Aug 7, 2008 12:19 am US/Pacific
ConsumerWatch 'Bay-cation:' San Ramon
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ―
Gas prices are easing up, but a gallon of regular still costs a dollar more than it did last year. CBS 5 ConsumerWatch wraps up its series on places to vacation in the Bay Area with less than a tank of gas, by going to San Ramon.
Before the suburban families in their SUV's arrived, San Ramon's residents were farmers and sheep.
Forest Home Farm hosts regular sheep herding demonstrations and tours of the farm's historical buildings.
"In 1849 during the time of the Gold Rush the gold miners needed food and the herders started driving their flocks from New Mexico to California and the San Ramon Valley," said Pat Macsata, a sheep herding expert and docent at Forest Home Farm.
On a Tuesday or Thursday, the barn is busy with volunteers. They restore old tractors that once ploughed the local fields and now rest in a one-of-a-kind tractor museum.
"Our goal is to try to preserve the agricultural heritage of this valley and that's why we do this. I grew up in this business with my dad as a boy down in the Central Valley," said Volunteer Dale Barker. "And this brings back so many memories. We have 34 tractors in our museum."
The farm is technically a city park, so anyone can take a guided tour for just $3 or enjoy a picnic on the grounds for free.
About a mile away, Baycationers can cool off from the hot San Ramon summer sun at The Olympic Pool and Aquatic Park. It's like a theme park at public pool prices.
"It's only $4 a child - it's cheap," said resident Elizabeth Larson. "They have an ice cream stand. There are lots of lifeguards so it's safe."
San Ramon, with its wide streets and rolling hills, feels like a slice of Americana. But here you can get a slice of a popular Hungarian cake - made at a Paris-style bakery called City of D'Lights where Lynne Kawakami and Attila Gogos impress the locals with the Hungarian Rigo Jancsi.
"It's a traditional Hungarian cake with a twist. It has chocolate Devil's food, a lighter mousse and white chocolate on top," Kawakami said.
City of D'lights is also light on the pocketbook. Sweets cost about 10-20 percent less than big city prices. So take one for the road. And as you head home from your BayCation in San Ramon fill up with the cheapest gas at ARCO on Alcosta and Montevideo.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click Here For July 4th Fireworks Guide
Click to enlarge
Chestnut Wins N.Y. Hot Dog Eating Match 
Stumble It!
Reporting
