Page 85 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE spans the
entrance to San Francisco Bay, opposite.
»
MUST
SEE,
DO
Also in the North Bay, Sonoma and Napa counties are home to acres
of vineyards and dozens of wineries producing some of the world’s
finest wines. Among the small towns full of boutiques, shops and
tasting rooms is the Napa Valley hamlet of Yountville, a foodie dining
mecca, with several Michelin-starred restaurants.
South Bay: Palo Alto & Santa Cruz
In Palo Alto on the peninsula south of San Francisco, lies the bucolic
campus of Stanford University, one of the country’s leading universi-
ties. Neighboring San Mateo County’s coastline still shows its
traditional fishing and agricultural roots. It’s within a short drive of
major population centers yet a world away, with its sprawling arti-
choke fields and miles of pristine beaches. Santa Cruz County to the
south offers visitors a wealth of attractions, including parks and
wineries in its redwood-covered mountain range, and laid-back
beaches where surfers polish their technique.
DRIVE
»
TOUR
Start by crossing the Golden
Gate Bridge driving north,
stopping in SAUSALITO.
Head northwest to MOUNT
TAMALPAIS STATE PARK and
take the steep, twisting road
to the Pantoll Ranger Station
and drive the PANORAMIC
HIGHWAY for ocean, city and
mountain views. Drive to
MUIR WOODS NATIONAL
MONUMENT for a short walk
among redwoods. Head back
toward Sausalito and
Highway 101 and drive north
to the wine country town of SONOMA. Explore its shady plaza,
surrounded by shops, wine tasting rooms and historic sites. From
Sonoma, it’s a short drive to California’s other major wine region, Napa
Valley, and the city of NAPA.
» San Francisco’s Waterfront Spend a morning
strolling the Ferry Building and its food hall, starting with
a cappuccino at Blue Bottle Coffee and explore the city’s
waterfront, including bayfront promenades, piers and
parks. There’s the Exploratorium interactive science
museum, vintage streetcars that whisk you to Fisherman’s
Wharf for a fresh sourdough sandwich lunch at Boudin’s
café, and the historic ships at the Maritime Museum.
Finish the day with a walk over the Fort Mason hill for
spectacular Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz views.
› sanfrancisco.travel
» Wine Country During Crush Sample Northern
California’s top-rated wines during the height of the har-
vest, known as “crush,” in September and October. You
can even join in at wineries such as Napa’s Grgich Hills
Estates, which offers a day of stomping grapes from
Labor Day to Halloween. Or, for a more sedentary time,
have lunch or dinner on the Napa Wine Train that takes
visitors through vineyards turning reds and golds during
the harvest, the season when the wine country’s weather
is at its best.
› napavalley.com
» The San Mateo Coast Plan a trip to the San
Mateo County coast during the height of whale watching
season December through May or to the elephant seals’
breeding grounds at Ano Nuevo State Park, where
docents offer guided tours December through March. In
October, orange pumpkins dot the fields and Half Moon
Bay’s Art and Pumpkin Festival rocks the town.
› sanmateocountycvb.com
» Marin County and Point Reyes A drive through
Marin County to Point Reyes National Seashore is an unfor-
gettable day excursion. Stop at the charming hamlet of
Point Reyes Station and sample local cheese at Cowgirl
Creamery. At park headquarters on Bear Valley Road,
rangers direct you to a variety of outdoor adventures on this
unique geologic peninsula that straddles the San Andreas
Fault. The park’s coastline is a prime point for whale
watching mid January to early May, especially spectacular
from the 1870 Point Reyes lighthouse perched atop a
remote cliff.
› nps.gov/pore
» Sample Local Food The Bay Area is heaven for
food lovers and farmers markets thrive year round,
including at Marin’s Civic Center and in San Francisco
where three of the most impressive are the Ferry
Building, Civic Center and Alemany markets. The food
truck boom also puts the area’s food loving culture on
display with Off the Grid events, including a popular
evening event at Fort Mason on Fridays.
› sanfrancisco.travel
› offthegridsf.com
2015 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A 83