| Author | Message | ||
| jerryme
Junior Username: jerryme Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2008 |
To a Deadhead. I am tentatively planning a trip to the Bay Area while I am on Spring Break the last week or so of March. I was wondering if anyone had an idea of stuff to do. I am going to have to rent a car so I am not planted in San Francisco proper. On the list: I would like to see both the Greek and revisit the Frost Ampitheatres (does anyone know if these are open to the public) because of the wonderful Grateful Dead shows at these venues. Then obviously 710 Ashbury. I have a friend who works for BGP (now Live Nation) who can get me into the Warfield ( I want to see Jerry's dressing room; it still has his name on the door). I am also going to hang out in La Honda for an afternoon at an old Prankster bar whose name escapes me now. Of course I will certainly make it up to Alembic to see the factory and hopefully get to play a Further. Bill, or anyone else have some ideas on what I should see? I have only been to California once, and it was for about 24 hours. Thanks, Colin | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2840 Registered: 7-2004 |
Colin: I assume you will be making the pilgrimage up Highway 101 to the mothership. About 3/4 of the way up, just as you are coming to Petaluma, you will pass a park on the left called "Olompali". When the Dead wanted to get out of Dodge, (the Haight), they rented an old Spanish house and land and had a heckuva party for several months. This has since become a state park. Here is part of the description from the official Olompali State Park Website: "During the 1960s, the University "sold" Olompali several times. The various owner rented the ranch to various people. Their most famous tenant, the rock band Grateful Dead, lived here in 1966. The ranch became a gathering place for San Francisco's rock musicians. Icons such as Janis Joplin and Grace Slick visited Olompali. Don McCoy, a local business man -turned- "hippie", leased Olompali in 1967 and turned it into a utopian or hippie commune for a group known as "The Chosen Family". Finally, the State of California, together with Marin County, purchased the property in 1977 to preserve it as a State Historic Park." Olompali is now a free park, right next to the freeway. It is beautiful and lightly visited. There is a plaque describing the "hippie" tenants, as I recall. Well worth the stop while on the way to or back from Alembic. You might also want to visit such sites as the old Carousel Ballroom, the old Avalon Ballroom, and, of course, where Winterland used to be. Also the Great American Music Hall (which is still open) where they played in '75 during their "hiatus". Of course there is the Fillmore. You might want to read (re-read?) some of the Dead history books, especially Dennis McNally's, Blair Jackson's, and, of course, Phil's, before coming out. Hope this helps. Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on January 10, 2008) | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 617 Registered: 11-2004 |
Colin, I don't know how long you'll be there, but I took my wife to the Bay Area just after we were married- her favorite part was the drive on the Junipero Serra Fwy (Route 280) out of SF on our way to Santa Cruz and Monterey. The Monterey Bay aquarium is a must see IMO if you're going to be in the area long enough to make the trek down. I'm totally clueless on GD history in the area- I'm not a deadhead, but I'm sure there is probably a rich history there in the Santa Cruz Mtn area. Either way, I'll defer to Bill and the other Deadheads here to guide you in that area, but if you get a chance, take the drive- it's amazing. Also- I'm sure that there is probably a fair bit of history in the East Bay (BeZerkely) area as well. Toby | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1327 Registered: 12-2002 |
Dont forget old the cliff house/Beach/golden gate park>>> http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS231US231&q=the+cliff+house+san+francisco | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 904 Registered: 12-2004 |
Non-GD, but from Alembic, head north on the 101, into the wine country. I usually try to hit Healdsburg, and some points North (just driving the back roads is very nice). | ||
| jerryme
Junior Username: jerryme Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2008 |
I wrote my college history thesis on the GD, so I am well versed in the history and books of the Grateful Dead. I did not know that the old ballrooms were still in existance, I would have thought most would have been torn down. Once I buy the plane ticket and reserve the car I will begin to formulate a plan and places to visit. I thoght Winterland was razed anbd turned into a bunch of condominiums? Bill did you get a chair from the old place? My uncle has one where he sar for several GD shows in his living room in NYC :rofl | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 1304 Registered: 11-2003 |
I can't imagine a trip to SF without stopping in at Johnny Foley's pub on O'Farrell. Tell 'em Sam says hello. Nothing to do with the Dead but you need to take a rest every now and then. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2847 Registered: 7-2004 |
Colin: Winterland has been razed. I'm not sure about the Carousel. The Avalon is still there. It reopened for music a few years ago, then closed again. I believe it is currently a pillow factory. The Fillmore is alive and kicking - I'll be seeing Phil & Friends there a couple of weeks from Friday. East Bay venues like Kaiser aka Oakland Auditorium, the Greek and Oakland Coliseum Arena (now "Oracle Arena") are still around. On the way to Santa Rosa, as you pass through San Rafael, you will see a furniture store on the right which, IIRC, is called "Litchfields". This is the sight of an infamous Dead show way back when. Susan can tell you all about it. Also the Marin Civic where I believe the "Touch of Gray" video was filmed and other recordings made is still there. As for Winterland, I didn't get a seat but, then again, I rarely used the seats. I would however love to get a piece of the floor as I melted into it on many occasions! Are you looking for Dead-related sites only, or are you interested in general tourist stuff too? Bill, tgo | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 251 Registered: 10-2006 |
Hey Colin, a thesis on the Dead? Cool! As an historian and a Deadhead, I'd love to read it, if you'd care to shoot me an attachment. Peter | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2850 Registered: 7-2004 |
Colin: If you can email it out, send me a copy too, please. Bill, tgo | ||
| jerryme
Junior Username: jerryme Post Number: 20 Registered: 1-2008 |
As far as my thesis goes, I am happy to show it to you guys, but I am currently rewriteing it in the hopes I can get it published. It has taken a backseat to my teaching and grad work, but maybe this will motivate me to get it going again. My mom is a college professor and advised me not to send out manuscripts until it is ready to be read widely. When I make the trip I could would be happy to let you read it in person. As far as the NorCal dead tourist stuff that I want to see: The Warfield (I love old theatres and I can get access), any old Ballroom, The Greek in Berkley (is it open to the public), 710 Ashbury, Alembic in Santa Rosa. I would also like to see Big Sur, the Monteray Aquarium. Olompali, the Jerry Garcia Ampitheatre, La Honda, would have to be on the list. Redwood Forrest too. |
