Summer time is the perfect time of year to appreciate the outdoors while resting, recharging and rebooting! I recently read an article about road trips and how they are “on their way out” but I’m here to tell you that they are still better than ever! Whoever wrote the article clearly has not been on one of my road trips! Last summer, my kids, my parents and I drove from Connecticut down to Tennessee and back up north stopping all along the way. This summer, I decided to change things up a bit and hit the west coast.
My in-laws live in LA and my family and I usually spend some time visiting them during the summer. My kids needed some quality time with their grandparents so they stayed in LA while a girlfriend and I jumped in a rental car and hit the California coast.
My 1st stop was going to be San Francisco but after doing a bit more research, I decided on staying in a beautiful, picturesque town just outside of San Francisco called Tiburon. My husband grew up in the bay area and I had spent enough time in San Francisco to appreciate its’ surroundings so I decided to explore the area and stay outside the city.
After researching towns outside of San Francisco, I decided to stay in Tiburon, a quaint little town located about 20 minutes by ferry (or car) outside of San Francisco. The town of Tiburon is beautiful and filled with tons of fantastic restaurants, bars and fabulous boutique shopping. All of this is located right on the shores of the San Francisco bay, which overlook the city skyline. I had heard incredible things about The Waters Edge Hotel so we decided to stay there. This is THE PLACE to stay in Tiburon! The service at the hotel is impeccable, the rooms are oversized and pristine and they have incredible views of the bay. The hotel is located right on the coast so you honestly can’t beat the view! We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right?!? Well, The Waters Edge Hotel treats you to a complimentary breakfast in bed daily! Ahhh, a dream come true! Talk about starting your day off right!
The hotel also offers complimentary evening reception in the lobby, which is the ideal place to sit down, relax and enjoy a glass of wine (or two) with cheese pairings. You can also enjoy your wine on the deck while immersing yourself in the incredible views of the bay and San Francisco skyline. The Waters Edge Hotel is by far one of the most beautiful and centrally located boutique hotels I have ever visited! It is only a minute walk away from the ferry landing so the commute to San Francisco, Angel Island or Oakland is ideal. I personally loved the fact that I was able to take a quick ferry ride to the hectic city but quickly return to the relaxing town of Tiburon via ferry for a peaceful and relaxing dinner.
While in Tiburon, I decided to be a little adventurous and explore the city via bike, so my girlfriend and I rented Pedago electric bikes! This was so much fun and the perfect way to truly get a feel for the area while enjoying the summer breeze. The views are unbelievable and the town has so much to offer including amazing shopping, a fabulous coffee shop and one of the most delicious authentic Italian restaurants called Servino. Servino was my favorite place to go for dinner because they serve homemade pastas (including gluten free options), sustainable seafood and free-range meet. Their thin-crust pizzas are out of this world and are made to order in their wood-burning ovens. They also have an incredible wine selection comprised of both wines from Italy and California. Authentic Italian food and delicious wine? What more could you ask for?!? I highly recommend visiting Servino for an unforgettable meal!
If you are looking for something a bit more casual, I would 100% recommend dining at Caffee Acri which is also located steps from the hotel. By now I hope you all know about my coffee obsession…if you don’t, well…I have a coffee obsession and am always on the look for the best coffee. Caffee Acri had incredible espresso drinks and delicious pastries. This is the ideal spot to grab a bite in a more casual environment. They offer everything from sandwiches to smoothies to superb desserts! If you are in the Tiburon area and looking for a place to eat, I would definitely recommend checking out Caffee Acri as it is located in the heart of Tiburon, right on Main Street.
Sam’s Anchor Café is also steps away from the hotel so if you are looking for great seafood, this is the place to go! The restaurant is over 100 years old and a true gem found in Tiburon.
If you are in need for a genuinely relaxing vacation, I highly suggest visiting Tiburon. Although it is a small city, there is so much to do and see. There is nothing better than sitting outside on your deck at The Waters Edge Hotel, sipping a glass of wine while staring at the twinkling lights of San Francisco in the distance. Truly such a fabulous experience that left me relaxed and rebooted!
