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Point Reyes: Gateway to Adventure!
Point Reyes is an incredibly picturesque area located in Marin County. It is only about an hour and a half drive from San Francisco but it feels like you are in a different world here, with thousands of acres of wilderness, secluded villages, rolling hills with dairy farms, achingly beautiful beaches, and amazing wildlife. If you look at geologic maps, the San Andreas Fault Line slices through the area like a knife cutting the end off a loaf of bread. Point Reyes is the end of the loaf being cut off. It sits on the Pacific Tectonic plate, the same one as the country of Japan, while the rest of Marin County is on the North American plate. Point Reyes is basically an island that moved up the coast on this plate over millions of years to its present location. Apparently, Point Reyes Peninsula continues to move 3-4 centimeters a year towards the northwest. If it keeps moving it could ostensibly end up in Alaska or something. Crazy, right? Anyway, here are the FIVE most fun, must see and do things in the Point Reyes area.
1. POINT REYES STATION
This tiny town, population 350, was previously a stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad that connected the northern town of Cazadero all the way to its southern stop in Sausalito. After the great 1906 earthquake, this railway was used to haul redwood and other lumber to rebuild San Francisco. The wonderful old Victorian buildings in Point Reyes Station offer a glimpse of the past with a plethora of cute little shops and amazing restaurants. It is a great place to stop, shop, and eat. Places to eat here include Cafe Reyes which is known for its bomb diggety wood-fired pizza and fresh shucked local oysters and the Station House Cafe which serves everything from beer and burgers to fancier fare, all sourced from local farms and creameries. Station House Cafe has it all, from their quaint bar to their lovely outdoor garden seating and there is even live music on Sundays with no cover charge. The Bovine Bakery offers coffee, espresso, and yummy baked goods and soups. Cowgirl Creamery creates delicious artisanal cheeses as well as soups, salads, and sandwiches at their local digs. For more information on the unique food venues here, check out Where to eat in Point Reyes Station.
2. CYPRESS TREE TUNNEL & ART DECO RADIO STATION
From Point Reyes Station, take Mesa Road west to Shoreline Highway. Follow for .2 miles until you come to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Turn right and follow for 10 miles to see the famous Cypress Tree Tunnel. This has been photographed a gazillion times by probably every photographer on the planet because it is so ridiculously amazing. The cypress trees were originally planted in the 1930s. The road through the trees leads to an old white art deco building that houses the Point Reyes National Seashore North District Operations Center and the KPH RCA Radio Station. KPH is the only surviving Morse code coastal station in North America. It was created in the early 1900s and was called the “wireless giant of the Pacific”. For decades, it provided a communication link to ships at sea using telegrams and radioteletype. The station was nearly destroyed after it fell into disrepair, but fortunately, the Maritime Radio Historical Society, in conjunction with the Point Reyes National Seashore, came to the rescue. Today, you can hear KPH every Saturday from 12-4 pm. Special events and weekend tours are occasionally held at the station. For more information see KPH Maritime Radio Station. Where: 17400 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Inverness, California. Note: The only roadside signage is for the “North District Operations Center” and is on the right side of the road adjacent to the Cypress Tree Tunnel. Visitors are asked to park along the highway or follow the driveway to the parking lot on the left end closest to the station. They request that you do NOT park along the driveway next to the cypress trees because it damages their roots. Save the trees, people!
3. POINT REYES LIGHTHOUSE
Continue west on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard towards the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Your travels will become very lumpy, bumpy, and bouncy as you follow the road past bucolic farms with happily grazing Holsteins. These black and white bovines gave me warm fuzzies. They reminded me of my days as a cheesehead, living in the heart of dairy farm country in Wisconsin. The Point Reyes Lighthouse, a national historic landmark, was built in 1870. It was in service until 1975 when the Coast Guard installed an automated light below it. The lighthouse is currently owned by the National Park Service. Although it is not currently open due to restoration, you can follow its progress here: Point Reyes Lighthouse. The most current blog post indicates that it will be closed through January 31, 2019. Even with the lighthouse closed, this is a great area for hiking and has amazing vantage points to view the wind-swept coastline and possibly do some whale watching. If you want to wait and visit when the lighthouse is open, be aware that it is a .4 mile walk down 308 stairs down to the lighthouse. The lighthouse website indicates that they will return to their regular hours (Friday through Monday from 10 am-4:30 pm) once restoration is completed. Wear good walking shoes and bring a jacket as it can be chilly and windy. There is no entrance fee. There are restrooms in the parking area. Please remember to take your garbage with you and respect the property and wildlife here. Where: 27999 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Inverness, CA 94937. Phone: 415-669-1534
4. ELEPHANT SEALS & HISTORIC LIFEBOAT STATION NEAR CHIMNEY ROCK
When you leave the lighthouse, follow the one lane Chimney Rock Road to the right to the Chimney Rock parking area. Here you can check out the history of life-saving surf boats at the station (read about them here), observe the elephant seal rookery at Drake’s Beach, or hike three miles round trip to Chimney Rock for breathtaking cliffside views of the beach. Beginning in December, male elephant seals arrive and are soon followed by pregnant females in preparation for the birth of their pups. Point Reyes is one of only a handful of places on the Pacific Coast where they can be observed. Elephant seals were previously hunted to the point of near extinction for their oil-rich blubber. Fortunately, due to protection, their population has revived. The Point Reyes elephant seal population is now estimated to be between 1500 and 2000. Last year around Valentine’s Day, most of Drake’s Beach was closed due to being completely inundated with these honkers going bonkers! Be aware that no dogs are allowed on Drake’s Beach. It is a great place to stop and have a picnic, build sand castles, or collect driftwood and sea glass. You may want to bring binoculars for better views of the wildlife here. A visitor’s center and restrooms are available near the parking area. For more information see Drake’s Beach. If you enjoy history, by this time you may be wondering what is up with Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Drake’s Beach, Drake’s Bay, etc. Apparently, Sir Francis Drake originally discovered Point Reyes in 1579, named it “New Albion”, and claimed it for England. In 2012, the area was designated a National Historic Landmark.
Photo courtesy of Jay Slupesky @jayslu 5. HIKING AT TULE ELK PRESERVE BY TOMALES BAY
Follow Sir Francis Drake Boulevard east for .3 miles until you come to Pierce Point Road, and follow this for 3.8 miles, staying left. The hike begins at the abandoned Pierce Point Ranch and ends on stately bluffs overlooking the ocean. The hike is 9.4 miles round trip. Stay on the well marked and maintained Tomales Point Trail to view herds of tule elk as they graze overlooking Tomales Bay. Tule elk are found only in California. They get their name from the tule, or sedge, in the freshwater marshes they feed upon. They almost became extinct in the late 1800s but due to conservation measures, there are approximately 5700 tule elk in the wild in California today per the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Studies have shown that they play a critical role in maintaining native ecosystems. The males, with their antlers, remind me of Santa’s reindeer. Apparently, the best time to see the males bugling and fighting with each other over the females is in August through October. Bugling is a call the bulls make to attract the girls. Because they are wild animals, please observe them from a distance, stay on the trail, move and talk quietly, do not bring pets along, and do not feed the elk. The park service also asks that you do not remove any elk antlers as they provide an important source of calcium for other wildlife species. For more information, check out the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Tule Elk page. Restrooms are available at the beach parking lot on Pierce Point Road. Where: Pierce Point Road, Inverness, CA 94937 Phone: 415-464-5100
Helpful Hints:
- I highly recommend checking out the Point Reyes National Seashore Association, it has so much information it could literally be made into a book or even a documentary film. Seriously.
- If you want to check out the weather before you visit, see the Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center Webcam
I hope you enjoyed this post and get a chance to visit Point Reyes. Tell me what you think! Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas.
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Skywalking Back in Time in Nicasio, California
Photo courtesy of Michael Ryan @michaelryanphoto. Ok, you can’t really skywalk in Nicasio, but I’ll get to that later. I first saw Nicasio on a trip back from Point Reyes to Monterey. I love old architecture and the fact that this tiny town was full of old Victorian buildings and cute little picket fences attracted me immediately. Nicasio has a population of fewer than 100 people per Wikipedia but the Nicasio website indicates they have “a few hundred families”. Let’s just say it’s very small. This quaint little town is located in a secluded valley eight miles southwest of Novato and is less than an hour drive north of San Francisco. It is the meeting place of four drainage areas for the Nicasio Creek and is the location of the man-made and quite lovely Nicasio Reservoir.
Nicasio is also home to a post office, general store, volunteer fire department, church, and what has to be the teeny tiniest historical society building ever. There is also a baseball field in the town square, a restaurant, and a Druid’s Hall. I am ashamed to say that at first, I imagined the Druid’s Hall was for people dressed like Gandalf from Lord of the Rings as a place to occasionally gain a reprieve from hours spent cavorting in copses of trees with their walking sticks and long white beards. I now realize they are a fraternal group similar to the Masons or the Shriners, the latter those guys who wear fezzes and speed around in itty bitty motorized cars in parades. They may look or seem odd but they are merely hanging out and doing wonderful philanthropic things to help other people.
Most of the land around the town is filled with peacefully grazing cattle, rustic farms, and vineyards. After driving through town you enter a thick redwood forest to the east which is shadowy, elusive and possibly enchanted. (This is where I initially thought the Druids hung out). Ornithology buffs may be interested to know there is a bird named after the area. The Nicasio chickadee, which is a subspecies of the chestnut-backed chickadee, is a native here, so all you bird watchers should bring your binoculars if you want to catch a glimpse of these feathered friends.
This Victorian school building featured prominently in a creepy horror movie filmed in Nicasio. It is dated 1871 and is a historical landmark. The town was also once home to a 22-room hotel which opened in 1867. Unfortunately, it burned down in 1940. A new restaurant/bar was built on the site and is now home to Rancho Nicasio, which features food, dancing and live music and is a venue for weddings as well as private parties and events. Rancho Nicasio is owned by Bob Brown, who was previously the manager for Pablo Cruise and Huey Lewis and the News. He is also part owner (with Boz Scaggs) of a San Francisco nightclub called Slim’s. His son, a graduate of the California Culinary Academy heads the kitchen. I am hoping to check this place out on my next visit to Nicasio, it sounds amazing!
The very picturesque St. Mary’s Catholic Church was built in 1867 from local redwood. Nicasio has its own website and it is described as “The Marin County town that time forgot”. Time may have forgotten it but it has certainly been the source for modern inspiration. This little town is actually the headquarters for George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch. What? Seriously? Yes, George Lucas can skywalk away here on his ranch and relive his Star Wars and Indiana Jones glory while we mortals are doomed to pathetically shamble about on the ground. That’s life. By the way, Skywalker Ranch is closed to the public, and there are tons of armed security guards patrolling the grounds. I am sorry to dash your dreams of convincing George to let you skywalk with him. Yet, before you are completely crestfallen, let me tell you that George Lucas has his own winery here! Yes, you can drown your sorrows in a big glass of chardonnay or pinot noir from Skywalker Vineyards. Unfortunately, there is no public tasting room at Skywalker Vineyards, they have a private tasting room by invitation only. However, you can order Skywalker wines online at their website: Skywalker Vineyards. The SV website states that Lucas was inspired by his friend Francis Ford Coppola to create the vineyard and winery. Coppola and Lucas have known each other for decades and worked together on the famous 1973 film American Graffiti which Lucas co-wrote and directed and Coppola produced.
Nicasio also served as a film location for a few movies including The People, which stars William Shatner in his hipster years, Shoot the Moon, which features Albert Finney and Diane Keaton (and garnered them both Golden Globe nominations), and Village of the Damned. The latter, shot in 1995, features the Nicasio School as well as multiple homes and landmarks in the area. Village of the Damned is an American remake of an old 1960 British horror film. It stars Christopher Reeve in his last film role before becoming paralyzed, as well as Kirstie Alley and Mark Hamill (aka Luke Skywalker). Before you rush to see this movie, be aware that in addition to being a pretty sorry failure at the box office, it was nominated at the 16th Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel.
Pearl Jam fans may be interested to know that their 1993 song “Daughter” was recorded here. Apparently, it is about a girl with dyslexia. I love this song, especially the part where they yell “She will rise above!”. Just gives me goosebumps.
So now, if you drive through a little town called Nicasio, you will know that there is much more to this pastoral, quiet village than meets the eye. You may want to crank up Pearl Jam and pay homage to George Lucas as you pass through by whispering the following words, “I’m one with the Force. The Force is with me”. Perhaps, one day, he will open Skywalker Ranch or Vineyards to us so we can live our skywalking dreams. Until then, thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness & beautiful vistas.
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Wet Your Whistle at Cowgirl Winery in Carmel Valley
If you love wine, you need look no further than Monterey County. I am blessed to live just over the hill from Carmel Valley, one of the best wine tasting areas in California. Nestled in a valley bordered by the Santa Lucia Mountains, Carmel Valley is picturesque Old Western California at its best. While some of the area wine tasting rooms can be a bit upscale and fussy, Cowgirl Winery’s tasting room, housed in an old redwood barn, is authentically rustic and down-to-earth, conjuring images of cowboys and cowgirls, cattle, horses, saloons, & spirits. With country western music filling the air and plenty of activities on site, you will be rustling up some fun in no time.
The delicious wines here include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cowgirl Red, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Albarino, Blush Rose, & Picpoul. Once you have the Cowgirl Winery bug you will be tempted to return with your family and friends again and again. It’s a fun place to enjoy flights (or single glasses) of wine while enjoying all the sights and sounds, including the super cute old truck parked outside. Cowgirl Winery also offers a “Boots for Booze” exchange: donate a pair of cowboy boots and receive a free bottle of wine. How divine!
There are plenty of fun activities to keep you busy outside while you enjoy your wine. You can play cornhole, practice your cattle roping skills, or mosey on over to the bocce ball court.
They also have plenty of gifts and goodies including handmade jewelry, clothing, books, mugs, and other cute items.
One of my favorite things about Cowgirl Winery is seeing the cute chickens meandering through their courtyard. Want to feed them? You can purchase chicken feed for a nominal amount. Nothing is more rewarding than watching a fuzzy butt chicken waddle to you as fast as possible on her little legs to get a treat.
FYI: Anyone caught chicken rustling will be hauled in a paddy wagon to the local jail where they will be forced to stomp enough grapes to fill every wine barrel in the county. Well, maybe not quite that many. Who can say?
Cowgirl Winery was started in 2012 by Walter and Sylvia Georis, who own nearby Georis Winery. They wanted to celebrate the unique ranch culture of Carmel Valley and pay tribute “to the women who ran ranches, rode horses, and tended to the herd – but most importantly raised families and built communities”. I think you will agree that they have done a fine job.
There is no better place to wet your whistle so stampede on over to Cowgirl Winery and wrangle yourself up a drink. And remember, don’t squat with your spurs on and never kick a cow chip on a hot day.Where: 25 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93924Phone: 831-298-7030Hours: 11:30 am -4:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 am -6 pm Friday & SaturdayWebsite: Cowgirl WineryHelpful Tips:- Dogs on leashes are allowed.
- Well supervised children are allowed.
- Food is available for purchase, including artisan cheese boards and wood oven pizza from nearby Corkscrew Cafe.
- No outside food or wine may be brought to the premises.
- No smoking is allowed.
- Reservations may be made by phone.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Hive & Hum, Living Inspired in Santa Cruz
I had heard great things about Hive & Hum, but I was not prepared for how amazing it would be. I was glad I visited in December, which allowed me to see their fabulous holiday decor. Their Instagram account states they are “an urban mercantile of home, lifestyle & garden and adventures in interior design”. Their motto is “live inspired” and inspired you will certainly be when you walk through the door.
Hive & Hum is a great resource for decorating your home, buying a gift for someone, or locating a unique piece that you won’t find in your local chain store. Think Anthropologie ingenuity meets California originality. It’s a very warm, inviting, and creative setting. “Only good vibes” reads their hashtag on Instagram, and so it is. Super positive energy abounds here.
I was surprised at how large the store is. It is so roomy and airy and inspiring vignettes tantalize around every corner.
Hum & Hive also has handmade jewelry, books, candles, and yes, honey for sale! Other thoughtfully curated items include organic textiles (I really love the handmade Morrocan rugs), gorgeous lighting fixtures, plants, floral arrangements, and the list goes on and on. Interior decorating services are also available.
I love all the oversized wall quotes, from Dalai Lama to Audrey Hepburn! Give yourself plenty of time to explore all the wonderful treasures here. Many pieces of artwork are created locally.
Local art by Mckella Jo, photo courtesy of Hive & Hum. It is located in a great spot, next to the renowned organic River Cafe, which has a huge outdoor pet-friendly deck filled with comfy seating. There is a Patagonia shop on the other side, and around the corner, there is a quaint little antique shop. I highly recommend Hive & Hum. Support local artists and craftsmen as well as small businesses!
Where: 415 River Street, Santa Cruz, Ca 95060.
Phone: 831-421-9028
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-5
Website: Hive & Hum
Don’t forget to check out their Facebook, Instagram & Twitter accounts @hiveandhum for more inspiration!
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness and beautiful vistas.
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Pebble Beach & 17-Mile Drive’s Beautiful Vistas
Pebble Beach is well known for its golf courses and mansions, but it is also home to some fabulous beaches and exquisite ocean vistas. Both rugged and romantic, this area is sure to captivate you. Bird Rock, Fanshell, Moss, Seal Rock, Spanish Bay, and Stillwater Cove are some of the beautiful public beaches you may see when you enter 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. Spanish Bay Beach
I advise entering 17-Mile Drive at the Pacific Grove gate on Sunset and starting at Spanish Bay Beach, the northernmost beach in Pebble Beach. It lies at the bottom end of Asilomar State Beach. It has a wide, sweeping beach flanked by sand dunes and the Spanish Bay golf course. It is named after Spanish explorers who camped here in the 1700s during their search for Monterey Bay. A wooden boardwalk takes you north to Asilomar and south to Moss Beach. Surfing is big here, but wading and swimming are not recommended due to strong rip currents.
China Rock was initially the site of a Chinese fishing settlement in the 1800s. The Restless Sea, Point Joe & China Rock
After visiting Spanish Bay Beach, continue back onto 17-Mile Drive and head south to the Restless Sea, Point Joe & China Rock. They are bordered on the east by Monterey Peninsula Country Club. The Restless Sea is considered one of the most turbulent wave areas in Pebble Beach and in the past was the site of many shipwrecks. Point Joe was named for a man called Joe. Not Joseph, Joaquin, Joshua or Jonathan, just plain old Joe. Anyway, plain old Joe lived in a driftwood hut here in the early 1900s and sold (no, not drugs!) trinkets. I wonder what plain old Joe would think today if he saw what had sprung up around his original little shack. A bit of a shock, perhaps.
Sea otters are just the cutest. I love when they float around on their backs holding hands. Bird Rock & Seal Rock
Further south are Bird Rock and Seal Rock. They are bordered on the east by Spyglass Hill Golf Course. Bird Rock is a haven for pelicans, cormorants and sea lions. You may also see sea otters frolicking in the water or gray whales during their winter migration.
Fanshell Beach
Fanshell Beach is next on 17-Mile Drive with amazing vistas of Cypress Point and the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered on the east by Cypress Point Golf Club. I must shell you that I am a big fan of this beach because babies are born here! That’s right! Harbor Seals give birth to their pups in this area in the spring. Be aware that areas of the coastline may be closed from April through June to protect the moms & their babies.
Cypress Point Lookout
Continuing south to Cypress Point Lookout you will enter the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest. It is a magical forest because it is home to the rare Monterey Cypress. Monterey Cypress trees are truly enchanting; they can top out at 70 feet tall and live up to 300 years! At Cypress Point Lookout you will also see views of the national marine sanctuary, Carmel Canyon, which is a part of the 10,000 foot deep Monterey Canyon. Be aware that the sanctuary is surrounded by a high, chain link fence.
The Lone Cypress
The Lone Cypress is the next stop. This tree is the official symbol of Pebble Beach. Perched on a granite hillside off 17-Mile Drive, the iconic Lone Cypress is said to be as old as 250 years, which would conjoin its beginnings to those of the USA. In 1768, founding father Samual Adams wrote a letter opposing taxation without representation and calling for the colonists to unite in their actions against the British government. And of course, we all know how that came to play out!
Pescadero Point
After the Lone Cypress, you will pass the Ghost Trees at Pescadero Point. This was the setting for the famous “Witch Tree” which was used as a creepy background in movies and television until it was blown down during a storm. Pescadero Point is also a big surfing area with winter waves as high as 50 feet.
A rite of passage for local kids is jumping off the end of the pier at Stillwater Cove. Stillwater Cove
The final destination is Stillwater Cove. This is a narrow beach accessible below the Pebble Beach Golf Course. It is a great scuba diving site. Paddleboarding and kayak tours from Stillwater Cove into the nearby Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary are also fun activities here. To get to this beach, follow 17-Mile Drive to Palmero Way, then continue on Cypress Drive to the end of the Beach Club. There will be signage to guide you.
Helpful Tips:
- Check out the online 17-Mile Drive map beforehand (or pick up one at the entrance).
- Drones and motorcycles are not permitted in Pebble Beach.
- It is often very windy and chilly here, bring a warm jacket or coat.
- Bicyclists can enter for free through the Pacific Grove Gate.
- Follow the signs and red-painted dash lines on the road to stay on the legal route. No vigilantes are allowed here except for Clint Eastwood.
- The $10.25 entrance fee is waived if you will be dining or staying at a Pebble Beach restaurant or inn, or you can get a refund if you spend at least $35.00 at most Pebble Beach businesses.
- There are four primary entrances: the three most frequently used are Hwy 1 at Hwy 68, the Pacific Grove gate on Sunset, and the Carmel gate on San Antonio. I recommend starting at the Pacific Grove gate on Sunset if you only want to see the ocean views; you can then depart through the Carmel gate at the base of Ocean Ave.
- Check the weather before you visit via Pebble Beach webcam.
- The worst time to visit is during the U.S. Open Golf Tournament in June and the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February due to heavy traffic. The drive also closes on the third Sunday in August for the Concours d’Elegance classic auto show.
- Restrooms are available at Bird Rock and the Visitor’s Center near the Lodge at Pebble Beach.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness & beautiful vistas!
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Swoon in Half Moon (Bay) & San Gregorio Lagoon
Okay, you may not actually faint or be overwhelmed with ecstatic joy at the sight of Half Moon Bay or San Gregorio Lagoon. I was perhaps a bit hyperbolic (and it rhymed!). Nonetheless, I think you will at the very least be charmed by this lovely area. Half Moon Bay conjures up images of a peaceful bay with celestial light reflecting on rippling ocean waves. It is this and so much more. Located just 25 miles south of San Francisco and 91 miles north of Monterey, it is an area full of history, natural beauty, and fun shops. 
These pumpkins are so huge I can picture one being turned into Cinderella’s coach, just like in the fairytale! The Art & Pumpkin Festival
It is also home to the famous annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival. This event started in 1971 and is one of the oldest and largest festivals in California, attracting more than 200,000 visitors each year in October. It features all things pumpkin, including pie, pancakes, bread, cheesecake, sausages and ice cream. There is a costume contest, a pie-eating contest, and other fun activities for all ages. There are also arts and crafts featuring local artisans and live musical talent. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off brings pumpkin farmers from all over the country. In 2018, a man from Oregon won the contest for the fourth time with a behemoth pumpkin weighing 2,170 pounds, the second heaviest pumpkin ever entered in the contest.
History of Half Moon Bay
During the 1700s, a Spanish Mission used the area as grazing land for cattle, horses, and oxen. It did not officially become a town until the 1840s. Its original name was “San Benito”, followed by “Spanishtown”. It was renamed Half Moon Bay in 1874. Today, you can still see historic buildings built during the 1800s in the downtown area. An interesting anecdote about Half Moon Bay is that it was used by “rum runners” during Prohibition due to its profusion of numerous hidden coves and its consistently dense fog.
The Methodist Episcopal Church in Half Moon Bay is on the National Register of Historic Places. 
If you didn’t go to church, you were sent next door. Not a good place to be! Beaches and Surfing at Half Moon Bay
There are several state beaches at Half Moon Bay including Surfers’ Beach, Dunes Beach, Venice Beach, and Francis Beach. The water is extremely cold and windy, and the weather often foggy, rendering it an unpleasant place to sunbathe or wade except during the warmer months in early fall. If you are a surfer with a wetsuit, however, this place is the cat’s meow. At the north edge of Half Moon Bay, off Pillar Point, is a famous surfing area, the Mavericks. Here, waves cresting 50 feet or more draw world famous surfers.
This breathtaking photo of the Mavericks courtesy of photographer Bryan Pezman @pezmanb Other Recreational Activities
If you are not into surfing, there is a scenic oceanfront trail running from Pillar Point Harbor to southern Half Moon Bay. There are also opportunities to go sea kayaking or paddle boarding. You can also take whale-watching tours here.
Pillar Point Harbor is actually and factually in nearby Princeton-by-the-Sea, just FYI. History of San Gregorio State Beach
San Gregorio State Beach lies just 11 miles south of Half Moon Bay. The area is historically significant because Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola camped here in the 1700s during a failed expedition to reach Monterey Bay. He and his crew eventually headed north to discover San Francisco Bay. Today, it is a great place to hang out and enjoy the gorgeous coastal views, have lunch, or hike on the many trails winding along the ocean’s edge. Numerous picnic tables and restrooms are available here. Be aware that dogs are not allowed as the beach is a nesting habitat for the shrinking population of western snowy plovers. Hours are daily from 8 am to sunset.
Importance of the Lagoon
The San Gregorio Creek forms a freshwater lagoon and was originally a coho salmon spawning site. Today, juvenile steelhead in the lagoon undergo a process called “smolting”, which enables them to prepare for life in the open sea. During the winter, the sandbar separating the lagoon from the ocean washes away and the matured steelhead swim out to sea.
Helpful Links: Pumpkin Festival, Half Moon Bay, San Gregorio
I hope you enjoy Half Moon Bay and San Gregorio Lagoon as much as I did! Wishing you love, peace, happiness, & beautiful vistas!
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Glorious Garlic: Visiting Gilroy, the Garlic Capital
Gilroy and garlic are nearly synonymous in my neck of the woods. Gilroy, located in Santa Clara County about 35 miles south of San Jose, is considered the garlic capital of the United States. Before it was the garlic capital it was the prune capital (maybe this is how nearby Prunedale received its name?). Those prune pickers didn’t make much money, however, and people turned to growing garlic instead. During garlic season, from July through October, people can often smell Gilroy before they can see it. Some people have reported smelling the garlic as far south as Salinas and as far north as San Jose. Humorist Will Rogers described Gilroy as “the only town in America where you can marinate a steak by hanging it on the clothesline.” Gilroy does not lead the world in garlic production, however. It is called the garlic capital because Gilroy Foods processes more garlic than any factory in the world. Almost all pickled, minced and powdered garlic found in grocery stores worldwide comes from Gilroy Foods. Christopher Ranch is the largest commercial garlic producer here.
One of the most popular events in Gilroy is the annual Garlic Festival. The three-day long festival, held the last weekend in July, features everything garlic, including garlic-laced sausage and calamari, garlic pasta, garlic fries, garlic bread, and even garlic ice cream! The festival includes not only garlic delicacies but also beer and wine, arts & crafts, live entertainment, garlic-braiding workshops, and cooking competitions. Celebrity chefs such as Giada De Laurentiis have even made appearances. The festival is held outdoors at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy, and draws more than 100,000 people. It is a major fundraiser for local charities. This year saw the initiation of Garlic Train service from San Francisco and San Jose to Gilroy for the festivities.
How many opportunities do you get to pose inside a giant garlic bulb? Seriously? I passed but I still regret it. Helpful Hints for the Garlic Festival:
- Friday is the least crowded day at the festival
- It can be extremely hot, make sure to stay hydrated and bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- The following items are prohibited from the event: alcohol, bottles or cans, coolers, frisbees or water projecting devices, and pocketknives or weapons of any kind
- No pets are allowed except for service animals
- No RV parking is available
Garlic pancakes, anyone? 
The old City Hall, circa 1905, has been converted into a restaurant. It is also used to impale any objects unfortunate enough to come near its spiked tower. If you want to beat the heat and crowds at the Garlic Festival, there are still plenty of garlicky things to do in Gilroy the rest of the year. You can take a walking tour of the historic downtown area, which features dozens of amazing homes and buildings, including many structures designed by eminent California architect W. H. Weeks. Walking tour maps are available at the Gilroy Welcome Center and also near public parking downtown. You can visit the Garlic City Cafe, the Garlic City Casino, or Garlic World. You can even get a garlic flavored beer at Golden State Brew & Grill and then head out to hit some golf balls at the Garlic Country Driving Range. The possibilities are endless. As is the bad breath. Which is good if you want to ward off vampires, but not good if you are looking forward to kissing someone under the mistletoe! Some studies have shown that drinking milk while you consume garlic can help neutralize this effect, and other studies have shown that consuming garlic with mushrooms and basil may also be effective. I say the solution is to eat more pizza. It has cheese which is made from milk, and who doesn’t like mushrooms, basil, and garlic on their pizza?
If you enjoy wine, there are nearly two dozen wineries in the area including Stomping Ground, Heller Winery, Sarah’s Vineyard and more. After a glass of wine, you can head eight miles northeast of Gilroy to the famous Victorian resort, Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs, a California Historical Landmark. Other local fun spots include Gilroy Outlet Center, Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park on CA State Route 152 and Mount Madonna County Park also on 152.
Directions: From San Francisco take Hwy 101 southeast approximately 84 miles. From Monterey, take Hwy 156 northeast approximately 41 miles.
Helpful Links:
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Goat Hill Fair in Santa Cruz County
I had so much fun at the Goat Hill Fair today! If you love farmhouse decor and friendly folks you will love Goat Hill Fair, a biannual antique and vintage treasure event held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds near Watsonville, CA. It is primarily an indoor event with over 100 vendors featuring amazing and beautiful items in three large buildings.
I love this chippy paint baker’s table! Goat Hill Fair began in 2011 by organizer Cyndi Garofalo. It has grown substantially over the years. Once you go you will be hooked! People often return, year after year. For many, it offers a special girlfriend or Mom & daughter bonding experience. Certainly, some gentlemen will enjoy Goat Hill Fair as well!
A plethora of beautiful succulent arrangements. You will find all kinds of fun and interesting items at Goat Hill from architectural salvage items to vintage and antique furniture and decor, folk art, jewelry, wreaths, floral/succulent arrangements, and handmade items. It is very artfully curated and exceptionally organized. You will find great gift ideas as well as festive decor for your home.
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds – 2601 E. Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076
When: Two shows per year, one in November and one in May. Shows are held for two days, both Saturday and Sunday. 2019 show dates are May 18-19 and November 9-10.
How Much: Tickets sold online and at the gate – $10.00 (good for both days)
Hours: 10 am to 4 pm Saturday and 10 am to 3 pm Sunday
Helpful Tips:
- I would highly recommend purchasing the “Early Goat” tickets that enable admission at 8:30 am, to avoid the huge crowds later. These can be purchased online and are $25.00.
- Free and abundant parking, including handicapped parking, is available
- A variety of food & beverage vendors are available and there is also a bar with beer, wine, Bloody Marys, & mimosas
- A covered tent with seating for dining is available
- No pets are allowed except for service animals
- Purchased items can be held for you at a central kiosk, make sure to get your kiosk ticket from the vendor after you pay for your item(s)
Website: Goat Hill Fair
Phone: 408-221-5054
Email: cyndi_garofalo@yahoo.com
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness and beautiful vistas!
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Notable Reads: November Book Bucket List
There is nothing more satisfying than finishing a good book. Because I am currently laid up with a broken foot and can’t pursue hiking and other fun outdoor pursuits, I find I have much more time to read! Here is my list of notable reads for November. I would highly recommend all. If you like to read a book before watching the movie you may like to know that the first three books on my list have been made into movies to be released in the near future.
1. Beautiful Boy, by David Sheff. For those of you who are parents, your heart will break as you hear the story of how Sheff’s brilliant and beautiful son Nic begins a tormented life of addiction. This life involves multiple rehabs, stealing from and lying to his family, and near death episodes, followed by periods of recovery we silently hope will lead to a happy ending. Sheff relates how this experience affected him and his family. At one Al-Anon meeting, Sheff writes “As I’m speaking in a rush of tears and panic, I think, Someone else is talking. This is not my life. Finally, drained, I say, ‘I don’t know how all you people in this room survive this.’ And I cry. So do many of the others.” Sheff reveals how Nic’s two younger siblings react to his addiction. His daughter Daisy asks “Do you know why that guy does drugs?” His son Jasper replies “He thinks it makes him feel better…I don’t think he wants to do them, but he can’t help it. It’s like in cartoons when some character has a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. The devil whispers into Nicky’s ear and sometimes it gets too loud so he has to listen to him. The angel is there, too, but he talks softer and Nic can’t hear him.” The story ends with Nic completing a final rehab stay and his father’s epilogue. We have all been touched by friends or family members with addiction problems. This book is a reminder that addiction affects everyone, and that where addiction is concerned, suffering is inevitable. The guilt a parent feels is overwhelming. Sheff writes “Sometimes I know that nothing and no one is to blame. Then I slip and feel utterly responsible. Then sometimes I know that the only thing that is knowable is that Nic has a terrible disease.” Sheff does an awesome job in reassuring us that are not alone. Apparently, his son Nic has written a companion book to this, I will definitely be checking that out as well. Beautiful Boy has been made into a movie that will be released November 9, 2019.
2. The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah, explores relationships in France during World War II and the German occupation. “Some stories don’t have happy endings. Even love stories. Maybe especially love stories.” This poignant statement seems to be the theme of the book, in that the love between the father and his daughters is thwarted and ends in death. Likewise, the relationship between one of the protagonists, Isabelle, and her lover Gaetan is thwarted and ends in death. There is rape. There are concentration camps. Families are separated, children ripped from their mother’s arms. At the heart of the story is the strength of two very different sisters, Isabelle and Viane. The story begins with Viane’s discovery of something which makes her remember her past, during World War II, and this is something hard for her to remember. Her patronizing son is clueless, until the very end of the story. He asks her why she never told him about this part of her life. She responds, “Men tell stories. Women get on with it. For us, it was a shadow war. There were no parades for us when it was over, no medals or mentions in history books. We did what we had to during the war, and when it was over, we picked up the pieces and started our lives over. Your sister was as desperate to forget it as I was.” Be prepared with a box of tissues at the end, because Hannah will tug at your heartstrings like no other author. This haunting novel has been made into a movie that will be in theaters January 25, 2019.
3. Where’d You Go Bernadette, by Maria Semple. We have all met or seen Bernadettes at some point: super anxious, often highly intelligent people who blame the world for their every problem. This could be a real downer to read, but Semple has made it extremely funny. Bernadette, formerly a high powered and award-winning architect, moves with her husband from LA to Seattle for his job with Microsoft. There, she has multiple miscarriages and her daughter is born with a heart defect. Whether or not this has contributed to her state of mind, she has nonetheless become an irascible and misanthropic human being, and her friend tells her “People like you must create. If you don’t create, Bernadette, you will become a menace to society.” The friend is right, as Bernadette progressively becomes more anti-social and neurotic. She hires a virtual assistant online who does everything from paying her bills to finding medication for her which leads to further problems. Marital problems ensue, although her 15-year-old daughter, Bee, is her mother’s staunchest supporter throughout the book. When her mother goes missing, she will stop at nothing to find her. In the end, her husband gives Bee a note to give her mother, reinstating his love and support for Bernadette by underscoring her achievements.
“1. Beeber Bifocal
2. Twenty Mile House
3. Bee
4. Your escape
Fourteen miracles to go.”
This book is certainly innovative, using a variety of formats including emails, letters, FBI documents etc. to tell the story. It made me laugh many times. A fun read! It has been made into a movie which is scheduled for release in March 2019.
4. My Ántonia, by Willa Cather. I think this novel is appropriate for the month of Thanksgiving because it fully embraces the importance of friendship and family. Written in 1918, it is the final, and ostensibly the best book of her “prairie trilogy”, following O Pioneers and The Song of the Lark. The story begins when orphaned Jim Burden goes to live with his middle-aged grandparents in Nebraska. There, he befriends Ántonia Shimerda, the eldest daughter in a family of Bohemian immigrants. Jim’s grandparents have a better understanding of how to survive in the environment and have a home, outbuildings, and even hired hands. The Shimerdas, as immigrants, were basically scammed and although they paid good money for a homestead, end up living in a cave. I love Cather’s description of how the Shimerdas kept their food warm in a featherbed. I also love her descriptive language: “it seemed as if we could hear the corn growing in the night; under the stars, one caught a faint crackling in the dewy, heavy-odored cornfields where the feathered stalks stood so juicy and green”. Both children learn how harsh and yet rewarding life is like for pioneers in sparsely populated rural Nebraska. There are many life adventures including when Jim’s grandparents move to town and Ántonia gets a job in town working as a housekeeper for the Harlings. The academically astute Jim goes on to become a successful attorney in New York City. Conversely, Ántonia, who has had to work in the fields or as a housekeeper all her life to help support her family, ends up getting scammed by her super turd biscuit fiance. She eventually marries another man and has several children, but never manages to escape poverty. Yet, she is very happy. Her family is the most beautiful and important thing to her. My Ántonia is basically a story of how friendship withstands the test of time and how meaningful and beautiful that is. When Jim sees Antonia years later and is startled to see the physical changes in her, he thinks to himself “how little it matters…I know so many women who have kept all the things that she had lost, but whose inner glow has faded. Whatever else was gone, Ántonia had not lost the fire of life”. At the end of the book he muses, “For Ántonia and for me, this had been the road of Destiny; had taken us to those early accidents of fortune which predetermined for us all that we can ever be. Now I understood that the same road was to bring us together again. Whatever we had missed, we possessed together the precious, the incommunicable past.” I tend to re-read this book every few years and I am never disappointed. A real gem.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you love, peace, happiness, and good reading!
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Adventures at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Located next to the ocean in historic Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is bursting at the seams with fantastical sea creatures. It is full of wonderful adventures just waiting to happen!
The jellyfish are my favorites! These sea nettles trail their long tentacles in order to catch plankton. Stinging cells on their tentacles paralyze the prey so they can move it to their mouths for a sea snack.
The Moon jelly, or Medusa luna, is so beautiful, I can’t stop staring!
Another attraction at the aquarium is the giant kelp forest. You may inadvertently find yourself swaying side to side with the gently moving kelp as fish swim peacefully by and huge silvery schools of sardines swirl in the light. The 28-foot high forest is one of the tallest in the world.
These Tube anemones anchor themselves two feet or more into the sand so that if a predator threatens them they can quickly disappear!
“I’d like to be, under the sea, in an octopus’s garden, in the shade”, goes the Beatles song. You may find yourself humming along to this tune when you see the octopus’s garden at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. At least I did.
Monterey Bay Aquarium even has penguins! You can learn so much about them during the twice-daily penguin feeding times. These penguins are from South Africa and are fast and agile swimmers. They are super cute!
Strawberry anemone and other sea creatures appear so magical and mesmerizing. This just makes me want to be a mermaid so I can live somewhere this pretty.
A sagacious stingray (we don’t know if he really is wise, but I think he probably is!) glides through a school of sardines or anchovies. I still have trouble discerning the difference between those two teenie weenie fishes. We are told that anchovies swim with their tails going up and down, and sardines swim with their tails going side to side. It’s hard to tell from a distance!
A leopard shark cruises the kelp forest, looking for worms, clams, and other creatures to suck from the sand.
Of course, there is nothing cuter than sea otters. The sea otters at the aquarium are rescued animals unable to survive in the wild. It is so fun to watch them frolic and play in the water. The aquarium runs a wonderful program that saves sea otters by rescuing, treating and releasing injured otters, providing surrogate parents for stranded pups, and finding homes for sea otters who can’t return to wild. Sea otters almost became extinct in the early 1900s because they were hunted for their soft, luxurious fur. As a result, in California, there were only about 50 sea otters by the 1930s. Although the population has grown over the years, conservation efforts continue to preserve this adorable and beloved endangered species.
Where: Monterey Bay Aquarium is located at 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
Admission: Adults aged 18-64 are $49.95, Children ages 3-12 are $29.95 and under 3 free. Students are $34.95 ages 13-17 or with college ID. Seniors 65+ are also $39.95
Hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily
Phone: 831-648-4800
Website: Monterey Aquarium
Helpful Info:
- Refreshments are available on site at a restaurant, cafe and coffee bar inside the Aquarium
- Daily Shows & Feedings provide fun educational experiences for all ages, including sea otter, penguin, open sea, kelp forest, and seabird feedings
- Parking is available in numerous parking garages in the area and there is metered street parking
- The entire aquarium is wheelchair accessible
- Tons of educational, fun and hands-on experiences for children
- If you want to avoid the crowds, I recommend going between 2 pm and 5 pm on weekdays
- If you are staying at a local hotel, check for partner deals with the aquarium including 2-day tickets for the price of 1-day
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!