Originally my plans were to head up to the Stanford Inn for Memorial Day weekend.
We’ve visited this wonderful Vegetarian Inn twice before and have always had a most amazing time. We revel in the atmosphere and fantasize about the idea of one day moving there. It’s our happy place! Each time in the past staying only 2 nights and yearning for at least one more.
So of course planning it over Memorial Day Weekend was the perfect timing to get that extra night in and not have my dear boyfriend Dave stress over his vacation days.
Then my mind started wandering… How perfect would it be if The Millennium Restaurant in San Francisco was having their annual Southern Comfort dinner on the Thursday before the holiday weekend started.. and then even further, will the SF Giants be playing at home if we were to go up early (I’m a big baseball fan)?
I could only dream of how perfect this would all be!
Well some months ago it appeared as though we were not going to make it up to Northern California for Memorial Day whatsoever. Something had come up.
A conflict of schedules and I was super bummed about this possible event ruining our trip.
And then slowly but surely that conflict seemed to have be taken out of the mix. Mendocino was back on, and I was singing from the rooftops!
I attempted to contact the Millennium on several occasions to find out the date of their delicious once a year dinner, and I never got a confirmed answer until sometime toward the end of April when I found out that the Southern Comfort Dinner was in fact going to be held on May 22nd!
I then confirmed that the Giants had a home game on the 23rd! Our reservations at the Inn are for the 23rd-26th. PERFECT!!!
I was jumping for joy with excitement!
It took some twisting of Dave’s arm to get him to take an extra vacation day, but he finally agreed!
Excitement built as the days past and we got closer to our date of departure. I had even purchased a “Southern Comfort” outfit to wear! I couldn’t wait!!
We’ve visited this wonderful Vegetarian Inn twice before and have always had a most amazing time. We revel in the atmosphere and fantasize about the idea of one day moving there. It’s our happy place! Each time in the past staying only 2 nights and yearning for at least one more.
So of course planning it over Memorial Day Weekend was the perfect timing to get that extra night in and not have my dear boyfriend Dave stress over his vacation days.
Then my mind started wandering… How perfect would it be if The Millennium Restaurant in San Francisco was having their annual Southern Comfort dinner on the Thursday before the holiday weekend started.. and then even further, will the SF Giants be playing at home if we were to go up early (I’m a big baseball fan)?
I could only dream of how perfect this would all be!
Well some months ago it appeared as though we were not going to make it up to Northern California for Memorial Day whatsoever. Something had come up.
A conflict of schedules and I was super bummed about this possible event ruining our trip.
And then slowly but surely that conflict seemed to have be taken out of the mix. Mendocino was back on, and I was singing from the rooftops!
I attempted to contact the Millennium on several occasions to find out the date of their delicious once a year dinner, and I never got a confirmed answer until sometime toward the end of April when I found out that the Southern Comfort Dinner was in fact going to be held on May 22nd!
I then confirmed that the Giants had a home game on the 23rd! Our reservations at the Inn are for the 23rd-26th. PERFECT!!!
I was jumping for joy with excitement!
It took some twisting of Dave’s arm to get him to take an extra vacation day, but he finally agreed!
Excitement built as the days past and we got closer to our date of departure. I had even purchased a “Southern Comfort” outfit to wear! I couldn’t wait!!
Our flight was at 6:40pm on Thursday leaving out of Orange County Airport and landing into San Francisco International at 8pm, with 9pm reservations, so obviously not much wiggle time, or room for error.
Now, I’m sure you are wondering why on earth I made the plans so tight on time (because that’s what I’d be wondering). Clearly because Dave had to work until 5pm and this was the best flight available for our difficult schedule.
We arrived at the airport in good time, made it through the security line without a hitch, and were waiting at the gate with time to spare. Then the dreaded announcement was made, our flight was running late and our new arrival time was at 8:35pm…NOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I quickly got on the phone trying to reach a host a Millennium, crossing my fingers and my toes that 9pm wasn’t the last seating. Alas the host answered, I explain our grim situation and ask if they had a later seating. She brightened my spirit when she told me that 9:30pm is their last sitting, but that she couldn’t change our reservations because they are completely FULL! She did offer that we can show up and if they have the space that they will seat us as long as it is before the 9:30pm cut off. Hope is not lost!
Finally we begin to board! As I anxiously take my seat, Not because of the flight. But because the flight is leaving late and I have a very important date!
Up up and away, straight up into the clouds. I sat there and watched the flight tracker for the entire trip. As if that would make us get there any faster! It’s now 7:49pm and the flight tracker has us scheduled to arrive at 8:21pm. Dave is asleep in the seat next to me. The chatterbox girls sitting across from me are…well chatter-boxing.
I think we should make it. We’ll be cutting it close (like so many other things), but I think we can do it…unless the flight tracker has us landing at 8:21pm and not actually exiting the aircraft by that time!
Touchdown, we land and then without a moment to spare we have to hustle our buns to the rent-a-car agency. Dave is taking this mission very seriously, he does not want an unhappy girlfriend! He drives us into downtown San Francisco like a pro and we pull up to the Millennium at 9:10pm! Wow! I am impressed!
Now, I’m sure you are wondering why on earth I made the plans so tight on time (because that’s what I’d be wondering). Clearly because Dave had to work until 5pm and this was the best flight available for our difficult schedule.
We arrived at the airport in good time, made it through the security line without a hitch, and were waiting at the gate with time to spare. Then the dreaded announcement was made, our flight was running late and our new arrival time was at 8:35pm…NOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I quickly got on the phone trying to reach a host a Millennium, crossing my fingers and my toes that 9pm wasn’t the last seating. Alas the host answered, I explain our grim situation and ask if they had a later seating. She brightened my spirit when she told me that 9:30pm is their last sitting, but that she couldn’t change our reservations because they are completely FULL! She did offer that we can show up and if they have the space that they will seat us as long as it is before the 9:30pm cut off. Hope is not lost!
Finally we begin to board! As I anxiously take my seat, Not because of the flight. But because the flight is leaving late and I have a very important date!
Up up and away, straight up into the clouds. I sat there and watched the flight tracker for the entire trip. As if that would make us get there any faster! It’s now 7:49pm and the flight tracker has us scheduled to arrive at 8:21pm. Dave is asleep in the seat next to me. The chatterbox girls sitting across from me are…well chatter-boxing.
I think we should make it. We’ll be cutting it close (like so many other things), but I think we can do it…unless the flight tracker has us landing at 8:21pm and not actually exiting the aircraft by that time!
Touchdown, we land and then without a moment to spare we have to hustle our buns to the rent-a-car agency. Dave is taking this mission very seriously, he does not want an unhappy girlfriend! He drives us into downtown San Francisco like a pro and we pull up to the Millennium at 9:10pm! Wow! I am impressed!
After having a most amazing and satisfying dinners, ya know the type that actually live up to your expectations - when your expectations are set high! Ya, Millennium was one of those! Throughly satisfied we went straight to our hotel for the night to get some rest for the long day that was ahead of us.
Friday morning, I woke up bright and fairly early, not at the crack of dawn or anything but with plenty of time to hit the business center and the gym before heading out to continue our eating fest at breakfast.
After a short but decent workout, we tidied up, checked out and left the building. Straight to Herbivore. Herbivore is our usual breakfast stop in SF, because it’s our favorite.
We arrived, chose “our” table. We’ve frequented this establishment so many times that I feel that we could call it “our” table.
Noticing that the server wasn’t one of the regulars and slightly aloof, we placed our orders and eagerly awaited our food! As we were served the server had mentioned that we got the last two orders of Savory Crepes - how could that be, they only opened less than an hour ago?! Regardless, breakfast was delish!
Next on my agenda was to shop at Rainbow grocery (my favorite health food store hands down), we needed some supplies for the weekend and some treats to bring back home. It was so difficult for me not to over shop and put everything that caught my eye into our basket - I must refrain!
Following our shopping visit was a trip to Alamo Square, where you’ll find some of the best views of the city and the famous Painted Ladies. We enjoyed our time at the park, people watching, taking lots of pictures, and fighting the wind (I didn’t have any hair ties), and my stupid sunglasses kept falling off of my face…how annoying!
Friday morning, I woke up bright and fairly early, not at the crack of dawn or anything but with plenty of time to hit the business center and the gym before heading out to continue our eating fest at breakfast.
After a short but decent workout, we tidied up, checked out and left the building. Straight to Herbivore. Herbivore is our usual breakfast stop in SF, because it’s our favorite.
We arrived, chose “our” table. We’ve frequented this establishment so many times that I feel that we could call it “our” table.
Noticing that the server wasn’t one of the regulars and slightly aloof, we placed our orders and eagerly awaited our food! As we were served the server had mentioned that we got the last two orders of Savory Crepes - how could that be, they only opened less than an hour ago?! Regardless, breakfast was delish!
Next on my agenda was to shop at Rainbow grocery (my favorite health food store hands down), we needed some supplies for the weekend and some treats to bring back home. It was so difficult for me not to over shop and put everything that caught my eye into our basket - I must refrain!
Following our shopping visit was a trip to Alamo Square, where you’ll find some of the best views of the city and the famous Painted Ladies. We enjoyed our time at the park, people watching, taking lots of pictures, and fighting the wind (I didn’t have any hair ties), and my stupid sunglasses kept falling off of my face…how annoying!
Off to Union Street for a little shopping action. We found street parking and a metered parking spot, however with no coins on us to feed the machine. There was a phone number, and a website posted on the meter. Dave pulled out his handy dandy smartphone and found that you can pay via credit card over in internet!
And that you can also add time to your meter from an off site location once you have registered with this site! Coolness! It’s stuff like this that make me feel like we ARE living in the future. Is it time to beam me up Scotty?!
During our stroll along Union Street, I saw a very cool sign for a Juice Bar. I walked up and took a series of pictures, then realizing that this Juice Bar was just the tiniest place of business EVER! It’s literally the size of a closet!
And that you can also add time to your meter from an off site location once you have registered with this site! Coolness! It’s stuff like this that make me feel like we ARE living in the future. Is it time to beam me up Scotty?!
During our stroll along Union Street, I saw a very cool sign for a Juice Bar. I walked up and took a series of pictures, then realizing that this Juice Bar was just the tiniest place of business EVER! It’s literally the size of a closet!
So of course we had to get something, but we weren’t quite “hungry” enough for a juice or smoothie, so we both opted for elixirs. I went for the digestive elixir, chock full of Aloe, Coconut Water, and Lime Goodness. I figured that with all the work my belly is going to go through over the next few days that I could at least try to help it out a little bit!
Dave went for the immunity elixir, not because he felt that he needed it, but because it had a shot of Ginger in it, along with Garlic, Lemon, and Oregano Oil. He’s a sucker for Ginger. I on the other hand am NOT! Let the pictures explain the rest of the story here!
Dave went for the immunity elixir, not because he felt that he needed it, but because it had a shot of Ginger in it, along with Garlic, Lemon, and Oregano Oil. He’s a sucker for Ginger. I on the other hand am NOT! Let the pictures explain the rest of the story here!
Decisions Decisions
Mmmm..Love me some fresh juice!
Dave's drink is a bit too POTENT!
After trying on and picking up a few cute items, it was time (according to my schedule) to head to Source. Source was the restaurant where we were gonna have a quick bite of appetizers and then order bunches of munches to go! Food for the game, food for our next couple of lunches and dessert! Definitely CANNOT pass up on their desserts!
We decided to save a few bucks (more like $35-$50) by staying parked near the restaurant and to walk on over to the stadium. Plus the walk would be a good thing for our digestion.
It’s not even 24hrs and we are already eating way more than we do at home. It’s a foodie trip and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Almost game time, so over to AT&T park we strolled. It was going to be Dave’s first Giant’s game (I have been to so many that I lost track), but how can it be his first? I mean come on, he is from up here in these parts!
We decided to save a few bucks (more like $35-$50) by staying parked near the restaurant and to walk on over to the stadium. Plus the walk would be a good thing for our digestion.
It’s not even 24hrs and we are already eating way more than we do at home. It’s a foodie trip and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Almost game time, so over to AT&T park we strolled. It was going to be Dave’s first Giant’s game (I have been to so many that I lost track), but how can it be his first? I mean come on, he is from up here in these parts!
It was a good, fun, and entertaining game. We brought in our ‘Bow Wow’s’ from Source and ate them along side other fans eating their interesting and smelly food choices. Seriously, I’ve been to years worth of baseball games and never have I smelled whatever this very smelly and sticky food that was filling the air around me (if can’t already tell, I am very sensitive to smells).
The Giants beat the Twins, and now it was time for our almost 4hr drive to Mendocino.
Being that I’m not doing the driving, I was getting strongly hypnotized by the road and my eye lids began to feel like heavy weights. I tried to stay awake and for the most part I put up a good fight. After about 2hrs of driving, we started to spot some animals! We saw 2 wild pigs, a fox, and 5 deer!
Finally arriving at the Stanford Inn at around 2am, we could finally now relax. Dave wasted no time at all, and was out like a light within a matter of minutes! I on the other hand wanted to unwind, and didn’t crawl into bed until after 4:30a! Gasp!
My lovely alarm went off a couple of hours later and that means it’s time to start a new day!
Breakfast, Photo Shoot, bike ride, with hopes of doing a canoe ride (too windy today and short on time), tea time, lunch and dinner of course! Told you we were going to be eating a lot!
The bike ride was just lovely, wildflowers lined the path, butterflies fluttering about, keeping a look out for Poison Ivy “leaves of three, let them be”, and of course watching out for the darn Stinging Nettles (we’ve been STUNG by these perky plants every other visit).
Riding for only a bit more than an hour, keeping the ride fairly short because Tea Time was awaiting us!
The Giants beat the Twins, and now it was time for our almost 4hr drive to Mendocino.
Being that I’m not doing the driving, I was getting strongly hypnotized by the road and my eye lids began to feel like heavy weights. I tried to stay awake and for the most part I put up a good fight. After about 2hrs of driving, we started to spot some animals! We saw 2 wild pigs, a fox, and 5 deer!
Finally arriving at the Stanford Inn at around 2am, we could finally now relax. Dave wasted no time at all, and was out like a light within a matter of minutes! I on the other hand wanted to unwind, and didn’t crawl into bed until after 4:30a! Gasp!
My lovely alarm went off a couple of hours later and that means it’s time to start a new day!
Breakfast, Photo Shoot, bike ride, with hopes of doing a canoe ride (too windy today and short on time), tea time, lunch and dinner of course! Told you we were going to be eating a lot!
The bike ride was just lovely, wildflowers lined the path, butterflies fluttering about, keeping a look out for Poison Ivy “leaves of three, let them be”, and of course watching out for the darn Stinging Nettles (we’ve been STUNG by these perky plants every other visit).
Riding for only a bit more than an hour, keeping the ride fairly short because Tea Time was awaiting us!
Back at the Inn we sat for our tea and some yummy warm berry cobbler alap mode, taking this time to just be in the moment and enjoy everything surrounding us. This was easy to accomplish as the views are quite wonderful and we really adore this property!
The second half of the afternoon and evening was just as wonderful as the first.
The second half of the afternoon and evening was just as wonderful as the first.
On Sunday after a delightful Cinnamon Bread French Toast smothered in maple syrup (yummy) breakfast we set in motion to go canoeing only to find that Catch a Canoe was SOLD OUT!
"For I shall not let this upset my day!" So with a quick adjustment of plans we were off to go walk around the town of Mendocino and see the Historic Ford House Museum which also houses the Visitor center and is location of a few trailheads leading out to the beach.
We took our time strolling town, taking plenty of pictures, and walking in and out of some of the cute little local shops.
"For I shall not let this upset my day!" So with a quick adjustment of plans we were off to go walk around the town of Mendocino and see the Historic Ford House Museum which also houses the Visitor center and is location of a few trailheads leading out to the beach.
We took our time strolling town, taking plenty of pictures, and walking in and out of some of the cute little local shops.
Next up was the picturesque Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, a half mile walk out to the fully restored lighthouse that in 1991 was added to the Register of National Historic Places.
Then a picnic lunch at The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, followed by an amazing walk through the most lovely botanical gardens that I have ever feasted my eyes upon! Nicknamed The Garden by the Sea, this place is gorgeous beyond words and catching it in the spring is such a lovely time to visit.
Then a picnic lunch at The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, followed by an amazing walk through the most lovely botanical gardens that I have ever feasted my eyes upon! Nicknamed The Garden by the Sea, this place is gorgeous beyond words and catching it in the spring is such a lovely time to visit.
Blooming florals at every turn and such a wide variety of trails, some leading into the Ancient Redwood Forest, others leading to the headlands and the coast, while you have others that go to the adorable vegetable garden, a Dahlia Garden, and much much more!
It was a wonderful experience and if I had the time to stay there longer I would have…but as we all know me I jam packed the day full of fun and we still had to go Horseback riding on the beach, check out Glass Beach and get back in time to do a photo shoot at magic hour and well as get ready for dinner! Whew!!
So off we went to go saddle up and take one of the ‘Top 25 trips of a lifetime’ - OUTSIDE MAGAZINE and go ride these horseys through the Ancient Redwoods Forest and then along Ten Mile Beach. While it was a very lovely ride and all; I think I had my expectations set too high and I imagined myself galloping into the shore, and splashing in the rolling waves as the sunset behind us. Ya know the stuff movies are made of!
Onward to Glass Beach at MacKerricher State Park, here we walked out to the coast and dropped in from the headlands, climbing down to sea level and finding a abundant amount of sea glass along with a number of other tourists all searching for the same gem like treasures sparkling in the sunlight!
It was a wonderful experience and if I had the time to stay there longer I would have…but as we all know me I jam packed the day full of fun and we still had to go Horseback riding on the beach, check out Glass Beach and get back in time to do a photo shoot at magic hour and well as get ready for dinner! Whew!!
So off we went to go saddle up and take one of the ‘Top 25 trips of a lifetime’ - OUTSIDE MAGAZINE and go ride these horseys through the Ancient Redwoods Forest and then along Ten Mile Beach. While it was a very lovely ride and all; I think I had my expectations set too high and I imagined myself galloping into the shore, and splashing in the rolling waves as the sunset behind us. Ya know the stuff movies are made of!
Onward to Glass Beach at MacKerricher State Park, here we walked out to the coast and dropped in from the headlands, climbing down to sea level and finding a abundant amount of sea glass along with a number of other tourists all searching for the same gem like treasures sparkling in the sunlight!
Our day had turned out to be perfect, now only if we could get back to the Inn in time for our Photo Shoot! And that we did, what amazing colors that turned out from the sunsetting at Magic Hour. It truly is a magical hour!
Dinner was another lovely and relaxing meal, followed by dessert back in our suite to enjoy the fireplace and the crackling of the fire.
Monday oh Monday, you have finally arrived and it is time to have our last breakfast here, check out and begin our journey back to Southern California. We try once more to go on that canoe ride and the third time as usual worked like a charm!
Dinner was another lovely and relaxing meal, followed by dessert back in our suite to enjoy the fireplace and the crackling of the fire.
Monday oh Monday, you have finally arrived and it is time to have our last breakfast here, check out and begin our journey back to Southern California. We try once more to go on that canoe ride and the third time as usual worked like a charm!
We then continued our afternoon with a visit to the Mendocino Headlands State Park, and then the beautiful drive through the vineyards making our way closer to San Francisco.
Well, we were actually heading to Berkley to make our last Foodie stop at Cinnaholic - THE BEST cinnamon rolls hands down (as seen on Shark Tank).
Only to call ahead and find out that they were closed on Mondays - yikes - Cosette is gonna kill me!
This was the only thing she was looking forward to! She is NOT going to be happy!
I call her and gently reveal the bad news, and yup when I get back it was going to be “off with my head” as if I had any doing in the matter - doesn’t she realize that I couldn’t get my dreamed about Cinnamon roll either :(
-T
Well, we were actually heading to Berkley to make our last Foodie stop at Cinnaholic - THE BEST cinnamon rolls hands down (as seen on Shark Tank).
Only to call ahead and find out that they were closed on Mondays - yikes - Cosette is gonna kill me!
This was the only thing she was looking forward to! She is NOT going to be happy!
I call her and gently reveal the bad news, and yup when I get back it was going to be “off with my head” as if I had any doing in the matter - doesn’t she realize that I couldn’t get my dreamed about Cinnamon roll either :(
-T
RSS Feed