California Archives - A Side of Sweet

North Lake Tahoe Travel Guide & Things to Do

Everything you need to know for visiting North Lake Tahoe – things to do, where to stay, where to eat, best hikes, scenic views and so much more!

North Lake Tahoe is a nature lover’s paradise year-round, with a wealth of outdoor activities and opportunities to connect with nature. It’s also the place to catch fall colors in Northern California. We visited the first week of November and still managed to catch the tail end of the season.

Fall just might be the best season to visit Lake Tahoe. It’s between the busy summer and winter seasons, meaning traffic from San Francisco is almost nonexistent! It took about three hours to get there from the city. Off season also means it’s easy to get a table at some of the most popular restaurants and hotel prices take a dip. There was hardly anyone on the hikes we did and the beaches were nearly empty at sunset. If you’re lucky, you may even catch mild weather – it was in the high 60’s while we were there.

Read on for what to do in North Lake Tahoe…

Wine Tasting in Livermore, California

When you’re visiting California wine country, skip Napa and go wine tasting in Livermore Valley. First on your list should be Wente Vineyards. Here’s why…

Last weekend I finally had a few days off from the hospital, so Pat and I did the short drive from San Francisco to the Livermore Valley wine region. Our only agenda was a relaxing day at Wente Vineyards. Wente is honestly one of the prettiest wineries we’ve ever visited. The white buildings remind me of our trip to South Africa. The temperate fall weather and palm trees really made it feel like we were on vacation…. Read More »

San Francisco Bakery Crawl

What better way to explore San Francisco by letting your sweet tooth be the guide? Explore four of the best bakeries in the city in my San Francisco bakery crawl. Here’s where to go, what to order and even a video tour to help you plan your adventure.

If you’re visiting San Francisco and looking for things to do, skip the touristy stuff and explore my city the best way – through our pastries! Eating your way through San Francisco is the best way to see – and appreciate – it…. Read More »

Little River Inn on Highway 1 Mendocino Coast

The Little River Inn on Highway 1 radiates cozy charm. They have an excellent restaurant, comfortable rooms and they are dog friendly! They are the perfect home base for a weekend getaway to Northern California.

The charming Little River Inn overlooks the beautiful Northern California coast right on Highway 1. It was the perfect home base for exploring the Mendocino area.

The staff was so friendly. We felt at home immediately when we checked in. The exterior of the property was lovely and the view of the ocean was amazing…. Read More »

10 Things to Do Around Mendocino, California

Mendocino, California and the surrounding area makes a great weekend getaway from San Francisco. It has an amazing food scene, the Anderson Valley wine region and many charming places to stay. It’s also incredibly dog friendly!

I just can’t say enough about what a hidden gem the Mendocino coast is. Its access to nature is incredible with the towering cliffs like Big Sur, and the redwood forests of far northern California, all with less traffic and better prices. There’s an up and coming wine country in the Anderson Valley and the food scene is booming.

It won’t be off the beaten path for too much longer though! We actually ran into a photographer from Travel & Leisure while we were there as he was getting content for an upcoming article. You need to move it to the top of your list for your next weekend getaway from San Francisco…. Read More »

The Sequoia Bar at Wayfare Tavern – San Francisco Cocktail Bar

The Sequoia Bar in San Francisco’s Financial District is a trendy lounge with amazing decor and great cocktails, but there’s another reason you HAVE to check it out! Read on….

Cheers friends! Here’s a look at one of my favorite new bars in San Francisco, The Sequoia. Located in the Financial District, you may have walked by it a dozen times and without ever knowing it’s there.

Before I go on, here’s a quick video featuring The Sequoia and two of my other favorite San Francisco cocktail bars!