A couple of weeks ago I had the amazing opportunity to visit Northern California and Oregon, road tripping from San Francisco to Portland over a ten day period. The trip comes as one of the first since the pandemic laid off the entire travel industry. The simple goal was to experience the Redwoods and see some of the Oregon coast, but so much more happened during my time in the Pacific Northwest. As you can imagine, as a traveler and nature photographer, the Redwoods are a huge bucket list item. And now, looking back, it was better than all of my expectations.
Within an hour of landing at SFO, I had my rental car and was making my way out of the city. The drive over the Golden Gate Bridge was a fun and exhilarating experience. I got a great view of the ocean on one side, San Francisco on the other, and with infamous Alcatraz floating somewhere in-between. I tried driving with one hand and using my phone to snap photos of the bay, but that’s a lot harder than you might think, as my best shot was a blurry bridge with half the photo showing just the road. It’s difficult driving alone and trying to experience your surroundings.
A half hour later, I was walking up to the famous Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley, California. That is a sacred place. I hiked for a hour or two before jumping back into my rental car. I drove north to Ukiah in search of my accommodation for the night. I made it safely just after nightfall to the Mendocino County gem, the magical Yokayo Ranch, which is normally rented out as an events venue for weddings, private parties, large family getaways, and business events.
I parked my car and walked around the majestically lit up Yokayo Ranch and was astounded by how wonderful everything was. It’s a stunning retreat surrounded by mature forest that’s absolutely packed full of awesomeness. The gardens are stunning, the main building is upscale and classy, there’s a tent city of luxurious tents, two pool houses, outdoor bar, hot tub, outdoor movie theater, social campfire area, and so much more. What an amazing getaway place for family, friends, or to have a very special wedding day. This is a place I knew I would never forget.
I stayed in the pool house and I had the entire place to myself. My room was spacious and comfy, with a king bed, private bathroom, fridge and dining area, TV, quick access to the pool (I could jump from my door and into the pool, if I wanted to), and every amenity provided for. My gracious host also provided a range of unique sodas in my mini fridge to try, which was a delightful surprise. I spent the night wandering the grounds, dipping my foot into the pool, my entire body into the hot tub, and all before passing out cold and sleeping like a baby.
My stay was short, but oh so peaceful and comfortable. Yokayo Ranch is the real deal vacation destination and I will forever chase the feeling of wonder and freedom I experienced there. I was sad to not be surrounded by my favorite people, as Yokayo Ranch had thought of every detail I’d dream of for my own ultimate home, and they made it a reality.
A half hour later, I was walking up to the famous Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley, California. That is a sacred place. I hiked for a hour or two before jumping back into my rental car. I drove north to Ukiah in search of my accommodation for the night. I made it safely just after nightfall to the Mendocino County gem, the magical Yokayo Ranch, which is normally rented out as an events venue for weddings, private parties, large family getaways, and business events.
I parked my car and walked around the majestically lit up Yokayo Ranch and was astounded by how wonderful everything was. It’s a stunning retreat surrounded by mature forest that’s absolutely packed full of awesomeness. The gardens are stunning, the main building is upscale and classy, there’s a tent city of luxurious tents, two pool houses, outdoor bar, hot tub, outdoor movie theater, social campfire area, and so much more. What an amazing getaway place for family, friends, or to have a very special wedding day. This is a place I knew I would never forget.
I stayed in the pool house and I had the entire place to myself. My room was spacious and comfy, with a king bed, private bathroom, fridge and dining area, TV, quick access to the pool (I could jump from my door and into the pool, if I wanted to), and every amenity provided for. My gracious host also provided a range of unique sodas in my mini fridge to try, which was a delightful surprise. I spent the night wandering the grounds, dipping my foot into the pool, my entire body into the hot tub, and all before passing out cold and sleeping like a baby.
My stay was short, but oh so peaceful and comfortable. Yokayo Ranch is the real deal vacation destination and I will forever chase the feeling of wonder and freedom I experienced there. I was sad to not be surrounded by my favorite people, as Yokayo Ranch had thought of every detail I’d dream of for my own ultimate home, and they made it a reality.
RSS Feed