I’ve just now peaked above the surface to see what’s going on in the world and realized we’re half-way through the month of December, with Christmas ‘yikes!’ just around the corner. That’s two weeks of Christmas stuff gone by, which would’ve been more if not for hearing ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside’ for the 50th time (that’s how long it takes to drill something into my brain). I did get a chance to see Rudolph though, twice, somewhat distractedly, and with the magic of dvd technology I can fill every second of spare time from here to day one with nothing but Christmas classics. Which I might do. Rudolph is awesome. Continue reading Holiday in the Bay Area→
After packing in the turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving, the urge to walk off some of that excess weight is no doubt high. Combine that with a long weekend off, and you can leisurely choose from any number of lovely fall hikes in the Bay Area. For me, this particular weekend calls for something pleasant, accessible, and not too strenuous. Continue reading Best post-Thanksgiving hikes in the Bay Area→
There are loads of mountain peaks in the Bay Area – nearly 300 that fit the official 1,000-plus-feet definition – with most of them easily accessible (no crampons needed). And the best thing? no matter where you live in the Bay Area, you’re 3o minutes or less from any number of them. Continue reading (almost) Atop the (22nd) highest peak in the Bay Area→
We’re all adults here, right? At least that’s what we tell ourselves, until Halloween rolls around and we’re running for the nearest thrift store/costume shop, firing up the sewing machine and glue gun for the greatest costume this side of World War Z like it’s fifth grade all over again. Do kids even celebrate Halloween anymore, or has it been completely co-opted by ‘grownups’? The number of Halloween events going on in and around the city is astounding, for both the pre- and post-teen set. Here’s a list of some of the best: Continue reading Halloweening in the Bay Area→
So Pier 39. When’s the last time you actually paid a visit? and not incidentally, stopping in to use the bathroom on a jog along the Embarcadero. Locals rarely come here, even ironically – it’s just not on their radar (Bubba Gumps? Hard Rock Café?) – which is kind of curious considering the millions of visitors to San Francisco each year (16.5 million in 2012) who quite possibly make it a part of their vacation experience, especially those with kids. It’s one of the things they remember about the city. Continue reading Pier 39: not terrible→
Point Reyes Lighthouse on a rare but exquisite sunny day
The windswept coast along Point Reyes National Seashore offers some of the most austerely beautiful scenery in the entire scenery-rich Bay Area. Standing atop the 300-foot cliff that overlooks Point Reyes Lighthouse, sunlight dances off ocean swells while waves crash into the rocky beach extending north along the coastline. If you can’t take a frame-worthy photo here, your camera must be broken. That, or the fog. Oh right, the fog. Did they not mention the fog before you embarked on the 40-minute drive from sunny Point Reyes Station? Or the fact that the lighthouse is the second foggiest place in North America (and the windiest on the west coast)? That’s not to say it’s still not scenic, just scenic in different way…moody and cinematic. Continue reading The fog that ate Point Reyes Lighthouse→
Lick Observatory atop Mt. Hamilton east of San Jose
I was going to suggest driving up to Lick Observatory to watch the Perseids meteor shower, but I saw they’re not doing anything special for the event, and then realized it’s best to just go to your nearest unclouded mountain for a good view. But this brought up the subject of a post I’ve wanted to do for a while: The Lick Observatory. If you don’t know, Lick Observatory is pretty significant in the world of astronomy, starting with this fact: world’s first permanently occupied mountain-top observatory. Continue reading Lick Observatory and the best show in the Bay Area→
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