Posted on

Point Arena Lighthouse

Address: 45500 Lighthouse Road, Point Arena, Ca. 95468

Point Arena lighthouse is a 115-foot tall historic lighthouse constructed in 1870 located in Mendocino County and 2 miles north of Point Arena. There is also a small gift shop and a museum within the property. The lighthouse was struck by a strong earthquake and was badly damaged that it had to be destroyed. It was rapidly rebuilt in 1908 and became a place for fishermen, foresters, and ranch hands.

It took us about 3 hours and 30 minutes from San Francisco to Point Arena Lighthouse through US-101 North, CA-128, and CA-1. It took us approximately 2 hours on CA-128 which was a very winding road with sharp turns, a scenic route with beautiful wineries, and small shops along the way. We also passed through an area called Navarro which had a lot of redwood trees along the highway and was good for a photo opportunity.

We passed through a few meadows with farm animals and a gorgeous view of the ocean on our way to the lighthouse through CA-1. It was a very relaxing and scenic drive en route to the lighthouse. We stopped at the lighthouse Point Resort with smaller cabins for rent and the Rollerville Café to use the restroom and checked out the Café’s menu. From the café, we drove through the lighthouse Road which is a 2-way narrow road for about 15 minutes that led us to the entrance of the Point Arena Lighthouse. The lighthouse was closed to the public on the day we visited due to the Covid-19 restrictions but was only available for people who stayed and rented the cabins for the night inside the Point Arena Lighthouse. We parked our car at a small Vista Point parking area with a view of the Point Arena Lighthouse and the ocean. There were a lot of people taking pictures with the Lighthouse as their background. There was also a porta-potty available along the Lighthouse Road before the Point Arena Lighthouse entrance.

Overall, it was a great place to take pictures, have a picnic while enjoying the ocean with the view of the lighthouse in the background. Point Arena Lighthouse even has a cabin/house available for rentals.

Tip: There is a great beach near the Point Arena Lighthouse area called Bowling Ball Beach. The beach is part of the Schooners gulch and you have to park safely alongside highway 1. The beach is about a 15 minutes drive and 8 miles away from Point Arena.

Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about Point Arena Lighthouse after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Posted on

Tamber Bey Vineyards

Address: 1255 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga Ca. 94515

Situated at the north end of Napa Valley with a view of Mount St. Helena. Tamber Bey Vineyards is a combination of a winery and amazing equestrian settings. The owner is very passionate about both wines and horses.

We drove thru a long driveway and saw a few horses throughout the property. We were greeted by the friendly staff members Robert and Cher. Robert seated us on the outside table with a beautiful view of Mount St. Helena. There is also a bocce ball and some tables were set up on both sides near the horse’s stables. My wife opted for the wine tasting package while my daughter and I ordered the delicious boxed lunch package. The staff and guests were all wearing a mask and practiced social distancing. Restrooms are available on-premises and are clean.

My wife tasted and bought a bottle of the 2019 Rose Fore Family Vineyard and the 2018 Rabicano Deux Chevaux Vineyard wines. Robert provided us with drinking water on a very nice wine bottle with the Tamber Bey logo which we later purchased.

Robert was very patient, helpful professional, and well versed with the wine selections. We opted to do the wine tasting first, then the tour and lunch. During our property tour, we saw a variety of different breeds of horses such as miniature horses, Arabian, and Mustang. We even saw a few farm animals on the property. My daughter was so happy and excited when she saw the miniature horses and it was the main highlight of our tour.

For our lunch, we ordered the Turkey Pesto sandwich with black truffle chips (which is so good) and the Roast Beef & Mozzarella sandwich with salt & vinegar chips.

Overall, it was a very relaxing and unique experience to do both wine tasting and enjoyed the beautiful horses on the property. For safety, there were signs to do not touch the horses or get too close to the fence. And guests are not allowed to wander around or visit the horses on their stables without a staff member being present.

Tips: You can purchase the truffle chips at Sam’s General Store. And if you want a good barbeque visit Buster’s Original Southern BBQ in Calistoga. Both places are about 10-15 minutes away from Tamber Bey.

Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about Tamber Bey Vineyards after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site to your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Posted on

Truett Hurst Winery

Address: 5610 Dry Creek Road Healdsburg Ca. 95448

Truett Hurst Winery and Farm is located in the heart of Healdsburg Dry Creek Valley. It’s a beautiful property with 5 acres of garden. It specializes in Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. The winery is also a farm with several livestock on the property such as goats, sheep, and chickens.

We drove for about 1-2 hours from San Francisco via US-101. We called on the day of our visit and we were lucky that they had an open spot on that day. We parked our car and walked towards the wine tasting room. My wife ordered a glass of wine at the bar. While we got the cheese, crackers, and sparkling water in their grab-and-go area. It wasn’t too busy that day due to Covid restrictions and by appointment only rule. We then proceeded to their outside patio and consumed our food and wine. My daughter got excited as soon as she saw the goats, sheep, and chickens. What caught our attention were some of the goats standing on top of the barrels. (wow! good balance)

There were a few families having a picnic throughout the property. We found out that the picnic tables were available for rentals and that you can bring your own food. My wife walked towards the dry Creek and noticed a few red Adirondack chairs near the bank of the river that are reserved for members only. Our stay was limited hours due to the next group of scheduled customers are due to come in. It prevents overcrowding and is part of the Covid restrictions.

Overall, we enjoyed the unique experience of watching the farm animals while drinking wine. And we loved the fact that the picnic tables were for rent and that you can bring your own food.

Tips: We visited the winery during the fall season and were amazed by the color of the leaves changing for fall. We also drove through the Dry Creek Road for a few miles and took pictures of the other wineries with gorgeous fall colors.

Let me know if you have any questions and what you think about Truett Hurst Winery after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you

Posted on

Dinosaur Caves Park/Shell Beach

Address: 2701 Price Street Pismo Beach, Ca. 93449

The park is situated on a cliff and is a family friendly park in the Shell beach area of Pismo Beach, Ca. There is a lot of free parking, walking paths, picnic tables, kids playground with dinosaur themed and a public restrooms.

We arrived at the Dinosaur Caves Park via Price Street early in the morning. We passed through a few hotels/resorts on our way to the park. We found a parking spot easily. There was a small dinosaur statue beside the parks name sign. We were surprised by the cleanliness of the park, it’s stunning views of the ocean and the beautiful landscaping. My daughter liked the kids playground with dinosaur themed settings. We saw a few people walking and running on the trails. Some locals were also doing yoga and dogs were playing on the grassy field. We sat on a few benches along the trail and took pictures of the beautiful wild colorful flowers.

As we walked a little further from the playground. We stumbled on a small park named Margo Dodd with a cute gazebo in the middle and a great view of the ocean. A few feet away from Margo Dodd Park are stairs leading down to Shell Beach. But be aware of the warning signs stating that you are entering at your own risks due to safety. We watched our steps as we descended down the stairs. We explored the cave, the beautiful rock formations and the small tide pools. Just always be aware of the waves coming at the shore.

Overall, it’s a nice family friendly park with kids playground and access to Shell Beach but enter at your own risks. There were also street parking available. Be aware of were you are walking since the park is situated near a cliff.

Tips: Try to arrive early in the morning since the parking area gets crowded or full in the afternoon. Always wear your masks, maintain distance and wash or sanitize your hands due to Covid.

Let me know if you have any questions and what you think about the Dinosaur Caves Park/Shell Beach after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site to your friends and family. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Posted on

Napa Valley Gondola

Address: 600 Main Street Napa Ca. 94559

Cruise aboard an authentic Venetian Gondola along the Napa Valley River. Perfect for sightseeing, special occasions, and for romantic couples. Their gondola cruise is private and good for a maximum of 6 passengers. Enjoy the river, drink wine, listen to music and enjoy the beautiful day.

The gondola cruise is located in downtown Napa Valley Riverfront. We parked in the garage with a limit of 3 hours but there was also street parking available. We selected the Amore Cruise package for our Valentine’s Day celebration. We met Sean and our singing gondolier in the dock behind the riverfront building. Sean provided my wife and daughter a single red rose before getting on to the gondola. The gondola was very clean, beautiful, and authentic. They even have a bottle of hand sanitizer available for safety. And you can bring your own blanket and glassware for wine since they can’t provide it as of now due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The river cruise lasted for about an hour The funny and friendly gondolier informed us about the history of the Napa River and about the Gondola. Our gondolier was even dressed up in authentic gondolier attire with a matching hat. And the highlight of our gondola ride was when our gondolier sang to us while we were passing under the bridge and throughout the river ride. The gondolier even situated the gondola so we can take a great picture with a background of the bridge. We even saw a few species of birds and ducks along the river.

Overall, we enjoyed the fun, romantic, unique, and memorable gondola ride experience in the Napa Valley River. We will definitely go back again this summer. Please mention to Sean that you were referred by me (Archie).

Tips: We also bought and ate a delicious breakfast sandwich and deserts at Sweetie Pie close to the docking area. We took a picture at the famous Napa Valley’s Riverfront “big chair” which is located near the gondola docking area. Enjoy!

Let me know if you have any questions and what you think about the Napa Valley Gondola cruise after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Posted on

Battery Spencer (Sausalito)

Address: Conzelman Road Sausalito Ca. 94965

From 1897-1943 Battery Spencer is a vital and isolated military outpost protecting the Golden Gate. Battery Spencer is named after a revolutionary war hero General Joseph Spencer who died on January 13, 1789. It has accessible public restrooms available in the vicinity.

You have to drive through an uphill winding road in order to get to Battery Spencer. It’s about a 7-minute drive from Fort Baker via a tunnel. There is a small parking area in front with about 8-10 car spaces. If the parking in front is full you may have to park on some of the designated spots on the side of the road. There is a warning sign in the entrance that says watch out for car break-ins and don’t leave valuables inside the car. The pathway or walkway to Vista Point is made up of dirt. The Vista or Vantage Point offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, the City of San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It has so many great angles for taking pictures but watch out for your steps and restricted area. There were a lot of people taking pictures for their wedding, anniversary or just for personal keepsakes. We stayed for an hour and watched the amazing sunset. But please bring a jacket as it can get very windy and cold. There were also a few people that brought picnic blankets and food while enjoying the view. We had to use our flashlight to guide us back to the parking area as the area is dark.

Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about Battery Spencer after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Thank you and have a nice day!

Posted on

Fort Baker (Sausalito, Ca)

Address: 601 Murray Circle Sausalito, California 94965

Fort Baker is a 35 acre former Army post in 1905 and located north of the Golden Gate Bridge Marin headlands. Fort Baker is named under former U.S. Senator from Oregon Edward Dickenson Baker. In 1850, President Fillmore named Fort Baker the Lime Point Military Reservation for logistic support facilities and coastal defense of the Golden Gate.

It’s a great spot for fishing, crabbing off the Pier at Horseshoe Cove. Fort Baker have a sailing and boat rentals available in the small beach harbor. And your kids can learn and be entertain by bringing them to the Bay Area Discovery Museum which is an indoor/outdoor children’s museum located in fort Baker. Great area to walk along the boat docks and bluffs with an amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge. There are accessible public restrooms or portable toilets available by the Pier. Overall it’s a great place to just relax, have fun and take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the City of San Francisco.

Let me know if you have any questions and what you think about Fort Baker after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site to your friends and family. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Posted on

Wylder Hope Valley Resort former Sorensen’s Inn.

The resort is located in the Hope Valley on the eastern side of Carson Pass. The Wylder Hope Valley Resort used to be called Sorensen’s Inn. The resort offers cottages, a sauna, a restaurant, log cabins for rentals, and many more. The famous Sorensen’s Cafe in the resort serves great classic food recipes and has a relaxing ambiance. The cabins are separated from each other for privacy and for visitors to enjoy the beauty of its natural environment.

We went around the area and visited the resort. We took a lot of pictures with all the surrounding Fall Foliage color displays around the area. They have an average size parking inside the property. But we saw some cars parked alongside the main road. A portable toilet is available for public use and located in their parking lot area. We even took a picture across the street on a bridge over a river near a private property area. Overall, the area near the resort has an amazing display of fall colors for visitors to enjoy and take memorable pictures.

Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about Wylder Hope Valley Resort/ Sorensen’s Inn after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Posted on

Hope Valley Meadows (Highway 88)

Address: Hope Valley, Ca. 96120

Situated on the south side of Hwy 88 at Blue lakes Road with an elevation of 7,000 feet. During the Gold Rush era, settlers and emigrants used the Valley as a passage to and from California. Some of Hope Valley’s advantages are its lack of development and the view of the beautiful Meadows. Hope Valley is famous for its fall colors and a favorite destination for day hikers, photographers, artists, fishermen, and many more.

There is no available restrooms or portable toilet available near the meadows. Visitors typically park their cars on the side of the road. We saw a couple of cars not parked properly and watch out for people crossing the street to get to the other side of the meadow. There is a small Cabin in the middle of the meadow surrounded by beautiful fall foliage great for taking pictures. Hope Valley is also popular with skiers during winter and surrounded by an array of fall foliage colors during the autumn season. Hope Valley is about 40 minutes south of Lake Tahoe.

Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about Hope Valley on Hwy 88 after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Posted on

Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line in Presidio Park

Address: Presidio Blvd, San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Begun in 2010 completed in 2011 and located in the Presidio Park Lovers Lane in San Francisco. It is an Iconic work of the world’s famous renowned artist Andy Goldsworthy. The Army planted a combination of eucalyptus with rows of Monterrey cypress trees. It has a snaky wood line that is made up of eucalyptus trunks and branches stretching through the woods of a small man-made forest.

It’s is free to the public and parking is hard to find but there are available spaces in the Presidio residential area. But please take note of the time limit restrictions posted. It’s a dog-friendly park but there is no nearby public restroom available. Bring a jacket just in case it gets cold in the man-made forest. They also have safety warning signs about Cayote sightings in the area.

Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site to your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.