Year in review: NYE 2009

Well, 2010 started with a bang, literally.  Last year 2009, the three of us packed my car for a 5-night trip to Northern California, as a last-minute trip since we were originally packed for Hawaii, but that trip cancelled.  The blessing in disguise was that we got to bring Tico with us. 

Hotel:
We stayed at Harbour Court Hotel, a Kimpton Hotel near the Embarcadero http://www.harborcourthotel.com/ .  The hotel is pretty, with modern amenities, flat-screen TV, brand new carpeting, etc.  DOGS OF ALL SIZES ARE WELCOME HERE.  The lobby is amazing, and the rooms are pretty good in size.  The beds are great, and Tico found himself a spot just at the foot of the bed.  We did get the basic room, which don't have views of the bay, but if you could spring it, I would recommend.  All of Kimpton have free hosted wine happy hour from 5-6pm I believe.  They also have the general manager chat up the guestts that do attend the happy hour, which was a nice touch.  The rate was about $99, with free internet, and free stay for Tico.  It was a large dog's dream hotel.  I didn't get a chance to use it, but they offer free use of the YMCA gym and pool next door.  The location is on the waterfront, but is walking distance to many great hotels, stores, and Union Square is a 10-minute walk from there.

Activities:
We checked out a dog park on Haight-Ashbury area called Buena Vista Park, which was at the corner of Haight and Buena Vista E.  It has a great view of the city.  It did not say off-leash, but we saw almost all of the dogs were without leashes.  Tico had a great time going up and down the shrubbed slopes, and the stairs up the hill.  http://www.yelp.com/biz/buena-vista-park-san-francisco

Bryan thought it would be fun to drive our little 4-seater through Lombard Street ("the crookedest street").  With all of the hills up and down leading to the actual crooked street, I almost had a heart attack with all of the SUV's rolling down in front of us.  Tico had to put his head down a few times because he couldn't handle the suspense either.  In the end, we did have fun going down the actual street.  People were taking pictures of us at the bottom of the street, and pointing at the large, scared dog in the backseat.  I found this photo of the street through Google.  More info on here:
http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/casfmenu/a/lombard.htm

This photo was taken near a dog beach, which is on the highway at the end of the Golden Gate park.  It was a dog beach that someone from Haight-Ashbury\Buena Vista Park has recommended to us.  The dog beach was empty at the time that we went because of the weather and the sand area was flooded in; so we ended up here instead, and roamed around the area.  Apparently there were two dog beaches in the area; so it's either the one called Fort Funston, or Ocean Beach.  I'd have to confirm, but either places would give you awesome views, and a happy beach-loving dog.   

Eats:
We ate at Cioppino's on the Wharf (400 Jefferson St.) and Tico was allowed to hang out with us on the patio.  I ate their cioppino.  Two people can share the soup with all of the seafood goodies.  It's about $28 I believe.  We also ate at one of the Italian restaurants on North Beach.  The parking is a pest (we parked in Chinatown area), but they accomodated us with Tico again.  I can't remember the name, but it's on Stockton.

We then drove to Napa for three nights.  We took the Oakland Bay Bridge and took the I-80 all the way to the 37, then took I-29 through American Canyon and follow the 121 to Napa. 

Hotel:
The Meritage http://www.meritageresort.com/ which is just a few miles away from downtown Napa.  It's a beautiful resort in the middle of the vineyards.  They actually have their own vineyards above the hill where the wine-tasting cave were.  The cave also houses the wine, and there's a spa right across from the wine-tasting room.  The hotel has a jacuzzi, and a great sized pool.  The hotel is Tuscan-style, and it reminds me of a scaled-down Palazzo hotel in Vegas.  And they welcomed my dog.  The staff is nice, and patient (we locked the bathroom doors a few times by mistake).  They always open the door for us, the registration desk always looks up to say hello, and the hotel is just beautiful, with a first-class bar and restaurant.  We stayed on the first floor at the end of one of the wings of the hotel.  I guess that's where they put most guests with dogs, because I could hear a small yippie dog on one of the rooms two doors from us whenever we pass by.  The great thing about the area that they placed us is that there is a separate exit to go out of the building.  You don't have to go through the lobby to get out, which; for someone with a large dog, could attract so much attention.  If only we could enter through that door too, because we sometimes come back with not-so-clean dog, you know what I mean?  And the back door is so close to the parking lot and you don't have walk too far as opposed to going through the lobby.  It's perfect too after shopping at the outlet mall (off the 29 highway just east of downtown Napa) with bags and a dog in tow.  It would be nice, but it's a security issue.  The room is fairly good in size, and the bathroom is huge.  They have a business center where you can use for free.  We had a view of the pool area.  The rates were about the same, about $110, and with a $50 one-time dog fee.  Here's a picture of one part of the lobby.  I just liked the color scheme. 

Eats:
We didn't really eat much with Tico when we were out and about.  For our first night, B and I checked out Bounty Hunter Wine Bar and Smokin Barbecue http://www.bountyhunterwinebar.com/ on 975 1st Street in downtown Napa, which was recommended by the hotel's door man.  They feature about a couple of hundred wines, which are mostly local; and they are good.  But they also feature other wines that are non-local, and I fell in love with a Cotes du Rhone for the first time.  They tasted like candy.  I can't find the name of the one that I drank off of their wine menu, but I'm sure it's one of their staples.  For food, we had the platter to share for $29.50, which included pulled pork, brisket, ribs, cole slaw.  I think we also ordered spinach dip, but the platter was more than enough.  The ambience is nice, modern, mostly couples and singles in their 30's and up, and not pretentious.  The staff are great as well.  And they love to talk wine.  I'd definitely go back.

Another time, we ordered take out and ate at the patio area by the pool.  No one bothered us.  We just picked up a few Thai food to go from one of the local restaurants in downtown Napa. 
 
Activities:
We checked out a dog park on Dry Creek Road called Canine Commons.  It was large, with dogs that are allowed off-leash.  The view of the grounds and fall leaves are nothing short of spectacular.  http://www.yelp.com/biz/canine-commons-dog-park-napa

We also took a drive down to Lake Berryessa.  You just take the highway 121 up and make a right on highway 128.  The drive was long, cold and isolated during the winter.  So by the time we got there, the boys are exhausted and not up for anything active.  We just hung out for a few minutes, have a snack, and headed back on the 121.  These photos were taken out of my Iphone and and I can't believe the quality.  The lake is just absolutely beautiful.

We then headed up north to Calistoga.  I'd probably come back here again with Bryan and just check out one of the hot springs that they offer.  With a dog in tow we can't really be out of his sight for a long time, so this would be another trip, where we'd need to leave the dog back home or back at the hotel.  We've never left Tico on his own in a hotel for a long time during the day, so we'll see how that will turn out.  On our way back, we passed by Beauleiu Vineyard in Rutherford, and I had a quick wine-tasting.  I lvoe BV because they have wine that are in my price point. 

We also roamed around in Sonoma Valley on NYE morning.  To get there, you take the 121 East, and take the 12 North.  We ate breakfast at one of the local cafe's.  One of the stores were having clearance after-christmas items, and I got us a christmas ornament to remember our trip to the wine country.  It's a red ceramic bird, and it is really precious. 

Anyhoo, with no plans for NYE, and we were short on funds, B and I ended up at Applebee's for dinner, since they had dinner deal for $19.99 which included two entrees, two appetizers, and two desserts.  We then got dressed to party, and went over to the hotel's NYE party, and lowballed our way in for $30 (regularly $40)\pp, since we got there at 11pm.  The after the countdown, I turned to take photos of the madness around me, and when I turned around, Bryan was kneeling on the floor with a ring in his hand.  Needless to say, I jumped around and screamed, but no one really noticed since it was ridiculously loud as it is in the room.  I texted everyone, and we got back to the hotel room to the excitable dog, and he licked my ring for approval.  Life is good.