My partner and I found ourselves on the fortunate end of a wedding invitation to a fête in Northern California for my beloved coworker and friend’s wedding (here she is and again). This meant traveling from Chicago to San Francisco and then all around the area. POOR US. It was such a struggle. The weather there is terribly gorgeous, the wine is atrociously delicious, and the wedding was magical AF. They’re both writers, so the vows and ceremony were unfairly tear-jerking.
Here are a few highlights of the food, the wine, the wedding, the food, the city, the food, and the sights. And the food.
I like to stand awkwardly behind metal bars at weddings. It’s kinda my thing. But this was the wedding site, a gorgeous private home in Yorkville, CA, about two hours north of San Francisco. Or four hours if you happen to be driving there on a Friday afternoon when all the adventure seekers are getting out of dodge with you. WORTH IT.
We stayed in a wee little town called Cloverdale and drank nitro cold brew at Plank Coffee before getting our wedding-attending on.
The bride, Megan (in the middle), and our boss and friend, Ariel, in the splendor of what passes for a backyard in those lovely parts. (The pastel rainbow skirt is from Asos, btw.)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV1A4g4F0GF/
After the wedding, we took our blissed-out selves out and about in wine country, specifically Sonoma County, Napa County, and Napa Valley’s Yountville. We drank wines at The Nicholson Ranch in Sonoma, Madonna Estate in Napa, and Sutter Home Winery in Napa.
Most of these photos were taken on the luminous grounds at Nicholson (where we also bought a few bottles to ship back when we got home).
You get it, it was gorgeous. And about 65 degrees, which is my fave.
Wine-ing outfit: Chambray dress from Old Navy, belt from Target, shoes by Converse, Poe tote by Out of Print.
We also had a fab Italian meal at Hurley’s and I bought some of this sushi-shaped chocolate for my mum at Kollar Chocolates. Then I promptly forgot the small box of chocs WE were going to eat. Oh the huge manatee!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVyM1KIl0-R/
After that it was back to San Francisco proper for more food and funs. We headed to shop at Super7, eat at West of Pecos, and wine slushies and vidya games at Brewcade.
The next day we rocked a DELISH brunch at Bota Tapas (I know, good brekkie at a tapas join — praise hands emoji!). You’re seeing brioche french toast for him and oatmeal in some kind of fancy goblet dish for me. I think I ate 1/10th of it, there was so much!
We took a short jaunt to Fisherman’s Warf and hit up the shoreline, the Musée Mécanique, and some Korean tacos and seafood benedict at Surisan. Their open-air seating was amazing. Go there.
Mean mugging on Pier 39.
Before we headed off, we have one last dinner at Chaat Corner for some surprisingly tasty and portable naan wraps filled with tikka masala.
View from somewhere over the Midwest. Bon voyage, California. Until next time.
Catherine Clark is a Chicago native sharing noteworthy things she sees and attempts to make in the world. She's a geek, cat lady, designer and editor by day, and noob chef by night.
“fortunate end of a wedding invitation to a fête in Northern California”
It’s funny to read this and know you’re talking about the REDWOOD WEDDING!
Such a pretty dress – you look like you were in it.
And the food porn!!! Lovely.
But dear Bijoux, who goes out to eat and gets oatmeal??? LOL…
Yep, our dearest Megan’s wedding! I figure most people aren’t as in the know as you are, though. 😉 And thank you so much for the dress comment! It was very fun to wear.
I have to say, though, I have a weakness for restaurant oatmeal. It’s usually the cheapest thing and comes with fun add-ins. I love it! 😉