Leaving San Francisco always makes me so sad (and reminds me of this Walter Cronkite quote + pictures). I was in the Bay Area from Thursday through Sunday – first in Palo Alto, then Mountain View, Oakland, San Francisco, and finally Napa + Sonoma. A lot of wedding tasks were accomplished during this time – tasted our vegan cupcakes, (re)visited the venue, met our florist, and assessed various rehearsal dinner wineries (see list below). We ate delicious food (Oren’s Hummus in Palo Alto, Google cafes in Mountain View, Hopmonk in Sonoma, and DOSA and The Plant in San Francisco). We drank amazing wine + champagne at Artesa Winery (amazing 360 views on site), Gundlach Bundschu, Nicholson Ranch Winery, and Domaine Carneros. It was tough to board my flight yesterday – cannot wait until we go back for the menu tasting in a few months! See highlights below.
Where the adventure began – in Palo Alto
Posing in front of Alcatraz
At Boudin on the Fisherman’s Wharf – love these letters so much
The perfect sunset with the gorgeous Golden Gate Bridge
On the hunt for a rehearsal dinner winery spot – at Domaine Carneros
Georgia during the wine tour at Artesa Winery
At Hopmonk in Sonoma for lunch
Local brew and my favorite – St. Germain Cocktail
View from the top of Artesa Winery
The Wine Country – is there any place prettier? Already missing it
Comments
Gorgeous! I have never been, but know that we are going at least once this year. I will need all of your suggestions, obvi. Actually, even though I have never been it is on the shortlist for places I would want to live. xo
Chelsea – you would LOVE living there. It’s the happiest place on earth. Beautiful surroundings and lots of wine – what could possibly be better?? I’ll give you quite the list!!
Great photos, great trip!
Thank you so much! It’s such a beautiful place!!
You look so happy there! And very pretty 🙂
Great pictures, makes me want to go right now? Can you please get married earlier? The suspense is killing me!!!
Lots of love! XOXO
You are the SWEETEST! I love love love you 🙂 July does seem like it’s ages away, but I’m sure it’ll fly by! You and Chiki need to book it now so it’s not mega expensive!
How fun!! Domaine Carneros is so gorgeous, it feel like it should be in a fairy tale.
I agree – the view while walking up the stairs at the front is so breathtaking!
I have two nieces getting married this spring, one in March, one in April. The amount of planning that goes into a wedding is a full time job & joy. I have one daughter, she took after her mother and eloped!
Amid all of the wedding craziness, eloping sounds so rational!! How exciting about your nieces – lots of wedding joy for your family. My older sister is also getting married this year 🙂
Thank You for the beautiful pictures!! I grew up in the East Bay area and never get tired of admiring the beauty of the bay and the Golden Gate! I am now living in Monterey planning my daughter’s wedding which is going to take place in Idaho. They are not going to elope at this time! Ha, but I am trying to find a beautiful Turquoise or chocolate brown mother of the bride dress. You look very happy. Nice pictures from the vineyard!
Karen in Monterey
Hi Karen, Congratulations on your daughter’s engagement! I hope you two are enjoying this process 🙂 Have you looked at Mon Cheri for your dress? They have great mother-of-the-bride dresses, if you are willing to order one online. http://moncheribridals.com – go to the Wedding button at the top and click on Mother of the Bride/Groom – lots of gorgeous options! Thank you for reading xoxo
Napa is my new American obsession! I am dying to stay at The Cottages of Napa Valley – http://www.napacottages.com/ They give you s’mores welcome baskets! Have you heard of them? It is my dream to stay their once in my life…I best start saving now! My brother and his fiance have just booked their honeymoon and its 4 nights in San Fran, 2 nights in Napa then fly to Maui for 1 week, fly back to L.A. for 3 nights and then back home to rainy Northern Ireland! Your San Fran and Napa pics are so beautiful. xx
Hello!
Thanks for the link of Napa Valley! WOW…… I better start saving money, too 🙂 It’s absolutely nice there!
Greetings from Germany, Susi
Hi Susi and Liz,
You both definitely need to make it to Napa – especially in the spring or fall, because everything is in season and it’s lush and green. Liz – if your brother wants any suggestions on places to eat in SF, let me know! I’d be happy to help. Thank you both for reading xoxo ailee
Pingback: Shapshots of 2013 | Snapshots & My Thoughts