the house of shields re-opens • san francisco, ca

There's plenty of old bars in San Francisco, but few over a hundred years old, which is just one reason why the House of Shield's re-opening is so newsworthy. Condé Nast Traveler granted the bar's re-opening for its Concierge.com Unpacked newsletter feature yesterday, loving that the bar has no clock (or a TV); the SF Chronicle's Inside Scoop column ogles over the authentic "period piece" detailing (check out the brass statue lighting fixtures below); and foodie blog favorite Tablehopper digs up some juicy historical facts about the former men's drinking club. And I love that there will be absolutely no mention of "mixology" here!

The House of Shields is located at 39 New Montgomery Street, across from the Palace Hotel, in San Francisco.

sea ranch • mendocino coast, ca

Just an hour's drive north of San Francisco, lies a vast stretch of Northern California coastline that offers countless, sweeping views of the rugged terrain, pounding waves, and the occasional unique looking rocks (see my tortoise look-a-like rock below). The lack of crowds and people is an added bonus. If possible, spend a weekend at a Sea Ranch vacation rental. This community originally idealized and built in the 1960s has one-of-a-kind architecture that blends into the natural landscape.