Christina Mueller, Author at Local Getaways

An overhead view of a table set with various appetizers—including olives, crackers with salmon, cheese-topped bread slices, vegetable skewers, and dishes of nuts—accompanied by glasses of red and white wine. Two hands reach for the food, evoking the ambiance found in Best Bay Area Wine Bars.

Best Bay Area Wine Bars

Wine bars are like snowflakes: each one is distinct in look and feel, wine selection and vibe. Customers play a role, too, influencing what gets […]

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A wooden table is filled with a variety of appetizers, including dips, olives, stuffed peppers, bruschetta, and bread. Two people reach for food, and there are glasses of red and white wine on the table. The scene exudes a casual, social dining atmosphere reminiscent of the best wine bars in the Bay Area.

Best Wine Bars in the Bay Area

Wine bars are like snowflakes: each one is distinct in look and feel, wine selection and vibe. Customers play a role, too, influencing what gets

Best Wine Bars in the Bay Area Read More »

A picturesque view of a Spanish colonial-style building, evocative of Southern California Missions, surrounded by palm trees and reflected in a clear, lily-pad-covered pond in the foreground. People walk and gather near the building, enjoying the sunny day.

Southern California Missions: From Old Mission Santa Barbara to Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá

From San Diego to Sonoma, Spain built a chain of 21 Southern California missions across the length of what was once called Alta California. Father

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A historic mission-style building reminiscent of the central California missions, featuring a central bell tower and two smaller towers on each side. The facade includes ornate details, a large wooden door, and a cross at the top. Palm trees and lush greenery surround it, with a pathway leading to the entrance.

Central California Missions: From Mission Carmel to Mission Santa Inez

Looking for a whopping dose of California state history? There’s likely no better entry point than the missions. Here’s a look at seven of the

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A small white mission-style church with a bell tower topped by a cross. The front entrance is an arched wooden door. Nearby is a tall tree and a signpost that reads "Historic Mission Santa Cruz," one of the iconic Northern California Missions. The sky is clear and blue.

Northern California Missions: From San Juan Bautista to San Francisco Solano de Sonoma

Looking for a whopping dose of California state history? There’s likely no better entry point than the missions. Here’s a look at seven of the

Northern California Missions: From San Juan Bautista to San Francisco Solano de Sonoma Read More »

Crispy spiral potatoes garnished with colorful herbs and flowers, served on a bed of creamy sauce and sprinkled with breadcrumbs. This delightful potato dish is presented in a visually appealing manner, highlighting their golden-brown texture.

Potatoes Are More than a Side Dish: All About Potatoes, and Where to Get the Best

The humble potato should be knighted. Densely caloric, it has sustained human populations across the globe for millennia. Peru, where the tuber first flourished some

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A beautifully plated dish featuring succulent, roasted meat garnished with microgreens, presented with vibrant orange and yellow roasted vegetables, all arranged on a white plate with a splash of red sauce. This culinary gem hails from one of those under-the-radar Bay Area towns.

Under the Radar Food Towns in the Bay Area

Once drive-bys, these Bay Area towns have kicked their food scenes into another gear. Add them to your bucket list. Featured Photo: Alley & Vine

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Four white Adirondack chairs face a serene view of a grassy field, a calm body of water, and the distant silhouette of a city skyline. Nearby, there's a charming house with a large porch, bathed in the warm glow of the setting or rising sun—a scene reminiscent of the tranquility offered by Marin County hotels.

Best Hotels in the North Bay for Group Getaways

Traveling as a group, whether for a corporate retreat, for a wedding, or as a family (or a whole group of families), means looking for

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A woman stands on a grassy hill doing a yoga pose with hands pressed together. She is wearing a white tank top, black shorts, sunglasses, and a jacket tied around her waist. In the background, near some of the best wellness hotels North Bay has to offer, is the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and a scenic view of hills and water.

Best Spa and Wellness Hotels in the North Bay

“Getting away” means different things to different people, yet Northern California has myriad options when wellness is in order. Unique properties — a former U.S.

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A rooftop patio with wicker chairs and beige cushions arranged around a rectangular glass fire pit. The area is enclosed by glass walls, offering views of distant mountains and blue skies. This inviting space, often found in the best value hotels North Bay, boasts a relaxed ambiance with natural lighting.

Best Value Hotels in the North Bay

Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge lies some of California’s most epic scenery. Rolling hills, dotted with suburban communities, share the landscape with family

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Christina Mueller