My ten day tour of California.

[Braineack]

You didn't ask for it, but here it is. I just got back from a 10-day tour of California. We flew into LA, and stayed in Santa Barbara a few nights, drove up the coast hitting places like Solvang, Pismo, and Carmel on the way up to San Francisco where we stayed a few more, then toured Napa and Sonoma.

Had a blast, wish I took more pics, but it's hard to take it all in and enjoy myself and also juggle trying to capture it all.

Here's a few of my favorites:


Greystone Mansion Courtyard by The Braineack, on Flickr


Blue Macaw by The Braineack, on Flickr


Sailor with Skaters on Cabrillo Ave by The Braineack, on Flickr


Do Not Feed Birds - Pismo Beach by The Braineack, on Flickr


View from Nepenthe - Big Sur, CA by The Braineack, on Flickr


One Man Band on Pier 39 by The Braineack, on Flickr


Taking in the City by The Braineack, on Flickr


Metal Pinwheel Art at St. Francis Winery by The Braineack, on Flickr


Heitz Wine Cellars Vines by The Braineack, on Flickr


Brix Restaurant Garden at Sunset by The Braineack, on Flickr


The rest of the album can be found here: California Trip 2014 (129 Photos)

 

[Designer]

I was going to ask to see your pictures. Not too many for me.

You went to The French Laundry without me! Was Brix better?

Excellent shots, thank you!

 

[Braineack]

You went to The French Laundry without me! Was Brix better?

In Yountville alone, we went to French Laundry, Brix, Bottega, Ad Hoc, and Redd. All good in their own rights, Thomas Keller owns Ad Hoc as well, but French Laundry was an awesome 3-hour 9-course adventure...The oysters and pearls (sturgeon caviar) was probably my favorite meal of the entire trip.

Brix was our last meal there, it was really good. It was hard to say what was the best, but my wife thought Girl and the Fig in Sonoma was her favorite.

In LA we ate at Spago (met Wolfgang) and Craft (Tom Colicchio's).

Brunch in SF at Foreign Cinema was really really good and deserves the shout out.

I can add in a bit more food pics later tonight if you really want. My only disappointment was that I didn't try In and Out...

 

[Designer]

In and Out Burgers? Not my favorite burger chain.

 

[Braineack]

In and Out Burgers? Not my favorite burger chain.

I just wanted to try it. But it was like: do I try cheap burgers from a chain, or a wagyu beef burger with local brie and homemade pickles?

 

[Designer]

In and Out Burgers? Not my favorite burger chain.

I just wanted to try it. But it was like: do I try cheap burgers from a chain, or a wagyu beef burger with local brie and homemade pickles?

A "no-brainer" if you pardon the expression.

 

[leeroix]

Cool man. My neck of the woods Lots of great eats and drinks…

 

[Braineack]

Cool man. My neck of the woods Lots of great eats and drinks…

and no bugs...

 

[terri]

Looks like you had a blast - what a great road trip!

I envy you all the great dining experiences, too.

 

[Ec1981]

Excellent set of photos!!

 

[Braineack]

Thanks! The trip was fun, food was great--Planned it all around food.

 

[LarryLomona]

I look at your flickr page, looks like you had a great time, nice photo. Larry

 

[Braineack]

I look at your flickr page, looks like you had a great time, nice photo. Larry

Had a great time, just wish I took more photos and had more time/opportunity to take better pictures.

 

[Braineack]

Added a few more shots. Any other critique/thoughts? I know it's a lot but any feedback is nice.