Our Stay at Classic Timber Cove Resort on the Northern California Coast + Notes on Travel During Covid-19
There was a birthday on the horizon and I wanted to surprise my husband with a destination that would suit our quarantine-induced need for sea air, ocean views, beach walks, foodie cuisine, and most importantly, Covid hygiene protocols. On this trip, no fancy clothes or heels were required but hiking boots, a picnic basket, and his guitar were on the packing list. You get the ultra-relaxed vibe I was looking for with this getaway for my premiere travel client.
There was a birthday on the horizon and I wanted to surprise my husband with a destination that would suit our quarantine-induced cravings for sea air, ocean views, beach walks, foodie cuisine, along with, most importantly, Covid hygiene protocols. On this trip, no fancy clothes or heels were required but hiking boots, a picnic basket, and his guitar were on the packing list. You get the ultra-relaxed vibe I was looking for with this getaway for my premiere travel client.
Just as I hoped, Timber Cove Resort, a classic California Coast seafront lodge was just the place. Not only was Scott surprised by the laidback charm and beach feel, he appreciated the gourmet dining, firepits, wine tasting, and retro record players in each rustic room. Also noteworthy were the private entrances and windswept balconies with cove views equally stunning at sunrise and sunset. And who can resist those outdoor firepits??
“Timber Cove is proud of its rich lineage. Built in 1963 as a place of meditation and tranquility, Timber Cove was designed by famed architect and original owner Richard Clements Jr., who was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architectural style. Envisioned as a dramatic A-Frame structure, the original Timber Cove generously incorporated redwood and stone materials to create a timeless space that complements the local surroundings. ”
Outdoor dining was allowed during our visit to Timber Cove Resort so we made the most of our cool fall evenings with lap blankets we brought from home. The Coast Kitchen restaurant was a welcome relief from months of home-cooking and we enjoyed the fresh fare with indulgent notes. Cheers to the birthday boy!
For our second day, we ordered a picnic from the kitchen and took it to the beach on the bluff. Despite a chilly day, it was warm in the sun and the perfect perch to enjoy tapas and a chilled sauvignon blanc above the sea.
notes on traveling during the Covid-19 chapter:
Scott tells me I am by far the “most cautious person” he knows regarding Covid-19. We have taken 2 short road trip overnighters since the pandemic and only traveled and dined outdoors in our ‘safety bubble’ of two a handful of times. Here are the guidelines I use to prepare to travel safely.
Check case numbers and recommendations in your destination before booking a hotel and check cancellation/postponement policies.
Check hotel/lodging for outdoor living spaces rather than enclosed lounges & lobbies.
Read reviews and ratings on how well the resort implements the hygiene plans and protocols.
Pack all the gear: an assortment of masks, hand-sanitizer, anti-bacterial wipes (for wiping down touchpoints in your room), disinfecting air spray, and blankets/picnic ware for outdoor dining.
Most restaurants use a QR code rather than a paper menu for touchless ordering, but if they don’t you can ask for a new single-use paper menu.
Before you travel plan out comfortable rest stops where you can use the facilities. While I’ve NEVER been a fan of gas station restrooms now is not the time to start. We plan our travel time frame around a stop for lunch at a trusted restaurant or coffee shop.
Take a moment to appreciate your staff and servers who are working harder than ever to make your experience safe and enjoyable. In our experience, they are doing an amazing job!
Thank you to the wonderful staff at Timber Cove Resort who went above and beyond to make sure the birthday boy was celebrated and that we felt comfortable the entire stay. Truly, a road trip in your local region can be the safest way to travel when the time is right for you.
Contact us to learn more and to book your next getaway.
All photos were taken on my iPhone.
Read more on our travels to wine country:
Inspiration for Celebrating Date Night at Home for Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine’s weekend, friends! With days passing slowly, it’s hard to believe it’s already mid-February, isn’t it?
This time last year my husband booked a romantic getaway to the Kenwood Inn & Spa in the Sonoma Valley. We had been keeping an eye on the news and understood it might be our last getaway for awhile with the pandemic on the horizon. In some ways that made the trip all the more special and we savored the little details even more than usual. Little did we know how much ‘home time’ we would all have in the coming year.
Happy Valentine’s weekend, friends! With days passing slowly, it’s hard to believe it’s already mid-February, isn’t it?
This time last year my husband booked a romantic getaway to the Kenwood Inn & Spa in the Sonoma Valley. We had been keeping an eye on the news and understood it might be our last getaway for awhile with the pandemic on the horizon. In some ways that made the trip all the more special and we savored the little details even more than usual. Little did we know how much ‘home time’ we would all have in the coming year. Read about one of our favorite stays in wine country: A Mediterranean Style Getaway to Kenwood Inn & Spa in the Sonoma Valley.
This year, we will be staying home and celebrating with our tradition of ordering a catered dinner from our local favorite in Chico, Bacio Catering. If the weather cooperates we will dine alfresco as we have on previous Valentine’s Days where we lucked out on the weather. A brilliant sunset would be an extra special bonus, especially this year.
A few ideas for Valentine’s Day inspiration:
10 Ideas to Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Home This Year from Town & Country Magazine.
20 of the Best Valentine’s Day Movies Ever Made
Tour Some of the World’s Greatest Landmarks Without Leaving Home
We are looking forward to Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy on CNN (debuting Valentine’s Evening)
Follow Stanley Tucci for mixology inspiration
In whatever way you plan to celebrate this weekend wishing you love, joy, and fun!
Ciao!
Heather
Previous posts on romance travel and date night:
![The Fine Art of a Romantic Date Night at Home [Thanks to Bacio Catering]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a66444d017db2e6975e076e/1525654624707-WLNWLS4ULRCCXZSYDEYV/16585443_1848234005389062_5041528621743734784_n.jpg)
Hello to 2021 With Travel on the Horizon (Plus a Special Invitation)!
Welcome to 2021 and oh, how we have been looking forward to this new year.
Hello friends,
Welcome to 2021 and oh, how we have been looking forward to this fresh new year. The good news, with the flattening of the surge and the rollout of the vaccines, is that there is an uptick in travel planning and it’s exciting. Airlines and hotels have extended flexible booking policies which make it much less risky to adjust travel dates as needed. As a travel advisor, I’m keeping up with the latest requirements and recommendations through my travel agency and travel networks. New updates are happening daily so feel free to connect with us for the latest information.
I’m sharing a couple of helpful links for when the time is right and you consider traveling again:
Check out this handy Traveler’s Toolkit from our partner network Virtuoso. You will find it here.
Updates on travel to Hawaii and the latest requirements (and the App you must download) here.
On a fun note:
Join us for a virtual Travel + Cocktails - A Special Mixology Event on February 4th!
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, join us in the Cadence Classroom for an exclusive virtual cocktail class! Hosted by expert mixologists and sponsored by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, you will learn how to create 3 love-inspired cocktails. Keep an eye out for your confirmation email - there will be a link to a PDF with the ingredients you will need for the cocktails! You will also receive a special travel offer following the event.
Spotted: It was fun to catch our Instagram photo (below) shared by the rooftop hot spot Sky and Vine at the Archer Hotel in Napa. This photo was taken in 2019 but it was fun to relive the sublime moment.
Here’s to brighter days on the horizon!
Stay well,
Heather
Follow Curated Travel on Instagram and let’s be social!
Checking In...
I wanted to take a moment to check-in and let you know I am thinking of you. I hope you and your loved ones have been able to find a new level of health, balance, and gratitude during these trying times.
Hello friends,
It’s been a bit of a roller coaster lately, are you feeling it, too? I wanted to take a moment to check-in and let you know I am thinking of you. I hope you and your loved ones have been able to find a new level of health, balance, and gratitude during these complicated times. It was encouraging to hear they are making progress on a possible vaccine this morning and our travel dreams grew a bit brighter.
With that in mind, what are you dreaming of? They say that "To travel is to dream," but the dreaming is what comes first. It’s been wonderful to hear from so many of you, friends and clients, who are ready to place some travel on your horizon. Please think of me - and forward this message to your friends - whenever you are ready to travel or simply ready to dream. And with the holidays around the corner, there are so many wonderful promotions and gifting options for future use! I am at your service and would be delighted to bring your travel dreams to life.
Stay well and please keep in touch!
Heather
Invitation: Exploring the Romantic Rhine, Cape Cod the Islands and Newport, and Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Park
I’m excited to announce a virtual event for our Curated Travel clients. See below for details and join me along with our CADENCE team on October 21st at 4 PM (PT). Click the link below to register for this wanderlust inspired zoom event and I’ll look forward to ‘seeing’ you then.
I’m excited to announce a virtual event for our Curated Travel clients hosted by Cadence and Tauck. See below for details and join me along with our CADENCE team on October 21st at 4 PM (PT). Click the link below to register for this wanderlust inspired zoom event. Grab a cup of tea or a glass of vino and let’s explore these fantastic destinations with Tauck on the 21st.
A ‘Suite’ Stay at Auberge du Soleil In Napa Valley for our 20th Anniversary
Though our trip to Bora Bora was postponed due to COVID, Scott and I were excited about our reimagined plans to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in the Napa Valley. This was our first trip in seven months, and from the moment we arrived at Auberge du Soleil we knew we had found the perfect place to celebrate.
Though our trip to Bora Bora was postponed due to COVID, Scott and I were excited about our reimagined plans to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in the Napa Valley. This was our first trip in seven months, and from the moment we arrived at Auberge du Soleil we knew we had found the perfect place to celebrate. We were treated to exceptional service, a tour of the beautiful property, a review of the included amenities, an update on rigorous hygiene protocols, and a glass of sparkling wine. We were graciously upgraded to the Saint Remy deluxe suite (1254 sq. ft.) with a private terrace, living space with a fireplace, soaking tub, and a separate powder room which made our stay even more luxurious and comfortable.
“
Inspired by the south of France. Infused with California soul.”
We enjoyed the beautiful french style grounds at Auberge including the classic swimming pool with yellow striped loungers. It felt like a getaway to Provence with only a three hour drive.
Our suite included a fresh made to order breakfast each day. The menu contained a QR code which, when photographed, displayed a menu on our phones to keep our ordering experience hands-free.
My tour of the Saint Remy suite with a toast by Scott
The first night we enjoyed a delicious fireside dinner on the patio at one of our favorites, Solbar, at Solage Resort (also an Auberge Resort).
On September 10th, our 20th anniversary, the concierge at Auberge set us up with a private tasting at Crocker & Starr Winery in St. Helena. Lauren, our knowledgable wine guide, hosted a fantastic tasting of bold reds, views of the vines, and stories of the history of the winery.
Dressing for dinner, exchanging gifts, a little bubbly by the fire, and dinner on the balcony at Auberge du Soleil.
It turned out to be très romantique, just as we had hoped.
I created a hardcover book of our 20 years together for my husband’s gift. In the second photo below we were goofing around trying to recreate the image from our 5th anniversary on the cover. It was harder than we thought but this one turned out fairly close. US….15 years later.
I use BLURB for my personalized books and I love to use Greeting Card Universe for my personalized greeting cards (owned by my cousins!) like the one I made for Scott above.
Thank you to the team at Auberge du Soleil, especially Carol, Sharon, and Keith, for making our stay so memorable. As it turns out, Auberge du Soleil was the perfect place to celebrate our 20th anniversary in comfort and style. We were reminded how romantic a few days away from all this ‘home time’ can be and can hardly wait to return!
Cheers to my love, Scott, and another 20 years! x
Contact us for more info and to book your stay at Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley.
To view and/or book other preferred resorts in Napa Valley with Virtuoso amenities.
Coming Soon on the Blog: Our visit to RH in Yountville
Throwback Travel: Our Honeymoon in Zihuatanejo
