The weather outside is frightful….

I must sincerely apologize. No excuses for being too busy at work or not getting internet access!! It’s been a 3 month hiatus and I’ve had enough of people stopping me in the street asking when my next update is coming. So here it is...

Autumn (or “Fall” as they like to call it in this part of the world) has been a fun season. In my 2010 ranking of Seasons, I’d say it comes second behind Spring but ahead of Summer (too hot) and Winter (too cold).

September really was lovely and if you’re planning a trip out here, then come then. Em and I took a drive in a cracking replica of a 1957 Porsche Spyder – the same car that James Dean sadly met his demise in. His car was nicknamed “The Little B@stard” which was fitting for the current driver!!

I was supposed to head out to Asia with work, but frustratingly it got cancelled last minute. Instead we took a well deserved trip out to California. Got soaked in San Francisco and saw my alma mater – UC Berkeley (or the California Golden Bears) get crushed by Stanfurd. Then we spent a few days wine-tasting, eating and riding bikes in Napa – Em was a great sport when our leisurely bike ride turned into a 3hr slog and a race against the wind and our bladders to get home!! And then Thanksgiving in LA and a few days in San Diego where the one hit wonder “The Polar Bear song” got invented – if you’d like the lyrics or a rendition, I’m sure one will be up on YouTube soon!!

Soccer has gone well but is annoyingly taking a break until March. We’re sitting in second position having won 7 out of our 10 games. I took a nice crack on my ankle in training a few weeks ago so have been out for a bit. This, from the same guy who, 2 weeks earlier, kicked the ball at my meat and 2 veg - i think he has it in for me!

Channukah and Xmas has now been and gone. Some fun presents and parties – plus a cracking Xmas dinner made me feel like I wasn’t missing home too much. Hope everyone else had a good time

I was lucky enough this weekend to take out my all time favourite car – the BMW Z8, made famous by Pierce Brosnan in “The World Is Not Enough”
Such a great drive and a real classic of its time. However, this is what brings me to present day – New York and the whole of the east coast has been engulfed by a snow storm. It really is a sight to see and felt like I was on a ski slope rather than a city. So sadly, the Z8 went back to the shop, doing an average of 5mph and with the hazards on – I aquaplaned a couple of times and was a nervous wreck driving the 2 miles!! 24hrs later and the sun is shining without a cloud in the sky – look up outside the window and you would have no idea that on the ground are abandoned cars and people struggling their way to and from home

Well, that’s my sign off for 2010. A great year all round and looking forward to seeing and keeping in touch with as many of you as I can

As always, don’t hesitate to call, write or email

Jamie

55 West 11th St, Apt 7c
New York, NY 10011
Tel: +1 917 225 9177

California....here we come....

Oh California. We’ve had a mixed relationship where I leave you for months on end for my mistress on the East Coast. But you’ll always be my one true love!!

FLY into San Francisco with various different carriers. Last time I flew Delta with no complaints. Easiest is to get a flight that lands you early evening so you can get settled. And if you’re planning on heading down the coast, I’d recommend starting in San Francisco. That way, you’re driving on the right (correct) side of the road to get the better view

DRIVE as you need. If you’re just staying in San Francisco then a car is irrelevant as it’s small and parking is tough and expensive. But if you go up to Napa, down the coast or spend any time in LA or San Diego, then a car is a must. Renting from SFO is easy, from a central location. My advice is to pre-book without paying in advance. And then see if you can negotiate a better car with the rental agencies. I’ve used Thrifty twice with no complaints. If renting from LAX, my favorite to use is Midway cars. They have Mercedes C300s for $75 a day. And be aware. The extra costs always come from insurance (check your credit card – you’re probably covered) and gas/petrol (don’t accept what they’re offering – get gas from a station)

SAN FRANCISCO
STAY somewhere trendy like The Clift. Great location just off Union Sq and we managed to get a deal for $140 per night

EAT/DRINK as a locavore, farm to table style. Check out the Ferry building on Embarcadero. And Chez Panisse in Berkeley (but book well ahead) Didn't get to the Mission this time but up-and-coming restaurants abound, worth a look.

SHOP around Union Sq for your standards and Chestnut and Filmore for your boutiques

DO the obvious. Get yourself somehow across Golden Gate bridge and up into the hills for a great view of the bridge and the city. Ride a cable car down to Fisherman’s wharf, check out Ghirardelli Sq and then do the “dusk” tour of Alcatraz for some interesting extras

NAPA
STAY somewhere cute. We stayed at Hotel Luca. Tripadvisor raves. We thought it was good, but a little overpriced. Cute and cosy and in a nice spot near some good restaurants in Yountville

EAT/DRINK at some of the best restaurants per square mile the world has to offer. We went to Ubuntu (Vegetarian), Bottega (Italian) and Solage (American) that were all very impressive. Plus you have Bouchon, French Laundry etc etc. You’ll be leaving with a full stomach and an empty wallet! For lunch, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen is worthwhile, resto is owned by same guys as Mustard's.

DO go to vineyards, vineyards and more vineyards. We liked Cliff Lede. Also checked out Cakebread which was rather commercial in comparison. Opus One leads the way with some of the most famous California wine. V.Sattui has a market in the vineyard which is rare. On a nice day, friends recommended a picnic there. Not much else to do. Oh, except maybe yoga at Ubuntu and a massage. We got from the very reasonably priced Lavender Hill. And if the weather is good, rent bicycles and go for a ride and a picnic. If there is time, take a spin to Sonoma and check out the vineyards and food there as well.

CARMEL
STAY in the Carmel Valley Ranch. Gorgeous golf course style ranch just above Carmel

EAT/DRINK in the town. Can’t remember any specific places

DO the 17 mile drive and stop along the way, especially at Pebble Beach. Check out the Monterey Bay aquarium


LA
STAY in Santa Monica. Welcome resbite from the busy-ness of LA. We like the Fairmont Miramar

EAT/DRINK all over. Koi is pretty fancy and not overly expensive and serves good Asian fusion. Colin Farrell was falling out of there last time I visited. Katsuya is another option for good Asian. Lunch at Cecconi's and the Ivy will ensure a celeb sighting. Toast is packed for brunch but worth the wait and great boutiques around while you wait. Similarly for Blue Plate in Santa Monica. Fig in the Fairmont Miramar has gotten rave reviews for their local innovative cuisine. People rave about Sprinkles, for cupcakes. Haven't taste tested yet. For a drink, stop at Chateau Marmont. It's featured in Sofia Coppola's latest movie

SHOP on Rodeo drive, Robertson Blvd, Santa Monica etc etc. Plenty of shopping to be done here. Worth a drive up to the Malibu country mart for some true SoCal shopping. Kitson, James Perse, Tory Burch, Intermix, RL to name a few....Nobu tucked away at the edge of this shopping mall. Woody Harrelson spotted there a couple months ago...

DO lots or nothing at all. Time goes quickly in LA. Various theme parks such as Disney, Universal Studios etc. Hollywood is fun to see the theater and hand-prints. Beaches are nice. Santa Monica pier. Venice for muscle beach and medicinal marijuana. If you're into art, LA has one of the most inspiring contemporary art scenes in the world. Make stops at Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). There are three locations with a smaller gallery in West Hollywood at the Pacific Design Center. If you want a quick fix of culture, this spot is a 30 minute visit, FREE admission and close to shopping on Robertson. The LA Country Museum of Art (LACMA) and Getty are notable and worth trips.


SAN DIEGO
STAY somewhere. We stayed in an apartment building, so no real help here. But La Jolla is a pretty nice part of town

EAT/DRINK Mexican food. So close to the border, you’ll find the best Mexican food here

SHOP if you have to. Was really unimpressed with what was on offer

DO go to Sea World. Fantastic (albeit expensive) animal park. The famous Zoo is pretty impressive too. Walk along the beaches of La Jolla and check out the seals on their semi-private beach. Check out Torrey Pines for hiking and/or the golf course. There's the Hotel del Coronado, opened in 1888 and a historic landmark. A spot for many American presidents, worth a trip for lunch or a tea. North of San Diego, you'll find quaint towns of Del Mar, Encinitas, Solana Beach and non other than Cardiff by the Sea. Del Mar is the swankiest with cute boutiques and beautiful beachs for people and dogs. Encinitas hails for its crafts and design shops. Solana Beach is hippy central and a funky spot.