California inn provides pleasant weekend by Joe Gosen,Outpost staff On the Web More About Evergreen The City of Pleasanton Map of Pleasanton Pleasanton calendar of events After enduring a damp, drizzly four-hour drive from Reno, my wife and I pulled up to the Evergreen Bed and Breakfast in Pleasanton, Calif. We needed to decompress and refresh ourselves before attending a photography gallery show for the evening. Hurrying from our car, jackets over our heads, we skipped across the wet stone walkway up to the house. A note taped on the front door welcomed us inside. Evergreen Bed and Breakfast is located in a secluded corner of the San Francisco Bay Area.  Photo by Joe Gosen Upon entering, a wave of heat from the hickory log burning in the fireplace enveloped us on this cool autumn day. This place was immediately cozy. Our host greeted us with a friendly smile, a glass of wine and some cheese and crackers. My wife opted for the homemade chocolate-chip cookies. We found Evergreen while searching on the Internet for a place to stay. The results produced plenty of hotel accommodations in Pleasanton. We could have stayed at the Marriot Courtyard, the Hilton or the Howard Johnson for a little less money. But we were looking for a private, one-night getaway to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. Our host led us upstairs to our room. We passed an open door where a bride and her maids fussed with last-minute details before being driven off in a limousine. Our 'angular' room, called the Retreat, was one of five rooms and the least expensive at $135 per night. Evergreen's Web page describes the other rooms as a 'spacious' and 'dramatic,' but our 'angular' room suited us just fine. We were immediately impressed by the tasteful hints of country decor, paneled headboard and soft mattress. And the champagne chilling in the small refrigerator was even more impressive. A journal on the nightstand chronicled entries left by prior visitors. Couples rekindling their relationships and business professionals looking for a spot to unwind after a stressful day collectively touted Evergreen as their new home away from home. Breakfast, served in the cozy dining area, delights the tummy with homemade treats. Photo by Joe Gosen But this is not home away from home for my wife and I. This was a little bit better. We couldn't think of a time at home when we awoke to the smell of breakfast cooking and the sight morning newspapers piled on the window bench. A fresh pot of coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh fruit, eggs any style and homemade granola filled me up just fine. My wife went for the assorted muffins, croissants and homemade breads. Unfortunately, we had to leave that morning. I would have preferred spending the morning reading the papers on the deck under a canopy of scrub oaks. Although Evergreen is located less than a mile from Highway 680, it is quietly nestled in the foothills of Pleasanton. We found this bed and breakfast to be private and relaxing, and we might make Evergreen our anniversary tradition.  TOP Outpost | Metro | Lifestyle | Travel | Dining | Outdoors Specials | Links | About us | Mail us Posted Oct. 22, 1998 Copyright 1998 Nevada Outpost