The end of summer does not necessarily have to equal the end of fun, or the end of adventures. Weekends can provide just enough time for a quick jaunt to recharge your batteries before launching into another week of…
When my friend and I were entertaining doing a day trip down to Santa Cruz, we had the following criteria that we wanted to include: a hike, a deliciously rewarding coffee, and some beach time. I don’t want to…
With 269 days of sun each year, Ojai California offers year-round seduction for warm weather seeking travelers. Just 90-minutes from Los Angeles, or about 6 hours from San Francisco, Ojai makes for a perfect weekend getaway. Hiking, biking, spas…
From Alice Waters’ Berkeley food revolution in the 1970s to Jessica Largey (of Los Gatos), James Beard’s Rising Star Chef of 2015, the Bay Area has long been a frontrunner all things epicurean. It’s also a haven for all…
Every year, the New York Times fuels our wanderlust with its annual list of places to visit. In addition to the far-flung and exotic, this year’s 52 Places to Visit in 2016 touts our very own East Bay for its culinary wonders,…
Big Sur is not something a lot of people do car-free. It takes an adventurer to respond to the challenge of taking a carless trip down the infamously winding two-lane road called the Pacific Coast Highway. But, if you…
There’s rarely a reason not to enjoy wine, but come September sipping feels ever more imperative. Not only does the mild weather lend itself both crisp summery whites and robust winter reds, but harvest season means the grapes (and festivals) abound….
Attention Julia Childs and Martha Stewart: Here’s your chance to learn how to create your own fancy dinner, and (shhh!) it’s easier than it seems. Quail Hollow Kitchens’ Easy and Elegant Foods Class, ($85) which takes place August 28 from…
Picture this: A pretty, tree-filled terrace against a backdrop of the Santa Cruz Mountains, twinkle lights aglow as the sun sets, the buzz of convivial conversation as wine and appetizers are passed, and then a sumptuous five-course meal featuring…