A Long Weekend in Northern California

Buckle up for a lot of pictures because we just got back from what was arguably one of my favorite trips to Northern California and I wanted to document some of the reasons why it was so special. 

I'd told my mom I was going to surprise G with a night away while we were there, as an early birthday gift, since my parents had offered to watch Sloan. I wanted the spot to be within an hour (since we'd already driven six to get there), but still feel really removed. My mom suggested Nick's Cove, which I'd never heard of, and instantly fell in love with after spending a few minutes on their website/Instagram. They let us stay for just one night, even though there's typically a two night minimum, and it was pure magic. We walked around Point Reyes Station on the way there, ducking in and out of little shops and markets, which I'd highly recommend since it's the most darling town. When we got to Nick's Cove, we were taken to Nicolina cottage, a tiny houseboat on Tomales Bay, where we dropped off our bags before bundling up and heading to the adjoining restaurant for dinner. We sat outside, overlooking the misty water, and ate clam chowder, raw and barbecued oysters, fish tacos, and Shrimp Louie salad. There was a piano we passed by at the end of the dock that we later heard being played once it was dark from our room. I remember thinking at the time just how perfect of an evening it was and how many moments I wanted to commit to memory forever.

The next morning we had coffee and pastries on our deck before getting on the road. We stopped at Hog Island Oyster Co, which is only a few miles away, to grab oysters to bring back to my parents to have the next day. The remainder of the trip was slow and lovely - into the city for lunch at Pizzetta 211, walks around Mill Valley, park dates with Sloan, evening hot tubs, visits with friends and family, reorganizing my parents' pantry, cheeseboards and drinks, and lots of my dad's cooking and mom's baking. I've gone back to Mill Valley dozens of times, but this trip will stay with me, always.