California Dreamin

{Venice Beach Graffiti Wall}

I’ve been going to California every year my whole life.  I have tons of family in both Southern and Northern California.  Every time I go, I get seduced by the ocean, sunshine, warm weather, and the laid back vibe.  If I could live anywhere else besides New York it would be Venice Beach.  It’s artsy, bohemian, beautiful and slightly East Village.  After my brief stay in SoCal, I headed up to San Francisco and Napa to spend time with my cousin. Northern California couldn’t be more different than the South but still gorgeous.  San Francisco and Napa is a foodie’s paradise.  This grumpy New Yorker is back home and wondering how she’s going to survive this winter?

    {Found the Kogi Truck and Didn’t Have to Follow on Twitter!}

{Antique Cake Stands on Abbot Kinney}

{Painted Skulls on Venice Beach}

{Peju Winery}

{Harvest Season in Napa}

{Dinner at REDD-Duck with Foie Gras Meatballs}

{Sparkling Wine Tasting at Domaine Carneros}

Los Angeles

EAT: Kogi Truck

http://kogibbq.com/

COFFEE: Intelligentsia Coffee

1331 Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Venice, CA 90291-3739

http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/locations/view/Venice+Coffeebar

Napa

EAT: Boonfly Cafe (Lunch)

4048 Carneros Highway

Napa, CA 94559

(707) 299-4900

http://www.thecarnerosinn.com/thecarnerosinn/restaurant_boonfly.aspx

REDD (Dinner)

6480 Washington St

Yountville, CA 94599-1294

(707) 944-2222

http://www.reddnapavalley.com

WINERIES

-Peju (Look for Alan)

http://peju.com/

-Domaine Carneros (Sparkling wine)

http://www.domainecarneros.com//index.cfm

-Chandon (Sparkling wine)

http://www.chandon.com/

-V. Sattui (Picnic area for lunch)

http://www.vsattui.com/

-Alpha Omega (Great wines)

http://www.aowinery.com/

-ZD (Great Pinot Noir)

http://www.zdwines.com/