San FranCelia

Another great excursion for those of us in the City who are a bit tired of the cold winds and chilly air, is a day or weekend trip to Napa County.  Now I would advise you to stay among the vineyards and wilderness, as the actual city of Napa leaves a lot to be desired, but the outskirts are breathtaking.  Last weekend I camped – yes camped – up at ‘R’ Ranch in the lovely Napa hills.  The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, and while this particular site is a time-share type of environment, camping in the area or even doing an overnight stay at a Bed and Breakfast is well worth the money and

[caption id="attachment_268" align="alignright" width="300" caption="'R' Ranch's Pool"][/caption]

travel time.  During this time of the year, it’s about 85 degrees with a slight breeze and gorgeous landscapes of tan-colored rolling hills spotted with green oak trees that sit alongside sporadic sloping vines.  The nice thing about going to a ranch or a Bed and Breakfast, is that they generally have more amenities than traditional camping allows.  And if you are anything like me, amenities are the key to a good trip.  When you are comfortable you can enjoy yourself more, no matter what you’re doing.  ‘R’ Ranch has the largest pool in Napa County – or at least this is a fact that they boast about, so I’m hoping it’s true and they aren’t just hoping no one checks it out – so for us, it was all about lounging poolside and enjoying the beautiful views.  It’s amazing getting a tan!  I almost forget what it looks like on me.  This is the perfect way to relax and let the inner kid in you come out.  You can dive, play pool volleyball, and just soak the stress away.

After lounging and taking a few leisurely strolls in the heated shade (God, I love walking around in tank tops, especially at night) we headed out to the Viansa Winery as a parting nod to our Napa weekend.  What a gorgeous place to end the trip!  It’s a stone building that is surrounded by lawns and trees in the stunning entryway.  As you enter the back terrace, the surroundings transform into a massive downhill section that holds thousands of sloping vineyards with a view of the entire valley above it.  Incredible!  You can actually get some delicious food at Viansa, which is nice for people looking for a light lunch and not just tastings.  Most other wineries serve only hors d’oeuvres, so to be able to get a sandwich, salad,

[caption id="attachment_269" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Viansa Winery"][/caption]

and glass of wine is wonderful.  They has a happy hour of sorts, as well, where you can get a fresh, homemade pizza and glass of wine for just $15.  Very cool.  The tables on the back veranda all have a view of the valley, and with the warm summer winds (you are high atop a hill) it’s almost like being on a Tuscan vacation.  That’s one of the best things about the wine country; they have it ornamented and designed to look like an Italian getaway, so when you visit, it really does carry you away to a more calm, slow-paced, and sophisticated locale.  How lucky we are that it’s only 45 minutes away from the Golden Gate – we truly are blessed.

This type of easy trip is probably one of the best ways to spend a summer weekend in the Bay Area.  We are lucky enough to not only live in beauty, but to be surrounded by it to an extreme degree.  Taking advantage of this isn’t just a nice to do, it’s a must do.  People travel from all over the world to visit our backyard – it’s time we visit, too, every once in awhile, so as to fully appreciate and celebrate our good fortune – over a glass of wine, of course.

Peace and love Xo

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