Travel Blog 2015

New Years Eve & Day in Union Square San Francisco CA

December 31, 2014 & January 1, 2015

Traveling to different places to celebrate New Years Eve is fun and interesting. There is an opportunity to meet new people and experience how they choose to bring in the new year. San Francisco offers a large variety of festivities from Bay Dinner Cruise, to fire works at midnight on the wharf. There are many venues and parties that offer inclusive dining and shows. This year we decided to see what goes on in Union Square. It was packed with people coming into the city to celebrate. if you decide to do this, be aware that hotel costs are doubled. We decided to stay 2 nights to avoid the traffic jam leaving on new years day and the room cost was half the price. We stayed at the Handlery Hotel adjacent to Union Square and spent the evening at Left O'Douls a pub next to the hotel. The Handlery is an old classic hotel and the accommodations were very nice and the price within our budget of about $320 for the holiday night. We met a bunch of fun people ranging in age from early 20's the mid 50's and from various parts of the United States like Utah and some locals. Over all a fun night!

Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay CA

February 2, 2015

Sam's Chowder house is located in Half Moon Bay off highway 101. Sometimes the drive can be challenging with bay area traffic and there is pretty much only one road in and out of the area. It is well worth the drive! They are famous for their lobster roll so you must try this especially on your first visit. The ocean view is gorgeous and there is generous seating and full wrap around deck and an outside bar. You may also sit inside either a window table with a view or at the full bar.

Usually, there is always a wait time to get a table and the place is packed. If you are lucky, you can sometimes find a seat by the outside bar area counter that is a first come first serve spot. They have an excellent selection of seafood including shrimp ceviche, oysters on the half shell, crab, shrimp dishes, salads and amazing clam chowder, of course! Also available are a good selection of wines, beer and mixed drinks.

The Hennessy House Bed & Breakfast in Napa CA

March 4-6, 2015

1727 Main Street, Napa, California We had a lovely stay at the The Hennessey House, which is located in a residential district at the top of restaurant row in Historic Downtown Napa. It was the home and office of Dr Hennessy and has been preserved over the years to maintain it's original charm and grandeur. We were able walk out the front door and enjoy fine dining a just few blocks away in downtown Napa. We stayed in the Carriage Room, which was at one time, just that, where the horses and carriages were kept.

It has been beautifully revamped into a luxurious, spa type room with a fireplace and Jacuzzi tub. We enjoyed meeting the Innkeepers Kevin and Lorri Walsh, who 10 years ago were living high powered (and high stress) lives in Silicon Valley and traded it all to run this beautiful relaxing Bed & Breakfast Inn. A social of cheese crackers and wine are served from around 5 to 7 pm. This gave us the opportunity to meet some very interesting people from Chicago, IL and Canada, who had traveled here with their family to escape the extreme freezing temps of the East Coast this past year. A gourmet breakfast is served in the dining room from 8 to about 10 am giving another opportunity to meet and share a delicious meal with new found friends.

Calistoga CA

March 5, 2015

Easter at Ironstone in Murphy's CA

April 5, 2015

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