Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
modern kitchen. It's in a beautiful secluded valley 2 miles from the ocean and surrounded
by lovely hiking trails.
Information
10am-5pm Mon-Fri, from 9am Sat & Sun)
, is near Olema and has information and maps. You
can also get information at the Point Reyes Lighthouse and the
Kenneth Patrick Center
(
415-669-1250; 9:30am-4:30pm Sat, Sun & holidays)
at Drakes Beach. All visitor centers
have slightly longer hours in summer.
Getting There & Away
By car you can get to Point Reyes a few different ways. The curviest is along Hwy 1,
through Stinson Beach and Olema. More direct is to exit Hwy 101 in San Rafael and fol-
low Sir Francis Drake Blvd all the way to the tip of Point Reyes. For the latter route, take
the central San Rafael exit and head west on 4th St, which turns into Sir Francis Drake
Blvd. By either route, it's about 1½ hours to Olema from San Francisco.
Just north of Olema, where Hwy 1 and Sir Francis Drake Blvd come together, is Bear
Valley Rd; turn left to reach the Bear Valley Visitor Center. If you're heading to the further
reaches of Point Reyes, follow Sir Francis Drake Blvd through Point Reyes Station and
out onto the peninsula (about an hour's drive).
the Bear Valley Visitor Center from San Rafael ($2).
EAST BAY
Berkeley and Oakland are what most San Franciscans think of as the East Bay, though the
area includes numerous other suburbs that swoop up from the bayside flats into exclusive
enclaves in the hills. While many residents of the 'West Bay' would like to think they
needn't ever cross the Bay Bridge or take a BART train under water, a wealth of museums,
universities, excellent restaurants, woodsy parklands and better weather are just some of
attractions that lure travelers from San Francisco.
