About this event
General Information
Please join our annual summer picnic with a driving tour beforehand to whet your appetite! Dave and Bonnie Bell are once again opening their home to all GGC members for a BBQ and pool party following a scenic drive. The tour will be about three hours long, including one 30-minute stop. The fee is $35 per person for the BBQ, and the tour is free. You can participate in the drive and BBQ or just the BBQ.
This event is open to all members and is a great introductory event for first-time club participants. All you need is your car, a full tank of gas if participating in the tour, and a swimsuit.
Due to the large number of vehicles in the past and associated management issues, we're now limiting the tour to 28 vehicles (plus the lead cars) that will run in groups of 15 each. After you register for the tour, you'll receive information separately before the event regarding the staging area.
If you want to participate in the tour, enable the tour option in the registration form. If you've tried to sign up after the limit has been reached, the system will generate an automatic waiting list. If you need to cancel, please let us know so that someone else can take your place.
For the first time, the route will originate close to the San Francisco area and then traverse southward via some back roads to Pescadero, where we'll stop for about 30 minutes. We'll then take a different route than in past years to our party destination.
You can arrive at the staging area as early as 8:30 a.m. but please arrive no later than 9:00 to sign the waiver. We'll have a driver's meeting at 9:15 and leave promptly at 9:30.
Please note that everyone in your vehicle must sign the waiver! If you're bringing a minor under 18, you must sign an adult waiver for them.
Wine Tasting Option
Once again, Golden Gate Chapter's resident Certified Sommelier, Jeff Cowan, is offering a guided tasting through four excellent wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains for an extra $25 per person. This is a great opportunity to taste and learn about hand-crafted wines from unique vineyards within this often overlooked wine region.
- Rexford Winery, Chardonnay, Brosseau Vineyards, Chalone, 2011
- Sante Arcangeli Winery, Chardonnay, Bald Mountain Vineyard, Bonny Doon, 2012
- Sante Arcangeli Winery, Pinot Noir, Split Rail Vineyard, Corralitos, 2012
- La Honda Winery, ‘Salinian Block’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Los Altos Hills & Woodside, 2011
Party Information
The tour/drive will end in Los Altos Hills where a BBQ at the private residence of Dave and Bonnie Bell will be provided. Awaiting us will be ribs, grilled chicken, potato salad, mixed green salad, rolls, baked beans, beverages, and a Bell family tradition -- ice cream sundaes with all of the toppings. After stuffing yourself, you can cool off in their pool or relax in the hot tub.
Event requirements
If joining the tour, please have a full tank of gas. Also, restrooms may not be open at the staging area on that weekend day, so plan accordingly.