Monthly Archives: August 2012

7 Things to Do While Your Friends Are at Burning Man

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It might be because I am about to be 30 and I feel like that should mean something, but last week I made the dramatic decision to go to Burning Man, even though I could only go for three days. It was quick and mind blowing and now I am back at work, with chapped lips and electronic music still pumping in my brain, trying to reintegrate myself into default reality. It hasn’t been easy.

Knowing that there is a temporary magical land full of flame throwing sculptures and dance parties and land yachts building to a crescendo on the Black Rock Desert and I am not in the middle of it is depressing. Lucky for me, and for you, person with internet access who is therefore clearly NOT having an amazing burn, last year I took it upon myself to really explore the Burning Man Rapture in San Francisco, and so, in an effort to help cheer us up, I present you with seven things you can do to have an amazing time while your friends are at Burning Man.

1.   WEAR YOUR COMFIEST CLOTHES TO THE OFFICE.

Your boss is dancing in a tutu on the Playa so it’s totally cool if you wear a sports bra and flip flops while creating expense reports or whatever it is you do.

2.   WORK OUT IN PEACE

Yoga classes, skate parks, climbing gyms and roof top pools are all guaranteed to be at least half empty. So why not use all your Groupons at once and start getting your body into shape for next year’s burn?

3.  DRINK THE FANCIEST COFFEE WITHOUT FEELING JUDGED.

All the attractive and aloof types who usually glare at you while you order tea are off being transformed in the desert. So order what you want! Take a seat in the parklet! Hang out all afternoon!

4. GET BRUNCH WITHOUT WAITING FOR 2 HOURS 

Get a table anywhere! In fact, go big and invite all your non-dusty friends to brunch somewhere super popular and then ask for a table for 10. See what happens. You’ll feel like your back in the Midwest.

5. PARK IN THE MISSION

Even if you have a pretty good spot and you aren’t planning on going anywhere for a couple days, just for fun park your car on Valencia. I mean, #YOLO, right?

6.   BUY ORGANIC GROCERIES 

This will make you instantly happier in two ways: first, you won’t have to wait for hours in line at Rainbow. Second, you can buy something perishable and then put it in your fridge when you get home. You know where they don’t have fridges? The desert.

7. DRINK AT ZEITGEIST WITHOUT EVER WAITING IN LINE. 

Okay, yes, you will have to pay for your drinks, but think of how MANY of those drinks you can pay for if you are never standing in line? Sit at your choice of picnic tables and try to be grateful you aren’t in the middle of a sandstorm and that the bandana around your neck is purely ornamental.

Remember, you always have next year. Try not to cry. I hear the weather is going to be is going to be perfect and Temple is going to be amazing.

– Lizzy Acker

Best On-The-Water Adventures in the Bay

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Updated: June 17, 2014

Flickr: Perfecto Insecto

For the outdoorsy type, there’s no shortage of on-the-water adventures in the Bay Area. Our temperate climate means it’s almost always a great time to get out and learn how to sea kayak, sail, deep sea fish, windsurf, or even take up dragon boat racing. Take your pick!

SEA KAYAKING

One of the best ways to interact with or at least observe the local sea life, like seals and pelicans, is to paddle around in a sea kayak. There are a few great places to learn the peaceful art of sea kayaking, both on San Francisco Bay and a bit further north. In Sausalito, try Sea Trek, which offers beginning and advanced classes and rents out kayaks, paddleboats, and stand-up paddleboards. Another good bet is California Canoe and Kayak, out of Jack London Square in Oakland, and if you’re willing to go farther afield for truly peaceful waters, get to Tomales Bay’s Blue Waters in Marshall in West Marin. (Bonus to Tomales Bay: Oysters! End your day up there with a visit to Hog Island Oyster Co.)

SAILING

Flickr: Jessica FM

Seasoned sailors often name the San Francisco Bay as one of the best places in the world to sail because the conditions are so good and the challenges are sophisticated and varied, and one can rest assured that every voyage will be a little different. For those learning to sail, the Bay is a great place to start because it offers terrific day-long sails to places like Tiburon, Sausalito, or Angel Island, and because there are plenty of options for both bold learners (like jumping right in to sailing in tricky currents and wind conditions, not to mention busy vessel traffic) and those who want to learn in a less challenging situation (like calm estuaries). Many people say that if you learn to sail on San Francisco Bay, you can sail safely anywhere in the world.

There are also plenty of sailing schools to choose from depending on where you live in the Bay Area and what type of experience you want.

In the Berkeley Marina, there are two sailing schools: OCSC Sailing and the Cal Sailing Club. OCSC is a hangout for sailors beginners to expert sailors, with courses running the gamut from basic keelboat to offshore and navigation instruction, and the Cal Sailing Club (which is open to anyone, not just those associated with Cal), offers great beginners and advanced beginner lessons and some free lessons on Saturdays. (Bonus: Both schools are known for not just great sailing lessons but for their lively social scenes. Witness this review on Yelp for the Cal Sailing Club: “Where else can a postal worker, oracle executive, and berkley [sic] undergrads mingle in the sun and drink beers while telling tall sea yarns?  Filled with a great group of people, a grill, and the best playground it’s a great place to spend a sunny day.”)

Those interested in learning to sail in slightly more protected waters might want to consider Club Nautique in Alameda (note it has a location in Sausalito as well). If you’re a San Francisco resident and don’t want to cross a bridge to learn to sail, there’s the San Francisco Sailing School, located at Pier 39.

DEEP SEA OR SPORT FISHING

Interested in catching your first salmon? Consider booking a fishing trip with Lovely Martha, a company based on Fisherman’s Wharf that’s been around for decades and is known for being “beginner friendly.” (Check out their lively Facebook page). Another option is Flash Sport Fishing, also down at Fisherman’s Wharf, led by Captain Steve Talmadge, who looks every bit the part of seasoned sport fisherman.

Note that to go fishing, you first need to get a fishing license. Find out more at the California Department of Fish and Game.

WINDSURFING

Flickr:Jason Reidy

If you’re strong and a good swimmer, taking up windsurfing might be just the ticket this summer. The Cal Sailing Club listed above also offers windsurfing lessons with an extra side of fun (its motto is, after all, “Sail. Windsurf. Party.”), but another good option is Boardsports, which has locations in Alameda, San Mateo and San Francisco and offers private and group lessons for beginners. For those of us in the South Bay, head out to California Windsurfing in Foster City.

DRAGON BOAT RACING

Last but not least, let’s not forget dragon boat racing, a competitive and very vigorous sport that many think began in southern central China 2,500 years ago and requires a crew of 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a “sweep” who steers. The San Francisco Bay Area Dragons offers free classes every Saturday morning at its Foster City location.

NOT-SO-EXTREME SPORTS

Of course, if you’re beyond your adventure-sports prime (or maybe you’ve got a family in tow), there are more sedate ways to spend some time on the Bay, taking in the beauty of the city skyline and the Golden Gate. Ferries are not just for commuters and Alcatraz-bound tourists. Take a gander at the schedule and enjoy a quick trip to (and from) a scenic locale: Tiburon, Angel Island, the SF Ferry Building, Jack London Square. And for an even more leisurely pace, you can find a host of private charters and group cruises. Sure, a dinner cruise under the Golden Gate isn’t going to get you your X-Games merit badge, but it’s a beautiful way to spend a few hours away from the bustle of city streets.

– Meghan Laslocky

 

8 Awesome Reasons to Call In Sick at Work

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Updated: June 17, 2014

Flickr:BrianM

One of the hardest realities we have to face as grown-ups is that we will never have another real summer vacation again. You will never again get two to three months of riding your bike in gangs with your friends, soaking up sun, reading books, playing softball every afternoon and getting on a first-name basis with the lifeguards at the outdoor pool.

But all is not lost! If you’re a hard worker — and we know you are — you deserve to call in sick every now and then. Now, it isn’t a great idea to use up all your sick time on things that aren’t being sick — that’s just asking for a month long flu in December. But we all need a little vitamin D, nature and/or non-computer time to keep up our mental health. Here are a few reasons to fake a case of food poisoning and experience summer.

1. SURFING IN SANTA CRUZ

You don’t have to be the girl from Blue Crush to catch a few waves. Just get yourself down to Santa Cruz! Any place worth its salt will have boards and wetsuits for you to use and if you sign up for surf lessons, you’ll be standing up before the end of the day. If you already have a little surfing knowledge, check the surf report to pick the optimal day for your illness and head down to Cowells for a nice manageable day in ocean. Bonus: you’ll be very hungry when you’re done. Best to hit up Cole’s BBQ on the way out of town, since you have just used up so many calories it is totally okay that you are eating a slab of cheese-covered garlic bread with your fries and ribs.

2. MOVIE DAY

Get up when you would usually go to work, grab some breakfast, and then get to the earliest movie — it might even be at 10:30 am. Matinees only cost $7! Here’s the trick though: don’t leave when that movie is done. Go to more movies! Go to all the movies! The Metreon in San Francisco recently underwent a huge remodel. Now there are tons of food choices so you don’t even have to leave the building for lunch. Bonus: no sunburn means no one will doubt your food poisoning story.

3. BIKE RIDE TO MARIN HEADLANDS 

Just because the days of pre-teen bike gangs are over doesn’t mean you can’t have adventures on two wheels. Pack a picnic and take a ride over the Golden Gate Bridge up a (very serious) hill to the Marin Headlands. Don’t worry, it’s totally acceptable to walk your bike. Visit the Visitors Center or old military ruins and take pictures of yourself looking out over the Bridge and the city. Just don’t post them on Facebook.

4. WINE TASTING IN SONOMA 

So, you aren’t the type to spend a day off getting sweaty or sitting alone in the dark. Avoid the crowds (and maybe your boss) and head for Sonoma, Napa’s prettier but less self-promoting cousin. Start with the Jacuzzi Family Winery, mainly because the building and grounds are so gorgeous you’ll feel like you took your sick day in Italy. Then, go wherever the spirit moves you! There a couple good lists of wineries in the area (here and here) but why not just drive down the road and check out the ones that look interesting? Extra points if you can get one of your children who is over 16 but under 21 to act as a designated driver.

5. CANOE ON THE RUSSIAN RIVER

If you already have a base tan and are not at risk of developing a suspicious sunburn, head out to Healdsburg and rent a canoe at River’s Edge Canoe and Kayak. All you have to do is make a reservation and they will bus you up the Russian River to a beach full of boats. Get in a boat and paddle downstream. Bring water and snacks and stop wherever you want. You’ll spend a couple hours on the water and then you can pull your boat up on shore and a strapping young man will put it away for you! Don’t forget to drive to Healdsburg for a meal and your weekly quota of cuteness.

6. LOOK FOR ELEPHANT SEALS AT ANO NUEVO STATE PARK

If a brush with wildlife is what you need, drive out to Año Nuevo State Park. If you get a permit at the Visitors Center, you can take a walk out to the elephant seals. If you haven’t seen elephant seals, you are missing out. In the right light, regular seals are little and cute. Even sea lions are a manageable size. But elephant seals are named after elephants first for a reason. Don’t be surprised if at first you mistake an elephant seal for a sand dune. Note: bring a windbreaker! It gets cold out there!

7. BOULDERING AT CASTLE ROCK 

Want to practice climbing rocks without all those pesky ropes and anchors? Check out Castle Rock State Park, southwest of San Jose. It helps if you know a little about climbing so you can make sure you are doing it safely but once you get that taken care of (you’ve got to know SOMEONE who can help you), take a nice day trip. Just try not to hurt yourself, as that will be difficult to explain to your boss tomorrow.

Flickr:ChadFennell

8. SHUCK OYSTERS 

Exercise, movies, sunshine and drinking are all fine but let’s get down to business: if you take a weekday off of work you might actually be able to get a reservation at Hog Island to shuck oysters! Oh, what’s Hog Island? Only an oyster farm in between Bodega Bay and Point Reyes where you can have a picnic and shuck oysters for three hours with all your closest friends. The problem: it’s really popular so you have to book months in advance. So book now! Call your friends and plan a sick day together! Just remember the important axiom of the “sick” day: Instagram no pictures, leave no oyster shells laying around if you are part of the carpool.

-By Lizzy Acker

Coolest Exotic Plants: Guide to the Bay’s Beautiful Botanic Gardens

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Updated: June 1, 2014

Passionflower

Looking for a local outdoor adventure that doesn’t require much prep? Check out one of the many fantastic gardens in the area, many of which have rare and endangered plants. Enjoy the summer sunshine and boost your botany IQ in one fell swoop.

FILOLI

Flickr:Quiltsalad

Back in 1915, Mr. and Mrs. William Bowers Bourn began construction on Filoli, and today both the opulent house and its magnificent gardens are open to the public. Check out the Plane Tree Allée, which features London plane trees that have been pruned to be uniform, as in a classic English garden; the magnolia and camellia collections (the latter includes about 150 different varieties, of which about 50 are only found in private collections); the New Zealand Black Beech tree, which first arrived in the U.S. as part of the PanPacific Exposition in 1915 and is the oldest outside of New Zealand; and the red and white amaryllis that flower during the summer. And don’t miss the orchards! Tree fans will particularly appreciate the Camperdown elms at the estate. Many Camperdowns are vulnerable to Dutch elm disease, but those at Filoli, like the one down by the swimming pool that is among the largest and oldest in the country, has survived because it’s isolated from other elms. See what’s blooming on Filoli’s calendar. $18/person, children under 4 free.

THE ELIZABETH GAMBLE GARDEN

Flickr: Silvain LeProvost

Head south to Palo Alto to visit the Elizabeth Gamble Garden, where you’ll find more traditional formal gardens as well as “working beds” – a terrific place to see summer flowers like foxgloves, zinnias, and massive dahlias (the size of plates!) in full bloom. In the Woodland Garden, you’ll find the shade created by the magnolia trees and maples brightened by white, purple and pink hydrangeas. The Elizabeth Gamble Garden also hosts great special events like plant walks, lunches and dinners in the lovely house on the property, flower arranging courses, puppet shows and even a Grandparents’ Day Spaghetti Dinner. Free admission, though special events often require a reservation and a fee.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BOTANICAL GARDEN AT BERKELEY

Melanie Hofmann

The collections at the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley, focus on plants from Mediterranean climates around the world — not just those from the Mediterranean Basin but from Australia, South Africa, Chile and California as well. With nearly 10,000 species represented, the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley has particularly robust collections from the cactus, lily, heath, sunflower and orchid families. If you’re looking for examples of rare and unusual plants, however, you might want to keep an eye out for cycads, primitive plants whose origins date back over 200 million years but have been on the decline in the past few hundred years. Near the entrance plaza you’ll see one particular cycad species, Encephalartos laevifolius, which is critically endangered in the wild in its native South Africa. In the Mexican and Central American area of the garden, you’ll see another example of Deppea splendens, which specialists believe has been extinct in the wild since 1986. It blooms with dangling clusters of yellow flowers during the summer. If you venture into the Tropical House, keep a lookout for the surreal looking Amorphophallus titanum, otherwise known as the corpse flower, which is from Sumatra, is one of the largest flowering structures in the world, and stinks to high heaven during the first 12 hours after it opens. It will bloom again in 2013 (keep an eye on the web site if you want to catch it), but in the meantime, even its leaves are worth a visit: a single leaf is over six feet tall. $10/person, children under 5 free.

SAN FRANCISCO BOTANICAL GARDEN

San Francisco Botanical Garden

Located in the heart of Golden Gate Park, the San Francisco Botanical Garden is planted with more than 8,000 plants from around the world, including those rare and endangered plants that are the objects of conservation. Check the site to see what’s in bloom, and don’t miss the “cloud forests” – gardens that have the same conditions as rainforests at high elevations in Mexico, the Andes, and Southeast Asia. There you’ll find some of the garden’s most treasured plants, like the golden fuchsia (Deppea splendens) from Mexico and a type of passion flower called Passiflora parritae native to Andean cloud forests. San Francisco Botanical Garden is in fact one of the only outdoor gardens in the world that can grow these species, largely thanks to Bay Area fog mimicking high altitude cloud cover. Free admission.

THE RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN

In 1971, the last bits of the Bancroft family’s walnut orchard were cut down, and Ruth Bancroft took it upon herself to create a world-class garden of water-conserving plants in its place. Today the Ruth Bancroft Garden is home to hundreds of succulents and trees that don’t need much water, such as flowering aloe plants like Gasteria polita, which has cascades of tubular flowers; the propeller plant (Crassula falcate ), a native of South African with red blooms; Parodia warasii,  a native cactus from South America that is spherical in shape and bears clusters of lemon-yellow flowers that perch at the very top of the plant; and a 25-year-old Agave colimana plant, the likes of which are rarely found cultivated in gardens. The Ruth Bancroft Garden has all sorts of events should you need a special incentive to visit: pruning classes, yoga in the garden, and summer plant sales, just to name a few. $10/person, children under 12 free. Free entry on the first Tuesday of every month.

HAKONE

Flickr: Thomas Pix

Fans of Japanese gardening should not miss Hakone in the hills of Saratoga, established in 1917, listed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and reportedly the oldest Asian-style estates and gardens in the Western hemisphere. Hakone’s lineage is impressive: the property is a replica a Japanese estate garden, and it was designed by one of the descendents of the families of gardeners that tended to the imperial gardens. Explore Hakone’s Hill and Pond Garden, where the sound of water accents the carefully designed aesthetics, the mossy tea garden, which is traditionally used as a serene place to purify one’s hands before a tea ceremony, and the Bamboo Garden, which is cared for by the Bamboo Society and includes specimens from around the world. $8/person, free for children under 4

– By Meghan Laslocky

 

Seven Quiet Spots to Read Outdoors

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Updated: June 2, 2014

Flickr: Brit Selvitelle

One of the best parts of summer are the moments when you don’t have to be anywhere or do anything and you have a really fantastic book to sink into, or a deliciously long magazine article, and a pair of sunglasses and the sun is shining.

If you don’t have a backyard, it can be hard to find the perfect spot to stretch out and immerse yourself in a story without a barista glaring at you while you sit for three hours on the patio, nursing one tea. So whether you’re looking for a great sunny spot for a read on the weekend, or if you’re at work and looking for an outdoor break, check out these spots. Warning: The views can be distracting, but a little daydreaming doesn’t hurt.

Flickr: rick

1. ROOF OF SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE, NORTH BEACH 

This little-known spot is a refuge from the crowds in North Beach and Lombard Street in the summers. The building itself is generally open to the public and you can check out the galleries and the adorable fountain in the entrance. But the real secret spot is the roof, which looks out over the Bay. The friendly security guards won’t bother you at all and there are bathrooms!

2. MCKINLEY SQUARE PARK

If you’re looking for a park with a view in San Francisco, but don’t want to be bothered by a nearby party, head to McKinley Square, at the top of Potrero Hill off 20th and Vermont. Here you can bring a blanket and, if it isn’t too windy, lay with your book in the sun for hours, pretty much alone except for a few locals walking their dogs (the lawn is an off-leash dog area, but there are very few dogs around). When you’re done reading, check out the nearby community garden, then walk down Vermont, the genuine most crooked street in San Francisco.

3. BENCHES OVERLOOKING CHINA BASIN

China Basin is best known as the home of the San Francisco Giants, but when the team’s not playing, it’s an area that deserves exploration. Start in Dogpatch and ride your bike along Terry A. Francois Boulevard until you find the perfect view of piers and ships and the right picnic table or bench to watch it from, when you need a break from your book. While it’s rapidly changing, there’s still something a little other-worldly about this once industrial part of town.

4. JACK LONDON SQUARE DOCKS

Sometimes the quiet place can be as small as a bench surrounded by other people. The Jack London Square docks are a good place to become immersed in your own silent moment while the hustle and bustle of traffic goes on around you.

Flickr: jdnx

5. STERN GROVE 

If you’re searching for a quiet place with trees and solitude, try Stern Grove in the outer Sunset (during the week when no concerts are happening). Bring your book and a blanket and pretend like you are a woodland fairy for the afternoon.

6. CRISSY FIELD 

Crissy Field can be a little bit hectic on a sunny weekend day with all the beach-goers. It can also be windy. That said, it has a wonderful view and plenty of places to spread out a blanket (maybe bring another one to wrap yourself up in) and while away an afternoon. One excellent bonus: great people watching when you finish your book!

7. BERKELEY ROSE GARDEN 

The nice thing about the Berkeley Rose Garden is that no supplies are needed for maximum enjoyment and relaxation. No blankets, no chairs — just bring yourself and your book and you will find benches and steps to sit on and roses all around you to smell. It’s not hard to find a nice secluded spot and if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on your attitude about such things) you might run into a wedding.

 

– By Lizzy Acker

 

Secrets to Scoring Last-Minute Campsites

11 Comments

Updated: June 2, 2014

David Woo

Not everyone is a planner. Not everyone, while bundled in January fleece and dodging rain puddles, can imagine ahead to balmy summer months and envision pitching tents under the stars and building bonfires for s’mores. So camping in California can be a little unforgiving for those of us who like to fly, if just a little, by the seat of our pants; who get inspired mid-week on a sunny day and want to go camping NOW. Luckily, if you forgot to book through recreation.gov or reserveamerica.com last winter, you can still find great camping – last minute – this summer. Here’s how.

NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS.

Unless you are very, very lucky, there is no such thing as last-minute summer camping here.  The big national and state parks (like Yosemite, Big Sur, etc.) and popular campgrounds can vanish within hours after the reservation windows open (most parks open up availability for campsite reservations six months out, so if you want a spot in June, you should get online in December).  However, if you absolutely must go to a national or state park, then try these tricks.

  • Walk-in

Some parks reserve a certain number of campsites for “walk-ins.” These sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. If you arrive to find all the sites are taken (which is very likely as some people from the reserved camps extend their visit by moving here), your best option is to stalk a site like prey: Go a day early and ask campers when they’re leaving. Then you can hotel/motel it your first night and be waiting at the walk-in sites at 8 a.m. when campers start packing up.  You could also rough it with a wilderness permit for a couple of nights until your luck comes for a walk-in, but this could add stress to what shouldn’t be stressful. (PS: If you’re up for this kind of adventure, the National Park Service has published a handy list of non-reservation sites in Yosemite.)

  • Watch the weather

Another trick for popular parks is to watch the weather.  Mt. Lassen, Shasta, and the High Sierras (including Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia) are subject to closures when the temperatures go below freezing, forcing the roads to close (most due to falling rocks, not the snow) for winter. While the parks post predictions, they could be off, which might leave vast openings for reservations late in the season when the Sierra passes would typically be closed.

  • Visit less popular national and state parks.

This option is much less stressful than the two above. Forget Yosemite. Just put it out of your mind. Make your natural spontaneity (a.k.a. lack of planning) an opportunity to explore less popular parks, such as Mt. Lassen, Calaveras Big Trees, Humboldt Redwoods, etc.).

MUNICIPALITIES

David Woo

On the stretch of coast between Big Sur and Mendocino, finding camp spots is tough during summer months. The only trick here is to hit campgrounds that aren’t part of the state or national park system. There are numerous small campgrounds managed by the municipalities (reservations can be made online or by calling them directly), and you never know what special treat you’ll find.  For example, venture out to Stillwater Cove Regional Park, which is a Sonoma County Park, and you can add abalone diving to your camping adventure.

For the Big Sur to Monterey coastline, head to Veterans Memorial Park just east of the downtown Monterey.  Most don’t know that it offers camping right in the middle of an urban area.  Might not sound all that beautiful but it’s located on a 50-acre park at the top of a hill overlooking Monterey Bay. While not a preferred campground, a Friday night here can have you in striking distance of Andrew Molera or Pfeiffer Big Sur State Parks for the 8 am stalking of the walk-ins. Alternatively, head inland to the Carmel Valley.  Some lovely campgrounds here just to hang out or to make day trips to the Monterey area.

NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

David Woo

The ultimate secret to great camping in Northern California during the summer is the National Forest System. Grab any National Forest Map (available online or at outdoor stores like REI or Big 5 Sporting Goods) and you can be guaranteed open campgrounds with lots of availability.  No reservations required. Keep the Sierra National Forest, Eldorado National Forest, and Inyo National Forest maps handy. These campgrounds, by the dozens, are typically smaller, off the main highways and offer fewer amenities but are no less beautiful than the popular parks.

One perfect example is Fresno Dome in the Sierra National Forest. The campground surrounds a lovely meadow that opens the forest to a spectacular view of Fresno Dome, which is no different than North Dome in Yosemite. Only the locals from Fresno come up and the lack of a water faucet keeps this little gem from filling up. The back side of the dome offers an easy class-three hike to the top, while the front of the dome offers 500 vertical feet of face climbing and sport routes.

Another favorite is Silver Fork Campground in Eldorado National Forest. You can arrive on a holiday weekend without reservations and find the campground far less than full. Situated between Route 50 and Route 88 on the way to Tahoe, the campground overlooks the Silver Fork River, a tributary of the American River.  With lots of backcountry hiking in the Sierras and a wonderful swimming hole to cool off in what is not to love about true solitude?

The National Forest campgrounds are monitored by fabulous campground hosts during the summer months who offer plenty of information and firewood for the all important evenings.

TIPS TO CONSIDER:

Timing could be everything. Go midweek. Or, better yet, wait until after Labor Day. Mid-September, after school is back in session, to mid-October is often the best time: weather is still nice and you avoid the summer congestion.

Think outside the state. Are you pining for the lovely Lake Tahoe? For Californians it’s easy to forget that half the lake is in Nevada, so all the typical California websites will miss the other side.  Nevada State Beach has the best beach on Lake Tahoe and is one of the longest (thus, not as crowded). The best part? You can walk from the beach right into the campground nestled in tall pines.  Sunset over Lake Tahoe is best in Nevada. It’s also close to South Lake Tahoe and the lovely Emerald Bay.

Try fire lookouts. Talk about room with a view. I won’t say any more other than you can reserve them through Reserve America. They just aren’t listed under camping.

Think off the road. Of course, the obvious characteristic of these wonderful off-road campgrounds is that they aren’t along a main highway. It takes more time to get to them, and a map sure comes in handy finding them. You don’t need a four-wheel drive to get there, but there won’t be a yellow line down the middle of the road. They also don’t offer as many amenities. And again, no access to water guarantees vacancy. But these might take just a little bit of planning. Maybe next year.

– By Deb Zambetti

All photos: David Woo

Party with your Parents: Where to Let Loose at Summer Festivals

Updated: June 2, 2014

Where there’s wine, there’s a way. Here are golden opportunities to loosen up and enjoy some wine with your parents. The live music is sure to get them dancing — and you certainly wouldn’t want to miss that.

SAN JOSE JAZZ SUMMER FEST 
Aug 8-10, 2014
Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park
San Jose Jazz brings international musicians, emerging artists and regional favorites to Silicon Valley to play jazz, blues, salsa, Latin, R&B and more at the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. Proceeds go to bringing music to schools and supporting local musicians. Artists slated to appear in 2014 include: Bootsy Collins, Snarky Puppy, Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Pedrito Martinez, and the Otonowa Project.

LOS GATOS FIESTA DE ARTES
Aug 9-10, 2014
Los Gatos Town Civic Center, 100 E. Main St, Los Gatos
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this small town art fair offers local wines from Cabernet Sauvignon to Cypress Chardonnay. Live music and family-friendly entertainment are also available, including a jump house.

PALO ALTO FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Aug 23-24, 2014
University Avenue, Palo Alto
Attracting more 150,000 people from throughout California and the West Coast, the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts takes place on tree-lined University Avenue, offering entertainment, food, arts, and crowd favorite Italian Street Painting.

MILLBRAE ART AND WINE FESTIVAL
Aug 30-31, 2014
Broadway Avenue, Millbrae
The Millbrae Art and Wine Festival is a Mardi Gras-style festival welcomes you to the “Big Easy.” Live music, premium wines and 250 professional artists’ works to see.

– By Nicole Zeichick and Adrienne Blaine

The Most Inviting Outdoor Drinking Spots in the Bay

9 Comments

Updated: June 2, 2014

Lake Chalet in Oakland

In the South, swampy summer weather means Mint Juleps on the veranda. Here in the Bay Area, we enjoy our drinks outdoors as soon as we glimpse the sun’s intermittent rays. Want to sip a G&T while feeling the warm sun on your face? Here are some great places to go.

1. ZEITGEIST

Zeigeist falls under Outdoor Drinking in the Bay 101, the most well-known and oft-suggested place for an al fresco beverage. Want rows of picnic tables, burgers off a grill, pitchers of beer and the atmosphere of the Waffles-For-Dinner night at the cafeteria in your small liberal arts college in the woods? This is your place. Please note: if you are offended by any type of smoking, biker dudes, rubbing elbows with strangers or port-a-potties, I recommend moving on to the next place on the list.

Southern Pacific Brewing Company

2. SOUTHERN PACIFIC BREWING COMPANY

If you like the picnic tables, the pitchers and the burgers aspect of Zeitgeist, but also want to bring your babies and/or puppies along to chaperone while you drink, try Southern Pacific Brewing Company , also in the Mission (the best weather means the best bars with outdoor seating). Here you can get house-brewed beers for a reasonable price and one of the best burgers in the city while paying for the whole thing on your credit card (a rarity in this part of San Francisco)! The crowd here is a little older, calmer and better-dressed than the horde at Zeitgeist. However, the level of fun you will have is exactly the same.

3. JUPITER

A Berkeley perennial favorite, Jupiter is a sweet spot for sharing micro-brews with your friends out on a big patio. Besides the great food and the great beer, heat lamps keep you warm outside so you can drink in the fresh air even when the sun isn’t shining on full blast. And if you go on the right night? Live jazz!

4. LAKE CHALET

Enjoy your drink overlooking a body of water — and even literally out on a dock — at the Lake Chalet. While opinions on the food, service and prices wildly differ, even the most disenchanted Yelp reviewer can’t help but appreciate the view out over Lake Merritt from the renovated Municipal Boat House. Bonuses: affordable Happy Hour and GONDOLA RIDES on the lake! Call ahead to make a reservation.

5. THE TOURIST CLUB

Flickr: Michael Hickey

Pack some snacks and some cash for beer and hike through the redwoods in Mill Valley to the Tourist Club. Make sure you have a map and that it’s open (the hours are very particular for non-members) and carve out a good amount of time for the walk in, some good chill time with a beer in the sunshine and a board game (provided!) and the walk back. A hike, a beer and some greenery on your eyeballs will cure anything you might be suffering from. Repeat as necessary.

6. SONOMA PLAZA PARK 

Little known fact: You can drink alcohol legally in a public park — Sonoma Plaza Park, that is — after 11 a.m. until dark. Goes to show you don’t need to be a millionaire or even gainfully employed to enjoy some wine in wine country. Share a bottle of Two Buck Chuck and some crackers and cheese with your honey in the Sonoma Plaza Park. Watch people go in and out of the stores on the square while you make up stories about their lives.  All you need is a bottle, a bottle opener, a blanket and someone good to giggle with.

– By Lizzy Acker

It’s Showtime! Guide to Outdoor Movie Nights

Updated: June 13, 2014

Flickr: Mariko

From Sixteen Candles to Mission Impossible, dozens of films will be screened outdoors and on buildings across the Bay. Avoid your typical awkward date, cuddle up with that special someone and bring your own picnic (or maybe even your whole living room) — or just an extra sweater for a chilly cutie.

FILM NIGHT IN THE PARK
June 13 – September 27, 2014
Locations vary
8pm or dusk
Free
Spend your weekend off with free outdoor movies in parks throughout San Francisco and Marin County, from Dolores and Union Square to San Anselmo Creek Park, projected on giant outdoor screens. Check out the Marin and San Francisco sites for a full schedule of times and locations.

MOVIES ON THE SQUARE
June 5 – September 25, 2014
8:45pm
Free
Head south to Redwood City and enjoy the warm summer nights of the Silicon Valley with this well-attended outdoor movie gathering. Featuring blockbuster hits like Frozen and E.T.. Don’t miss out on these classics in the comfort of an intimate outdoor setting amongst your neighbors.


WATERFRONT FLICKS
June 12 – August 21, 2014
Jack London Square, 70 Washington Street, Oakland
Free
Unlike your typical outdoor movie, Jack London Square provides the ultimate venue with a beautiful waterfront back drop to accompany your cinematic experience. Enjoy films like Gravity and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at this breathtaking destination.

TEMESCAL STREET CINEMA
June 19 – July 31, 2014
8:45pm
49th St near Telegraph Ave, Oakland
Free
Every Thursday in June and July, the Temescal Street Cinema program is showing a selection of hand-picked documentaries in North Oakland. In the past, evenings have included live music, local food vendors and free popcorn. Check their site for details on this year’s program. Limited seating, so come early and bring your own chair.

Check out KQED Arts for more arts-related ideas.

– By Nicole Zeichick and Adrienne Blaine

How to Find Great Art by Local Artists

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Updated: June 2, 2014

Flickr:BeGreenLee

The Bay Area commands you to support your local artists! Ditch the stuffy halls of the city’s museums (for a day) and celebrate the talented Bay Area community.

LOWER POLK / TL ART WALK
First Thursday of every month, 6pm – 10pm
Polk & Larkin between Geary & Bush, San Francisco

The Lower Polk / TL Art Walk currently opens 20 gallery spaces to the public, including White Walls, Alliance Francaise, Larkin St Youth Gallery, and many more, as well as featured neighborhood murals. This event runs later than most neighborhood art walks, ending at 10pm. Get your art crawl on!

OAKLAND ART AND SOUL FESTIVAL
Sat August 2, Sun August 3, Noon – 6pm
near 12th Street/City Center BART station
Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland
$15

This annual Oakland art festival offers live music on multiple stages, as well as a sprawling art exhibition. Past performers include Lisa Loeb, ConFunkShun, Lyrics Born, Persephone’s Bees, MC Hammer, Indigo Girls, and tons more. The art exhibition typically showcase every genre imaginable, including installation, digital art, dance, photography and collaborations with local colleges and arts institutions.

SAUSALITO ART FESTIVAL
August 30 – September 1
Marinship Park, Sausalito
Adults $25, Kids 6-12 $5, Children under 6 Free

With hundreds of local artists, this festival features paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics, glass, fiber arts and fashion, wood, photography, and mixed media surrounding a main stage with performers. After more than 60 years, this is one of the oldest fine arts festivals in the Bay Area.

Check out KQED Arts for more arts-related ideas.

– By Nicole Zeichick and Adrienne Blaine