California Week: Up the Coast

From Cayucos we took Highway 1 north, planning our next stop to check out the elephant seals. If we'd had time, we would definitely have stopped at Hearst Castle, but we had to make it to Half Moon Bay (an ambitious drive to say the least--it's just 30 miles south of SF) by dark. The elephant seals are easy to spot--there is signage telling you where they are. Sometimes they aren't around, but they were this time. They are amazing to watch, even if just for 5 minutes.

Next stop was the Big Sur Bakery. We didn't make it in time for lunch, but the cappuccino was fantastic.They also sell local jams and marmalades from Happy Girl, which are so good, and worth bringing home.

My favorite beach ever is the China Cove Beach (below) which is within Point Lobos State Preserve. I grew up going there, and its emerald water and white sand are breathtaking. Bonus, there's hardly ever anyone there. No, it isn't the kind of beach you swim at--it's freezing--but it's great to bring a picnic to. It's about a 10 minute drive to its parking lot off of Highway 1, and then a 10 minute walk to the beach.

Mar Vista, CA

I've written about Mar Vista before in a roundup of spring break ideas, but I found some pictures that I didn't post before, and I love this place so much, that I have to post about it again. It's a couple of hours north of SF, is on the Pacific Ocean, and is a grouping of cottages with an organic garden that you can pick from. Perfect.

I Love: Hotels With Organic Gardens, Part 3

I wrote about Mar Vista last March, as a spring break idea, and am reminding you of it now, since I'm in this 'hotel with organic garden' mode. We went to Mar Vista a couple of years ago, and it was such a great trip.  We had our own little cottage, with a fully equipped kitchen, and a porch, and plenty of space around it so we never felt like our neighbors would be inconvenienced if Clara was having a meltdown (or if we were). All of the cottages are all situated around a large grassy meadow and garden, with tons of room for kids to run, a rope swing, animals to look at, and a fantastic soaking tub. Then there are the chickens to gather eggs from, and the organic edible garden to harvest whatever is in season. (It's also where Clara pulled her first food out of the ground.) Across the road is the Pacific Ocean, so you have views of it from the property, and in five minutes walk, you are on the beach. Yes, it's a schlep from San Francisco (close to three hours), but it's so worth it, as long as you build in plenty of time to get there, and some stops along the way in Point Reyes to pick up some provisions for your kitchen at Mar Vista at Tomales Bay Foods and Toby's Feed Barn. After all, this is the kind of place you won't want to leave--you'll probably eat breakfast and dinner at the property, and go out for lunch and a little adventure. 

Postcard from Napa Valley

Matt is in Northern California for a couple of weeks on assignment, and making us very jealous with all of his food finds--one of my favorites being the taco place in Agua Caliente that uses Diana Kennedy recipes, all organic products, and is incredibly delicious. Then there was the night he drove to Bouchon to have oysters and on the way home ended up at a farmer's market that had the most gorgeous pluots but also perfect corn dogs (organic, natch). More pictures on his blog .

Our Idea of Heaven: Tartine Bakery SF

Doesn't that look like it might be the world's best almond croissant? Well, it is. But I think anything at Tartine is probably the best in the world. This is a necessary stop whenever we go to San Francisco.

p.s. if you're a regular reader, you will know i am in london, and you're probably wondering "why is she writing about sf?" ...well, it turns out i forgot my cable to transfer my pictures from my camera to the laptop, and oh, i forgot my laptop too (clearly i didn't follow my own travel organization instructions). and now, we may end up being delayed in coming home because of the ash cloud that is hovering over parts of england. long explanation for why i am putting up a post i had scheduled for later next week...

For the Rental Files: Stinson Beach, CA

(6 Alameda Patio) 

I love this part of the California coast. It's so close to San Francisco, so it's easy to get to, and the food is just so good in that area. I haven't stayed in Stinson yet, but I want to rent one of these houses for a week sometime soon.  

I think this house looks promising.  It sleeps four, and it's two blocks from the beach, in the village of Stinson. It's $2200 for the week.

This house is one that we just wish would go on the market, because it's exactly what we'd want to buy and fix up, just a little bit...not too much. It's $1600 a week and it's right on the beach, although the decor isn't exactly inspiring (sorry--the pics on their site are so small).

This one is really just for a couple, but it's worth saving in the files for that much needed parents getaway. I think the styling on this one is pretty great for a rental. It's $1500 for the week.