Woodside and Portola Valley offer a natural setting with high-end offerings for visitors and residents alike.
Canyon Ranch Woodside offers a gorgeous retreat in the woods.
STAY
Canyon Ranch Woodside
Relax among the redwoods at Canyon Ranch Woodside. A wellness pioneer of hotel brands, Canyon Ranch encourages guests to set intentions, eat better and participate in various activities, including aqua workouts, breath work, Japanese floral arranging and spiritual grounding. 16350 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, 650.529.1046, canyonranch.com
Forest yoga is part of the dynamic programming at Canyon Ranch Woodside.
EAT
The Village Bakery
Grab a flaky croissant and cappuccino to go, or pull up a chair and stay awhile at The Village Bakery. The all-day cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays and brunch and dinner on the weekends. The menu features upscale California cuisine like gem lettuce salad, roasted broccoli pizza and satisfying dinner dishes such as baked rigatoni and wagyu steak frites. There’s also barrel-aged Negronis and a stellar wine list of new and old world labels. 3052 Woodside Road, Woodside, 650.851.5555, tvbwoodside.com
The Village Pub
For a more refined dining experience, head to The Village Pub, the bakery’s older sister restaurant with a 3,500-label wine list. Most of the eatery’s produce comes from a nearby farm; everything is fresh, seasonal and delicious. Menu items include dry-aged duck breast with creamy farro, honey crisp apple and endive salad with 30-year balsamic and Dungeness crab risotto. The white tablecloth setting is warm and welcoming, and the hospitality is exceptionally attentive. 2967 Woodside Road, Woodside, 650.851.9888, thevillagepub.net
Short rib at the Village Bakery
Rossotti’s Alpine Inn
Founded in 1852, Rossotti’s Alpine Inn is one of California’s oldest taverns. Last fall, the eatery, colloquially known as Zott’s, debuted a new bar and a bigger kitchen. It’s now better than ever, with a large beer garden and menu consisting of nachos, chicken tenders and wood-fired pizzas. 3915 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, 650.854.4004, alpineinnpv.com
Look for an impressive farm-to-table menu at the Village Bakery.
Alice’s Restaurant
Known for its down-home cuisine and inviting atmosphere, Alice’s Restaurant has been serving the Woodside community since the 1960s. The dog-friendly all-day eatery offers scrumptious scrambles, gourmet burgers, barbecue favorites like ribs, and dinner specials, including salmon fettuccine alfredo. Alice’s is known for its pie—there are five different kinds—so save room for dessert. 17288 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, 650.851.0303, alicesrestaurant.com
Chocolate souffle at the Village Pub
SHOP
Emily Joubert Home & Garden
Discover antique gems, vintage treasures, block-printed textiles and gorgeous furniture at Emily Joubert Home & Garden. The luxe boutique has indoor and outdoor pieces that transform any space into a more chic and luxurious home. Named for owner Judy Sieber’s grandmother, the sophisticated shop has something for everyone, from gardening tools to plush pillows. 3036 Woodside Road, Woodside, 650.851.3520, emilyjoubert.com
Portola Valley Farmers’ Market
If you’re in Portola Valley on Thursday afternoons, a local farmers’ market trip is a must. Every week from 2 to 6 p.m., vendors display fresh produce, artisanal eats, baked goods and other interesting products like perfume and flowers. There are also hot food offerings like tacos and made-to-order crepes, so you won’t leave hungry. 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley, goodrootsevents.com/portola-valley-farmers-market
The Village Pub features a chic atmosphere.
The Clock Tower Shop
Filoli is a historic 654-acre estate with a picturesque country house built between 1915 and 1917, 16 acres of stunningly landscaped gardens and nature trails that tour the property. The Clock Tower Shop is Filoli’s on-site boutique. It features a selection of carefully curated gifts, clothing and estate-made products. 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, 650.364-8300, filoli.org
The Clock Tower Shop is Filoli’s on-site boutique.
DESIGN
Staprans Design
Staprans Design creates interiors that embrace, energize and soothe in a sublime way. Guided by the belief that form and function should reinforce each other, the firm designs spaces that evoke positive emotions through beauty and comfort. Like nature and fine art, each space is crafted to reveal its subtleties over time, offering a sense of delight that deepens with experience. 159 Ramona Road, Portola Valley, 650.530.2458, stapransdesign.com
Visitors to the Clock Tower Shop will find a selection of carefully curated gifts, clothing, estate-made products and florals.
VISIT
Tah.Mah.Lah
The greenest house in America, known as Tah.Mah.Lah, is in Portola Valley. Tech power couple Linda Yates and Paul Holland built the LEED Platinum Certified dwelling from the ground up using the cleanest and most sustainable materials while considering energy, water and waste usage. The resulting home is a beautiful structure and an educational tool for future generations who want to live greener. hksinc.com
Thomas Fogarty Winery
Established in 1981, Thomas Fogarty Winery occupies 350 acres of the north end of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyard is known for its cool climate, pinot noir and chardonnay, which are grown sustainably and organically. The winery offers several experiences, but you can’t go wrong with an outdoor tasting. Enjoy panoramic views of the Bay while trying five of Fogarty’s varietals. 19501 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, 650.851.6777, fogartywinery.com
Photography by: COURTESY OF BRANDS
