Above: The main street in Yountville features a beautiful sculpture art walk that is a great way to start the day.  Beautiful sculptures up and down the street.

Napa Valley is known around the world as a beautiful serene place with some of the most delicious restaurants, beautiful vinyards and gorgesous landscapes.  I'm a local Bay Area girl growing up less than an hour from the Valley and I've been visiting Napa and Sonoma with my family for more than 30 years.  In my former life as a PR person, I first fell in love when I had a few clients in the area including working on the opening of the Rutherford Grill back in the early 90s.  I got to know the area and enjoy the rolling hills, amazing restaurants, beautiful hiking areas and Lake Berryessa. 

My husband and I were married in Rutherford and we have been celebrating holidays here with friends and family since then.  I just love it.   Today, we are lucky enough to own a home in St. Helena and enjoy it's beauty year round.  Many people ask me for my favorite places to visit, stay and eat so here it goes -- enjoy!  This blog will highlight some of my favorites where to stay to help you plan a visit.  I will do a few more with places to eat and wineries to visit so stay tuned.  Best time to visit -- well right now -- it's Harvest Season and the time of year we call California Summer -- the temps are perfect, warm sunny days and cool nights perfect for fire pints and drinking wine.  However, anytime of year is perfect for the Napa Valley (or Sonoma) so plan a visit! 

Cheers -- lisa lori

 Great hats at our store from Bartbridge.  

Where To Stay (alphabetically)

Archer Hotel

1230 1st St, Napa, CA --  707-690-9800

In the last 10 years, downtown Napa has been revitailzed with new restaurants, new hotels and tasting rooms -- we had our Napa pop up here at First Street. This hotel has a great rooftop bar and is favored by groups, parties and people who might want to be central and easily walk to tasting rooms, shopping and restuarants.  Last year, we had a pop up at First Street Napa and met wonderful local merchants including The Bennington Napa Valley (great wine country gifts) and C'est La Paire Shoes -- check them out and tell them we sent you!

Auberge du Soleil 

180 Rutherford Hill Rd, Rutherford, CA -- 800-348-5406

Ahhh Auberge, romantic, killer views and everything you could want in a Napa sojourn.  Overlooking the Silverado Trail they have a great spa, restaurant and bar.  Romance awaits.

Four Seasons Calistoga

400 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA -- 707-709-2100

Off the gorgeous Silverado Trail, this brand new hotel has been long awaited in the Valley.  Although I've never stayed there, you can never go wrong with a Four Seasons and Calistoga although the most north town on the wine trail has been popping in the last few years with new hotels, restaurants and wineries.

Hotel Yountville

 6462 Washington St, Yountville, CA -- 707-967-7900

This was our go to hotel for my husband and I when we visited.  Yountville is lovely and home to some of the most incredible restaurants (French Laundry, Bouchon and more).  Great rooms, beautiful pool and great outdoor fire pits.  Nothing beats a great charcuterie plate and wine outside by the fire pit at the Hotel Yountville.  Yum!

Solange Resort & Spa

755 Silverado Trail N, Calistoga, CA -- 866-942-7442

This is the newest Auberge in the area and it is beautiful.  Again, I haven't stayed there but my husband and I recently ate at the restaurant outside by the pool and it was a beautiful setting and great meal.  All of the amenities of a big resort.

Amazing Hamachi Crudo below at Solange Resort (yum!)

Beautiful Places -- 707-996-0266

Hotels are lovely but sometimes staying in a home is easiser for a family, reunion, girls weekend etc... For our family holidays, we used a wonderful rental company that helped us find amazing homes.  The one glitch -- in Napa County you cannot do short term rentals so there is a minimum 30 day rental, however nearby Sonoma County which is very close by and also very charming doesn't have that same restriction and lovely homes.  We've done both and had great experiences.  

Napa Valley Tourism Bureau

#visitnapavalley

1300 1st St #313
Napa, CA 94559

Hi, I'm Celeste! I'm a senior at UCSB and the Perfect Provenance's newest marketing intern. Yesterday I visited Angel Island State Park for the first time. Having lived in Marin County all my life yet never visited, I was excited to experience the island's rich history and natural beauty.

On my trip I wore an adorable outfit from our store, pictured above. Details: Neslie blouse by Vanessa Bruno ($225), Tobby shorts by Vanessa Bruno ($260), Glenn sandals by Robert Clergerie ($512), and Abalone Gold Circle earrings by Earthy Luxe ($120). 

In the early 1800s, Angel Island served as a military base, transitioning into an immigration station after WWII. Up to a million immigrants passed through its gates, the majority of which being Asian immigrants, making it one of the first sites of Asian American culture and literature and earning it the nickname "Ellis of the West."

How To Get There:

Angel Island is only a 10 minute Ferry ride from downtown Tiburon! The ferry schedule varies, running every day in the summer months, although more limitedly on the weekdays. Check their website for details.

Tickets cost $15 for adults, $14 for seniors, $13 for children under 12 years old, $5 for children under 5, and free for toddlers under 2. After July 31st, 2022, prices will be rising by a few dollars. 

Angel Island welcomes around 200,000 visitors each year, most of which in the summer as it is an ideal time to visit. The summer schedule is as follows:

Weekdays: 10, 11, or 1 pm departure from Tiburon (3 pm for campers only); 10:20, 11:20, 1:20, and 3:20 departure from Angel Island 

Weekends: 10, 11, 1, 2, 3, 4 (5pm for campers only); 10:20, 11:20, 1:20, 2:20, 3:20, 4:20, 5:20 departure 

Pets such as dogs are not allowed on the island, but you can bring your bike for an additional $1.00 per person.

Make sure you take the correct ferry! I made the mistake of lining up for the San Francisco ferry instead. The Angel Island ferry is white and smaller, marked with "Angel Island" on the far right side of the dock if you are facing the water. If you are like me and happen to miss your ferry, although tickets are not refundable you can easily change their date or time at no extra charge. Call their office to do so, but note that their phone lines are closed Mondays and Tuesdays. 

What To Do:

The ferry will drop you off at Alaya Cove, where you will be greeted by friendly staff, signs, and maps to help guide you. This cove also hosts a Welcome Center, Gift Shop, Bike Rental kiosk, and Café. 

Depending on the day of the week, your energy level, and time frame, there are a variety of activities to do on Angel Island. 

If you're feeling active, hike the Angel Island Perimeter loop. This 5 mile hike allows you to see the entirety of the island's rich history and takes about 2.5 hours to complete. 

For a shorter, yet more challenging climb, hike Garrison Fire Road, a 3 mile trek that gives way to breathtaking views of the Bay. 

A more relaxed activity would be to go for a bike ride around the island. I would especially recommend this option for families with younger children. The island's coastal bike paths can take you all around, from beautiful Quarry Beach to historical Civil War landmark Camp Reynolds. If you can't bring your own bike they are available to rent on a first come, first serve basis hourly or daily upon arrival. 

 Another family-friendly activity is the tram tour of the island. For $18 a person, the tram will take you on a guided tour of the entire island, lasting about an hour. On the tour you will see historical sites such as the old barracks, immigration detention center, and Alcatraz Island, as well as gorgeous beaches and adorable animals like deer and geese. The amazing guides will also share interesting anecdotes about the island and those who once lived on it. Tram spots can be reserved in advance, and the tour is an engaging and easy way to understand what Angel Island is all about. 

Where To Eat:

After a few hours of exploring, stop for lunch at the Angel Island Café. Although the café is small and casual, it has all kinds of snacks, drinks, and comfort food like hot dogs and burritos. And don't forget to grab a delicious ice cream while you wait for your ferry back to Tiburon!

They are open from 10am-3pm on the weekdays and 10am-4pm on the weekends. Be sure to arrive 30 minutes before closing if you want lunch food as their kitchen tends to close early. On Saturdays in the summer the Café also hosts "Angel Island Live," a series of music performances by local artists. One thing to note is that there are a ton of wasps at the Café, making it difficult to relax and eat in peace. I'd recommend that you instead take your food to one of the many picnic spots around the island such as this one:

Weather:

It is best to go to Angel Island on clear, sunny days, as that will guarantee you a good view of the Bay and its surrounding beauty. Even on sunny days the island is pretty windy, so I would recommend bringing a warm sweater or jacket. 

I loved my day trip to Angel Island and would highly recommend it to anyone, tourist or Marin local alike. 

If you end up loving Angel Island too you can donate $50-$150 and become a member. Conservancy membership means grants you access to discounts at the Angel Island cafe and gift shop, on bike rentals, and even from various local vendors, including Sam's Cafe and us at the Perfect Provenance! You can find more information about this program here. 

I hope you enjoy your afternoon at Angel Island!

Ahhh St. Barts, the French Caribbean island known for beautiful beaches, celebrities, yachts and amazing restaurants.  I've just returned from a wonderful week with my husband and close friends from Greenwich and I can't wait to share all of the exciting developments on the island.  The island's popularity has grown signficently during the time of Covid, I can only assume because visitors who might have gone to Europe in the past are now opting for a Caribbean getaway.  Hotels have been booked even during typically more quiet times of the year.  Our trip was actually planned for a year and half ago but got cancelled because of lockdowns.  We rebooked approximately six months ago and were suprised that so many villas were already booked.  For covid testing, we did our test virtually through Abbott Labs -- it was easy and convenient. 

A small island means beautiful views everywhere you look 

I first visited St. Barts more than 25 years ago when I did travel and luxury PR on a one day press trip while taking journalists to a nearby island.  At that time, in the 'old days' there were no car rental agencies, and only the locals buzzing around in Mokes.  I remember falling in love with it then because it was unspoiled and cosmopolitan all at the same time.  It's petite size, difficulty getting to, natural beauty and joie de vivre of the locals really is something special.   Today, it is all those things and more but wow how things have changed.  Through my career and personal travel, I have traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and it is still one of my favorite places in the world.  Mokes have made a big comeback and are all the rage on the island in gorgeous colors -- life coming full circle!

The Run Down

There are two main hubs of activity on St. Barts -- Gustavia, home to the city's port, fabulous shopping and amazing restaurants & St. Jean, a smaller equally chic area featuring shopping, resorts, beaches and more.  If you want to be near the action -- choose a villa or resort close by one of these two locations but remember St. Barts is a small island so no where is really that far from the fun.  The island has invested significently in improving the roads and creating sidewalks, gone are the days of bumpy rides -- the roads are almost all redone and while there are not sidewalks everywhere there are many more than used to exist.  Driving is a sport here with windy roads, lots of scooters and fast drivers so be careful!

Hotel or Villa?

My husband and I began coming to St. Barts with our kids more than 15 years ago.  We prefer to rent one of the many villas on the island versus staying at a hotel because we love cooking and the privacy, but there are many wonderful hotels on the island.  Following Hurrican Irma in 2017, many hotels and villas were damaged signficiently, but in the years since, enormous investment and upgrades were made and it is nothing short of spectacular.  

One of the most amazing hotel renovations and reopenings this year was the Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth .  After a four year renovation  this resort is amazing -- a beautiful redesigned beach, restaurants, spa and so much more.  I have always loved the spa and booked treatments there this past week.  The staff is welcoming and very friendly.  The new restaurant Beach House is delicious, bar is beautiful and pool area comfortable and fun.  This resort allows children, some are adults only catering to honeymooners etc but there are plenty of choices for everyone.

Senses Spa at Le Guanahani is calm and relaxing

There are multiple villa rental companies -- you can rent your villa based on the amount of bedrooms you will actually use (e.g. 3 or 4 etc..).  Please note, many of the villas are ranch style homes and each bedroom can have it's own entrance so if you go with kids make sure your bedrooms are all under one roof when you book.  It is a very safe island but the first time we went we didn't know this and ended up have all children sleep in our room on cushions on the floor!  We use St. Barth Villas for rentals but there are numerous companies that are great.  They can help you get a car rental, exercise equipment, provide concierge services, private chefs, boat charters -- you name it they can do it.

What To Do

The beaches are among the most beautiful in the world, they are all open to the public -- the only choice you need to make is to go to one with a beach side restaurant (Shell, St. Jean)  or bring your own picnic and enjoy swimming in a the ocean on a gorgeous white sand beach (Columbier, Gouvernors, Saline) .  Beach side dining is worth visitng St. Barts alone for -- DJ's pumping out the music, Rosé flowing, incredible people watching and amazing seafood!  My favorite beachside dining --- Nikki Beach (the happiest place on Earth!, Shellona , and the newly opened Gyp Sea.  

Sunset on the water

For fitness -- there are plenty of options, running, tennis, swimming, water sports.  If you stay at a hotel -- they will have all or some of these.  If you stay at a villa no worries, there are great options for you as well -- for tennis, St. Barth Tennis has great courts and you can rent racquets and buy balls (go early it's hot during the day).  There are a couple of gyms on the island, we have used Form Fitness  in Gustavia and they have all the equipment and offer day passes.  For boating, there are several options but we love St. Barth Sailor, you can do morning, afternoon or sunset rental cruises with snorkeling, swimming and spectacular vistas on their catamarans.  There are drinks and snacks available or you can bring your own.  The owner Miguel is fifth generation St. Barths and is a wonderful guide.  

Everywhere is cocktail time on St. Barths!

The Food & Shopping

The restaurants and shopping are truly wonderful on St. Barths, you will have alll of the beneifts of a French Riviera experience in the Caribbean.  New restaurants seem to be opening everywhere but there are island favorities that remain enormously popular.  You cannot possibly try all of the restaurants in one week so choose your cuisine and go for it.  Food is pricey in St. Barts but if you combine some of the more casual dining, cooking in a villa and some special nights out you can enjoy everything the island has to offer.  In the past, tipping was included with service and your bill (as it is done in Europe) but today, some restaurants ask for tips -- food is pricey in St. Barts so ask your server.  For groceries, there is an amazing new grocery store right across from the airport where you can stock up on everything and there are now numerous smaller food markets throughout the island, this is a welcome development.  

Most shops are closed between noon - 4 p.m. and on Sundays so check ahead on a specific store, it is hot during the day and they follow a tradition of a long siesta schedule.  

Check out the island's Creperie for delicious French classics

Some of my favorites -- Bagatelle (French), Bonito (Seafood), Tamarin (Continental--gorgeous tropical oasis!), new L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Saint Barth (prix fixe -- two options), new super chic La Petite Plage  -- believe me it's all good.  You cannot go wrong in St. Barths -- the food is amazing.  For families, Jojo Burger is also a favorite.  Also throughout the island are several boulangeries -- bakeries with delicious salads, pastries, quiches and sandwiches.  We always stock up and the croissants are amazing.

Wonderful shopping in downtown Gustavia

For shopping, several major European designers are here LV, Dior, Hermes, Dolce & Gabbana, Hartford Paris and many more, as well as wonderful local designers Lolita Jaca, Voila Saint Barth, MC2, Poupette Saint Barth, Clic.  What's so great is there is great resort wear but also just great home, decor, accessories, menswear, womenswear and more.  The shopping is in Gustavia and St. Jean, stroll, eat, have a cocktail, enjoy!

We love St. Barts!

For more information on St. Barths -- visit St. Barths Tourism.

Beautiful Saline Beach in Saint Barths If you follow us on social media, you may have seen me posting photos from beautiful St. Barts. I have had several people reach out to ask me how the island is doing post Irma. This is my second trip since the hurricane, we also went for Thanksgiving week just weeks after the store.

I love Paris for more reasons than I could ever communicate in one or two blogs but I am going to try to give you a window into what I love about the City of Light, and why you should consider planning a visit.  For my first blog, I am going to give you a quick overview of what I love and some ideas for planning a visit.

Several years ago when I had my PR firm, I was introduced to LongHouse Reserve (www.longhouse.org), a beautiful sculpture and art garden in East Hampton, New York. It is the home of textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen, and he has made it his legacy to turn the property and all of the incredible works on it, open and available to the public.