sunny Silicon Valley

Two weekends in Silicon Valley

Weekend One:  Stanford University & a Backyard Oasis

In the heart of the tech world and Silicon Valley, sits the quaint city of Palo Alto.  Thanks to Matt's job in tech and our doctor friends that work at Stanford hospital, we've spent quite a few weekends in the city.  During one such trip, we spent an active Saturday on the Stanford campus.  Matt played basketball with his friends while I wandered around with a camera.

Stanford's Romanesque and Mission Style buildings were unlike any other college campus I've visited.  The Main Quad is the oldest section of the campus and the arches & walkways that connect the buildings were truly stunning.  The artwork on Memorial Church transported me to the old Christian Churches of Europe.  Every angle had a different perspective to photograph and each peek of the red dome drew the camera to my eye.  The more modern buildings were equally photo-worthy, and helped to remind me that I was in the heart of a world class institution.  

 

 

 

After hours on our feet the previous day, we were in the mood for a day with less wandering.  A group of our friends invited us to a get-together in the country and one never says 'no' to a house in the country!  A relaxing amble through the spectacular garden (which was featured in Home and Garden magazine!!) led us to a pool where we gathered to drank wine and sample desserts. Surrounded by lavender and grape vines, we almost forgot that we were a few miles from one of the busiest areas in the country. 

Weekend Two:  Farmers Markets and Mountaintop Vineyards

California crops produce peak vegetation throughout the year so there is always something tasty to pick up at the market.  Farmers Markets are numerous and the fruits, veggies, nuts and flowers spill from stalls all over the state.  One of my favorite activities when visiting Silicon Valley, is a morning spent at the Sunnyvale Farmers Market.  When my high school bff lived in Sunnyvale, we always stopped for coffee and then wandered Murphy Avenue looking for the prettiest options while quickly creating the week's recipes in our minds.  

My friend is an amazing cook and thanks to her Farmers Market haul, would throw together a scrumptious lunch like Spanish tortilla and crudité with homemade hummus.  We'd pack a picnic lunch and head up into the hills to visit the local winery, House Family Vineyards, where she was a member.  There are free tastings with a membership so we often sampled a few of the day's wines and then purchased a bottle of our favorite.  We relaxed with our food & wine and spent hours enjoying each other's company.  The views were stunning and the atmosphere was relaxed.  

 

The small cities of Silicon Valley get a bad wrap, thanks to their outrageous price tags and overpopulation.  Dig a little deeper, past the obvious flaws, and you'll see tightknit communities, cute downtown areas, beautiful weather, and lush landscapes, ready for you to explore!