Wine and Spirits Travel

I actually took some time off this weekend to spend with the family, while having a chance to taste my way around more of Marin County. I’m staying at the Courtyard Larkspur which is in a perfect location for just about anything you want to do in this area.  The hotel’s only about a mile from Highway 101, within walking distance of the San Francisco Ferry Terminal and across from a great little shopping center. Within that center is the Marin Brewing Company which, as the name indicates, is a great place for beer.  I enlisted Sam’s help in trying some out and she gave it the thumbs up. We made our way around the county on Sunday.  I explored the Larkspur area a little, taking in the 70 degree weather (and, unfortunately, the pollen).  The Courtyard by Marriott Larkspur Landing has a great Bistro in the lobby that has Starbucks coffee and a good selection of healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner choices.  I also love the large lounge area for relaxing and catching up on sports (on y

Marin County is the often forgotten area between San Francisco and the California wine countries of Napa and Sonoma. I have been here many times because I have family in this area, but this is the first time I’m getting to spend a week in this area exploring. My last trip here included a mini girls’ getaway with my nieces which was a lot of fun.  This time it’s going to be a Napa getaway in Calistoga, but before that gets here I am checking out Marin, starting with Novato. According to Christine Bohlke, my contact from the Marin County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Novato is just the place for the Spirits Traveler to begin. You see, legend has it that a Russian contingency came here and was disappointed to find this area had “No Vodka,” and named the town accordingly! You won’t find a shortage of vodka – or any other spirits – here these days and Christine helped me prove that by taking me around town.  I had the pleasure of staying at one of the great representatives of Nova