Before the Date…
There’s that perfect moment as the sun is setting where the entire city seems to take a pause and reflect on their days madness. A beautfiul moment we are involved in every day but can take on a whole new meaning when your thousands of feet above that madness. This dates designed to get you a little tipsy before making your way above it all to soak in the city’s sunset from a whole new angle.
So grab your sunset love and take a hike to the heli pad for wine, pasta, and a billion dollar view.
St0p #1: 2.5 hrs to sunset
Wine Toast
at a local happy hour
What to Know
Happy Hour is all day Monday & Tuesday, 4-7pm Wednesday to Sunday with $6-8 glasses of wine and $4-5 beers.
If you’re driving there is a parking lot on the south end of the building. However it may be slyest to stage your car at stop 2. That way it can be a surprise for your unassuming date or friends after grabbing take out.
It might seem weird at first but drinking wine on the sidewalk is all good. Have a bigger group? There’s a patio to the left end of the building, with music playing as well.
Make sure to grab a bottle to go from the bar. They have a bottle of the month. Either red or white. That is $12. It’s a curated selection so you can’t really go wrong.
St0p #2: 1.5 hrs to sunset
Pasta Pick-up
from a classic Italian joint
What to Know
IMPORTANT: Please order 20 minutes before leaving stop 1. (Here is the menu) This will ensure your food is ready to be picked up when you get there. Tip: Pull out the menu after ordering your second drink. When you arrive pay at the left of the bar.
The food is solid Italian with your usual suspects winning the prize: pizza and pasta. Be cognicent that you’ll be having a picnic so “difficult to picnic foods” may be a poor choice, i.e. the market fish.
Plan on grabbing an Uber/Lyft from here or hop in your staged car in the parking lot in back. Then head to the trail head.
St0p #3: 45 min to sunset
Sunset Picnic
post incredible hike through the Cedar Grove
What to Know
Pre-Plan: 1) Dress Appropriately. This is an actual hike with the first bit that can be strenuous for some. Wear athletic shoes and flexible clothing. 2) In a backpack bring a blanket, plastic wine glasses, a bottle opener, a bottle of water, bug spray, and a flashlight.
You’ll park along the street before the trailhead at 2650 N. Commonwealth Ave. Turn immediately right when the wood fence starts, you’ll see the path up the hill.
The hike should last about 45 minutes taking you through the NorCal-esque Cedar Grove. We were running late and hustled in about 25 minutes but giving yourself time to soak it in is highly suggested.
If it gets dark as you’re walking down you can follow the road all the way to the bottom. Will be safer than heading down the steep dirt trail.