My German "host parents" are coming to visit. It's been 25 years. How can I give a nice "American" experience?

Question

I live 30 miles East of San Fransicso...so we'll spend 1 day taking in the City. But will visit for 7 days and I want to make the visit very special for them. We plan to BBQ Salmon on one evening because salmon is no so available where they live. Any ideas on meals, events, or activities that are "typical" American...yet not too obvious. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi there,

I'm German and used to live in the Bay Area a couple of years back.
So were would I take my parents or German friends there.
OK, SF has been already covered here are my next choices:
1. I would vote for Yosemite over Lake Tahoe, even though there will not be much water in the waterfalls, but the valley is just impressive enough.
2. Germans will love to see the Pacific Ocean, so I also would take them to Monterey and/or Carmel to see the aquarium and mission. For food would I recommend the Babba Gump Shrimp Restaurant.
3. If you want to show them a bit of California history, do I highly recommend to go to San Juan Bautista with it's state historic park. It is a little town a bit south of Holister and a visit there did always work very well with German visitors. In town there is a cool little restaurant in a pink house. They only have a view things on the menue, but they are great and it is fun to try their preserves and chutneys.
4. The Redwoods are a great place to also show off, especially as you do not have such trees in Germany. Try Miur Woods with them.
5. I would also say that Napa Valley is a must do. German's are big on wine and it would be great to see were the famous Californian wine is produced. A good winerie for Germans is Charles Krug, as the founder was German, so they have some history to relate to.
6. Earthquakes are a big thing in California, if you have time take them to Point Reyes and do the Earthquake Hike. And surely the peninsula is also great to visit.
7. Not sure how much your friends are into movies, but some Germans love Hitchcock movies, maybe combine Point Reyes with a visit to Bodega town and Bodega Bay.
8. If they are coming before Halloween, take them to a pumpkin patch in Halfmoon Bay. This would be also something pretty special for them.
9. One thing they might also want to do is a day of outlet shopping, maybe it is a good idea to go to Gilroy.
10. Food and special event wise is it hard to guess, what they would like, as SF is such a big melting pot of cultures. If you want to take them out in SF, go either to Yank Sing (on Battery near Embacadero center) for Dim Sum, or try the Stinking Rose for a feast in Garlic. I also would recommend having some Mexican food, maybe right at the original Chevies in Sausalito. The bay area offers a lot of diversity and I think Germans would not expect all these different types of food, so forget about having steaks, go have some fancy food they would not have in Germany like the ones I mentioned above and add to it Japaneese, Indonesian, Indian and so on.

OK, I think this is already more then you can do in one week.
If you need more tips, do not hesitate to mail me.
Ina

Answer 2

A day at the Redwood coast is something they will remember and a drive down to Sequoia forest will astound them! Unless they aren't into the great outdoors. In that case I would do regular things like mall shopping, going to the movies, antique shopping.
Have fun with your guests!

Answer 3

Take a day trip to Tahoe.
Its not that far of a drive, and is a great place to visit.
Also try the Redwoods, or a drive up the coast.
Have Fun

Answer 4

this might be a lame and so-cal-ish fascination, but i love alcatraz. everyone loves alcatraz. and the boat over there is fun too.

sounds fun that they're visiting after so long.