Number 6's Blog

August 03, 2021

#travel #california

We planned a short vacation to Napa Valley and Monterey this July (11-16) in order to escape the Texas heat. Things did not work out as planned. Texas was experiencing a cooler than normal July because the high pressure system that normally dominates our weather in the summer moved west and was hovering over, you guessed it, Northern California.

Napa was hot reaching or coming close to 90 every day. On top of that the most severe drought in many a year had blanketed most of the western U.S. Not only were conditions for forest fires extremely high but most of California was under severe water restrictions. Although on the surface Napa is the premier wine producing valley in the USA under the surface they are hurting. Most of the 2020 vintage was dumped down the drain because the 2020 wildfires in he area induced a Smokey taste in the wine produced that year from local grapes. This year the drought is affecting the grapes.

We did have a great time and hope the valley recovers quickly. Such a treasure; It would be a tragedy if it were destroyed.

Monterey, unlike Napa, was seemingly unaffected by either the drought or the heat wave. The highest the thermometer reached while we were there was 61.

Food

I did not list all the establishments we visited, only the ones I recommend:

• The Fish Market – Several locations in the Bay area
• Calistoga Inn and Brewery – great brews and eclectic menu
• Calistoga Roastery – Coffee shop in aging storefront on Main Street Calistoga
• Sarafornia Cafe – Calistoga – Good place for breakfast although Gwen will not return because of food restrictions
• Sams Social Club – Calistoga – In a newer resort in Calistoga. Great breakfast and lunch.
• The Market – St. Helena – Best meal we had in Napa – Dined on sidewalk a foot from the owner’s Yukon
• The Bench at Pebble Beach – Lunch on the patio overlooking the 18th green at Pebble Beach
• Enzo Ristorante Italiano – Carmel – super small but outstanding Italian fare and

Activities

Some activities we enjoyed:

Napa

• Petrified Forest
• Wine tasing
• Redwood Trail
• Walking around Calistoga

Monterey

• 17 mile drive around Pebble Beach
• Walking along the Monterey waterfront and watching seals
• Drive down highway 1 to Big Sur

Hotels

• Napa – Bergson in Calistoga – thumbs up
• Monterey – Marriott in Monterey – thumbs up

Duration

• 5 nights – Sunday, July 11 to Friday, July 16 2021
• Sunday – fly to SFO; drive to Napa
• Monday – at Napa
• Tuesday – at Napa
• Wednesday – Drive to Monterey
• Thursday – Monterey
• Friday – drive to SFO ; flight home

Flights

• 07/11 – DFW to SFO Flight 2798 8:35AM to 10:19AM
• 07/16 – SFO to DFW Flight 2802 3:22PM to 9:08PM

TL;DR

Jul 11, 2021 at 11:30 AM: On flight Rower One San Francisco. We left DFW about an hour late at 9:30AM. Storms rolled through DFW last night which caused havoc with flight schedules.

Jul 11, 2021 at 4:09 PM: We’ve arrived at The Bergson in Calistoga, our home for the next three nights. After picking up the rental we ate lunch at The Fish Market in San Mateo. Then we drove up here. I’m ready to rest for a bit.

Later in the evening we strolled around town and had dinner at the Callisotga Inn and Brewery. Food was excellent. We sat in the bar so we could watch the NBA finals. Bad choice, the game was not close.

Jul 12, 2021 at 10:39 AM: Breakfast this morning was coffee and bagels at the Calistoga Roastery. I would be a regular if I lived here.

Visited the Petrified Forest this morning. It’s just a short drive from Calistoga. It’s private and therefore they charge an admission – $11.00 for seniors. The walk through the forest is around a mile and a very easy walk. We enjoyed our visit there.

Jul 12, 2021 at 7:57 PM:

Lunch: Palisades in Calistoga was not what I expected although it was good. After walking in you order from a counter sort of like Rosa’s. Forgetting what I expected. If you are in your early 20s and on a fairly limited budget it’s an excellent choice for a good wholesome meal for a reasonable price. If I were not married to Gwen Palisades would be my expensive, splurge mask on the trip.

In the afternoon we drove down the Silverado Trail to Yountville and explored the towns back to Calistoga by automobile.

Dinner was Brasswood Bar + Kitchen. The meal was delicious but the service was poor. They sat us in an area served by the bartender. About the time we sat down a large group or groups ordered a number of complicated to make drinks. 20 minutes later I was asking the hostess to move us when he finished and took our order. The rest of the evening including the food was excellent.

Jul 13, 2021 at 5:41 PM: Breakfast this morning at Sarafornia Cafe. Mine was good but something did not agree with Gwen’s stomach.

Then we hiked the Redwood Trail in the local state park. Much longer walk than yesterday. Most of that area had a forest fire a year ago. Most of the redwoods had black trunks quite high but were still okay. They have extra thick bark that protects them from forest fires. However many of the younger trees had died. The ground cover had started to grow back but the drought has killed most of the ground cover off and the area is ripe for another forest fire.

Lunched at Sam’s Social Club in the Indian Springs Resort on the east end of town. Gwen liked the tea so much she wants to go back for breakfast.

Took a scenic drive this afternoon and bought a book at the local bookstore, Copperfield Books.

We dined at The Market in St. Helena. It’s a farm to table restaurant whatever that means. In any case it was very good. The best we’ve had here in Napa.

Jul 14, 2021 at 3:46 PM: Breakfast this morning was back at Sam’s because Gwen loved their iced tea.

After that we checked out of the hotel and drove to the Monterey Marriott with a side trip back at The Fish Market in San Mateo for lunch. It’s 59 in Monterey at 4PM.

Checked in the Monterey Marriott. Much color here – 55 degrees. Dinner at Domenico’s on the wharf. Good but I’d try somewhere else next time. Seafood in Monterey should be brilliant.

Jul 15, 2021 at 9:37 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Very good. Of course they have a buffet but we ordered off the menu.

57 this morning. Heat wave for Monterey.

Drove the 17 Mile Drive on a partly foggy day. Still a wonderful experience.

Then lunch at The Bench at the Lodge at Pebble Beach overlooking the 18th green.

After lunch we wandered aimlessly around Carmel for awhile before driving to Big Sur on Highway 1.

Before dinner we walked along the Monterey Waterfront. We dined at Enzo Ristorante Italiano. Superb!!!

Jul 16, 2021 at 4:00PM:

We had a restless night at the Marriott before breakfast at McDonalds and Starbucks. First I walked 1/2 mile to the McDonalds for Gwen’s Iced Tea and an orange juice. Took them back to the hotel and then a block to Starbucks for coffee and bagels.

Before leaving Monterey I called The Fish Market for lunch reservations but they were booked solid. Oh woe is me; I was counting on another great meal at the best seafood restaurant in the Cosmos.

Checked out of the Marriott and drove to San Mateo for lunch at Mendocino Farms for lunch before heading to SFO for the flight home.