I sent an “instant message” to Muffin*, my pal from college with an invite to come join me in Tiburon for a 2- Daycation.

Her quick response? “I’m in.”

A few days later I pick her up at SFO and we take the endlessly long
ride from San Francisco to Tiburon. Try only 15 minutes—now that’s what I like in a getaway. We zip over the Golden Gate Bridge, through the tunnel and abracadabra, it’s like being transported to another world. Even Tiburon’s weather, to say nothing of it’s landscape, people, and vibe, is totally different from San Fran’s. It was at least 1o degrees warmer when we exited the freeway and a few miles later segued into our digs for the night – the newly renovated

Lodge at Tiburon.

This full service, easy-going luxe hotel sits smack dab in the heart of Tibbie-town.
The Lodge’s public spaces are lovely, done up in beautiful outdoor shades -the exact colors of Nature’s wardrobe. The craftsman-style property has 102 rooms, including the suites and are styled out with every amenity necessary for an easy getaway: Sumptuous featherbeds WITH a choice of pillows- so important for that perfect night’s sleep, a large complimentary wireless workspace complete with an ergonomically correct chair,(because they don’t want you getting all knotted up after you just spent the last hour luxuriating in your massive Jacuzzi tub,) cuddly-soft robes, free movies to borrow, and so on….

After we arrive, we head directly to the pool to catch some late afternoon rays. The beautifully maintained patio area is studded with flowers and fantastic private cabana’s (literally unheard of in the Bay Area) triggering a Pavlovian response to order one of those resort-y cocktails. Ahhhhh, this is the life.

The only noise we heard came from our tummies, growling as a reminder that we had skipped lunch. Dressed “pool casual ” we strolled in to the Lodge’s Dining Room,

Three Degrees

. We decided to sit outside, which thoughtfully has heat lamps to combat any winds, so we could eyeball the local action. Tiburon’s quaint boutiques,art galleries, bars and restaurants are just a stone’s throw away and it was fun to see the locals meandering about as their day came to a close.

Dinner time! We speed -read though our menu’s and ordered up. After a sip of two different wines so that we could decide which we preferred,(don’t you just love places that do that?) are apps arrived.
I loved my loaded Gingered crab cake(s) starter with it’s side of sweet and sour slaw. Muff went for their Market Salad, a tasty tangle of greens, apples, blue cheese and candied pecans. She felt she needed the roughage. Like, did anyone ask?

Next up was the most wonderful entree -a slowly braised pork shoulder, sporting
a ruffle of super thin potatoes, topped with the teensiest little pearl-sized pear rounds. We also shared a Tavern Menu burger-largely because so many people around us seemed to be eating it with gusto. Good call.

We were to full for dessert, still, not a peep was heard from our table, when our waiter brought out a plate with two white porcelain spoons for each of us. One held a taste of cherry-coke sorbet topped by bitter-sweet coco nibs, and the other had frozen passion fruit ice with a bit of mango and sea salt. Talk about a perfect ending! This Chef has ice-cream NAILED!
Bedtime!