We don't usually think of Bay Area campuses as places to wander, but at winter-break time, they're suddenly wide-open spaces to explore. Enjoy!  

Walk around the UC Berkeley campus over the next couple of weeks and your only company will probably be chubby squirrels and crowing blackbirds. Students and faculty have vacated the university's 1,230 acres, leaving you plenty of space to roam one of the most sylvan campuses around. At no other time of year is Cal so tranquil; even usually chaotic Sproul Plaza is silent. Start at the historic Sather Gate, make a right, and wander along Strawberry Creek to the grassy, amphitheater-shaped Faculty Glade (once thought to be home to Ohlone Native Americans). On the western side of the glade, check out the Arleigh and Ruthie Williams Redwood Grove. When we were there last week, the branches were trimmed with paper snowflakes some holiday-spirited students had hung. Just look out for those Cal bears—they pop up in the most unexpected places.

TIP: End your wanderings on the leafy terrace of the Caffe Strada just across from the campus at the corner of College Ave. and Bancroft Way.

For a map of Berkeley campus click here.

It's not part of a college, but it is the only Bay Area campus that's actually in a national park. George Lucas's Letterman Digital Arts Center in San Francisco's Presidio is a great place for a winter afternoon walk—and you don't have to be an employee to enjoy it. The 23 acres of open space have all the goods: loping grass hills with postcard views of the Palace of Fine Arts and the Golden Gate Bridge, a gazebo, meandering paths scattered with benches, and a stone-lined creek that runs into a pond, complete with a water fountain. Check out Yoda in front of Building B. Happy he will be to see you.

TIP: Grab a drink and some specialty "duck buns" at the onsite restaurant and wine bar Pres a Vi. The reasonably priced menu has lots of options—relaxing park views included. Go on a Thursday evening and you'll be treated to live jazz.

The Letterman Digital Arts Center is located on the northeast side of the Presidio. For a map click here.

From December 22 to January 2, Stanford University's 8,000-plus acres become a lush escape in the southern Peninsula foothills. A good place to start your explorations is the Cantor Arts Center's relaxed outdoor sculpture garden; then head north through the eucalyptus-scented air to the rare cacti garden. Loop back down Palm Drive to the Main Quad and poke your head into the Memorial Church; there's more than $100,000 worth of gold laid into the walls (see if you can spot the spelling error in the inscriptions). The best stroll on campus is named after the school's eye-catching radio telescope: "the Dish." This 3-mile loop on a partially paved trail through the southern foothills takes you up into the area's freshest air, past the radio telescope and a small observatory, not to mention more than a few cows. The trail-top views of the campus and the southern bay give new meaning to the term higher learning.

The Cantor Arts Center is located on Museum Way, off Palm Ave. The Center's sculpture and cactus gardens are always open, and the Memorial Church is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The trail to the Dish is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. throughout the winter. Park on Stanford Ave., right before the intersection with Junipero Serra. Enjoy the giant "Makin' Hay" sculptures by artist Tom Otterness on your way up.

Click here to see a map.

Not all women's outdoor apparel is created equal. Patagonia cuts a fine style of eco-smart, utterly reliable clothing and gear for women who like to get the good times rolling in the great outdoors. Worth gifting this season:

Flash me! When the weather outside seems mixed-up, slip into the versatile R1 Flash Pullover, a highly breathable baselayer (made with earth-friendly recycled polyester content) that can be mixed and matched with other layers for comfortable, moisture-wicking insulation. A slim, feminine fit lets you wear it casually about town or for active outdoor endeavors (100% recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program).

Forget Frigid: When the cold wind blows, your bones don't have to feel the chill. The R4 Jacket is Patagonia's warmest fleece, with a stretchy windproof laminate sandwiched between toasty and reliable fibers. With sleek contouring and four colors to choose from, the R4 is ideal for a windy day or for wearing under a shell for outdoor adventures (100% recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program).

That's "Primo" Donna to You: For skiers and snowboarders looking to carve Tahoe's terrain this season, make the Women's Primo Jacket a key piece of go-to gear. Made from recycled materials that won't shred when you're shredding, this jacket offers waterproof and breathable hard-shell protection that can stretch with your every move.

BONUS REMINDER: With each purchase you make, Patagonia will gift wrap it in reusable cloth at no charge—only for Weekend Sherpa subscribers (mention at checkout).

Patagonia San Francisco, 770 North Point St., San Francisco; 415-771-2050.
Patagonia Palo Alto, 525 Alma St., Palo Alto; 650-329-8556.
Patagonia Outlet Santa Cruz, 415 River St. #C, Santa Cruz; 831-423-1776.