Hiking Adventures in the San Francisco Peninsula and Beyond
Thornton State Beach, Daly City, California Here we go again. Last year, lightning strikes in mid-August sparked 650 wildfires burning more than 2.5 million acres in Northern California. The late-night lightning and thunder show was quite impressive. Little did anyone know that it would lead to such devastation. In early September skies over the San Francisco Bay … Continue reading A Hazy Shade of August
Coronado Beach, San Diego It is another drought year in California. Our hills are golden brown. Parched. Fall seems to be arriving early, with colors either turning or appearing to do so. Fire-red poison oak, usually that hue in September and October, dots the hillsides. The contrast between our flowing rivers and the Pacific Ocean, on one hand, and the … Continue reading The Golden State
Some stats, notes and observations: View of Half Moon Bay from Harkins Ridge Trail Duration: 4 hours (including a few stops for water, snacks, etc.)Distance: 9.3 milesElevation Gain: 2,109 feetWeather: Clear and warm (75 degrees F) at the beginning of the hike (8:00am), no wind, cooling off a bit once closer to the coast and … Continue reading Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
Some stats, notes and observations: Duration: 3 hours (including lunch)Distance: 7.11 milesTop elevation: 1,898 feet (North Peak)Weather: Overcast (64 degrees F) at the beginning of the hike (9:30am), light drizzle, clearing once above 1,500 feet Location: Just north of Montara State Beach, south of PacificaRoute: Grey Whale Cove Trail to Old San Pedro Mountain Trail to … Continue reading Tales from Montara Mountain
View from the Oat Hill Mine Trail above Calistoga Some notes and observations: Calistoga is a wellness resort, founded in 1862 by Samuel Brannan, who, legend has it, had hoped to create the Saratoga (a renowned hot springs in New York) of California, and instead, after a beverage or two, founded the California of Saratoga, … Continue reading Calistoga
It should bother me, perhaps, that in my late forties I have gotten no closer to visiting Brazil than these Mundo Novo beans (pictured above), from one of my favorite local roasters, Liminal Coffee, discovered earlier this year at the San Mateo, California farmers’ market. In response to my third posting in the past week of … Continue reading Morning Musings
Mori Point, Pacifica In contrast to Windy Hill, this one was really windy, putting even the weather-beaten Cliffs of Moher to shame. Sustained, gale-force (some exaggeration perhaps) winds, pulsating, relentless, nature’s air conditioner set to really, really high. In 1888, Stefano Mori, an Italian immigrant, purchased farm and ranchland overlooking the Pacific. Now part of the … Continue reading Mori Point
In the past year, I have become a semi-prolific (day) hiker. A friend pointed out that real hikers go on multi-day treks. I do not disagree, but I am not much of a camper, and a one-day 10-mile loop suits me just me. A multi-day Alps trek is very tentatively planned for Fall 2022. Huts, not tents, … Continue reading San Francisco Days (and Other Ramblings)
One of the few (if only) bright spots of the last ten months has been that the morning hike has replaced the morning commute. More thoughts on the virtues of hiking are available here: https://johnpavolotsky.com/2021/01/09/take-a-hike/ Pulgas Ridge Preserve Today’s hike started at 7:15am, in the Pulgas Ridge Preserve (Redwood City, California) parking lot, en route to … Continue reading Early to Bed, Early to Rise
It is a tough time to be a travel writer. As a baker needs flour, so does a travel writer need fresh sights, smells, sounds, experiences, inspiration. Of course, writing about past adventures is an option. For example, I could tell you about a brilliant day last autumn, cool morning, warm afternoon, mild evening, starting … Continue reading Spanish Steps
The Peninsula Hiking Club 