Bay Area Buzz is now over a year old!  This year has flown by and we are so happy to continue to share how wonderful the San Francisco Bay Area is with all of you. We’ve put together a list of some of our Buzz favorites from our first year.  Take a look and let us know what some of your favorite “buzz-worthy” places are.

Thank you all for your love and encouragement as we grow. We appreciate every one of your hearts and comments! We can’t wait to see what this next year brings for us. Now on to our favorites…

Best Lunch:

Esther– Proposition Chicken
I loved their fried chicken sandwich! What’s even better is that their chicken is hormone free, free-range, and air chilled.

Lindsey– Nom Burger
Nom Burger is a great addition to downtown Sunnyvale and their burgers are simply delicious. I loved their inventive menu and cool restaurant interior.

Best Dinner:

Esther– Goose & Gander
Not only were the dishes at Goose & Gander delicious, but the service and ambiance was perfect as well! The interior is warm and comfortable, which made the evening even better.

Lindsey – Straw
Dining at Straw was simply a fun experience. I mean, where else can you get a donut burger, rib sundae and fishbowl full of punch?! The carnival theme makes you feel like a kid and wacky menu items can’t help but make you smile.

Best Dessert:

Esther– Mutari Chocolate
You can’t go wrong with drinkable chocolate. With flavors like Himalayan Pink Salt, you know its going to be good.

Lindsey – Goose & Gander
Goose & Gander’s Basque cake just had the right texture (slightly chewy) and amount of sweetness. You have to try this next time you are in wine country…it’s nothing short of amazing!

Best Drink:

Esther– Chump Chai
Having fresh, natural Chai delivered to my front door is just what I need on lazy a weekend morning!

Lindsey – Ketsourine Macarons
Ketsourine’s Strawberry Pomegranate Earl Grey Tea and Cold Brewed Iced Coffee are both so yummy I can’t pick a favorite. Even though Ketsoruine is a macaron shop, don’t overlook their drink menu! I’m sorry I didn’t snap a picture before drinking…I just couldn’t help myself. Their macaron’s are also beautiful, so here is a pretty picture of those instead =)

Best Happy Hour:

Esther– Bon Marche
I would visit Bon Marche for the $10 all your can drink beer and bar bites every everyday if I could! They even brew their own beer! Their $10 Aprés Work happy hour runs from 5pm-7pm every Wednesday.

Lindsey – La Marcha
I fell in love with tapas when visiting Spain and La Marcha is one of the few places in the Bay Area that serve a free tapa with a drink purchase. This is how tapas were originally intended to be! Happy hour is Tuesday-Sunday 4pm-6pm and 10pm-12am.

Best Winery:

Esther – Newton Vineyard
I loved this quiet vineyard hidden in the hills. Visits are by appointment only, making it a private and personal experience.  They make one of the best cab’s I’ve had!

Lindsey – VGS Chateau Potelle
This winery has a great story behind it and their food and wine pairing experience is as memorable and delicious as it gets. I loved practically all of the wines I tasted here.

Best Hike:

Esther– Pogonip Park
This hike is fairly easy, in the beautiful redwoods, and is dog friendly!  Who can resist a “wild” koi pond located in the middle of a forest?

Lindsey – Horsetail Falls in Desolation Wilderness
This hike has amazing landscape views and the reward is superb. There are numerous swimming holes to enjoy once you reach the falls. The trail is also dog friendly and great for water loving pooches like mine..

Best View:

Esther– Coyote Hills Regional Park
The East Bay has some amazing waterfront views! Coyote Hills Regional Park provides a different coastal feel. There aren’t any sandy beaches, but you’ll find gorgeous rolling hills along a still, reflective coastline.

Lindsey –East Peak, Mt.Tamalpais
The view from atop Mt. Tam is always gorgeous. You’ll find a clear view of Marin, as well as the surrounding hills and lakes. Sunsets and sunrises here take it to a whole new level!

Best Beach:

Esther– Shark Fin Cove
Shark Fin Cove is a little hard to find, making it seem almost private. This small beach is perfect for staring out to sea, playing on the rocks nearby, and getting chased by waves.

Lindsey– Sutro Bath Ruins
I love this beach for it’s history as well as the picture perfect sunsets. It’s a great city escape.