Category — Hiking

Can you imagine the Bay Area without Mount Tam, Half Moon Bay Beach, and Henry Coe? Well that’s what the Governor announced - a new proposal to eliminate state funding for our state park system – which will close more than 80% of the 279-unit state park system.  His proposal to cut $143 million from our state parks is 10 times worse than last year’s proposal.

What can you do?

1. Sign the petition from the California State Parks Foundation

2. Donate to the California State Parks Foundation, the only non profit dedicated to advocating for the California State park system.

3. Learn more about the issues and the California state budget.

4. Spread the word!

My sister hosted a fabulous weekend long bachelorette trip at Costanoa. We rented three canvas family cabins with bonfires for each one. We hiked to the ocean along the sandy bluffs, ate at their restaurant, and had a bbq on their lawn. Costanoa is a beautiful retreat located on the coast near Highway One in Pescadero, right between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. Think of this place as luxury camping, with a warming hut and nice bathrooms with saunas. We also hung out in the hot tub area and then karaoked through the rest of the night.

Happy Mother’s Day! I took my mom this morning on a surprise hike and Mother’s Day Breakfast in Henry Coe State Park, located near Morgan Hill and Gilroy. I bought tickets about a month in advance, each person costing $14 for the outdoor breakfast. My family started the morning with a quick one mile walk along wildflowers, oak trees, and madrones.

We saw California poppies and other flowers, including this spotted butterfly.

We finally ended at a campsite where the park rangers set up a nice breakfast.

And at the end of the hike, we were greeted by a great meal of eggs, strawberries, sausage (veggie option available!), potatoes, pancakes and juice and coffee.

We sat in a nice patio table under a shady oak tree, with a view of the park’s forest and skyline, while listening to some live banjo and fiddler music in the background. It was a fantastic day, with the perfect setting for a hike, and a special Mother’s Day for my family. I recommend reserving tickets next year as this sells out every year.

One of my favorite places in the Bay Area is a small community farm and environmental education center for children called Hidden Villa. I took my parents one day to go hiking in their public trails, and we first started by looking at their wonderful vegetable garden where we ran into Hidden Villa’s cat. We then walked by their farms and pasture and then at the start of the trailhead from the creek. We saw beautiful leaves of different colors as we strolled by the creekside. We then hiked up the mountain where we saw the skyline view of neighboring San Antonio Park. Better yet, you can stay at their quaint hostel, which interestingly is the oldest hostel in California. You can also participate in their CSA program where you can buy a share of their produce. Don’t miss this oasis! Hidden Villa is located in 26870 Moody Road in Los Altos Hills.

After kayaking in Point Reyes’ Drake’s Estero, an awesome bay full of hundreds of birds, wildlife, seals and more, my boyfriend and I tried some cool organic places on our way home from Marin.

Our first stop was at Point Reyes Station, a tiny cute village at the southern end of Tomales Bay, next to Point Reyes national seashore. We found a wonderful store called Toby’s Feed Barn, and inside were local and organic produce, honeys, grains, and even organic animal feed for ranchers in the area. Next to the barn was an organic coffee and tea shop and a yoga center. On Saturdays, this barn hosts the only all local, all certified organic produce market in the Bay Area sponsored by Marin Organic. Toby’s is located on Main Street in Point Reyes Station.

Our next stop going home was in Fairfax, another lovely town in Marin County, but much bigger than Point Reyes Station. We stopped downtown and passed a slew of yoga, alternative medicine, and funky clothing shops. But the best thing we found was Lydia’s Lovin Foods, an organic vegetarian restaurant with live and cooked foods. The decor was warm, the waitress very friendly and food was fast. We tried the Ocean Friendly Nori Roll, filled with sprouted almont pate, avocado, cucumber, lettuce wrapped in nori. Vivek got a detoxing special soup made out of cucumber, celery, and more. He also got a side of very Green Salad–this is the way a salad should be, not like the one in Flea Street Cafe. This salad was fresh, tasty, and had a great flavor (We tried the tahini ginger dressing). The cucumber soup and Nori roll really hit the spot. I’d definitely recommend this place; apparently other people have already, it’s won awards last year for best vegetarian and vegan cuisine and best caterer.

You’ve also probably seen Lydia’s sold at Whole Foods, Rainbow Grocery and other health food stores. They’re known for their raw and sprouted cookies and crackers. I definitely think this is worth trying. Lydia’s is in Fairfax, located at 31 Bolinas Road.