Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
It is ironic that I found myself standing at the gates of hell yesterday afternoon. Visit the Stanford Cantor Museum (admission is free but donations are accepted). The museum located on the campus is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon gazing at a multitude of Aguste Rodin's sculptures. Highlights include a sculpture garden, an incredible display of the "Gates of Hell", "The Thinker", "The Kiss", as well as several others. It is a lovely place to meet an old friend for coffee.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Day Tripping - Point Reyes National Seashore
This frugal traveler loves to plan weekend day-trips and if you are in the San Francisco Bay area, one must stop is the Point Reyes National Seashore. Located just 30 miles north of San Franisco along the winding but spectacular scenic Highway 1, visitors are encouraged to pull off on one of the many turnabouts and take advantage of the marvelous photo ops.
Miwok Indians were the first inhabitants of this penninsula and the park boasts over 120 known village sites. Enriched with wildlife, natural seascapes, and endless views on a clear day, it is easy to fall in love with Point Reyes. Several hiking trails, museums, and wildlife viewing areas are accessible for visitors.
I recommend grabbing lunch at Perry's Deli in Inverness and stopping at the Bear Valley visitor's center for a picnic upon entering the park. There are several picnic areas to the left, and a museum within the visitor's center. From here you can hike the San Andrea's Fault line and visit a replica of a Miwok Village. Afterwards, travel down the road to the Lighthouse (pictured above) for some whale watching. Drakes Beach is an excellent place to grab a cup of coffee in the cafe and relax while exploring the Ken Patrick Visitor Center. The visitor center has impressive displays of 16th- century marine time exploration, fossils, and marine environment. Another must visit is Chimney Rock. Winter through Mid-April you can catch the bus ($5) to Chimney Rock from Drakes Beach. However, the best time to hit this mile-long trail is spring when the rock is covered in a carpet of spectacular wildflowers. The trail is flat and there is no shortage of views. On a typical day you can spot the elephant seals sunbathing on the beach coves below. The panoramic views of the bluffs, and crashing pacific ocean there may be an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the occasional gray whale making its annual migration from Alaska to Baja.
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