December 19, 2012

Yountville: Villagio Inn & Spa; hotel review

pool area at Villagio Inn & Spa in Yountville, California
Wine Country

Villagio Inn & Spa  

6481 Washington, (800) 351-1133, (707) 944-8877.  112 rooms.  All wood-burning fireplaces.  Afternoon tea; champagne breakfast; room service.  Pool, hot tub; full-service spa. 

A sister to nearby Vintage Inn, the serene Tuscan-style Villagio Inn & Spa is composed of 2-story building clusters.  It is well-located for walking to this town’s prime restaurants, and pathways lined with water features lead through lush gardens.  All guest rooms have private patios or balconies, oversize deep soaking tubs, and a complimentary welcome bottle of wine.  The lavish breakfast buffet includes champagne, delicious flaky pastries, and an omelette station.  Spa Villagio has separate male and female relaxation lounges, each with indoor and outdoor fireplaces, Swiss-style multi-spray showers, a steam room, a sauna, and an outdoor hydrotherapy soaking bath.  Five spa day suites provide privacy and a steam shower, wet bar, and flat-screen TV with Bose sound systems.



More things to do in Yountville.

More things to do in the Wine Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

December 17, 2012

Point Reyes Station: Coyuchi Outlet; things to do

1 North

Coyuchi Outlet  

11101 State Route One, suite 201, (415) 663-8077 x322.  Daily 10-5. 

merchandise at Coyuchi Outlet in Point Reyes Station, California
merchandise at Coyuchi Outlet in Point Reyes Station, California


Shop in the atmospheric second-floor Coyuchi Outlet for up to 70% off factory seconds and discontinued items along with the complete seasonal line.  Along with sheets and towels, you’ll find pajamas, bathrobes, and baby items. 


More things to do on Highway 1 and in the Point Reyes area.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.  

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

December 14, 2012

Yountville: Hurley’s Restaurant & Bar; restaurant review

6518 Washington St., (707) 944-2345.  L-D daily; $$-$$$.  Reservations advised. 

With a pleasant dining room dominated by a stone fireplace, Hurley’s Restaurant & Bar serves a seasonal menu and is known for its wild game dishes.  I recently enjoyed a tasty roasted-baby beet salad that was loaded with multi-colored beets and accented with arugula and spiced pecans.  My dinner entrĂ©e was a long-simmered braised wild boar (from Texas) with polenta and tiny, thin onion rings; other enticing options included crispy-skinned rosemary-and-maple roasted chicken with applewood-smoked bacon-potato puree, tamarind and chipotle-glazed buffalo short ribs, and roasted breast of pheasant and brussel sprout leaves.  For dessert, the ice cream sandwich is hard to beat, though the strawberry shortcake in summer and the warm gingerbread cake in winter just might do it.  At lunch, choose from a bargain $20 two-course prix fixe lunch, a burger, and more.  A gluten-free menu is available.  All this, and no corkage fee, too!  Wild Game Week is in November and the Dungeness Crab Festival occurs in December.



More things to do in Yountville.

More things to do in the Wine Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

December 12, 2012

Point Reyes Station: Black Mountain Artisans/Weavers; things to do

11245 Main St., (415) 663-9130.  Thur-M 11-5. 

interior of Black Mountain Artisans/Weavers in Point Reyes Station, California
interior of Black Mountain Artisans/Weavers in Point Reyes Station, California


At Black Mountain Artisans/Weavers you’ll find spectacular one-of-a-kind items handmade by local craftspeople—think knitted fingerless gloves and elaborate crocheted hats. 


More things to do on Highway 1 and in the Point Reyes area.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

December 10, 2012

San Anselmo: Yankee Girl (CLOSED); things to do

antique Christmas ornaments at Yankee Girl in San Anselmo, California
101 North

Yankee Girl  

CLOSED  328 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., (415) 460-0400.  M-Sat 10:30-5:30, Sun 12-5:30. 

Located on antiques row, the Yankee Girl shop presents a nicely edited collection of antiques.  Decorations and ornaments galore come out curing the Christmas season.




December 4, 2012

Monterey: Parker-Lusseau Pastries; restaurant review

1 South

Parker-Lusseau Pastries  

in Fremont Adobe

731 Munras Ave., (831) 643-0300.  W-Sat 7-4:30; $$.  No cards. 

This is the main location for Parker-Lusseau Pastries, where everything from French desserts to artisan chocolates to wedding cakes are prepared.  The almond croissant and hot chocolate are particularly delicious at breakfast, and soup, sandwiches, and quiche are options at lunch.

exterior of Parker-Lusseau Pastries in the Fremont Adobe in Monterey, California
exterior of Parker-Lusseau Pastries in the Fremont Adobe in Monterey, California


A branch of the popular bakery (depicted above; at 539 Hartnell St., downtown, (831) 641-9188.  M-F 7-5:30, Sat 7:30-4.) is situated within the carefully restored two-story Fremont Adobe, which some believe was once the headquarters of John C. Fremont.  Tiny tables are available inside as well as outside on a small porch and in an adjacent garden.


More Monterey adobes.

All-adobe tour of Monterey.

More things to do in Monterey.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.  

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Popular Posts

followers