Fog City Finesse: San Francisco's Allure

No visit to the west coast of the United States, and especially to northern California, is complete without a stop at San Francisco. Not only is the city a commercial and financial center but also a cultural and culinary destination. Among some of the venues it is known the world over for are Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Exploratorium, Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown.

While many large corporations have their headquarters located here, it is also home to museums such as de Young Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the California Academy of Sciences. A stop at the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero, Alamo Square Park, Lombard Street, Financial District, Union Square and Pier 39 are always recommended.

But there is so much more that the city has on offer aside from the usual suspects. It’s just hours away from California wineries in under-the-radar regions such as Suisun Valley, Lodi and Petaluma Gap, all with younger female winemakers doing some innovative things in the industry, that are putting their varietals on the map while offering a safe, socially distant wine-centric road trip.

While Napa and Sonoma tasting rooms are equally enticing and set in idyllic charming areas, these wineries offer a distinctive getaway for the upcoming warmer months. Oak Farm Vineyards in Lodi is a top-rated winery, historic estate and centerpiece of the Lodi wine region offering award-winning wines bringing a taste of far-off regions (try their Barbera and new Primitivo), historic walking tours of the 70-acre estate with centuriesold oak trees, ample outdoor seating and private glass/bottle service. It features private and convenient (also good for long-term stays) accommodations at Annadan Vineyard Suites, a standalone two-bedroom with fully upgraded furnishings, ample living space and outdoor area just a few minutes’ walk from the winery. The new Barrel Room and commercial kitchen is great for parties. Tolenas Winery in Suisun Valley is a hidden gem of the wine region, in an area that is also widely recognized for its quality produce and charming farmer’s markets and farm stands. Head here for a rare White Pinot Noir (took gold in the 2019 International Women’s Wine Competition) and Lot 38 Dessert Wine, a port “nouveau” that’s “not your mom’s port wine”. Tolenas specializes in clean wines and abstain from disturbing their vines with additives or chemicals and preserving the land they work as much as possible. Trombetta Family Wines in Petaluma Gap is the brainchild of a mother-daughter powerhouse winemaking team. Enjoy an intimate tasting at their family home and tour of their custom crush facilities, welcomed as a close friend for a taste of their award-winning Chardonnays, ideal for spring’s warmer weather. These low-key regions offer less crowded tasting rooms, charming streets and largely undiscovered destinations appealing to wine enthusiasts and those in search of artisan foods and award-winning cuisine, abundance of outdoor activities (hiking, biking, historic parks, kayaking, wildlife preserves), private accommodations and more.

For those seeking fabulous foodie experiences, San Francisco is your playground. After all, Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race” filmed it’s entire 20/21 season here and the city is the venue for several food and wine, spirits and other gourmet and culinary events every year. San Francisco’s sights, sports, music, and cultural attractions alone inspire millions of travelers. However, the biggest draw is San Francisco’s renowned culinary landscape. In 2019, when Michelin announced the highly anticipated selection of star awards in the “2019 MICHELIN Guide California,” the first ever statewide MICHELIN Guide, of the 90 restaurants receiving Michelin stars in the new guide, 68% were located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dominique Crenn at Atelier Crenn was the only female chef in the U.S. to achieve three Michelin stars at the time. Her newer restaurant, Bar Crenn, also has a Michelin star. Californios, in San Francisco, was the only two-star Mexican restaurant in the world and Campton Place Bar and Bistro was the only Indian two-star restaurant in the world. Al’s Place on Valencia Street was one of the least expensive Michelin star restaurant in the U.S. Among the many food firsts created in the San Francisco Bay Area are martini, pisco punch, popsicle, mai tai and green goddess salad dressing.

Finding accommodation for any level of luxury or budget is easy in San Francisco. The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, sets a new standard of excellence in the City by the Bay. Set within a 1909 Neoclassical landmark building in the prestigious Nob Hill neighborhood, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is conveniently located in the heart of the city.

Insider tip: San Francisco is offered on City Pass so you can save on entry fees to a number of frequented attractions and skip long wait lines! m

(Images: Ruksana Hussain)

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