That is too funny, I just came back from a trip to Portland and Berkeley. I highly recommend eating at Chez Panisse in Berkeley. It's considered one of the best restaurants in the area, if not the country. You will definitely need a reservation, though, so call ahead of time!

if you have time, you should take a trip to the oregon coast. it's beautiful.

I wish I could! Unfortunately, I'll only be in Portland for the weekend-- get there tomorrow mid-day, leave on Sunday.

I live and teach in Portland--here are a few good spots: Powell's Books (you get dizzy, it is so big), Delta Cafe (good Southern cooking), Pittock Mansion (beautiful, with good views of the city and area). Downtown is full of opportunities and diversions. Every neighborhood has its own charms too! Have fun!

oooh, in sf, go to house of nanking - awesome chinese

1.) The Presidio. October weather is really nice in SF so the park will be a good destination

2.) Burma Superstar
http://www.yelp.com/biz/eYXwVR4mMAjzkJnm5wneHQ

My Tamalpais is so beautiful and Mill valley, a small community resting below the mountain is a good place to start. Talk about bucolic and beautiful. You'll need a car for that trip but it's worth it! xx V

the exploratorium for fun science exhibits and the surrounding park for greenery

half moon bay or another beach for a windy picnic

cross the GG bridge and check out some of the little seaside towns on the other side...

In SFO - Muir Woods National Monument - One of the most spiritual places on earth. You, my dear, will love it. And bring your camera...

http://www.nps.gov/muwo/

SF is just dandy, but if you want some sights, rent "Vertigo" by Alfred Hitchcock and go to some of these places that are in the movie:
1)Palace of Fine Arts. Built in 1914, it's famed dome and statuary are surrounded by a great park and the next-door science museum called the Exploratorium. True highlights of the Mission district.
2)Right next door in walking distance is Crissy Field Park. Great view of the bridge and bay ... dogs love to swim there ... also walk or ride down to Fort Point Park under the bridge. Jimmy Stewart fished out Kim Novak there.
3) Legion of Honor. Lots of Rodin sculpture there, including the Thinker.
Oh, and for Oakland, head to Lake Merritt ...
and next door in the People's Republic of Berkeley - drive up to Grizzly Peak for the view ... and head down to Picante on 6th Street for great Mexican food.

oakland is warm and lovely. there is a planetarium and hikes under eucalyptus trees and a lake with venetian-style boat rides. dopo on piedmont ave makes a great, minimalist pizza. berkeley has amazing independent bookstores, mod lang records, and vik's, an intensely funny indian food experience. san francisco has balsamic strawberry ice cream at the bi-rite creamery, which you can take to dolores park, one block away. yes, it's quite a bit about eating and hanging out.

If you make it to Berkeley, you MUST go to the Cheeseboard Pizza Collective and neighboring cheese/bread store.

http://cheeseboardcollective.coop/Pizza%20Collective/PizzaPage.html

If you'll be in Oakland, try Coach Sushi on the shores of Lake Merritt. Unlimited sake!
http://outside.in/places/coach-sushi-oakland

Although touristy, I love the sundaes at Ghirardelli Square. Get your to go and eat it outside. Walk over the hill to Union Square/Chinatown to make up for the calorie binge.

Zeitgeist is a fun outdoor beer garden. I ran into friends from college who I hadn't seen in over 5 years, so I guess it's a place to go.

Hi! I recently fell in total lost love with my natal citys architecture. I sit here for hours trying to find the art deco and dutch buildingsand im not very sucessful i have had injuries to my feet that prevent my sightseeing but im not trying to give up. Please direct me, I live in inwood and its beautiful out here! i have even found some that have cornerstones indication of the year they were erected but i want more! please help

Hi! I recently fell in total lost love with my natal citys architecture. I sit here for hours trying to find the art deco and dutch buildingsand im not very sucessful i have had injuries to my feet that prevent my sightseeing but im not trying to give up. Please direct me, I live in inwood and its beautiful out here! i have even found some that have cornerstones indication of the year they were erected but i want more! please help

Hi! I recently fell in total lost love with my natal citys architecture. I sit here for hours trying to find the art deco and dutch buildingsand im not very sucessful i have had injuries to my feet that prevent my sightseeing but im not trying to give up. Please direct me, I live in inwood and its beautiful out here! i have even found some that have cornerstones indication of the year they were erected but i want more! please help