http://www.the-winery.net/spring-mountain-winery-map/
Point Reyes: ideal for long walks and landscape
Travel just an hour north of San Francisco and it's like you've gone abroad? there at the end of the picturesque, winding road through picturesque villages such as San Anselmo, will come to a surviving part of the coast of California would seem that came directly from a commercial Irish spring.
But this is Ireland. This is the Point Reyes seashore, a couple walking along the road an impressive landscape which brings together land and the sea in a safe mixture to stimulate the senses. Broad, sweeping, green hills of work their way to the steep cliffs that mark the beginning of the Pacific Ocean. Best of all, this area is relatively untouched by man. In total there are 125 kilometers of roads and most times will not be bothered by hordes of tourists.
A weekend and a world away could be a good way to sum up a trip to the Kings Pointe Seaside, a striking contrast to the metropolitan area that is so close to the south. In fact, once you cross the Golden Gate Bridge, or perhaps the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge from the East Bay area, there is a line defined demarcation between city and country. Oh, there are cities far so good? but it is obvious this part of the Bay Area was built by people who wanted to leave the hectic city life behind them when they withdrew demanding day at the office.
One way to get scenic seaside is Point Reyes to cross the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and turn off on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, a slow and winding two-lane road that winds between wooded hills and mountains of Marin County and other places north of San Francisco. Once we left on Sir Francis Drake, we passed a bay full of ferries waiting to return to city to bring home the night commuters. Then the road took us deeper into the woods never realized were there.
If your passion are antiques, this itinerary northern California on vacation should include a stop in San Anselmo. More than 130 antique dealers are involved in just a few blocks from this attractive town where the tree-lined streets and historic architecture suggest the quiet life, enhanced by the simple beauty of the forested hills and many nearby points.
A little further up the road is the Samuel P. Taylor State Park with its 2,700 acres of redwood forests and grasslands. It is a quiet place to prevent a boat Landor lying sideways on a picnic. Enjoy the sounds of the brook, the gentle wind rustling of the trees and the scenic splendor that made the first park in California that was set aside specifically for city people to visit.
Only about an hour drive from San Francisco Bay, we our base of operations while in the Point Reyes area? Riverside Lodge Point Reyes. While not actually on the shore of the sea? There is no accommodation in this part of the coast? This comfortable country house hotel is located very close to the action. The area of Seashore Bear Valley Visitor Center is just two minutes from the lodge, and the town of Point Reyes is just a little further.
Even without the sea near the Point Reyes Shore Lodge is a charming haven of its own and its architecture unique? a kind of cross between a Cape Cod mansion and lodge a modern game? and its peaceful grounds. The hostel is located in the small town of Olema, where Sir Francis Drake meets Coastal Highway 1. There are a few restaurants in town and not much else, but our series in the lodge offers a warm fire, plenty of material reading and a beautiful view from our balcony overlooking the lawns, paths and streams that are part of the two-acre courtyard of the inn.
After settling, We looked at the sunny weather and decided it was time to quickly make our way out of the confines of the shore of Point Reyes? about 45 minutes from the inn? where you wanted to visit the famous lighthouse at Point Reyes. The weather in this part of California is a bit difficult. Fog can come at any time of year, although the trend in winter is to be fog in the interior, the coast clear yet. In summer, they are often reversed.
During our visit in winter, we have enjoyed a clear vision all the way to the shore as we walked along the Irish "field, making our way increasingly to the spectacular cliffs leading to the sea. Throughout the two-lane country road, Point Reyes Lighthouse was found with several historic inns that the National Park Service is that operators to maintain. Fascinating to us was the number of deer we were in the entire area? not just a buck or two, but groups of them and all pretty tame.
On the way to the lighthouse, we saw several signs of the roads leading to many beaches in the park. We took a detour to the beach just below Drake, where surprising, in this unspoiled beach, a National Park Service Restaurant. This and other Point Reyes beaches are deserted beaches that seem to be more in tune with nature. A plane could be in San Francisco in 10 minutes? but it felt like the other side of the world.
At the end of the road was the lighthouse, easy? if a little uphill? 15-minute walk from where vehicles are parked. The lighthouse is out on a cliff and a little further, there are miles and miles of open sea. From the Lighthouse Visitor Center is a 308-step walk to the lighthouse? which is also 308 steps back up. Many visitors are content to enjoy the views from the observation area. The day we were there, the view including several migratory whales that are easily visible with binoculars.
Near the lighthouse several trails that take you to breathtaking shelves where the sea washes powerful on the rocky coast of hundred feet below.
After a good amount of exploration, which drove our way back next to the Visitor Center Bear Valley to get some maps and information for further exploration of reservation. It soon became evident that our quick trip overnight at Point Reyes only scratch the surface of the natural attractions in this area. In the northern part of the reserve, for example, you can find herds of elk. Or you can take a short walk from the Visitor Center to Loklo Kule, a replica of a Miwok Indian village coast.
We took a little walk from the Visitor Center along the Earthquake Trail, the road follows the line of the San Andreas fault. It's incredible when you see how much the earth moved during the 1906 earthquake – and the two sections are 20 feet away.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: Point Reyes National Seashore is just an hour north of San Francisco Bay. It's easy to add to any holiday itinerary in northern California.
WHAT: park is a large area that largely has been left untouched by man and offers a close look at the rugged natural beauty of the coast of California.
WHEN: Throughout the year. Temperatures in the area are moderate, despite the fog can develop. Always check for travel deals and vacation packages throughout the season average. Offers for last minute travel are sometimes possible, depending on the operator housing.
WHY: The park offers easy access to a wide variety of trails and natural attractions will surely be appreciated by visitors of all ages. There are other attractions too far: the indoor unit and one ways you start to come through several California wineries. Even the big city not far from San Francisco to just one hour. If you are looking for variety, this is a great place to go on holiday in the Northern California.
HOW: For more information on Point Reyes National Seashore, go to www.nps.gov/pore/. For more information about Point Reyes seashore Lodge, phone (415) 663-9000 or visit www.pointreyesseashore.com.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , covering California spa vacations and other Golden State destinations, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering Washington vacation ideas as well as other Pacific Northwest travel destinations.
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