Carmel Beach, CA

 The Carmel Beach in Carmel, CA is one of the most dog friendly beaches in the United States!  Here are are a few pictures! 

Mei Moi Tights-Carmel, CA

 I got the most beautiful dog tights in Carmel, CA.  Carmel is one of the most dog friendly cities in the world!

Svendsgaard’s Inn, carmel

 The Svendsgaard’s inn in Carmel, CA is a wonderful place for couples in my opinion.  Though I am currently on a romantic hiatus, I recently visited with family am they have some romantic perks:

-some of the rooms have jacuzzis, I haven’t seen those rooms, sorry!

-They offer fresh baked chocolate chip peanut butter cookies!

—The inn in walking distance from restiurants and the beach! 

Santa 🎅 brought Starbucks

For those that want to bring their loved ones breakfast but don’t feel like cooking, Starbucks is open at most locations!  

Date night with popcorn!

 There is something amazing about having a special night with someone and having a drink of your choice, a movie, and popcorn! It is cozy, romantic, and fun!  Here are my two favorite popcorns from Trader Joe’s: 

-Trader Joe’s white cheddar popcorn

-Trader Joe’s White Truffle Popcorn

San Francisco Symphony

 Holidays with the San Francisco Symphony are lovely! 

This year I really want to see the movie Love Actually Film with the live orchestra!

soi 4 Restaurant in Rockridge

 Soi 4 is a cozy spot in the Rockridge area of Oakland, 

CA.  

Sonoma culinary classes

 There are some really great cooking classes in Sonoma!  The following are some ideas:

-Cakebread Cellars

-CIA at Copia

-SilveradoCooking School

-Vista Collins Resort

Sonoma Mission Inn

 The Sonoma Mission Inn is not on the coast, but It has a wonderful warm hot springs pool, live entertainment, delicious dining, and beautiful accommodations!  

Lake Chalet Restaurant

 

Hugs!

 Everyone needs a hug once in awhile, even if it just a picture!  ❤️

This Must Be The Place

 This Must Be The Place is a cozy cookbook written by Rachael Ray.  It is fun to cook together!

Cartoon- unconditional love

 

West Wind Succulents

West West Succulents

(925)989-1909

Westwindsucculents.com

Jennifer has beautiful succulents for gifts, weddings, and entertaining!

This is my patio with her beautiful succulents!  

Cozy clothes

 I love Uniqlo for cozy clothes!  I went to the Emeryville store and they had hats, jackets, sweaters, and tights perfect for a visit to the north coast!

Amtrak romantic trips

 I am longing for a romantic Amtrak trip towards Seattle or LA.  I have actually never been alone with a sweetheart on either of these trips!  This may be a great time as the trips wontbeas crowded.  

Mauna Lani resort, big island

Thank you for this recommendation!  I visited the big island 20 years ago and I have such sweet and romantic memories!  I recommend visiting the volcanoe, it is spectacular!  I have never stayed at the Maina Lani Resort but a friend highly recommends it with his recent visit!  

Mana Lani resort 

Hilton waikolea, big 🏝

 I went to the Hilton Waikolea back in 2001 on the big island of Hawaii!  It was gorgeous and magical.  At night it looked like and elf world with magical lights and pools!  It was the kind of resort that once you are there, you don’t want to leave.  

Gardening crop swap in Berkeley, cA on Mondays at 6PM

 The crop swap in Berkeley, CA brings about a feeling of community and we even picked up some edible flowers tonight!  

Crop Swap

Monday evenings, 6PM

Couples on the Coast dining- Cafe Beaujolais in Mendocino, CA

 Cafe' Beaujolais is a California French Restaurant which opened in 1968.  It is located in Mendocino, CA on the Northern California Coast.  It gained prominence when Chef Margaret Fox purchased the restourant in 1977 and began serving breakfast and lunch, turning Cafe' Beaujolais into the culinary destination that it remains today!

In 2021, the Nicholson House joins the Beaujolais family, making Cafe Beaujolais an all in one destination with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and accommodations.

I have never stayed at the Nicholson House, but I love Cafe Beaujolais!

Resources:

Cafe Beaujolais

961 Ukiah Street

Mendocino, CA. 95460

(707) 937-5614

cafebeaujolais.com

Dining Options:

Cafe Beaujolais- Fine Dining Indoors

The Brickery- Pizza and More in the Garden

The Waiting Room- Coffee Shop & Evening Lounge

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Albion River Inn, Albion, CA

Albion River Inn The Albion River Inn has ocean front lodging and dining, with a beautiful romantic ambiance.  I haven't been here for a few years, but the spectacular ocean front location makes this a special spot I will always treasure!  Each guest room and cottage features dramatic ocean views.  The inn is only minutes from the romantic village of Mendocino, CA.  

The restaurant features an award winning wine list, full service bar, and Mendocino coast views.

Resources:

3790  N. Hwy. 1, Albion,  CA 95410

Albion, CA  95410

United States

Phone Number- (707) 937-1919

Website- Albionriverinn.com

Couples on the Skunk train in Mendocino County

 I haven't been on the skunk train in Mendocino County as a couple, but I have talked to a few of my friends who have gone on this adventure!  A new addition to Skunk train is the unique Railbike experience.  A teacher I work with went on this adventure with her husband and had a blast!  The skunk train and Railbike are appropriate for couples, families, etc.

Resources:

Website: skunk train.com

Phone number: (707) 964-6371

Address:

Fort Bragg Location:

100 West Laurel Street

Fort Bragg, California. 95437

Willits Location:

299 East Commercial Street

Willits, California. 95490

Sushi at Mikuni in Concord, CA

Concord, CA is not on the coast, but this place has the coast vibe.  They have great sushi, and there are outdoor fire pits.  

There is a fountain with lights and music in the outdoor mall where this restaurant is located.  

                                             Photography by WWM, July 2021

Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and sushi Bar

2075 Diamond Blvd., Suite 100

Concord, CA. 94520

mikunishushi.com

Summer of love at the Claremont Hotel and Spa in Berkeley, CA

 The Claremont is a California landmark hotel dating from 1915 and offers upscale rooms, plus pools, a spa and dining options.

The hotel is only 12 miles from San Francisco, located in the hills of Berkeley and Oakland, both cities unique, with character, and full of vitality!  After visiting this hotel, you will want to move to this gorgeous area! 

There is a breakfast spot less than a block away called Rick and Anne's that I highly recommend.  Also, the hotel offers a cafe called Provisions which has breakfast and lunch items.  The provisions cafe has $5.00 croissants that they make in house.  

The resort is set among 22 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, and is even dog friendly!  They offer tennis, swimming, fitness activities and classes, Pilates, and hiking at nearby Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve.  

The Claremont offers a full kids club program with camps including swimming.  

Since Covid the restaurant hours are more limited, reservations are needed.  There are many excellent local restaurants.  

The theme for this summer is "Summer of Love!"  There is a retro 60's bus parked in the parking lot among beautiful murals.  The resort has created exciting programming involving the "Summer of Love" theme.  Break out and pack your tie-dye, daisies, and peace signs clothing!  There are photo opportunities around the resort to share with friends!

The Claremont has a beautiful spa with limited hours during covid, so plan ahead.

Upcoming activities:

Tuesday, July 20, 2021-

Front Yard Graffiti Art Mural: Beginning Tuesday, July 20th, another stunning mural will be added to the collection already displayed!  Artist Emily Ding, a partner with 333Arts, will create a work of art throughout the week: watch it come to life each day.  These murals are great photo opportunities, and really capture the spirit of the East Bay!

Thursday, July 22, 2021-

Barks & Bites in the Hills- Need a spot for you and your four-legged friend to dine?  Look no further!  On July 22nd, the Claremont is hosting the very first Barks and Bites in the Hills Barbecue.  You and your canine can both enjoy a delicious barbecue with homemade treats made especially for your loyal friend.  Barbecue will be available between 5:00PM-8:00PM in the front yard. the cost is $45.00 per person and beverages will be available for purchase.  Paws for Purple Hearts will join us with a few of their service dogs-in-training.  The locals in Berkeley and Oakland love their pets, so this captures the local culture!

Saturday, July 31 and Saturday August 21, 2021

In partnership with Original Goal Yoga, Claremont will present a goat yoga and a goat happy  hour experience on Saturday, July 31 and August 21 at 8:00am and 10:00am on the resorts front lawn.  The 30-minute yoga class with the goats will be followed by a 60-minute goat happy hour (socializing with the people and the goats.).  The yoga instructors will lead socially distanced participants through a variety of poses.  Children are welcome to attend!  The class is designed to be a fun and unique way to tap into your Zen: the baby goats will motivate and challenge you to engage in mindfulness!  This yoga class is for all levels of yogis.  Age 8 years and older is recommended for the yoga..  Yoga mats will be provided.  Photos are encouraged.  Space is limited so book early!  The cost to attend is $60.00 for registered hotel guests and $70.00 for non-hotel guests.  To save a spot, contact the hotel at (510) 843-3000 or claremontguestexperience@fairmont.com.

Every Saturday- A morning hike at 9AM.  A hike with a a local guide takes guests through Berkeley's neighborhood and hills.  The start time is at 9AM, meet at the front doors of the hotel.  Make sure you dress in layers as it can get chilly or warm quickly in the Bay Area.

Every Sunday- A morning yoga class at 9AM.  This yoga class is family friendly and takes place in the hotel's front yard.  It is safe for all yoga levels.  Yoga mats will be provided.  

The Bay Area is super covid safe and the hotel is taking all precautions to keep guests safe!  

Resources:

Claremont Club & Spa

41 Tunnel Road

Berkeley, CA

94705

(510) 843-3000

claremont@fairmont.com

Toll free room reservations only 1-888-560-4455

Summer Movie countdown, 2021- Juliette Naked (2018)

 I found this movie on a Hulu account.  This movie is a story of Annie (the long suffering girlfriend of Duncan) and her unlikely transatlantic romance with the once revered, now faded, singer-songwriter, Tucker Crowe, who also happens to be the subject of Duncan's musical obsession.

The movie takes place mostly in Sandcliff, England, and Annie has a job as a curator in a local museum.  

This movie is so sweet!  I highly recommend it for a couple or someone who wishes to be a couple!

Canary Hotel, Santa Barbara, CA- fireworks view

 This hotel has private events such as wedding parties.  They have a bar from 11 to 7PM on the weekends. They have a Finch and Fork Restaurant with indoor dining.  Yes ago I went I stayed at this hotel and it is delightful, plus there is a great fireworks view from the rooftop bar!

Kimpton Canary Hotel

31 West Carrillo Street

Santa Barbara, CA

93101