A California Escape
While Adam was off on his own separate bachelor party in Mexico City, Mexico (celebrating the upcoming nuptials of our friend Micah), Lea escaped to California to see BFF Allison, near San Francisco.
The arrival day just involved relaxing at home and catching up with life, over some nice wine and sushi.
The first full day was a girls escape to the forests and wine country! We had not set plans for any of the trip, other than the place that we were staying for the night. Taking things as the come, and stopping at whatever struck our fancy. Very atypical, for both of us! But it was absolutely PERFECT!
The first stop was The Barlow Market District in Sebastopol, and it is MUST if you are ever in the area. It is just a huge area of various shops and breweries and all the things. We spoiled ourselves with cheese from a creamery and baguette from a bakery to enjoy later, a wine tasting at Pax (where it was so good, Allison joined the wine club), and a DELICIOUS lunch at Fern Bar.
We then headed towards our final destination of Guerneville, with a few stops along the way. Our first stop at Iron Horse Vineyards was unimpressive (only sharing a single tasting glass), but our second stop at Purple Pachiderm and Claymore Cellars (owned by Primus bass player Les Claypool, who we saw while we were there!) than made up for it! We spent quite a bit of time there being spoiled by the brand reps, bought bottles to go, and Allison signed up for their club! It was my favorite winery of the trip!
We then went to get checked into our most adorable cabin at The Highlands Resort, and I could NOT recommend it more highly. I would definitely go back, and really want to, to share with Adam. It was just such a calm and restorative place, just a stones throw from town, but felt so removed from the world, and instantly calmed my mind and slowed my heart. We got settled and then shared some wine while enjoying the fresh air, sitting in the redwood fairy ring. Ahhhhhhhh….
Our evening was spent with dinner at boon eat and drink (it was the “best in town”, but ehhh for us overall), followed by awesome live music and tasty cider at Main Street Bistro and Piano Bar. For the most perfect end, we cozied up on the cabin couch, shared a bottle of wine, and enjoyed the cheese and bread purchased earlier in the day.
We woke up to a lazy, drizzling, cool morning in the woods….that was just some how absolutely perfect. We slow-rolled breakfast in the common area, followed by both of us curling up with a good book for a while. After checkout, we did the gradual random return to civilization, so we could meet up with Allison’s husband, Leo, for our evening plans. Our random stops included Korbel and La Crema Wineries and Vineyards, and both were INCREDIBLE! Highly recommend and encourage you to stop at both, if you ever get the chance! I do NOT like champagne…I thought I did not like champagne. It turns out that I do, just really dry champagne (which most is not), and especially red champagne (who knew this was a thing?!?!?)! Unfortunately, everything that we tasted and loved from Korbel, cannot be bought in a store. And all the stuff that we loved at Le Crema, the same. So…buy directly from the winery or join the wine club! Twist an arm…
Our evening involved an unbelievable delicious dinner at Besharam, quelling all of my Indian cuisine cravings, and then the Brett Kreisher show at the Chase Center. His opening acts were hilarious, he was beyond that. Such a great comedian and show!
This glorious long weekend came to all to quick of an end. There is just something about the friends in life that become that beyond family.
