A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA’S COAST AND THE NAPA VALLEY

Set at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge on the San Francisco Bay, Cavallo Point is the perfect destination for an intimate escape or fun-filled getaway. Our first destination for a five-day / four-night epic trip. Leaving LA to Napa began with our Lexus LC 500 arriving at our doorstep to cruise the coast in unbelievable style and horsepower. We caught many an eye with the sexy Lexus LC 500 while we cruised at highway speeds discussing this coastal journey with excitement. 

California is an outdoorsman’s paradise, but rugged does not have to mean you skimp on luxury or style. What we loved about the LC500 was, its attention to detail – the leather-wrapped gear shift is hand-stitched. The tail lamp design produces an infinity reflection using a one-way mirror, creating an L-shaped graphic. The spindle theme from the front grille is mirrored in the rear design invoking continuity and balance. As they say, the devil is in the details. Sexy. 

CAVALLO POINT

We arrived on a busy afternoon at Cavallo Point and were greeted by such an organized and relaxed bustling energy we felt the stress of the open road peel right off our shoulders. We had a great selection of wines offered while we chatted with the staff about our accommodations and future plans while we visited the property. Cavallo Point is not only an environmentally friendly luxury property but their contemporary rooms and suites combine environmental sensitivity with modern style. Each has a private entrance, cozy fireplace, and many feature beautiful Golden Gate bridge views. 

Views, firepits, spa and landscape this place delivers. What we most enjoyed was the opportunity just to discover all its history and really not have to leave or feel the need to. All inclusive of activities and restaurants you could see and do so much. Farley Bar, is just like its namesake Farley, the popular San Francisco Chronicle comic-strip character created by the late Phil Frank. Farley Bar is a local Bay Area favorite. Understated and relaxing, it offers a small-plate menu, creative cocktails, cozy fireplaces, leather club chairs, and a bar crafted from a fallen tree. Did I mention truffle popcorn and small batch brews. 

It’s no wonder this place is Winner of the 2017 Sustainable Tourism Leadership award and a leader in sustainable tourism. “Sustainable tourism can sometimes lead to unexpected opportunities,” says Costas Christ, Virtuoso’s global strategist for sustainability. With a 142-room LEED Gold Certified Cavallo Point lodge overlooking San Francisco Bay, served as a U.S. military base for more than a century before being transformed into an urban eco-resort. “It’s a tale of tourism helping transform swords into plowshares,” says Christ, who adds that, by reusing building materials and maintaining 100 percent of the exterior design, Cavallo Point preserved the Fort Baker army barracks next to the Golden Gate Bridge. 

We were down for the access to miles of biking and hiking trails in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, along with a healing-arts spa, a tea bar, and farm-to-fork dining at the lodge’s Murray Circle restaurant. There was even an option for yoga or a cooking classes. We had a hard time packing our bags because we were excited to move on to our next adventure. But off we went touring through the town of Sausalito and taking in some of the local fare. We could see why so many bay area locals make the trip across the bridge for the day. A special little area with many culinary delights. We jumped back in the LS 500, (the sound of that engine never got old) and turned up our tunes and headed out to Napa Valley. 

Cavallo Point, 

601 Murray Cir, 

Sausalito, CA 94965 

(415) 339-4700

THE POST RANCH INN

Oh Man, you don’t know what you’re missing if you have not been to this premier luxury retreat. A bucket list for many, The Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur has become a regular staple for many who come back year after year. For some families, it has become a right of passage for their young adult children to invited on a visit. The property is 18 and over. An adult paradise envisioned. 

High atop the cliffs of Big Sur, 1200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, sits Post Ranch Inn, a sanctuary for the soul. Ideal for romance, relaxation or rejuvenation, this Big Sur resort is the ultimate destination for a luxurious escape. With original architecture embracing the coast’s dramatic beauty, the 39 rooms blend rustic elegance, comfort, and privacy with panoramic ocean or mountain views. We felt as if we had the place to ourselves although they were at capacity during our stay, this place offered the social disconnect we needed. Ethereal closure we could not have even dreamt. We were sad to leave the moment we arrived. 

Dining at Sierra Mar was like eating while floating in the clouds. We were a bit giddy from the altitude perhaps, or maybe it was the combination of nature and habitat in one. I could not pinpoint it, but we enjoyed our prefix and let the atmosphere take the lead. We headed back to our cabin outlook, lit our wood burning fireplace and decided to open a bottle of wine while listening to the crickets sing. The comfortable beds did not disappoint either. The Post Ranch Inn has thought of it all. 

We woke to bright ocean views and hiking and yoga at the Yurt. So many activities at our fingertips it was hard to choose. I did yoga, and my partner did hiking. We agreed to meet at the infinity float pool which was a big hit after a day of being active. Views, views and more views this place has it. If you stroll down one of their many paths, you will stumble upon their farmer’s garden. I had the pleasure of meeting their in-house farmer who showed me his mushroom shed. A cool way to unwind and feel a part of nature and something more significant. Big Sur is truly special and what you realize is there is a living and breathing community there that helps to keep it wild and authentic. The Post Ranch does it’s best to stand out while also blending in with the natural landscape of Big Sur. Make your plans in advance, this resort is booked well in advance and has many excellent choices in accommodations. Our vote for the best luxury rustic wedding location in the US. Highway US 1 is now open so hit the road soon for this one of a kind experience. Heading back to LA was bittersweet, the LS500 motivated us to cruise back to reality in style.

The Post Ranch Inn, 

47900 California 1, 

Big Sur, CA 93920 

(831) 667-2200 

THE INK HOUSE

For those of you looking for a deeply personalized experience, I can’t stress enough how this is your place. Small, boutique and lavish comes to mind. Personalized service and customized experiences is their signature. 

We were invited to a tailored weekend of private tastings at vintners estate homes, garden parties with live music and farm to table dining. The Ink House brings you to your destinations in style. We rode in a chauffeured Bentley during our stay allowing all of our party to enjoy a glass or two of something special. Once back at the inn for sunset, we ran up to the crow’s nest and indulged in an array of delicious treats, Castellucci family wines. We ran down after sunset to enjoy the firepit and hang at the Bocce ball court. The inn’s property felt so much like an extension of our own home, which is a definite plus if you prefer a more intimate kind of trip. The next morning came too soon, we enjoyed our coffee in our room and then dined on the sumptuous European breakfast spread before us. The fully-stocked chef’s kitchen was outstanding, and guests have 24 hr access to this. 

Be prepared to make time for one of the signature Ink House experiences, like aperitivos and digestifs with the Castellucci family, and be sure to ask about the educational wine tastings with winemaker Jac Cole, and private tours of their Spring Mountain estate. 

We were off again and chose the windy scenic route to Big Sur to test out the Lexus LS 500 performance and handling. Feeling the wind in our hair and enjoying the surround sound of tunes engulfing our space, we loved the way the car felt as it rounded the bends and curves through Napa and beyond.

The Ink House 

1575 St Helena Hwy, 

St Helena, CA 94574 

707-968-9686. 

 

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Cavallo Point Photographs 

by Kodiak Greenwood 

The Post Inn Ranch 

Top Right Photograph 

by Kodiak Greenwood 

Bottom Left Photograph 

By Dave G. Houser / Getty Images 

Other Photos Courtesy of 

The Post Inn Ranch 

The Ink House Napa Valley Photographs 

Courtesy of The Ink House Napa Valley