Tripnotes: The Californians

As promised (and tardy as usual...), here is a lil' recap of my most recent trip to San Francisco. It really is my favorite city outside of New York, and the only other place I could see myself living. Except for the hills. Those suck. But you know what doesn't suck in SF? The food. And the food at Statebird Provisions did not disappoint. This was some straight up foodie shit. All sorts of crazy combos and Asian twists. It was good. Bon Appetit Restaurant of the Year good. It was a great way to kickoff a supreme vacay.

The next day we strolled around the city, and made a stop to my favorite spot - The Ferry Building. I could spend hours in there. It's my happy place. And can you blame me? Check these FUYU PERSIMMONS, people!! This place is all about good food. And so I am, so it just feels right.

We headed out of the city to Sonoma for leaf peepin' and drankin'. I gotta tell you. There is no prettier time to be in a wine region than mid-Fall. The vines are all crisp and golden, the air is cool and you just get thirstier for red wine. But I am usually thirsty for red wine anyway.

I won't bore you with the deets of each and every wine that was sipped and vineyard that was worshipped. Suffice it to say, if you are planning a trip to Napa, Sonoma or the like, I can give you a list of gorgeous places to drink wine. Responsibly of course, because I can also recommend to you an incredible driver who owns a limo from 1994 with a light-up ceiling.

As a sidenote, in between all the highbrow wine tastings, we managed to squeeze in a wing ding and beer tasting at Bear Republic Brewery in Healdsburg. If you like brewskis and/or spicy hot Buffalo wings then these photos are probably turning you on. Good spot.

The next stop on this eating and drinking tour de force was further up North. We headed towards Tomales Bay, where oysters are born, bred and then devoured. First up...Marshall Country Store; a roadside oyster operation with picnic tables set up along the highway. Nothing fancy here. Just some porta-johns (or a diaper if you're a baby or a lunatic.) and plastic wine-glasses. Sheer perfection!

After that it was onto the slightly more refined (meaning there is an actual toilet) Hog Island Oyster Co. If there was an oyster restaurant beauty pageant, this one would win Sparkle Shine Grand Supreme. She's my fave. The view is unbeatable and the BBQ-ed oysters are to die. Plus, you can grill out and BYOB and BYO-Dog. What could be better? Coincidentally there is also a Hog Island outpost in The Ferry Building. If you can't make it out to the farm, go there!! Please?

See that? It's only the world's greatest lunch from the world's greatest deli, Oakville Grocery. There was also a fleur de sel brownie that was not photographed because it was too beautiful for this world and I ate it instantly. After the sandwich, more wine went into my body. I have no regrets.

So, there you have it. A comprehensive list of where I went and all the foods I ate during my vacation. All in all, it was a relaxing vacation with good food, good wine and some really stellar impressions of California accents ("What ere ewe doing hurr Stooart?"). The moral of the story is, if you find yourself in Northern California, and you're hungry, you have nobody to blame but yourself, ya idiot! Even the fast food is better (talking to you, In n' Out!). Here's to good living, Cali!