This local’s perspective was written by Brent Johnson. He has lived in the Berkeley area for years, as a college student and as a young working professional. I met Brent while working at Nolo and I have often thought of him as the ultimate local guide to Berkeley. He knows all the restaurants, bars and cool things to do. This guy gets around–in a good way. Despite his answer to number 10, he also loves the politics of this vibrant, liberal enclave.

1.Give 5 adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Berkeley and its residents. Sophisticated, aware, remote, artsy, liberal

2.What is your favorite neighborhood of Berkeley?
North Berkeley, especially the Gourmet Ghetto, where great restaurants are jammed into an area of four or five blocks.

3.Which cuisine do you think Berkeley does best? What is the runner-up?
Indian cuisine, definitely — Ajanta for the fine dining, Breads of India for a relaxing meal, and Vik’s Chaat Corner for cheap, tasty Indian snacks. Second place goes to Thai, just because there’s so many Thai restaurants around.

4. What is the best free thing to do?
The thing you can’t do in San Francisco itself — check it out from a distance. Go up into the hills and watch the sun set behind The City and the Golden Gate Bridge — the world curves and the bay is breathtaking.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?
Here? Eating! Berkeley has so many restaurants, much more than it should for a town its size. Some are world class while others are dirty holes in the wall — but there’s always something interesting to taste…

6. List the best family friendly activity.
Summer street festivals, farmer’s markets (especially the foodstalls), hiking in Tilden Park.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?
To San Francisco or the North Bay:)

8. Describe a perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about. In 3 sentences or less.
The perfect day begins with coffee — particularly Peet’s at Vine and Walnut, home of the original cafe. Wander over to The Cheeseboard Collective a block over and grab some tasty cheese, fresh baked bread, perhaps a slice of pizza. Then go watch the freaky people wander up and down Shattuck Avenue. Berkeley is one of the most beautiful places on Earth to people watch!

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go, whether it is in the guidebooks or not.
I love, love, LOVE Comic Relief, one of the best places in the world to check out an underappreciated medium. They work hard to stock the best of popular culture, and even if you don’t care for comics, you’ll find yourself smiling at something you find.

10. What should we have asked, but didn’t?
Berkeley’s politics are so liberal they border on fascism.

We have invited friends and bloggers from across the country to share their expertise…give us the “inside scoop” on different travel destinations. We hope you enjoy this insider’s look at Washington D.C. It was written by Priscilla Macy in between flights between Vietnam and Africa. She is a global traveler, (50 countries and more) political activist and one of my closest friends. She introduced me to the idea of local travel on a trip to Mexico years ago and I have sought that local flavor ever since. She lives in Washington D.C. and is the ideal source for insider tips about this political city.

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Washington, D.C and its residents?
Conservative, self-important, power, educated, political

2. What is your favorite neighborhood in your area?
My favorite neighborhood is Clarendon (Arlington). It has good food, good bars, great ethnic restaurants and it is a great place to live.

3. Which cuisine do you think D.C. does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant)
Middle Eastern and Central Asia cuisine(e.g. Afghani)- these are quite common here but hard to find in other cities.

4. What is the best free thing to do?
Visit just a few of the 19 museums that are part of the Smithsonian Institute, and of course the National monuments.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?
This is probably one of the most political cities in the world. I highly recommend attending a few presentations, debates and author talks on political and international issues to get a sense of the city’s unescapable, political culture.

6. List the best family friendly activity?
The best things to do with kids are the Smithsonian Institute, the national monuments and the National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?
Hmmm… not quite the city for romance.

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about? In three sentences or less.
Hike at Great Falls; picnic on or near the National Mall; visit a couple of museums; go out for dinner and attend one of the many lectures and debates around town.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go even if it is in all the guidebooks.
Taking a hikes along the Potomac- for example the Great Falls Loop or Turkey Run Park–a beautiful refuge from suburbia.

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?
Avoid the over-rated or too touristy areas.

Want to share, brag or tell all about your town? If so, send an email or comment and you can be the next local expert.

Here is a good resource for Washington DC tours.

White house garden photo by Patrick Tierney
Turkey Run Park photo from the Turkey Run Park web site.

There is no denying that Austin is a wonderful vacation destination. It is a beautiful city with abundant green spaces, a happening nightlife, interesting people, and a funky vibe. However, it doesn’t stop there. Austin also happens to be situated on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, which makes it a great base for exploring the cute towns and lovely scenery in this area.

If you are staying in Austin (I would recommend Hotel San Jose or the Driskill) and feel like taking a drive, one close and particularly charming town to visit is Wimberley. Grab your map, roll down the windows and head west out of town. It will take you about 45 minutes to get to Wimberley, driving on scenic and winding roads. Stop as frequently as you like, taking pictures of the beautiful Texas wildflowers on the side of the road or stopping at a farm stand to buy some fresh peaches.

Once in Wimberley, find a place to park and spend the afternoon strolling it’s picturesque downtown. There are many cute shops selling antiques, clothing, and gifts. Also, be sure to visit Wimberley Glass Works, where you can buy or view beautifully blown glass and even get a working demonstration!

If it is a warm day and you would like to go for a swim, check out the Blue Hole, a beautiful swimming hole tucked among cypress trees, right outside of town and named in the top ten swimming holes of Texas. It has cold clear water and the requisite rope swing. It is a great place to set up a blanket in the sun and just revel in a lovely spring day.

When you are ready to head back into Austin, take a look at your map and drive back through Driftwood on the way. Here, on FM 1826, you will find central Texas’s best BBQ at the Salt Lick (a bold statement, I know, but very true!). The Salt Lick is located in the rolling countryside on several acres of land. There is almost always a wait, but, you can while away the time at a picnic table under a large oak tree and drink your own beer, which you are allowed to bring into the restaurant as well. After a beer or two, your name is sure to be called. The large benched tables inside are situated under whirring ceiling fans and there are pretty views from all of the screened windows. My suggestion is to order “family style”. With a fixed fee, heaping plates of ribs, smoked chicken, brisket, potato salad, coleslaw, and bread are brought out until you can eat no more. All of this is served with the Salt Lick’s secret recipe BBQ sauce which will have you trying to lick your plate! If you have room (I dare you) get some fresh baked pecan pie or blueberry cobbler for dessert. You will be stuffed and happy for the short drive back to Austin.

This trip to Wimberley, through the Texas Hill Country is one of my favorite ways to spend a spring day. What is yours?