Florida's Best Baseball Sites

San Francisco is the most visited city in the United States--and with good reason. Top-notch restaurants, a wide variety of museums and other cultural attractions, and quirky neighborhoods that reflect the styles of its even quirkier residents are packed into a tiny picture-perfect peninsula, easily traversed on public transportation and by foot (hills notwithstanding). Tiny seaside towns, mountain landscapes, and the elegant B&Bs of the Wine Country are also easily accessible by car once you've had your fill of the urban experience. You can certainly find what you're looking for in San Francisco, but it helps to know your own mind, and to know where to look. While some visitors will want to prowl around the gritty Tenderloin, searching out the best budget Vietnamese restaurants, others would be much happier having pastries and espresso at a fabulous French bakery. So whether your idea of a night on the town involves dancing to DJs spinning or sipping cocktails at a skyline piano bar, I'll point you in the right direction. I'm also happy to answer any questions on hotels, sightseeing and transportation. Sharron answered your questions Tuesday, March 16, at noon EST. Since moving to San Francisco almost 15 years ago, Sharron Wood has contributed to more than a dozen travel guides to San Francisco and California. She is also the author of Chow! San Francisco Bay Area: 300 Affordable Places for Great Meals and Good Deals. Her most recent writing projects have focused on San Francisco restaurants, nightlife, and shopping, and the Wine Country just north of the city. When she's not working on travel guides, she's probably editing a cookbook, baking, or shaking cocktails for her friends. Despite her fondness of travel, especially to cold, windswept places and islands where she can scuba dive, her love of San Francisco means she is always happy to return home, where the attitudes are tolerant, the food is world-class, the weather is practically perfect, and she's constantly surprised by astounding views. _______________________ Sharron Wood: Hi there. I'm happy to answer your questions about visiting San Francisco! _______________________ Orlando, FL: What is your favorite Chinese restaurant--not dim sum? Sharron Wood: In Chinatown I like R&G Lounge. The downstairs is more casual; upstairs is more elegant. They specialize in unusual Hong Kong-style specialties, including lots of extremely fresh seafood. _______________________ Washington, DC: I'm going to San Francisco for a long weekend with my boyfriend. We are staying at Fishermen's Warf at the Marriott. I'd like to take him out one night for a romantic dinner. What would you recommend? It doesn't have to be at Fishermen's Wharf, but within a reasonable cab ride and a memorable and NICE place. I would like to make make it a surprise. I would appreciate any recommendations. We like Greek food, but any foods are fine. Thank you. Sharron Wood: Very close to Fisherman's Wharf is a restaurant that is generally regarded one of the very restaurants in San Francisco--Gary Danko. Gary Danko, who was a chef at the Ritz Carlton before opening this restaurant, cooks beautifully decadent food in a sleek, sedate setting. Of course, you'll pay for the privilege of eating there. Another favorite is in Ghirardelli Square - but, oddly, does not get many tourists, probably because it doesn't really have a view of the water. Ana Mandara, in a dramatic, high-ceilinged warehouse, serves upscale Vietnamese food, like sea bass wrapped in banana leaves. The bar upstairs is elegant and sometimes has live music. It's my pick for a romantic dinner in that part of town. Kokkari Estiatorio, an upscale Greek restaurant, is widely considered the best Greek restaurant in town, and it is only a short cab ride from the Fisherman's Wharf area. _______________________ Virginia Beach, VA: Sharron, My girlfriend and I can't hardly wait to arrive on Saturday. We will be staying a week. The only reservations we have are the rental car and the first two nights we will be at the Hyatt. Our plan is to leave to head North on Monday after rush hour. Two days in Napa and then we will be heading down to the Monterey/Carmel area. We are the type that like to be flexible, stopping along the way to explore. My question is this: Will I be able to find accommodations without a reservation in both Napa and in Monterey and/or Carmel? I would rather not stay in a chain hotel. I am not cheap but not trying to break the bank. Any ideas? Thank you for your consideration. Also is Muir Woods worth the trip? Sharron Wood: It's not hard to find a place to stay without a reservation this time of year in Napa; it's the off season, and things are pretty slow (in a nice way) up there now. There are lots of options up there that aren't chains; some of the better bargains are in the towns that are on the far end of the valley, further away from San Francisco, like Calistoga. Brannan Cottage Inn is one reasonably priced Victorian-style spot in Calistoga. Muir Woods is very pretty, but the paved paths and crowds mean that it's not exactly a dramatic nature experience. If you're an outdoorsy sort and like hiking (as opposed to strolling through the trees), I'd suggest going for a hike on adjacent Mt. Tamalpais instead. _______________________ San Antonio, TX: There are so many Italian restaurants in and around the North Beach area and I know several of them serve really good food, but how can one find the best bang for the buck? Sharron Wood: I think the best deal in North Beach is the teeny little Osteria del Forno, where they serve simply prepared but delicious Italian food like pizzas and radicchio salad. It's not fancy, but it has a friendly neighborhood feel and extremely reasonable prices. It's on Columbus Avenue, the main drag through North Beach. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait or go for an early dinner (before 6 or 6.30). _______________________ Los Angeles, CA: Hi Sharron, I love Italian food. Please tell me where I can enjoy the best risotto and tiramisu the next time I am in town. Thank you! Sharron Wood: There's so much good Italian food, it's hard to know where to start. For reasonable prices and a friendly, boisterous neighborhood vibe, I like Jackson Fillmore, in Pacific Heights. But my all-time favorite Italian restaurant in the city is Delfina, in the Mission District. Call *well* in advance for a reservation; it's a very hot restaurant. In North Beach, San Francisco's Little Italy, a lot of the Italian restaurants are mediocre, but Rose Pistola is good. And if you just want to grab some tiramisu for dessert without eating Italian for dinner, stop by Caffe Greco, one of the city's oldest and most atmospheric Italian cafes in North Beach; tiramisu is a specialty there. _______________________ Lima, OH: I will be traveling to San Francisco in July. I hear alot about the different attractions in San Francisco, but one thing I hear very little about is beaches. Are there any many beaches in the area and how far are they away from the city? Sharron Wood: The reason you don't hear about our beaches is that they are coooooooold. There are beaches within the city limits - Baker Beach and Ocean Beach are the biggest and most visited - but they're mostly good for strolling, flying kites, and enjoying the views. If you're very lucky you'll be able to sunbathe, but the water is both too cold and, in most cases, too dangerous for swimming. For slightly warmer weather and water, head south about an hour and half to the beach town of Santa Cruz, but you'll still be disappointed if you're expecting southern California conditions. _______________________ Calgary, Canada: I am returning to San Francisco with a group of friends for a visit in late May. We will be staying at the Carlton on Sutter. My last trip was a month after 9/11. I recall an Italian restaurant on the north side of Sutter a few blocks from the hotel, but simply can't recall its name. Could you offer a few possibilities? I would know it if I heard it once again. My closest recollection is Vitorrio's, but I may be completely off. Any clues would be most appreciated! Sharron Wood: Could it be L'Ottavo Ristorante, on Sutter near Taylor? I hope so! _______________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Sharron: Whenever we visit San Francisco (which is at least once or twice a year), my wife and I always pay a visit to either North Beach Pizza or Uncle Vito's (or both), as those are our two favorite spots for great pizza. Can you suggest other pizzerias which serve similarly styled pizzas? Many thanks. Sharron Wood: My other favorite pizzerias aren't in North Beach. I love the very low key, neighborhood-style Goat Hill Pizza in residential Potrero Hill, where chewy sourdough crust and some unusual topping combos (I love the Greek pizza) mean it has some of the best pies in the city. I also like Pauline's Pizza in the Mission, though the style of pizza is a bit different - cornmeal crust, lots of swanky California ingredients like pesto and goat cheese. _______________________ Seattle, WA: I'm looking for the best deal in San Francisco on a small, European-style hotel that hasn't been discovered yet! Sharron Wood: The best hotels in San Francisco aren't usually undiscovered, I fear. My favorite European-style hotel is the San Remo, near Fisherman's Wharf, where rooms are small but cute and bathrooms are down the hall. Also very Euro-style is the Golden Gate Hotel downtown. About half of the rooms have private bath and the whole place has an international vibe. _______________________ Indianapolis, IN: Sharron, My wife and I will be going to San Francisco for the first time this April. We will be staying in the Union Square area at the Grand Hyatt. Can you recommend some good places to eat within walking distance that aren't going to put a hurt in the pocket book? We usually like to spend around $20 total for lunch and $40 or so for dinner. We like Italian, Mexican, and American. Sometimes Chinese. We aren't into the Planet Hollywood type places. Thanks for your help. Sharron Wood: Restaurants right around Union Square tend not to be cheapest in the city. There are several little authentic French cafés on the border between Union Square and the Financial District. I like Café Claude, where you can get baguette sandwiches, charcuterie plates, and a nice glass of wine for a reasonable price. King of Thai Noodle House has a branch near Union Square that has good, inexpensive Thai food. Taqueria El Balazo has a branch on Mint Street where you can get some of the best burritos in the city. Note that to save money at lunch it's a good idea to walk the few blocks toward the Financial District. Many restaurants new Union Square cater to tourists and are pretty pricey. In the Financial District lunch restaurants cater to locals, and the quality and prices tend to be better. _______________________ Raleigh, NC: Was wondering if you could suggest some websites to visit to find out what kind of local activities are going on, like weekly concerts, sporting events and so on. Sharron Wood: The web site affiliated with the San Francisco Chronicle, our daily newspaper is good. sfgate.com. Click on Entertainment. Also check out www.digitalcity.com/sanfrancisco. _______________________ USA Hello, Could you tell me of any good martini bars in San Francisco? Sharron Wood: One of the best martini bars is Martunis, on the corner of Market and Valencia, where a mixed gay and straight crowd drinks all sorts of wacky specialty martinis (as well as the original sort). There's a piano in the back room, and people like to stage impromptu singing performances when there's a piano player. Club Deluxe, on Haight Street, is popular with a hip young crowd who likes to dress up and drink swanky cocktails. _______________________ Atlanta, GA: Having not eaten in San Francisco's Chinatown, I was wondering if there was a restaurant you could recommend whose dim sum would be equal to, if not possibly surpassing, that of Jade Villa in Oakland's Chinatown. Thank you. Sharron Wood: I think the best two dim sum restaurants are, oddly enough, not in Chinatown. Yank Sing has phenomenal (if somewhat pricey) dim sum in the Financial District, and Yank Sing, in the Richmond, is also very good. In Chinatown I like New Asia on Pacific Asia, though I think it's debatable if it's better than Jade Villa, which has excellent dim sum. _______________________ Boston, MA: Sharron, In your opinion, what is the best restaurant for seafood? Best restaurant all-around? We're planning to stay at the Orchard Hotel. How does their restaurant rate? Sharron Wood: I always have a hard time answering questions about the "best" restaurants--it depends on what you're looking for, the sort of ambience you like, how much money you're willing to spend, and what kind of mood you're in. That said, for seafood the very pricey Aqua is generally considered the best seafood restaurant in the city, and one of the best restaurants in San Francisco period. For a cheaper (and quirkier) seafood experience, consider Swan Oyster Depot, open lunch only, where you perch on these rickety stools to eat superfresh seafood simply prepared. For best restaurant period I'd probably go to Gary Danko for a sublime foodie experience (foie gras, lobster bisque, extravagant desserts and cheeses), or to Boulevard for out-of-this world American food in a beautiful, romantic interior. I haven't eaten at the Orchard Hotel's restaurant, Solea, yet. _______________________ Sooma, CA: What do you think is the most romantic restaurant in San Francisco? Sharron Wood: I like the very swanky Boulevard, which has a beautiful Belle Epoque feel and exceptional food. But for more reasonably priced romance, try the vaguely industrial but very dimly lit Slow Club, a hip place for hearty American food, or the French-influenced Bistro Aix in the Marina District, where there's a covered patio out back that's made for romance. _______________________ Manasquan, NJ: We will be in San Fran in June for 2-3 days. Where is an inexpensive place to stay near the trolley line and close to the Wharf? We are renting a car on the third day to see wine country. We have 2 weeks. I want to see Carmel, anywhere nice there to stay on a budget? Sharron Wood: There are a few different cable car lines that crisscross the city, but I'm assuming you mean you're looking for a hotel near the Hyde Street cable car turnaround, which is close to Fisherman's Wharf. Unfortunately, a lot of the hotels in that area are big corporate chains, neither particularly cheap nor charming, but there are a few reasonably priced places to stay that have a bit more character. My favorite in the area is the San Remo Hotel, a European-style hotel (read: rooms share a bathroom down the hall). Rooms are small but charming. Reserve well in advance, though, because it's quite popular. Visiting the Wine Country is a great idea. For a slightly more relaxed experience, I'd suggest focusing on Sonoma County rather than Napa. The crowds are slightly smaller, and towns like Glen Ellen and Kenwood and rustic and charming. Carmel is notorious for lacking any budget options, unless you're willing to stay in a neighboring area like Pacific Grove, where the Andril Fireplace Cottages (www.andrilcottages.com) has some good options. But if you really only have two or three days in the San Francisco area I'd probably skip Carmel. You'r' going to have your hands full visiting SF and the Wine Country. _______________________ West Chester, PA: We will be spending the first weekend in May in San Francisco (celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary) and would like to know some nice ethnic (Chinese and Italian) restaurants, moderately priced and not "touristy". Sharron Wood: One of my favorite Chinese restaurants is Dragon Well, though it's a sleek, modern place, not a very traditional Chinese restaurant. In the Mission District I like the hip, dimly lit Firecracker for Chinese. For my favorite Italian favorites, consider Jackson Fillmore, Rose Pistola, and, especially, Delfina, all mentioned above. If you want to stay away from the tourists, avoid the restaurants along Columbus Avenue, the main drag in North Beach. _______________________ St. John's, Newfoundland: Can you suggest restaurants near the Fort Mason Center that serve excellent food but aren't too pricey, ethnic included? Can you suggest affordable, dependable hotels in that area, as well as nearby scenic areas (we may rent a car)? Thank you, Sharron! Sharron Wood: The closest neighborhood to the Fort Mason Center is the Marina District. It's a pretty yuppified neighborhood, but there's definitely some good, reasonably priced food there. One of my favorites is Dragon Well, the stylish Chinese restaurant that I wrote about in this month's issue of Budget Travel magazine. Yukol Place, on busy Lombard Street, is not trendy or even super-well-known by most San Franciscans, but I think the food ranks in the top three or four Thai restaurants in the city (and that's saying something). For a romantic splurge that's not too pricey, consider Bistro Aix, where there's a great covered patio out back and they serve good French food. There are a string of hotels along busy Lombard Street, not far from Fort Mason. Most of them are pretty characterless, but I'd recommend looking into the Hotel del Sol, a colorfully decorated retro-style motel. Less stylish but cheaper is Marina Inn; ask for an interior room if you're super-sensitive to noise. As for scenic area--everything around Fort Mason is scenic! It's on the bay, looking toward Alcatraz, near the Golden Gate Bridge, and with easy access to all of Marin County. If you rent the car I'd suggest driving to the Marin Headlands. Just over the Golden Gate Bridge are beautiful bluffs where you can enjoy the views of SF and the bridge, picnic, hike, visit historic military sites, and birdwatch. _______________________ Fremont, CA: Where is the Vietnamese restaurant area in San Francisco? Sharron Wood: The highest concentration of Vietnamese restaurants is the Tenderloin, and fairly seedy neighborhood that has a lot of great little hole-in-the-walls. One of my favorite is Saigon Sandwiches, where for a couple of bucks you can great sandwich with thin-sliced meats and tangy veggies (take out only). _______________________ Miami, FL: My wife and I are visiting San Francisco in two weeks for our 25th anniversary. We're getting alot of advice about where to go and what to see. What are your top 5 "must see" sites? Sharron Wood: 1. Alcatraz Island. Be sure to spring for the audio tour, which is very interesting and informative, and don't forget to reserve in advance. 2. The Golden Gate Bridge. Don't just drive across it, but walk. Preferably, drive up into the Marin Headlands just to the north and appreciate it from there. 3. A stroll along the Embarcadero, enjoying the views and stopping in at the great food shops and restaurants at the Ferry Building along the way. 4. Either the Palace of Legion of Honor, the fine arts museum, or the Museum of Modern Art, depending on your preference. 5. Weather permitting, a romp in Golden Gate Park, where there are specialty gardens to visit and people to watch. But whatever you do, don't fo'get to pick a few neighborhoods that appeal and just wander through them slowly! _______________________ Sharron Wood: Thanks for the questions, everyone! _______________________

"At last the lake burst upon us--a noble sheet of blue water lifted six thousand three hundred feet above the level of the sea, and walled in by a rim of snow-clad mountain peaks that towered aloft three thousand feet higher still! As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole world affords." Mark Twain wrote down those immortal words about Lake Tahoe in 1861. For anyone who has been to this "jewel of the Sierras" in Northern California, you'll know what Twain meant. Lake Tahoe is one of the most breathtaking areas of the West, and one that has attracted travelers for generations--be they Native Americans looking for sanctuary, miners looking for silver, businessmen looking for casino-fed wealth, or tourists looking for simple tranquility. Granted Twain wrote that quote a few years before the great silver rush in Nevada and its subsequent ecological devastation to the region, which left Lake Tahoe (which straddles the border between California and Nevada) nearly bare of its fabled pine forests and the crystal clear lake muddy with erosion. The pine forests are now back, and despite the rampant growth of casinos, condos, and cars along the lake, Lake Tahoe is far from spoiled. Better known for its skiing (Squaw Valley and Heavenly are around Lake Tahoe), the area is home to over a dozen large state and county parks, and the hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and sailing during the cool summer days is close to perfection. The local residents, burned by no-holds barred developers in the '60s and '70s, founded The League to Save Lake Tahoe (keeptahoeblue.com/) to make sure it stays environmentally pristine despite its popularity. The result is one of the best Alpine vacations you can experience in the lower 48 states (and that's not biased, even though I am a native Californian!). Summertime in Tahoe affords even more outdoor opportunities than winter. And even though summer is high season at the lake, prices can be well within budget of the frugal traveler. Keep in mind that the south shore of the lake, though overflowing with cheap deals thanks to the casinos around Stateline, is a lot more commercial and trafficked than the north shore, where year-round residents inhabit mellower lakeshore towns that have kept their High Sierran character. Having lived in Northern California for a few years myself, and frequented Lake Tahoe as a refuge from the crowded coasts, I always liked staying on the north shore since it had a more authentic feel with its friendly towns and grand vistas of the lake. If you want to stay a week or so, the north shore is the more relaxing area, free of large hotels, and full of reasonably-priced condos and vacation rentals--always a deal compared to similar prices for box-like hotel rooms. Contact Lake Tahoe Accommodations (530/581-5210, tahoeaccommodations.com/) for some of the best deals. For instance, during the month of August you can stay at the quaint town of King's Beach on the north shore at a one-bedroom condo that can sleep four for just $134 a night. That comes with a loft-style bedroom, a fireplace, complex pool, sauna, and hot tub. Lake Tahoe Accommodations has many more similar deals in their listings. But if you're looking for a quickie stay, the south shore is fine for first timers and has its charms too. Most importantly, it offers lots of hotel deals. Your first step should be the official website of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority-- bluelaketahoe.com/. In the site's "Cool Deals" section, visitors will find a bevy a continually updated beauties to choose from. For instance, from now until September 4th, $159 per person (Sunday through Thursday) gets you two nights in a deluxe room at large Harrah's casino (www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/tah) on the south shore at Stateline, with two for one coupons to one of the hotel's live shows, a $25 dining voucher, and even a complimentary wine or beer at the bar. Better yet, the price dips to $127 per person from Sept. 5 to Oct. 16. Call (800) 427-7247 to book. Also right in the center of the action in Stateline in the classy, Alpine-themed Forest Suites Resort (forestsuites.com/), at the base of the ski gondola to Heavenly (open in summer and offering great views of the lake) on the south shore. Forest Suites offers the best deal hands down on that oh-so summer sport: golf. For just $69.50 per person based on double, you get a deluxe one-bedroom suite, daily continental breakfast, and a ticket to the 15th annual American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament from July 13-18, 2004. Call (800) 822-5950 to book. If you would rather do than watch, then check out the $520 per person golf deal at The Ridge (ridgetahoeresort.com/), a condo and spa resort with great views and modern amenities. For that price per person, you get three nights in a deluxe room, two rounds of golf (per person) at the Sierra Nevada Golf Ranch, two 1-hour massages, four tickets to Celebrity Golf Tournament, dinner for two (a $100 value at The Hungry Bear Restaurant), and a champagne basket! Call (800) 334-1600 to book. If you don't need all the fancy-schmancy resort stuff, then check into the lovely Zephyr Cove Resort (775/588-6644, tahoedixie2.com/) in a quiet southeastern corner of the lake. Under huge sleepy pines, the resort offers 28 self-contained fully modern cabins (ranging from studios to four bedroom houses) with small kitchens and great views of the lake. Cabins that sleep two to four people start at $159 a night until Sept. 12 (and drop to $129 thereafter). Zephyr Cove also sports a large beach with motorized and non-motorized water sports like jet skis and kayaking, and it's also home to the M.S. Dixie II, a faux paddleboat that takes you for $26 across the wide lake to its most picturesque portion--Emerald Bay on the southwestern shore. (Behind Emerald Bay is some of the best hiking around Tahoe to the high mountain lakes in the 63,475-acre Desolation Wilderness.) No matter how long you chose to stay, we think Twain was right. Stunning Lake Tahoe remains "the fairest picture" even in the 21st Century.

Hawaii: you may think of it as travelers' heaven, or tourist hell. One of the first and most highly commercialized mass market tourist destinations in the world, somehow the 50th State still retains its timeless allure and its spiritual sense of "Aloha." I lived on the Big Island of Hawaii for five years, and published my own guidebook to the islands, Rainbow Handbook Hawaii. So fire away about travel to "paradise," and mahalo for your questions! Matthew Link answered your questions on Tuesday, October 19, at noon ET. Matthew Link is Editor in Chief of The Out Traveler magazine (outtraveler.com), the world's first upscale gay and lesbian travel glossy publication. Matthew was destined to be a travel writer, having grown up on his father's 52-foot sailboat during his teenage years, cruising around Southeast Asia and the Pacific. He has at various times called Hong, Kong, the Philippines, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand home (not to mention more hum-drum spots like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and London). His last stint was on the Big Island of Hawaii for five years, where he wrote and published his own guidebooks to the islands, Rainbow Handbook Hawaii. Link has produced award-winning social documentaries which have shown in film festivals and on PBS stations, and he is also an avid kayaker, hiker, snowboarder, and skin diver. Africa is his all-time favorite travel destination, and he has visited Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Egypt, and Ghana. _______________________ Matthew Link: Aloha! I see a number of questions here, so let's jump into it. Looks like Hawaii is a popular as ever from the number of inquiries . . . _______________________ Detroit, MI: Matt -- We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children 17-year-old boy & 15-year-old girl). We are staying in Maui from 3/27/05 departing for Oahu 3/1/05 through 3/1/05. Any ideas on activities and accommodations (low cost) for this short stay in Oahu? Do you recommend the Queen Kapiolani Hotel? Any special activities that you recommend for the children? Matthew Link: There are plenty of reasonably-priced hotels in Waikiki (Outrigger being the best-value chain), but a smaller-known fact are the bevy of cheap vacation rental condos in the area. Aloha Waikiki Vacation Rentals (800/655-6055, waikiki-condos.com) should be your first stop, since their units in a large number of high-rises scattered throughout Waikiki go for as little as $59 for two people a night, $413 a week, are within walking distance to the beach, and often include a separate bedroom. If you'd rather be out of the city and by the beach, try Beachside Bungalows (877/640-0990, beachsidebungalows.com), a collection of six rentals, from one-bedroom, one-baths at $695 per week, to two-bedroom, two-baths starting at $850. The best part is that they are only one block from gorgeous Kailua Beach on the Windward (eastern) Coast of Oahu -- and use of snorkels, fins, boogie boards, and kayaks is included. And what could be more Hawaiian than taking the kids to the world's largest pineapple maze?? The Dole Plantation in the rich red earth of Wahaiwa in Central Oahu is a fun, free-of-charge destination. Started as a roadside stand in 1950, the large center has history displays, gift shops, free samples, demonstrations on how to properly cut pineapples, even the said maze (according to Guinness) for just $5 a head. $7.50 gets you on the two-mile train ride through the plantation. Info: 808/621-8408, dole-plantation.com. _______________________ Conyers, GA: Can someone traveling solo find a great deal to Hawaii? Are there some islands better suited to solo travelers than others? Matthew Link: I travel along a lot, so I "feel your pain." I actually prefer traveling alone -- you can do what you want when you want, and you're more open to adventures and meeting people. The dreaded single supplement is a way of life for nearly all Hawaiian air/hotel packages, I'm sorry to say. Thus, I would recommend getting a cheap flight (suntrips.com is good, although they only leave from Oakland and Denver) or using miles (although many mileage programs charge more for Hawaii than for other states), and then book your own hostels as you go. They make great places to socialize and hang out, and some have private rooms and baths so it's not all bunk-bed hell. Go to hawaiihostelreview.com/Oahu_Hostels.html for a complete list. And the "neighbor islands" (meaning all except Oahu) are often filled with honeymooners and families. I would suggest Oahu as the most single-friendly island, since it has more of a younger, hipper population with a friendly, mellow scene to meet single travelers. It also has the most decent hostels of any of the islands, even on the fabled surfer-heavy North Shore. _______________________ Atlanta, GA: We will be snorkeling at Molokini off of Maui in January. Will the water be warm or should we wear light wetsuits? Matthew Link: For the most part, a bikini is fine anytime of the year in Hawaii for swimming! However, if you are going to be in the water for an extended period of time (especially deeper water like that off the atoll you mention), you may get slightly chilly. But an old t-shirt will usually suffice -- and is a good idea even if you aren't cold, since sunscreen can still come off in the water, and most tourists get wicked sunburns on their backs first as they innocently spend time snorkeling. Remember, the tropical sun in Hawaii is much stronger than on the Mainland. January is also bigger wave season, but the protected western shores of Maui where you will be are normally calm, even in winter. And it will be whale watching season so keep an eye out! _______________________ Tampa, FL: This December we are staying on Oahu, Kauai and Maui, can you please tell us the name of a place to eat on each that are frequented by the natives. Thank you! Matthew Link: So you want me to divulge local secrets! Well, travel writers have been doing that for Hawaii for years, so I guess I'm no different. Everywhere in Hawaii, you can find cheap "plate lunch" eateries where mounds of pork, cabbage, chicken, beef, and/or macaroni salad are served on plastic plates for less than $8 or $9. They are the best deal in the state, and a great way to sit on benches and meet the locals! Whatever you do, stay away from expensive hotel restaurants in general that serve imported Mainland food for the tourists. If you like a waiter with your meal, than try: On Oahu, Irifune (563 Kapahulu Ave., 808/737-1141) with snapshots of friends and Kibuki masks cover the walls, fishing nets and glow in the dark stars hang above diners, and there's a TV fish tank in the bathroom. Huge Japanese meals of fish and meat with all the trimmings go for under $10. On Maui, try A Saigon Cafe in Wailuku. Deliciously absent of tourists (and even lacking a sign), this no-frills diner is always packed to the gills with hungry islanders scarfing down beef noodle soup (for $6.95), chicken and vegetable clay pots (for $7.95), and other low-cost Asian yummies in Jennifer Nguyen's family-style eatery (1792 Main Street, Wailuku, 808/243-9560). On Kauai, try Aussie Tim's BBQ in Wailua. I know, it sounds weird to be eating Outback food in Hawaii, but this place is great. Owned by an Australian and a Yank, this small, cozy restaurant offers slow-cooked Texas barbeque with homemade sauces. Stop by and say Howdy, the fellas are friendly. 4-361 Kuhio Highway, Wailua Shopping Plaza, Wailua, HI. (808) 822-0300. _______________________ Hartford, CT: Any interesting spots on the island of Kauai for gay travelers? Matthew Link: At first glance, rural, quiet Kauai is not particularly gay in any way. But a closer look reveals a tight-knit gay community that welcomes visitors. The local group Lambda Aloha (lambdaaloha.org) puts on all kinds of casual beach parties and pot lucks throughout the year, and you can also check out gayonkauai.com is lovingly hosted by local residents Loyd and Roy, who give web surfers info on gay events, businesses, reflections, trivia, and personal pages. One don't-miss is the Friday Night Men's Bonfire (call 808/822-7171 for location), a super fun event where locals get together for a beach weenie roast and to chat about life on the island. It's Kauai's creative equivalent to a gay bar. If you need a place to crash, Aloha Dude Vacation Rentals are the perfectly-named, gay-owned (by none other than Mike-dude and Jeff-dude) vacation cottages just north of Kapa'a, "50 steps away" from Baby's Bath Beach. The two rentals in question are named Aloha Dude (two-bedroom with full kitchen, living room, vaulted ceilings, and lanai), and Surf Dude (one bedroom apartment with amenities like a bamboo sofa and private deck). Don't miss this chance to live like a bona fide beach bum, albeit in comfort! The dudes also run a small internet café in Kapa'a (next to the Olympic café) with high-speed DSL lines. 4442 Makaha Road, Kapa`a, HI 96746. 808/822-DUDE, alohadude.net _______________________ Albuquerque, NM: My girlfriend and I are going to Molokai this Thursday for 9 days. Which activities would you consider a must see or must do. Thanks. Matthew Link: Good for you! Molokai is one of the most interesting islands in the chain -- it just got its first traffic light a few years ago! It's very "local" meaning you'll want to be very respectful of the people living here in terms of taking photos, tramping across people's property, or being impatient about "Hawaii time." Molokai is like rural Hawaii in the '50s -- a special treat, but not for everyone. The Moloka'i Mule Ride into the old leper colony of Kalaupapa is, despite the steep price, the traditional tourist outing on the island. Lepers still live there (they are treated with modern drugs), and it's a very soul-stirring outing as you learn how they were cast out of society, and treated by Father Damien, a loving Belgian priest who also died of the disease. You sit on your ass as it makes its way down perilous cliffs and precarious switchbacks to the quiet village, where you board a Damien Tour bus and see the sights. Although it was briefly closed down for awhile, Moloka'i without the mule rides is like San Francisco without the cable cars. P.O. Box 200, Kualapu'u, HI 96757. (800) 567-7550, muleride.com. Also swing by the Big Wind Kite Factory - an incredible kite store featuring Hawaiian designs by owners Jonathan and Daphne that include tropical fish, cows, hula girls, and different island scenes. There are also boat kites, dragon kites, kites shaped like birds, and more. Ask for a tour of the crafts room in the back. The jam-packed gift store carries everything from Indonesian wood carvings, scrimshaw from local deer, pottery, quilts, and the island's largest selection of books on Moloka'i. 120 Maunaloa Highway, Maunaloa, HI 96770. 808/552-2364 molokai.com/kites _______________________ Worcester, MA: What is the best time of year to plan a trip to Hawaii, and how many islands should you plan to visit in a 2-week trip? Thanks. Matthew Link: It's a bit of a complicated answer, since it varies so much from island to island. Each island has a wet side and dry side, and each side has an opposite rainy season to the other! The Big Island itself has something like 12 micro-climates. So weather-wise, it's a tough call, but generally winter is better since it is cooler than summer (which can be pleasant too). However, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's are packed, so I would suggest the quieter seasons of early spring or late fall as your best choices. Hawaii on a whole doesn't have such a refined "high" and "low" season for prices -- it's more about if all the cheaper hotels and flights get booked up. Summer break and school holidays are other times of year to avoid planning a trip to Hawaii. I wouldn'take on more than two islands in a two-week period. You could spend two weeks on even smaller islands like Kauai and not get to do everything. Yes, many travelers want to rush around and see the whole state, but Hawaii is all about slowing down to Aloha Time, so why stress yourself out on vacation? If it's your first trip, plan on spending a few days on Oahu, mainly to see the famous sites like Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, the North Shore. Tourists feel like they haven't been to Hawaii without checking these off their lists. However, be warned that Honolulu is a bona fide city, with traffic and a rush-rush urban feel. To get that it out of your system, I would recommend the Big Island as your second island. Why? Because it has the satisfying Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you can often witness lava flows crashing into the sea with steam clouds, and it has an otherworldly primordial Polynesian feel to it. The Big Island is huge (nearly five times the size of Rhode Island and the largest islands in the U.S.), so it's easy to get away from other tourists too. So Oahu and the Big Island make for a perfect yin/yang combo so you can get the taste of both modern and ancient Hawaii. _______________________ New York, NY: Aloha Matthew: My husband and I run digital photo workshops on The Big Island and we've had a number of inquiries from the gay/lesbian market. We have a number of gay friends in Hawaii, but we don't know where to direct inquiries to gay/lesbian friendly hotels/inns/B&B, etc. Do you have a comprehensive list that we can refer folks to? Mahalo. Matthew Link: Oh, I hate to plug my products, but you asked! ;-) Yes, I publish the only gay guidebook to Hawaii, the Rainbow Handbook (rainbowhandbook.com), which I originally wrote when I lived on the Big island, so it has a lot of local gay and lesbian secrets to it. It has tons of listings of gay businesses, B&BS, everything, and you can download the whole thing or individual chapters right over the web. Just click on "Order" on the home page. There's no other resource like that out there, that's why I keep updating it. Tell me what you think! _______________________ Grosse Pointe Woods, MI: We are traveling to Maui with our 5-year old daughter next March. Where is a great place to stay with a 5-year old? Matthew Link: The best place for kids (although it is far from budget) is the Grand Wailea Resort, Hotel, and Spa with 40 acres, 767 rooms, 5 restaurants, 12 lounges, 50,000 square-foot health spa, and a 15 million-dollar water playground. Oh, and every minimum 640-square foot room has three telephones. This addition to the Wailea resort area is as grandly extravagant as America gets (only outdone by the ostentatious Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island with its water slides and monorail and boat system). 3850 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, HI 96753. (800) 888-6100, 875-1234. For more reasonable digs, try the Royal Lahaina north of Lahaina in Ka'anapali. Over 500 rooms sit in a twelve-story tower and surrounding cottages, with tons of swimming pools and tennis courts on twenty-seven acres. Although echoes of Waikiki ring through its corridors, it's still a pleasant, if somewhat enormous affair. The place is also known for its popular nightly lu'au, run by the notable kumu hula (hula teacher) Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt. You can also book the hotel as a cheap air/room/car package through Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts at (800) 22-ALOHA. 2780 Keka`a Drive, Ka'anapali, HI 96761. (800) 447-6925, 808/661-3611 _______________________ New York, NY: How reasonable is it to move to Oahu and open a small business? What are the key considerations you would recommend someone examine, and how would these differ with respect to the mainland? Matthew Link: I get a lot of questions about Mainlanders wanting to move to Hawaii. It sounds great -- a foreign, tropical environment with no language, currency, or health issues (like Mexico for instance). But there are things to think about. The economy in Hawaii is good at the moment, but this was after a decade-long depression during most of the '90s. Hawaii's history is full of booms and busts, as well as starry-eyed Mainlanders packing their bags and heading back after a couple years once reality set in. Jobs are not super plentiful in Hawaii, so many skilled white collar types can even have a hard time finding restaurant work! Locals are rightly possessive of their job market, where wages are not great. Prices for goods are higher than the Mainland. Plus, Hawaii has some of the highest taxes across the board of any state, and its state government is known for its corruption. Having made all those ugly statements, it's still a great place to move to! The people are sweet, the weather perfect, the lifestyle healthy, and the crime extremely low (despite the history of TV cop shows set here!). If you are retired with a nest egg, it's a good place to land, but for "worker bees" with not much to fall back on, it can be a big challenge. But then it can be a challenge in other states too -- the ones with snow! Just know that living in Hawaii is not the same as vacationing in Hawaii. Discuss your move with a resident before coming over - they can give you tips and contacts that will prove invaluable. _______________________ Camano Island, WA: My 24-year-old daughter is in Maui on vacation right now. Could you name a couple of not to missed places for her to see? Thanks! Matthew Link: Whenever I land on Maui, the first thing I do is take a drive up the 'Iao Valley Road from the town of Wailuku, just 15 minutes from the airport. Yep, as you may have guessed, there's a valley called 'Iao up here and what a valley it is. Sheer walls of green drama slice into this deep gorge, where King Kamehameha drove the Maui armies up into the valley during his conquest of the island in 1790. It is said the battle that ensued choked the streams red with blood and bodies. The scene is a lot prettier now. You will pass the Heritage Gardens and Kepaniwai Park with Chinese and Japanese pavilions, a New England missionary home, a Polynesian hale, and a Portuguese garden (sounds like Hawai'i to me!). The state park at the end of the winding road will literally take your breath away. Towering sheets of rock drip down around you, with thin waterfalls making their way to the beautiful stream below. It feels as though you are actually inside an artist's painting. Take the walkway across a small bridge to view the 1,200-foot tall 'Iao Needle (Kukaemoku). There are further hiking trails up the valley from here is your daughter is into that. Since your daughter is of drinking age, another fun thing to do is the Tedeschi Winery in the cool upcountry. You will see the winery's tasting room in what used to be an old jail (the colorful King Kalakaua held killer parties nearby). Their pineapple, grape, or passionfruit wines are enticing to repulsive, depending on where your palate happens to be. For more info, go to mauiwine.com. _______________________ Matthew Link: Well, mahalo (thank you) for all the great questions! I enjoyed going back to the islands in my mind as I answered them. If nothing else, Hawaii is a great and important place to recharge your batteries in this stressful world, and its spiritual legacy of loving Aloha is vital in our day and age as well. Have a great trip! _______________________