| Subject: Re: day trips from San Francisco |
|
Evelyn,
You asked about day trips from San Francisco. #1 in my book
would be a drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin
Headlands (http://www.nps.gov/goga/mahe/index.htm) then a
walk through Muir Woods (http://www.nps.gov/muwo/home.htm).
You will see some of the best scenery the Bay Area has to
offer including a wonderful redwood forest (nothing like
that in Texas!). If time permits, continue a few miles north
to Point Reyes (http://www.nps.gov/pore/visit.htm). As an
alternative but continuing on the theme of enjoying the
natural beauty of the Bay Area, you could drive about 55
miles south of the City to Ano Nuevo State Reserve on the
Pacific Coast. It is the site of the largest mainland
breeding colony in the world for the northern elephant seal.
Because you will be there during breeding season, you could join a ranger-led guided walk to see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. But reserve in advance because the walks are very popular(http://tinyurl.com/5nqbp). I can also recommend the tours of the grounds around nearby Pigeon Point Lighthouse. If you are very lucky, you might see gray whales beyond the surf on their annual migration. If the weather is especially nice, you could take a ferry across the bay to Sausalito or Tiburon in Marin County. Each caters well to day visitors and has restaurants and shops within walking distance of the ferry terminal. I have been to Guaymas, a Mexican restaurant in Tiburon. The food is so-so and expensive (as is the case with many waterfront restaurants) but the panoramic bayside views of the City are wonderful. Definitely worth a drink or two. Have a great trip! Mark in Los Angeles |