Picture perfect Carmel-by-the-Sea

As you make plans for a weekend getaway, remember: Pet-friendly Carmel is a quick drive south. For those with an appetite for some of the best wine tasting and gastronomic treasure... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Recharge and rejuvenate in San Francisco

Find out how SF can still romance and charm you

By Patty Burness

Sometimes it makes sense to indulge on your home turf instead of spending time to travel elsewhere to get away for the weekend. San Francisco is an incredible city — call it home... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Paso is pure delight

By Patty Burness

A visit to Paso Robles, just over three hours from San Francisco, reaps huge rewards: gorgeous vistas, verdant hillsides, delicious wines, farm-fresh ingredients, and terrific peop... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Strike it rich in Gold Country

By Patty Burness

Not too many serious gold-prospectors are left in Calaveras County today, but what you will find are avid golfers and grape growers. With springtime just about to pop, it’s t... Read More

Weekend Traveler

It’s all local in Sebastopol

By Patty Burness

Time to brighten up your winter with a trip to the friendly farming community of Sebastopol in the lush Russian River Valley. Settled in 1812 by Russian explorers, the beautiful la... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Chill out in Calistoga

By Patty Burness

Suffering from a holiday hangover? Here’s a cure to start the new year off right. Head straight to Calistoga and relax in alluring hot springs and mud baths, then savor delic... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Savor Sonoma

By Patty Burness

The historic town of Sonoma is a wine country lover’s delight. With the welcoming ambience, idyllic scenery and sumptuous bounty from surrounding farms and wineries, it’... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Los Gatos: Nestled in the foothills

By Patty Burness

Traveling to the mountains from San Francisco doesn’t always mean northeast to Tahoe. For a different laid-back getaway, head south to Los Gatos, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mo... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Enchanting Kenwood

By Patty Burness

The tiny hamlet of Kenwood dates back to the late 1800s when it was part of a Mexican land grant. In 1895, the townspeople voted to name the location Kenwood, because it’s or... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Laid-back Lake County

By Patty Burness

After attending several Lake County wine tastings, I decided it was time to visit. I picked up a wine-lover friend in St. Helena, and we headed through Robert Louis Stevenson State... Read More

Weekend Traveler

A different side of Monterey county

By Patty Burness

Although the Monterey Coast is breathtaking and Carmel-By-The-Sea is idyllic, there is a whole other side to Monterey County that shouldn’t be missed — the Santa Lucia High... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Geyserville is worth a visit

By Patty Burness

Instead of driving past Geyserville on your way to somewhere else, stop and discover this historic town. In 1847, a series of hot springs were discovered called The Geysers and a c... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Explore the beauty of Mendocino

By Patty Burness

On a gorgeous day, driving to Mendocino is a dream. Wind through the verdant Anderson Valley wine region and the Navarro River Redwoods State Park to Highway 1. Hit the rugged coas... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Tahoe’s west shore is full of fun

By Patty Burness

It’s the perfect time to plan a warm weather getaway to Lake Tahoe. With that in mind, my husband and I chose the west shore (Homewood and Sunnyside) as our home base. We had... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Girlfriend hikes: Lovely trails and delicious lunches

By Patty Burness

Sometimes it’s just not possible to get away for the weekend. But that doesn’t mean fun has to be put on the back burner. Recently, one of my girlfriends and I decided ... Read More

Patty Burness