Different locations always bring out riders that you didn't even know about at first. You're right, while munching dinner & wine, most folks don't really notice the scenery, or lack of it. The drawback: Tacoma is a genuine HOLE. The local well to do don't vacation there, and I would think that a lot of the trendy & clean folks that have generated a lot of repeat business for the SOW at Renton won't be eager to cross the county line into Pierce county. If I lived in Tacoma & had a friend coming in, the first thing I would do would be head north for fun.