I will be in the Bay area for business during the first week of February. I am flying into SFO late Sunday night and don't have to be in Berkeley until Wednesday afternoon. Thus I've got about 2 1/2 days to get outta town and look for natural landscape scenes. I wonder if I could ask for some suggestions from you folks?
As beautiful as San Francisco is, I'd like to get out into natural areas. I would prefer to head north, up the coast, both because I haven't photographed in that area and I need to end up in the north Bay. But because I don't have a lot of time, I won't be able to go far, and would prefer to spend more time in a limited number of quality areas rather than spend a short time in a lot of locations. I typically identify some likely locations and then play it by ear depending in weather and what I'm finding.
I won't be able to bring camping gear, so I need to be able to find a cheap motel without reservations (to maintain flexibility) each night. I would prefer to hike (but wouldn't turn my nose up at drive-to locations as long as they are worth it and and not too overpopulated). I have no problem with being at a great sunset location several miles from a trailhead and hiking out by headlamp (I do it all the time),
I remember hiking Muir Woods/ Mt. Tam many years ago. Would this still be a good place to spend a day, with good photography along the way, especially during a (presumably less crowded) weekday?
How about coastal locations or the west side of the mountains? I think realistically I could get as far as Point Reyes and maybe Bodega Bay. Can you suggest good place in that range to hike or get off the main roads?
Finally, I know fog is the rule of the day this time of year. But is it likely be simply socked in all day, or can you expect it to break up later in the day and perhaps create some interesting fog/landscape interactions, especially at sunset?
In reading this over, I guess I'm being kind of particular, but I really would appreciate any guidance from Bay area veterans to help optimize my limited time.
Point Reyes for sure, there is a lot of different angles for photography there. I am not a Californian but commercial fished may to June in the area and have spent many nights ahcored behind Point Reyes.
Bodega Bay ok if you want the water and boats.
Don't overlook Sausilito.
Your problem driving on the coast is limited time.
I still think San Francisco it's self has a lot to offer, but then I am from a much smaller city in Oregon.
In the city you can get a day pass that lets you ride any buss, tram, or cable car for the whole day, it is a cheap way to travel aroung the city.
I am sure some one from the area will post more to help you. There are a few forum member from the Bay area.
Good Luck
Glass Beach at Fort Bragg is good. Point Cabrillo and the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. Also the Point Arena Lighthouse. And last but not least, the Mendocino headlands.
Thanks for the suggestions. I don't think I'll have to time go go as far north as Mendocino or Fort Bragg, but I'll keep them in mind.
In Point Reyes NS, I see a network of trails along the southern coast. How does the coastal scenery accessible from them compare with that of the headland itself?
dsjtecserv wrote:
Thanks for the suggestions. I don't think I'll have to time go go as far north as Mendocino or Fort Bragg, but I'll keep them in mind.
In Point Reyes NS, I see a network of trails along the southern coast. How does the coastal scenery accessible from them compare with that of the headland itself?
Dave
The trails along the southern coastal area of Point Reyes are very nice.
If I recall correctly, these are from Bear Valley Trail, where it ends at the coast.
See this map: http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/upload/map_park.pdf
These were from September or 2009. The weather the past few days has been
warm and sunny once the fog burns off.
dsjtecserv wrote:
Finally, I know fog is the rule of the day this time of year. But is it likely be simply socked in all day, or can you expect it to break up later in the day and perhaps create some interesting fog/landscape interactions, especially at sunset?
That would be more accurate in the summer than at this time of year. While it is possible to get the coastal fog that is so frequent during the summer, it is somewhat unusual in winter. More typical conditions alternate among winter storm fronts, the post-storm clouds and then very clear air, and a combination of tule fog with afternoon clearing which may bring warm temperatures in the hills. (We are in the latter pattern right now.)
Muir Woods is still a great place though I would go very early (7:00 am) and on a weekday rather than a weekend to avoid the tourist crowds. Point Reyes can be great this time of year. It is a big and varied place, so I won't try to recommend one or two particular things to see.
Thanks, Dan. I remember being very enchanted by Muir Woods, so I look forward to going back. Good news about the fog, although I was kind of looking forward to some moody coastline photos. But as always, I'll gladly take what nature offers.
Armstrong Woods near Guerneville and the Russian River is also nice and might not be as crowded. There is also Mount Diablo in the East bay, which has a lot of oak trees - barren this time of year and which can be shrouded in fog. From the top you can occasionally see the Sierras if it is instead clear.
You'd be hard pressed to get to Pinnacles in two hours, but it is a very nice destination. It takes me almost two hours to get there from south of Gilroy.
Rosemary R wrote:
You'd be hard pressed to get to Pinnacles in two hours, but it is a very nice destination. It takes me almost two hours to get there from south of Gilroy.
The west entrance is is only 130 miles from San Francisco located just 9 miles east of Soledad. You must be referring to the east entrance which is a much longer drive.
Thanks folks. I have been to Pinnacles, when I was a kid growing up in southern Cal. I remember thinking it was an unheralded gem back then; it probably still is. But on this trip I want to go north a little ways.
Bruce Sawle wrote:
The west entrance is is only 130 miles from San Francisco located just 9 miles east of Soledad. You must be referring to the east entrance which is a much longer drive.
I also used to go there all the time with my family when I was a kid, though we always went to the east side through Hollister. Back then you could camp inside the park on that side, not far from the trail to the caves. Rosemary is certainly right that this would be a very long drive from San Francisco.
With the exception of the last few miles, the drive to the west side entrance is almost entirely on freeways, though parts of it go through heavily trafficked urban areas subject to slower traffic. I'm pretty sure it would still take you more than 2 hours to get there from San Francisco - perhaps closer to three hours.
