Hyatt Family Blog

Our Trip to California

My best friend Debbie and her new husband Chad had a big post-wedding celebration in a suburb of San Francisco, which gave Steve and I the perfect opportunity for a quick getaway. We started the trip in beautiful Pleasant Hill, where they live and really enjoyed walking around downtown and spending quality time with Deb and Chad.

We rented a car and drove down the coast to Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach and Big Sur. Monterey was beautiful and we enjoyed an amazing lunch at a beachfront restaurant. The view was fantastic - there were even lots of sea lions sunning on rocks.

Then it was on to the beautiful 17 mile drive and the famed Pebble Beach golf course and lodge.

Then, the rain came. It was too wet to get out, so we just drove through Carmel and then the curvy, scary, but beautiful drive to Big Sur. On our way back, we stopped by the Pacific's Edge restaurant at the Hyatt Hotel in Carmel where we were scheduled to have dinner. But, due to the bad weather and limited view, we just opted for coffee drinks instead.

Next it was on to our amazing resort in Marina called the Marina Dunes. It was on a secluded protected part of the beach with huge sand dunes and amazing views. It was one of the most comfortable rooms we've ever been in. We really enjoyed riding the golf carts, eating at the restaurant and even a spa treatment.

The next morning, I awoke with an awful migraine, so Steve went by himself for a little hike and to see the Laguna Seca raceway.

Then it was time to head back to Pleasant Hill for the main event. We stopped in Santa Cruz to have lunch on the boardwalk on the way.

Deb and Chad's party was really fantastic. They both looked amazing and very happy. The venue was really pretty with an outside courtyard and everything. And the sweet table was to die for! It was great to see some old friends (like my college buddy Frank Brodsky), make some new ones, and spend time with Deb's family.

Posted by Marianne at April 22, 2006 01:24 PM