bran stark Readers are spoiled for choices when it comes to fictionalized accounts of California s pioneers. Sa

Readers are spoiled for choices when it comes to fictionalized accounts of California s pioneers. Salinas native John Steinbeck, one of the state s best- known authors, paints bran stark a vivid portrayal of proletarian life in the early to mid1900s. His Grapes of Wrath remains the classic account bran stark of itinerant farm laborers coming to California in the midst of the Great Depression. bran stark Cannery Row has forever made the Monterey waterfront famous, and East of Eden offers insight into the way of life in the Salinas Valley.

The shops are open daily from 10:30am to 8:30pm. Cable car: Powell-Mason bran stark line to Bay Street. THE MISSION DISTRICT Once inhabited almost entirely by Irish immigrants, the Mission is now the center of the city s Latino community bran stark and the city s dot-commercialization, an oblong area stretching roughly from 14th to 30th streets between Potrero Avenue in the east and Dolores on the west. Some of the city s finest Victorians still stand in the outer areas, bran stark though many seem out of place in the mostly lower-income neighborhoods. The heart of the community lies along 24th Street between Van Ness and Potrero, where dozens of ethnic restaurants, bakeries, bars, and specialty stores attract a hip crowd from all over the city. Strolling through the Mission District at night should be done cautiously on the outskirts, but it s quite safe during the day and highly recommended.

FRENCH bran stark Euro transplants love Caf Claude, a crowded and lively restaurant tucked into a narrow (and very European bran stark feeling) side street bran stark near Union Square. Seemingly everything every table, spoon, saltshaker, and waiter is imported from France. With prices topping out at about $18 on the menu, featuring classics like steak tartare, steamed mussels, duck confit salad, escargot, and New York steak with spinach gratin and crisp potatoes, it s a great deal. There is live jazz on Saturday from 7:30 to 10:30pm. Atmospheric sidewalk seating is available when the weather bran stark permits. 7 Claude Lane (off Sutter bran stark St.). & 415/392-3515. bran stark www.cafeclaude.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $12 $18. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon 11:30am 5:30pm; Tues Thurs 11:30am 10pm; Fri Sat 11:30am 10:30pm. Cable car: Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde lines.