Go Tahoe Three

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THE LATEST LOCAL TRAVEL DEALS AND GETAWAYS PLUS JOURNEYS AROUND THE GLOBE

GO DADDY GO

Five epic adventures for Father’s Day.

BY CHRISTINA MUELLER, MIMI TOWLE AND KASIA PAWLOWSKA

Opposite, clockwise from top left: Boise market; whitewater rafting on the Payette River; Tony’s Seafood at Tomales Bay; Due West at Olema Inn.

intensity of sunlight (similar to technology on luxury yachts and business jets). Another improvement: the seats are composite-leather and heated, reclinable without bothering the person behind you and can be turned 180 degrees to face your neighbors. Three additional new cars will join the fleet in 2020 to mark Rocky Mountaineer’s 30th anniversary. Details A two-day rail trip between Vancouver and Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper (or reverse) starts at $1,247 per person.

Brave the Rapids

Boise is a city on the rise. Downtown bustles with two thriving farmers’ markets, an abundance of farm-totable restaurants and wineries that bring new energy to the Pacific Northwest scene. It’s less than two hours by air from SFO, so a Father’s Day weekend here, complete with the whitewater rafting Idaho is known for, is totally doable. The Riverside Hotel on the Boise River greenbelt is steps from downtown. Day One Ride with a local driver from Idaho Town Car for the 45-minute trip to the Payette River, where Cascade Kayak and Raft provides equipment and a whitewater guide. The half-day “Splash” is ideal for first-timers and travelers wanting to catch some rays as they paddle. The full-day “Escape” includes lunch and a wild ride through 11 miles of class II and III rapids. For a chill drink before dinner, head to Meriwether Cider House: with 10 hard ciders on tap, including one that’s ginned up with hops, it is easy to stay awhile. A block away, Saint Lawrence Gridiron delivers on its promise to explore the roots of American cuisine. The grilled bison is grass-fed meat at its best, and the baked cod with trout roe sauce speaks to the region’s abundant freshwater fish and Basque heritage. Day Two Dig into Boise’s past with a walking tour of downtown or explore Basque history at the Basque Museum and Cultural Center. Keep the Basque vibe going with lunch at Bar Gernika. The restaurant’s famous beef tongue is only available Saturdays, but the lamb grinder is a worthy alternative. Bike back to the hotel to hear a band playing on the hotel’s poolside deck, head over to the nearby Boise Whitewater Park to improve your rapids skills, or try your hand at the hotel’s own petanque court. Next door, the Telaya Wine Company offers tours of the immaculate wine cellar and tastes of syrahs, cabernet sauvignons and viogniers sourced from Idaho and Washington vineyards. For dinner, the vegan eats at Juniper might be the best in town (try the lentil beet burger), or sample Idaho standards like blackened trout reimagined with saffron curry and pea shoots or local Snake River Farms beef medallions with farro risotto. It’s a worthy finish to a weekend exploring the Boise scene. Highlight Spotting wildlife along the Boise River; sipping excellent wine at Telaya Winery. Details Suites at the Riverside Hotel start at $170; $278 for a river view room. A half-day on the Payette with Cascade Kayak and Raft runs $45 for adults and $30 for ages 5 to 12. A full day runs $85 or $60 for youth 12 and under with lunch included. Rent gear to paddle the Boise Whitewater Park at Idaho River Sports. Bike rentals for touring the Boise Greenbelt are available at the Riverside Hotel.

Slurpy Sunday

Nothing says Dad more than “road trip.” With Father’s Day fortuitously calendared at the height of Marin’s summer, coastal Marin, also known as “the other side of the hill” to locals, beckons with new and refreshed restaurants. Drive north on 101 through Petaluma for a stop at Brewster’s Beer Garden. Go for the all-day smoked hog with Carolina “wet mop” sauce and wash it down with an Anne Marie’s Amber from Iron Springs. Head west through tiny Tomales and stop to admire the awesome coastal views before dropping down to Dillon Beach Resort. The brand-new Coastal Kitchen is open, but if the weather calls for a picnic, source your vittles, including canned cocktails, from the resortadjacent Dillon Beach General Store. Then head to the mile-long stretch of beach for some shoreside aaaahs. The time has come to hit Highway 1 south and meander along the eastern shore of Tomales Bay. First stop: Tony’s Seafood. Grab a seat by one of the wide windows to watch the fisherman before ordering what they pulled from the bay or ocean just hours earlier, such as halibut or oysters from Hog Island. (Be sure to ask about any off-menu specials.) At Olema, pull over at Due West, the recently refurbished restaurant adjacent to Olema House. The time of day surely calls for a round of fried oysters and a Marin Sunset cocktail to sip while perched on a high-backed stool at the room-length bar. Made with Tito’s vodka, limoncello and Luxardo, it’s a fitting way to cap off a ay of exploring West Marin’s scenery and cuisine. Highlight The stellar views over the Pacific Ocean and Tomales Bay, with as many oysters as you can eat. Details The drive from Mill Valley to Petaluma is about 30 miles. Let Dad sleep in before hitting the road; the first stop (Brewster’s) opens at 11 a.m. on Sundays. m