This holiday season give yourself some North Bay cheer with these fun-filled outings, inspired views, and good green times.
Light your season with this three-part, seven-mile hiking loop on majestic Mt. Tam. Part 1: Beginning halfway up the slopes of Mt. Tam's western flank, take the Matt Davis Trail from Pantoll Ranger Station  to Stinson Beach. Gobble up spectacular, bluff-side Pacific panoramas and hear caroling brooks as you whorl toward sea level. Part 2: Land in Stinson Beach and slide into the Sand Dollar Café, where comfort and joy await. If the sun is shining, treat yourself to their San Felipe fish tacos on the deck. A little cool? Head for the fire inside—New England clam chowder and a hot beverage will warm your bones. Part 3: By way of the Dipsea and Steep Ravine trails, hike through a redwood canyon, along more caroling brooks, and up a wooden ladder—perfect for that Season's Greetings photo op—en route to your starting point at Pantoll. Do you hear what we hear?
Begin the loop at the Pantoll Ranger Station parking lot off Panoramic Hwy. (map), where you can also pick up trail maps. Take the Matt Davis Trail all the way to Stinson Beach. On your return from Stinson Beach, walk down Shoreline Highway, a.k.a. Highway 1, to its intersection with Panoramic Highway on the hill above the town. Walk a short distance up Panoramic, and pick up the first unmarked trail on your right, which is the Dipsea. It will later connect with Steep Ravine, which takes you back to Pantoll. No dogs are allowed. Click here for more information.
If there were a "Christmas Tree Town, U.S.A.," Sebastopol would be a strong candidate. Last weekend we explored multiple cut-your-own farms in this rural Sonoma County town, talked trees with the locals, and got the dirt on a variety of choices. Here are three we recommend:
 Hilltop Haven: Complete with tractor rides for the kids and Christmas carols playing through the jukebox, Frosty Mountain Tree Farm offers twelve acres perched on a hilltop with amazing views. Don't miss the $1 popcorn.
Best Value: The best branch for your buck is at Buddy's Christmas Trees (pictured). It's three acres of trees beautifully pruned with pride. And they come at a nice price: many seven-footers are around $40.
Night Delight: If you'd rather cut your tree under the stars, then Victorian Christmas Ranch is your spot. The owners keep the farm open after dark and give customers lanterns to wander among the moonlit boughs in search of the perfect tree.
When you've found your beauty, all three of these farms will wrap it and tie it to the roof of your car. Merry Christmas memories!
TIP: With the tree tied to your roof, make your way to Sebastopol's downtown plaza. Recently opened West County Grill has a chef from Chez Panisse and a nice, slightly pricey à la carte menu.
Remember to Treecycle: After the holidays, leave your tree on the sidewalk and it will be picked up for recycling on your scheduled day (for San Francisco, it's from Dec. 31–Jan. 11).
Fairfax is an enchanting mix of old and new Marin, with a small-town vibe, a lively music scene, and a spectacular setting at the base of Mt. Tam. Kick off your day in this remote hamlet with a 3.4-mile ramble along the Deer Park Trail; on cool, clear December days, this short loop offers wide and deep views of both the bay and Mt. Tam. This is a neighborhood jaunt, so you'll likely meet friendly locals en route. After you've worked up a sweat, kick back on the festively lit town streets; the intimate shops offer inventive gift ideas and the bars and restaurants feature live music seven nights a week. Three great places to get your holiday groove on are 19 Broadway, Peri's, and Cafe Amsterdam—all virtually on top of one another. Good tidings!
You can access Deer Park Trail at Deer Park near Fairfax's south end. Here's a map to the trail. To do the loop: Walk behind the school, turn left and walk through the playing field. Take the Deer Park Trail (not Deer Park Fire Road) up. At the top, take Worn Springs Fire Road to the right. Then turn right onto the Yolanda Trail and follow this to "Six Points." Make a hard right (almost behind you) on the Six Points Trail, which will take you to Oak Tree Junction. Go right again and continue on the Deer Park Fire Road back to the school.
It's the season of giving, and nobody is more excited than your paw-pal with the wet nose. Your special furry friend hikes with you, snores with you and is always there to lend a big cheek-lick when you need it most. So this holiday, give the gift of woof by treating your dog to unique presents from around the world at Wagstores's San Francisco shop at 25 14th St. or on Wagstores.com, an online pet store full of gifts your precious pooch will jump for. Fetching selections include elf hats, Santa bungees, Hanukkah bones, knitted snowball scarves, deluxe reindeer antlers and plenty more. Fret not, cat owners: Wagstores and Wagstores.com also have an assortment of gifts purrrrrrfect for your feline. Don't be a Scrooge; give your best friend a special gift this year.
WAG Stores, 25 14th Street (just off Harrison), San Francisco; 888-WAG-LINE.
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