What with Easter and the trip to Texas, we barely squeezed in our tourist event for the month of April. It actually turned out to be a Two-fer. Our first event was to head over to the Legion of Honor to see the photo retrospective of San Francisco 1906 and 2006. A very interesting exhibit. That was Saturday.
On Sunday, we picked up Joey and directed the little Ford Focus South on Skyline Boulevard. I was swayed by the following from Via Magazine.
Every day a hundred thousand drivers on Interstate 280, south of San Francisco, look west to a loft Santa Cruz Mountain ridge, then zip past the easy access to it at Highway 92. Here's what they miss: redwoods, wildflowers, and stunning roadside vistas on Skyline Boulevard, or Highway 35, as it follows the ridgetop south to Saratoga. To best enjoy the sites, allow four hours.
- Via Magazine
I'm always game for trying something new and a little road trip sounded like fun, especially since with the way gas has been going up, I may not be able to afford anything other than the drive to work!
Our first stop was to miss the El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Reserve. We drove on the winding drive and missed the stop. Oops. We were hungry so made our way with the bikers to Alice's Restaurant. This roadhouse diner is a popular lunch spot for hungry hikers, battered mountain cyclists, and tattooed bikers.
Following brunch, we took VIA's recommendation and enjoyed the sweeping views and delicious wine tastings at the Thomas Fogarty Winery. Just across the highway was the road down to the Yerba Buena Nursery. Described as part nursury, part botanic garden, Yerba Buena specializes in native California plants. We strolled along the paths lined with redwoods, oaks and cypresses. Aside from the weeds ... I mean the Iris, it was lovely.
Our final stop of the day was at the Castle Rock State Park. The lot was full, so we parked on the side of the road. It was a short hike down to the falls and we got the opportunity to watch people rapel over the cliff, just to climb back up. Sysyphous would be proud!
This was an excellent day trip and one I would do again, though a day trip to Pinnacles National park is next on the agenda. I want to play with the bats.
