great america san jose CHINATOWN When you pass under the gate to Chinatown on Grant Avenue, say hello to a swarm of cheap s

CHINATOWN When you pass under the gate to Chinatown on Grant Avenue, say hello to a swarm of cheap shops selling everything from linen and jade to plastic toys and $2 slippers. The real gems are tucked on side streets or in small, one-person shops selling Chinese herbs, original great america san jose art, and jewelry. Grant Avenue is the area s main thoroughfare, and side streets between Bush Street and Columbus Avenue are full of restaurants, markets, and eclectic shops. great america san jose Walking is best, since traffic great america san jose through this area is slow at best and parking is next to impossible. Most of the stores in Chinatown are open daily from 10am to 10pm. The area is serviced by bus lines 9X, 15, 30, 41, and 45.

Two major airports serve the Bay Area: San Francisco International great america san jose and Oakland International. All the major car-rental companies have desks at the airports; see Getting Around, later in this chapter, for details on car rentals.

CHAPTER 1. THE BEST OF CALIFORNIA18 Albion River Inn (Albion; & 800/ 479-7944): One of the best rooms-with-a-view on the coast, the Albion River Inn is perched on a cliff overlooking great america san jose the rugged shoreline. Most of the luxuriously appointed rooms have Jacuzzi tubs for two, elevated to window level. Add champagne and you re guaranteed to have a night you won t soon forget. See p. 220. River Ranch Lodge (Lake Tahoe; & 800/535-9900): Alongside the Truckee River, the River Ranch has long been one of our favorite affordable inns at Lake Tahoe. It has everything you d want in a mountain lodge: rustic decor, a great bar and outdoor deck overlooking the river, and a restaurant serving wood-oven-roasted Montana elk loin and other hearty dishes. See p. 262. Evergreen Lodge (Yosemite; & 800/935-6343): great america san jose Scattered throughout a wooded grove of towering pines near the entrance to Yosemite are 18 rustic cabins, a beautiful old bar and restaurant, and easy access to dozens of outdoor adventures. Enjoy a pitcher of beer and a game of Ping-Pong on the patio, or sit around the campfire telling great america san jose stories and roasting marshmallows it s all part of the Evergreen experience. See p. 287. The Mosaic (Beverly Hills; & 800/463-4466): This Beverly Hills boutique is a perfect blend of art, luxury, service, location, and value. Huge rainforest shower- heads, Frette linens, Bvlgari bath products, Wolfgang Puck refreshments, and piles of pillows add up to hotel heaven. See p. 482. Casa Malibu (Malibu; & 800/ 831-0858): This beachfront motel will fool you from the front. Its cheesy 1970s entrance on Pacific Coast Highway belies the quiet, restful charm within. Around the courtyard garden great america san jose are 21 rooms, many with private decks above the sands. Rooftops and balconies are festooned with bougainvillea vines. There s easy beach access, and a suite that was Lana Turner s favorite. See p. 478.

and outdoor poolside cocktail lounge), very affordable and above-average Pan- Asian cuisine served late into the eve and topping out at $15, and a state-of-theart sound system streaming ambient, down-tempo, hip-hop, funk, and house music, this is the it joint of the moment. 601 Eddy St. (at Polk St.). & 415/885-5088. www.bambuddhalounge.com.