The Road Ahead
I’ve been to California once, more if you count layovers, but who wants to remember those. I was in the second grade and my family went on a trip to Disneyland and Universal Studios. I got mouse ears, ate my first churro, dizzied myself on the Tea Cups and even got a hug from Mickey himself. It was every 7 year old’s fantasy. Now, it is 23 years later and I am finally going to return to the sunny spaces of California, but with this time things will be a bit different. I have aged and my tastes have become somewhat more refined that theme park munchies (not knocking churros though), and a turn on the Matterhorn roller coaster. This time instead of Southern California, I will be in Northern California and I will be living there.
As of May 31st, my new home will be somewhere in Marin county (most likely Petaluma) and I couldn’t be more excited. Of course this means I’ll be leaving the city I love so much, but I have been prepared for this. We had an idea even before we left New York that our time in Seattle would be short, so we have made the most of our time here in this city we love so much. But, I don’t want to dwell on that too much at the moment, instead I want to look to the next adventure. In Marin, we will be perfectly situated to take in all of the delights of Northern California with the bounty of Sonoma and Napa practically on our doorstep. I am brimming with excitement to visit the Fatted Calf in Napa, stuff myself full of the amazing blue cheese from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese, and to experience the luscious wines of the Russian River Valley. I believe the next few years are going to be great.
If any of you have any suggestions of things to see, do and eat in Northern California, please share them with me. I would really appreciate a little help in getting to know my (soon to be) new home.
This week I have a new cocktail recipe to share with you. Something a little bubbly to celebrate the exciting time ahead. This is a bit more of a grown up drink, and isn’t cloyingly sweet or stomach churning sour. The sparkling wine really shines while the brandy adds a touch of elegance. I like the fresh apple here, because it is more of an accent unlike drinks that use fake apple flavors so everything is discernible instead of tart and green. Enjoy!
Sparkling Northwestern
The Juice of 3 Fresh Apples, (I used Jonagold)
1 cup Clear Creek Apple Eau de Vie, (you may use Calvados if Clear Creek isn’t available)
1 Bottle Dry Sparkling Wine, chilled (I used some not so northwestern Cava, but Argyle has a great sparkling wine that would be great)
Apple Wedges, to garnish, be sure to mist with lemon water to avoid discoloration
Stir gently in a pitcher and serve!
Variation: To get a bit Spanish, substitute Fino Sherry for the Apple Brandy for a wonderful and unique flavor
Omigod! I don’t think I could deal with 2 moves within 6 months or so! Still, NoCal is also nice. VERY different from SoCal.
Petaluma is not too far from Donna in Oakland and the CIA in Helena. You will just LOVE Donna if you get to meet her! And San Francisco is a GREAT food city.
I think you may be right in your element. I just hope you can stay there for a while this time.
Oh, WHOOPEE, Sister!
On to the next adventure with you, then!
Another move, a new opportunity to start afresh; hopefully not everything was unpacked from the last time. Best of luck in finding a new home that is as agreeable (or as close to) as Seattle has been. It’s a long time since I was last in California but I have wonderful memories of great scenery, good food and wine.
Ooh yes, San Fran! Where Sam Spade prowled! Further down there is Monterey, home of the famous Monterey Jack a king of cheeses. Also where Steinbeck wrote Cannery Row among other fabulous novels.
Also NoCal (thank you Rainey!) has the Muir Woods a wonderful place where Sequoias grow. And all those vineyards to try out…!
Happy hunting o Endivious one!
Oh man – northern California. Yeah! I’m bummed it’s not San Diego or the random Scottsdale option (for selfish reasons of course, proximity to me) but so happy it wasn’t one of the other ones. Crazy life you have girlie but oh so fun!
Big wave to Griffin from SoCal! ;>
Yes, NoCal is great and, climatically, not unlike Seattle with less rain.
Back atcha Rainey!
I remember years ago watching Pelicans with their big wings gliding over the sea just off the Monterey coast next to the aquarium. The first time I’d seen them in the ‘wild’. Left me breathless with admiration.
That photo reminded me of Kerouac, the rear view mirror and the road ahead… Adventure is fine, but watch your Dharma behind! And enjoy the road… you beatniks you!
that’s great! Marin county is a lovely area. Hiking in Muir Woods and Tennessee Valley is at your doorstep, surfing in Bolinas is not far at all, and Sonoma and Napa are basically right there. I also hear you can camp on Angel Island and have the place pretty much all to yourself since all of the tours leave by 4PM.
In SF there is a huge, fantastic vegeratian co-op in the Mission called the Rainbow Grocery that has pretty much anything and everything you could ever want as far as “exotic” ingredients — 15 types of dried seaweed, 30+ types of rice, mesquite flour, and much more. Also, there are many latino groceries up and down Mission St, which have just about any sort of dried chile you could want (plus spices etc)
In a totally different vein, Irving Street around 19th (in SF) has pretty amazing ethnic food, especially Vietnamese (great bahn mi!), and Burmese. And the best dim sum to be had around SF is actually a bit south in Daly City, called Koi Palace… it’s actually not so far from the North Bay if you cross the GG bridge and just head straight down 19th street.
I don’t know a ton about the area near Petaluma, but hopefully my SF-centric comments can be of at least some use!
Rainey, I was prepared for this one. Actually, I need to email of Donna and tell her about the move, she’s helped me out with some info in the past and will definitely meet up.
Jen (Knifethrower), looks like we are both on our way to another exciting beginning!
Carla, thankfully we had some idea this was coming before we left NY and left over half of our things in storage. I am really giving myself a pat on the back for that little bit of forward thinking!
Griffin, that was exactly what I was thinking when I chose it!
Carrie, it would have been great to be near you three, but at least this way we won’t have to shave Barney because of the heat!
Jen (Modern Beet), Wow, thanks for all of the great info! If you think of anything else, please let me know. As you are plainly aware, getting to know a new place isn’t always easy.
Oh Yay! Northern California! I was hoping for Alameda – but Petaluma will be wonderful for you and Phil! Will he be teaching at the Coast Guard CPO Academy? And you will LOVE Petaluma! It’s a very hip little country town. Not far from my favorite spot for an idle Sunday – Hog Island Oyster Farm on Rt. 1 in Marshall. There’s a fabulous rose nursery and some brilliant new artisanal food producers – bread, cheese, poultry (Petaluma used to be called the Egg Capital of the world (or Chickaluma) – I think the title has expanded into something like Dairy, Eggs and Poultry capital). I think you will not lack for blog topics!
It has really expanded in the past 30 years – lots of development and subdivisions. It has quite number of tech businesses also. Plus – you’re right – it’s close to Napa and Sonoma!
Another little find, not so far away – is the Pelican Inn at Muir Beach. This is an English pub and inn – constructed by a British guy about 25-30 years ago to replicate something several hundred years old. Much of the building materials were imported from England. There is a HUGE inglenook fireplace in the dining room – which they had to designate as a separate room on the building plans to get it past the planning inspectors! We stayed there one year for our anniversary and got a personalized tour from the fellow (my hubs is an architect and could not hide his enthusiasm and interest). He has long since sold it and moved on, but it is still just charming and the food is wonderful. We often throw the dogs in the car and drive out to Muir Beach for a hike and stop in at the Pelican afterwards for a cuppa or a drink. And of course – there are darts in the pub!
Other good news – There is Petaluma Premium Outlet Village! With bargains galore – including Tuesday Morning and Kitchen Chef – both of which occasionally have LeCreuset at more affordable prices!
I am looking forward to welcoming you to the Nabe! Keep me posted on your ETA! Maybe we can convince Rainey to drive up! And Georgia lives just down the hill from me!
Donna
Congrats on the move Erin. There is such a vibrant food blogging scene based around SF I’m sure you are going to have a wonderful time.
Congrats on the move. I don’t think you can go wrong w/NoCal. I am in the process of relocating there to SF from San Diego, but originally from Seattle, which I love dearly.
Donna, Thank you far all of the fabulous info! I am getting really excited to explore my new home!!! I think we could talk Rainey into coming north.
Barbara, Thank you! I think there will be so much it will be hard to choose week to week!
Mindy, I didn’t know you were a fellow Seattleite! We may wander, but this place stays with you. Thanks!
Congrats, Erin! It’s a gorgeous part of the world, as you well know. I’ve had several happy stays at my uncle’s place in Inverness (in fact, if you’re in Inverness or Point Reyes, you’ll probably see him at some point – he’s the local appliance and computer repairman and is always out and about on his rounds).
Can’t make any food recommendations, but as you asked for things to do, I can heartily recommend hiking around Tomales Bay and, particularly if you’ve read Michael Ondaatje’s latest novel, a trip to Nicasio to see the old schoolhouse and the reservoir.
Hi Rachel, Phil is going to be stationed out at Pt. Reyes. I am looking forward to the hiking around there and staying at the soon to be rebuilt Manka Lodge at Inverness. I’ll keep an eye out for your uncle! What is the name of the Ondaatje’s new novel? I would love to check it out to get in the spirit of things. Thanks for your comment!
Erin, it’s called Divisadero – takes place partly in Marin County, partly in Nevada and partly in the Languedoc! Hope you like it.
Thanks Rachel, this book will be a great companion while I’m on my house hunting expedition!
Ooooh, how exciting! San Fran, the Golden Gate Bridge… Chez Panisse. You’re very lucky, Erin!