Weekend Sherpa - Get outdoors in the Bay Area

Labor Day Getaways

Weekend Sherpa — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:30:00 -0800

Labor Day Getaways

Did the long weekend sneak up on you? Labor no more. It's easy to plan in a pinch with any of these ready to go adventures.

You've Got Purisima: A 10-mile hike that combines all the right stuff: hulking second-growth redwoods, rich fern canyons, spectacular views, and almost no people!

Good Abbotts: Hike 1.5 miles to Point Reyes' Abbotts Lagoon, a quiet oasis protected from the elements by large sand dunes. Spread a blanket and a picnic. Afterward wander the nearby seashore in search of sand dollars.

Monterey Ramble: Take it easy on the 18-mile car-free Monterey Peninsula Recreation Trail, a converted railroad track that passes forests, sand dunes, sea otters, and icons like Cannery Row, Lovers Point, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Wilder Times: Fat-tire fun syncs up with coastal views and more than 30 miles of well-marked mountain bike trails for all abilities. Wilder Ranch State Park's toothpick-tight singletrack and wide-open fire roads will have you howling with delight.

Keep on Truckin': Tahoe's Truckee River is 5 miles of raucous high-alpine fun. Get the good times flowing on a do-it-yourself float trip using a rented raft, an inner tube, or whatever else will keep you buoyant.

Wild and Wooly: With Tioga Pass open, the drive to Mammoth Lakes is just a bit farther than Yosemite. Hike to Duck Lake, pedal the extensive mountain bike park, and kayak ancient Mono Lake.

Peaking Your Language

Love to hike? Add a little more meaning to your next day on the trail: Join the Breast Cancer Fund for its 15th annual Peak Hike on Mount Tamalpais on Sept. 26. Choose a 7-mile or 11.5-mile route through the Marin Headlands. Men and women are invited to enjoy the company of family and friends, and soloists are invited to make friends along the way. Weekend Sherpa readers—register early and pay just $25 (half off the regular registration!) using Promo Code "Sherpa." Your footsteps will lead the way to eliminating environmental and other preventable causes of breast cancer. After the hike, get pampered with a free massage, an organic lunch, live entertainment, yoga, and learn ways to reduce the risks at the healthy-living expo. In line with its mission, the Breast Cancer Fund strives to make Peak Hike a sustainable event committed to protecting our bodies and environment. Now you're peaking our language!

BONUS: Take the first step: Register for just $25 (half off) using Promo Code "Sherpa."

The Breast Cancer Fund's Peak Hike is on Sunday, Sept. 26. Use Promo Code "Sherpa" and save 50% on the registration fee (you pay just $25). A fundraising minimum of $250 will collectively support the Breast Cancer Fund's work to identify and eliminate the environmental causes of the disease.

Something New

Weekend Sherpa — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:30:00 -0800

"Land of enchantment" might be an understatement. New Mexico is a captivating crossroads of colorful culture and accessible adventure in the high desert. Take an (extra) long weekend to enjoy its earthy adobe architecture, sunsets splashing across hundred-mile skies, ethereal art, and Native American traditions. It's time for something new!

Ease Into Santa Fe

It's not hard to fall in love with New Mexico's 400-year old capital. Revered as the art Mecca of America, one might expect an air of pretentiousness. Not so in Santa Fe where the only thing that creeps into this air is the smell of sagebrush. Get acquainted with its distinctive adobe architecture and high-desert hospitality by strolling the vibrant central plaza. Live music often floats in the afternoon breeze, and vendors from painters, jewelry makers, and kettle-corn gourmets charm the sidewalks. Grab a balcony table at the Marble Brewery Tap Room for an afternoon refresher and a bird's-eye view of the scene. Later, walk a few blocks to explore Canyon Road—home to 90 of Santa Fe's 300 art galleries, ranging from modern abstract to intricate Native American works. For dinner, The Shed is an authentically Southwestern hole-in-the-wall with mouthwatering blue corn enchiladas and green chile burritos (make a reservation); afterward, watch the sun cascade in periwinkle shades over the mountains from La Fonda Hotel's rooftop Bell Tower Bar. Wind things down away from the plaza with live music (Thursdays and Saturdays) at the low-lit, low-key Dragon Room (a celebrity haunt) that showcases Warhol-esque Native American paintings by local artist Stan Natchez.

TIP: Want to really ease into Santa Fe? Warm your bones and slip out of stress at Ten Thousand Waves—a quiet mountain spa inspired by the Japanese onsen. The Nose to Toes massage will leave you feeling like a buttered noodle.

There are flights to Santa Fe by way of LAX. Or, there are direct frights to Albuquerque from Bay Area airports. It's about a one-hour drive to Santa Fe from Albuquerque. Santafe.org has a list of all the hotels in town. The closer to the plaza the more expensive the hotel: Two of the best plaza-side ones are the Inn and Spa at Loretto and Hotel St. Francis.

Taos Quest

Santa Fe's smaller, mellower and more-freewheeling sibling, Taos, is a natural beauty with an eccentric vibe and a dramatic gorge cutting across its gloriously rugged landscape. Head to Taos Ski Valley for a hike with two persuasive attractions—a beautiful lake that's an ideal picnic setting, and a beckoning summit meant for those who want to test their mettle. (On your way, you'll pass through the tiny town of Arroyo Seco; pick up some fresh deli sandwiches at Taos Cow, also famous for its award-winning ice cream.) The trail to Williams Lake ascends 2 miles (one-way) through spruce-fir forest paralleling the Lake Fork of the Rio Hondo. Pop out at the lake and behold the stunning serrated mountain peaks of the Sangre de Cristo range. Cool your feet in the glacier-fed water, eat some of your sandwich, and contemplate your next move. Still have some pep in those legs? Take things to the next level by bagging the summit of the highest mountain in New Mexico, Wheeler Peak. This feat's a little easier said than done. Getting to the top requires climbing 2,000 feet in about a mile! But take heart: This is not a technical ascent requiring ropes or rock climbing—it's a partial scree-scramble that's more about patience (go at your own pace), common sense (afternoon thunderstorms can cut your trip short); and fortitude (yes, you can do it!). On a clear day the payoff is nothing short of grandiose. Views span the high desert all the way to the snow-dusted mountains of Colorado.

TIP: Post-hike, refuel and relish your achievement on the outdoor deck of The Bavarian Lodge and Restaurant (located at the trailhead). A hot après scene in the winter, this Alps-inspired respite is slimmer on crowds during summer. Enjoy hearty goulash washed down with a German hefeweizen..

From Taos drive 4 miles north on NM 522 and turn right on NM 150. Continue for 15 miles to Taos Ski Valley. Don't park at the main parking lot; follow the signs for the Bavarian Lodge, going another 2 miles on a dirt road. Park at the hikers area and follow the trail signs for Williams Lake. Once at the lake, the trail for Wheeler Peak forks left near the wooden sign for Williams Lake. There is another longer and (relatively) more moderate approach to Wheeler Peak on the Bull-of-the-Woods Mountain Trail. Pick up a map at Taos Mountain Outfitters (114 South Plaza, Taos; 575-758-9292). No matter what hike you do, get an early start to avoid afternoon storms. You ideally want to be on the summit before noon. Dog-friendly!

Gorge-ous View

When an outdoor activity is featured on a state's license plates you know it's got to be good. There may be no better place in the world to hot-air balloon than Taos. Sure, it's a splurge, but sometimes you've just gotta take things higher. Go with Ed Smith; he's been running Pueblo Balloon Company for almost 20 years. Help the crew inflate the balloon as the sunrise bathes the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Then clamber inside the basket and get ready for the smoothest takeoff you've ever had in air travel, orchestrated by a little pilot know-how and a lot of hot air. Rise over the desert for a spectacular aerial view of the Rio Grande Gorge. Ready for the close-up? On a fair-winds day, the pilot will guide the balloon into the gorge, getting just feet above the river for a swooping good thrill. Then soar back up into the cool mountain air, gently drifting above the gorge and its iconic suspension bridge—the second-highest in the United States. The pilot will point out landmarks and other interesting wonders, including the largest freestanding volcano (long dormant) in the world, and the curious "ballooner eclipse." The balloon goes where the wind blows, so when it's time to land the pilot will mark the spot. Touch down in a sagebrush-filled field, and celebrate with a post-ride champagne toast and an official hot-air balloon flight certificate. That's rising to the occasion.

Pueblo Balloon Company; 575-751-9877. Hot-air balloon rides are $225 per person. There are cheaper rates for children and teens.

Hike Kili and Save!

Mt. Kilimanjaro (Kili) is the tallest freestanding mountain in Africa and a bucket-list favorite for hikers. But who do you go with? Real Life Adventure Travel (RLAT) has consistently been ranked a top-three tour operator for customer and porter satisfaction. Run by some of the most-experienced guides in the business, and with travel groups purposely kept small, RLAT offers wilderness comfort, safety, and insider knowledge. (It also gives a percentage of profits back to the local communities.) New for January 2011: the Kibo Circuit routes—a series of climbing options created for those who want to hike Kili in style at an affordable price. Get 10% off with an early bird discount by mentioning Weekend Sherpa. Start your adventure with RLAT owner Freddy Chikima, who grew up in the small village of Mbahe at the base of Kili. He'll share lore about his village, people, and culture; you'll also see firsthand the community projects RLAT supports. Then start on the route less traveled by most Kili trekkers and work your way around the Northern Circuit, staying at the scenic (and seldom used) Mori camp, before continuing to Lava Tower, Arrow Glacier and up the Western Breach. Spend the night at the stunning Crater Camp (18,500 feet), before heading for the summit. Kili conquered!

BONUS: Weekend Sherpa readers, book your climbing or safari adventures by Sept. 30 and get a 10% discount on trips. RLAT offers premier safari adventures and has just added gorilla treks and donkey treks!

Real Life Adventure Travel; 877-UGO-KILI.

Bonus Sherpa: Ready Made Marin

Weekend Sherpa — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:30:00 -0800

Ease it up and stretch it out on any of these Marin hikes—all less than 4 miles. Good day North Bay.

Bonus Sherpa: Ready Made Marin

Rodeo Round Up: The Marin Headlands has more points of interest than an iPhone app, and one of the best ways to see them is via a 3.5-mile hike from Rodeo Beach to Point Bonita Lighthouse. The views just keep on coming as you cross Bird Island overlook, go in search of an old shipwreck, detour to the lighthouse, and pass one of Marin's best barbecue spots.

Lake Lolling: Go on a 1.8-mile stroll around the highest and smallest of five lakes on Mount Tam's less-traveled north side. Keep an eye out for osprey and pond turtles.

Inn Love: Grab your favorite hiking partner and some picnic goodies for a 3.75-mile hike on Mount Tam. Start at the elegantly rustic Mountain Home Inn and make your way to the charming 104-year-old West Point Inn; the picnic grounds here dish out heart-throbbing views of the Pacific and San Francisco Bay.

Ring Around the Mountain: Close to Corte Madera lies an unassuming yet expansive grassland preserve that was saved from becoming a subdivision. Meander for 3 miles around Ring Mountain and clamber atop Turtle Rock for panoramic views of Mount Tam, Richardson Bay, and downtown San Francisco.

Humble Gerbode: Just minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge is a bowl-shaped valley with bowl-you-over views. Gerbode Valley is the lesser-known yet equally impressive neighbor to Tennessee Valley, with miles of hiking trails to explore.

Dress Code for Adventure

When the world is your playground you need clothing and gear that can keep up. The kicker? It should look great. Athleta is here to say that women can have athleticism and be stylish too. Their clothing—designed by North Bay locals—is dialed into performance, durability, and good looks. And the only place that has it is their new Mill Valley store. Twist Tops and WorkitOUT Knickers add extra pep to morning runs. Hikers and explorers can weather the elements beautifully, while gym goers and yoga buffs can stretch and sculpt wearing breathable Kickbooty Pants (the name says it all). But there is life after sport, which is why Athleta has apparel that looks great on and off the trail: skirts, skorts and dresses are all part of the dress code for adventure. There's no more need to compromise: Slip into something that fits your active lifestyle and looks great too.

BONUS: Pick up the new keepsake Weekend Sherpa To Go—a series of one-of-a-kind glossy postcards at the Athleta Mill Valley store. Each postcard provides an itinerary for your next North Bay adventure—hiking, biking, and hidden beaches. Visit the Athleta store to collect them all! (While supplies last.)

Athleta, 800 Redwood Hwy, Strawberry Village, Mill Valley; 415-383-3772. Weekend Sherpa To Go postcards are only available at Athleta's Mill Valley store while supplies last.

Night Light

Weekend Sherpa — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:30:00 -0800

When the sun sinks and the moon rises, head to the East Bay and have yourselves a good shine!

Moonlight Wanda

A wilderness icon's old stomping ground is yours to explore under a full moon: Just south of John Muir's historic farmhouse in Martinez, Mount Wanda (named after one of his daughters) is now run by the National Park Service. During summer, park rangers host free monthly moonlight walks up to the 642-foot peak. The trail ascends gradually through grasslands with deciduous oak trees that branch out to humpback hills. Along the way a ranger will stop to recite famous John Muir quotes that sound even more poetic on a night hike through his former estate. With good timing you'll be near the top to see the sun set just as the moon rises above Mount Diablo. For an up-close look at the moon (is it really made of cheese?) peer through a 10-inch reflecting telescope set up at the summit by a volunteer. Stay awhile and enjoy the views. Then head back down the way you came, with the moon as your lantern.

Mount Wanda is part of the John Muir National Historic Site. The next full-moon hike is Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. There is no fee to attend. Reservations are required: call 925-228-8860. Visit the Web site for directions. Bring a flashlight or a headlamp—some sections are not moon-filled. No dogs.

Night Journey

Altogether now: When the lights go down in the city, and the moon shines on the bay, I want to be there in my kayak, oh oh oh oh, paddling away. Create your own soundtrack on a night journey in the Oakland Estuary. California Canoe and Kayak offers a full-moon kayak trip starting at Jack London Square. They'll get everyone outfitted with warm gear, and go over the basics. Then follow the path of tiny lights coming from the paddling entourage as you glide over glassy waters. The combination of moonlight and industrial light provide more than enough illumination as you pass by large barges, weathered tug boats, and the USS Potomac, a retired Navy vessel that was formerly FDR's yacht. The cranes at the Port of Oakland (rumored to have inspired George Lucas' AT-AT walkers in The Empire Strikes Back) spill silvery shadows on the water. Paddle for 45 minutes until reaching the grand view of the evening: San Francisco twinkling in the distance as moon rays bounce off the gentle waves. Sit and bob for a while, take a quick picture, and catch a tailwind back.

California Canoe and Kayak, 409 Water St., Jack London Square, Oakland; 510-893-7833. The full-moon kayak trip is $49. The next trips are Aug. 21 and Sept. 24.

Star Date

Whether there's a full moon, half moon, or new moon, a visit to the Chabot Space and Science Center will have you mooning over their intimate evening program, Dinner, a Movie and the Universe. It's a three-tiered extravaganza, starting with a four-course prix fixe meal on the second floor near the armillary sphere; the space maxes out at 20 people, creating an intimate and conversation-friendly experience. Afterward, wander to the nearby planetarium for the next event: Chabot's advanced digital projection system spans a 70-foot dome and displays an amazingly true-to-life picture of the night sky. Sit back and relax to soothing celestial music as you discover the easiest way to find the North Star, and learn how to identify constellations like the Scorpion and the Bear. Finish things off with a visit to three giant telescopes, Leah, Rachel, and Nellie, all housed in large domes on the panoramic outdoor patio. Sneak a peak at whatever they're pointing at: favorites include the moon, Saturn, Jupiter, and eclectic star clusters. You'll be beaming the rest of the weekend.

TIP: This Friday is 10000: A Skyline Party. Combine live music, cosmos—and cosmos! Tickets are $20.

Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland; 510-336-7300. Dinner a Movie and the Universe happens Friday and Saturday nights. The dinner has two seatings, at 6 or 8 p.m. It's $18 per person, plus the $15 entrance fee. Reservations are recommended. The movie schedule rotates; check the Web site for details.

Supersize My Vacation

Not far away there's an island teeming with some of Earth's biggest natural beauty. Ranked by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top islands in North America, Vancouver Island is a short ferry ride from mainland British Columbia. Plan your great Canadian escape in one of the world's most diverse ecosystems and get ready for big: Big rainforests. Big rivers. Big mountains. And big spaces to roam. This sparsely populated area has so much unspoiled wilderness that bears and bald eagles are more common than t-shirt shops. One hundred years ago the legendary West Coast Trail was a rescue route for shipwreck survivors; today it's a stunning coastal hike along the seashore and through old-growth rainforest; do the entire 75 kilometers on a backpacking trek or just dabble in its beauty by hiking a section. To see one of the coolest (literally) surf breaks, head to Tofino and one of its many beaches, where the swells are huge and the vibe is laid back. Long Beach is just down the road in Pacific Rim National Park where mist covered trees, wide sandy beaches, and untamed waves meet in spectacular fashion. For a kayaking paradise take to the turquoise waters of the Broken Islands and glide by otters, sea lions, shore birds and other wildlife.

BONUS: Supersized dreams can come true. Enter for a $20,000 vacation at HelloBC.com/tripideas

Visit HelloBC.com/tripideas to find trip itineraries for families, foodies, and outdoor adventurers.

Bonus Sherpa: Sweet Sleeps

Weekend Sherpa — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:30:00 -0800

Bonus Sherpa: Sweet Sleeps

Overnight escapes come in all shapes, sizes and locations, from cozy camping and riverside cabins to B&Bs just inches from the wild. Good night!

Yuba Dabba Doo: Mountain biking, inner tubing, and riverside grilling merge in a mountain hideaway on the North Fork of the Yuba River. The Lure Resort's log cabins in Downieville range from bare bones yet comfy to upscale with all the amenities.

Damme Good: Mendocino's got one of the best hike-or-bike-in campgrounds on the California Coast. Van Damme State Park has a hidden stash of nine campsites tucked among redwoods along the banks of the Little River.

Big Deal: Camp in tent cabins in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The 12-by-15-foot wood-and-canvas retreats have private grills and miles of hiking trails outside their doors.

Hostel Behavior: Set in the heart of a national park just 10 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands Hostel has private rooms, dorm rooms, and plenty of room to roam. Stroll among the eucalyptus trees and hike to nearby beaches.

Good Point: Nestled in a bishop pine forest and with just two guest rooms, the Japanese-inspired Osprey Peak Bed & Breakfast in Point Reyes is ahhh-inspiring. Husband and wife owners, David Herbst and Nancy Beck can tell you where to hike, bike, kayak, and picnic.

Vintage Ride

If rolling through wine country conjures images of limos and long lines then it's time to ride SLO style: San Luis Obispo's Edna Valley is one of the most friendly places to cycle among the vines. Within minutes of downtown you'll be winding through country roads en route to 15 mom-and-pop wineries. Pedal the sun-kissed Central Coast on an easygoing loop fit for all abilities. Wheel up to tasting rooms like Chamisal Domaine and sip Grenache from the lavender-festooned patio. Talley Vineyards has a great estate-grown Chardonnay; Wolff Vineyards is worth it just for the view; and Baileyana's restored old school house and bocce courts make a great place to wind down the day. Grab a map of Edna Valley wineries and plan your weekend in San Luis Obispo. It's time to roll!

BONUS: Enter for a complimentary two-night stay in San Luis Obispo, and get ready to toast the Central Coast!

Visit sanluisobispovacations.com to find hotels, information on wineries, and plan your trip.