In "The Spotlight" I focus attention on some of my favorite travel and dining spots. I cover unique and interesting restaurants with a special emphasis on great food and terrific dining experiences.
Posted January 15, 2011
Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved www.onegreatdish.com
It's no wonder that San Francisco is symbolized by a heart. I love this city with its charming and picturesque Victorian architecture, the clang clang of the cable cars, and the mysterious, fog-shrouded Golden Gate Bridge. The mix of cultures here has created an interestingly diverse restaurant community. Fisherman's Wharf is only a short distance from Little Italy which is not far from Chinatown, and so on. It's a great town for restaurant collecting.
When in San Francisco, there is so much to do and see that I hesitate to suggest that you leave the city. However, the excursion I am about to describe takes only a few hours and I found the trip to be a thoroughly enjoyable complement to a recent summer visit here.
I departed San Francisco one morning driving across the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County which is sometimes referred to as San Francisco's Riviera. The Golden Gate Bridge is a true work of art and is surely one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. Few of man's creations are as awe inspiring as this incredible structure. Completed in 1937, it is 1.7 miles of six-lane highway suspended by steel cables 270 feet above San Francisco Bay. It is also a breathtaking sight to behold when viewed from the deck of one of the bay tour boats. We've all seen the images of this majestic bridge in movies and on picture postcards, but it is difficult to appreciate the enormity and the magnificence of the Golden Gate Bridge unless you have the opportunity to see it up close.
The seaside town of Sausalito is situated just a couple of miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sausalito is known for its gingerbread houses, yacht and sailboat-filled marinas, as well as a community of hundreds of elaborately and sometimes ingeniously crafted houseboats. A number of unique boutiques and restaurants make the downtown area an enticing place to visit.
One
of my favorite places in Sausalito is Winship Restaurant whose menu includes
some great breakfast and lunch items. It is located in Sausalito's oldest
brick building, built in 1875. Winship Restaurant has the look and feel of
a main dining salon in a large sailing vessel. An authentic replica of tugboat
Nellie serves as the reception station. Polished handrails adorn the walkways
and a number of maritime flags hang as if from the sailing vessel's mast.
Naturally, the décor includes hardwood floors and there's lots of woodwork
throughout.
The Blue Moon omelette, composed of Blue cheese, spinach and bacon, was scrumptious.
It was served with home fries and a choice of toast. Winship Restaurant has
a full bar offering mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, and a good selection
of wines. Along with breakfast I sipped a refreshing Mimosa cocktail then
finished with a delicious hot cup of Thanksgiving Coffee. I spent a few minutes
window shopping along Bridgeway Street before continuing on my journey.
After departing Sausalito I followed the Pacific Coast Highway for a few miles and then turned onto the Panoramic Highway. This road, aptly named, snakes its way over Mount Tamalpais and rejoins the Pacific Coast Highway near Stinson Beach. The mountain rises to an elevation of 2,571 feet offering magnificent vistas of the Pacific and the Bay Area. This route skirts Muir Woods National Monument which is a favorite of hikers who come here to enjoy the trails and steep terrain in the deep redwood forest. There was not enough time during this trip to take advantage of any hiking opportunities. However, the scenic drive all by itself is well worth the trip. Many of the redwood trees in this area are hundreds of years old. It's curious to contemplate the events that have transpired as well as all of the history yet to be written during the long lives of these huge trees. In the thickness of the forest, the giant trees form a kind of overhead canopy, blocking out much of the direct sunlight. They fill the air with a fresh scent. As the highway brought me closer to the ocean, Stinson Beach came into view and I stopped at a high lookout point to take a few photos. I then proceeded to the little town of Stinson.
Stinson Beach is a three-mile-long sandbar completely free of rocks. It is part of a 51-acre park with lifeguards, restrooms, a snackbar in season, and lots of picnic tables. I couldn't wait to take my shoes off and dip my toes into the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean. It is a ritual with me. If I get close enough to an ocean, some part of me is going in.
Toes satisfied, I started back to San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway winding along the steep cliffs of the ocean's rocky shoreline. If you don't often get a chance to see the California coastline, this is a nice way to enjoy a little of it. I stopped for a few moments at the Muir Beach overlook to take more photos of the spectacular view. A camera is essential equipment for this excursion. The entire trip from San Francisco to Stinson Beach and back is only about 35 miles or so. There is a lot to see and enjoy in that relatively short distance.
As I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and entered San Francisco, I began to think of all the possible restaurant choices for the evening. With so many great possibilities, how would I ever decide on just one?
San Francisco has recently been chosen as the site of the 34th America's Cup Sailing Race in 2013. This world class event is sailing's premier regatta. It will be a great time to visit San Francisco, enjoy the races, and make a little side trip to Marin County.
Winship
Restaurant is located at 670 Bridgeway, Sausalito, California. The breakfast
and lunch menus are available at www.winships.com.
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The Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco, California
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Sausalito, Marin County, California
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The Hawaiian Chieftain Sausalito, California
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Winship Restaurant Sausalito, California
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The Pacific Coastline |
