Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
was dramatically broken apart by the '06 quake. That one leaves from the
Bear Valley Visitor Center, just north of Olema. The San Andreas Fault,
after all, separates the park from the mainland and account for the intru-
sion of Tomales Bay. For longer hikes, campsites can be rented at a fee.
Because it rises out of a virtually flat landscape, the 3,849 foot-tall
Mount Diablo
(
%
925/837-2525; www.parks.ca.gov; daily 8am-sunset)
offers some sensational views unmatched my many other peaks. Most of
the peak is consecrated as a park, which means 19,000 acres of oak wood-
land, wildflowers, pine trees, and bizarre rock formations (oddly, the rocks
get older as you climb, which is rare for any mountain). It's probably eas-
ier to reach the south entrance of the park from San Francisco. Find it
through Danville off the 680; there's a visitor center (open daily 10am to
4pm) on the winding road entering the park. Although using a car is the
easiest way to get close to the peak (there are lookouts), the mountain is
also combed with trails suited to day hikes, which are easiest near the top.
The legendary
Redwood National Park,
in the area where the trees so
big that cars can once drive through tunnels in them, is about 260 miles
north, too far for a quick trip. But don't forget that the mighty
Yosemite
National Park,
perhaps America's crown jewel of preserves, is about 180
miles (three hours' drive) east of the city, and the seaside drive south of
San Francisco on
State Route 1
(also called Highway 1), is one of the
most spectacular coastal scenic drives in the world. Some of the most
famous segments occur around Big Sur, 113 winding miles south of the
city, but the views commence almost as soon as you leave town.
standard water-slide park with a separate admission. The park is near the south-
ern end of the Bay, not far from San Jose, so it's best to have a car if you want to
see it.
The other major park, less elaborate but still worthwhile for fans, is
Six Flags
Discovery Kingdom
(1001 Fairgrounds Dr., Vallejo;
%
707/643
-
6722; www.
sixflags.com; $50 adults, $30 guests under 48 in. tall; Mar-Oct, hours vary),
which was once known as Marine World. There's still a killer-whale act and ques-
tionable animal shows such as an elephant log pull, although the eight roller
coasters seem to be a bigger draw. Skip paying the price listed above by booking
ahead online, where tickets are often $15 cheaper. Fortunately, this park is linked
to the city by high-speed catamaran from town, which leaves from Pier 41,
includes park tickets, and links with a 20-minute shuttle ride. That service, which
takes all day (10:30am-7pm) is operated by the
Blue & Gold Fleet
(
%
415/705
-
8200).
The park is also a half-hour drive from Napa, so it's more easily combin-
able with a visit to the Wine Country.
