The cooler temperatures have arrived, so mark your calendar for these twelve outings that are sure to keep you sizzling this holiday season.
| 1. | Crank it Up! The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is hosting a docent-led, eight-mile bike ride on dirt trails to the top of three separate mountains in the Fremont Older Preserve. Local lore, great views, and lots of heavy breathing (Nov. 10). www.openspace.org | | 2. | Great Balls of Fire: Watch the sky rain stars during the Leonid Meteor Shower—up to fifteen meteors per hour! Some of the best places to watch include Mt. Tam (we suggest Pantoll parking lot) or the Chabot Observatory (Nov. 17). www.chabotspace.org | | 3. | Win the Wilderness Lottery: The destination is Ostrander Hut: a cozy cabin at 8,500 feet on the edge of a lake in gorgeous Yosemite. Get there by cross-country skis and see the winter moon through the eyes of the wilderness. This popular backcountry beauty fills up fast, so enter the Ostrander Hut lottery soon; the deadline is Nov. 20. www.ostranderhut.com | | 4. | Turkey Trek: Come out of your turkey coma with the Sierra Club and their Thanksgiving Day hike, happening this year in Briones Regional Park (Nov. 22). www.sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org | | 5. | Hendrix and the Turkey Thigh High: Join San Francisco's City Cycle for their annual day-after-Thanksgiving/Jimi Hendrix–birthday celebration road-ride (try saying that five times and fast). Cross the Golden Gate and cruise throughout Marin. Cyclists of all abilities and skill levels are encouraged to participate (Nov. 23). www.citycycle.com | | 6. | Polar Express: Families and friends will love the festive holiday train that chugs through downtown Santa Cruz. With colorful lights, hot cider, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus making appearances, this is a jolly good jaunt (weekends starting after Thanksgiving). www.roaringcamp.com | | 7. | Sunset and Starlight: Paddle into the sunset on Tomales Bay with Point Reyes Outdoors. Enjoy warm drinks and locally made desserts on a secluded beach before making your way back over the starlit waters (Saturdays in Nov. and Dec.). www.pointreyesoutdoors.com | | 8. | Bonfire Hike: On one of the longest nights of the year, join the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for a short hike that starts at the Presidio's Rob Hill and ends at a roaring bonfire at Baker Beach (Dec. 1). www.parksconservancy.org | | 9. | Lite-Brite Boats: Check out some the East Bay's finest boats as they float by all aglow in the 31st-annual Lighted Yacht Parade in the Oakland Estuary. Schooners, sailboats, trawlers, and trimarans welcome (Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m., Jack London Square). | | 10. | Holy Shiitake! Hunt for wild mushrooms on a beautiful Point Reyes hike with a true 'shroom expert from the Bay Area Mycological Society. Smurf sightings not included (Dec. 29). www.bayareamushrooms.org | | 11. | Fresh Start: Begin the New Year with a brisk morning hike to the top of Mt. Tam. Bring your friends, celebrate with snacks and drinks, and receive a commemorative pin. 2008 never looked so good (Jan. 1). www.mttam.net | | 12. | Rainy-day Bubbly: Head up to Mumm Napa and take cover in a private-collection gallery featuring some of Ansel Adams's greatest works while you sip some of the finest bubbly around. (Ongoing) www.mummnapa.com |
This weekend The Sports Club/LA invites you to breathe easier with their Wellness Weekend, November 9, 10, and 11 in San Francisco. Go for one day, or enjoy three days of both relaxing and invigorating classes in yoga, martial arts, and living arts. Plus, get a massage (or two), meet like-minded folks, and celebrate post-workout with tasty mimosas and sangria. Weekend Sherpa subscribers pay $35. Aren't you feeling better already?
The Sports Club/LA Wellness Weekend: $35 for Weekend Sherpa subscribers. Advance reservations required. To RSVP, please click here or call 866-891-9271.
Friday, November 9, 5:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Saturday, November 10, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Sunday, November 11, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
BONUS: Start your New Year's fitness resolution early. As a Weekend Sherpa subscriber, receive a preferred membership rate by joining The Sports Club/LA before November 30, 2007.
The Sports Club/LA, 747 Market St., San Francisco; 415-633-3900.
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