Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rental Car Respites
In other pars of America, calling someone a “granola” might be veiled a
political dig, but here, it's a compliment—after all, granola can get you
through a long hike. Few other American urban areas support such an out-
doorsy population. That's because there are so many gorgeous and surpris-
ingly varied nature reserves and parks within a few hours' drive of town.
Northern California hoards some of California's most transporting wonders.
Many are best accessed using a rental car; intermittent public transporta-
tion may be available at a low price—but at a high cost in terms of the
time required to catch rides. Slip into some boots, grab the tick spray, and
fill up a water bottle:
Muir Woods National Monument
(
%
415/388-2595; www.nps.gov/mywo;
adults $5, children under 16 free; p. 252)
is the dense redwood forest 12
miles from the northern anchor of the Golden Gate Bridge. This 560-acre
park, which was protected from development more than 100 years ago, has
a mere 6 miles of easy trails that swarm with people on weekends and dur-
ing good weather. Despite its popularity, the park still presents a hushed,
almost primordial personality. The park is clearly signposted on the 101.
About 30 miles north of the city along the sea, you'll find
Point Reyes
National Seashore
(
%
415/464-5100 ext. 2; www.nps.gov/pore; free
entry and many free maps online),
which has a more rugged, oceanside
profile than the shady, woodsy Muir Woods just to its south. The some 150
miles of trails vary in intensity and topography (grasslands, steep over-
looks of ocean breakers, something for everyone). The most popular for
city folk is the very short Earthquake Trail, which takes you to a fence that
The most touristy of the bunch has to be
Gray Line
(
%
888/428
-
6937;
www.sanfranciscosightseeing.com; $44 adults, $42 seniors, $22 kids),
which does
4-hour tours on air-conditioned coaches. To give you an idea of how inauthentic
it is, you'll have the option of adding a trip to the local wax museum for another
$18. Sometimes, too, the narration is taped and not live. I list it here so you'll
know to avoid it—that is, if you want an authentic tour.
THEME PARKS (NEAR SAN FRANCISCO)
It can't compare to the lollapaloozas of Southern California, but
California's
Great America
(4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara;
%
408/988
-
1776;
www.cagreatamerica.com; $52 guests 48 in. and taller, $35 guests below 48 in.
and seniors over 61; Apr-Oct, hours vary),
for fans of amusement parks, offers the
best thrill-ride experience in the region. The park's owner, Cedar Fair, also runs
the esteemed roller-coaster mecca Cedar Point park in Ohio, and it's pouring cash
into the facility here, including the addition of a new wooden coaster in 2009.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park also operates Boomerang Bay, a
