November vacation

In 1936 the Popular Front government led by Leon Blum granted paid holidays to French workers.

Today France mandates 30 paid vacation days* a year for all workers.
Coming July there is a mad rush of hell-bent urbanites speeding towards the Promised Land of summer vacation.

As a matter of fact, besides politics and retirement, that’s about the only thing that French people are constantly talking about.
In the summer while bronzing on the beach they talk about their upcoming winter vacation, and in winter while sunning on the terrace of a fashionable ski resort they fantasize about their next summer vacation.

The French, like most Europeans take their main vacation in the summer.
There are many reasons for that (mostly kids’ annual break) but summer is probably the worst time of the year to go on a vacation.
All the resorts are packed, service is erratic and prices are sky-high.

Vacation time should not be dictated by the calendar but by the prevalent weather.
If it rains in the summer, wait for Fall. If Fall is inclement, aim for winter.

Fall, especially late-September to mid-November (the fabled Indian summer) is definitely the best time to take a vacation in California.
The crowds are gone, the weather is mellow and hotels rooms are plentiful and cheaper than in the summertime.

Last Wednesday I happened to be in Sausalito (had not been there for a while) and I was totally taken aback by the astounding availability of parking spaces and restaurant tables.
Instead of seeing you as alien invaders, the locals now welcome you with open arms and will bend backwards to accommodate you.
We found a table easily at the usually packed Le Garage restaurant, and I noticed with pleasure dogs wandering unimpeded in and out of the establishment.
The food was extremely good (steak-frites: $25.00 & lobster salad: $17.00) and the service was excellent. No complaints.

So, if you still have unused vacation time left, now is the time to put it to good use. In the Bay Area!

Alain

*The United States is the only advanced economy that doesn’t guarantee paid vacation.