Valentine’s Day weekend in the Bay Area, a birthday and a concert
Such a great couple of days it has been! This weekend was chock full of fun activities, and I loved them all. There’s no better way to start a new week than to look back at the weekend, so let’s talk highlights …
Friday night double date in Walnut Creek
On Friday evening, Dave and I had a double date with Nichole and her man, Brian. We met for a drink at 1515 in downtown Walnut Creek, then walked across the street for dinner at Opa. Dave and I had been to both places before, and they are solid spots.
I like to think that Greek food is always a good choice, especially when spanakopita, wine and lots of bread are involved.
We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share for dinner, which were enjoyed alongside great conversation. Nichole and Brian “went west” just like Dave and I did, and it’s always good to connect with people who share your experiences. Plus, they’re practically our neighbors and live close to us.
Saturday celebrations in Lafayette
Saturday was a big day in our household (yes, a little dog obsessed over here, so don’t be too “judgy”). It marked Rudy’s first birthday. Although Rudy the pup has only been with us for nine months, we knew his exact birthday from his puppy papers and were sure to celebrate it. Rudy received a little care package in the mail from my Mom, which contained some treats and a new toy, so his day started out on the right paw. (See what I did there?)
Knowing we wanted to do something special, Dave and I took Rudy on a nice long walk at Lafeyette Reservoir, which is a beautiful and popular public park in the East Bay for people to stroll and hang out. There were tons of other dogs and people walking and running, and Rudy did pretty well in the crowd, only getting nervous a couple of times. After finishing up the nearly three-mile loop on foot, we had lunch at Jamba Juice.
A bluebird day was the perfect setting to celebrate this little pup’s birthday in the East Bay. His tongue hung out nearly the entire time in excitement.
Live music in San Francisco
Saturday night was a super fun one. With plans to attend a concert in the City, Dave and I suited up and headed out on foot to hop on the BART (the subway system in the San Francisco Bay Area, for those of you not familiar). The night started off with some entertainment, as we were lucky enough to watch three super talented guys perform some contortion dances set to hip-hop music on our train ride into San Francisco. And yes, I dropped some cash in the tip bucket that they circulated to riders after they performed. Good times!
We got into the City a little after 7 p.m. and headed to the Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood for dinner at Academy Bar & Kitchen. We had never been there before and were pleasantly surprised. The menu was limited, but the food was very unique. We found a seat at a high-top communal table without a reservation and had to eat pretty quickly before marching over to the famed The Fillmore venue for the general admission show.
Live music is my favorite! It’s standing room only at The Fillmore, so you can get up nice and close to the stage, but would you believe there were people there with earplugs?
Dave and I went to The Fillmore last year as well to see the same band, Guster. In fact, this was our fourth Guster show together. I had never heard of Guster until Dave introduced me to the band when we first met many years ago in Orlando. They are much more popular on the East Coast, actually, and it doesn’t seem like many people here are fans until you go to a concert. We look forward to seeing them whenever they are in town, and that’s because not only do the Guster guys put on a good show, but they also offer some of the greatest in-between-song banter and chatter. They are hilarious, and of course, are awesome performers. We loved singing along and swaying to the music during the nearly three-hour show.
What else is great about going to a concert at The Fillmore? They give you fresh apples. They give you free water. And if you stay until the END of the concert, they give you a free concert poster. I mean, you’ve got to love the intricacies of original San Francisco spots. Right?
Valentine’s Day around Walnut Creek
On Sunday, for Valentine’s Day, we rode our bikes to downtown Walnut Creek for an outdoor lunch at Tender Greens. Once lunch was done, we each picked up a mini cupcake at Kara’s Cupcakes before riding home. It was a gorgeous and sunny day, which let us know that the warmer weather has finally arrived back in Walnut Creek.
Seriously, Tender Greens has never let me down in the lunch department. With outdoor seating and healthy options to choose from, it’s the perfect day-time stop.
When we got back home, we did some relaxing and chores, and in the evening, Dave cooked us a fancy dinner in the comfort of our pajamas. In between all of that, I did laundry, major food prep for the week ahead, blog work and learned BODYATTACK choreography to teach tonight — so it was busy, but productive. I tell you what, with the Super Bowl last week, Valentine’s this week and a birthday party next week, it’s been easy to avoid the Sunday Blues, which I like.
I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling refreshed, full and happy after a weekend consisting of many of my favorite things: friends, food, live music, Dave and Rudy. Here’s to a great week to you all!
Questions of the day
What’s the last concert you’ve been to?
How was your weekend and Valentine’s Day?
Free apples in a concert?? Sounds about right to me ;)- that’s a fun touch! Looks like you had a fab weekend & Valentine’s Ashley! Last week was hectic with houseguests so much of my weekend was spent getting back into routine and restoring normalcy! I managed to go to the cinema too to see How To Be Single- highly recommend if you’re looking for a good laugh!
I was JUST saying I want to see that movie. I NEVER go to the movies, so we’ll see if it happens. Hope you’re back to normal soon from the guests, K! 🙂 Have a great day!
Looks like a really fantastic weekend with a solid combination of events! And Happy Birthday to little Rudy!!!
Xoxo.
And to you too! I hope you had a wonderful birthday weekend, Courtney! 🙂
Guster = My College Life. Especially the first two years. Happy Birthday Rudy!
Love it, Susie! Would you believe they are still around and touring? 🙂
Happy Birthday to Rudy! We had a full on birthday party for our dog’s doggy bff (yes, you read that correctly…someone else’s dog ) so you know I’m not judging at all haha.
It was a great excuse to get all the dogs from the neighborhood together for some exercise and for the humans to have some bubbly and snacks . A doggy happy hour so to speak 😉
That sounds like a lot of fun, Anna. 🙂 I’d like to go to a party like that! Hope you had a nice weekend, lady! 🙂
I love all the sunshine! It’s actually been really sunny and warm in Colorado too! 🙂
That’s excellent news, Emily! Enjoy it! 🙂
That brown leather jacket is ADORABLE. *insert heart eyes emoji*
Thank you! I’ve had it for FOREVER! Still fits like a glove. 🙂 heheh! Hope you had a nice weekend!
Aww for my dogs first birthday we threw him a party with cake and ice cream doggie approved of course!
Love it, Hilary! Had we not just entertained a couple of weeks ago, I may have tried to hold him a party as well hehehe! 🙂
Happy Birthday to Rudy! I think it’s so important to spoil your dog on their birthdays, they only get so many right! Your food on the weekends always looks so delicious and cupcake shops are my favorite!!! It was super cold this weekend on the east coast, but my husband and I still made it out to dinner for Valentines day and I made a cheesecake I was pretty proud =) Have a fabulous week!
You made a cheesecake? That’s pretty impressive, Patricia! Good work!
Whoa – I saw Guster multiple times in concert, but haven’t seen them in quite some time. They are a blast live. Now I’m going to have to look up their tour dates, ha!
Glad you guys had such a great weekend. 🙂 We celebrated Valentines Day on Saturday night with our traditional brewery crawl to some of our favorite spots in our Denver neighborhood, and spent most of yesterday wedding planning and planning our trip to Peru. Wild and crazy, I tell ya’! Ha!
Ohhhh yes! That sounds like a good weekend line-up, Jessica. 🙂
I would never judge you for spoiling Rudy! You know I’m just as dog obsessed as you are. I just wish I could pick mine up like you can. 🙂
It looks you had an all around great weekend! We were blessed with beautiful weather, right? It was so nice. I love Tender Greens and I also need to check out Lafayette Reservoir. I’ve heard it’s a great place for a hike.
Btw, have you heard of a new restaurant called True Food Kitchen opening in Walnut Creek? I think it’s supposed to open in the summer but I can’t wait to try it. It looks really good!!
Hi Sarah!! You MUST go to the Reservoir! It’s the thing to do on a nice day. And I haven’t heard of True Food, but I will keep my eyes and ears open for it! We should go there on a little date once it’s open. Hope you had a nice weekend, friend!
I don’t celebrate V Day or as I call it “single shaming day”. Saw how to be single which is great fun for us single ladies. I love the Fillmore, went many moons ago to see Frank Zappa and the grateful dead. Happy Birthday to Rudy! Sounds like a fun weekend.
Hi Lexie! Valentine’s Day isn’t all that big of a holiday in my book, so you didn’t miss much. And YAY for The Fillmore! Hope you had a nice weekend, lady! 🙂
What a pleasant weekend! I love making an afternoon of leisurely bike riding and outdoor lunching. California at its best!
It sure is! It was the perfect weekend to be outside! Hope you got outside too, Dani! 🙂
My husband and I love concerts and go often. He plays drums, we both work on cars, and he blew out his ear drum when he was younger, so as a result he often has to wear earplugs when we go. Otherwise, the next day he is left with an ear that rings all day long. Although, I guess it would depend on what kind of concert it is. We both love hard rock, so it tends to be pretty loud in there.
Well now I feel bad, because that makes so much sense as why someone would need earplugs. 🙁 hehhe whoopsie.
My husband and I love concerts and go often. He plays drums, we both work on cars, and he blew out his ear drum when he was younger, so as a result he often has to wear earplugs when we go. Otherwise, the next day he is left with an ear that rings all day long. Although, I guess it would depend on what kind of concert it is. We both love hard rock, so it tends to be pretty loud in there.
So funny – my dog Sasha’s birthday is Valentine’s Day so was also celebrated this weekend!
YAY! Happy birthday to Sasha!! 🙂 hehehe Hope you had a nice weekend!!
Looks like you guys kept busy for sure! I just love live music. <3 And all of that food looks SO good. Enjoy the sunny weather for us, will ya? And have a great week!
Ohhh yes, the California WEATHER is lovely … come check it out! 🙂
Aww, Rudy looks so happy! I hope he had a great birthday!!! That Vday lunch and cupcakes looks yummy as well :). The last concert I went to was… OneRepublic in 2014. I’m not a huge fan of concerts, all the loud music and people stress me out. Valentine’s Day was good, celebrated my Dad’s birthday a few days late, and I came home to a very clean apartment and flowers :).
I could see how some people would get stressed at concerts for sure! Clean apartment and flowers? Now THAT is romance!! 🙂 heheheh
Looks like a great weekend! And happy birthday to Rudy!
Ohhh thanks, Sarah! I’ll tell him you said so. 🙂 Hope you had a nice weekend!
Sounds like so much fun and wow that food looks great!! Greek food is always a winner!
Sure is! Hope your weekend was nice, Heather! 🙂
I hate that I have to do it but i am one of those people who has to wear earplugs at concerts. In fact I even wear them in Bodypump and other classes. I have severe hearing loss in my right ear thanks to the Army and a convoy live fire range. It makes me feel awful because I don’t want people to think I’m being disrespectful…I just have to protect what hearing I have left!
Sounds like you had a really awesome weekend! And a happy belated birthday to sweet little Rudy!
Okay, Audie, you are not the only one who schooled me on why people wear earplugs heheh. I feel bad. You WEAR those things, poor girl — not disrespectful at all! 🙂 hahah And Rudy says thanks!
I had a fabulous weekend, busy like yours. I honestly cannot remember the last concert I went to. I used to go to concerts all the time, but it’s been a while.
Glad you had a nice weekend, Jen!! 🙂
You guys are so cute and it sounds and looks like you had an amazing weekend and LOVE day!!!!
Ooooh the last concert I went to was JayZ and Kanye, I think. LOL! I love concerts!
I LOVE your lipstick you wore Saturday, what is it??
xxoo
Kris
Hi Kris! Oh thanks! It’s a magenta lip crayon that I got in a Birch Box a while back. I don’t even have the brand name, because it rubbed off! Sorry! 🙂
WOW I cannot believe you got Rudy 9 months ago! I sweat it was like 3 months ago. Happy Birthday! Sounds like the perfect birthday 🙂 I haven’t been to a concert in forever! Last year we were on the river on our boat and happened to see The Clarks play on the river, so that was fun. Other than that, it was probably Kenny Chesney 2 years ago!
Hi Heather! I just saw Kenny Chesney for the first time last year and thought he put on a great show! And time flies with a cute puppy. I bet it flies with a new baby too! 🙂