Tag Archives: NoCal Series

December 1, 2011 · 1:25 pm

NoCal Series Part 5: PASO ROBLES

Paso Robles is about a 45 minute drive from San Simeon. While we were staying at the Cavalier we decided to head to the quant town for the day to enjoy what we love the most: Wine and cheese.

Paso Robles mountains over the fog below

Jada Winery & Vineyards
5620 Vineyard Drive
Paso Robles, CA 93446-9685
805-226-4200

This was our first stop. It was actually the only winery we could find open (maybe we started wine hopping before 11, jealous?) and it was a great find! Jada had the BEST red wine selection from our entire trip. We did a wine taste, bought a bottle, and purchased some of the most delicious cheese I’ve ever had. The only wish I have is that Jada would have had just a little bit better view. They have everything going for them and if the view would have been better, I would have tried to convince my parents to stay there all day!

Wine to go... Such lovely packaging! Especially the fresh rosemary.

Vivant Fine Cheese
840 11th St # 104
Paso Robles, CA 93446-5555
805-226-5530

As I just mentioned, we enjoyed some of the best cheese I’ve ever had while at Jada. The lovely woman working told us they get all their cheese from a shop in downtown Paso Robles. Of course, we had to go. We did a cheese tasting (I HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHEESE TASTINGS EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK) and bought a few cheeses to enjoy at the next winery.

GO HERE

Robert Hall Winery
3443 Mill Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
805-239-1616

This was our last winery visit in Paso Robles. Robert Hall Winery is the bees knees. And take a look! No wonder it’s known for as the place to go to have your dream wedding. I only wish it would have been a lot cooler outside (it was a crip 100 degrees) so we could have enjoyed it longer!

Next week, maybe if I get to it, will be the last of my NoCal Series! Stay tuned for SOLVANG.

LUV,
Britt

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November 1, 2011 · 11:23 am

NoCal Series Part 3: SONOMA

I know you all have been waiting in breathless anticipation for the 3rd installment of my NoCal series: SONOMA.

I have to say, Sonoma was my favorite part of the trip! By far the superior wineries and eateries. Check out our stops in the beautiful wine town below.

Della Santina’s
133 E Napa St
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 935-0576

Downtown Sonoma is an adorable little square that reminds me a lot of Solvang. Cute shops and yummy eats all over the place! My parents and I were wanting an Italian lunch spot before we headed to the wineries. It’s always best to fill your belly full of grub before wine, and I think we picked the best spot. Della Santinas has a beautiful outdoor seating area, some of the best bread I’ve ever encountered, and we each got a panini sandwich which was loaded with deliciousness.

Tiddle E. Winks
115 E Napa St
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 939-6933

Right down from Della Santina’s was the cutest little 50′s inspired 5 and dime shop! Full of old time candy, notebooks, pins, magnets, pop, everything you can imagine. It was hard for me to not buy everyting in the store…

My purchase

Gloria Ferrer Winery
23555 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, CA 95476-9285
(707) 996-7256

Known for their champaign, which we didn’t realize until AFTER we bought a bottle of wine and it was too late, Gloria Ferrer was equisite. I’m a sucker for caring more about the view at a winery then the actual wine. I mean, come on. I usually drink Two Buck Chuck. So the gorgeous and relaxing view is what really matters most to me.

This is what I call a perfect afternoon

Viansa Winery
25200 Arnold Dr
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 935-4700

Unfortunately, Gloria Ferrer had to close early due to a private event, but never fear. We weren’t done with wine tasting yet. A woman from Gloria Ferrer suggested we head down the street to Viansa Winery and it had just the same amazing view and tasty wine as well!

Stay tuned for next weeks NoCal Series Part 4: SAN SIMEON.  It’s a good one!

LUV,
Britt

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October 18, 2011 · 10:24 am

NoCal Series Part 2: BODEGA BAY/SAN FRANCISCO

Welcome to Part 2 of my NoCal series! The 2nd day of our family trip, we headed to Bodega Bay and San Francisco. I think you all know what San Francisco is, but Bodega Bay you ask? This is the infamous town that the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds was filmed and set in. We stopped by some of the locations from the film and got some food, of course.

Bodega Bay, they do have Birds there.

Spud Point Crab
1860 Westshore Road
Bodega Bay, California 94923
707-875-9472

Known for their Clam Chowder, we stopped at this local favorite for lunch. They also supposedly have scrumptions Crab Cakes (which are my favorite!) but they don’t serve them until after 1, so we missed out. Guess we will just have to go back another time!

Potter School House
17110 Bodega Ln
Bodega, CA 94922
(707) 876-3257

This schoolhouse may look familiar to you. Or maybe it doesn’t if you haven’t see The Birds. This is the school house from the movie. One of the few actual locations still at Bodega Bay.

Cliff House
1090 Point Lobos Ave
San Francisco, CA 94121
415-386-3330

After Bodega Bay, we headed to that city by the bay. HAHA, I’m so clever! Anyways, I’m talking about San Francisco. We didn’t have much time in the city, but we managed to get in to the Cliff House for one of the best dinners and views I have ever had.

Hey Judy! So glad you got to watch me eat!

A proposal right outside the Cliff House. I really hope Francesca said yes because this is AWESOME.

Sutro Baths
Point Lobos Ave & Merrie Way
San Francisco, CA 94121

Right next to the Cliff House is the semi ruins of the first indoor pool house/bath house in San Francisco. And I’m not talking sexy time bath house.  As you can see from the pictures.  You can also  read about the history of the Sutro Baths HERE.

Oh San Fran, such a short trip. I feel like I hardly knew ye. Be back soon, my love.

Stay tuned for the next NoCal Blog: SONOMA.

LUV,
Britt

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October 6, 2011 · 7:38 am

NoCal Series Part 1: NAPA

My lovely parents were in town last week for a visit, which usually means we get the eff out of LA and head all over this beautiful state! This trip we went up to Northern Cal and had a lot of wonderful adventures which I decided to share with you in a series of post entitled “The NoCal Series”. Orginal, right?

Our first day of the trip was spent in Napa Valley which is very close to San Francsico and known for their WINERIES. If you don’t know me, these are three of my favorite things: Wine, Cheese, and a spectacular view. When I was told Napa was the first on our list I was ecstatic.  It combines all three of those things!

Ok, that’s enough of me blabbering. Let’s start this series up!

NAPA

Sterling Vineyards
1111 Dunaweal Lane
Calistoga, California 94515
(707) 942-3300

This was our first winery stop in Napa. My parents had been here before, but without me. Boo. But they said they wanted to go back because the winery is located up on a hill that you can only get to on a gondola ride (the kind like at the zoo, not the ones at the Venetian).  Talk about a view! The wine tasting is very interesting because it’s not only a tasting but a self-guided tour of the winery. The tasting price is a little steep, $25 a person, but totally worth it because of the delicious wines, the spectacular view, and how you get to see them make it all!

Our ride to the vineyard

The view going up

This is how wine is made!

And this is where wine is stored!

Breathtaking view from the top of Sterling

Rutherford Hill
200 Rutherford Hill Road
Napa Valley, CA 94573
(707) 963-1871

After Sterling, we decided we needed to eat. And what do you eat with wine? Cheese and crackers, obviously. We bought some necessites from a local grocery store and then headed to Rutherford Hill where we heard we could bring in our own food to nom on while enjoying their delicious wines.

Rutherford Hill Winery

I would say that's a nice view while downing delicious wine, cheese, and crackers

Johnny Garlic’s
8988 Brooks Road South
Windsor, CA 95492-7810
(707) 836-8300

For dinner my mom really wanted to go to Guy Fieri’s restaurant since it was literally right down from our hotel. I got a burger and fries. DELICIOUS. And the fries had so much wonderful garlic on them, it’s making my mouth water right now just writing about it!

Photo Courtesy of Yelp

Napa was gorgeous and I really wish we would have had more then one day to explore the wineries, but it was on to the next adventure for us! Please stay tuned for part 2 of my NoCal Series: BODEGA BAY/SAN FRANCISCO!

LUV,
Britt

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