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09.20.07

Fall Kickoff

This weekend is the start of fall. Kick it off right with any of these shoulder season sweet spots.

Lost Coast Camping

Lost & Found

Maybe it's the name. Or that it's California's longest stretch of undeveloped, rugged-ass coast. Either way, the remote beauty of the Lost Coast inspires a romantic mystique unlike any other place in the state. Highway 1 couldn't be built here because the land was too forbidding, so the pavement turned inland. The result is eighty miles of spectacular, virtually road-free, sea-to-summit beauty, with far-reaching peaks and seemingly endless streams wetting steep canyon walls. Autumn is the best time to visit: the weather is typically Indian summer–warm, while the normal summer crowds are gone. Backpackers will salivate at the three-day, coast-hugging (and beach-traversing) journey from Mattole to Black Sands Beach (twenty-five miles); along the way, lookout for surfers in search of a mythical break, and a wealth of wildlife, including whales, seals, river otters, mountain lions, and bears. Day-trippers can scour tide pools at Mal Coombs Park in Shelter Cove, hike to the abandoned Punta Gorda Lighthouse from Mattole (three miles one-way), or take in panoramic splendor by climbing up the Lightning trailhead to King Peak's summit, which shoots more than 4,000 feet above the Pacific. Lost Coast? More like Paradise Found.

TIP: Non-campers should check out the comfortable, coastal digs at Shelter Cove's Oceanfront Inn. There are only ten rooms, and they all have ocean views. A private stairway outside the hotel leads to a black sand beach.

The Lost Coast is 230 miles north of San Francisco. It is accessed from Highway 101 at Garberville and Ferndale.

Backpacking notes: Only one car? Call Roxanne (707-986-9909) or Sherri (707-223-1547), who will shuttle you to the Mattole trailhead for a nominal fee. Bear canisters required: get canisters at the King Range office in Whitehorn (open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday) or Petrolia Store (open all week), near the Mattole trailhead. Free permits also required for backpackers and campers. Parts of the trail are only accessible at low tide; you'll need a tide chart. No fires until first big rain. Dog-friendly. For more info, click here.

Activity
Hike, Overnights, Dog-friendly
Region
Points Beyond

Lake Break

If you want a little bit of Zen in an East Bay autumn getaway, try paddling a canoe on the secluded waters of Lake Chabot. Set in the golden rolling hills east of San Leandro, the 318-acre, tree-ringed lake is surprisingly tranquil because noisy motorboats aren't allowed. The lake has a small island in the center, plenty of hidden mini-coves, and lots of skipping rocks at hand. Paddle around at your own pace and nose your boat up to shore for a picnic break. Chances are good you'll spot a great blue heron, a great egret, and—especially in the fall—loads of ducks. The laid-back lake is also great for first-time fishermen; you can cast for bluegill, crappie, bass, and trout. Want to get the heart pumping? Bring a mountain bike and ride the nearly fifteen-mile trail which circles the lake. There are also paved walking paths for simple strolls. Dogs are welcome, too—even on the canoe! Dogs paddle, right?

For directions, maps, park hours, rental rates, and more general information, click here. Kayaks and rowboats are also available for rent.

Activity
Bike, Water
Region
East Bay
Hawk Hill Marin

Raptor Rapture

The Blue Angels aren't the only aerial extravaganza this fall. Peaking every September and October, nearly 20,000 raptors descend on the Bay Area en route to southern climes. That's a lot of beaks and talons—and anxious field mice. One of the best places to see this massive migration is at Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands. Every weekend through October, venerable bird-nerds from the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory offer "Hawk Talks," explaining the difference between a red-tail, a Cooper's, and an osprey while you watch the birds swoop, soar, and spar for territory. The highlight is seeing one of these beauties up close at a banding demonstration: with their samurai talons, sleek plumage, and that predatory look in their eyes, these raptors are the very embodiment of wild. To watch these winged warriors in flight, bring binoculars and some snacks, and just hang out. Hawk Hill offers terrific views of the bay, too—making you wish you had wings of your own.

"Hawk Talks" begin at noon; banding demonstrations take place at 1:00 p.m. (unless it's foggy). It all happens at Hawk Hill. For directions and more information, click here.

Lost Coast photo courtesy of Buck Forester.

Activity
Relax
Region
North Bay
WAG Hotels

WAG the Pod

San Francisco's WAG Hotel not only pampers your pet while you're away, but keeps you in the know about the wondrous world of dogs and cats. The weekly WAG Podcast digs up the biggest news in the animal world, scratches beneath the surface to get to the real bone of the stories, and sniffs out the latest scandals and gossip in the high society of barks and meows. Veteran dog-correspondent Dozer provides hard-hitting commentary and analyses of the latest events. The WAG Podcast presents ordinary dogs doing extraordinary things (a pug skydives!), fallen beauty queens (winners of the Ugliest Dog Contest), eminent canine artists (Sparky paints!), lifestyle choices (does the raw-food diet work?) and lots more. With the WAG Podcast, get the no-holds-barred poop from dogs, cats, and pet owners. It brings a whole new meaning to getting the scoop.

Click here to hear the latest WAG Podcast.

WAG Hotel, 25 14th Street (just off Harrison), San Francisco; 888-WAG-LINE.

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