I'll start out with my most recent vacation, which was a jaunt to San Francisco. Lots and lots to do there, but one of my most memorable experiences was a side trip to wine country north of the city.
A few highlights: We started out in the Russian River Valley, where we stopped off in Guerneville for lunch and a FAB blues festival . . . I think it happens every year in mid-June. Then we took in the winery at DeLoach Vineyards. The folks there are so friendly, I thought I was back in Snyder!
After that, we headed to south to Healdsburg, which has one of the most beautiful town squares in the United States. Be sure to bring your wallet, because it's overflowing with shops and stores full of irresistible items that tend toward the pricey side. It's a great place to do some holiday shopping, because almost everything you'll see is one-of-a-kind. And be sure to stop in one of the local restaurants and have some barbecued oysters. Yes, you read it right -- barbecued. They're delicious!
From there, we headed down to Sonoma and tried to get in for dinner at the fabled Girl and Fig; but alas, there was an hour wait. Instead, we went across the street to the new El Dorado Kitchen and had a meal that was nothing short of amazing.
After that, it was time to turn in, so we headed to Napa and our room at the John Muir Inn. The rooms were very comfortable, and the innkeeper gracious. I'd definitely stay again; but if I had more money, there's a whole host of places I'd like to stay in Napa. We checked out one of these picks -- the Candlelight Inn -- and it was love at first sight!
The next morning, it was back to San Francisco. More on that next time. . . .
