Read article : Philly.com | Classifieds | Real Estate for Sale
3798 sq ft Beautiful Brick Colonial on lovely grounds in quiet neighborhood located near Core Creek Park. Brand New Carpet in 2nd Bedroom and Stairs and Hallway, Freshly painted 2nd Bedroom and Foyer. Staged Beautifully,shows very well! 4 bedroom,3.5 bath. Enter the two story foyer with marble tiled flooring that leads to the formal living room with hardwood flooring, marble gas fireplace and sunroom with arched windows and exit to yard. Kitchen is a chef's dream with wood cabinetry,brand new granite countertops & tiled backsplash and breakfast counter with plenty of seating and newer appliances, Built-in Microwave and Wall Oven and Warming Drawer. Breakfast area with skylights and windows overlooking yard. Brazilian Cherry Wood Flooring throughout Kitchen, Family Room and Formal Dining Room (freshly painted in custom colours) The large Family Room with brick gas fireplace and skylights opens to a large two level deck. Office/Study and Laundry Room complete the first floor. Large Master Bedroom and Bath with walk in closets, garden tub with skylights, and frameless shower doors. 3 additional nicely sized bedrooms and hall bath on second floor. The Basement/Game Room has built-in bar and full bath with steam shower and outside access. Large storage area next to basement with built-in bench and 5 yr old HVAC system with central vacuum. Outside the Deck overlooks the pool and lushly landscaped yard with Shed. Hardscaped path leads to a fenced patio with in-ground salt water pool with liner and newer filter and heater, and stand alone Jacuzzi. Heater and Water Heater 5 yrs old. 2 zone Heat.Roof believed to be 10 yrs. Electric re-wired 3 yrs ago. Large HEATED 2 car garage with electric garage door openers and transmitters. Driveway re-coated. Professionally landscaped grounds.
Read article : Where to Stay in Antwerp: The Best Hotels and Neighborhoods
To help you out with the decision where to stay in Antwerp, we’ve put together a list of neigbourhoods and the best hotels in the city.
Antwerp is often left out when planning a trip to Belgium. Touristy cities like Brussels or Bruges easily obscure trendy towns of Antwerp or recently re-discovered Ghent.
However, from what we’ve experienced in Antwerp, it’s a vibrant, extraordinarily creative city full of history, so you’re doing yourself a favor by staying here longer, and exploring it for more than a day away from Brussels.
This is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Antwerp if your goal is to catch up with sightseeing. The old town is full of museums, lively squares, and a number of cafes, restaurants, and beautifully renovated bed & breakfasts in historical houses.
The area is very walkable, and you can easily access the riverbank. It’s also safe and quiet at night.
We stayed in this family-run boutique hotel for three nights, only a minute walk from the main square Grote Markt.
The luxurious interior with elegant decoration made us feel comfortable, as well as the immense space in the bedroom and bathroom. Hot tub, solid wooden writing table and sofa were also part of the room. Our room faced a small courtyard and a garden, so it was absolutely quiet during the whole day.
The breakfast is served in the dining room furnished with antique plates and furniture. If you’re looking for some insider tips on the city, ask the owners. They are extremely helpful, and knowledgeable, since Carl has worked at one of Antwerp’s museums. Check the latest price.
Luxury > Hotel ‘T Sandt Spotless, spacious rooms with an incredibly homey touch. The suites and rooms are bright thanks to big windows. Excellent location near the Grote Markt, good breakfast included. Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Aplace Antwerp City Flats & Suites Very tastefully decorated rooms and apartments in vintage style with modern elements. Apartments also feature a fully equipped kitchen. Pets allowed. Check the latest price.
Budget > Kathedraallogies Drie Koningen Unusual and affordable bed & breakfast in the historical center of Antwerp. You can choose from rooms with shared or private bathrooms. The property is a renovated building from the 16th century. Check the latest price.
Het Zuid is well connected to the city center and train station by public transport. We stayed here for a few nights and loved it here for its laid back vibes and a running path along the river.
In case you prefer cooking your own food and are hoping for some privacy, The Soul would be the best place to stay in Het Zuid. Modern studio with vintage interior offers an equipped kitchenette with a dining corner and comfy sofa, (which we found great after walking the city all day).
The apartment is located right in the heart of the south district, surrounded by many cafes and restaurants. By the way, you can grab a coffee, breakfast or lunch at the atmospheric Soul Cafe. In case you decide to cook, there is a big grocery shop within 5 minutes walking.
Our studio was clean, with a separated bedroom, bright seating area with a dining table and kitchenware, and a private bathroom. The place is also run by welcoming and easygoing owners. Check the latest price.
Luxury > The Glorious Inn In case you’re wishing for some extraordinary place to stay in Antwerp, check it out here. Thematically decorated rooms, classy furniture, and a very quiet location.
We stayed here only a night, but enjoyed the funky atmosphere of the room with a Sleeping Beauty theme. We won’t spoil the surprise, but the room was full of secret hints related to the fairy tale. You better come and check for yourself.
It featured a large and very comfy bed, a tea table with plenty of herbal choices. The highlight of the room was a bathroom with an enormous bathtub, candles, and high-quality toiletries.
Spoil yourself, and if you come during the week, make sure to have dinner in their restaurant downstairs. Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Maison Emile Stylish, modern, and clean rooms with a rich healthy breakfast. It features double and single bedrooms. Check the latest price.
Budget > Le Sud Very affordable and clean budget option with different types of rooms with shared or private bathrooms. Check the latest price.
The area near the Central Station is the oldest diamond center in Europe, and rumour has it they were playing around with diamonds long before the first traders in Hong Kong or New York.
Stay around on Friday or Saturday, and you’ll see the Jewish community walking to and from the synagogues here. Currently, more than 80% of the Jews in Antwerp are involved in the diamond trade.
There are more than 1500 companies involved in selling, cutting, and polishing diamonds in the city, and you can check out some of them on Pelkinstraat Street near the railway station, or in the boutique shops on the Appelmansstraat, Lange Herentalsestraat and Vestingstraat streets.
Always ask for the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) grading report when buying a gem. Read more about the history of Jews in Antwerp.
Located right in the center of the Diamond district, a couple of minutes walking from the Central Station. Luxurious 4-star hotel with an indoor pool, spacious rooms with writing desk. Suites available. Check the latest price.
Luxury > Park Inn by Radisson Antwerpen Spacious and super clean rooms, some of them with a great view. The hotel features a gym, and you can use sauna and swimming pool at the Health Club that is 100 m away. Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Queen A Antwerp Incredibly cosy rooms and common area, decorated with a great taste and sense for interior details. Very kind staff and excellent breakfast! Check the latest price.
Budget > Eden Hotel Simply decorated in pastel colors, and for a very reasonable price considering the proximity to the main railway station. Free tea/coffee station available. Check the latest price.
Rough and poor area in the past that has become a shopping area with lots of cafes now. Popular for its vintage vibes, great proximity to the centre and best Antwerp attractions. Safe and lively Southern neighbourhood in Antwerp.
Wonderful holiday home for family or groups of friends. It features three double beds, a seating area, washing machine, and a small kitchen. It’s centrally located, with many cafes and restaurants around. Check the latest price.
Luxury > Maison Nationale City Flats & Suites Ultra clean, beautiful, bright, and spacious rooms designed in black & white minimalistic style. Possibility to prepare your own food with the kitchenware. Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Kaai11 City Flats & Rooms A luxurious option for a mid-range budget. Situated near the Schelde River, most of the rooms have awesome views. Modern & elegant interior. Some suites come with a fully equipped kitchen. Check the latest price.
Budget > Antwerp Cental Youth Hostel Very cool place in a great location. Simple and clean with twin, quadruple, or dormitory rooms, all with private bathrooms. Buffet breakfast included. Check the latest price.
Het Eilandje means “Little Island,” and currently the area is boasting with loads of cafes, and some of the most distinct museums in Antwerp: MAS, which is a highlight of the Het Eilandje, and Red Line Star – a museum dedicated to the emigration waves that brought millions of European overseas, and the iconic Port House of Zaha Hadid.
It’s a cool area to chill out, enjoy an afternoon coffee, and make your artistic soul happy.
Original modern room with minimalistic décor. Clean and spacious rooms feature a shower or a bath. Very good breakfast included. Check the latest price.
Luxury > B&B Suites@FEEK This is something quite different. High ceilings, futuristic white design with a jacuzzi in the room. Great breakfast! Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Best Western Hotel Docklands Modern rooms of a 3-star hotel, some of them with harbour views and a balcony. Very friendly staff. Some rates include delicious breakfast. Check the latest price.
Budget The area doesn’t really offer budget options, but you can find a budget accommodation not far from Eilandje.
Condo Gardens Antwerp Simple, clean studios with a kitchen, great location for a very reasonable price. Check the latest price.
The area doesn’t have the best reputation, but only because of its multicultural nature, as it’s a home to 90 different nationalities.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a bit of an “underground,” creative area with music festivals, quirky bars, and a Moroccan & Turkish minority, which means great food, head to the Borgerhout.
Very stylish and comfortable B&B. You can stay either in an apartment for 2-4 people with kitchenware, or in a double room. Located in a beautiful old mansion from 1907. Minimalistic design with soothing feeling.
Luxury There aren’t any top luxury hotels in the area, although the B&B mentioned above can be considered a high-end choice of accommodation in Borgerhout.
Mid-range > B&B Antwerp Large, impeccable rooms with lots of sunlight, very tastefully decorated. The quadruple room also features a seating area and facilities like a coffee machine, fridge, and microwave. Check the latest price.
Budget > Kif Kef City Apt. Incredibly charming apartment with minimalistic design. Fully equipped kitchen, sun terrace and bike rentals (for an extra charge) available. Check the latest price.
Located in the east of Antwerp, famous mostly for its huge green area: the Rieverenhof Park. It’s the area of townhouses, and it’s not popular among tourists as it lacks Antwerp’s cultural vibes. However, it’s a good option if you feel like staying out of the city center.
There’s great cycling infrastructure. For the best Antwerp attractions you’ll need to take a tram or a bike to the city center. Or… go local and visit some of the Deurne’s cultural events.
Elegant & artsy rooms, some of them with a seating area. The place has a lovely garden, and delicious breakfast included. Very pleasant hosts. Check the latest price.
Mid-range > Luxury Suites Arendshof Modern & simple design, located in a quiet area. The suites are in a two-floor house with a living room and a jacuzzi. Breakfast for an extra fee available. Check the latest price.
Residential, trendy, silent and … the pricey area of Antwerp with convenient public transport. It’s popular for its art nouveau architecture. Over 170 houses in the neighborhood have the status of protected monuments, and most of them were built in 1900’s.
Zurenborg is a bit off the beaten path, as it lacks the typical tourist attractions, but is easily accessed by a short tram ride from the centre. Very worth a visit even if you don’t book a hotel here.
Apart from exploring the special architecture, you can stop by for a coffee, a lunch, or have a pint in one of plenty of Zurenborg’s cafes, restaurants, and bars.
Wonderfully minimalistic rooms with white & red décor. Super clean. Breakfast for an extra fee available, and you can prepare your meals also in the common kitchen. Close to the restaurants.
Luxury There are no luxury options in the area.
Mid-range > Amaaj Simple, neat rooms with private bathrooms and a bathtub. Great relaxing area. Check the latest price.
Budget > Alias Youth Hostel A fantastic choice for budget travelers. Clean, simple, with dormitories or double bedrooms with shared or private bathrooms. Tram stops nearby. Check the latest price.
Make a trip to the southern neighbourhood and visit Middelheim Open Air Sculpture Museum
Hopefully this ultimate guide on where to stay in Antwerp helped you to decide which hotel to book, and what attractions you can see in each neighbourhood.
Have a blast in this incredibly vibrant city, and in case we missed any district you’d recommend staying in or cool things to do in Antwerp we haven’t included here, please, leave a comment below.
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Only ZIP codes containing more than five sold properties were considered for the list. Property Shark helped us find listings that were close to each of the ZIP codes’ median sales price. Check out the full list below:
This two-bedroom, two-bathroom Los Gatos home will run you around $2.3 million, but it comes complete with hardwood floors, a detached guest house, and four private acres of wooded land.
In San Francisco, $2.27 million will get you a home like this one, which packs three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a wood burning fireplace, stainless steel appliances, and a formal dining room into 1,900 square feet.
For around $2 million, you can snag a home like this one in Burlingame, which sits close to local schools and parks, and is only a hop, skip, and jump away from Silicon Valley. The 2,180-square-foot house features three bedrooms and two and a half baths.
This four bedroom Newport Coast home can be found inside the The Pointe gated community. On the market for $2.24 million, it features high-end appliances, quartz countertops, and an outdoor kitchen.
Call this four-bedroom, two-bathroom abode home for a little over $2.37 million. In addition to a private pool, it’s also decked out with vaulted ceilings and a spacious kitchen and dining area.
For $2.5 million, score this 1,540-square-foot Santa Barbara home right by Montecito Beach. In addition to the killer views, the place features a remodeled kitchen and cathedral ceilings.
This three-bedroom home in Newport Beach is just a short walk from the beach. It’s on the market for around $2.3 million and offers tremendous ocean views.
Full of natural light, this airy and secluded home in Water Mill is on the market for $2.67 million. Located on two acres of private land, it comes complete with multiple outdoor decks, a pool, and a wood burning fireplace.
Just a short walk from the water, this beach style home in Newport Beach is breezy and welcoming, with clean white walls, dark wood floors, and abundant natural light. Make it yours for $2.75 million.
On the market for around $2 million, this 3,020-square-foot home boasts breaktaking views of Ross Valley and an outdoor sun deck that will let you enjoy California’s fantastic weather all year round.
Located in NYC’s TriBeCa neighborhood, this 1,439-square-foot home features 40 feet of windows, an open kitchen, and stunning views of the Hudson River. Building amenities also include a saltwater pool and landscaped courtyard. Make it yours for $2.8 million.
Located in one of the only non-California or New York zip codes on the list, this $2.7 million Boston home boasts floor-t0-ceiling windows, granite countertops, and 1,589 square feet of space.
This Portola Valley home is on the market for around $2.6 million. It comes complete with three bedrooms, a spacious kitchen, and high, wood-beamed ceilings. The surrounding forest views add a cozy touch.
Snag this five-bedroom Los Altos home for around $2.7 million. The freshly painted interior is airy and bright, while the newly landscaped backyard provides a quiet, private place to relax.
For around $3 million, this two-home lot in Palo Alto allows owners a rare opportunity to build the house of their dreams up to 2,600 square feet in size. The newly renovated guesthouse out back boasts 950 square feet of space and can be utilized as a separate rental unit.
For just over $3 million, enjoy this luxury penthouse in the heart of Beverly Hills. The unit comes equipped with high ceilings, two master suites, and a private rooftop deck.
Boasting both pool and beach views, this 2,744-square-foot Miami Beach home is available for around $3.4 million. It also has also high-end appliances and a glass walk-in closet to swoon over.
This classic Hamptons beach house comes complete with a heated pool, outdoor gardens, and a spacious deck, perfect for entertaining all summer. The home is on the market for $5.75 million.
Read article : California Dreamin' Part II: From San Jose to Big Sur, Spending Only $51 a Day
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Getting away from the big city isn't always easy, but the proximity of the magnificent beauty of Big Sur to the major metropolises of California makes it an ideal and popular weekend drive.
Getting There
There's no point in poking around San Jose, so speed on down to the Monterey-Carmel area on US 101 to Prunedale, then westward on 156 to Seaside, where you join the Pacific Coast Highway, Number 1. If you can tear yourself away from the delights of those two cities, start on down the highway, taking your time and stopping at as many turnouts or vistas as you can.
If you have time, return on the same marvelous routing, catching different views and vistas, the better to see the mist creeping in, or a sunset, or a day when the fog bank sits along the horizon like a very thick futon, creating an amazing wall a few miles out to sea. Should you be in a hurry, however, go on down Route 1 to Cambria, and then turn eastward on State 465 to Templeton, where you pick up speedy US 101 for your return trip north.
Highlights
The best weather here is in the spring and fall, the former being the time when wildflowers abound (especially lupines and poppies, as well as the tall purple cones called "the Pride of Madeira"). May is still peaceful, as the big summer season and the crowds begin in June, with warm weather and a chance even to dip into the rivers here. Indian summer and it's requisite marvelous fall colors, with poison oak showing deep red, the maples, sycamore, and cottonwoods their golden yellows and oranges, dutifully comes along late in September and throughout all of October. In mid-November, the season for fishing steelhead rainbow trout opens. Best of all, from the end of December through the entire month of March, you can watch migrating gray whales offshore as they traverse the route from sunny Baja California northward.
All the way down along scenic PCH1, the 90-mile stretch of Big Sur affords great views of the awesomely beautiful and rugged coastline between Carmel to the north and San Simeon to the south. The highway was completed in 1937 after 18 years of hard work, partly with the aid of convict labor. (They didn't even have electricity in these parts until the 1950s!) And although Highway One is well maintained, it has plenty of sharp curves and steep hills, so take it easy. Besides, if you drive too quickly, you won't have a chance to see the most beautiful coastline in the world, in the opinion of many experienced travelers.
If it's beach time you want, bring a blanket and a jacket, as it can be chilly, even in summer. You can get down to the Andrew Molera State Park beach, 23 miles south of Carmel, easily on a mile-long path paralleling the Big Sur River.
A cultural highlight of the drive is the Henry Miller Library, just one-fourth of a mile south of the Nepenthe restaurant on the mountainside of the road. Henry, who wrote his best-known work, Tropic of Cancer, in 1934, settled down in Big Sur (not at this building) in 1944, and wrote many other books here. This is not a library of books he collected, but of books by and about him, as well as other highly literary and experimental works for sale by other authors. It's open Thursdays through Sundays, 11 to 6 or by appointment. Phone the library at 831/667-2574 or visit the Web site, www.henrymiller.org.
Although Big Sur is as close to nature as you can get in America and still be on a highway, costs are typically high, thanks to the distance and scarcity of population. But with some digging, I've come up with lodging and three meals costing only $50.70 per person per day, sharing a double room.
Lodging
There are only 200 hotel rooms in all the Big Sur area, so pickings are slim. Except during winter, you might consider camping out when you get here. After all, that's what the whole region is about, getting back to nature in a meaningful manner. Should you decide you want to live in a tent or rustic cabin, check out the Big Sur Campground & Cabins, 26 miles south of Carmel on Route 1, phone 831/667-2322. In addition to empty sites, there are a few cabins, the tent variety costing only $12, the all-wood version going for $89 and up. The all-wood cabins have their own country-style furniture, woodburning ovens and complete kitchens, not to mention private patios.
The best-priced commercial lodging in the area is at the modest Ripplewood Resort, where there are cabins costing as little as $65 (double bed), $70 (queen), $75 (queen and double), up to $105 (queen and double, kitchen, deck, and fireplace). The cheaper cabins overlook the redwoods and the hills, while the more expensive are along the Big Sur River itself. All units have private bathroom with shower or tub. Just 27 miles south of Carmel, the resort is also the site of a wonderful cafe (breakfast and lunch only), a gas station (you can't imagine how helpful that is) and a grocery store (ditto). For reservations, phone 831/667-2242. Their Web site is www.ripplewoodresort.com.
The best little hotel in the region, in my opinion, is the Big Sur River Inn on Highway 1 at Pheneger Creek, Big Sur 93920. There are 20 rustic and cozy rooms with private baths ranging in price from $80 in winter, $90 in spring and fall to $100 in July and August. That's for a room with one queen bed. On weekends throughout the year, you pay the summer rate of $100. What's fun here is to sit in Adirondack chairs in the shallow river, dangling your feet in the water, and drinking a beer. Above the iris and calla lilies along the banks, on the lawn between river and hotel, people relax over their food, and a jazz band plays on weekend afternoons. A throwback to the 1930s, the River Inn was once known at the Apple Pie Inn, having started as a restaurant back in 1934. It has been run by the same family (Pfeiffer and Ewoldsen) ever since. Contact the Inn at 831/557-1700 or 800/548-3610, fax 831/667-2743, Web site www.bigsurriverinn.com.
You can have your adobe hacienda and not pay big bucks for it if you stay at Glen Oaks, in the Big Sur River valley. All rooms are in single story structures, and each has a private bath and walk-in shower. You also have a patio, surrounded by flowers in season and a view of the valley. There's a good restaurant on the premises, too (see listings on the next page). A queen bedroom here costs $89, queen and twin $94, two queens $99. You can have a whole cottage to yourself for $125, with a kitchen $140, beyond our price range but doable if you have four persons sharing the costs. Contact the Glen Oaks at 831/667-2105, Highway 1, Big Sur 93920.
Moderately priced during the winter (at $89), the rooms at the Big Sur Lodge rise precipitously during the rest of the year, so I can recommend it only in the November-March period, when the weather can be wonderful. There are 61 huge cottage style units, each with deck or balcony. Some units can sleep up to six persons. Nestled among the marvelous towering redwoods and oaks inside the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, these units are a perfect place to get away from the apparent world and enjoy the real realm of nature. There are no phones, TVs, radios, or alarm clocks. There is a restaurant on the grounds, as well as a general store, and a seasonal heated pool. They're on Highway 1 at Big Sur, 93920, phone 831/667-3100 or 800/424-4787, Web site www.bigsurlodge.com. Rates here include the admission fee not only to this park but also to four others in the immediate area. That, in turn, allows you free use of the parks, including hiking and firing up the barbecue if you feel like it.
Alternatively, if you are really into nature, and want to stay at a Catholic monastery where you get absolute peace and quiet, you might like the New Camaldoli Hermitage, about 25 miles south of Big Sur Village at Lucia, where rooms go for a suggested donation of $45. You usually need to book six months in advance here! You need not participate in the liturgical worship, but you may if you wish. All rooms are single occupancy, each with half bath and a personal garden overlooking the ocean. There is also a room with several showers and a common kitchen where you pick up your mostly vegetarian meals, to eat by yourself in the garden or room. If you want a retreat house trailer, these, too, are available, with a full bathroom (shower, not tub!), small refrigerator, small countertop gas burner, and a sun deck. Suggested donation is $55. To keep the place quiet for the Benedictine monks, you cannot use radios, typewriters, or musical instruments, nor can you bring a pet. Phone the monks at 831/667-2456. They ask that you phone them, not e-mail them (unless you live overseas). Their Web site, however, is www.contemplation.com.
Restaurants
This is the perfect place to have a picnic, down on the beach or up above, just looking at the coastline. You can stock up on everything you could possibly need at Big Sur Center Deli, located at the Post Office Center, phone 831/667-2225. Open daily from 8 AM to 8:30 PM, the deli has takeout selections of prepared food items for all three meals (including fresh pizza on Monday and Friday evenings), as well as a good selection of groceries, wine, beer, and soft drinks.
Big Sur River Inn, part of the hotel of the same name (see previous page), is a marvelously un-chic place, with quiet corners, tables out on the patio overlooking the river, or near the bar and its big sports-saturated TV screen. Breakfast starts at $5.75 for two eggs, hash browns, and toast; lunch menu items hover around $9.95 (the cheapest sandwich is $8.25), and dinner courses cost from $7.95 (omelets) through $8.95 (fish & chips) up to $17.95 for ribs. Open daily. Phone 831/667-2700.
At the Ripplewood Resort (see previous page), you can have two eggs with a potato casserole and a homemade muffin for just $5.75, or pay another dollar and have the same thing with sausage, bacon, or ham. At lunchtime, a grilled cheddar sandwich will set you back $4.50, a delicious grilled jack cheese and green chili one $5.75. All sandwiches (your choice of bread) come with tomatoes, sliced red onions, sliced pickles, lettuce, and mayonnaise, along side your choice of a green salad, marinated bean salad, or shoestring-cut french fries. They don't serve dinner. Phone 831/667-2242.
The Glen Oaks Restaurant is also part of the hotel of the same name (see previous page), with a copper fireplace and works of local artists, serving dinner only, open year round, but closed on Tuesdays. Dinner items start from $12.95 and range upward from there. Several entries on the otherwise standard menu are Asian inspired, and the pastas and bread are homemade. Wines from the California Central Coast are featured. Phone 831/667-2264 for reservations.
Deetjen's restaurant is in the hotel of the same name, with a cozy, country-inn feeling about the place. Two meals are served daily, with basic breakfasts at about $7.95, comfort-food dinner main courses from $12.95. Chicken with garlic is a local favorite. Phone the restaurant at 831/667-2377. The location is about 30 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, Big Sur 93920.
Cafe Kevah is located just a level down from famed Nepenthe (see below) and owned by the same family. Its prices are slightly less than those up the stairs, a fajita dish costing 7.95, for instance. The view is almost as good that on the level above, but the ambiance is more utilitarian, the food (with several Mexican items on the menu) is as good, if not better. Since you'll be outside, even on a sunny day in fall, winter, or spring, be sure to bring a coat. In summer, never mind. The address is the same as Nepenthe, but the phone is 831/557-2344.
Nepenthe is not just a restaurant, but also the emotional center of Big Sur, almost since its beginnings back in 1949. It's at the top end of our price range for budgeters, but is well worth the visit. The ambiance is better than the high-priced and celebrated Ambrosiaburgers ($11.95), in fact. After you climb the long flights of stairs, you'll find the views magnificent. You may, if you are lucky, find seats at counters on the edge of the cliff, so that you look right out on the valley and ocean 808 feet below. This is the perfect place to have lunch, if only for the view. The restaurant, formerly owned by Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth, is a celeb favorite. Recent visitors include Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, as well as Bill Gates Jr., and Oakland mayor and former California governor Jerry Brown. Movie fans will want to know that Liz Taylor and Richard Burton frequented this restaurant a lot when they filmed Sandpiper in the neighborhood way back in 1962. Location: On California 1, 28 miles south of Carmel, phone 831/667-2345.
Sunday Brunch
If you make it as far as the Hearst Castle, at the southern end of Big Sur, you might enjoy the Sunday brunch at the San Simeon restaurant in town, costing $12.95 for adults, $5.95 for children under 12. You can eat as much as you want at the salad bar, waffle bar, or omelet bar, partaking of country biscuits and gravy, roast beef, seafood, beef Stroganoff, and the like with a glass of champagne, too. Phone 805/927-4604.