MOLI VIEW™

The most divine, and ultimately nauseating, realization one can have about Northern California is just how perfect it is. Progressive to its core, it reeks of liberal complacency (now, that's what I call "luxury"). If you're based in San Francisco, you are equally poised to access the ultimate in urban sophistication or the stunning, California-rustic outdoors. And then a mere half-hour drive away, you've got the delights of wine country (Napa and Sonoma valleys), or the still small-town beachiness of Half Moon Bay.

People also say constantly that San Francisco is the most European city in the United States, and I'd have to agree. Between their French-like love of wine and good food, Norwegian-like dedication to conservation and clean living, and Italian-casual meets Patagonia style of dress, San Franciscans offer a confusing and almost sickening descent into utopia.

I was sort of marveling at the stunning beauty of Northern California as embodied in my friend, "Dane," a director of one of San Francisco's many impressive nonprofit organizations. He's an all-around do-gooder with model looks, who has somehow been divorced twice (hey, Sweden has the highest divorce rate in Europe — divorce must be part of utopia). I listened intently to his story about the Presidio of San Francisco's transformation from military base into national park, and was shocked to discover that there's even a five-star retreat opening there called Cavallo Point. It's a Passport Resort, the eco-conscious, San Fran-based company behind the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, Hotel Hana Maui, and the Jean Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji.

Previous Page  1  2  3  Next Page