Category Archives

11 Articles

A Birthday Weekend Featuring Mud Baths in Calistoga

A Birthday Weekend Featuring Mud Baths in Calistoga

It was a bittersweet birthday for me last month. It fell on a Wednesday and I decided to celebrate with friends the Saturday before and had a great night with familiar and friendly faces. Then I was hit with a two week long sinus infection, which got increasingly worse over the next few days. Sweatpants, tissues, and pillows were my best friends during this time. Roger actually surprised me with a weekend to Calistoga, California the weekend following my birthday, and of course I still went despite having to breathe through my mouth the majority of the time. The focal point of his birthday weekend plan was a couples mud bath, which is a big draw for the town given its proximity to volcanic activity. The spa getaway was actually just what my congested sinuses needed! Unfortunately the wine tastings we attended  did just the opposite, but it was really hard for me to resist a Napa wine tasting. Here’s a look at our weekend in northern Napa Valley and what to expect from mud baths in Calistoga.

Weekend Trip: My Ultimate Mendocino County Travel Guide

Weekend Trip: My Ultimate Mendocino County Travel Guide

Every Labor Day weekend, Roger and I choose somewhere new to visit for a whirlwind weekend trip and this year was no exception. We drove 3.5 hours north from our home in Berkeley, California for a two night stay in the quaint seaside town of Fort Bragg with a range of stops and sights along the way. Fort Bragg exceeded my expectations – its shops offer great local Etsy-esque pieces, their restaurants provide beautiful scenic views, and I loved how we found parking literally everywhere we went. Mendocino County as a whole was a gorgeous destination with its numerous state parks, wineries, and friendly small towns. We packed as much as possible into our three day visit! If you’re planning a trip to the area, here are my Mendocino County tavel guide and recommendations on what to do, see, and eat/drink.

Unlimited Beer and Cider Heaven at Bay Area Brew Fest

Unlimited Beer and Cider Heaven at Bay Area Brew Fest

This past weekend marked the 6th annual Bay Area Brew Fest, which featured 70 breweries, over 200 beers, local food vendors, and a bevy of freebies. Last year was my first time at the event and it appears they’ve made quite a few additions to the fest, including the freebie vendors, apparel booths, and an entire corner dedicated to ciders. I paced myself much better this year and had a really enjoyable time. If you’re curious about the event, I’m here to give you the basics and what to expect at Bay Area Brew Fest. If you’re a beer or cider fan, I highly recommend getting your ticket next year.

Weekend Trip: Things to do in Monterey Bay

Weekend Trip: Things to do in Monterey Bay

Whether you have an entire week available or just 48 hours, Monterey Bay is a wonderful destination for relaxation with delicious eats and views of the Pacific. This trip was very unconventional for me, as I booked our accommodations the day of via Hotwire. While the $260 price point seemed like a lot, this was definitely the lowest I could find in the area at the “80% recommended” rating. I also compared the pricing with hotels and Airbnb’s in Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, and Sonoma and this was the cheapest rate I found by a long shot. In under 48 hours, we split our time between Monterey, Santa Cruz, and stops in between. Here are my weekend itinerary and recommendations of things to do in Monterey Bay!