A Year In Mill Valley

One of my summer interns asked me for ideas of things to do in the Bay Area. Here’s my list…suggestions welcome!

• Santa Cruz boardwalk…ride the Big Dipper 3 times in a row. Put your hands up!
• Downtown Palo Alto. Meet some friends for drinks and dinner. Walk around the Stanford campus. Walk up to the “dish” and back.
• Alcatraz. Really!
• Muir Woods. But do it very early morning to miss the crowds. Then go have lunch at the Pelican Inn.
• Stinson Beach. Walk on the beach. Have dinner at the Sand Dollar.
• Bolinas. See the hippies. Stop at Gospel Flat Farm Stand. Go surfing.
• Occidental. Go up the coast thru Pt Reyes Station. Grab a pastry at the Bovine Bakery. Then head up to Marshall and thru Freestone, and wind up in Occidental for dinner. Pick any of the Italian style restaurants there.
• Music any weekend at Rancho Nicasio. Go Sat or Sunday for the bbq and music on the lawn. Always rocking.
• Russian River. Rent kayaks.
• Napa Valley. Can suggest some wineries if you’re interested. Stay in Calistoga.
• Harbin Hot Springs. Really!
• Drive from SF down the coast to Santa Barbara, and if you have time to Hearst Castle. Big Sur is AMAZING!
• Yosemite. It’s only 3 1/2 hours.
• Berkeley. Walk through the campus. Then over to Telegraph Avenue. Then up Strawberry Canyon and hike up to the lab. Have dinner in Elmwood area of Telegraph ave.
• Giants game. Find good tix on stubhub or craigslist.
• Any concert at Mt Winery in Saratoga. Great place to see any band.