A Moveable Feast: Catch the East Bay's final wine train of the summer at Niles Canyon Railway.
Holey Water: Find a new favorite beach on the Santa Cruz Coast: Hole in the Wall Beach near mile marker 26.86 on Highway 1.
HIKE
Peacocks and Pinots: Like hiking? Like wine? Combine the two, with resident peacocks to boot, at Picchetti Ranch Winery in the hills outside of Cupertino.
Quiet Giants. Like Muir Woods but without the crowds: hike Butano State Park's Mill Ox Loop for a redwood refresher.
Slip 'n' Slide: Back in the foothills outside of Auburn is a three-tiered granite waterpark. Plug your nose and whoop it up as you slide from one pool to the next.
Bay Watch: Bring a picnic, mingle with locals, and watch the sunset aboard the Angel Island Sunset Ferry that leaves from Tiburon on Friday and Saturday nights
To the Point: Bike 'n' hike the wide 'n' easy Bear Valley Trail in Point Reyes. The trail dead-ends at Arch Rock, an ocean-sculptured promontory with views up and down the coast.
Peninsula Paved Perfection: Where can you find 7 glorious car-free miles that parallel a reservoir and the rolling green Coastal Range? Cañada Road on Bicycle Sundays.
Coastal Conquest: Arrive at Point Reyes' Bear Valley Visitor Center before it opens to snag one of the prized coastal first-come-first-served backcountry camping permits.
The Morning After: Now that the fires are gone, make a last-minute dash to Big Sur. Some tourists canceled their summer trips due to earlier wildfires, so there's room to roam. And Big Sur would be happy to see you.
Easy Outdoor Activities in Northern California
08.28.08
Last-Minute Labor Day
Staying local this Labor Day weekend? Here are some close-to-home adventures that will remind you why sticking around Northern California can be a vacation in itself.
What's Your Bike Personality?
Mike's Bikes, the Bay Area's premier bike retailer, wants to help you find the answer to this summertime question: what's your bike personality?This week's bike personality: The Roadie Newcomer.
You've seen road bikers pedaling across the Golden Gate Bridge and thought to yourself, "I'd like to try that." The Bay Area is, after all, one of the best places in the world for good road riding. An easy spin through the Headlands on a Saturday afternoon would be right up your alley. You're interested in taking on a new challenge and there's no better time than now. You just need a little information on the bike that's best for you.
Sound like you? You're "The Roadie Newcomer." The Mike's Bikes ride for you: the Specialized Sequoia. It gives new road riders comfort, efficiency, and reliability. Easy commutes and long rides are smoothly managed with an aluminum frame and lightweight wheels. The brake-lever extensions allow you to ride safely when you're sitting up with your hands on the top of the handlebar. Your body will thank you because the Sequoia is designed with an upright riding position and easy bump absorption. No getting bounced around on this ride. On the Sequoia, comfort and style pair up beautifully. Give it a spin at any of these Mike's Bikes stores.
Mike's Bikes has six stores in Northern California: Sacramento (916-446-BIKE), San Rafael (415-454-3747), Sausalito (415-332-3200), Berkeley (510-549-8350), San Francisco (415-241-BIKE), and Palo Alto (650-858-7700).
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