three hours. Jump back in the car and drive up Rural Route One to Point Reyes. Stop at the lighthouse at Point Reyes and look over the Pacific Ocean. If you’re lucky, you’ll see whales migrating South.
Try the Livermore Valley wineries (www.lvwine.org) as well; everyone goes to Napa. And, don’t forget the Monterey Aquarium (www.monterey bayaquarium.org) on Cannery Row.
Suggested by Judy Herr of the East Bay Chapter and Richard Mateosian of the Berkeley Chapter.
So, there’s your itinerary. Pick up your rental car, a few good friends, and head out on an adventure. You may want to flip a coin for the designated driver if you go on wine tasting in Amador County, El Dorado Hills, Napa, Sonoma Valley, or Livermore Valley. Have fun, and we’ll see you at the Summit.
