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10.1.09

Urban Outfitters

To truly experience the San Francisco Bay, get out on it! Try any of these urban kayak adventures and follow it up with good nearby grub.  

Kayak Corte Madera Marsh

Paddles and Pints

PADDLE: The Corte Madera Marsh Ecological Preserve is a mellow kind of place. Beneath the giant shadows of Mount Tam an occasional rower quietly sculls by, while egrets, blue herons, and cormorants strike a pose. Explore this serene wetland by joining a guided kayak trip with Outback Adventures. Push into the water and paddle under the drawbridge famous for the climactic scene in Dirty Harry. Cruise by Larkspur's creekside homes and spot seals playing in the Bay. Get lost (in a good way) weaving through a maze of thick grassy marshes and hidden coves. If the conditions are right, your guide may take you on a side trip to bar-none views of San Quentin and Redrock Island.

GRUB: A quarter-mile from Outback Adventures is the hoppiest place in town. Marin Brewing Company at Larkspur Landing Circle is a brewpub where the food goes toe-to-toe with award-winning beers like San Quentin's Breakout Stout and Mt. Tam Pale Ale.

Outback Adventures, 12 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Larkspur; 415-461-2222. The Corte Madera Marsh trip is $70 per person. Kayak rentals, without a tour, are also available. It's $25 per hour for a double kayak. Marin Brewing Company, 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur; 415-461-4677.

Activity
Water
Region
North Bay
Kayak Jack London Square

London Calling

PADDLE: Watch out San Francisco, Oakland's Jack London Square is giving the Ferry Building a run for its money. With a $300 million facelift in progress, the square is fast becoming the East Bay's waterfront hot spot. Get the full square experience by paddling the adjacent Oakland Estuary on a Sunday morning. Rent a boat—kayak, canoe, or even a dog-friendly double—from California Canoe & Kayak located right on the square. On the water, glide past stilts that support Kincaid's Bayhouse and Scott's Seafood. Paddle west toward the mouth of the estuary, going by FDR's "Floating White House" and the USS Potomac. On a clear morning the San Francisco skyline view stretches from AT&T Park to Coit Tower. Cross the estuary and head east along the Alameda shoreline. From this side you'll get a big view of Jack London Square's spectacular new market hall— imported palm trees are so Bay Area! (The hall is set to open in late 2009.)

GRUB: Refuel at one of the newest additions to Jack London Square, Miss Pearl's Jam House where a Caribbean inspired menu features everything from a standard bacon 'n' eggs to an island spiced Bahamian burger and sweet potato fries. Or, for grub on the go, hunt down the Copper Top Ovens booth in the farmers market and get a gourmet wood-fired pizza.

California Canoe & Kayak, 409 Water St., Jack London Square, Oakland; 510-893-7833. Open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week. Double kayaks are $25 per hour. The only guided trip from Jack London Square is a moonlight trip; the next one is this Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6:00 p.m. The farmers market is every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Activity
Water, Dog-friendly
Region
East Bay
kayak san francisco city kayak

City Slicker

PADDLE: As far as urban kayaking goes, San Francisco is at the top of any discerning paddler's list. Still haven't taken to the water here? It's time to see your city from a different point of view with City Kayak's two-hour downtown tour. Starting at Pier 40 paddle the cool green waters out front of AT&T Park's McCovey Cove. Within a few minutes you'll shift gears and disappear from city life. Relish the ocean breeze and solitude while floating under the Bay Bridge and by Cupid's Span. From your kayak the only sounds you'll hear are lapping waves, migrating birds, and perhaps the occasional "Ahoy!" from a passing sailboat. Paddle on to the Ferry Building before turning around for the return trip.

GRUB: For a greasy spoon with million dollar views, head to Red's Java House. At this sea-salty relic located right on the water, you can get one of the best combo deals in San Francisco: a burger and a beer for about $6.

City Kayak, Pier 40, San Francisco; 415-357-1010. The downtown tour is $77.50 per person. Kayak rentals, without the tour, are also available. It's $24 per hour for a double sit-on-top kayak. Red's Java House (415-777-5626) is at Pier 30.

Activity
Water
Region
San Francisco

Upgrade Your Yum in the Great Outdoors

What snacks do you usually bring on a hike? A squished PB&J, crumbled cookies, a fruit roll, and a dented apple? Make a quick and easy upgrade to a tasty, smooth treat that's as nutritious as it is flavorful. The new Odwalla Protein Monster is packed with 33 grams of protein, 9 essential amino acids, and more vitamins and minerals than you have in your medicine cabinet. All of this organic goodness and OMmmm-delicious taste comes in two velvety-smooth shake flavors: chocolate and vanilla. On your next hike, be sure to stop and smell the flowers…or better yet, taste nature's best flavors. The New Odwalla Protein Monster: helping you recharge, refuel, and refresh your hiking snack. Yum.

To find out more about the Protein Monster and discover the sweet, nutritious wonderment of Mother Nature, visit Odwalla.com. Nourishing the Body Whole.

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