Archive for August, 2009

Wonderful Wine Getaways

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - Wonderful Wine

When you mention the Wine Country most people think of Napa or Sonoma Valley. But true wine geeks have long known that some of Northern California’s best wine and wine-tasting experiences can be found well beyond the valleys, often at family owned wineries tucked away on one-lane roads that would be impossible to find if it weren’t for the periodic signs pointing you in the right direction. It’s experiences like these—casual yet captivating conversations with winemakers as you savor the fruits of their years of hard work—that make visiting these esoteric wineries worth the effort. Here are a few of my “Who knew?” favorites. Read full article »

Tipping in card rooms: A good idea?

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Local Getaways - Gaming Getaways - Tipping in a Card RoomAfter meals at fancy (or even not-so-fancy) restaurants, none of us thinks twice about leaving tip for deserving server. Strangely, however, many casino guests have trouble tipping dealers and servers when they play cards.

Tipping these folks is not mandatory; there’s no law that says we gamblers must fork over extra cash for good service. Still, considering that in many cases, dealers (and food servers, for that matter) earn 30 to 40 percent of their annual salary in tips, spreading a little love every now and then is expected, and a dip in gratuities means a hit to the money these people need to live.

Customary tips in a card room or casino vary depending on the person whom you’re tipping. Read full article »

Adventures by the Sea

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - Adventures by the Sea

Last weekend I headed down to Monterey with my girlfriend to check out The Secret Lives of Seahorses exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (a must-see, but more on that later). The beautiful drive along Highway 1 got me thinking about all the wonderful things there are to see and do along the Northern California coast, particularly in the late summer when the fog tends to stay offshore and the weather is sunny and warm. So this week’s theme covers some of my favorite adventures by the sea, most of which are an easy day trip from the Bay Area. Read full article »

Player’s clubs: Is this a fast-ticket to free stuff?

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Local Getaways - Gaming Getaways - Players ClubsBy now, almost all Northern California card rooms and casinos have what they call “player’s clubs.”

The clubs all have funny names and take themselves far more seriously than they probably should. Members get cards and are encouraged to swipe them every time they arrive at the casino or sit down for a new gambling experience. Behind the scenes, the cards sync up with software that charts play and doles out rewards based upon customer loyalty.

Most of these rewards come in the form of special deals: 50 percent off a hotel, or a buy-one-get-one-free promotion in the on-site restaurant. Sometimes, however, the rewards are actually some pretty worthwhile free stuff. Read full article »