Community Corner

Great Escape: Coastside Edition

Pack a picnic with some goodies from Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese Company and head for the sand, hills or meadows along the coast.

It's picnic season, and there’s no better way to savor the days of summer than eating alfresco in the great outdoors.

This week, pack a picnic and head for the sand, hills or meadows along the coast. Luckily Coastsiders don’t have to venture too far to find the ideal outdoor location. Take your pick of beaches from Linda Mar to Pomponio and everywhere in between and beyond. Or have your picnic in , Butano State Park, Montara Mountain, or Quarry Park. A grassy meadow along Highway 1 is another option with some easy stops at Montara Beach or along the and bluffs in El Granada and Miramar at Surfer’s Beach.

A visit to the makes it easy for picking up local fruits and vegetables to prepare into simple salads, or grab a loaf of crusty bread, some cheese, pate, cookies and small desserts. Add memorable touches to your picnic with a blanket to sit on, tablecloths for picnic tables or folding chairs. Adding a small bouquet of flowers makes a charming, low-maintenance centerpiece that complements a simple meal.

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The Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese Company sells a wide variety of picnic baskets, insulated shoulder bags and other picnic accoutrements like tumblers, blankets and flatware. The store also sells an assortment of gourmet goodies to accompany their stock of wines, more than 800 boutique and specialty wines from all over the world, including a selection of hard-to-find local Santa Cruz Mountain wineries and more than 120 California and Oregon Pinot Noirs.

Manager Ruth Star recommends the following picnic basket combinations:

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• An Italian Viaggio- Pepperoncino Grissini (red pepper bread sticks) with Montasio Cheese, Sliced Salami, meaty and mild Castelvetrano olive sand Eggplant and Red pepper bruschetta topping with a Prosecco chilled in a bottle bubble ice bag.

“We will provide the ice,” Star said.

• For a lighter treat, Star suggests Harley Farms' Chive Log, Spanish sea salt to go, Marcona Almonds from Spain, Dalmatia fig spread from Croatia, Mini Croccantini crackers and a pack of mixed dried Golden fruit with bottle of sauvignon blanc or Sancerre.

• Duck Rilletes with bread and butter pickles, Fiscalini Cheddar and Nectarine Chutney with Waxwing Syrah, “a super small local producer,” said Star.

• Smoked Duck Breast with Cornichons, Rosemary Crackers, and a bar of M Cluizel Chocolate.

• American Vintage wine biscuits with Fromager d' Affinois with Steven Kent Chardonnay. “A little oak goes a long way,” said Star.

• For a Sunday Brunch at the beach Star recommends Smoked Salmon or Salmon Jerky with Narsai's Dill mustard sauce, Harley Farms' Herb Garlic Fromage blanc tub, couple of S. Pelligrino and a bottle of Les pouches Chenin blanc.


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