Customer Reviews

Best Places Northern California: Restaurants, Lodgings, Touring

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a big fan of the "Best Places" series for years, and have enjoyed awesome trips in San Diego and the Pacific N.W. thanks to these guidebooks. But I was disappointed in the "Northern California" edition. I know, it's a guide to "best" places and as such will probably lean heavily toward the pricier establishments. And Northern California tends to be a pricey place. But while most of the other "Best Places" books include a wide range of places, from great ethnic hole-in-the-wall eateries to five-star dining experiences, this particular volume just piles on the five-star recommendations. You'll be hard pressed to find, for example, a basic breakfast hangout, a good sandwich joint, and ESPECIALLY a lodging [for a reasonable price]. If all I want to do is patronize the trendiest and priciest, what do I need a guidebook for? Anyone can find the chic places; a guidebook should help a visitor nose out the less-discovered treasures. Also, the oh-so-trendy, oh-so-chic, been-there-done-that-seen-it-all-eaten-it-all tone of the writing gets a little wearing after awhile. Buy some of the other Best Places guides, but look elsewhere if you want something more comprehensive for Northern California.

If you're a tourist looking for the finest in lodging, food, and entertainment and have an unlimited budget look no further. As a Northern Californian I've used this for a few outings and while I found the descriptions of the town and areas very accurate and elegantly informative, I was surprised with the limited selection of lodging and eating options. The restaurants descriptions are detailed and you really have a feeling for how the place is (ambiance and atmosphere) and what their food will taste like. Only the most exquisite restaurants and inns are listed and these are the places that always demand top dollars.

This would make an awesome guide for newlyweds or the special-occasion traveler but not for your average monthly outing.

Top restaurants and lodgings throughout Northern California are rated and reviewed and range from lodgings and restaurants to tourist opportunities. Best Places Northern California features some of the truly best places in the state and provides a candid guide to all the amenities to be offered in its places. Highly recommended; if only one guidebook to the state were to be selected, Best Places Northern California should be the 'Bible' of choice.

Ruen Tong is a hidden treasure, located off, and parallel to, Hwy. 101, between San Francisco and Eureka, California. It has to be the best Thai restaurant that I, my husband, and friends have ever enjoyed. The cuisine is incredible and the restaurant itself is intimate, cozy, and immaculately clean. Presentation is beautiful and varied. We live approximately four hours north of Ukiah, but we would (and will) drive the distance just to experience this amazing find again.

I strongly urge anyone driving on 101 past Ukiah to stop at Ruen Tong for lunch or dinner. I simply cannot imagine a better Thai restaurant anywhere!