Random Raves: Sausalito Edition

Yes, yet another post about our trip out West but we promise it’s the last…  We just wanted to make sure we shared some of our favorite finds for those of you who might make it to the Bay Area this summer (or are lucky enough to live there full time!)

If you have a night to kill, spend it at the historic Cavallo Point Lodge, nestled in one of America’s most popular national parks at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.

While you’re there, take a class at the Cavallo Point Cooking School where the likes of Viola Buitoni (if her last name sounds familiar, it’s no coincidence!) will teach you all about squash blossoms and zabaglione… and the best part is you get to eat what you make.

After all the wonderful food and wine, you may want to hike the various trails around the Lodge that lead up into the hills above Fort Baker and down into secluded coves.

You won’t miss the stately spikes of purple flowers (straight out of The Lorax!) which dot the landscape and are called Pride of Madeira.  Some plants can grow taller than seven feet and they sway in the wind as if they were dancing…

With all the eating, drinking and hiking, we didn’t have much of a chance to shop but we did pop into the Lodge’s store and discovered Linda Fahey, a local artist who creates whimsical pieces that evoke her life by the sea.  We can’t say we uncovered everything that Sausalito has to offer but we certainly tried our best!  After all, we were travelling on business…

P.S.  Still can’t get over meeting Joanne Weir in person – don’t forget to enter our giveaway of her new book here!

Photos via Cavallo Point Lodge, Fresa y Pimienta, yours truly and Linda Fahey