Ren Faire!!!

[danaeris]

Unseelie and I are going to go to a ren faire this Sunday, since they're only open for a few more weeks, and the weather reports were good for this weekend.

We're debating between two. Here is the info on them. If you have an opinion on which of them is better, or sample points, or would like to join us (but only if we go to *that* one), please feel free to sway our opinions! We will probably decide sometime tonight/tomorrow morning.

Heart of the Forest has been running only this year, but is a spin off of a 29 year old fair in Santa Barbara. It is in Novato at Stafford Lake Park in Marin County, supposedly a 30 minute drive from SF. Advance tickets are $17, $20 at the door. Parking is free.

Pleasure Faire has been running for 36 years. It is at Casa de Fruta in Santa Clara County, supposedly a 90 minute drive from SF. Advance tickets are $14.50, $18.50 at the door. Parking is free or $10 for "preferred parking." There is a "wine festival" going on this weekend.

Opinions? Information

Comments

[astrodan.livejournal.com]

kf6gpe went to the Casa de Fruta festival last week. If you want to get a first hand evaluation.

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate! :)

[kaidevis.livejournal.com]

Novato is my backyard. It's actually where I work, too.

>>> It is in Novato at Stafford Lake Park in Marin County, supposedly a 30 minute drive from SF. <<<

Emphasis on "supposedly." Stafford Lake is a bit outside of Novato, but not too far. Figure on 40-45 minutes once you get north of the Gate, if you're at or just over the speed limits. Stafford Lake itself is a gorgeous place, especially the hills out to the south (some nice redwood groves up there, if you don't mind the short walk), but I'm not sure where they've set up the faire site (likely on the north and west) or what it looks like. If anything, the weather out there is always pretty nice, and being just a stonesthrow from the coast doesn't get nearly as bloody hot as many sites I've been to.

As to the actual faires themselves, I've been to neither of those two. I'd ask if you minded company if you hit that one, but I'll be down south on Sunday. Regardless of which you go to, have fun!

[gaaneden.livejournal.com]

I went to the Pleasure Faire last weekend. It was pretty good. Though, crowded like you wouldn't believe.

[jephly.livejournal.com]

I also went to the Pleasure Faire last weekend (and saw gaaneden there). It was pretty good, but it was more crowded than in previous years - apparently due to the smaller space they had at Casa de Fruta.

It was better when I went several years ago, when it (the Pleasure Faire) was in Novato. I've never been to Heart of the Forest (or it's corresponding Santa Barbara Faire), but Novato is, in my opinion, a better location than Casa de Fruta.