#22: Across the Golden Gate

On this trip, we did not actually stay in San Francisco.  We were on the sunny side of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County where our friend Alexis has lived for many years.

Marin is an ideal location; it feels like a laid-back, suburban Garden of Eden. The weather is mild and sunny, gardens are green and lush, homes and public buildings are attractive. Even the people look good.    (There must be ugly bits somewhere, but either we didn't see them, or we didn't notice them.)
 

Dinner is a few blocks away:  Woodlands grocery and restaurant

For many years Alexis lived in Marin's capital, San Rafael, but now retired and single, she has moved to Kentfield, a nearby artsy community of about 10,000.  From her compact new digs, she can walk to local shops and restaurants, the community college, or the nearby Marin Art and Garden Centre where she is a volunteer.

The cunning, folding "study" is a big trunk!

 


 
Her move was not intended to be permanent. She never thought she could live in a tiny apartment, but she has happily down-sized and intends to stay put now that she has finessed essential furniture and art work into 500-or-so square feet. She has everything she needs, and the location is perfect.

The living room 

Foyer cum dining room

 








The only downside is that she has no room for guests, but for super-generous Alexis, that is easily remedied.  "You guys take my place, and I'll stay with a friend." she offered.

So we got to be pretend-Mariners for a couple of days.  Alexis would meet us for breakfast (perhaps at the local coffee shop with the outdoor terrace), and we would explore the town and environs together.

And my goodness, there are certainly many diversions.  Living in Marin County means that you are only a half hour from San Francisco, and you are also a short drive from the two big wine regions, the Sonoma  and Napa Valleys.  Imagine leisure-seeking locals and the conflicts they regularly endure:  tour the Embaradero,  or go on a wine tour?   Dear me. Decisions, decisions.

We visited one of Alexis' favourite Sonoma wineries.  We sampled their wares,  picnicked on the grounds and enjoyed the magnificent scenery.  The vista was uncluttered and magnificent.

Alone, alone, all all alone, alone at a winery.....

Our picnic place

I couldn't help wonder why everyone else in California doesn't move here. ( I wanted to move here!)  There appeared to be plenty of room, although what I perceived as empty space might actually have been yet another vineyard.

Then again, would-be Mariners are perhaps discouraged by the average price of a single family dwelling in one of several delightful communities.  Got almost a million to spare? Paradise does not come cheap. No wonder our friend is biding her time in a perfect one-bedroom apartment.