No plans for Labor Day weekend? No problem. Here are some of our favorite quick 'n' easy getaways.
Hike
Lake Loop: Stroll along the shore of Lake Lagunitas on Mt. Tam's sparsely visited north side. Keep your eyes peeled for ospreys and turtles.
Redwood Ramble: Traverse the steep hillsides and lush green canyons of the East Bay's Redwood Regional Park.
Bike
Waterfall Rush: Ride your two-wheeler five miles back through the redwoods to your own watery oasis at Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin State Park. Afterward, treat yourself to some fresh-baked olallieberry pie at nearby Duarte's Tavern.
Island Escape: Gather picnic supplies and catch the ferry to Angel Island. Bring your own bike or rent one on the island, then pedal on Perimeter Road to your picnic spot. Panoramic bay views included.
Water
Hidden Hot Springs: Scramble down Steep Ravine to soak in your own private hot springs at low tide.
From Russia with Love: Explore the less-traveled part of the Russian River in an inflatable canoe—bring the dog, too.
Relax
Blaze of Glory: Greet our San Francisco summer with a sunset bonfire at Ocean Beach. Don't forget the s'mores!
Afternoon Delight: Sip sweet wines only minutes off I-80 in friendly Suisun Valley.
Overnights
Swimming Hole Retreat: Arrive early and pitch a tent along the swimming-friendly creek at first-come-first-served Memorial Park in the Santa Cruz mountains.
Sleeping Beauty: Snag a secluded hike-in camp spot among redwoods and fern groves at Pomo Canyon on the Sonoma Coast. Arrive early—first come, first served.
Patagonia has teamed up with Weekend Sherpa to talk about initiatives they support, activities they love, and clothes they dig.
Short on time but long overdue for a last-minute summer escape? Set your "out-of-office" reply, and head out on an overnighter with Patagonia's versatile MLC Bag. It's a water-resistant, premium nylon bag that easily holds a laptop, a change of clothes, and your trusted toiletries. As your adventure begins, the MLC morphs into a sturdy backpack, and its reflective nylon gives excellent visibility for day and night treks. Plus, thanks to its ergonomic tuck-away straps, the MLC converts to a more businesslike form when you charge into the office after your great escape.
The MLC Bag is available at these stores:
Patagonia San Francisco, 770 North Point St., San Francisco; 415-771-2050.
Patagonia Palo Alto, 525 Alma St., Palo Alto; 650-329-8556.
And don't forget to pick up your free Patagonia tote bag while supplies last. Click here for details.
Miss a week? Click here to see an archive of Patagonia's 12 Weeks of Summer.