Hike Around DC

by admin 11:32AM March 25, 2008   2 Comments »

by Tim Froemke

It’s that time of year in DC…the spring window between the winter chills and stifling summers. Although there’s still a lot of brown in and around the parks and forests, this is still a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and moderate temperatures – along with the slowly changing scenery…but guess what? You’re not alone: everyone else has the same idea.

hike_dc.jpg

If people watching is your thing, then great. There are plenty of places to hang out and soak it all in. But what if you’re looking for a little bit of solitude? A bit of “I wanna get back to nature” without spending too much time stuck in traffic during the weekend rush for freedom?

You’re in luck…the DC area has a surprising number of parks scattered around its periphery that offer a short drive to a little bit of scenery and a little bit of solitude. Although I won’t guarantee that you’ll be able to completely avoid traffic (this IS DC, after all), I will guarantee that you’ll be able to spend a few quiet hours pretending to be miles away from the hustle and bustle of the capital city.

Huntley Meadows Park
Just over three miles south of the Beltway, Huntley Meadows Park is 1452 acres of natural goodness – complete with an impressive stretch of wetlands (and no, in this case I don’t mean “ugly swampland”). The wetlands can be viewed up close and personal from the 1/2 mile boardwalk that cuts through its heart, culminating in an elevated observation tower offering a commanding view of the area – and its 200+ species of birds. Regardless of the time of year you choose to visit, expect to see at least a few interesting avians – plus a few hard core birdwatchers (you’ll recognize them by the mongo binos, the improbably long zoom lenses, or the evil glares they direct at those who tromp too loudly across the boardwalk).

In total, the official (“formal?”) trail system extends for about 2 miles, alternating between the boardwalk that
stretches over the wetlands and flat, well-maintained dirt paths meandering through a hardwood forest – don’t expect the terrain to present a challenge on this one. When you get done clomping your way down the boardwalk (no jogging allowed!) and oohing and aahing at the wide variety of birds, swing by the visitor center to figure out just what exactly it is you were looking at out there.

To aid in the whole “figuring out” process, there are two varieties of signs liberally scattered along the trails and boardwalk. Along the dirt section of the trail, the predominant signs are small trail maps with large numbers posted in the corner. The numbers correspond with exhibits displayed in the visitor center. Along the boardwalk, signs are large, child-friendly, and emblazoned with short-n-sweet facts about the park, the wetlands, and the species that hang out here.

The park offers free parking immediately adjacent to the trail head and the visitor center is open every day of the week except Tuesday. The park itself is open from dawn until dusk. Check the website for specific hours, a trail map, and a (very thorough) calendar of events – to include nighttime wildlife walks and introductions to birding for adults as well as events tailored for children aged 3 and older (check the website for specifics. Many of these events require both a reservation and a nominal fee).

Child friendly? Yes (very).
Strenuous? Nope. Not even remotely.
Cost? Free, baby! Except for pre-scheduled events.
Parking? You bet – and it’s free as well.
Restrooms? In the visitor center. When it’s closed, you’re out of luck.



Memorial Day Weekend Around San Francisco

by John Vlahides 2:21PM March 22, 2008   2 Comments »

744px-carnaval_san_francisco_2006.jpg
No travel plans? Fret not: there’s plenty to do near home this Memorial Day Weekend.

Bust out your chacha heels—Carnaval returns to the Mission. The weekend’s biggest event draws margarita-swilling hordes for a two-day-long festival, one of SF’s kickinest street parties (never mind the junkies in the doorways). Arrive early to stake a spot for Sunday’s parade, when dance troupes twirl and kick in feathers, sequins and spangles worthy of a proper drag queen. Ride BART or lose your mind trying to park.

Find comfort in Johannes Brahms’ lush chords. I’ll be performing Brahms’ German Requiem—one of the great choral-orchestral works of the German Romantics—under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas, at the San Francisco Symphony. This is music to comfort the living, an inward journey, the polar opposite of Carnaval. Great tickets available Saturday.

Art freaks and drag fetishists: If you lament the loss of SF’s underground experimental-art scene, take heart. Rumi Missabu, of legendary Cockettes fame, is staging one of her tripped-out, avant-garde salons Saturday night, reminiscent of the vintage-1970s acid-soaked midnight shows at the Palace Theatre. Men: Wear an ugly dress if you don’t want to stand out. Conservatives: Stay far, far away.

Tired of your mall-fashion wardrobe? Give yourself a makeover at the Capsule Design Festival, on Sunday in Hayes Valley. Billed as Northern California’s largest festival of independent designers, it’s essentially a street fair for fashionistas, with some of the West Coast’s coolest up-and-coming couturiers.

Dust off the barbecue. If your grilling skills aren’t what they should be, head to Napa for a day-long seminar on Mastering the Grill, at Copia. If you can’t bear to drop $275, let me help you learn how to grill properly—for free.

Beach bonfires are a tradition the first weekend of summer, but the NPS changed the rules for fires at Ocean Beach. Now you’re confined to the fire rings between Fulton and Lincoln. Arrive before sunset to snag one—and hide your beers; alcohol isn’t allowed. The southernmost ring, designed by Burners Without Borders, a Burning Man art collective, is a venerable objet d’art. (If you’re a patron of the arts, consider a donation to this fabulous group.)

Peer into backyard gardens on a stairway walk down (not up) the old, wooden Filbert Street Steps. Keep an eye—and an ear—out for the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill. Begin in the bushes immediately southeast of Coit Tower. For more, pick up the definitive guide to stairway walks in SF, or check out an online sampling by Mister SF.

If you live in the East Bay and can’t bear to cross the bridge, Berkeley will be hosting the Chocolate and Chalk Art Festival. Ooh and ahh at the creation of ephemeral artwork by dozens of artists while you sample sweets by local chocolatiers. (NB: The festival is now held on North Shattuck Avenue, not Solano Avenue.)

Looking to celebrate the old-fashioned way? Unfurl your American flag and head straight to Monday’s Parade at the Presidio. Your VFW granddad would be proud.

Ed note: We mistakenly reported that Opera in the Park would be happening in Dolores Park on Sunday. We regret the error. If you didn’t see this correction before leaving for the show, we hope you had a lovely picnic in the park just the same. —JV

More beaches, hotels, restaurants, and hikes in San Francisco



Road Trips to Take Now

by John Vlahides 1:05AM March 15, 2008   6 Comments »

Did you know that the human eye can detect more shades of green than any other color? Test your vision: California is at its greenest in March and April. If you’re thinking about a road trip, there’s no time like the present to explore the verdant landscapes beyond the megalopolis.

The destination is unimportant. You could drive any road in the state, and it would be beautiful—even I-5 looks good. But for maximum aesthetics, find winding country roads and take your time. Surrender results and enjoy the journey. The following trips are laid out in order of length, with the shortest one first.

california_road_trip.jpg

Road Trip #1: Coastal Overlooks
You can’t beat the San Mateo Coast for verdant springtime splendor—and you can do it in an afternoon. Rolling hills rise from the craggy coast, covered with different species of grass that create a patchwork of subtly different hues. Chase the margin of green along the old stagecoach route, Stage Rd, from San Gregorio to Pescadero. Then continue south along Cloverdale Rd, past picturesque horse farms lined with white split-rail fences. At Gazos Creek Rd, turn right to Hwy 1 north.
Travel time from SF: 60 minutes to San Gregorio, via I-280 south to Hwy 1 south in Pacifica.
What to See: The Pigeon Point Lighthouse, on your return trip north up Hwy 1.
Where to Eat: Duarte’s Tavern, a country-Americana roadhouse in Pescadero.
Where to Pack a Picnic: The San Gregorio Store, a frozen-in-time 19th-century general store.

Road Trip #2: Redwood Forests and Coastal Vistas
Like a plein-air painting come to life, the electric-green hills of West County Sonoma are dotted with goats and cows grazing the knee-high grass. Bring your watercolors. Wind your way northward, via Hwy 1 past Point Reyes and Tomales Bay, en route to Occidental, that tiny storybook village tucked off the main drag. After exploring the town, head west along Coleman Valley Rd to the Grove of the Old Trees, a 28-acre stand of towering old-growth redwoods. Wow at the mighty giants, then continue west atop thousand-foot-high ridgelines, with wide-open vistas of the glittering blue Pacific. End at Bodega Bay.
Travel time from SF: 1 hour, 45 minutes to Occidental, via Hwy 1 to Valley Ford-Freestone Rd.
What to see: Renga Arts, a super-cool gallery of reclaimed and recycled goods transformed into affordable art.
Where to eat: Seaweed Cafe, an outpost of the Slow Food movement, where every ingredient originates from within 30 miles of the restaurant.
Where to pack a picnic: In Point Reyes Station, stop at Cowgirl Creamery and Tomales Bay Foods to pick up succulent cheeses and unusual sandwiches. In Occidental, Howard’s Station Cafe makes a mean BLT; the nearby Bohemian Market has a good deli counter.

Road Trip #3: Wine and Wildflowers
It ain’t easy to reach the Anderson Valley—’the other wine country’— but it’s worth every twisting turn through oak-studded hills surrounding Hwy 128 to sample some of Northern California’s best pinots and Alsatian varietals. Rugged mountains surround the 25-mile-long valley, which stretches along the winding Navarro River toward Mendocino. The unpretentious wineries here are the polar opposite of foufou Napa’s, and feel like what they actually are: farms. Once you’ve purpled your teeth, picnic by the river at Navarro River Redwoods State Park. Then head back to bucolic Boonville and ascend the mountains, via Hwy 253, toward Ukiah and Hwy 101. As your elevation changes, so will the vegetation: orange California poppies dominate, but spikes of purple lupine should be rising through the grass any day now.
Travel time from SF: 2.5 hours to Boonville, via Hwys 101 and 128. You may want to stay overnight for this one.
What to see: The Philo Apple Farm, an old-fashioned organic farmstand that makes its own lip-smacking cider and homemade preserves and chutneys.
Where to eat or pack a picnic: The Boonville General Store uses all-organic ingredients in its fantastic sandwiches and pizzas.

Road Trip #4: Rock Spires and Rolling Hills
You’d never guess you were in Northern California while at Pinnacles National Monument. Craggy rock formations rise from a lunar-like landscape, the remnants of an ancient volcano, that looks uncannily like the Desert Southwest. You can access the monument from Hwy 101, but instead take gorgeous rural Hwy 25. Passing smack dab along the San Andreas rift zone, the road winds through lush valleys abutting the Gabilan Range and its 3000ft-high peaks. Because spring came two weeks early this year, the wildflowers are popping like mad.
Travel time from SF: 2.5 hours. Head to Hollister. Get an early start to avoid San Jose traffic.
What to see: The monument. Budget two hours to hike.
Where to Eat: El Grullense No 3, in Hollister, makes stellar tacos, just like you find in Mexico.
Where to Pack a Picnic: Main Street Bistro, also in Hollister, does good sandwiches.

If your California road trip makes you fall so in love with the state you decide to stay, this California moving company can help you with the relocation.



Marin Headlands Spring Wildflower Walks

by John Vlahides 10:05PM March 6, 2008   6 Comments »

marin_headlands.jpg
March is the emerald month in California, the most spectacular time of year for hiking and roadtrips. From Oregon to Mexico, the hills are greening. The sun is hot. Wildflowers are popping. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to highlight my favorite spots to see the land come alive.

To celebrate the early arrival of spring, take a Sunday-afternoon hike (or mountain-bike ride) in the Marin Headlands. Because the mixed-use trails through the coastal prairie are wide and well graded, they’re ideal for a family walk. And on some of them, you can bring leashed dogs; download the trail map to see where.

Flower hounds: Check the wildflower bloom schedule. The poppies won’t peak for a few more weeks, but you’ll find plenty to fawn over now.

My two favorite walks follow, below. Download the trail map for a visual. And as you explore, remember that in the 1950s, this land was slated for development into ‘Marincello,’ a town of 25,000, with a mile-long mall at its center. Thank God for the Trust for Public Land; if you’re flush, send ‘em a check.

1.) Tennessee Valley. The two-mile-long valley follows a seasonal creek, bordered by century-old fragrant eucalyptus trees. But the money shots sprawl up high in the rolling hills. Take the Coastal Trail, where you can peer down the bluffs to Pirates Cove and watch the crashing surf pound the jagged cliffs. Along the way, you’ll spot bright-orange California poppies, the season’s first purple lupine, and tiny Douglas irises. Loop back along the ridgelines via the Coastal Fire Rd and Fox Trail, which drops out near to the trailhead. No dogs are allowed on the valley floor; instead follow signs up the Miwok Trail, then head over to the Coastal Trail—but you can’t make a loop with a dog.
Park at the Tennessee Valley trailhead, proceed a half mile to the Fox Trail, and loop along the ridgelines toward the water. Alternatively walk along the valley floor a mile toward the beach, then zip straight up the Coastal Trail. To get to the valley, take the Golden Gate Bridge and follow Hwy 101 to the Stinson Beach/Hwy 1 turnoff. Cross under the freeway. Right after the road becomes two lanes, at the hard-right curve, look for the signed turnoff to the left. If you hit the major intersection where Hwy 1 turns left at the traffic light, you’ve gone too far.

2.) Gerbode Valley. Avoid heavy weekend traffic by heading to the less-visited Gerbode Valley, the next dale south of Tennessee Valley. Like its neighbor, it’s bisected by a meandering creek, but don’t linger low: the point it to get up high. The fennel isn’t yet fragrant, but you catch whiffs of summer as you work your way toward the hilltops. Here and there little bunches of poppies and irises peek through the shimmering grass. Gorgeous. You could take the Bobcat Trail east, but I prefer the Miwok Trail, which runs north. Once up high along the Miwok, you’ll have drop-dead views of the city rising between the cleavages of the hills (see the above photo). To the west, the vast blue Pacific sprawls toward the horizon. If you’re ambitious, take the Wolf Ridge Trail (hikers only) for panoramic vistas up and down the coast. Good news for Fido: on-leash dogs are allowed on the Miwok trail.
By Muni: Take Bus 76 (Sundays only). By car: Take the Golden Gate Bridge northbound to the first exit, Alexander Ave. Take the second left, immediately after the hairpin turn leading beneath the freeway. Go through the one-way tunnel with the five-minute light, and continue down Bunker Rd about two miles to just before the lagoon. Park on the north side of Bunker Rd in Rodeo Valley, at the little parking area by the whitewashed clapboard buildings.