Cool stuff for your guests - Mumm

Choosing a northern California wedding venue for you marriage usually means your wedding is going to be a destination for your guests.  That's especially true if you select a Napa valley wedding venue. Guests coming to this renowned region are really going to want to explore.  But often, they don't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So my Post-Wedding-Fun blogs are all about places that are great for your guests to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

Let's start with Mumm, in Napa Valley. 

Here's why Mumm is a great destination for out of towners:

• It's off the beaten path, yet easy to find.  Mumm is on the Silverado Trail, the less traveled and far more beautiful route in Napa Valley.  Your guests won't be as swarmed with tour buses and hordes of people (though there still will be plenty of folks around in the summer).

• It has ample outdoor seating with a great view.  The setting is perfect for sipping champagne while watching the sun setting over the eastern ridge of the valley.  If you have a large group I'd recommend calling ahead to see if they can accommodate large parties.

• It has champagne!  Obviously.  But this is a big deal since some people just don't dig wine.  Nearly everyone likes champagne.  And Mumm's champagne is some of the finest in the world!  You really can't beat sampling a DVX tasting while watching the sun slip into the hills.

• The grounds are simply beautiful.  Here are a few shots I took the other day while..yep..sipping champagne. 

So in sum - Mumm gets my vote as a great destination location for your guests.  Hope they enjoy it!


About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.

Cool stuff for your guests - Bouchon Bakery

If you've chosen any of the many great northern California wedding locations for your wedding then your wedding is likely going to be a destination event for many of your family and friends.  This is especially true if you've chosen any of the fantastic Napa Valley wedding venues.  This gorgeous area is world renowned for it's wine and food.  And your guests really should sample it.  So my "Post Wedding Fun" blogs are all about helping your guests find hidden (and sometimes not-so-hidden) treasures in the Napa Valley.

One of those not-so-hidden treasures is Bouchon Bakery.  This bakery is a Thomas Keller establishment in Yountville (his others are The French Laundry and Ad Hoc - all based in Yountville). 

I'm particularly fond of sending my out-of-town guests to Bouchon because it's:

• Easy to get in to (not true for Ad Hoc and definitely not true for The French Laundry).  You just walk right up and order a delicious sandwich or pastry and eat it on the patio.

• Easy to get to - See the map.  It's straight up the main corridor that runs up Napa Valley

• Easy to enjoy the good life.  You won't break the bank by catching a mellow lunch at Bouchon (again, not true for Ad Hoc or The French Laundry) and your guests will be sampling Thomas Keller's creations.  Believe me - they're good!  (ie., see below!)

So my reco - send your guests to Bouchon for an late morning treat (coffee and pastries under the warm Napa sun can't be beat).  They'll then be perfectly situated, and properly fed, to enjoy a meandering trip up to the rest of the Napa Valley.  And hey, check out my other blog about Mumm.  That'd be a great next stop since you can't really beat cake and champagne. : )

About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.

Cool stuff for your guests - time travelling along the Russian River

Choosing a northern California wedding venue for you marriage usually means your wedding is going to be a destination for your guests.  That's especially true if you select a beach wedding venue or a winery in Sonoma county. Guests coming to these renowned regions are really going to want to explore.  But often, they don't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So my Post-Wedding Fun blogs are all about places that are great for your guests to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

In this blog, it's all about the exact opposite of the standard (and sometimes stuffy) wine country experience.  We're taking a trip back through time to see how the Russian River wine region looked (and acted) long before anyone knew how to pronounce "Pinot".  We're going to Guerneville and Monte Rio!

These two towns, about 5 miles apart from each other on Rt. 116, and halfway between highway 101 and the ocean, have character in spades.  Walking down the main street of Guerneville can remind you of a rough and tumble logging town.  But don't be fooled by it's hard exterior - Guerneville is really a friendly place with great restaurants (my favorite is Boon Cafe - see below) and a gorgeous beach.  What it doesn't have is any air of pretentiousness.

And if you think Guerneville is a little too metropolitan for you, drive West about 5 miles on Hwy 116 and you'll end up in Monte Rio.  This little town is about a block long so it has less to see, but it does have a great beach on the Russian River.  And it's got a great little hot dog stand (only open on Weekends, I believe) called Don's Dogs.  Definitely worth the drive!  Grab a bottle of wine from a winery along the way (you know..something that pairs well with grilled hot dogs..), sit in the sun on their patio and enjoy a delicious dog.

So there you have it.  You'll experience the Russian River wine region as it looked 50 years ago.  And you'll have some good grub doing it.  Enjoy!

About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a San Francisco wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.

Cool stuff for your guests - Thomas George Estates

Choosing a northern California wedding venue for you marriage usually means your wedding is going to be a destination for your guests.  That's especially true if you select a beach wedding venue or a winery in the Russian River valley. Guests coming to these renowned regions are really going to want to explore.  But often, they don't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So my "Cool stuff for your guests" blogs are all about places that are great for your guests to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

In this post, it's all about exploring the Russian River valley.  The Russian River valley is my area to photograph weddings in the wine region because it's far from the over-crowded Napa Valley wedding venues.  Here, the pace of life is slower and the surroundings are more authentic. 

And after the wedding, your guests will have a gorgeous valley to explore.  Here are a few tips for your guests to enjoy the Russian River valley:

• Pick up a picnic lunch in Healdsburg at the Oakville Market
• Then head take Westside road West. (see the map)
• Meander West on Westside road taking in the amazing scenery and all the little wineries along the way (here, most wineries have no, or very inexpensive, tasting fees).

• Stop off at Thomas George Estates for a fantastic glass of Pinot Blanc in the garden and explore the wine cave while having lunch on their grounds.

• After a delicious lunch, continue West on Westside Road until you come to Wholer Road.  Take a left on Wholer road and marvel that you can actually make it across this rickety old bridge alive!

• Once across, take a right onto East side road and head back to Healdsburg.

By exploring the back side of the Russian River valley this way you'll find fewer people and much better hospitality.  Enjoy!


About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a Bay Area wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.

Cool stuff for your guests: A Mt. Tamalpais bike ride

Choosing a Northern California wedding venue for you marriage usually means your wedding is going to be a destination for your guests.  That's especially true if you select any of the many great San Francisco wedding locations. Guests coming to this town are really going to want to explore.  But often, they don't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So my "Cool stuff for your guests" blogs are all about places that are great for your guests to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

In this post, it's all about exploring Mt. Tamalpais via an easy, fun bike ride to a famous little inn called West Point Inn.  According to Wikipedia,

"Mount Tamalpais is the highest peak in the Marin Hills, which are part of the Northern California Coast Ranges. The elevation at the East Peak, its second highest point, is 2,572 feet (784 m). The West Peak, the mountain's highest peak where a radar dome currently stands, is 2,574 feet (785 m). It stood over 2,600 feet (792 m) before the summit was flattened for the radar dome construction. The mountain is clearly visible from the city of San Francisco and the East Bay region."

Indeed, it's so close to San Francisco that it can easily be seen from many buildings in town.  Because of this, it makes a great excursion for your guests who want something a little more active to do than drink and eat.

Here's my reco for a fun, energizing afternoon:

• Rent a couple mountain bikes at Mike's Bikes in Sausalito.  This will cost about $50 - $80 for the day
• Grab a picnic lunch at Whole Foods Market in Mill Valley
• Head to Blithedale park.  Get on the bikes and head up the gradual incline of the Railroad Grade trail (the trailhead is on the right at the end of the park (it's a dirt road)

• Be sure to bring plenty of water - you're in store for a 4 or 5 mile ride up to West Point Inn

• But the ride is worth it.  If you do the trip on the weekend, you can grab refreshments at the West Point Inn snack bar.  And the view from the picnic grounds is simply amazing. 

• And hey, this is a vacation, so walking your bike is okay too! ; )

So, in sum, if you're getting married at any of the many Northern California wedding locations near Mt. Tamalpais, and your guests are of the active type, taking this ride is a fantastic experience (and will burn off some of those champagne calories!).

About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a Bay Area wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.

Cool stuff for your guests - Indian Springs, Calistoga

Choosing a Northern California wedding venue for you marriage usually means your wedding is going to be a destination for your guests.  That's especially true if you select any of the many great Napa Valley wedding venues. Guests coming to this region are really going to want to explore.  But often, they don't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So these posts are all about places that are great for your guests (and you) to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

In this post, we're talking about  Indian Springs Resort, a gorgeous, luxurious and historic resort in Calistoga.  What I love about this place is it's rustic, throwback-to-the-50's feel.  In the midst of too much modernism, this place is a breath of fresh air, and reminds us of how the wine country used to be long ago. 

But don't be misled by the above paragraph.  Indian Springs Resort is a indeed a top-tier luxury resort.  You can get your mud-baths, your hydro-therapy and your hot/cold stone treatment.  But you can also lounge by one of the largest hot springs pools in the world with a hot dog and a lemonade and be reminded of what old-school luxury feels like.

So here's how to enjoy this place:

• You, or your partner, or both need to book a spa appointment
• Every spa guest is allowed to bring one guest to the pool for $20 (thus, you get two people into the pool for the price of one spa visit + $20)
• Make sure you do this on Sunday through Friday (that's the only time guests are allowed at the pool).

And if after all this you decide to stay there, they've got a wide variety of rooms that range from hotel accommodation to cabins.  And hey, if you stay, you get to ride these bikes around town.  Nice!

About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios specializes in Napa Valley wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.

Cool stuff for your guests - Pt. Reye's Station

Northern California, simply put, has a ton of unique wedding venues.  From the Napa valley, to the northern coast, to the streets of San Francisco, you'll have no problem finding the location that's just right for you.  And what's even better is that your guests are going to consider your wedding a destination event.  Your guests are really going to want to explore. 

Often, however, they won't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So these blogs are all about places that are great for your guests to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

Today, we're going to explore Pt. Reye's Station.  This is a marvelous little town that time forgot, located in Western Marin on the eastern shore of Tamales Bay.  And when I say time forgot, I mean it kinda forgot.  As you stroll through the no-stoplight town you'll come across old saloons and barns that have been there forever - inviting you in to play a round of pool, listen to Styxx on the juke box (no kidding) or mingle with the locals.

And you can have a good old fashioned meal at the nearby (and locally-renowned) Pine Cone Diner.

But at the same time, and on the same street you'll find some contemporary accoutrement's as well, such as the Cowgirl Creamery (amazing cheese!), Stellina (an oysterina featuring delicious Tomales Bay oysters) and local-favorite The Station House Cafe (great BBQ pork sandwiches!).

So, in sum, Pt. Reye's Station is a fantastic place to grab a slice of nostalgia as well as a sip of the good life.

About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a Bay Area wedding and Napa Valley wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.

Cool stuff for your guests - South Beach

Northern California, simply put, has a ton of unique wedding venues.  From the Napa valley, to the northern coast, to the streets of San Francisco, you'll have no problem finding the location that's just right for you.  And what's even better is that your guests are going to consider your wedding a destination event.  Your guests are really going to want to explore. 

Often, however, they won't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So these blogs are all about places that are great for your guests to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

Today, it's South Beach.  Now, I know you're thinking bikini clad women, liposuction, spray tans and no-carb diets.  But this is not THAT South Beach.  THIS one, located in Point Reyes National Seashore, is as far away from THAT one in personality as it is in terms of miles.  This South Beach is a gorgeous stretch of beach along the northern side of the great protrusion that is Point Reyes National Seashore. 

South Beach is the quintessential northern California beach experience.  It's often blustery, it's often chilly, it's often deserted, it's always gorgeous.  What I really love about this beach is that it's only about  5 miles away from Drake's Bay Oyster Farm.  This oyster farm has been in operation for a little over 100 years - and it has the mountains of oyster shells to prove it. 

So if you're looking for a little getaway after (or before) the wedding, I highly recommend this secluded strip of sand.

About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a Bay Area wedding and Napa Valley wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.

Cool stuff for your guests - the ferry ride to Sausalito

Northern California, simply put, has a ton of unique wedding venues.  From the Napa valley, to the northern coast, to the streets of San Francisco, you'll have no problem finding the location that's just right for you.  And what's even better is that your guests are going to consider your wedding a destination event.  Your guests are really going to want to explore. 

Often, however, they won't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So these blogs are all about places that are great for your guests to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

Today, I'm going to share a sweet little trip for all your guests attending your San Francisco wedding location.  That sweet, romantic little trip is the ferry ride from the San Francisco Ferry Terminal to Sausalito, and back.  Now, if you look around, you'll note a LOT of ways to get to Sausalito from San Francisco.  You can rent a bike and nearly kill yourself riding from the Golden Gate bridge to Sausalito and back.  You can grab a ferry from the way-too-crowded-and-cheesy Fisherman's Wharf.  Or you can do as the locals do and hitch a mellow ride on the ferry departing from the Ferry Terminal (here's the schedule). 

I much prefer this route because the Ferry Terminal itself is a delightful place.  If you arrive on a Saturday morning, you can hit the famous farmer's market and take your pick from boatloads of fresh fruit and veggies.  And on any given day you can browse some of the high end shops and get some good grub to take with you on your boat ride (I'd reco a bottle of wine from The Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant and some lunch to go from Out the Door).  Then climb on board (get on the back of the ferry so you can see the stunning view of the city as you pull away), pull out your grub, and soak up the sun.

While aboard the ferry savor the way Northern California summer feels (chilly air, warm sun).  I guarantee that if you sit for a moment, feeling the wind whip through your hair with your glass of wine in one hand and your sweetheart's in another, you'll readily forget about tomorrow or yesterday.

About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a Bay Area wedding and Napa Valley wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.

Cool stuff for your guests - the Russian River canoe trip

Northern California, simply put, has a ton of unique wedding venues.  From the Napa valley, to the northern coast, to the streets of San Francisco, you'll have no problem finding the location that's just right for you.  And what's even better is that your guests are going to consider your wedding a destination event.  Your guests are really going to want to explore. 

Often, however, they won't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So these blogs are all about places that are great for your guests to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

Today, I'll be taking you back in time as we canoe down the Russian River.  The Russia River is a legendary river in Sonoma county.  About 50 years ago, this river was an integral part of the newly-discovered fly fishing paradise.  People would literally come from hundreds of miles around to line the shores to fish it's wildly abundant waters.  Today, that's all gone, but you can still enjoy the warm waters of this beautiful river (and at a much less frantic pace) by taking a canoe ride. 

The canoe ride starts at Burke's Canoe Rentals, just outside the sleepy town of Forestville.  My reco - pick up a six pack of beer and a yummy deli sandwich at Spear's market, which is located just about a block away from Burke's Canoe Rentals.  Then go to Burke's and enjoy the 70s decor as you wait in line to pick up your canoe. Seriously, look at those ancient life jackets! ; )

Next, shove off and meander down the river.  Please note, the best times to enjoy this river at a leisurely pace is after the rainy season and before the onset of Indian summer (because the river is too low at that point).  That means the best months for effortless cruising are between June - August.

Once you reach the town of Gueneville (see my previous blog about Gueneville) you'll see the landing beach where the Burke's bus will pick you up to take you back to Forestville.  Riding the old school bus after a long day in the sun is a great way to end the day.

I hope you enjoy this trip and feel, like I did, that you're back in a simpler time where the only thing to worry about is how to keep the canoe from capsizing when you're reaching for your beer.


About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a Bay Area wedding and Napa Valley wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered. 

Cool stuff for your guests - Dry Creek Valley

Northern California, simply put, has a ton of unique wedding venues.  From the Napa valley, to the northern coast, to the streets of San Francisco, you'll have no problem finding the location that's just right for you.  And what's even better is that your guests are going to consider your wedding a destination event.  Your guests are really going to want to explore. 

Often, however, they won't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So these blogs are all about places that are great for your guests to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

Today I'm going to talk about Dry Creek Valley.   I've lived in Northern California for nearly 40 years and this valley is still one of my favorites because it's off the beaten path (so you won't find hordes of tour buses here), it's friendly and, quite frankly, it's got some of the best wine around. 

Here's how to best enjoy this little paradise:

First stop - grab some picnic supplies at the Dry Creek General Store on Dry Creek Road.  It's a gorgeous old place with some seriously high end cheese and chocolate.

Next up - take a meandering drive down the very end of the Dry Creek Valley to Bella Winery.  This is my absolute favorite winery in the region.  The wine is top notch (great reds!) and the place is simply beautiful.

Grab a bottle of Zinfandel (that's their flagship wine), pull out the cheese and crackers and other goodies you just bought, and enjoy a warm summer afternoon picnic on the grounds of the Bella Winery estate while you look out over the valley.  You just can't beat this.  And be sure to check out the wine caves!

You'll love the warmth, friendliness and personal attention you'll get as you wander around this local's-favorite valley.

About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a Bay Area wedding and Napa Valley wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.

Cool stuff for you guests - Roller skating in Golden Gate Park

Northern California, simply put, has a ton of unique wedding venues.  From the Napa valley, to the northern coast, to the streets of San Francisco, you'll have no problem finding the location that's just right for you.  And what's even better is that your guests are going to consider your wedding a destination event.  Your guests are really going to want to explore. 

Often, however, they won't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So these blogs are all about places that are great for your guests to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

Today, we're talking about roller skating in Golden Gate park.  If you're getting married at one of the many fantastic San Francisco wedding locations, then this is an ideal opportunity for your guests to experience San Francisco from a locals point of view.

Here's how to do this little excursion:

1. Go to Golden Gate Park Bike and Skate to rent roller skates or roller blades by the hour.
2. Enjoy!

My reco:  Carry a backpack with you so that when roll into to the California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum you can break out your shoes and tour these not-to-be missed Bay Area treasures. 

And finally, once you've had a calorie-burning cruse, return your skates and grab a juicy burger at Kezars Pub.  Trust me, you'll thank me for sending you to a locals-only place serving inexpensive, tasty food.

About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a Bay Area wedding and Napa Valley wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.