Esalen in the Moonlight

Ever on the lookout for romance on the cheap, we may try the recently refurbished hot springs at Esalen, now featuring bathrooms and changing rooms. With an awe-inspiring view 50 feet above the Pacific from the remote Big Sur coast, the tubs are available to the general public by reservaton only from 1 am to 3 am at a cost of $20, payable by credit card. So we need to check the weather to find a cloudless night and get some extra sleep the day before. To make reservations, call 831-667-3047

Wine Country Dreaming

Napa Valley is another extended day trip from our home base in Aptos. If we do make the trek, here's a few names to remember, culled from an old Conde Nast Traveller article. The best strategy seems to be to call ahead and make appointments where possible for midweek trips.

Carneros
Artiesa Vineyards & Winery (chardonay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, merlot)
Carneros Inn -- Boon Fly Cafe (elegant sandwiches and signature hot doughnuts)
Bouchaine Winery ( pinot Noir and chardonnay)
Ceja Vinyards (sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, syrah, merlot, cabernet sauvignon)
The Farm (restaurant with San Francisco chic)

Napa and Yountville
Above the West Ballooning
Villagio Inn (sparkling wine breakfast)
Frazier Winery (merlot, sauvignon blanc)
Patz & Hall (tasting room in a corporate suite)
Oxbow Public Market (artisanal food stalls and farm stands)
Bouchon (Thomas Keller restaurant)

Rutherford
Swanson Vineyards (rococo salon with merlot, pinot grigio and dessert wines)
Round Pond Estate (cabernet sauvignon, nebbiolo
Napa Valley Grapevine Wreath Company
Redd (five course tasting menu and scrumptious desserts)

Northern Napa Valley
Beringer Vineyards (oldest operating vineyard in the valley)
Martini House (mushroom dishes)
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park (organic fresh ground flour)
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park (towering redwoods)
St. Helena (shopping on Main Street)
Kuleto Estate (cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese, zinfandel)
Kelham Vineyards (lavish food and wine pairings)
Auberge du Soleil (expensive, but maybe a glass of wine)

A few points on Point Reyes

Taking an extended vacation gives you opportunities for a few far flung day trips. Point Reyes National Seashore is about 3 hours by car from Santa Cruz, the epitome of far flung, but it does have its good points. (ouch) Check out the seasonal attractions of area parks for the time period you're visiting to help you decide on long road trips. In this case, late February is kind almost off season for whale watching and elephant seals, but there's still tule elks, raptors, and deer. The weather could be dicey. Fog is practically guaranteed, but storm lashed beaches on this dramatic finger of land are also quite likely.

Things to know about if visiting Point Reyes (from Sunset Magazine, January 2010):

Bear Valley Visitor Center -- Catch shuttle bus from here on weekends; get maps of hiking trails (over 150 miles of them)

Drakes Beach -- must take shuttle bus to the lighthouse on weekends for whale-watching

Chimney Rock -- best place to see elephant seals from overlook

Tomales Point Trail -- best place to spot tule elk

Restaurants -- Nick's Cove (water view; expensive); Osteria Stellina (upscale Italian); Tomales Bakery (great pastries; open Thursday-Sunday); Tomales Bay Foods (sells picnic goodies)