Dinner Party beneath the Golden Gate Bridge

Last month I reserved the day spot for Kirby Cove below the Golden Gate Bridge. So yesterday we hauled a bunch of stuff down to the beach and set up a dinner party. The trickiest part was figuring out the lighting since there are no plugs anywhere. We built a 'T' from a wooden pole and then strung battery operated Christmas lights overhead. The tea lights were also LEDs. We had a four course meal including Parsnip Soup, Salad, Risotto, Asparagus, and ice cream sundaes. We heated the food up on a burner at the day site and then brought the pots down to serve the food right before.

All the guests arrived at dusk and we watched as the sky got darker and the city lights got brighter. I don't think you could have asked for better scenery (or better company.)

[EDIT: For directions and FAQ's about this party go here.]












photos by Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day

108 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, your first photo took my breath away. What a *fantastic* dinner!!!

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  2. This is incredible! What a lovely and memorable evening!

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  3. Beautiful! The first photo is also my favorite.

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  4. Jordan, this is spectacular. Lucky guests!

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  5. so pretty! you always come up with the best party locations and ideas!

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  6. This is amazing. I'm so inspired!

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  7. Stunning! Hard work I am sure but so much fun for our viewing pleasure! Thank you!

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  8. so, so, so rad. i love the clothesline lights.

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  9. Stunning. It looks like a dream!

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  10. That is amazing and magical--and knowing Kirby Cove, I know exactly how much hauling was involved (impressive!).

    What a once-in-a-lifetime dinner. I'm going to be dreaming about this for a long time.

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  11. sooooo pretty. i'm swooning.

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  12. this is absolutely perfect.

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  13. Simple and beautiful! I love it:)

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  14. Fun! I've camped at Kirby Cove - such a gorgeous setting!

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  15. Oh! I love it. One day ...

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  16. amazing, so romantic.

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  17. Jordan - I love that you have already figured out all these great spots in SF for unexpected dinner parties. Since we have just moved here, I can't wait check out some of these spots first hand.

    What are we going to do when you move to Paris??

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  18. Very impressive. I love the last photo. Your friends are so lucky!

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  19. Every time, Jordan. Every damn time.

    And did you luck out with the weather OR WHAT????

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  20. How do you do these things? AMAZING!

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  21. you have seriously outdone yourself. i am obsessed with this!!

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  22. Wow, how extraordinary. Your lives seem like magic!

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  23. Jordan,

    As everyone has commented- absolutely beautiful, creative, and inspiring!

    I just wanted to ask- how did you "manage" the ice cream sundae part??

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  24. robin k8:49 PM

    Awesome.

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  25. robin k8:50 PM

    Awesome.

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  26. robin k8:50 PM

    Awesome.

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  27. that is THE EXACT kinda' dinner party i wanna be invited too!!!

    PS - come on by - my first GIVE-AWAY is going on - $45 worth of goodiness!!

    *kiss kiss*
    Erika
    ~Tiptoe Butterfly~

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  28. you make everything magical!

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  29. How do I get myself invited to your next dinner party?? Gorgeous....

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  30. Thinking about moving to San Fransisco just so I can be your friend and get invited to your amazing parties. I bring great hostess gifts.

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  31. eartha9:33 PM

    I've always wondered when you do these outdoor parties - how do transport and keep the food hot?

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  32. Oh my goodness, that dinner party looks incredible! Your table setting is so perfect for the end of September. And excellent thinking for the sans-electric lighting.

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  33. Simply lovely. You must have a wonderful group of friends, and how lucky they are to have you.

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  34. this makes my heart beat faster. what an unforgettable evening. i wish i was your real-life friend.

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  35. so dreamy...you guys have the best dinner parties!

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  36. So insanely beautiful. It's like a dream.

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  37. omg, this is so incredible! I love it :)

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  38. You are awesome.
    Always making the "I wish I could..." a REALITY!
    Great photos too. I love twinkling lights.

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  39. That is so cool!

    I second the question though about how you keep the food hot? Also, might be a stupid question, but where did you get the power for those light?

    Love reading your blog, so inspiring!

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  40. Kristen12:00 AM

    Ohhh wow! Those shots of the city, the bridge, the dinner...incredible! I love SF by night. Wow, well done!

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  41. What a great idea! This is a night you will remember forever!

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  42. That last photo is just so gorgeous! Brilliant, Jordan.

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  43. Seriously so cool - what a special dinner!
    I blogged about your post:
    http://6lalas.blogspot.com/2010/09/dinner-under-golden-gate.html

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  44. Bravo!

    The first image is just gorgeous. Love the flowers match the bridge. And the long tablecloth! So pretty.

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  45. This is so darn dreamy...

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  46. Anonymous3:43 AM

    So wishing I lived in SFO. And also that I was friends with you. :)
    AMAZING.

    maile
    maile@epiphaniebags.com

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  47. Oh I do love Kirby Cove but I always forget m=to make a reservation dang it all. Looks like an amazing evening.

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  48. What an amazing setting for a dinner party. You just can't buy that kind of scenery. Lovely. Just lovely.

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  49. Wow - how beautiful, and how creative.

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  50. This is so beautiful and creative. And it makes me miss San Francisco even more.

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  51. amazing. amazing.

    wish i were there.

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  52. Anonymous3:09 PM

    Sensational!

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  53. This is fab! I'm also an event planner and am always looking for ideas for lighting and heating foods without electricity. Awesome job!

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  54. Gorgeous.......... this made me miss and appreciate home all at the same time.....

    xxx
    CEO

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  55. could this be any more perfect? doubtful.

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  56. Love love love it Jordan.. thanks for sharing. So inspired. I shared a couple of pictures on my blog with due credits & link backs.. here's a link http://goo.gl/fb/ia4IN

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  57. Beautiful! I cannot wait to see what you do in Paris.

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  58. What an incredible idea! I had no idea you could do this.

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  59. Where'd you get those darling white chairs?

    I've been searching for an affordable Chippendale-style chair.

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  60. are you in the know with the local weatherman?! you couldn't have had a better night!

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  61. Perfect. I've tried to do things at the beach but the wind is always prohibitive.

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  62. Um, where are those chairs from? Are they folding chivaris?? Brilliant if so!

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  63. Jordan you have a special talent. Love the simplistic tablescape with the bridgescape as the backdrop. The Christmas Tree lights really created the perfect atmosphere. Wish I had been invited :)

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  64. this dinner looked amazing. beautiful, beautiful photographs.

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  65. this is incredible, jordan! breathtaking!! xoxo joanna

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  66. wonderful idea, I'll invent something like this for the next barbecue in my garden

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  67. Anonymous4:49 PM

    oh! how wonderful! love this!!

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  68. amazing! i love it! -jen

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  69. Wow! I am going to have to steal this idea! My dinner party, however, will be at the Tower Bridge, London, UK! Lovely!

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  70. what an amazing idea! you've created such a magical scene!

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  71. This looks like such a fun evening!! :)

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  72. wow amazing!! I want to do that!! So beautiful, but I am sure cold!

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  73. you have so much heart and creativity! this is absolutely magical..

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  74. Are you serious with this post?! Stop. It. Now....can't handle it. What a memorable evening, I am sure! Wow...

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  75. wow - this is so pretty darn awesome! i bet everything made the food taste better!

    great idea. great photos.

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  76. This is SO beautiful!! Looks like a fantastic night - I wish I had been there! :)

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  77. I am just blown away, this looks so amazing - what a GREAT idea!

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  78. Wow. I'm speechless. You did such an amazing job. So awesome you found battery string lights!!! They totally make the scene

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  79. This is amazing! Seriously. You just took 'dinner parties' to a whole new level. Absolutely stunning.

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  80. Yum! Would you ever be willing to post your recipes? Sounds so good!

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  81. Absolutely brilliant!

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  82. What fun! I absolutely love this idea! I did a Fisherman's wharf post earlier this week too... :)

    http://www.simplycolette.blogspot.com

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  83. Anonymous8:23 PM

    You guys are amazing!

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  84. wow!!! mind coming over to germany and doing that here ?? that looks just amazing

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  85. i so want to have dinner at that table. excellent job!

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  86. wow. let me be the 91st person to say the same thing: amazing!

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  87. you amaze me. it's like a movie...i wish i could have been there! :)

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  88. Oh my that must have been a perfectly amazing HAPPY DAY!
    Great shots of a fabulous dinner Party! Wish it was me, sitting there ;D
    xoxo

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  89. love your style Jordan, perfect!

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  90. Anonymous12:45 PM

    This looks like a scene out of a movie!!! So inspiring.

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  91. WOW - this looks amazing. I am just a little jealous!

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  92. This is so dreamy and amazing! So inspiring! xo

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  93. oh, so beautiful.

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  94. How does one get invited to these parties? LOL Amazing

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  95. A dream-deaner... Looks really good...

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  96. this is quite possibly the most gorgeous dinner party setting i've ever seen!!! absolutely breathtaking view :)

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  97. What a Beatiful dinner!

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  98. Awesome! You're so lucky the weather cooperated -- SF summer can be so iffy.

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  99. Stunning! What a great night.

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  100. Anonymous11:42 PM

    this is great, looks elegant!

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  101. Anonymous6:24 PM

    Wow. Just wow.

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  102. Oh my gosh!! The only thing missing... me!! ;) Just beautiful!

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