When I move to a new area, it takes me awhile to find favorite places and spaces around. So when my family visited me in my new Bay Area home last week, I had a mix of new places for us to try that I'd only heard of, with a couple of new things I'd already experienced and loved thrown in there. One of the restaurants I had lined up for us to dine at one night was Tigelleria Organic Restaurant, a small Italian eatery in the Campbell area. I first ate there with my friend Tiffany a few months ago. We both enjoyed our dinner experience there, so I went back with my family last Friday night. (source) The restaurant has 15 tables, so reservations are necessary (especially with a group of 6 as we had). I think I tend to gravitate towards smaller, more intimate places like this - especially ... [Read More]
California travel index
Touring Clos LaChance Winery in San Martin
Hi friends! Long time no talk. Happy 4th of July weekend! My parents, younger brother, and sister flew into San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon from New Jersey, and we've been having a lot of fun together ever since. We spent the afternoon that they arrived walking around Fisherman's Wharf, checking out shops, having a bite to eat, and sipping Irish coffees from the famous Buena Vista. Since my hubby and I just moved to the Bay Area a couple of months ago, this is the first time that my family has visited us here. It's been fun showing them around our new area and having them at our new home. Though my brother and sister have met Harley before when visiting, this is the first time that my parents have met her. Harley is such a character and big part of my little family, so it's ... [Read More]
Memorial Day Weekend Napa Valley Wine Tasting {Crane Family Vineyards, Stag’s Leap, St. Clement Vineyards & Rutherford Hills Winery}
Today I'm recapping my glorious Memorial Day Sunday -- which we spent wine tasting all day in Napa Valley. My hubby and I started off the day at Crane Family Vineyards, a small winery we recently discovered at Trader Joe's and simply had to visit first and foremost because our last name is Crane. To taste there, you have to call and schedule an appointment beforehand, so I made it our first stop so that we'd be sure to make it on time. The winery is in an unassuming residential area, and as soon as we pulled up and saw the gorgeous view and quaint winery, I knew that I'd like it. When we arrived, the owner Tom greeted us and we quickly found out that he and his parents lived in New Jersey before moving to California. Jersey people unite! Our experience at Crane Family Vineyards ... [Read More]
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley
The first day of our Memorial Day weekend getaway, my hubby and I planned to spend the afternoon exploring the Muir Woods National Park, then head towards our hotel in Napa. In the morning, we dropped Harley off at the kennel - which was slightly traumatic because it's the first time we've taken her to a new kennel since moving. Our last kennel was pretty fancy schmancy and was called a ''pet resort" rather than a kennel. In contrast, this kennel is more like a ranch style kind of place where the dogs are allowed to run around together more freely. We were a little worried that Harley would display her typical only child syndrome and snap at another dog for taking a ball or something... but my excitement for our weekend plans overpowered my worry about my pup, and we quickly dropped ... [Read More]
Blogger Dinner at Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill La Jolla
Happy first day of spring! As a vegetarian and healthy eater, I'm usually able to find a thing or two on the menu at a restaurant that seems to be both somewhat nutritious AND delicious. Fortunately, more & more I'm finding places that seem to be dedicated to including lots of menu items for health conscious diners. One restaurant in my area that's doing this is Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill. The restaurant has numerous locations throughout California and Nevada. I was recently invited me to come try out some of their new healthy dishes at their location in La Jolla. With website taglines including: Eat Well. Feel Good.; We Like it Fresh; and Serving Healthy Global Cuisine, I knew it was a place I could get behind. Last night, Adam and I headed to Sammy's for a health ... [Read More]
Camping in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Julian
This long weekend has been so much fun thus far, and it's only Saturday evening! Let's rewind: I knew I wanted to get some exercise in on Thursday before all of the holiday excitement, so Adam and I took Harley for a hike in the morning. I also did some strength training and yoga, then got ready for ''Friendsgiving" at our friends Tiffany and Jeff's house. I brought these goodies to the party with me... (recipe here) Usually on Thanksgiving Adam and I do our own thing since we live so far away from our families. It was really nice to go to our friends' house for a big celebration. Once we got there, I was in a total relaxed holiday mode. I pretty much forgot to snap any pictures, except for the shots I got of the adorable table setup. Tiffany did a great job of putting ... [Read More]