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Maker's Space in Novato

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The Shop is a public space for making, learning, and building community. We are located next to the South Novato Library and we're free for all to visit and use.

We offer a wide range of tools and activities for patrons of all ages, such as woodworking, painting, bicycle maintenance, sewing and more. Our staff are more than happy to assist you with any project you are working on or trade you would like to learn, within our availability. This is your space to create! We are also here to assist schools and community groups with their learning goals and we're always excited to collaborate.

The Shop is a place where community and creativity come together.

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The Shop is a public space for making, learning, and building community. We are located next to the South Novato Library and are part...

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Thanks for playing our trivia game, sponsored by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company! From all correct entries, we'll randomly select one winner each month for the prize pack of Bay Curious and Sierra Nevada goodies (Approximate value $50).

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Bay Curious is a show about your questions - and the adventures you find when you go looking for the answers. Join host Olivia Allen-Price to explore all aspects of the Bay Area -- from the debate over "Frisco", to the dinosaurs that once roamed California, to the causes of homelessness.

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Indoor Water Park & Resort | San Francisco Resort | Great Wolf Lodge

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We use cookies to improve your experience on this site, to show you personalized advertising, and to gather web traffic data. To find more, please read ourPrivacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Close

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Sleepovers at a favorite spot are a wildly popular experience and is as exciting as ever for families. Each one offers a unique and special way to enjoy a beloved place and they sell out fast. Bring your pj's and sleeping bag and sleep next to your favorite exhibit, under the stars or on an historic ship and let your imagination run wild.

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Overnight Adventures - Ronnie's Awesome List

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Sleepovers at a favorite spot are a wildly popular experience and is as exciting as ever for families. Each one offers a unique and special way to enjoy a beloved place and they sell out fast.

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Summer Camps in California | Farm Camp in Sonoma County, CA

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Just 1 1/2 miles off the coast in the Sonoma County Redwoods, Farm Camp is one of the best summer camps in California! Enroll for summer 2021 now. Call the office at (707) 847-3494.

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Welcome to our 47th summer of friendship, adventure, fun, and learning 21st-century skills!

Mountain Camp Woodside is a co-ed summer camp that offers both an Overnight Camp (grades 2-10) and Day Camp (grades K-10). We are located near Palo Alto, in the heart of beautiful Portola Valley, California on the 63-acre campus of the Woodside Priory School. Our camp inspires campers to try new activities, build independence, make friends and take home memories that will last a lifetime.

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Mountain Camp Woodside | Day & Overnight Camp near Palo Alto, CA

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Welcome to our 42nd summer of friendship, adventure, fun, and learning 21st-century skills! Mountain Camp Woodside is a traditional summer camp that offers both an Overnight Camp (grade 2-10) and Day Camp (grades K-10). We are located near Palo Alto, in the beautiful Portola Valley, California.

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Summer Camp in California | Mountain Camp near Lake Tahoe

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Nestled near Lake Tahoe, Mountain Camp is one of the best summer camps in California! Enroll for summer 2020 now. Call the office at (415) 351-CAMP.

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Bar 717 Ranch Summer Camp - Camp Trinity

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Dear Campers, Parents, Staff, Alumni, and Friends, 2022 marked the 93rd year of Camp Trinity on the Bar 717 Ranch. Between four sessions of kids' camp, a week of Family Camp, alumni weekend, volunteer work weekends, and four weddings, it was a very busy year. We had some exciting projects here at the ranch this year....

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Bar 717 Ranch Summer Camp - Camp Trinity - Northern California

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Dear Campers, Parents, Staff, Alumni, and Friends, 2022 marked the 93rd year of Camp Trinity on the Bar 717 Ranch. Between four sessions of kids' camp, a week of Family Camp, alumni weekend, volunteer work weekends, and four weddings, it was a very busy year.

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St Ignatius offers Academic Enrichment Programs for students entering the 6th, 7th & 8th grade, and 9th grade.

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For our seventh annual meteor shower campout, Mendocino Magic will be hosting campers as usual on the weekend of August 11-13th, 2023 at our regular campsites.

On the evening of August 12th, guests are welcome to join us for a meteor shower viewing at Methuselah's Observatory with telescopes, tea service, and hot soup.

The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, at its peak producing up to 100 meteors per hour. The shower runs annually from July 15th to August 29th.

Additional information on campsites available in the campground on our website at Stay With Us

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For our seventh annual meteor shower campout, Mendocino Magic will be hosting campers as usual on the weekend of August 11-13th, 2023 at our regular campsites. On the evening of August 12th, guests are welcome to join us for a meteor shower viewing at Methuselah's Observatory with telescopes, tea service, and hot soup.

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Wondering how to keep cool and have fun? Many Bay Area waterparks start opening back up around Memorial Day. So as summer heats up, take the plunge at these great water parks. Dive in and stay cool.

Raging Waters
2333 South White Road
San Jose, CA 95148
(408) 238-9900

Opens May 21, 2022. Raging Waters San Jose was founded in 1985 and is Northern California's Largest Waterpark, offering scenic panoramic views of Lake Cunningham and the San Jose Foothills, over a million gallons of San Jose water slides, rides, and attractions, and 23-acres of family-friendly fun! Top-rated family attractions include the 350,000-gallon Wave Pool, Endless River, and Family Raft Ride. Our many special events, great family dining options, and endless summer fun make Raging Waters one of the best water parks in San Jose, CA.

South Bay Shores
4701 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 988-1776

Opens May 28, 2022. Plan your visit now to attend the new South Bay Shores waterpark! On Saturday, May 28, South Bay Shores will kick off summer of splashtastic fun. With more than a dozen waterslides and aquatic attractions - featuring the nearly vertical plunge of Pacific Surge and the kid-friendly Tide Pool - South Bay Shores will have waves of fun crashing ashore at California's Great America.

South Bay Shores is precisely where extreme waterpark fun meets supreme NorCal charm. Crave thrills from mild to wild? They're yours with an enormous wave pool and six-story-tall waterslides. Little beachcombers will love Pup's Pier endless splashes and surprises.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
1950 Waterworld Parkway, Concord
(925) 609-1364

Opens May 21, 2022. Six Flags Hurricane Harborfeatures more than 35 world-class water park thrills. From heart-pounding waterslides, the region's largest wave pool, Northern California's longest lazy river and whimsical water adventures for kids of all ages, there's something for the entire family to enjoy and beat the summer heat! Plus, the Park also features private poolside cabanas for rent, as well as private picnic groves for your group's next company picnic, family reunion or birthday party.

Aqua Adventure Waterpark
40500 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont
(510) 494-4426

Opens May 28, 2022. This waterpark is owned by The City of Fremont Park & Recreation and is perfect for families 12 and under. There are large slides, lazy river, and a smaller pool for toddlers as well as a spray pad area. This is the only Bay Area park that heats the water.

The Wave
4201 Central Parkway, Dublin
(925) 574-4800

Opens May 28, 2022. The Wave is the perfect place for a party! Our Party packages make party planning a piece of cake. We take care of the planning and details so you can enjoy the party just as much as the kids!

Cannery Park Splash Pad
125 B Street, Hayward

Opens May 28, 2022. To Turn on the Water Feature, press the RED button, located near the Splash Park!
District Splash Pads will be operating: Memorial Day through Labor Day Weekend Splash Pad Schedule: Wednesday, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 11:00am-5:00pm

Hamilton Pool
203 El Bonito, Novato

Opens May 30, 2022. The Hamilton Pooloffers Aquatic Program Services through our partnership with the City of San Rafael.

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Hot Bay Area Waterparks To Stay Cool - Ronnie's Awesome List

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Wondering how to keep cool and have fun? Many Bay Area waterparks start opening back up around Memorial Day. So as summer heats up, take the plunge at these great water parks. Dive in and stay cool. Raging Waters 2333 South White RoadSan Jose, CA 95148(408) 238-9900 Opens May 21, 2022.

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Santa Cruz Oceanfront B&B - West Cliff Inn - Monterey Bay Boutique Hotels

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Offering modern comforts, West Cliff Inn is a Victorian-style bed and breakfast overlooking the Monterey Bay, in Santa Cruz California.

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For surfers, sun lovers and sweethearts

A Santa Cruz favorite for surfing, sunsets and the freshest seafood, the Dream Inn is a beloved local landmark on the historic Beach Boardwalk. Effortlessly captivating longtime guests with its colorful retro-chic style while delighting newcomers who appreciate modern services and amenities, this full-service beachfront hotel features 165 guest rooms (all with ocean views), an outdoor pool steps from the sand, and state-of-the-art meeting and event space for up to 200 guests.

Give the gift of surf, sun and fun

As a thoughtful gift, or as a distinctive way to say thank you, our Dream Inn Gift Cards are the perfect gesture. Our traditional gift cards are valid at the Dream Inn and Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge.

Learn More

Reviews

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Dream Inn Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz Hotels | Official Site

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For surfers, sun lovers and sweethearts A Santa Cruz favorite for surfing, sunsets and the freshest seafood, the Dream Inn is a beloved local landmark on the historic Beach Boardwalk.

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Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA

Check out our Fall Cabin Deal $25 off a Night

The sunshine, surf and sand beckon you to take in the best of the California Coast!

We are your perfect sunny base camp for exploring all that the California coast has to offer. Our location, accommodations, activities, local area attractions plus 300 days of sunshine provide a fabulous vacation or weekend getaway for every budget and lifestyle. For a home away from home, try our fully furnished Deluxe Cabins or Camping Cabins. Experience the nostalgia of an Airstream travel trailer or park your RV at our Pull-Thru RV Site with KOA Patio®, all with free cable and Wi-Fi. Pitching a Tent? We have you covered with sites conveniently situated with picnic tables and fire rings. Whatever accommodation you choose, you can rest assured you will enjoy your stay in this beautiful location. Make a splash in our Pool, catch a ride on the KOA Express Fun Train, jump for joy on our KOA Jumping Pillow. Kids can also explore abundant entertainment options such as the spectacular large playground, climbing the Coconut Palm Trees, playing basketball, renting banana bikes or just hanging out in our game room. There's even a safe place for Fido to play within our Kamp K9 Dog Park. Explore the variety of things to see and do in the Santa Cruz area. Take a day trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf, Santa Cruz Boardwalk, or Pebble Beach golf course. Enjoy the surf breaks, wineries, fresh produce stands and endless miles of central-coast beaches that are all within easy reach. As your day winds down, settle in to watch a movie at our Outdoor Cinema, or sit around our Campfire Theatre, have a freshly baked pizza delivered to your site from various local establishments or soak in the Hot Tub!
Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday® offers the best camping experience of the great outdoors!

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Campground Amenities

50 Max Amp

90' Max Length

Wi-Fi

Cable TV

Pool (Open Year-Round)

Hot Tub/Sauna

Propane ($)

Firewood ($)

Bike Rentals ($)

Dog Park

More About Amenities

What Others Are Saying

Overall Camper Rating:

Great family fun 10/10/2020

Koa has some of the best camping around 10/4/2020

- Donald Latter on Google

We love this location! Nice facility with clean bathrooms and friendly staff. I rented the deluxe cabin and it was perfect! The only thing I might have needed was a pan to boil water. 10/1/2020

KOA Holiday Campgrounds

Whether you're exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There's plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you'll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio™ and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group - there's plenty of ways to stay and explore.

KOA Holidays Feature:

RV Sites with a KOA Patio™

Deluxe Cabins with full baths

Premium Tent Sites

Group meeting facilities

Latest Hot Deal

Fall Cabin Deal

Book a cozy Deluxe Cabin or Camping Cabin stay and save $25 each night! Deluxe Cabins featuring private bedroom(s), bathroom, patio with a grill and many with a fully furnished kitchen. We even provide all linens, towels and kitchen gadgets, right down to the wine bottle opener. Rustic Camping Cabins are the perfect way to have a comfy home base and still enjoy the great outdoors. Reserve today and save in style!

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Watsonville, California Campground | Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA

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Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA We are your perfect sunny base camp for exploring all that the California coast has to offer. Our location, accommodations, activities, local area attractions plus 300 days of sunshine provide a fabulous vacation or weekend getaway for every budget and lifestyle.

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When temperatures rise in Sonoma County, there is nothing better than a trip to the pool. Aside from providing a relaxing escape from a too-busy life, pools are also enjoyable and easy places to take summer guests.

Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.

Here is a list of great Sonoma County pool escapes that welcome day visitors. Each has a distinct personality, so it's easy to choose a pool that will please your visitor or suit your own mood.

Flamingo Resort

With its sleek mid-century modern architecture and Olympic-sized swimming pool not to mention poolside dining on the patio the Flamingo is a great swimming and sunning destination on a summer's day.

Next door, the Montecito Health Club & Spa offers a variety of massages and other restorative therapies, and a lap pool.

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

This luxurious resort has an Olympic-sized outdoor pool with both lap and recreational swimming. The pool water comes directly from the natural hot springs below ground; for centuries, Native Americans considered these waters to be so curative that distant tribes would travel for days to bathe in them.

The pool is available to guests year-round. And if you're not a guest, consider attending one of the Fairmont's festive summertime parties at the outdoor pool, generally held from June to September. There is typically a cash bar and you must be 21 or older to attend. Admission is usually free, with no cover, and valet parking is complimentary.

Morton's Warm Springs Resort

Morton's Warm Springs Resort, with 22 acres nestled into a bucolic setting of forested hills and a lively creek, is located in Sonoma Valley about four miles from Glen Ellen's village center. The property's geo-thermal mineral springs, once sacred to the local Wappo Indians, remain accessible today in three mineral spring pools; water averages between 82-84°, and pool depth ranges from 4.5 to 9 feet. The pool area is furnished with comfortable chaises, lifeguards are on duty, and you can safely store your possessions in shower room lockers.

While there you can also enjoy Morton's hiking and biking trails, the baseball field, beach volleyball courts, and other sports areas. There are also plenty of picnic and BBQ sites.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Film director Coppola wasn't exaggerating when he described his Geyserville winery as a "wine wonderland." With a design influenced by Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens amusement park--and awesome views guaranteed to take your breath away--the family-friendly winery is all about having fun. Aside from various wine-tasting venues, you'll find two connected swimming pools (they total 3,600 square feet) bordered by European-style cabines with showers, a sunbathing terrace, a movie gallery, a performing arts pavilion and a park with game tables and bocce courts. The pools and cabines are open from June through October, and 4-person cabine packages are available.

Triple-R's high-spirited, gay-friendly weekend pool parties with drink specials, jello shots, and music are wildly popular. This is definitely a party scene, so if you're looking for a pool where you can finish that sci-fi novel and enjoy a peaceful nap in the sun ... well, maybe this isn't the place for you. But if you're up for party-hearty fun, you'll love this seasonal summertime scene. Entry is free (but bring your own towel).

The large outdoor pool here, which is beautifully situated amid soaring redwoods and flower-filled gardens (in summer), is clothing optional. In other words, you're free to sunbathe and swim in the nude. Or not, since many guests wear swimsuits. It's entirely up to you. Use of the pool is free if you're staying at Highlands. If you're not, day-use fees-offered from May through October (subject to availability) give access to the pool, BBQ area, hot tub, and library. Bring your own towel, please.

City of Santa Rosa Public Swimming Pools

Two meticulously-maintained pools in Santa Rosa offer fun-in-the-water time for people of all ages, with lifeguards on duty, lockers to store valuables, and concession stands offering food and beverages: Ridgway Swim Center and Finley Aquatic Center.

Spring Lake Regional Park

This 320-acre gem of a park, surrounded by beautiful rising hills, is home to a lake, ponds, woodlands, grasslands and spring-through-summer wildflowers. Among many popular attractions here: the park's 3-acre spring-fed swimming lagoon, which is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The lagoon has a nice beach and lifeguards on duty. This place is extremely family-friendly, and admission is free (but there is a $7 parking fee).

There is also an inflatable water park in the swimming lagoon. Designed for children 6 and older (adults, too), it features slides, bounce islands and bridges, a trampoline and more. Children must be 6 or older, 42 inches or taller, and know how to swim.

Find more things to do in Sonoma County in summer.
Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez

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When temperatures rise in Sonoma County, there is nothing better than a trip to the pool. Aside from providing a relaxing escape from a too-busy life, pools are also enjoyable and easy places to take summer guests.Here is a l [...]

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Grab your mountain bike, skis, and hiking boots. Get lost. We promise you'll like what you find.

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Great Oysters. Sustainably Grown. SHOP ONLINEVISIT US DISCOVER OUR OYSTERS VISIT US SHOP OYSTERS + MORE Oysters On Repeat.Can't get enough of our oysters and fin fish? Join the Hog Island Club

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Cowgirl Creamery's cheesemongers continue our mission:
To showcase and support our craft and other artisan cheesemakers through our Barn Shop & Cantina in Point Reyes Station.

The town of Point Reyes Station holds an important place in our hearts: It's where the Cowgirl Creamery dream began, the home to our first (and still operating) creamery, and where we spotlight and celebrate the region's organic dairy producers.

The historic hay barn was lovingly renovated by our founders, Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, and houses our original creamery (visitors can see how Red Hawk is made), lofted office space, and our shop and Cantina cafe. It's a must-stop for food lovers traveling through to Tomales Bay and the Point Reyes National Seashore.

In addition to our organic, award-winning cheese, the shop features a carefully curated selection of the best of artisan goods. At our cafes, the kitchen team uses those same, high quality ingredients as well as weekly visits to local farmers' markets to create seasonal, cheese-centric dishes for visitors to enjoy.

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Visit Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes Station

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Skip to content Cowgirl Creamery's cheesemongers continue our mission: To showcase and support our craft and other artisan cheesemakers through our Barn Shop & Cantina in Point Reyes Station. The town of Point Reyes Station holds an important place in our hearts: It's where the Cowgirl Creamery dream began, the home to our first (and still operating) creamery, and where we spotlight and celebrate the region's organic dairy producers.

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Welcome to Brickmaiden Breads Baking artisan sourdough breads and pastry in Point Reyes Station since 2000.

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Bovine Bakery - Point Reyes Station California

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Serving delicious baked goods every day in Point Reyes Station. Pastries, muffins, scones, pizza, coffee, lunch, in downtown Pt Reyes. (Close to Inverness)

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The last night of November 1944 was dark and wet on Mount Tamalpais.

Just before midnight, a Navy patrol bomber careened through the rain and smashed into the southern face of the mountain, killing all eight men on board.

The following day, Marin school children found the wreckage - and the bodies. The crash was immediately met with mystery and confusion after a strange coincidence that night misled authorities and the locals who witnessed the horror.

Last week, we hiked steep trails, crossed over creeks and crawled through twisted manzanita branches to find the hallowed site where parts of the wreckage still scar the ground. Here's what we found.

The hike

It's the howling wind that reminds you you're actually near the top of a mountain or, if you turn around, the view.

The 2,571-foot icon of Marin Country that silhouettes so many photos of the setting sun in the Bay Area has around 50 marked hikes, but we needed to head off-trail to find the fabled crash site.

We started our climb from the Mountain Home Inn on the aptly named Panoramic Highway on a sunny, windy June afternoon. After we made our way past the Throckmorton Ridge Fire Station, the trail quickly got steep and rocky, flanked by coastal scrub. Our route eased a little when it hit the Old Railroad Grade. That trail traverses the southern face of the mountain and provides one of the best views of the Bay Area you'll likely see.

Tamalpais can't compete with the Bay Area's other peak, Mount Diablo, for height, but the vistas are incomparable - from Ocean Beach past the tip of the Golden Gate Bridge's north tower, to the downtown San Francisco skyline across Alcatraz to the San Rafael Bridge and southern reaches of San Pablo Bay to the north. But we weren't here to take in the view; we came to find the remains of an airplane that dove into the mountainside in the middle of the night 77 years ago.

We had heard that the crash site was largely untouched, and the reasons are twofold. First, the small patch is a national site of historic significance. Taking and keeping any debris from the plane is a felony, as it is still government property.

The second reason is that it's incredibly hard to find. This proved true - getting there involves leaving the marked trails, hopping over creeks and crawling through thick branches, and that's the easy way. The other, longer trail cuts into the rock like a trench, and each corner is met with another impossibly steep trek up the hill.

(The crash site isn't marked on AllTrails or Google Maps and we won't give precise directions here, although a keen eye can see a flash of something unnatural on Google's aerial view).

The lack of phone reception around the site means that some clever Google map screen shots must be saved, or even better an old fashioned paper map drawn up.

After scrambling through a dense thicket of redwood brush that hadn't seen sunlight in decades, we consulted our coordinates and figured we must be at the crash site, but no shrapnel or torn fuselages were there to greet us. Just more bushes. Then we saw something: a small, rusted, sand-colored mangled plate of steel among the rocks. It had to be part of the Martin PBM Mariner. We inspected it and it was indeed the twisted remnants of the aircraft, though we were a little disappointed there wasn't more.

Then, through the manzanita branches that protect the remains like a giant spider, we saw it - a swath of twisted steel, still strangely clean and painted in military colors. Then more - an American flag hanging from a branch, photos of the lost crew and a spread of broken metal and charred rubber the size of a car strewn under the branches, sitting quietly on Mount Tam as they have for nearly eight decades.

The history

It is quiet in Mountain Home, so high up Mount Tam, and for most of the evening of Nov. 30, 1944, all Mr. and Mrs. Max Todd heard was the rain. But shortly before midnight, the quiet was broken by an explosion. They flew to the window, but it was too dark to see anything. In the morning, the fog lifted and they spotted something horrifying on the mountainside.

Immediately, Mrs. Todd called the Mill Valley police and told them a plane had crashed. The officer who picked up said they'd already heard from the Navy. The night before, a plane was struggling to gain altitude in the heavy rain. It jettisoned its 350-gallon gasoline tank onto the mountain and lifted back up, landing safely on Alameda island. In fact, the officer said, they'd talked to the pilot of the "missing" plane, and he confirmed the unfortunate tank drop.

Police were wrong, Mrs. Todd insisted. That was no tank. It was an entire plane, and it was still on fire. No, the officer assured her. She was mistaken.

Another call came into the police station from Lisa Blawert, who also lived near the crash site. She too could see the wreckage from her home, and she too was told it was just a gas tank. She called a second time when she saw renewed flames shooting out of the hillside. Again, she was ignored.

By then, word was spreading through Marin. When school let out for the day, five 12-year-old classmates set up the trail to see for themselves. The boys scrambled up the hillside, following the smoke, until they came upon a fearful scene: the broken bodies of at least five men, dead among the rubble. Their childhood adventure now turned into a nightmare, the boys raced downhill for help.

Unbeknownst to them, Mrs. Blawert, who couldn't shake her apprehension that someone might be in trouble, also headed up the mountain. In time, her worst fears were confirmed. "It was the most awful sight I have ever seen," she told the Mill Valley Record.

The boys made it down the mountain first, knocking on Mrs. Todd's door, begging to use the telephone. She let them in, and they called the police together. Now, there was no doubt.

The police, sheriff's office, Army and Navy sent teams to Mount Tam. Amid the lifting fog, they saw "the plane had struck the side of the mountain with such an impact that the twin tail end had broken off and had been hurled far up the mountainside." The Navy realized it was their twin-engine PBM-5 Mariner seaplane, bound on a patrol mission for Pearl Harbor. The plane had radioed for help at the exact same time the other plane dropped its gas tank. By horrible coincidence, they'd mixed up the flights and assumed everyone was safe. Even today, no one knows - or at least has said publicly - what caused the fatal crash.

It took several days to find and move the bodies, eight of them total: John Kelly, J.L. Rensley, Thomas Oliver, Chapin Miller, Harry Holland, Wayne Paxson, Thomas Joyce Jr. and Rodney Jeffers. A steady stream of curious local teens made it up the mountain, and one group was enlisted by police to help them carry down the canvas bags holding the men's remains. The site was too remote and steep to comfortably access, so the Navy gathered up radio equipment, paperwork and ammunition and buried the rest.

Once they were gone, the teens kept coming. They looted life rafts, candy bars, emergency rations and three machine guns, which were never seen again. They even took a pair of pilot's wings resting in the charred rubble.

For one girl, however, the tragedy compelled her to do something different. Marin high schooler Marie Shea bought eight postcards of Mount Tamalpais and carefully marked them with the location of the crash. She then wrote a message to each of the grieving families, describing the area and telling them how the town's boys helped find their loved ones.

As the weeks passed, she received a steady stream of letters back from mothers, fathers and wives. The military shared scant details of the men's deaths with the families, and many expressed gratitude to Marie for telling them far more than they previously knew.

One letter took Marie's breath away. It was from the wife of Wayne Paxson, barely out of her teens herself. She told Marie they'd been married just a few months when Wayne was deployed to Alameda. The honeymooners spent two weeks on the naval base before he boarded the fateful flight.

Was there any way, the widow asked, if Marie could find who took Wayne's watch, wallet and bracelet? Marie had the heart-wrenching plea published in the Mill Valley Record, but no follow-up ever came. Perhaps, though, a guilt-ridden teenager did eventually pack up the mementos and ship them back where they belonged.

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While the hike today is a curious adventure, buoyed with a majestic view, when descending the mountain along the unforgiving Temelpa Trail, it's hard not to imagine the horror suffered by both the crew and the volunteers who helped carry their bodies down that same steep path.

Looking up at the sky, the scene comes to life again. Eight men gliding through the cold night, minutes left to live. Because there is no black box, we'll never know whether they realized they were on a collision course for the mountain. Perhaps they did, and their final moments were filled with terror. Or perhaps it happened in a split second, drifting into the inky shadows until they weren't.

If you stop to take a breath halfway down the trail, the bay unfolds before you. You wonder if the men had one last chance to see the world that way, the soft lights of the city blinking through the fog and the dark, silent waters flowing out to sea.

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Mount Tam is haunted by a deadly plane crash. We found its remains.

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The last night of November 1944 was dark and wet on Mount Tamalpais. Just before midnight, a Navy patrol bomber careened through the rain and smashed into the southern face of the mountain, killing all eight men on board. The following day, Marin school children found the wreckage - and the bodies.

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Click to learn more about our mission to save cats and alleviate stress. Or see what you're getting into by checking-out our picture page. If you have questions (and who wouldn't), please read our FAQ, send an email (support@kitteasf.com), or give us a call at (415) 325-5510 - we genuinely love to help!

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Click to learn more about our mission to save cats and alleviate stress. Or see what you're getting into by checking-out our picture page. If you have questions (and who wouldn't), please read our FAQ, send an email (support@kitteasf.com), or give us a call at (415) 325-5510 - we genuinely love to help!

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Big list of field trip ideas and learning outings in Marin

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homeschooling in marin. homeschool resources

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With over 300 Member families, Marin Homeschoolers is a secular and inclusive network for homeschooling families and those who are interested in learning more. Members have many resources available to them -- a current family roster; an in-depth message board with forums covering several topics; and a calendar filled with field trips, classes, social gatherings and other events.

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Dillon Beach, Marin County's hidden gem.

COASTAL KITCHEN IS NOW OPEN FOR DINE IN SERVICE (FRI-SUN 12-7PM) OR TAKE OUT

Dillon Beach Resort sits on 55 coastal acres on the Marin-Sonoma County Line, between the mouth of Tomales and the entrance to Bodega Bay. Views of the magnificent Point Reyes Peninsula can be enjoyed from any vantage point on the property, which features almost a mile of private beach that we work to preserve and protect.

The historic inn was built in the late 1800s and has only changed hands three times in over 130 years - most recently into the care of a small group of Marin County families dedicated to breathing new life and love into this special place to eat, play + stay.

Join us for a meal at Dillon Beach Coastal Kitchen, shop a curated selection of local wares at the General Store, rent surf boards and other adventure aids at our Surf Shack, or do it all & call Dillon Beach home for a while in one of our tiny homes or ocean view cabins.

Eating is an agricultural act.

Inspired by farm + sea, Dillon Beach Coastal Kitchen highlights and celebrates local + seasonal cuisine. We are advocates for our local food shed, thoughtfully sourcing proteins, produce and products often directly from farmers, ranchers, foragers, and fishermen almost exclusively from Northern California. Our seasonally driven menu highlights the ingredients sourced from Marin and Sonoma Counties.

provisions land + sea

The General Store has everything you need for a day at the beach, from surf gear to picnic supplies, all carefully curated from our favorite artisans and producers. Open 7 days a week, 8am-8pm.

Our coffee bar proudly serves Equator Coffee & Double 8 Dairy soft serve.

For us, sustainability is not a trend but a fundamental, and necessary, endeavor. We offer food, beverage and hospitality, but it's also our people, our practices, our philosophy and our products that make us proud. From organizations that are working tirelessly to make a difference in the quality of our ocean, to artisans and makers who provide the bespoke details of our tiny homes, we are conscious of who we partner with and proud to highlight some of these important people, brands, and organizations with you.

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The General Store has everything you need for a day at the beach, from surf gear to picnic supplies, all carefully curated from our favorite artisans and producers. Open 7 days a week, 8am-8pm. Our coffee bar proudly serves Equator Coffee & Double 8 Dairy soft serve.

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The Apple Farm

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ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S SUMMER . . .

We somehow survived a really difficult but interesting year. It's hard to tell exactly where we are with so many changes but the good news is that we are open and busy, healthy and happy.

We are slowly moving back to a more normal way of doing things and looking forward to putting down our masks. However we have learned how valuable they can be for avoiding colds and flus and plan on keeping them around for just that purpose.

Despite the drought, the crop looks bountiful and clean. The lack of rain gave us a reprieve from the dread scab on the fruit and the smell of sulfur. It may be elemental but it's not our favorite. We hope that we can give the trees enough water to reach a reasonable size, but be aware that our apples may be smaller this year. We are thankful for a full size, deeply rooted ancient trees.

We have a few fully vaccinated groups scheduled to Stay and Cook in the fall, but we aren't planning on putting any Stay and Cook dates on the calendar for mixed groups of people this year. It seems to be enough for people to come and "Just Stay" after such a long confinement and it feels like the prudent thing to do. We do have a few weekends still open in late fall if you would like to gather a group of friends and family and bring them to enjoy both the farm and the kitchen.

Sally's cookbook " Six California Kitchens " will be published by Chronicle. sometime around the end of the year. The pandemic year turned out to be a perfect time to focus and get the job done and we are on schedule. You can add yourself to our email list if you would like to be notified. It is shaping up into a beautiful book that we are very proud of. Way beyond our original vision.

Our self service FARM STAND is open as usual. We are keeping it clean and well stocked. It was a big year for jam and we sold out of almost everything. Luckily fruit is coming in early and the kitchen is now perfumed with both Apricot and Strawberry jams bubbling away in their copper pots. Please wear a mask when you visit and keep touching to a minimum. We are continuing to keep our grounds are closed to daytime visitors for the time being to protect our families and our privacy. I

We have commenced on some pretty major building projects in the last couple of years, which couldn't be more exciting. Creating homes for all of us who live and work on the farm is one of the most satisfying things we do, and one that we can continue to move forward on this season . Not to worry, they are not close enough to the cottages to disturb your peace.

What seemed like a fantasy back in 1984 is all coming together as our families grow and plant their own roots here on the farm.
Karen & Tim and Jerzy & Rita. The farm stand is open daily for self service year round, with a full line of jams, chutneys and ciders and vinegars. During the busy harvest season we usually have someone at the stand on weekends to help you with your purchases. Our cottages are open by reservation throughout the year. We hope you will come stay and experience the farm for yourself. You will be able to make basic reservations on our system, but if you need to talk to us about an event or anything complicated, please contact us by email. We'd love to see you.
The Apple Farmers

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ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S SUMMER . . . We somehow survived a really difficult but interesting year. It's hard to tell exactly where we are with so many changes but the good news is that we are open and busy, healthy and happy.

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Inverness A-Frame

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Coachman Hotel, Lake Tahoe

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Welcome to the re envisioned and newly renovated Coachman Hotel, a new motel experience that embraces modern style and convenience while celebrating escapes to nature. Within a few blocks of Lake Tahoe and Heavenly Mountain Resort, the Hotel is both a retreat and gateway to the great outdoors. Guests can cool off in the pool in the summer, relax in the hot-tub in the winter, have a great cup of coffee in the morning, and gather for beers and shared stories around the fire pit after a day out in the wild.

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Welcome to the re envisioned and newly renovated Coachman Hotel, a new motel experience that embraces modern style and convenience while celebrating escapes to nature. Within a few blocks of Lake Tahoe and Heavenly Mountain Resort, the Hotel is both a retreat and gateway to the great outdoors.

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Camp Richardson, Lake Tahoe

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U.S. Forest Service enhanced fire restrictions are now in effect for the entire Lake Tahoe Basin. Campfire and charcoal are banned. This includes all fire rings within developed campgrounds. Propane grills and Propane fire rings are allowed during this ban.

We're Open

Beacon Restaurant: Open 11:30am-close.
General Store: Open Mon-Thurs: 9am-4pm and Fri-Sun: 8am-4pm. Deli closes at 3pm.
Lodging Accommodations: Now Open.
Parking Kiosk: Parking kiosk is available weekends only (Fri, Sat & Sun) until mid -June. Starting June 11th, kiosk will operate 7 days a week until the end of the season (Labor Day). 8am-5pm.
Mountain Sports: Open 7 days a week 9am-5pm (no rentals after 4pm).
Coffee & Confectionary: Open Sat & Sun until mid-June. Open 7 days a week after mid-June. Sat & Sun: 6:30am-2pm. Weekdays: 6:30am-12pm.
Ice Cream Parlor: Open Sat & Sun until mid-June. Open 7 days a week after mid-June.
Marina: Open 7 days a week. 5/15-6/18: 9am-5pm, 6/19-9/6: 8am-8pm, 9/7-9/12: 9am-6pm, 9/13-10/15: 9am-5pm.
Stay tuned to our Facebook page for quick up-to-date details.

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Historic Lake Tahoe Resort & Marina - Camp Richardson

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U.S. Forest Service enhanced fire restrictions are now in effect for the entire Lake Tahoe Basin. Campfire and charcoal are banned. This includes all fire rings within developed campgrounds. Propane grills and Propane fire rings are allowed during this ban. Beacon Restaurant: Open 11:30am-close. General Store: Open Mon-Thurs: 9am-4pm and Fri-Sun: 8am-4pm.

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Guerneville Lodge & Camping

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Posted on June 16, 2020 by Nicole Evans

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The Guerneville guest house offers 12 different rooms of accommodation. Guests are allowed to book any of them depending on their needs and availability. The room types available at the property include lodge room, family room with kitchenette, river view room, and river view suite with kitchenette. For increased convenience, there's complimentary wireless Internet access in all of the rooms. Bathrooms in the lodge include bathtubs or showers. There's a designated smoking area for guests and a terrace. The best thing to do at the lodge is to take a dip in the spa tub. If you're interested in reading, there's a well-stocked library at the lodge for you to read all you want. To take your fun experience up a notch, there's a picnic area and terrace for you. This way, you can get out of the house for some extra fun. There's enough room for everyone to have a nice time.

The barbecue grills will also be your chance at eating delicacies and drinking. The bathroom for each room is easily accessible for guests and there's a roll-in shower too. It's possible to get a hair-dryer on request and there will be clean towels in there. The language spoken at the lodge is English. There's no space for on-site parking available for guests.

Any guest with special accessibility needs is advised to state them when booking their stay at the lodge. This would help the staff at the guest house prepare for any eventualities. However, there's great in-room accessibility and parts of the lodge are also wheelchair accessible but with certain limitations.

Guests are to check-in at the lodge between 3 pm and midnight while check-out should be before 11 am. The minimum check-in age allowed for guests is 21. There is no front desk for check-in at the property. To make arrangements for your arrival and check-in, you'll have to contact the property manager beforehand. You can contact him using the information found on the booking confirmation. If you'll be arriving late at night or at midnight, contact the property to inform them using the details on the booking combination.

It's important that guests contact the property for the check-in procedure. Any adult aged 18 or older is to assume any liability for the booking. Children are allowed on the tour but there are no special reservation beds for them. They'll probably have to sleep on an extra bed. Pets are not allowed on the Guerneville property.

As part of the charges for the stay at the lodge, guests will be charged a cleaning fee (5% cleaning fee). Charges can vary based on length of stay at the property or even the type of room booked. It's also possible to ensure Extra-person charges based on property policy. A valid means of identification ( Government-issued photo identification) and a means of payment (cash deposit, debit card, or credit card) may be requested at check-in to cover incidental charges.

Any special requests are subject to availability on the check-in and may cost you some extra money depending on what you asked for. However, there are no guarantees for special requests. There will be no on-site parking. The property also has no elevators. Also, the name on the credit card used to pay for any extra charges has to be the same as that used to secure the reservation.

During your stay at the lodge, you may decide to check out some nearby landmark locations. They include Bohemian Grove, Hartford Family Winery, Johnson's Beach, Armstrong Redwoods State Park, Korbel Champagne Cellars, Northwood Golf Club, Pee Wee Golf and Arcade, Russian River Vineyard, Austin Creek State Recreation Area, Kistler Vineyards, Iron Horse Vineyards, etc. These locations are mostly less than a 30-minute drive from the guesthouse. Restaurants closely include Boon Eat Drink, Rainbow Cattle Company, Seaside Metal Oyster Bar, Bob N Boy, etc.

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Posted on June 16, 2020 by Nicole Evans Leave a Comment The Guerneville guest house offers 12 different rooms of accommodation. Guests are allowed to book any of them depending on their needs and availability. The room types available at the property include lodge room, family room with kitchenette, river view room, and river view suite with kitchenette.

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Sub Par Mini Golf

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If you'd like to bring a large group of people just to play golf, we can accommodate groups up to 50. We charge $9 per golfer for some non-profit groups, schools, and camps. No food or dedicated room permitted. Only available Monday-Thursdays all day or Friday before 4pm. Advance booking REQUIRED.

Reserve a dedicated room (plus the patio) for your group while you play mini golf and arcade games. Dedicated staff attendant, and food/drink can be purchased or brought. The rest of the facility will be open to the public during your event. Booking at least two weeks in advance REQUIRED.

The entire facility- golf course, dining areas, and arcade- is open to only your guests. For groups 50 to 250. Peak hour pricing for Fridays, Satudays, and Sundays. Booking at least two weeks in advance REQUIRED.

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Subpar Miniature Golf - Ghirardelli Square

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If you'd like to bring a large group of people just to play golf, we can accommodate groups up to 50. We charge $9 per golfer for some non-profit groups, schools, and camps. No food or dedicated room permitted. Only available Monday-Thursdays all day or Friday before 4pm. Advance booking REQUIRED.

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Musee Mecanique

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Fortune Cookie Factory

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The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is a common stop for those visiting Chinatown in San Francisco. It is one of the few places where you can see for yourself how fortune cookies are made.

With a name that includes the word factory, you might think it's a large operation. It's not. In fact, you could easily walk by without even noticing it.

On my most recent visit to Chinatown San Francisco, I stopped by for a quick visit. Even though it's a working factory, they warmly welcome visitors.

You'll find the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory off the beaten path at 56 Ross Alley. It's surrounded by apartments and just a few other local businesses.

When I first walked up to the front door, I wasn't sure if they would let me take a sneak peek. However, there was a nice gentleman sitting right inside the front door and he welcomed me in for a visit.

The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory started making cookies here in 1962. Today, they distribute their cookies not only in Chinatown San Francisco, but throughout the world.

Did you know that the fortune cookie originated in the US? Until the early 1990s, you would not find fortune cookies in China or within the Chinese culture.

The minute you step through the door, you will be greeted by barrels of fortune cookies. You will also see everyone hard at work on these yummy treats.

Here's just one of the photos I took from the inside of the factory.

As you can see, the factory is quite small. This allows you to get an up-close look at everything that goes on here.

My visit was short - only around 10 minutes - but it was a fun stop. On my way out, the guy at the front door gave me a parting gift.

This is how the cookie looks before they add the fortune.

My cookie was still little warm when he handed it to me - so after I took this picture - I quickly ate it in just a couple of bites. I have to say it was one of the best fortune cookies I've ever had - well - minus the fortune.

If you have a few minutes during your visit to Chinatown in San Francisco, I recommend stopping by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. It's a really quick stop, but a fun experience.

They are open every day from 9am to 7pm. It's at 56 Ross Alley - just off Jackson Street.

Other Things to Do in Chinatown: Here you will find a list of everything there is to see and do in Chinatown. Get recommendations on the best places to shop. Discover some of the hidden gems here and find a list of some of the best places to eat.

Shopping in Chinatown: If you LOVE bargains, then you will love the selection of well-priced items in Chinatown. You can find everything from luggage to jewelry along the streets around this neighborhood. Don't forget to bargain for the best deal!

Chinatown Temples: In addition to the uniqueness of the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, you will also find a number of unique temples. Most of them welcome visitors as long as you are respectful of their holy place. On this page, you will find a list of some of the best ones to visit in SF Chinatown.

A Perfect Day in Chinatown: Are you not sure how to put it all together in just one day? Use this self-guided itinerary to help you see it all in just one day. On this tour, you will visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, the Chinatown Temples and even do a little shopping at the end of your journey.

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Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in San Francisco | Chinatown

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The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is a common stop for those visiting Chinatown in San Francisco. It is one of the few places where you can see for yourself how fortune cookies are made. With a name that includes the word factory, you might think it's a large operation.

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Randall Museum

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The Randall Museum is more than just a natural history or science museum. Focusing on the cultures and environments of the San Francisco Bay Area, its integrated program of hands-on learning and recreation fosters a love of science, nature, and the arts. Classes include woodshop, art, science, and other STEM courses for children, teens, and adults. Exhibits display live animals in their habitats, oceans, earthquakes, and model trains.

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Randall Museum - Fostering a love of science, nature and the arts

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The Randall Museum is more than just a natural history or science museum. Focusing on the cultures and environments of the San Francisco Bay Area, its integrated program of hands-on learning and recreation fosters a love of science, nature, and the arts. Classes include woodshop, art, science, and other STEM courses for children, teens, and adults.

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Urban Hikes

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These are just a few of my favorite urban hikes in San Francisco. I've includes a variety of options from those with great views to some with miles of trails and some that offer both.

These are my go-to options when I don't have time to get out of the city for a nice, long hike.

Most of these include steep trails. Because many of them are close to each other, you can often do two or three in one day as you explore the city.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

1. Twin Peaks

My first recommendation for urban hikes in San Francisco is also one of our top attractions, Twin Peaks. The reason I love this hike is that it's short, steep, but offers some amazing views at the top.

You can also climb to the top of both peaks to increase the distance of your hike.

The trail up and down the summits at Twin Peaks is just over half a mile. However, if you hike from the neighborhood below you can double or even triple that distance. Again, it isn't a long hike, but it will get your heart pumping.

>> Learn more about visiting Twin Peaks

You can also explore Twin Peaks and other fun parks nearby with a guide. On this tour, you will learn all about these locations, find the best places for great views, and see additional parks nearby.

2. Mount Davidson

Mount Davidson is another one of the wonderful urban hikes in San Francisco. This hill is more off the beaten path, so you will find fewer people on the trails.

The hike to the summit is not long, less than a mile. At the summit, you will find a large concrete cross with tall trees all around it. Head east on the summit and you will find a nice clearing with views of downtown SF.

Mount Davidson is about 40-acres, so you will find additional trails that will help you increase your mileage during your visit.

The trails are not well marked, but since the area is small, it's impossible to get lost. There are eight entrances/exits to the neighborhoods surrounding Mount Davidson, so you can easily find your way out.

>> Get more details on how to get to Mount Davidson and what to expect when you arrive

3. Buena Vista Park

This is another wonderful park with views all around SF and the Bay. This hike is a great option for those visiting the Haight-Ashbury or Lower Haight areas. It's a nice climb to the top (takes about 15 to 20 minutes) and will give you a nice workout as you are exploring these areas.

This 36-acre park is the oldest park in San Francisco. The view from above is not at the summit, but from one of the trails that leads up to the top.

The trees you see in the picture above are part of this parks coast live oak groves. They are some of the few remaining within the city limits.

In total, the trails here will only get you a mile or two of hiking. I love to combine the climb to the summit of Buena Vista Park with the one in Corona Heights.

The Land's End trail is another local favorite. This trail is along the cliffs at Land's End and offers some amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and Pacific Ocean, and the Marin Headlands.

You can start the trail in one of two areas. Ones of the ways is from the Welcome Center near Ocean Beach. There is plenty of parking here. The trail will take you past the Sutro Baths, along the coastline, and will end at the trailhead at Land's End Eagles Point.

There are also a few stops off along the way including the Labyrinth, Mile Rock Beach, and the Memorial for Peace.

The second place to start is at the trailhead at Land's End Eagles Point. This will take you to the Welcome Center.

The trail is one way, so no matter how far you go, you would need to do the entire trail again if you parked on one side. I often take the 1-California Bus to the Lincoln Street Steps. From here the Eagles Point Trail head is less than half a mile.

I'll then walk the entire trail and grab the 38-Geary bus on the other end.

Another one of the short, but fun urban hikes in San Francisco is Tank Hill. This small and steep hill offers amazing views all around San Francisco and beyond. As you can see from the picture above, on a clear day, you can see for miles.

I love combining this hike with #7 on my list. They are less than a mile away from each other and you can do some great exploring in between.

The hike to the top is less than a mile and will only take about 10 to 15 minutes. Near the top, you will also find an Instagram worthy swing that you will want to check out.

6. Glen Canyon Park

Glen Canyon Park is another one of the wonderful urban hikes in San Francisco. This hike will take you through some wonderful shaded areas as well as open space. What I love about this area is the wonderful rock formations.

If you love steps, these trails will also appeal to you. Each entrance includes a downward walk into the canyon, so you will have quite a climb back out too.

I love the view of the stairs up the side of the canyon in every direction. The entire park is about 77-acres with 60 acres of wilderness. The park is full of birds and other wildlife.

You can combine your hike with a visit to Noe Valley, Glen Park, Sunnyside, or even the Mission.

7. Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve

If you want to get in a longer hike, head over to the Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve. This public space has more than 5 miles of trails.

The trails are well paved and surrounded by trees, plants and flowers. The reserve is owned and operated by UCSF and is a favorite for those visiting loved ones in the hospital.

However, even though it is close the hospital, the trails are not very busy. When I hike here, I will often only see a couple of other people.

If you climb to the summit, it's about a 900-foot elevation change. There isn't much to see at the summit, but it does allow you to head off in another direction for additional hiking.

Because of the dense vegetation here, there aren't any views. However, it's a wonderful place to escape the city for an hour or so.

The Presidio is very different from the other urban hikes in San Francisco. This area is large, and you could hike all day long. This old army base is about 1,500-acres and has hiking along the coast (Coastal Trail) on tree lined trails and through old army barracks.

You can start and end in any location. During your journey, you can also visit the Disney Museum, the National Cemetery, Baker Beach, and other attraction.

You will find lookout points with amazing views as well as quiet well-maintained trails with very few other people.

Andy Goldsworthy is a British artist and many of his pieces work with the landscape. All of his pieces use trees, plants and other natural products, so while they will be here for some time, they will not be around forever. I love to hike from one Andy Goldsworthy sculpture to the next.

>> Find out more about visiting the Presidio

You can also explore the Golden Gate Bridge and part of the Coastal Trail in the Presidio with a guide. This tour is a wonderful way to hear more stories and the history of this part of the city. It's about 4.5 to 5 hours long. Learn more here.

Other Fun Walking Tours

If you'd love to learn even more about San Francisco on foot, here are some great walking tours that I recommend. Some include stops for food, and all will give you some great insight into SF's attractions, food scene, neighborhoods and history.

9. Colorful Stairways

Our colorful stairways are also fun to explore. These urban hikes in San Francisco can be combined with some others on the list, and you will not want to miss them.

The Filbert Street and Greenwich Street stairs take you from the flats near the water to the top of Telegraph Hill where you will find Coit Tower. The 16th Avenue Stairs and the Hidden Garden Steps are colorful, mosaic steps that are only a few blocks away from each other in the Golden Gate Heights District.

You will also find others throughout the city. They are all unique and offer you the chance for some heart-pumping fun.

>> Find a list of my favorites including details on how to find them

10. Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is another place for those looking for some urban hikes in San Francisco. This lovely park covers more than 1,000-acres and offers miles of trails, paved streets, and attractions to admire.

An urban hike here is a wonderful addition after you visit the California Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden or the de Young. You can also explore Stow Lake on foot and climb to the top of Strawberry Hill.

You can also walk all the way to Ocean Beach for lunch, dinner or a drink at the Beach or Garden Chalet.

There is a lot of explore in Golden Gate Park.

>> Find out more about what there is to see and do in Golden Gate Park

11. Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is another popular urban hiking option. The bridge is 1.7 miles long, so it is a fun trip over to Marin and back if you want a good workout.

The bridge sits high above the water with amazing views all around including Alcatraz, downtown SF, and the Marin Headlands. It's cool and windy up here all year long, so make sure to wear something warm to make this hike.

You can also walk part of the way or continue on and walk all the way into the small town of Sausalito.

12. Mission Murals

Another one of my favorite urban hikes in San Francisco is around the Mission. This colorful district is home to almost half of the city's street murals. You will find them all over the district with large concentrations at Clarion Alley, Balmy Alley, and along 24th Street.

You can spend the day wandering around the district, checking out the murals, sampling authentic Latin and Caribbean treats, and getting some amazing photos.

Visit my Mission murals page for more information and pictures of some of my favorite murals around.

13. Embarcadero

If you love the hustle and bustle of the city, this might be one of the best urban hikes in San Francisco for you. The Embarcadero is the street right along SF's eastern waterfront. It runs from Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf all the way to Oracle Park ( where the SF Giants play baseball).

Along the street, you will find a wide walking, hiking and biking path. It's highly trafficked between Pier 39 and the Ferry Building. You will find fewer people on the southern half from the Ferry Building to Oracle Park.

The reason I love this urban hike is that it's flat and has plenty of things to see and do along the way.

14. Crissy Field

Another flat hike along the waterfront is at Crissy Field. This well-traveled path leads you from the Marina District to the Fort Point National Historic Site. You can also head up a flight of stairs to get to the Golden Gate Bridge.

This wide dirt path attracts people from all over the world. As you hike west, you will have unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The trip east offers lovely views of the Palace of Fine Arts and the city.

15. Fisherman's Wharf to Marina Green

Another one of the fun urban hikes in San Francisco is the trail from Fisherman's Wharf to the Marina Green. This hike starts at the end of Jefferson Street near Aquatic Park. You will head west and follow the trail toward Fort Mason.

You will then climb a decent hill into Fort Mason, walk through its lovely park, and then onto the Marina Green. This wide concrete path runs right along the waterfront.If you decide you want to continue, you can walk on to Crissy Field, to the Golden Gate Bridge and over to Sausalito. These additional pieces to this hike make for a LONG walk, but it's a great workout!

New Crosstown Trail

If you want to REALLY explore San Francisco on foot, don't miss the new Crosstown Trail. It starts at Candlestick Point (on the southeastern side of SF) and ends at Land's End (on the northwestern end) and is 17 miles long.

The route is a diagonal line across the city and shows you how to easily get from one neighborhood to the next as you venture through beautiful parks and along already planned out trails.

This all-day urban hike through San Francisco hits some of the places I mentioned above. It also brings you to many other cool spots around town.

The trail is not marked, so you must download one of their maps to follow their specific route. You can visit their site here.

You can also enter and leave the trail at any location. They have created five sections that allow you quite a bit of hiking, but also offer wonderful transit options on both sides.

It's one of the best urban hikes in San Francisco!

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Urban Hikes in San Francisco: 15 Fun Options All Around the City

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These are just a few of my favorite urban hikes in San Francisco. I've includes a variety of options from those with great views to some with miles of trails and some that offer both. These are my go-to options when I don't have time to get out of the city for a nice, long hike.

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Zip Lines & Tree top stays in the Redwoods

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Tree Tops Zipline Tour | 7 Zip Lines & 2 Sky Bridges

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Our Tree Tops Course is our fastest, highest and longest course. Fitted with a specially-designed harness, you'll reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.

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Hippie Tree Swing

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100 Gilmartin Drive, Tiburon, 94920

Even if the Hippie Tree didn't have a super-awesome tree swing, it would be worth a trip. The Eucalyptus tree is a giant, old, climbable, beauty. The landscape and scenery is world-class. And the tree swing - it's a thrilling ride.

DIRECTIONS

Turn off Tiburon Boulevard onto Gilmartin Drive

Park near 100 Gilmartin Drive

Walk up the hill on the fire road to reach the Hippie Tree

Entrance to the fire road is across from 100 Gilmartin Drive

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100 Gilmartin Drive, Tiburon, 94920 Even if the Hippie Tree didn't have a super-awesome tree swing, it would be worth a trip. The Eucalyptus tree is a giant, old, climbable, beauty. The landscape and scenery is world-class. And the tree swing - it's a thrilling ride.

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More kid/family ideas!

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Ronnie's Awesome List, The Ultimate Kids Events Round-Up In The Bay Area And Beyond.

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Bolinas Museum

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Upcoming Programs & Events

Courtyard Event

Join us in the courtyard for a day of flowers and fun for the whole family! Led by beloved local artist and art educator Janis Yerington, enjoy making flower crowns and flower art projects inspired by Sally Robertson's floral watercolors on view in the Main Gallery.

Night at the Museum

In collaboration with Smiley's Schooner Saloon

Please join us 5-7 PM for a special after-hours open house and then head over to Smiley's 7 - 9 for live music!

To celebrate the Together Alone / Alone Together project and being together again, we will remove the portraits that have been in our windows for nearly a year! If yours was on view, we'd love for you to do the honors. We will also share a slideshow of more than 250 portraits collected for the archive and screen local music videos that are part of the project in the courtyard.

The evening will also feature a special story booth where you may record memories, experiences, and thoughts on the pandemic to be preserved along with the photos in our archives. If you haven't already, this evening is a perfect opportunity to purchase your copy of the Together Alone / Alone Together book!

Then, from 7-9 PM, enjoy live music at Smiley's with musicians who contributed music videos to the project! Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks!

Online Fundraiser

Last year's inaugural online auction and Week of Giving, where we gave back before the live auction, was such a success that we're doing it again! Featuring a range of artwork by coastal Marin and Bay Area artists and exciting offers and experiences, there is something for everyone, all in support of art, history, culture, and community! Save the dates and stay tuned for details later this summer.

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Upcoming Programs & Events Courtyard Event Join us in the courtyard for a day of flowers and fun for the whole family! Led by beloved local artist and art educator Janis Yerington, enjoy making flower crowns and flower art projects inspired by Sally Robertson's floral watercolors on view in the Main Gallery.

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Kirby Cove Swing

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Kirby Cove Swing in Sausalito, California

Update: Apparently the National Park Service has cut down the branch that held the swing, so it no longer exists. But the view is still amazing from this beach and worth the trip to see it.
One of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge is from Kirby Cove at the base of the Marin Headlands. On the far east end of the beach, there is a tree that the swing hangs from. The swing hangs fairly high off the ground, probably to keep it well above the high tide. To get on, pull the swing over to the tree root, which will get you higher off the ground. It will still require a big step up onto the swing, but it's worth the effort!
Source: TRAVEL FARley Click to enlarge
To get here, park at the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point on Conzelman Road. This is a popular tourist destination, so parking may be tough during popular times. Access to the beach requires a one-mile descent on the old Kirby Cove Road. On the way down, you'll pass by the historic Battery Kirby.

Before or after your trip to the beach and swing, make sure to check out the viewpoint at Battery Spencer on the bluff's edge, which is an easy 5 minute walk from the parking area. See our Kirby Cove beach description for more details.

If you post photos of the swing, make sure to tag it #bambilikestoswing.

Address

Conzelman Rd
Mill Valley, CA 94941

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Kirby Cove Swing - Incredible View of Golden Gate Bridge & SF

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Update: Apparently the National Park Service has cut down the branch that held the swing, so it no longer exists. But the view is still amazing from this beach and worth the trip to see it. One of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge is from Kirby Cove at the base of the Marin Headlands.

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Seward Slides

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COVID-19 Status: at midnight on Monday, March 16, San Francisco was placed under a "shelter-in-place order.

All residents were ordered to stay home, except for necessary trips to grocery stores and essential medical visits, and solo outdoor activities like hiking.

The city had been gradually reopening of many businesses and activities, but in December, came under a strict, stay-at-home directive, due to a sudden increase in infection and hospitalization rates.

Since then, Covid numbers have dropped significantly.

Big changes coming June 15 (assuming the Covid numbers stay down). California is scheduled to fully reopen, meaning all business sectors will reopen to full or almost full capacity, including concerts, stadium sports and festivals.

Most recently, May 6, 2021, SF has moved to a less restrictive status.

Public transportation options have been cut back. See SF transit for more info.

Cable cars are expected to resume running in the fall; the Powell-Hyde line will be first.

See COVID rules for current SF status.

Mask rules: everyone in SF is required to wear a mask when they are outside and within 30 feet of other people.

Now fully vaccinated people may go without masks outdoors, but must wear masks in indoors settings.

Masks must be worn in stores and places of business and people not within the same household must stay 6 feet apart.

June 15 mask changes: fully vaccinated people can go without masks indoors as well, with some exceptions like hospitals, schools, nursing homes and on public transit.

SF Curfew has been ended.

What is open? Muir Woods, the Botanic Gardens, Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, Pier 39, SF beaches, Golden Gate Bridge, and Twin Peaks (car access on Portola, main parking lot open) are all open.

Parking lots for SF beaches, Twin Peaks, and the Golden Gate Bridge are open. But the Welcome Center lot and Merchant Road lot at the bridge are closed.

Restaurants can now be open to 50% capacity for indoor and outdoor dining, and many restaurants are open for take-out or delivery.

Bars that serve food can serve customers indoors.

Businesses can allow customers inside, on a limited basis (grocery stores 50%).

The SF Zoo is open again.

Alcatraz is open. Day Tour tickets only. See Alcatraz.

Hair salons, and open air tour buses and boat cruises can now operate.
Indoor museums are open, including the CA Academy of Sciences.
Travel to SF: non-essential travel to SF is discouraged but the quarantine requirements are no longer in effect.

Hotels are accepting reservations, up to 25% capacity, but travelers are urged to limit contact with others in the hotel.

Exploratorium: opening July 1.

Playgrounds: open.

Indoor swimming pools are open to 50% capacity.

Schools: many private schools are open. SF public schools started in-person learning for elementary students April 12. Older grades: negotiations are ongoing. Hopefully will open for fall classes.

Limited opening: indoor gyms and indoor movie theaters to 50% capacity.
Indoor concerts, live theater, and sporting events, may open 50% capacity. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test will be required. See more info on indoor events.
Some venues are waiting until June 15 because capacity limits don't work for those businesses.

Napa and Sonoma county wineries are open.

For a handy list of what's open or closed in SF, plus info on what's open in other cities and counties of California, see California reopening schedules.

See coronavirus news in the SF Chronicle for details and updates.

See SF closures timeline.

Most recent Bay Area stay home order.

Also see site and parking lot closures for the National Park Service (Alcatraz, Muir Woods, etc.)

Plus helpful info on which parks and hiking trails are open in the Bay Area.

And to check the air quality (fires) in SF and the Bay Area, see airnow.gov and the SF Chronicle map showing current tests.

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The Seward Street Slides: the coolest slides in San Francisco!

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COVID-19 Status: at midnight on Monday, March 16, San Francisco was placed under a "shelter-in-place order. All residents were ordered to stay home, except for necessary trips to grocery stores and essential medical visits, and solo outdoor activities like hiking.

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Point Reyes Hostel

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Group Booking Terms and Conditions

Because you are making a Group Booking, there are additional Terms and Conditions that apply. Please read them and click 'I Accept' below to continue with your booking

General Group Booking Terms

By making a group reservation through Hostelworld.com you agree to the following terms and conditions as set by Hostelworld.com and as set by the hostel in question.

In order to make a group reservation on Hostelworld.com it is necessary to pay a deposit. The balance is due directly to the hostel according to their payment conditions.

The booking deposit is non-refundable.

Please note that any cancellations must be notified directly to the hostel at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled arrival date, unless otherwise stated in the hostel's conditions.

Hostelworld.com are not responsible for changes or amendments to your reservation once it has been processed. All correspondence with regard to changes to your booking need to be dealt with directly with the hostel.

Cancellations for reservations must be made directly with the hostel and must conform with the individual hostels cancellation policy (see below)

It is your responsibility to pay the balance of your accommodation cost to the hostel in accordance with their payment conditions (see below). Failure to do so may result in your reservation being cancelled by the hostel.

Individual hostels may have special booking conditions relating to group stays, please read the hostel booking conditions carefully before making your reservation.

Hostel Specific Terms & Conditions

The remainder of the amount due will be charged to your credit card ???? Should numbers or room selection change, the per person deposit times the number of people who actually travelled will be deducted from the total accommodation charge levvied by the hostel.

The following group types are not accepted by this hostel: Holiday with Friends, Junior / Primary School, High / Secondary School, College / University, Business Trip, Stag/Hen/Bachelor Party, Sports Group, Cultural Group If you have misrepresented the type of group you are booking for, your booking may be cancelled by the hostel."

Any cancellations resulting from agreement to these terms and conditions under false pretences will result in loss of deposit.

Property Description

Escape civilization and leave your tent at home! HI-Point Reyes is nestled in a secluded valley just two miles from the beach, within the Point Reyes National Seashore. As the only accommodation located within the park, the hostel is an ideal base for hiking, beach-combing, and wildlife-viewing adventures. A Certified Green Business, HI-Point Reyes looks after the environment while looking after its guests. Come enjoy sunny afternoons on our patio, quiet evenings in our comfy park-view lounges, and a good night's sleep on our Tempur-Pedic mattresses. Important to note: be ready for a 'digital detox' during your stay, the hostel does NOT have WiFi and there is no cell phone service in this part of the Park.

Accommodations are in shared, gender-specific or co-ed dorms, each sleeping 8-10 people. In addition, there are 4 private rooms accommodating up to 5 people with one double bed and three twin/bunk beds. Children under the age of 6 are not allowed in the shared dorms and must stay in private rooms. Due to our facilities, bathrooms throughout the hostel are shared and gender-specific.

HI-Point Reyes has a fully equipped self-service guest kitchen and dining room where guests can prepare and enjoy their own meals. An outdoor patio with picnic tables and barbecue is also available for guest use. Other hostel amenities include free parking, bag storage and un-covered bicycle rack, and FREE hard-wired computer with internet.

From HI-Point Reyes, explore the Point Reyes National Seashore, famous for its abundant flora and fauna. Spot bobcats, fox, deer and elk, harbor seals, and sea lions, and watch the gray whale migration each January-April from the Point Reyes Lighthouse, just 25 miles from the hostel.

In the nearby town of Point Reyes Station, a handful of locally owned shops and restaurants line the small Main Street. Toby's Feed Barn and Point Reyes books regularly host small events and the weekly summer farmers' market. This small town is famous for culinary treats: check out Cowgirl Creamery, Brickmaiden Bakery, Side Street Kitchen, Bovine Bakery, Osteria Stellina and the Stationhouse Cafe, or head to one of the nearby oyster farms for a picnic of the day's catch! View House Rules

Hostelworld Mobile Apps

Book on the go with the new Hostelworld mobile apps.

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HI Point Reyes, Point Reyes Station - 2021 Prices & Reviews - Hostelworld

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Because you are making a Group Booking, there are additional Terms and Conditions that apply. Please read them and click 'I Accept' below to continue with your booking By making a group reservation through Hostelworld.com you agree to the following terms and conditions as set by Hostelworld.com and as set by the hostel in question.

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Morton's Warm Springs, Glen Ellen

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We have missed you dearly for 2020 but we are so happy to welcome everyone back again for 2021!

Become a member, book your reservation, or come as a general admission guest if there are spots left at the gate for the day! We are temporarily unable to accept group reservations for specific picnic sites for our 2021 season because of health department restrictions related to COVID-19. But there are still ways to plan a small, socially distant gathering...

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Sonoma Valley's Geothermal Springs - Morton's Warm Springs

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Become a member, book your reservation, or come as a general admission guest if there are spots left at the gate for the day! We are temporarily unable to accept group reservations for specific picnic sites for our 2021 season because of health department restrictions related to COVID-19.

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Shore Cliff Hotel Pismo Beach

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GIFT CARDS

Share your love for Pismo Beach with family and friends with an eGift Card!

Give Travel

Less clicking. more saving.

You've arrived at the lowest rate, guaranteed! There are many benefits to booking direct with us-like saving up to 20%!

BOOK DIRECT

Pedestrian Bridge Now OPEN

Enjoy access to the oceanfront walkway that offers unobstructed views of Pismo Beach and leads down to the beach.

"One of a kind slice at tranquility. Warm welcome with fresh cookies, dramatic cliff side views, sounds of the ocean waves and dozens of pelicans preening themselves perching on the rocks. Friendly smiles along each hallway and complimentary breakfast. Convenient walkway along the ocean and trails to the beach. Memories galore!!!"

- Cjmtahoe, 10/2019

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Hotel in Pismo Beach | Central CA | Shore Cliff Hotel

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GIFT CARDS Share your love for Pismo Beach with family and friends with an eGift Card! Give Travel Less clicking. more saving. You've arrived at the lowest rate, guaranteed! There are many benefits to booking direct with us-like saving up to 20%!

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North Star

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Summer Activities, Northstar | Northstar California Resort

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Cedar House Sport Hotel

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Cedar House Sport Hotel | Truckee, Tahoe, Sierra Hotel

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Cedar House Sport Hotel | Cedar House Sport Hotel | Truckee, Tahoe, Sierra Hotel

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Fused from unrefined and recycled materials, the Cedar House Sport Hotel of Truckee encourages the natural connection between the human body and the landscape we exist in.

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Truckee Bike Park

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Lake Francis Resort - Camping & Cabins

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Explore Lake Francis and discover the unparalleled natural beauty of Northern California. Perfectly situated at the edge of Tahoe National Forest, our tranquil grounds were designed to accommodate a wide range of vacationers.

Whether you're staying in one of our deluxe cabins with complete amenities, an RV spot with full hookups or a classic campsite, we know you'll have the time of your life!

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Lake Francis RV Resort | Dobbins, CA | Camping, RVs, Recreation

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Discover the incredible natural beauty of Northern California. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada foothills and located at the edge of Tahoe National Forest, we offer accommodations to fit every style. From deluxe cabins with full amenities to classic RV and campsites- come stay with us!

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April 16, 2020: Independence Trail Closed Due to Landslides and Tree Failures

Independence Trail is closed to the public due to safety concerns caused by recent landslides and tree failures. A District Superintendent Order enacting the closure is currently in effect.

The east side of the historic Independence Trail, off Highway 49 in western Nevada County, is also closed. The Independence Trail was constructed on historic flumes designed to carry water to hydraulic mining operations. The flumes act as bridges in many locations and Flume 22, the first flume located approximately a quarter mile from the eastern trail entrance off of Highway 49, is damaged due to soil erosion associated with continuous landslides. Several lower sections of the bottom piers, supporting the structure, are broken or undercut due to soil instability. The bridge is not safe for pedestrian traffic.

State Park crews are actively surveying the damage and have a plan to replace and repair the damaged portion. The work is extensive and may involve closing that section of the trail for the next several months.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in staying off the trails for your own safety. If you have any further questions, please call the Sierra District Office at (530) 273-3884.

Purdon crossing bridge closed to all vehicular access through June during bridge repair.

Latest Updates on Bridgeport Covered Bridge Restoration Project

After being closed in the fall of 2011 for structural deficiencies, the reconstruction project on the historic Bridgeport Covered Bridge is moving forward. Starting June 12, 2019, the south parking lot will be closed to day-use parking. For the latest on the rehabilitation project and park operations, please click here.

Location-Directions:
South Yuba River State Park headquarters located at Bridgeport, 17660 Pleasant Valley Rd can be accessed from Highway 20 west of Grass Valley or from Higway 49 north of Nevada City. Remote portions of the park are accessible from Edwards Crossing, Purdon Crossing, and Highway 49.

The park:
This 20-mile portion of the South Yuba River canyon stretches from Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park to Bridgeport covered bridge. The area includes the longest single-span covered bridge in the world (currently closed for restoration), the steep rugged canyon of the South Yuba River, and the Independence Trail - the first identified wheelchair-accessible wilderness trail in the country.

South Yuba River State Park offers many scenic vistas. Visitors can view swift moving water carving the granitic canyon that is peppered with seasonal native blooms in springtime, and experience refreshing swimming holes that dot the 20 mile length of the Yuba River in late summer. Along the length of the park, visitors can see several architectually different bridges spanning from the Gold Rush era to the mid-20th century.

Visitors can enjoy:

swimming

bird watching

panning for gold

wildflowers in the spring

hiking in the historic gold country

docent-led history, wildflower, birding, geology, and gold-panning tours are also offered at selected times throughout the year

Adventuresome hikers have a choice of trails ranging in difficulty, from the easiest (Independence Trail), to other more strenuous trails throughout the park. Click on the "Hiking" link above right to explore all the hiking trail options.

Caution:
Winter and Spring weather conditions can cause the trail to become muddy and impassable for wheelchairs. Call the park for trail condition information before you go.

Filming Videos and Still Photography in State Parks

California State Parks thanks you for choosing our beautiful parks for your photographic activities and sharing the wonders of our park units with the world. However, in order to maintain the beauty of our parks and its natural and cultural resources, we request that all commercial, still and motion picture photographers obtain a film permit from the California Film Commission.

California State Parks requires an approved film permit for:

All commercial still photography and videography

Professional photographers offering services

Student photo/film

Professional development projects

Drones are not permitted unless a special permit is granted. Use film and photography permits link below for further contact information.
To learn more, please visit our blog .
For specific film permit information at Empire Mine State Historic Park, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park or South Yuba River State Park, please review Sierra Gold Sector Film Permit information . (Photograph by Mike Fuller)
South Yuba River State Park
Once the South Yuba River watershed was the focal point of the California Gold Rush. Today, it is recognized by the California State legislature as a Wild and Scenic River with scenery of "Outstanding Remarkable Value." This park which follows the river the twenty miles provides a very scenic geologic cross-section of a part of the State that played such prominent roles both geologically and economically in California's history.

The full Geo Gems report | Geological Gems of State Parks

Social Feed

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California State Parks, State of California

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April 16, 2020: Independence Trail Closed Due to Landslides and Tree Failures Independence Trail is closed to the public due to safety concerns caused by recent landslides and tree failures. A District Superintendent Order enacting the closure is currently in effect. The east side of the historic Independence Trail, off Highway 49 in western Nevada County, is also closed.

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Steep Ravine

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Although these cabins are bare bones, lacking both water and electricity, they couldn't put you in a better spot for views of the Pacific Ocean. From your cabin, you can enjoy amazing sunsets, possible whale watching, and access to trails like the cabins' namesake, Steep Ravine Trail.

The cabins are located close to the parking lot and restrooms (clean but no showers). To access the parking area, you need to receive the code from the rangers, which you can get once you've made a reservation. The cabin interiors include a built-in table and benches, sleeping platforms (the equivalent of two doubles, one twin, and one child), counter space for food preparation, a wood-burning stove, and a small closet. Firewood for the stove is sold on site; you'll need to bring your own sleeping bag, air mattress, camping stove, cooking gear, lantern, and other supplies. The windows have no coverings, but have clips to hang a curtain or sheet if you want privacy.

With the cabins' close proximity to Stinson Beach, you can run into town for supplies or for a quick bite. If you're looking to get a night away from the camp stove, head south for 15 minutes to Pelican Inn for upscale pub food.

To make your reservation, book here.

If you're looking for a daytime excursion while you're staying at the cabins, we recommend Matt Davis-Steep Ravine Loop. You can modify this hike by starting at the Steep Ravine trailhead just east of the campground and head north on the Dipsea, connecting with Matt Davis, and ultimately rejoining Steep Ravine.

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Steep Ravine Environmental Campground is home to 9 Rustic cabins sitting on the coastline just south of Stinson Beach as well as tent camping campsites. Enjoy amazing sunsets from the comfort of your cabin's porch. These cabins accommodate 5 people and offers up 1 parking space for $100 per night.

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Camping at Kirkwood Lake

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Recreation Opportunity Guides (ROG) - These guides contains information, maps, and directions to assist you in enjoying your trip to the Eldorado National Forest. Kirkwood Campground Picnicking Fees and Passes Non-motorized Trails Mokelumne Wilderness

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POINT LOBOS STATE NATURAL RESERVE UPDATE - 02-25-2021
California State Parks has reopened Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for day use. Some walking trails are open, and parking is available to vehicles on a limited basis. Social distancing protocols of maintaining a 6-ft distance and wearing masks are required.

Welcome to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is outstanding for sightseeing, photography, painting, nature study, picnicking, SCUBA diving, and jogging. In addition to the spectacular beauty, nearly every aspect of its resources is of scientific interest. There are rare plant communities, endangered archeological sites, unique geological formations, and incredibly rich flora and fauna of both land and sea. Deriving its name from the offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos, Point of the Sea Wolves, where the sound of the sea lions carries inland, the Reserve has often been called "the crown jewel of the State Park System". Point Lobos has offered many things to millions of people who have visited it over the years.

This area contains headlands, coves and rolling meadows. The offshore area forms one of the richest underwater habitats in the world popular with divers. Wildlife includes seals, sea lions, sea otters and migrating gray whales (from December to May). Thousands of seabirds also make the Reserve their home. Hiking trails follow the shoreline and lead to hidden coves. The area used to be the home of a turn-of-the-century whaling and abalone industry. A small cabin built by Chinese fishermen from that era still remains at Whalers Cove and is now a cultural history museum.

Activities and Attractions - Many activities such as docent-led tours and the Whalers Cabin Museum visitation have been suspended indefinitely due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please call the park number listed at the top of the page prior to your visit for the most up-to-date information.

Point Lobos Foundation - Additional information to plan your visit or learn more about the reserve can be found by going to the Point Lobos Foundation

WHEN YOU VISIT ...

The following rules and regulations are for your own safety and to protect the plants and animals that live in the Reserve.

No Dogs
Dogs are not allowed anywhere within the reserve and cannot be left inside parked vehicles.

No Bikes on Trails
Bikes are prohibited on all trails in the reserve, but are welcome on the pavement.

No Collecting
Shells, rocks, wood, plants, animals and all features of the reserve are protected by law.

No Skateboards
Skateboarding is not allowed anywhere within the reserve.

No Smoking or Fires
Smoking and fires of all types are prohibited.

The reserve is strictly a Day Use facility and all visitors must exit by closing time.

No Drones
Drone photography is prohibited within the Reserve.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Fair sunny days, occasional winter rains, and dry summers, moderated by fog from July through September characterize central California's climate.
APPS ENHANCE POINT LOBOS VISITOR EXPERIENCE

There are two smartphone apps available for tech-savvy visitor to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve:

Dive Into Point Lobos - NEW!!

Join California State Parks and CSU Monterey Bay researchers as they dive in the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve off the coast of Point Lobos. Follow along as the divers swim through a thriving kelp forest and descend into a deep submarine canyon. You'll have the opportunity to explore dynamic marine ecosystems an dencounter amazing ocean animals as you learn how California's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) work to support a healthy coast and ocean.

Apple App Store link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/xplore-dive-into-point-lobos/id1522432091

Google Play Store link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.timelooper.xploreucmonterey

Discover Point Lobos - free app download from iTunes
This app provices an interactive experience which invites the visitor to participate in a virtual walk about the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, and learn about the animals, plants and geological features that are unique to Point Lobos!

SCUBA Diving and Snorkeling

The Reserve extends off the coast to include the underwater world of the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve which can only be explored by certified divers. This is one of the richest marine habitats in California. In the subdued light of the 70 foot-high kelp forests, divers can explore a world of vibrant color and an array of animals such as lingcod, rockfish, harbor seals and sea otters.

Marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and NOAA Fisheries (federal regulatory authority) has recommended guidelines for managed species of marine mammals, including whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles (sea otters are managed by USFWS). NOAA Fisheries lists recommended distances of at least 100 YARDS (300 feet) for whales, and 50 YARDS (150 feet) for dolphins, seals, sea lions, and turtles: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/marine-life-viewing-guidelines/watching-marine-mammals-west-coast

Diving is permitted only at Whalers and Bluefish Coves. Proof of certification is required. Permission to dive is provided upon entering the Reserve. Reservations are recommended for the weekdays and are a must for weekends and holidays.
Make Dive Reservations Here

NEW! Coloring Book

Click here for Marine Protected Areas Coloring Book

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California State Parks, State of California

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California State Parks has reopened Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for day use. Some walking trails are open, and parking is available to vehicles on a limited basis. Social distancing protocols of maintaining a 6-ft distance and wearing masks are required. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is outstanding for sightseeing, photography, painting, nature study, picnicking, SCUBA diving, and jogging.

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Burke's Canoe Trips

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About Burkes

Located in the heart of the redwoods, Burke's is a ten mile self-guided canoe trip through the Redwoods. You can comfortably do this trip in approximately 3 ½ hours, actual canoeing time. However, most people picnic, swim, sunbath, etc. and are usually out close to 4 or 5 hours. You will see wildlife such as: otter, Great Blue Heron, osprey, turtles, egret, and more. Canoeing at Burke's is a true Russian River Tradition. We open for the 2021 summer season beginning Memorial day weekend on Saturday May 25th (24th for camping), and is open seven days a week thereafter for canoe trips, kayak trips, and camping, through mid October.

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About Burkes Located in the heart of the redwoods, Burke's is a ten mile self-guided canoe trip through the Redwoods. You can comfortably do this trip in approximately 3 ½ hours, actual canoeing time. However, most people picnic, swim, sunbath, etc. and are usually out close to 4 or 5 hours.

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Sierra Shangrila

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Want to know what our guests are saying about Shangri-La? Read on!

I first found Sierra Shangri-La in 2011, when Patty and Richard had just started as the new innkeepers there. Let me tell you they are just as charming today as they were back then, and Shangri-La has become my home away from home. They keep the place spotless, the beds are comfortable, and the sound of the Yuba lulls me into a nice deep restful sleep every time. Highly recommended!
Spring, Texas
"Heaven on Earth in the Mountains"
We always wanted to stay here many years ago. Fortunately, we got in on a cancellation. We stayed in La Siesta. The cabin was right on the river and we enjoyed our time alone and our peace and quiet. If you want a peaceful vacation, book this cabin. The location and view will be perfect.
Thousand Oaks, California
"Peaceful and Relaxing"
The Yuba River flowing through the wooded property creates the most wonderful, soothing background for complete relaxation. The inn is well maintained, with lovely large lawns and gardens. The resort has a private (rocky) beach with wading and swimming areas. The innkeepers shared gold panning supplies, inflatables, books and games to entertain our family. We rarely left the property.
San Rafael, California
"Beauty and Tranquility "
Relaxing on the deck our first night the crimson sunset was mesmerizing and the river lulled us to a peaceful sleep. It was hard to wake from our soooo comfortable bed the next morning, but Patty arrived with a visually appealing and most delicious breakfast. Places like this are the hidden gems you come across that you're afraid to share because you want it to be available whenever you can get away, but these places are so amazing you simply have to let others know so the experience can be shared and passed on. This world is made better when we are blessed to have time and memories from Shangri-La.
Reno, Nevada
"Family Fun"
We rented Blue Jay cabin for the grandkids and parents and we stayed in Dogwood cabin. Blue Jay has a larger kitchen and is right on the river so we had our meals there. The place is very clean and well equipped. The Inkeepers were very helpful.
Santa Cruz, California
"Nice Get-Away"
We were there during their first opening of the season in March. Since we were the only guests it was super quiet and serene. Very nice and attentive innkeepers. We hope to get back soon.
Reno, Nevada
"Great Location and a Wonderful Staff"
We made our reservation at the last minute and the innkeeper was more than accommodating. We asked for and received the Kingfisher room in the lodge. We were there for only one night and the cottages require a two night minimum so we will return at a later date and stay in one of the cottages which are also overlooking the river. The resort is very well kept and the grounds are a quiet delight.
San Francisco Bay Area
"Wonderful Get-Away"
We stayed for one night at at the B&B Kingfisher room at Shangri-La and had a very nice time. The inn is in a beautiful setting right on the river and is a perfect place to unwind, listen to the river, and relax. The innkeepers, Richard and Patty, were wonderful and went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. We would love to go back again and stay in one of their housekeeping cabins on the river ... looks so warm and cozy. I can just picture us in the cabin with the fireplace going or sitting on the deck overlooking the river. No matter where you are, you can hear the roaring sound of the river. We will definitely go back.
San Francisco, California
"Great Location"
We stayed in the La Vista cottage which consists of one bedroom with a queen sized bed, living area with a nice woodburning fireplace, and a kitchen and dining area. We found the cottage to be very cozy and romantic. The cottage is right on the Yuba river. It was clean and quiet. Overall, a great stay. We will return again.
Sacramento, California

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Want to know what our guests are saying about Shangri-La? Read on! I first found Sierra Shangri-La in 2011, when Patty and Richard had just started as the new innkeepers there. Let me tell you they are just as charming today as they were back then, and Shangri-La has become my home away from home.

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Outside Inn

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Outside Inn, motel hotel lodging, Nevada City. Visit Nevada City, kitchenettes, Cabin, Cottage, vacation rental, family friendly, dogs welcome, 1940's motel

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Inn Town - Camping & Glamping

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Inn Town Campground, Nevada City RV, Glamping and Camping

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A family friendly campground in the heart of Nevada City, California with tent sites, RV park with hook ups, Riverside Retro and glamping tents. Dog friendly. Seasonal swimming pool. One mile from downtown.

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Copperopolis

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Copperopolis is located in California's beautiful sierra foothills.Embracing its proud heritage and cherished way of life as a once thriving 1800's copper mining town, The Square at Copper Valley has been reborn as an all new blend of specialty boutique shops, great restaurants and residential lofts. Designed around a traditional, pedestrian-friendly town square, the timeless architecture and covered walkways harken back to another era, yet provide all the luxury and convenience of a modern retail setting.

A whole host of fun festivals and events occur here throughout the year, many featuring horse-drawn carriage rides around the square and art and craft vendors. The Copperopolis Wine Festival includes a bus historic tour of the old town, and free concerts in the park throughout the summer are a huge hit. Popular Market At The Square farmers markets always include live music and kids activities. In addition, Town Hall Arts / Galerie Copper, an art center of the foothills, provides multiple fun and educational art classes year-round, art supplies and custom framing.

Copperopolis is also home to beautiful Lake Tulloch, offering fishing, boating and water sports opportunities year-round, and Saddle Creek Resort - an 18-hole championship, public-access golf course with restaurant, bar, pro-shop and wine cellar.

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Copperopolis in California's beautiful Gold Country

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Copperopolis is located in California's beautiful sierra foothills.Embracing its proud heritage and cherished way of life as a once thriving 1800's copper mining town, The Square at Copper Valley has been reborn as an all new blend of specialty boutique shops, great restaurants and residential lofts.

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Lake Alpine Lodge

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Hidden high in the Sierra Nevadas, Lake Alpine Lodge rests atop the least populated county in California. The lake out front, pure wilderness behind, engulfed by leisure.

We're a family owned business, and we take pride in running it like one. Independent, flexible, enthusiastic. We do everything possible to provide a quality, comfortable alpine escape.

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Long standing mountain lodge in Bear Valley, California offering casual bar and restaurant with outdoor seating, fully furnished cabins, tent cabins, camping, general store with groceries and apparel, and boat, kayak, and paddle board rentals. Directly across the street from Lake Alpine, open every

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Holbrooke Hotel

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The Holbrooke Hotel is reputed to be one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in California. Book your stay at this beautifully renovated landmark today.

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Empire Mine State Historic Park is the site of one of the oldest, deepest, and richest gold mines in California. The park is in Grass Valley at 10791 East Empire Street. In operation for more than 100 years, the mine extracted 5.8 million ounces of gold before it closed in 1956. The park contains many of the mine's buildings, the owner's home and restored gardens, as well as the entrance to 367 miles of abandoned and flooded mine shafts. The park encompasses 856 acres of forested backcountry and fourteen miles of trails - including easy hikes (for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding) - in the park.

The Secret Room

To keep track of the mine's 367 underground workings, a place called "The Secret Room" (named for its blacked-out windows) was built. In it, the entire room was filled with a scale model of the mine's below the surface workings. Few people knew the room existed while the mine was in operation. Today, visitors to the park can see it in the Visitor Center. The model represents five square miles of underground workings. When the visitors go down the actual shaft in the park, they have journeyed only "one inch" on the model. Anything past "two inches" on the model is underwater in the actual mine.

Location-Directions

Drive 24 miles north of Auburn on Highway 49 to Empire Street exit in Grass Valley. The park is located in Grass Valley at 10791 East Empire Street.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing

Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.

Filming Videos and Still Photography in State Parks

California State Parks thanks you for choosing our beautiful parks for your photographic activities and sharing the wonders of our park units with the world. However, in order to maintain the beauty of our parks and its natural and cultural resources, we request that all commercial, still and motion picture photographers obtain a film permit from the California Film Commission.

California State Parks requires an approved film permit for:

All commercial still photography and videography

Professional photographers offering services

Student photo/film

Professional development projects

Drones are not permitted unless a special permit is granted. Use film and photography permits link below for further contact information.
To learn more, please visit our blog .
For specific film permit information at Empire Mine State Historic Park, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park or South Yuba River State Park, please review Sierra Gold Sector Film Permit information .
Social Feed

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California State Parks, State of California

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Empire Mine State Historic Park is the site of one of the oldest, deepest, and richest gold mines in California. The park is in Grass Valley at 10791 East Empire Street. In operation for more than 100 years, the mine extracted 5.8 million ounces of gold before it closed in 1956.

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Stay at Smithwoods RV Park, walk around the woods of Henry Cowell Redwood SP, and another day take the 100-yr-old train from Roaring Camp down to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Then take the afternoon train back up and camp in the woods. Trees + beach (or nature + carnival food )! Thanks Kate!

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Smithwoods RV Park | Campground | Near Santa Cruz, California

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Smithwoods RV Park located just north of Santa Cruz, nestled in a forest of Redwood trees with views of the San Lorenzo River and access to Henry Cowell State Park. Celebrating over 100 years of our family owned RV Park!

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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park

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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park - California’s Classic Beach Experience

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The Admission-Free Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! Enjoy warm sand, cool surf, hot rides and free entertainment at the only major seaside amusement park on the West Coast.

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Casini Ranch

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Why visit Casini Ranch Family Campground?

We are a family friendly, pet friendly, nature filled, amenity rich campground in the Russian River Valley, offering a variety of accommodations in the quaint Sonoma County town of Duncans Mills, CA. One mile of river runs along this 110 acre part of the ranch, offering campers a memorable, get back to nature camping experience.

With extensive activities on our property, and much to do in the surrounding area, you are sure to enjoy your stay at the ranch.
Learn More:

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We are a family friendly, pet friendly, nature filled, amenity rich campground in the Russian River Valley, offering a variety of accommodations in the quaint Sonoma County town of Duncans Mills, CA. One mile of river runs along this 110 acre part of the ranch, offering campers a memorable, get back to nature camping experience.

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Big Sur River Inn

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Big Sur River Inn & Restaurant is Open for Business!! Check Availability & Book Online or Call Us between 9am - 5pm each day @ 800-548-3610 (toll free). Our Restaurant is serving meals between 11am and 8pm.

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Pool & sunshine in Carmel Valley

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Carmel Valley's original hotel and hunting lodge.

The warmth of Carmel Valley, offers award winning wine tasting, horseback riding on beautiful countryside trails, drives through open ranchland, golf at renowned courses, and of course, shopping.
Have a question for Innkeeper?

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Carmel Valley's original hotel and hunting lodge. The warmth of Carmel Valley, offers award winning wine tasting, horseback riding on beautiful countryside trails, drives through open ranchland, golf at renowned courses, and of course, shopping. Have a question for Innkeeper?

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Indian Springs

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BEST AVAILABLE RATE

PRIORITY ROOM UPGRADES

PRIORITY SPA &
DINING RESERVATIONS

A Modern Bohemian Retreat

Discover this historic, iconic resort in the beautiful Napa Valley. A special place planted with olive and palm trees, roses and herbs. We have given a nod to the past by preserving our 1910 olympic mineral pool and by keeping everything relaxed. Our goal is to create a one-of-a-kind experience for our guests.
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More Than Rooms

Indian Springs Calistoga is comprised of a eclectic collection of historic cottages, bungalows, and Mission Revival-style buildings spread out across our 17 acres, each providing a unique view and a different feel. The end result remains the same-luxury and warmth without all the fuss-outdoor spaces that bring you closer to the environment and indoor spaces with whimsical details and spa-like features.
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Photo Gallery
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calm, clarity, calistoga, california

For over a century, guests have journeyed to Indian Springs Calistoga in search of relaxation and well-being. As one of the original spas in California our thermal mineral waters, mud baths and special treatments attract those seeking an authentic spa experience. Attracted by our thermal mineral waters, mud baths, and special treatments. Our treatments impart a deep sense of time, place, and calm.
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Farm Fresh
American Fare

As part of Indian Springs Calistoga, Sam's setting and menu enhance and contribute to the historic, idyllic Arcadian nature of the Resort. Chef Morales sources fresh and local ingredients to create a menu seasonally influenced. Sam's is open to the public and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a convivial and vibrant atmosphere.

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Unforgetable Events

Be inspired...have your next business meeting in one of our unique spaces. Celebrate a wedding, a proposal or birthday and let us assist you in making it unforgettable. We have a range of stunning spaces, indoor and outdoor, where you can create your vision.
LEARN MORE

Receive our latest news & offers

Indian Springs Resort collects personal information from consumers. You can learn more about what personal information is collected and how it is used by viewing Indian Springs Resort's privacy policy at: https://www.indianspringscalistoga.com/privacy-policy

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Napa Valley Hotels | Official Website | Indian Springs Calistoga

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BEST AVAILABLE RATE PRIORITY ROOM UPGRADES PRIORITY SPA &DINING RESERVATIONS Discover this historic, iconic resort in the beautiful Napa Valley. A special place planted with olive and palm trees, roses and herbs. We have given a nod to the past by preserving our 1910 olympic mineral pool and by keeping everything relaxed.

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Calistoga Spa

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Hello to our valued guests. We are pleased to announce that we are open our spa for Massage Treatments, Thursdays through Sundays.

We appreciate the patience our guests have extended us over the past year as we navigated the challenges that COVID19 restrictions provided. We are able to schedule Massage Treatments for guests registered in guest rooms to allow our spa team the opportunity to return to their pre-COVID19 form.
The Bath House, Mud Baths and Steam Rooms will remain closed for the time being.

The Town of Calistoga is once again ready to welcome visitors to enjoy the healing geothermal mineral waters, world class wineries, farm to table restaurants, boutiques, artisan shops and refreshing outdoor activities. Our front desk team is back and ready to book your next visit.

Thank you for your support and patience we look forward to seeing you again soon,

Michael Lennon - General Manager

Our friends at Visit Napa Valley have complied a comprehensive guide for visitors to Napa Valley, click the link below.

Visit Napa Valley World-Class Hospitality Means World-Class Cleanliness

Escape to the beauty of the Napa Valley Wine Country at Calistoga Spa Hot Springs. Located in charming downtown Calistoga, the heart of Upper Napa Valley, our boutique resort and spa is a tranquil refuge. Enjoy a wine tasting weekend, family vacation or business retreat. Relax in beautifully renovated rooms with contemporary decor and kitchenettes. Rejuvenate in geothermal mineral pools and enjoy a massage and volcanic ash mud baths in our spa.

Relax in the outdoor mineral whirlpool under a covered patio. Unwind and enjoy water temperatures up to 104°F in our pool without being bothered by the elements. Get energized in our fitness center or yoga class, Kick back with a glass of wine on our landscaped pool deck. Located one block off Lincoln Avenue - our "Main Street" - we're a short walk to award-winning restaurants, quaint shops, and art galleries. We're also minutes from renowned wineries, hot air balloon rides, golf, and culinary adventures. And, we "pride" ourselves on being an LGBTQ-friendly hotel.

Calistoga Spa Hot Springs Hotel Map

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Charming Calistoga Resort and Spa - Calistoga Spa Hot Springs

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Hello to our valued guests. We are pleased to announce that we are open our spa for Massage Treatments, Thursdays through Sundays. We appreciate the patience our guests have extended us over the past year as we navigated the challenges that COVID19 restrictions provided.

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Johnson's Beach

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Johnson's Beach | On the Russian River, Guerneville California

Rated one of the top 3 things to do in Guerneville

A Russian River tradition for nearly a century, Johnson's Beach is a favorite summer spot for Sonoma County locals and visitors alike. Sunning, swimming and floating at our Guerneville beach is as much a Sonoma County pastime as wine tasting and strolling through the redwoods.
Located ninety minutes north of the Bay Area in the charming and eclectic town of Guerneville, this classic summer getaway sits in the heart of the Russian River Valley and provides the quintessential summertime river experience.

Just a short 90-minute drive from the Bay Area, to get to our Guerneville beach, head north on Highway 101 to the north end of Santa Rosa. Take Exit 494, the River Road/Guerneville/Russian River Resort Area exit. Turn left onto River Road and travel 15 miles to Guerneville. Go through the two stoplights in town then turn left onto Church Street. To get to the beach, continue straight ahead on Church. To get to the lodge, cabins and campground, turn left on First Street. The driveway is about one half block down First Street on the right.

All rights reserved © 2021 | Web Design and Development by Mijo! Brands.

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Johnson's Beach | On the Russian River, Guerneville California Rated one of the top 3 things to do in Guerneville A Russian River tradition for nearly a century, Johnson's Beach is a favorite summer spot for Sonoma County locals and visitors alike.

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Safari West

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Conservation Dinner Series: Zara McDonald of Felidae Conservation Fund joins us in the elephant room after dinner to give a talk about living with wild cats.

In 1992, Laurette Roger's 4th grade class learned about the plight of the California Freshwater Shrimp, an endangered species only...

Experiencing our destination through the Sonoma County Leave No Trace Seven Principles gives travelers an opportunity to make a difference. Together,...

When you visit Safari West, you may hear what sounds like a loud "WAH-WAH-WAH" call booming across the lower compound....

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Conservation Dinner Series: Zara McDonald of Felidae Conservation Fund joins us in the elephant room after dinner to give a talk about living with wild cats. In 1992, Laurette Roger's 4th grade class learned about the plight of the California Freshwater Shrimp, an endangered species only...

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Skunk Train & Rail Rides

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Step back in time for a magical ride through the redwoods on the world-famous Skunk Train. Since 1885 the historic Skunk has made its way through old-growth redwood groves, over scenic trestle bridges, through spectacular tunnels, and into the heart of the Noyo River canyon. Today's riders enjoy the same pristine views that have remained largely unchanged for well over a century.

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The World-Famous Skunk Train Step back in time for a magical ride through the redwoods on the world-famous Skunk Train. Since 1885 the historic Skunk has made its way through old-growth redwood groves, over scenic trestle bridges, through spectacular tunnels, and into the heart of the Noyo River canyon.

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Slide Ranch

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Set on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Slide Ranch combines breathtaking natural beauty with a down-to-earth vibe. In addition to weddings, the site is well-suited for retreats, corporate workshops, family reunions, birthdays, and bar/bat mitzvahs. Slide Ranch is located just north of Muir Beach on Highway 1, just 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

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Set on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Slide Ranch combines breathtaking natural beauty with a down-to-earth vibe. In addition to weddings, the site is well-suited for retreats, corporate workshops, family reunions, birthdays, and bar/bat mitzvahs. Slide Ranch is located just north of Muir Beach on Highway 1, just 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

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In a city as visually stimulating as San Francisco, an artists is never lacking for inspiration. George McCalman is an artist and creative director. His studio, McCalman.Co, designs brands for a range of clientele. Additionally, he's a visual columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, featured in "Observed" and "The Usual". We asked George about his favorite things in San Francisco and what he thinks any visitor to the city must do during their stay.

What does a typical day in San Francisco look like for you?

Making a list. I run a design studio and we have many projects overlapping at any given time. It's a way to center myself at the start of every day. Then, a mix of production calls, design work, illustration work, meetings, and sketching. Every day is wildly different.

Which neighborhood in San Francisco do you like to explore, other than your own?

The Mission is probably still the most interesting neighborhood visually. It's an arts district and has more public art than any other neighborhood in the city. There are murals in hidden alleys all over the district.

Where do you indulge your artistic side in San Francisco?

I have a separate painting studio out in the Sunset. It's close to the beach and I love it. I slow down when I'm out there and tap into a different side of my creativity.

What do you love about being an artist?

The freedom to believe that your ideas are worthy of putting out into the world.

What do you love about being a designer?

That I know how to package my own and other people's ideas. That's a different kind of freedom.

What do you love about being a journalist at the San Francisco Chronicle?

That I get to learn about the city all over again. It's a new way for me to get acquainted with more of San Francisco. It's a fascinating time to be in the city.

What's your favorite annual event in San Francisco?

Folsom Street Fair. It's still one of the more publicly subversive festivals in the city. We need it.

Where do you like to view sunrise and sunset?

Sunrise at Alamo Square Park. Sunset at Ocean Beach. Every time.

Where would you go for your last meal in San Francisco?

Zuni Café. No other option even comes close.

Which restaurant is still on your list to dine at in San Francisco?

I dine out a fair amount, but I haven't been to Lazy Bear.

What are some parts of San Francisco that you wish visitors knew about?

I wish more people visited the Bayview and supported that community. I like Hayes Valley for its centrality and shopping. I love Yonder Shop in the Richmond. Tosca Café and Verjus in North Beach have such great atmosphere. I also love Isla Verde and The Progress in the Fillmore. And Crissy Field, for the views.

What should every visitor to San Francisco do at least once?

Alcatraz. Just because of the view, the history, and the landscape.

Any last final advice for travelers coming to visit San Francisco?

Walk everywhere. It's still the most walkable place. The personality of the neighborhoods are still so immediate at the ground floor.
MEET MORE SAN FRANCISCO LOCALS

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How I See San Francisco: George McCalman

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In a city as visually stimulating as San Francisco, an artists is never lacking for inspiration. George McCalman is an artist and creative director. His studio, McCalman.Co, designs brands for a range of clientele. Additionally, he's a visual columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, featured in "Observed" and "The Usual".

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Put the devices away and get outside! During the pandemic we explored close to home and found so many special things right in our back yard. So I started to collect ideas from friends and family! Here is a curated list of day-trips, overnights and adventures within 1-4 hrs drive of the Bay Area!

Scroll right for more columns, scroll up and down for more content.

Have something to add? Send me an email at alex@ewers.biz

Thanks to all those who shared suggested and ideas!

Happy exploring.

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16th Ave Steps

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A Kids Podcast! Your host Beatrice interviews kids about growing up in San Francisco.

A Kids Podcast! Your host Beatrice interviews kids about growing up in San Francisco.

Listener

An interesting point of view from a younger generation..
👌👌👌

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‎SF City Beat: A Kids Podcast on Apple Podcasts

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A Kids Podcast! Your host Beatrice interviews kids about growing up in San Francisco. A Kids Podcast! Your host Beatrice interviews kids about growing up in San Francisco. An interesting point of view from a younger generation.. 👌👌👌

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Precita Eyes Muralists

Art Gallery, Building, Museum

Precita Eyes Muralists is the place to dive into the stories behind Mission District's murals. The community-run, non-profit works with local artists that wish to showcase their murals and creative contributions to the city's street art. Precita Eyes Muralists offer guided and self-guided tours that speak on the place murals have in the community and their history. For about four decades, this art center's commitment to collaborating with the artistic people of the neighborhood grants people of the Mission District exposure to culture, history, and unity.

The Women's Building MaestraPeace Mural

Art Gallery, Building, Museum

The Women's Building's MaestraPeace Mural is recognized around the world. Painted in 1994 on the outside of this women-led arts and education community center, this mural made a statement against gender inequality and social injustice through art expression. The vibrant and bold painting spans two walls of the buildings, created by a collaboration of seven female artists of different ages and backgrounds-Edythe Boone, Miranda Bergman, Yvonne Littleton, Meera Desai, Juana Alicia, Susan Kelk Cervantes, and Irene Perez. The piece, titled "Women's Wisdom Through Time," is of women in history that have contributed to human rights in some way or another. It is a piece that's been honored for nearly 25 years by Mission District natives, San Francisco locals, and international visitors.

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A Look Through San Francisco's Mission District Alley Murals

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Art Gallery, Building, Museum Precita Eyes Muralists is the place to dive into the stories behind Mission District's murals. The community-run, non-profit works with local artists that wish to showcase their murals and creative contributions to the city's street art.

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On January 5, 1933, construction begins on the Golden Gate Bridge, as workers began excavating 3.25 million cubic feet of dirt for the structure's huge anchorages.

Following the Gold Rush boom that began in 1849, speculators realized the land north of San Francisco Bay would increase in value in direct proportion to its accessibility to the city. Soon, a plan was hatched to build a bridge that would span the Golden Gate, a narrow, 400-foot deep strait that serves as the mouth of the San Francisco Bay, connecting the San Francisco Peninsula with the southern end of Marin County.

Although the idea went back as far as 1869, the proposal took root in 1916. A former engineering student, James Wilkins, working as a journalist with the San Francisco Bulletin, called for a suspension bridge with a center span of 3,000 feet, nearly twice the length of any in existence. Wilkins' idea was estimated to cost an astounding $100 million. So, San Francisco's city engineer, Michael M. O'Shaughnessy (he's also credited with coming up with the name Golden Gate Bridge), began asking bridge engineers whether they could do it for less.

Engineer and poet Joseph Strauss, a 5-foot tall Cincinnati-born Chicagoan, said he could.

Eventually, O'Shaughnessy and Strauss concluded they could build a pure suspension bridge within a practical range of $25-30 million with a main span at least 4,000 feet. The construction plan still faced opposition, including litigation, from many sources. By the time most of the obstacles were cleared, the Great Depression of 1929 had begun, limiting financing options, so officials convinced voters to support $35 million in bonded indebtedness, citing the jobs that would be created for the project. However, the bonds couldn't be sold until 1932, when San-Francisco based Bank of America agreed to buy the entire project in order to help the local economy.

The Golden Gate Bridge officially opened on May 27, 1937, the longest bridge span in the world at the time. The first public crossing had taken place the day before, when 200,000 people walked, ran and even roller skated over the new bridge.

With its tall towers and famous trademarked "international orange" paint job, the bridge quickly became a famous American landmark, and a symbol of San Francisco.

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On January 5, 1933, construction begins on the Golden Gate Bridge, as workers began excavating 3.25 million cubic feet of dirt for the structure's huge anchorages. Following the Gold Rush boom that began in 1849, speculators realized the land north of San Francisco Bay would increase in value in direct proportion to its accessibility to the city.

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San Francisco 21043 | Architecture | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop US

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Build and display an epic San Francisco skyline with this LEGO® Architecture model!