Monday, December 23, 2013 – San Francisco, Muir Woods, Napa
We kept our base at the Hotel Adagio in San Francisco but ventured out of the city on Monday for a day of nature and wine. Our first stop was Muir Woods, where we wandered among the towering redwoods and sequoias. These trees are one of those wonders that photos can’t quite capture—you really have to stand beneath them to grasp their immense size and presence. That didn’t stop us from taking dozens of pictures, though! We veered off the main trail to explore some of the quieter side paths, covering about five miles in total.
After Muir Woods, we drove through Sonoma and Napa Valley to take in the beauty of wine country. With half of our group underage, a full-scale winery crawl wasn’t in the cards, but we made one memorable stop. Years ago, Chrissy and I discovered Rutherford Hill Merlot, and it quickly became our favorite “celebration” wine—and still is. We arrived at the winery late in the afternoon, too late for a full tour but in time for a tasting. We sampled a few varieties beyond our trusty merlot, left with three bottles to enjoy during the rest of our trip, and even set up a wine club order to greet us back home.
Once back in San Francisco, we capped off the day with dinner at Mona Lisa, a cozy Italian spot recommended by our friend Laura back in Florida. Her suggestion was spot on—everything was delicious. Food is an important part of all of our journeys and this meal did not disappoint.
Where Are We Going Now? 