Happy Summer Solstice! Tomorrow is the official first day of summer. Woohoo! Barbeques, beaches, bonfires and more…especially family reunions!
I’m gearing up for a grand one to be celebrated on Cape Cod, but I have many other great locations to share with you, Just Ask! One very special spot that I’d like to recommend for your next family reunion is nestled in Northern California – Point Reyes Peninsula.
This is an outstanding destination to host a fun, fabulous family reunion. You can either pup a tent at one of the many campgrounds, stay at the many cozy cottage bed and breakfasts, or stay at probably one of the most amazing places I’ve ever stayed at, The Manka’s Inverness Lodge.
It’s not really a lodge but a collection of cabins and rustic, elegant lodgings. I highly recommend staying in the Boathouse. This is where you can host a fantastic family reunion cocktail party, luncheon or dinner. It’s an old boathouse built in 1911, which was renovated to perfection. The high vaulted ceiling in the living room is the original from when they pulled the small boats in off the Tomales Bay for repair.
The amenities are virtually endless at this place. When we checked in at the vintage Airstream perched on the corner of Callendar Way, we were kindly greeted at the cute kiosk. The designer of the Boathouse did not forget a hitch! We used Kiehl’s products in our outdoor shower, Frette luxury linens were in abundance and a warm, thick wool blanket by Brahms Mount of Maine was awaiting us by the roaring fireplace. And that's not all! Dinner was delivered to us in cast-iron pots and warm sticky buns were left for us in the morning. Sweet!
Just outside our huge triple glass doors was a charming deck with bright mustard-yellow colored Adirondack-like chairs, which magically mirrored the color of the hills beyond at the end of the day. We were also graced with the longest pier on the Tomales Bay. Fathom that! And not to mention what else is out this door but as in a previous post, The Point Reyes National Seashore is right outside with its' ever-popular hiking trails. Need I say more?
But let me be honest and direct, this place is low-key. It’s not a full-serviced lodge with all-day room service, spa treatments (although you can request an in-room massage!) and a fitness center. It’s just perfect for a family gathering for playing scrabble, gabbing outdoors on the pier, playing the piano (yes, this room is equipped with a baby grand!) and spending quality time together.
From every window you’ll get a majestic view of Tomales Bay. I kept trying to catch my breath and not just from avoiding the smoke emitted by the fire (ha!), but because it was so beautiful and breathtaking. Enough said. Book it for your next family reunion now! Should you need ideas of where to hike, dine, or shop, Just Ask!
And, if you need some oysters for your family gathering or creative ideas for hosting a smashing family get-together, all you have to do is Just Ask!
Happy summering!
P.S. This was the note left in our copper breakfast-filled bin at The Manka’s Inverness Lodge : ”Inverness apples pressed for your pleasure and served alongside house made yogurt over wild west Marin honey under our granola and melon – with buns that just jumped out of the oven.” Heaven.
