San Francisco Bay Area | Point Reyes

When we decided on a day trip to Point Reyes National Seashore, we were hoping to see harbor seals, a chance sighting of a migrating whales and a visit to the lighthouse. We had no idea how stunningly beautiful the more than 30000 acres of rolling farmland and coastal cliffs would be! And much to my joy, the National Park featured more cows that I could capture in photos. I've got a thing for cows. Point Reyes is where I took the bulk of the pictures on our vacation. So many, it could never be captured in one post. So therefore, I present to you, the cows.

 

Hanging out at the Hotel

There is not much worse than being sick on vacation. But if you have to be stuck somewhere, this beautiful hotel we stayed at in Sonoma was perfect. We had a wonderful bathroom with a soaker tub and steam shower (both came in handy!) a fireplace, and a balcony to get all the fresh air we could stand. We spent a good deal of downtime lounging around the pool and out door firepits, marveling at the hills of Sonoma rolling in the background, and citrus trees, situated like boxwoods, growing right before our eyes. Lemons and organes, and grapefruits, oh my! You know you are from the Northeast when hotel staff comments on how many pictures you are taking of their lemon tree.

I am linking up to Small Style on Mama Loves Papa.

Behr is wearing:
Navy Zip sweater from Carters, gifted

Gap Swim Trunks, hand-me-downs

Salt-Water Sandals

San Francisco Bay Area | Napa & St. Helena

Vineyards are not very baby friendly.

They are especially unfriendly when you are already sleep deprived and under the weather. After the perfect storm of tears, runny noses, and a lost sneaker in Napa, we abandoned our hopes of touring the vineyards and headed North. Upon recommendation of our friend Kelsey, we drove to St. Helena, the town that saved our vacation. A few steps down the sidewalk and I was already swooning. The shops there are wonderfully currated. So much so, I joked that their buyers must have been expecting me.  Here are the items that would have made it home in my suitcase if there was room:

1. Animal Kisses Notecards // 2. Artiga Tote // 3. Morse Code Jewelry by Coatt // 

4. Paper + Cup Old School Ledger // 5. Haws Watering Can // 6. Stamps by Yellow Owl Workshop 

You see? 

St. Helena had me at hello. 

Highlights: Napa Valley Vintage Home, Acres Home and Garden, Muse, St. Helena Olive Oil Company (which deserves its own post...) and Gotts, which we didn't get to stop at, but hope to visit next time.

San Francisco Bay Area | East Bay Love

Do you see that face? That is the face of sick. Yup, Behr came down with a fever on the first night of our trip. By Saturday morning it was a full blown cold with a runny nose I am still chasing down. But it didn't stop us from East Bay Love! Mike and Kelsey took us to the infamous Norm's Place where I got in a debate about the Giants (and thought I was talking about a football team, whoops!) and Kelsey taught Behr to color with crayons.  We cherished our visit with friends Mike and Kelsey, cousins Christine and Brendon, and double bonus, cousin Dave was out visiting too! We toured around the local farmer's market and went to a rotisserie for dinner, all the while enjoyed company of friends and family who live too far away. On Sunday, they led us North into Sonoma to experience wine country for the first time. Our stops included Benziger and Imagery. The weather was beautiful and I fell in love with the orange flowers below. They grow like wild along the side of the road, and are planted neatly in beds in pristine gardens. I love them!  If you know what they are, please tell me.Highlights: Norm's Place, Danville Famers Market, Benziger, Imagery

 

 

 

 

San Francisco Bay Area | The Coast

Our Northern California vacation began on the coast, just south of San Francisco. We hunted for inns, bed and breakfasts, and even looked into a lighthouse hostel, because how cool would it be to stay in a light house? At the last minute we decided on a nice hotel, and man, oh man, was I happy for a bit of luxury after a 12 hour travel day! {Behr was pretty excited about the picture window in our hotel room.} We arrived in a terrible thunderstorm, typically unheard of, making us feel right at home. Friday morning we woke up and drove south, amazed by the beauty of the California coast. Highlights: Highway 1, Pigeon Point Light House, Pescadero, Duarte's