Tucked away in Carmel Valley is Bernadus Lodge, which is its own little oasis in this already heavenly region of Northern California. The Lodge features just under 60 rooms, a small spa, a heated outdoor pool, and two restaurants. The Bernadus Winery is just a few miles up the road, and a stay at the Lodge includes complimentary wine-tasting.

The rooms feature fireplaces, soaking tubs and patios. The decor is simple and comfortable. Service is stellar here — and I like that there’s a flat-rate service charge included in the room rate, so I don’t have to worry about scrounging for dollars to tip the bellhop or valet.

Perhaps one of the best reasons to visit Bernardus is the on-site dining. A small group of us recently gathered at Marinus Restaurant for an amazing dining experience at the Chef’s Table. The booth in the kitchen offered such insight into the behind-the-scenes restaurant action. The chef was a pleasure — friendly and always taking the time to answer our questions or just explain random things to us.

As long as you’re not opposed to relaxing and maybe being pampered just a bit, there’s something for everyone here. Even a croquet lawn.

Bernardus Lodge
415 Carmel Valley Road,
Carmel Valley, CA 93924
(831) 658-3400

Manka’s offers several types of accommodation (including rooms above their main lodge, as well as cabins) and a much-touted restaurant. We stayed in Cabin 125, which is on a piece of property about 1/2-mile from the lodge, next to another cabin (The Perch). Our cabin featured a king-size bed, a wood-burning fireplace flanked by two reading nooks, and a private deck with a soaking tub. Sound relaxing? Definitely.

As great as the cabin itself was, the restaurant is reason enough to come here. The prefixed menu changes daily, based on what’s available locally. Breakfast is only available to Manka’s guests, while dinner is open to everyone. There is only one seating for each meal (between 8-9am for breakfast, and 7-8pm for dinner).

Breakfast one morning included fresh Gravenstein apple juice; wheatberry porridge; scrambled eggs with a goat cheese souffle; and a waffle topped with honey syrup and candied walnuts. And our first dinner at Manka’s was divine: biscuits served with spiced butter; warm beet puree over garlic panna cotta; salted cod cake; lamb shank to share; a cheese course with figs poached in port; and upside-down plum cake with freshly whipped cream.

The staff was cordial enough — we didn’t experience any bad service, but it wasn’t outstanding either. With the nightly rates running about $250-700, some people might have a problem with the level of service, but we were happy to be left alone and weren’t looking to be pampered.

Given the beautiful surroundings and exquisite cuisine, it’s no wonder that just a few hours into our visit, we were already plotting our return to Manka’s.

UPDATE: In late December 2006, Manka’s suffered a fire that ruined the entire restaurant, and damaged many of the rooms adjacent to it. Some accommodations are still available, however, and the owners have promised to rebuild.

Manka’s
30 Callendar Way
Inverness, CA 94937
(415) 669-1034

Although the space isn’t super-big, it’s filled with plenty of good-quality merchandise. Cashmere sweaters, flirty chiffon dresses, fancy stilettos, buttery-soft leather handbags, stylish wool overcoats — all marked down! The left side of the store is devoted to women’s clothing, while the right side is for men. In the back, before you hit the fitting rooms, is the accessories section (which should not to be overlooked).

Sure, some people come to Napa for the wine-tastings. Me? Not so much. That deeply discounted Diane von Furstenberg dress and a beautiful pair of Ferragamos is all the reason I need to make the drive there.

Barney’s New York Outlet
(at the Napa Premium Outlet)
821 Factory Stores Drive
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 224-0200

Although most people seemed to order the chef’s tasting menu, my husband and I opted for the three-course meal. There was not one, not two, but three amuse bouches. First up was a salty mango lassi; I wasn’t too fond of this salty (rather than the usual sweet) version of this drink. The second amuse was a delicious salt cod fritter. And finally, there was “The Egg” — a custard-like egg, sherry vinegar, chives and maple syrup layered in an eggshell. On the first bite, the contrast between the egg and the maple syrup was a bit too strong. But subsequent bites — once the runny yolk had been broken — were much better.

Now, on to the actual food that we ordered! We had the butterfish (served sashimi-style with olive oil, chives and sesame seeds) and the abalone (in brown butter, which sat atop layers of onions). Both were fantastic. For our main course, we enjoyed the farm poularde and the beef bavette. Again, we had absolutely no complaints.

I was glad the previous courses’ portions were on the small size, so we weren’t too full to enjoy the molasses cake and warm chocolate pudding. The cake was served with pears poached in port (a favorite of mine) and spice ice cream. The pudding was presented in the jar in which it was steamed, along with a scoop of rocky road ice cream. We easily finished off both desserts. As you would expect at a restaurant of this caliber, a platter of complimentary sweets were also provided at the end of the meal.

At the end of the evening, we rolled out of there completely satisfied. This restaurant in the ‘burbs (Los Gatos is about 45 minutes from San Francisco) definitely lives up to the accolades. If you’re looking for an adventure in taste and texture, it’s worth the trip here — even if, like us, you get a little lost finding the place!

Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane
Los Gatos, CA
(408) 354-4330

Today, I still have a weakness for churros, but I also have a hard time finding really good ones. The ones at the ballpark? Too dry and cold (I always order them anyway and am disappointed every time). The ones at Taco Bell? Puh-lease. Then a couple of years ago, along came Tacubaya, which was opened by the people behind the popular (and more upscale) Dona Tomas Mexican restaurant in Oakland.

The made-to-order churros are only offered in the morning during the week, but you can have them any time during the weekends. I like to grab a helping of churros and a spicy hot chocolate, then seat myself outside for some great people-watching. But indoor seating is also available, and the taqueria’s menu is actually rather extensive. Huevos divorciados (”divorced eggs,” served with a green and a red sauce) is another popular breakfast dish, and I am a big fan of the fish tacos or sopa de tortilla for lunch. If you’ve got a craving for menudo, Tacubaya serves it on Saturdays and Sundays.

Since Disneyland isn’t very convenient to my house — and, let’s face it, I don’t think those churros were really ever that good (I was just a child!) — Tacubaya is the perfect destination when I need to satisfy a churros fix.

Tacubaya
1788 Fourth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 525-5160

When you need a little break, stop in at the Pulgas Water Temple. You’ll find restrooms, drinking fountains and an unlikely sight: a Roman-styled temple with fluted columns. The monument celebrates the completion of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct that brings water 167 miles from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Bay Area. Beside the 60-foot-tall temple is a rectangular reflection pool lined with elongated cypress trees.

It’s hard to believe this tranquil spot is just a short distance from the City.

Off-limits to cars: 9am-3pm November-March; 9am-4pm April-October.

To get there: From San Francisco, take Highway 280 south and exit at Edgewood Road (heading east). Park at the Park ‘n Ride lot and go back under the freeeway (a short distance) to Canada Road.

For more information: Bicycle Sunday.

The hour-long tour kicks off in the factory gift shop, then proceeds to a small room just outside the manufacturing area. This is where the sampling, learning and question-asking happens. Next up is the actual tour, which is rather short and allows you a peek at the big machines used in the chocolate-making process. (Bring a camera so you can take a picture of your friends wearing the lovely hair nets that are required in the factory.)

When you’re done with your tour, you’ll no doubt be in a chocolate-eating mood. So load up on goodies in the gift shop, or stop in at Cafe Cacao. I’d gladly pay a $3 bridge toll just for their banana and chocolate pancakes!

Scharffen Berger
914 Heinz Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 981-4066

True! Just a short drive down the Peninsula will take you to the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts — which offers 24 galleries, a sculpture garden and even an excellent museum cafe.

The Auguste Rodin collection, housed indoors and out, offers a glimpse of the French sculptor’s work throughout his life. All of the biggies are here: The Thinker, The Gates of Hell, The Three Shades, The Kiss and about 180 other pieces.

After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the musem — formerly known as the Stanford Museum — closed for an extensive renovation. Ten years later, it re-emerged as the Cantor Center. Now totaling about 120,000 square feet, even if you’re not a Rodin fan, there’s still plenty to see.

The Cantor Center is one of the most comprehensive and diverse art collections in the Bay Area. In one gallery you’ll find treasures from the Ming Dynasty. In the next, African masks and carved figurines. Keep wandering and you’ll stumble upon paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe as well as sculptures by Willem de Kooning.

When you’re ready for a break, stop in at the Cool Cafe — where most of the ingredients are organic. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, plus there are a couple of picnic tables on the lawn.

Oh, and did I mention that the museum is free? And there’s plenty of parking on the weekends? Suddenly, a trip to the suburbs sounds downright appealing.

Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts
328 Lomita Drive and Museum Way (off Palm Drive)
Stanford, CA 94305-5060
(650) 723-4177

So yes, you can come here and have a good time, but what about the wine? Behind the tasting room’s offbeat ambiance are some great, unique wines at reasonable prices. And the staff is actually as knowledgeable as it is friendly.

Bonny Doon’s tasting room sells over 30 wines, and pours about 10 daily. The Big House Red, Sangiovese and Malvasia Bianca are a few favorites. If there’s one you just have to try and it isn’t listed as one of the day’s offerings, just ask; there’s a good chance they’ll accommodate your special request.

For me, the best part of the tasting is the finale: Shots of the raspberry-infused Frambois are served in small, dark chocolate cups. Both the Frambois and the cups are available for purchase. The combination is certain to impress at your next dinner party … Especially if you can serve them with an eye-patch on, without spilling.

Bonny Doon Vineyard
10 Pine Flat Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-4518

Overlooking the first and second fairways of the famed course, the Mediterranean-style villa offers modern comforts in an old-world setting. There are just 24 rooms and suites — all of which have wood-burning fireplaces, and many with balconies or private outdoor hot tubs. The bathrooms boast heated slate floors and tubs that are big enough for two. Continental breakfast (delivered in a cute basket every morning), plus all of the snacks and beverages that are stocked in the room, are included in your stay.

With all of these amenities, why you would ever leave your room? For starters, the fragrant gardens and trickling fountains offer a tranquil spot to read or relax. You can brush up on your skills in the billiards room, or take a swim in the heated outdoor pool. In the evening, the main house plays host to a happy hour, where the drinks and food are free and for guests-only. (We’re not talking chips and salsa here — more like oysters and sashimi.)

And let’s not forget the world-class Spa at Pebble Beach, which is adjacent to Casa Palmero. The 22,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility offers an array of massages, wraps, peels, and scrubs. While I can’t resist a manicure/pedicure at the beauty salon, my husband likes to indulge in at least two massages followed by a nice rest in the spa’s conservatory lounge.

Although Casa Palmero doesn’t have its own restaurant, there are several just down the road at the Lodge at Pebble Beach. (Room service is available from most of these restaurants.) For more dining options, you can make a trip into Carmel. And don’t you worry about how to get there: Casa Palmero offers complimentary rides into town. Would you expect anything less?

TIP: Ask for a ground-floor spa room, which features a private patio with French doors that open onto your own whirlpool spa.

Casa Palmero
1518 Cypress Drive
Pebble Beach, CA 93950
(800) 654-9300