For a year we drove by here and wondered what it was. There wasn’t a sign on the front, but a nice porch and umbrellas. Once we went in, we went every Sunday this fall. Sideboard in Lafayette.
We grab a table, pick a baked good, and explore the toy shelf for kids. Very family friendly here. In fact, I had a few new moms meetups here over the summer. Everyone has a favorite – morning bun for him, cinnamon bun for her. And I rotate through the case trying everything.
Things just don’t change as fast here as they do in New York. This new Apple store? I think it’s been in the works for well over a year. But they spared no expense.
The goal of this trip was to walk to Dunkin Donuts for our morning coffee. Almost 4 miles to and from in the suburbs? Even I’m impressed by that! We cut back through the shopping area on our way home and admired the new store opening that morning.
Some of this may be familiar from my Instagram post. But for my readers, I’m including a picture of me. Decked out in my comfy Merrell walking shoes, hat for sun protection, and baby carrier. Nursing cover? Why bother, this is northern California! Well, and no one was around at this very early hour.
A much needed getaway last weekend to Sea Ranch, north of San Francisco and right on the coast. It was so quiet, you could hear the ocean and there was no TV. And it was great. Came back refreshed. Both mornings we went to Twofish Baking at Stewart’s Point. TripAdvisor said – Sticky Buns! And so we did. They were so good. Warm and out of the oven. Not the least bit dry. We also had a bear claw and morning buns. Mom and Dad really liked the Equator coffee.
We did lunch here as well – turkey and tuna sandwiches on their homemade bread.
Had a great time with the White family who came to stay with use for a few days last week. I’ve known Briana for…20 years?? Loved the 2 days off as well, was as being a total tourist in my own town. We were busy, saw SF, Sonoma and Marin! We decided we need to be like the Whites and get in the car and do drives to national parks. Rodney documents their trips on Whynotjustgo. Give us a few years, first.
Thursday: San Francisco
We ventured into SF for our big Alcatraz tour, then ended up with lots of stops along the way. Philz Coffee in the morning, lunch with Briana’s cousin, Ghiradelli square for ice cream, Lombard Street and the Painted Ladies.
Alcatraz was great and I was pleasantly surprised by the audio tour. Highly recommend that.
Friday: Benzinger Vineyard in Sonoma
This was a find. It’s a biodynamic vineyard, was really quite, had a great little tour on a tractor and beautiful views.
We all went out for dinner to Gott’s and then frozen yogurt. There were actually 2 stops for ice cream because 2 of the girls wanted the place with the candy and gummy worm toppings.
Saturday: Marin and Sausalito
This was the day we all ventured out. After a stop at Philz for coffee and pastries to bring back home. Mandatory stop at In n Out (this was the 3rd burger for someone on the trip – and no, not me!), then to Sausalito for ice cream, and a stop in the Marin Headlands were we parted ways. Lesson learned, when S wants the sprinkle cone, she is really not going to want to share yours.
We are going camping again! This year we have a food game plan. We also have a stove to cook on. And boil water on. That coffee in the morning really makes a difference.
The big addition for Stella is the headlamp which she wore to read books in bed for a few nights. She loves the hydroflasks. I’m not sure there wasn’t anything she didn’t want to touch at REI.
Here’s to surviving round 2!
We were in SF in time for lunch the other weekend so did Gott’s at the Ferry Building. I work almost next to the Ferry Building and have never been. The lines are too long. But we held out so we could do a burger, hot dog and BLT for me. A little walk along the water and a run in the grass. Happy day for all.
On our Monterey trip, we found a local coffee place. Bright Coffee had great coffee and fantastic pastries. She carried the tray out of the oven when we were there. S wasn’t totally happy with her choices, which just left more for us. I love a blueberry scone and croissant.
We ended up over in the Dogpatch area of SF last weekend. A bit far from the downtown area, cute, sort of a little like Brooklyn in a way. Ate lunch at a nice adult place, with burrata on crostini (compared to Chik-fil-a, this is a treat!). Pizza is always a hit with Stella. Some time in the park, picking other people’s plants, and eating brownies.
How did we miss The Coffee Shop in Lafayette? Decided to try something new for our Sunday coffee and found it Easter weekend. But we found it after we got coffee.
Then we went back for the full experience. Cute little building, lots of outdoor seating and and ramp than can entertain for 20 minutes? Wonderful! Got to love what 2 year old wants to wear. This was all her.
I sat there and said, this just seems like the place they go in a romantic comedy set somewhere in California. Maybe I watch too many movies.
S really wanted to ride the train. So we took a little trip via Bart 4 stops up the line to Rockridge. Coffee at Highwire, thumbprint cookie for me, palm tree sugar cookie for her. We’re always up for trying new coffee. She was quite entertained with the lobsters at the fish place, and she mentions them daily. Sadly, she’s already got the look of a zoned out commuter on the train.
Jillie of All Trades 