Bay Area Things To Do – Suburban Nature Explorations

Mavericks Beach, Half Moon Bay, California

Another summer highlight…. and when did my boy grow taller than me??? Mavericks Beach, located near Half Moon Bay, is famous for the annual big wave surfing competition, Maverick’s, which is held here every year.

Bodega Bay, California

As part of our homeschool studies last year, we did a unit on Alfred Hitchcock movies. One of our favorite Hitchcock films was The Birds. Of course, while in Bodega Bay, we had to check out some of the places filmed in the movie, such as the schoolhouse and the church. But the highlight of the trip was our hike on the Bodega Head Trail…

Finding Calm, Redwood Regional Park, Oakland

The scent of the redwoods…. one of my favorite things. This is my happy place…

Holiday Highlights

One of my favorite things from this holiday season? My daily hikes and walks with my son. These are from our New Year’s Day hike. Happy New Year!

Focusing on the Beauty

Keeping healthy and sane with local daily hikes and neighborhood walks during this period of social distancing….

Swarm: Ladybug Clusters

It’s that time of year, when the ladybugs return to Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, California. I haven’t hiked out to see them yet this season, but I’ve heard from others that the clusters are back (I’ll head out next week to see for myself and take more photos). Until then, here are a twoContinue reading “Swarm: Ladybug Clusters”

Weekly Photo Challenge: Achievement

Reaching the intended destination of any hike is an achievement. The best reward? Gorgeous views all to ourselves. Interested in going? You’ll find info here…. Yosemite Hikes: Gaylor Lakes *** The challenge? Weekly Photo Challenge: Achievement

All is Good!

We’re still here, getting out and about as much as we always have. All is good! I’ve simply been preoccupied lately with getting my piano studio up and running and looking for a new house. Here are a few photos of the cool things we saw on our walk today near our home in theContinue reading “All is Good!”

Las Trampas: Bollinger Creek Loop Trail

Looking for a great trail to hike with young kids in San Ramon? At under two miles, with a variety of scenery, this is one of my favorites spots in the region for a quick escape into nature! Photos taken February 19th, 2014 *** Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, San Ramon, California I’ve written about thisContinue reading “Las Trampas: Bollinger Creek Loop Trail”

Chaparral Loop Trail: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

The Chaparral Loop Trail at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch is a great trail to hike with kids. First, the trail starts at the Greathouse Visitor Center, which, alone would be a great destination for a family with kids. The visitor center is located within the mountain! After exploring the visitor center forContinue reading “Chaparral Loop Trail: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve”

5 Best Places to Bird Watch in the Bay Area

Thank you to guest writer, Ernie Allison, for sharing this article! *** Even though summer isn’t the peak season to witness a heavy migration, the bay area is still full of spots for birders to see some beautiful wild bird species. Whether you’re a local looking to quench your bird watching craving before the migrationContinue reading “5 Best Places to Bird Watch in the Bay Area”

Embarcadero: Flying Chimpanzee Carousel

One of those crazy things you see when you walk around San Francisco… Photo taken November 2nd, 2013 In front of the Exploratorium, on the Embarcadero

San Francisco: The Exploratorium

“The Exploratorium is a twenty-first-century learning laboratory, an eye-opening, always-changing, playful place to explore and tinker. For more than forty years, we’ve built creative, thought-provoking exhibits, tools, programs, and experiences that ignite curiosity, encourage exploration, and lead to profound learning.” – From the Exploratorium website (www.exploratorium.edu) The Exploratorium is the ultimate playground for the mind,Continue reading “San Francisco: The Exploratorium”

Halloween Fun: Spooky Night Hike

Saturday evening, we went on a fun “spooky night hike” at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. My son was looking forward to this event more than to trick-or-treating on Halloween night! Before sundown, we met with our hike leader (a naturalist / pirate), who gave the kids some safety tips before heading out. ThenContinue reading “Halloween Fun: Spooky Night Hike”

Mono Lake: Panum Crater

Due to the government shutdown during our visit to Yosemite National Park last week, we decided to head over to Mono Lake and hike the rim of a volcano instead! Panum Crater, located just off Highway 120 near the South Tufa Area of the Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve, is part of a chain ofContinue reading “Mono Lake: Panum Crater”

Weekly Photo Challenge: Infinite (Pumpkins)

Perry Family Pumpkin Patch, Fremont, California…. an infinite sea of pumpkins! Photo taken October 12th, 2013 *** WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Infinite *** More fun at the Perry Family Pumpkin Patch… climbing the hay pyramid! And more pumpkins… Interested in going? Check out the J.E. Perry Farms website for details: perryfarmsorganic.com/

Ardenwood Historic Farm: Harvest Festival 2013

Today we attended our favorite festival of the season… the Harvest Festival at Ardenwood Historic Farm. The annual ritual if picking our popping corn for the year is more fun than going to the pumpkin patch! Harvest Festival Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont, California October 12th, 2013

I have to admit, I don’t watch TV. And I haven’t seen many movies in the past several years. I do, on occasion, watch PBS specials and documentaries. I was thrilled, however, when I was offered the opportunity to review the documentary, Tell It on the Mountain: Tales from the Pacific Crest Trail. I receivedContinue reading “DVD Review: Tell It on the Mountain, Tales from the Pacific Crest Trail”

Category Archives: Bay Area Things To Do