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03.19.09

Pleasure Point

Point Reyes is popping: Gray whales are spouting, waterfalls are flowing, and wildflowers are blooming. Celebrate the start of spring with a day or weekend exploring more than 80 miles of fresh coastline.  

Alamere Falls in Point Reyes

Water, Baby

If you're crazy about the ocean, a hike on Bolinas' Coast Trail will quickly become one of your favorites, with one killer cliff-side view after another. Start early, so you'll have time to get to the climax of the trip: Alamere Falls, which plunges 50 feet from the cliff into the sea. This trek begins on the wide, well-kept Coast Trail and meanders 4.1 miles one-way from the Palomarin Trailhead along the edge of the Pacific. Along the way, you'll see beautiful Bass Lake and Pelican Lake, and red-tailed hawks coasting. About a mile past Bass Lake, you'll find the Alamere Falls detour. (Watch out for a lot of poison oak on this narrow and densely foliaged trail. It's a good idea to wear long sleeves and long pants.) The short trail to the falls is not park-maintained, but if you tread carefully, it's more than worth it. You'll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular spring waterfalls in the state.

From Hwy 1 just north of Stinson Beach, take a left on Olema-Bolinas Rd. near Bolinas Marsh. Turn right on Mesa Rd. and follow it all the way (6 miles) to the Palomarin Trailhead. Follow the Coast Trail signage past Pelican Lake. When you come to a little bridge, take the unmarked creek-side path on your left to the falls. Or, to avoid the poison oak route, walk another mile past the cutoff until you reach Wildcat Beach and then walk back on the beach. This adds 4 miles to your walk (map). No dogs. Photo courtesy of S. Vivek.

Activity
Hike
Region
North Bay
Kayak Tomales Bay with Point Reyes Outdoors

Paddling the Fault

Hiking isn't the only way to explore this pristine coastline. Kayaking on Tomales Bay reveals parts of Point Reyes many people never get to see. The 15-mile-long finger-shaped bay marks the spot where two tectonic plates meet—Pacific and North American—creating the infamous San Andreas Fault. Kayak directly above the fault for a peaceful, wildlife-filled excursion. Your outfitter? The friendly, experienced guides at Point Reyes Outdoors run a variety of weekly trips across Tomales Bay. After getting properly outfitted and settled in your one- or two-person kayak, cruise across the bay with your guide. On the White Gulch trip, you'll paddle next to Hog Island and its little neighbor, Piglet Island, seeing cormorants, snowy egrets, and loons. Within 40 minutes you'll reach White Gulch, a tranquil inlet on the western shore. Drift into its marshland, keeping an eye out for the tule elk that frequently graze near the gulch. Leaving the cove, paddle close to the sheltered rocky waterside for some of the best tide-pooling that doesn't require rubber boots. It's a shoreline amphitheater as pink and orange sea stars, sea spinach, squirting oysters, and dancing crabs put on a springtime show.

Point Reyes Outdoors; 415-663-8192. They lead White Gulch trips on Saturday and Sunday through the spring (starting at $85 per person). Snacks are included.

Activity
Water
Region
North Bay
Hi House in Point Reyes

To the Tree House

If the Swiss Family Robinson ever had a vacation home, it most likely would be the Hi House in the heart of Point Reyes. This hourglass-shaped inspiration rests about 20 feet above daffodil-filled grounds in a bishop pine forest. Three of the 'walls' are floor-to-ceiling windows, and the southern one is 10 feet high, making an overnight stay here akin to sleeping at the top of a tree. Through the pines are distant views of Abbotts Lagoon to the west and Tomales Bay to the east. The area surrounding Hi House is national and state park land, so your only neighbors are the birds and the trees. Owners Jeff and Barbie Fairchild remodeled the one-bedroom Hi House five years ago, furnishing it with modern and upscale vintage décor. You've got a stove, refrigerator, and sink. Toss in central heating, three decks (one for every window-wall), some chaise lounges, and there's really no reason to leave this relaxing fort in the forest. So how exactly do you 'climb' to the Hi House? Guests arrive via a 100-foot electric tram (yes, we're serious!). Now this is a tree house that grown-ups can appreciate.

ALTERNATIVE: For a down-to-earth alternative, the adjacent Helen House is kid-friendly and sleeps up to five people. Those looking for simple and inexpensive accommodations should check out Motel Inverness (866-453-3839), with clean rooms, bay views, and a warm lobby with a fireplace and pool table. Hi House, 1214 Pierce Point Rd., Inverness; 415-669-1532. It's $160 per night on weekdays and $185 per night on weekends; two night minimum. No dogs.

Activity
Overnights
Region
North Bay
Virgin America Flydealism

Virgin America Asks: Are You On Board?

Remember when flying was entertaining and fun? Virgin America does. That's why they've started a movement to ban mediocrity from the skies. And they want you to join. Low fares shouldn't mean low service. Virgin America has never agreed with that philosophy and they're doing something about it. They're raising the bar by offering award-winning service AND low fares. With Virgin America, everyone's a VIP. Each brand-new plane has a beautiful design, power outlets and touch-screen Red entertainment systems at every seat. Also, Wi-Fi is now available on nearly half of their fleet, and will expand to fleet-wide by the end of June. This is a flying experience primed for the tech-savvy and leisure-ready. Virgin America is reinventing domestic airline travel. Are you on board?

Experience Virgin America's Flydealism

Fly from SFO to any of these destinations:

San Diego from $59*
Las Vegas from $59*
Orange County from $59*
Los Angeles from $59*
Seattle from $59*
New York (JFK) from $129*
Boston from $129*
Washington, DC (Dulles) from $129*

* Restrictions, taxes, and fees apply.

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