Bay
Area Getaways
No area is richer in weekend getaway adventures
than Northern California. You are never more than a few hours away from
a diversity of destinations that are the envy of the rest of the country.
Here are a few of the Bay Area residents’ favorite
outings:
Red wood
National Park
The Redwood National Park comprises a region
of coastal mountains bordering the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco.
It is covered with a magnificent forest of sequoia redwood trees, the
tallest and most impressive trees in the world. The marine and land life
are equally remarkable, in particular the sea lions, the bald eagle and
the endangered California brown pelican.
http://www.redwood.national-park.com/
Mendocino
Coast
M endocino
Village is situated on a peninsula and surrounded on three sides by picturesque
wildflower covered bluffs and crashing surf. Established in the 1850's,
many of the New England style Victorians have been lovingly restored into
romantic Bed & Breakfast Inns, world class restaurants and quaint
shops.
The harbor town of Fort Bragg is best known
for the Skunk Train that takes its riders on a trip through the redwoods
and back in time. The harbor bustles with activity from fishermen bringing
in their daily haul for the local restaurants and charter boats that offer
fishing and whale watching adventures. The flower meet the sea at the
Botanical Gardens, a flower lovers paradise.Just two miles south, you'll
discover the relaxed atmosphere of Little River. Combining a beautiful
coastline and Fern Canyons with fabulous lodging and restaurants, you've
found the perfect getaway from the hectic pace! For fun, you can snorkel
off Van Damme, stroll along sandy beaches or enjoy a round of golf with
an ocean view.The quaint seaside village of Elk is the best-kept secret
on the Mendocino Coat. The spectacular views from the oceanfront Bed &
Breakfast Inns and cottages are absolutely breathtaking and inspiring.
This picturesque hamlet perched upon the bluffs, offers everything from
an upscale wine & martini bar to an Irish pub and dinner house. Plus,
exquisite ocean view dining to casual Cafe's with California cuisine along
Mendocino's South Coast you'll discover Manchester and a Beautiful lighthouse
in Point Arena. http://www.mendocinocoast.com/
Napa Valley
 Wine
Tasting Tours by Limousine! Discover the best kept secrets and hidden
treasures of Napa Valley. Custom wine tours can include: cave tours, barrel
tastings, VIP tasting appoinments, and a gourmet picnic lunch at a secluded
winery. Let us show you the real Wine Country!. Breathe taking hot air
balloon rides in the Napa Valley. Includes: hour flight narrated by your
pilot, replica balloon pin and a Champagne brunch celebration held outdoors
in our own private picnic area surrounded by lush vineyards, rose bushes
and an organic vegetable garden utilized by your Chef. Internet Discount! http://www.napavalley.com
Lake Tahoe
 A
visit to Lake Tahoe can be anything you want it to be. You can ski, hike,
fish, swim or sunbathe, depending on the season. You can spend hundreds
of dollars a night for a penthouse suite at Harrah's or you can roll up
in a sleeping bag and gaze at the stars for nothing.
Enjoy the area winter or summer! Whether you prefer skiing, snowboarding,
snowmobiling or sleighing; or rock climbing, mountain biking, boating
or river rafting, Lake Tahoe is for those who are active at heart. Paddle
wheels or charter boats are available for enjoying the Lake up close.
Fun times await as you discover the different outdoor activities that
abound here. But you don’t have to brave the elements to enjoy your stay
in Lake Tahoe; there’s plenty to do indoors too. Enjoy some of the finest
casino gambling around in such casinos as the Tahoe Biltmore, Caesars
Tahoe, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and the Hyatt Regency – just to name a few.
Lake Tahoe dining is as sumptuous as its landscape.
Gaze upon the Lake as you enjoy many of our fine restaurants. Upscale
cafes, intimate eateries or casual restaurants will satisfy your senses.
Enjoy delicious food, thirst-quenching beverages and great company during
your stay here in Lake Tahoe. http://www.visitinglaketahoe.com/#
Yosemite
National Park
 Yosemite,
with 1,169 square miles of parkland, is 94.5% undeveloped wilderness,
most of it accessible only on foot or horseback. The western boundary
dips as low as 2,000 ft in the chaparral-covered foothills; the eastern
boundary rises to 13,000 ft at points along the Sierra crest.
Yosemite is so large you can think of it as
five different parks. Yosemite Valley, famous for waterfalls and cliffs,
and Wawona, where the giant sequoias stand, are open all year. Hetch Hetchy,
home of less-used backcountry trails, closes after the first big snow
and reopens in May or June. The subalpine high country, Tuolumne Meadows,
is open for summer hiking and camping; in winter it's accessible only
by cross-country skis or snowshoes. Badger Pass Ski Area is open in winter
only. The fee to visit Yosemite National Park (good for seven days) is
$20 per car, $10 per person if you don't arrive in a car. http://www.nps.gov/yose/
Carmel
A diversity of sights and activities awaits visitors to Carmel who can easily
set their own pace and take life as energetically or as leisurely as they
desire.
Within the village visitors can relax, unwind
and enjoy the peaceful, European ambience where they are free to stroll
through meandering streets and explore secluded alleyways, courtyards
and arcades highlighted by over 100 art studios and galleries, numerous
antique shops, hundreds of boutiques and small cafes and restaurants promising
hours of discovery. The best way to see Carmel is on foot. Be sure to
check out the over 60 hidden courtyards where many treasures are found.
A short walking tour of Carmel courtyards is available at the Carmel Visitor
Center office on San Carlos between 5th & 6th. Looking for sea otters,
tide pools and great hiking? Visit Point Lobos, 3 miles south of Carmel
on Highway One. Carmel has something for everyone... http://www.carmel-california.com/
Monterey
T he
Monterey Peninsula offers a treasure of diverse recreational activities.
The Monterey Bay, twice as deep and wide as the Grand Canyon with an abundance
of sea life, such as sea otters and sea lions, is a scuba diver's dream.
For surfers, the Bay offers fast-breaking and challenging waves. And the
fishing, well, it's world renowned with salmon as the favorite catch.
Sailing and whalewatching are also big favorites of visitors. For the
golf enthusiast this is paradise. There are 19 championship courses spread
out amidst the world's most beautiful settings. And if you like tennis,
our year round mild climate will allow you to play anytime.
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary offers
a unique kayaking adventure, combining views of the spectacular coastline
and encounters with local sea life inhabitants like whales, sea lions,
sea otters and an interesting array of aquatic bird life. Rock hounds
will find some challenging climbs in the Monterey area and one of them
is the Sanctuary Rock Gym offering over 5,000 square feet of indoor sculpted
climbing terrain, including a 30 foot faux peak. Hundreds of miles of
superb hiking trails are available or you can take a pack trip on horseback
or a romantic ride on the beach at sunset. For a spectacular view of the
peninsula coastline, try hang-gliding or cruise the coast in a plane.
Rollerblading and biking along the path from Lover's Point in Pacific
Grove to Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey is a favorite pastime. No matter
which recreational or sporting event you choose, it will be a unique,
exciting and memorable experience that you won't soon forget. http://www.monterey.com/index.html |
