If you need a short trip out of town and you live in the San Francisco Bay Area I highly recommend that you make a hop, skip and a jump over to Mill Valley for a quick and relaxing get-away with your sweetheart or some friends. Check out all my links and pics below! We were there just two nights last week for a break and it was perfect. We did not bring the kids…adults only. We had done this exact trip a few years ago and loved it so much that we went back! Our goal was to relax and reconnect and this trip was the perfect way to do that!
WHERE WE STAYED
Mill Valley Inn
We stayed at a great hotel, the Mill Valley Inn, that included parking, Wi-Fi and a wonderful continental breakfast. They also host a small cheese and wine reception in the evening that was a lovely pre-dinner snack. We partook of all of the above! It was not the cheapest hotel but if you have the money it is certainly worth it {in my opinion}! It is in the heart of Mill Valley’s little down town {allowing us to walk to every restaurant spot on our list and Tyler Florence’s Shop}! It had great features, nice accommodations as well as being clean and comfy! We stayed in their Creek House, an old building with wrap-around porches and a beautiful setting of tall trees above and a tiny creek below.
We stayed at a great hotel, the Mill Valley Inn, that included parking, Wi-Fi and a wonderful continental breakfast. They also host a small cheese and wine reception in the evening that was a lovely pre-dinner snack. We partook of all of the above! It was not the cheapest hotel but if you have the money it is certainly worth it {in my opinion}! It is in the heart of Mill Valley’s little down town {allowing us to walk to every restaurant spot on our list and Tyler Florence’s Shop}! It had great features, nice accommodations as well as being clean and comfy! We stayed in their Creek House, an old building with wrap-around porches and a beautiful setting of tall trees above and a tiny creek below.
WHERE WE ATE
Right in the downtown Mill Valley area we ate at a ton of amazing restaurants. I love to eat out, try new things and just linger at a restaurant to talk {it is especially relaxing knowing that I will not be the one doing the dishes}!
There are so many wonderful places to eat in this town…
Pearl’s Phat Burgers | Mill Valley
{this place was A.Maze.Ing}
{this place was A.Maze.Ing}
Beerworks
{this place was small. a bit crowded. had great beer. lots to choose from on tap. featured small bites plates. great service. a bit overpriced to me. worth it if you have the $ and want a good beer and/or to try a bunch of different things on the menu.}
{this place was small. a bit crowded. had great beer. lots to choose from on tap. featured small bites plates. great service. a bit overpriced to me. worth it if you have the $ and want a good beer and/or to try a bunch of different things on the menu.}
La Coppa Coffee
{great coffee & desserts in convenient location from hotel. great service}
{great coffee & desserts in convenient location from hotel. great service}
the Dipsea Cafe
{their biscuits taste like a small pillow sent down from heaven. great menu. relaxed atmosphere. we have only gone for breakfast but love it. a favorite bay area spot on my list thanks to my friend Tim who took me & some friends years ago. worth every penny for those biscuits.}
{their biscuits taste like a small pillow sent down from heaven. great menu. relaxed atmosphere. we have only gone for breakfast but love it. a favorite bay area spot on my list thanks to my friend Tim who took me & some friends years ago. worth every penny for those biscuits.}
Piazza D’Angelo
{wonderful food. lovely environment. great Italian menu. gluten-free options.}
{wonderful food. lovely environment. great Italian menu. gluten-free options.}
Small Shed Flatbreads
{i LOVE this place. we have gone for the day just to eat here. they have local, organic, fresh ingredients and even make gluten-free flatbreads now…run…don’t walk…to this place.}
{i LOVE this place. we have gone for the day just to eat here. they have local, organic, fresh ingredients and even make gluten-free flatbreads now…run…don’t walk…to this place.}
noci
{the most amazing gelato. open until 9 PM which is rare in this sleep-hallow town. and gluten-free cones}
{the most amazing gelato. open until 9 PM which is rare in this sleep-hallow town. and gluten-free cones}
*Bungalow44
{we actually ate here a few years ago and it was great…we just didn’t want to spend the money this time}
{we actually ate here a few years ago and it was great…we just didn’t want to spend the money this time}
WHERE WE EXPLORED
Muir Woods
This part of the Bay Area has a ton of natural experiences to enjoy. Mt. Tam, Stinson Beach and several trails to walk or bike on. San Francisco is just a quick drive just over the Golden Gate Bridge! We spent an afternoon in the breathtaking beauty of Muir Woods. There are short trails for strolling {that are made up of boardwalk style, wood planks} making them accessible to almost anyone in a stroller, wheelchair or with a disability. This is quite rare for a national park, or any park, in my experience. If you have time there are longer trails that boast great views {we will do that some other time, for sure}. Bring your wallet as it was about $7 per person just to enter the park area…but again…worth the money. There is a cafe and gift shop as well!
This part of the Bay Area has a ton of natural experiences to enjoy. Mt. Tam, Stinson Beach and several trails to walk or bike on. San Francisco is just a quick drive just over the Golden Gate Bridge! We spent an afternoon in the breathtaking beauty of Muir Woods. There are short trails for strolling {that are made up of boardwalk style, wood planks} making them accessible to almost anyone in a stroller, wheelchair or with a disability. This is quite rare for a national park, or any park, in my experience. If you have time there are longer trails that boast great views {we will do that some other time, for sure}. Bring your wallet as it was about $7 per person just to enter the park area…but again…worth the money. There is a cafe and gift shop as well!
On our last day we headed for home over the Golden Gate Bridge to Baker Beach. It was a beautiful and clear day in the city {you never know what you are gonna get}. But Baker Beach was FREEZING! Seriously so cold! It was just so windy and the wind was so frigid that we literally walked down 20 steps from the parking lot, took a few pics and then left. I’m a total wimp. But I knew we would be back someday soon! {Aaron and I keep laughing about the picture at the bottom right…I look like a troll that lives under the bridge…ha!}