Nikki

Here is a link to some photos from my trip last week to the San Francisco Bay Area with an excursion down the coast to Big Sur and San Simeon and a return by way of the Pablo Robles vineyards and Salinas. I'm afraid I won't get the trip report done in time to post before I leave for Paris Sunday, but I wanted to at least get the photos posted.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/...hotos-_-Sharer

Giovanna

Absolutely beautiful Nikki. Thank you for sharing. You made excellent use of your time and had a very diverse trip.

Dayenu

Wonderful photos, you even went to horse races? I like it

And I have to ask: that boy in 2 photos, did he steal a strawberry?

SOCALOC

Thanks for the great photos! Everything looked so dramatic with the rain. Linne Colado & Denner are a couple of our favorites. If you enjoyed those and can get a hold of one- try Saxum from Paso Robles. EXCELLENT.
And now you're off to Paris- lucky you! Enjoy!

Nikki

In the spirit of total disclosure, I have to admit that I made that little boy look guilty when the nice lady at the farm stand actually gave him that strawberry.

The visit to the race track was part of my husband's lifelong project: 1001 ways to lose money betting on horses.

We went to the Denner Vineyards because we met Mr. Denner the night before in a restaurant in Cambria. He was apparently buddies with the restaurant owner, a gregarious fellow who brought Mr. Denner to our table to pour us some of his new wine, Mother of Exiles. It was pronounced a success, and although (way) out of our usual price range, it motivated us to drive up and buy a bottle to commemorate the experience.

AGM_Cape_Cod

Great photos. I love the ones of the Farmers Market-so excited that they are open on Tuesday which is when we will be there. Also flowers blooming now!!! So amazing. I can't wait until we get there. Have a great time in Paris.

Nikki

Apparently the wildflowers were blooming ahead of their usual time. They were fooled by a stretch of unseasonably warm weather just before we got to California. The weather then cooled down to make sure we New Englanders weren't fooled into blooming before our usual season.

Surfergirl

Ahhhhhh! This is why I love California! And Nepenthe! Missed it two weeks ago (too my time spent in Gilroy at the Brooks Bros outlet, lol). Hope you had time for a wine and ambrosia burger!

Thanks for the beautiful pics!

Dayenu

AGM, every year they write in all booklets about tulips at pier 39 - do a search, maybe you want to see them?

Nikki

Yes, I absolutely did have an ambrosia burger, and it was terrific! I had heard about stopping at Nepenthe, but I assumed it was for the view. We were pleasantly surprised by the food.

I assumed that all they had in Gilroy was garlic. Didn't know about Brooks Brothers.

Surfergirl

They have a tremendous outlet store complex -- 3 separate areas, about 100 outlet shops!

SOCALOC

Fun Denner story! Thanks for sharing.

cigalechanta

BEAUTIFUL photos, as usual from you!