Weekend Sherpa

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10.22.09

Eastern Color

Autumn’s on and change is in the air--from the crisp, fresh scent to the gold and copper tints in the trees. Leap into the season with any of these East Bay excursions.  

Hike Briones

Golden Oldie

Briones Regional Park is a golden fall favorite: A rolling landscape, big oak, bay and maple trees, and little surprises like sheep and goats make this expansive park well worth an autumn visit. The mellow temperatures of October and November are a great time to hike this 4.3-mile shade-less loop with good views and bright hints of fall color. Start with a gentle ascent along Old Briones Road Trail where you'll pass dog-walkers and a fenced section housing strong-willed goats locking horns to impress the ladies. Make your way up to the ridge-drifting Briones Crest Trail and take a break on the well-placed bench with views of the hazel hills. Stay on high ground and traverse by the tallest peak in the park, 1,424-foot Mott Peak. In the distance Mount Diablo looms. Finish with a relaxing ramble through the bright yellows and oranges of Black Oak Trail's namesake trees. A color-fall hike.

Park at the Bear Creek staging area. Pick up a map at the gate. Take the Old Briones Road Trail for 1.75 miles. When it reaches Briones Crest Trail go left; follow this for .5 mile. Go left on Mott Peak Trail and hike .36 mile. Reach the Black Oak Trail, turn left, and hike 1 mile. This takes you back to the Old Briones Road Trail where the starting point is .5 mile away. Dog-friendly!

Activity
Hike, Dog-friendly
Region
East Bay
bike livermore

Color Wheel

Neighborly wineries, pancake-flat roads, and temperate fall days make Livermore the place to take a leisurely bike ride. Bring your own wheels or rent some in town and take a relaxed 10-mile (round-trip) pedal through a country landscape filled with fall foliage and plenty of wine vines. Start and finish at the southern entrance of Sycamore Grove and Veterans Park ($4 to park). This staging area is ideally located next to the Wente's Vineyards tasting room (but save this treat until your return!). From there, it's an easy 2.5-mile ride through the rust- and tawny-tinted sycamores. Keep an eye out for deer crossing the path. Pop out on Wetmore Road and make a right, staying on the car-free multi-use trail. Wetmore eventually comes to an end, but keep going along a multi-use path and you'll soon find yourself surrounded by grapes! Vineyard patchworks of green and terra-cotta line both sides of this paved trail. After a few turns, you'll arrive at local favorite Retzlaff Estate Winery. Sip organically grown wines and kick back in Retzlaff's large shady garden. Return the way you came and make your final stop at Wente. This granddaddy of Livermore wineries still retains an easy-going charm. The must-sip here is the tasting-room exclusive Livermore Valley Grenache, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

TIP: Pick up a complimentary Livermore Bikeways map from Livermore Cyclery (2752 First St.; 925-455-8090). The route described is easily found. They also rent bikes for $25 per day.

Park at the Veterans Park entrance on Arroyo Ave., across from Wente Vineyards. Bike 2.5 miles through Sycamore Grove and Veterans Park. Pop out onto Wetmore Rd., and turn right, staying on the multi-use trail. Wetmore Rd. ends at Arroyo Ave., but the multi-use trail continues through the vineyards. Stay on this for a little over 1 mile until it ends at Marina Ave. Turn right and go .25 mile. Turn left onto Wente St. and go .5 mile. Turn right onto Concannon Blvd. and go .25 mile. Reach South Livermore Ave. Cross the street, turn left, and go .25 mile to the sign for Retzlaff Estate Winery. Follow the dirt road to the winery. Return the way you came.

Activity
Bike
Region
East Bay
Hike Sunol Flag Hill

Peak Treat

Sunol Regional Wilderness is known for having some of the best fall colors in the East Bay, thanks to its big-leaf maples and impressive sycamores (find these along Alameda Creek and up the gently rising Canyon View Trail). But for those seeking the bigger Sunol picture, hiking to the peak of Flag Hill is the way to go. It's only 1.25 miles (one-way)—but it's all uphill. The reward for the sweat and switchbacks? Views from the bald peak spill out to a canvas of sprawling oak woodlands and grasslands, with the Alameda Creek watershed and Calaveras Reservoir in easy sight. Go now, before winter rains make the trail too muddy. And here's an added Halloween treat: Tarantulas sometimes crawl on the trail at this time of year…watch your step!

From the Sunol Visitor Center cross the bridge over Alameda Creek and follow the signs up to Flag Hill. Dog-friendly!

Activity
Hike, Dog-friendly
Region
East Bay
Williams Sonoma Wine club

Special Event: The Perfect Fall Picnic

When you pack a picnic for the park, the beach, or the mountains, do you bring the same old-same-olds? Time to spice things up and learn the art of picnicking! Williams-Sonoma has teamed up with Weekend Sherpa to host a special event—the Perfect Fall Picnic and Wine demonstration Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Williams-Sonoma's Union Square store. Learn the tips and techniques to create a gourmet meal you can pack for any adventure! Enjoy a demonstration by Williams-Sonoma's picnic artisans, nibble on the gourmet picnic goodies, and sip perfectly paired wines from the Williams-Sonoma Wine Club.

The event demonstration features:

Appetizer (with wine pairing): phyllo-wrapped camembert with balsamic onion
Main course (with wine pairing): German potato salad and ad hoc fried chicken
Dessert (with dessert wine pairing): triple-chocolate blondies and autumn fruit salad
Beverage: Mulled Apple Cider—perfect for those chilly days!

RSVP: This special event is complimentary and space is limited. To reserve a spot call 415-362-9450 or e-mail events@wsgc.com. The Perfect Fall Picnic and Wine demonstration will be at the Union Square Williams-Sonoma (340 Post Street) on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. See you there!

BONUS: Kick off the holiday season with palate-pleasing wines to pair with festive foods. Check out the Williams-Sonoma Wine Club. Get $20 off your first shipment using the Promo Code: SHERPA.

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