FALL FUN

Resort at Squaw Creek's Harvest Festival

When it comes to fall fun, the high-end Resort at Squaw Creek knows how to do it right. In this case, we're talking about its second Harvest Festival, going on through Oct. 14 at the Olympic Valley property near Lake Tahoe.

What's to do? For starters, enjoy fall-themed meals, snacks and desserts. Among the options, the four-star Six Peaks Grille is offering a special prix fixe menu featuring scallops with pumpkin ravioli, veal cheeks, asparagus, cinnamon port and pumpkin cheesecake ($30).

Also on the agenda: bluegrass music, wagon rides, pumpkin painting and pumpkin bowling, pie-eating contests, glow-ball golf and other games, a beer garden with live music and much more, including, of course, bratwurst.

For a complete list of activities, and to see special lodging deals: (530) 583-6300, www.squawcreek.com.

FINE DINING

Tahoe Restaurant Week

Can Northern California foodies get enough wining and dining in the Sierra?

Apparently not.

Following the spectacular Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival in September at Northstar Ski Resort (with 2,000 in attendance) comes the third annual Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week, today through next Sunday.

Three-course prix fixe meals for $20, $30 and $40 per person will emphasize organic, seasonal and local ingredients. Venues will range from historic resorts and landmark restaurants to shiny new bistros, from the casual to high-end.

"No passes, tickets or coupons are required," said program organizer Pettit Gilwee. "This is a great chance for visitors and locals to try new restaurants and visit old favorites. Given the numbers of diners at the last two Restaurant Weeks, we're strongly recommending reservations."

Among the high-rollers will be Edgewood, Manzanita at the Ritz Carlton, PlumpJack Cafe and Wolfdale's.

For details, including menus, go to www.tahoe restaurantweek.com.

S.F. JAUNT

Trip to the de Young

A trip to San Francisco is always a delight, especially if someone else is driving and your plans include a stop at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.

Here's just such a scenario:

Alliance Française de Sacramento is planning an Oct. 27 bus safari to the de Young, for passengers to view the "A Taste for Modernism" exhibit. The thing is, you need to make a reservation by Monday, at (916) 453-1723 or af@afdesacramento.org.

Alliance Française will provide a bus from midtown Sacramento to the museum (and back) and tickets to the exhibit. The trip will be 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., priced $45 to $65.

As for the modernism exhibit, which runs through Dec. 30: The paintings, drawings and sculptures were created between the late 1800s and the early 1970s. The exhibit includes works by Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec and Gauguin. Take a look at deyoung.famsf.org.

The museum is at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive; (415) 750-3600.

HALF MOON BAY

Carvin' the pumpkins

It's that time of year again, when Half Moon Bay – the Pumpkin Capital of the World – hosts its annual Art & Pumpkin Festival.

Gigantic pumpkins will be on display, but don't stop there. Check out the three stages of entertainment, a parade, haunted house, arts and crafts, food and drink, and pie-eating and costume contests. Watch as master pumpkin-carver Farmer Mike transforms a 1,200-pound pumpkin into a work of art.

The free event will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 13-14 on Main Street. More information: (650) 726-9652, www.miramarevents.com.

TO REACH CALIFORNIA TRAVELER

Janet Vitt, section editor

(916) 321-1056, jvitt@sacbee.com

• To submit events or news about travel and recreation activities, travel talks as well as organized day trips with costs up to $100, please send information at least three weeks in advance to Traveler, The Sacramento Bee, P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852, fax (916) 556-5625 or email: travel@sacbee.com. Priority will be given to events free to the public.

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