Sonoma Coast

VISITING THE SONOMA COAST
June 2014
   


Wednesday, June 11

We drove into Wine Country for some family business in San Rafael, but any trip to this area requires a visit to one or two wineries. The pictures below were taken on Wednesday afternoon at Chateau St. Jean in Kenwood in the Sonoma Valley.

Chateau St. JeanChateau St. JeanChateau St. Jean


Thursday, June 12

The next day, we drove north to the Russian River and followed it west to the Pacific Ocean and the town of Jenner, about 80 miles north of San Francisco. Our plan was to head home from there following the coast on Highway 1. The picture at the top of this page and those below were taken in Sonoma Coast State Park which extends 17 miles south from Jenner to Bodega Bay.

Sonoma Coast
Sonoma CoastSonoma Coast
Sonoma CoastSonoma Coast
Sonoma Coast
Sonoma CoastSonoma Coast
Sonoma Coast
Nick's Cafe


In addition to its wine and dramatic coastline, this part of California is also known for its farming and dairy industries, particularly its cheese. And Tomales Bay, just down the road, is famous for its oysters. Nick's CoveAre you sensing a theme here? It was time for lunch!

On one of his kayak trips, Mike had seen Nick's Cove near Point Reyes, and that became our lunch destination. Mike sampled the oysters and I had a decadent Crab Benedict. For dessert, we shared a tray of local cheeses, grapes and honey which I enjoyed with a sweet Reisling, pictured.

The meal, the views and the ambiance were all delightful, and, while Mike had to drive the rest of the way home, I took a nice little nap after we'd crossed the Golden Gate.