Photo Credit: Courtesy of Debbi DiMaggio
Highland Partners Luxury Real Estate agent and partner, Debbi DiMaggio, shares her curated list of local destinations under 3.5 hours from the East Bay.
Longtime Realtor, Debbi DiMaggio has been practicing real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years with her partner and husband Adam Betta who will celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary in July. This duo has spent years working in and, supporting their small-town community of Piedmont from the schools to local government, where their office is located, Debbi grew up, and the two raised their children. Aside from an excellent school system, and its convenient location to shops, restaurants, cafes, San Francisco, and three international airports, what the DiMaggio & Betta’s enjoy most has always been the close proximity to such world-renowned resort destinations such as Carmel and Monterey, the Sonoma and Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, Stinson Beach, and Yosemite, all beautiful places just a stone's throw away frequented over the years as a family and continue to do so as Empty Nesters.
What is your favorite nearby destination within an hour’s drive?
We live in the East Bay so the Napa Valley is just under an hour away. When we lived in San Francisco we spent more time in Sonoma.
What does a typical afternoon look like in Napa Valley?
Whether it’s just the two of us, or my kids and their grandparents, or house guests who’ve never visited The Valley, it’s always the same, or some variation depending on the time at our disposal. The first stop is always the beautiful Silverado Vineyards. The views from this Italianate winery provide a birds-eye view of the Valley floor. And the wine of course, superb. From there it’s up to Auberge du Soleil for a light lunch and more wine, another perfect spot with magnificent vineyard vistas as well as the sparkling Auberge swimming pool featured in my book, Contained Beauty, photographs, reflections, and swimming pools. If the group still has energy, our next stop is the Napa Valley Olive Oil Co where we purchase our olive oil and porcini mushrooms for Adam’s Spicy Bolognese Sauce— it’s just betta! Then we circle back through St Helena to Hall Wines which is marked with a 35 foot tall polished stainless steel sculpture called Bunny Foo Foo, and finally to dinner at Bistro Don Giovanni. It’s a long day, but highly worth it.
Which of these destinations do you enjoy most as a family?
We’ve been going to the Carneros Resort and Spa since its inception. That first summer it opened we found ourselves sitting around the pool with investors of the resort. It was very small at the time yet situated high on the hill over an expansive property overlooking the rolling hills. We’ve watched and enjoyed the expansion over the years. We’ve stayed overnight and on weekends as a couple, and with the kids, and one year celebrated my parents anniversary and Thanksgiving renting one of their single-family homes.
Which is the best destination for a day trip?
As empty nesters, Adam and I go skiing in Lake Tahoe, either to Northstar or Heavenly as we are Epic Pass members. When the kids were younger a day trip would be spent in Carmel, shopping, eating, and playing on the beach or a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Which is your ideal overnight trip?
That’s a tough one, but I’d say Napa. Carmel is a close second. Both are lovely during any season. I actually love fall and winter in both locations.
What is your favorite activity as a family?
Skiing, most definitely, skiing. I’m not much of a beach person or much for sitting still.
What is your favorite solo activity?
The SPA. Warm towels, heated floors, a relaxing massage, a cleansing facial, a soothing body wrap, a detoxifying steam, and a cool shower. There’s truly nothing better. The Carneros Resort is my perfect destination spa day, but of course, there are many throughout the Valley. A close second is Meadowood.
Where will your next trip take you?
As a family, we are headed to one of our favorite places, The Four Seasons Troon North in Scottsdale, Arizona where we built a home when the kids were younger. And I always have a few trips in the queue to LA where I am expanding our real estate business. Over the past three years, I’ve cultivated many new friendships and business relationships and really enjoy the casual, yet stylish lifestyle.
Any exciting listings or business news to report?
It may seem crazy to say after all these years, but I truly never tire of selling real estate. Each day is a new day to guide a client, meet a new client, design a home for market, create marketing pieces and help clients achieve their goals. I do look forward to helping our upcoming clients with their next chapters, assisting them with the process, readying their homes for market, and selling their homes filled with memories all the while being emotionally supportive, present, and available to each during the transition.
Connect with Debbi and the DiMaggio & Betta Group
