Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHY IS IT SO FOGGY?
When the summer sun's rays warm the air over the chilly Pacific, fog forms and hovers
offshore; to grasp how it moves inland requires an understanding of California's geo-
graphy. The vast agricultural region in the state's interior, the Central Valley, is ringed by
mountains like a giant bathtub. The only substantial sea-level break in these mountains
occurs at the Golden Gate, to the west, which happens to be the direction from which
prevailing winds blow. As the inland valley heats up and the warm air rises, it creates a de-
ficit of air at surface level, generating wind that gets sucked through the only opening it
can find: the Golden Gate. It happens fast and it's unpredictable. Gusty wind is the only
indication that the fog is about to roll in. But even this is inconsistent: there can be fog at
the beaches south of the Golden Gate and sun a mile to the north. Hills block fog - espe-
cially at times of high atmospheric pressure, as often happens in summer. Because of
this, weather forecasters speak of the Bay Area's 'microclimates.' In July it's not uncom-
mon for inland areas to reach 100°F (38°C), while the mercury at the coast barely
reaches 70°F (21°C).
Sleeping
There are four small campgrounds in the headlands, and two involve hiking (or cycling) in
at least 1 mile from the nearest parking lot. Hawk , Bicentennial and Haypress camp-
grounds are inland, with free camping, but sites must be reserved through the Marin Head-
lands Visitors Center . None have water available.
Kirby Cove Campground CAMPGROUND
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 877-444-6777; www.recreation.gov ; tent sites $25; Apr-Oct)
In a spectacular shady nook near the entrance to the bay, there's a small beach with the
Golden Gate Bridge arching over the rocks nearby. At night you can watch the phantom
shadows of cargo ships passing by (and sometimes be lulled to sleep by the dirge of a fog
horn). Reserve far ahead.
HI Marin Headlands Hostel HOSTEL
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 415-331-2777; www.norcalhostels.org/marin ; Fort Barry, Bldg 941; dm
$26-30, r $72-92, all with shared bath;
)
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