Thursday, October 20, 2011
I have told Mr. Fix-It for some time that I'd been dying to take a trip to Napa. I not-so-subtly hinted that it would make a perfect 30th birthday venture. Guess I need to make different plans, because I was surprised with tickets to Napa and San Francisco for our wedding anniversary! Who knew a "paper" anniversary could be so fun!?
Mr. Fix-It was the ticket buyer, I was the trip planner. I lived in San Francisco for a while in college as part of a practicum and thesis study. I absolutely fell in love with the city. I've said many times that I probably would have moved there after college if I was ready to leave Chicago. Looking back, it might have been awesome to live there for the two years I took between college and grad school.
In reality, we had two full days for our trip. We arrived on a Thursday night with enough time for one winery and dinner. Friday was a full day of wineries. Saturday was San Francisco, and Sunday we were back on a plane to Chicago.
Friday morning we started at Kuleto Winery, owned by Restaurant Designer Pat Kuleto. It was absolutely the surprise gem of the trip.
The drive to Kuleto reminded me of the drive to my Uncle's property in Northern California. I was like a dog with my head out the window inhaling the amazing scent of Redwoods.
We lingered so long we missed our appointment at Cakebread Cellars. I wasn't too torn up though, they have great wine but I was completely blissed out from Kuleto.
We grabbed a quick taste of wine, wandered the property, and then hit the road.
Del Dotto was next. I was suuuuuuper excited to see Del Dotto again, after having visited in 2007. It wasn't the magical place I remembered, but still good. You get to taste their red wines straight from the barrel. Oh, and you're in caves.
The Del Dotto wines are fantastic, and perhaps I'm a bit jaded because we were on a tour with mostly respectable grey haired people, and this bimbo and her boyfriend from Laguna. She got so tipsy she fell into a table of cheeses at the end of our tour. She is absolutely the reason the expression "hot mess" exists.
Finally, Cade. We met up with one of my college best friends, Leah there! She does their PR.
It was super awesome and modern. Very LA meets Napa.
With happy wine-filled tummies we wrapped up and headed to San Francisco. On our drive to the city, we witnessed the most amazing sunset.
{this was taken out the window of a moving car! amazing!}
We got to San Francisco, freshened up, and grabbed some pizza. Leah has an amazing apartment in Russian Hill. And now I'm kicking myself for not taking photos. That could have been an entirely separate awesome blog post. Damn it!
The next day we hit the city.
After brunch, we were off to the Ferry Building.
We grabbed some treats near the Wharf.
Then we made it to the Marina and had tacos at t-lish.
After relaxing for a bit and then getting spiffied up for dinner we were off to Wayfare Tavern!
{regret only having my iPhone at this point}
Can we go back?
Labels:Napa,San Francisco,travel,vacation
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A very quick but busy trip! Looks like you guys really made the most of all of your time though!!! :) Come back again soon!
ReplyDeleteYes! Next time I'm making sure I have time to meet some BEES!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had an awesome trip. I live in SF and have yet to try the Wayfare Tavern. I pass it often, though :)
ReplyDeleteHappy (late) Anniversary! Your trip sounds amazing. I LOVE the Ferry Building, I'm actually going to SF with my sister & dad this weekend and my sis & I already have plans to go to the Ferry Building Saturday morning :)
ReplyDeleteYour weekend looks like a blast! You seriously have me checking into flights for a Napa trip. Maybe sometime in the future.
ReplyDeleteSimply gorgeous - I love Napa!
ReplyDeletesigh--totally gorgeous! what a great trip, and you took so many fabulous photos!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip!!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to visit Napa and San Fran - if I ever make it, I'm so using your post to help me plan! Beautiful pics. ~Sunhat
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome trip and great way to celebrate!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome trip, and what a great way to celebrate! And I had to laugh at the 'hot mess' who fell into a table of cheese - hilarious. Thanks for the early morning chuckles. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour dress in the last two pics is gorgeous - you look stunning!
Oh my goodness, what a fabulous anniversary trip! I am totally in awe of the awesome photos you took at the wineries (and jealous of the wine and cheese, duh)! Such a fun weekend!
ReplyDelete