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Site of the largest mainland breeding colony in the world for the northern elephant seal. The best time to observe the herd and pups is December through April, although a large colony of seals remain throughout the year. New Year’s Creek Road, Pescadero (off Highway 1, 27 miles south of Half Moon Bay).
For information, call................. 650-879-0227
San Mateo County beaches provide a great day for exploring cliffs and bluffs, watching tide pools, fishing, strolling, horseback riding, and sunbathing. Butano State Park and the 8,020-acre complex which includes Memorial, Pescadero Creek, Sam McDonald and Heritage Grove county parks offer recreational activities galore, including hiking, camping, picnicking, or simple enjoyment of nature. Visit the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Dept. at www.co.sanmateo.ca.us or call................. 650-363-4020
The State Parks website is www.parks.ca.gov or call................. 800-777-0369
(Please see Museums & Historical Sites)
Site offers one of the most diverse tide pool systems in the state - a variety of seaweed, crabs, sponges, sea anemones, mollusks, starfish and fish. Located off Coast Highway 1 in Moss Beach. For more information, visit www.fitzgeraldreserve.org ................. 650-728-3584
(San Mateo Central Park)
The garden, designed by a former landscape architect at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, features a tea house, waterfalls, a pagoda, and pathways through harmoniously arranged trees and rocks. The garden is made especially lovely in spring by the cherry blossoms and in fall by the autumn foliage.
East 5th Avenue and El Camino Real
San Mateo................. 650-522-7440
Pigeon Point Lighthouse built in 1872 in Pescadero is one of the tallest lighthouses in the U.S. Point Montara Lighthouse in Montara was built in 1875.
www.parks.ca.gov................. 650-728-7177
The non-profit institute offers ecosystem education by prior arrangement for both children and adults by conducting teaching/research expeditions on board its 90-foot research vessel, shoreside programs (on-site explorations of aquatic animals and their environment) and tide pooling.
500 Discovery Parkway
Redwood City................. 650-364-2760
www.sfbaymsi.org
Bring the family for a visit to this private beach. Secluded area with surfing. A general store offers food and beverages. Off Highway 1, south of Half Moon Bay................. 650-712-8020
The coastside is the location for a huge number of fresh flowers/plants nurseries, Christmas tree farms and pumpkin fields. For more information on the various nurseries in the area, call 650-726-4485 or visit the San Mateo County Farm Bureau’s website:
http://sanmateo.cfbf.com
One of the largest and most important marshes in California, this wildlife sanctuary is a favorite of birdwatchers and other animal lovers. The 500 acres of marshlands contain a wide variety of birds, mammals, amphibians, and plants. Highway 1 at Pescadero Road. For information, call the Half
Moon Bay/Coastside Chamber of
Commerce................. 650-726-8380
The classic adobe style building, designed by famed Western Architect Cliff May, is surrounded by 15 acres of gardens that reflect the diverse geography found in the West - from a cactus garden representing the Baja, to the totem poles of the Pacific Northwest, and everything in between. When you arrive at the headquarters, Sunset’s hand-hewn doors open to a grand lobby filled with historic memorabilia tracking the 108 year old publication as well as current awards, books and special issues being published. Self-guided tours of the gardens are offered during the week.
80 Willow Road
Menlo Park................. 650-321-3600
www.sunset.com
The California Gray Whales continue their migration off shore from December through April. In many places they are visible from the shore, but the best way to view them is from a boat. Boats leaving from Princeton Harbor offer whale-watching tours, fishing charters, and trips to the Farallon Islands to study
birds and sea mammals. Huli Cat Sport
Fishing & Charter:
www.hulicat.com ................. 650-726-2926
For information on the various farms and ranches in the area, visit the San Mateo County Farm Bureau’s website
http://sanmateo.cfbf.com................. 650-726-4485
Located in Half Moon Bay and operated by the University of California Cooperative Extension Service for the purpose of educating children about coastal natural beauty, livestock and gardens. Sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, llamas, a pig, a burro and a horse live at Elkus Ranch along with an abundance of native plants and animals. The farmhouse is surrounded by miles of hiking trails, two sleeping tents on platforms, two restored barns, gardens, greenhouse and lath house. Visits by special arrangement only.
1500 Purisima Creek Road
Half Moon Bay................. 650-712-3151
http://cesanmateo.ucdavis.edu/Custom%5FProgram
The Ranch invites visitors to bring a picnic lunch while picking fruit. Hayrides, farm tours.
For more information................. 650-469-8804
www.well.com/user/dmsml/coastways
Offers fruit picking, picnic tables, gourmet herb room, farm animals, aviaries and
country store.
2700 Pescadero Road
Pescadero................. 650-879-0787
www.phippscountry.com
Off Highway 1, 27 miles south of Half
Moon Bay.
www.parks.ca.gov ................. 650-879-0227
Located 5 miles south of Pescadero on Cloverdale Road and off Highway 1 from Gazos Creek Road.
www.parks.ca.gov ................. 650-879-2040
Located 6 miles off Highway 35.
www.parks.ca.gov ................. 650-948-9098
Along Highway 1, between San Francisco and Santa Cruz.
The San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Department can steer you to county trails and offer maps and information.
www.co.sanmateo.ca.us................. 650-363-4020
Located on Coyote Point Drive in the city of San Mateo, east of Highway 101.
Located at the intersection of Edgewood Road in Redwood City and Highway 280.
Located on Bay Road in Menlo Park. Take Highway 101 to Marsh Road, west to Bay Road, south to park.
Located on Alpine Road about 4 miles east
of La Honda.
Located on Kings Mountain Road, adjacent to the town of Woodside. Take Highway 84 to Kings Mountain Road, then west 2.2 miles.
Located between Moss Beach & Pillar Point. Take Highway 1 to Moss Beach, west on California Street or Cypress Street to the end.
Located on Crystal Springs Road, adjacent to the cities of San Bruno & Millbrae. Take Highway 280 southbound to Crystal
Springs Road.
Memorial and Sam McDonald Parks.
Take Highway 84 to Pescadero Road.
Take Highway 101 to Old Bayshore Boulevard; to Guadalupe Canyon Parkway;
west on Guadalupe Canyon Parkway to
park entrance.
Take Highway 101 East Hillsdale Boulevard; east to Beach Park Boulevard.
Located adjacent to the Linda Mar area of Pacifica and the San Francisco Watershed. Take Highway 1 to Linda Mar Boulevard; east to the end of the Boulevard.
Located between the west end of Hillcrest Boulevard in Millbrae, and the west end of Crystal Springs Road in San Mateo. Take Highway 280 to Black Mountain Road, then west to Skyline Boulevard, and south to South Gate.
Take Highway 84; 2 miles southwest of the town of Woodside.
After you have explored San Mateo County’s many and varied attractions, visit our member venues in neighboring counties.
Offers cruises around the Bay, and to Angel Island, Sausalito, Tiburon and Vallejo, the home of Six Flags Marine World. Also available are motor coach tours to Monterey, the Wine Country, Yosemite, Muir Woods and a San Francisco City Tour.
Pier 41, Marine Terminal
San Francisco................. 415-773-1188
www.blueandgoldfleet.com
The world’s largest and most significant collection of educational, entertaining, and inspiring materials related to the history of computing, including hardware, software, documentation, ephemera, and media. With international collecting efforts spanning four decades, the Museum seeks to preserve a comprehensive view of computing history, one that includes the machines, the software, the business and competitive environments, personal recollections, and the social implications of humankind’s most important invention, the computer. Three exhibits (“Visible Storage,” “Mastering the Game: A History of Computer Chess” and “Innovation in the Valley”) are free to the public on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Docent-led tours are also available.
1401 N Shoreline Blvd.
Mountain View................. 650-810-1010
www.computerhistory.org
Three Audio Tours. Three Bridges. Three Islands. One Cruise. Enjoy audio tours on Architecture, Native American, and Natural History, in one 90-minute cruise. Guests can listen to one tour throughout, alternate between all three or simply take in the amazing scenery of San Francisco Bay. Cruise along the waterfront, past the San Francisco Giants ballpark, the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, Alcatraz Island, Yerba Buena Island and the San Francisco skyline. Year-round sailings from Gate E of the San Francisco Ferry Building.
1 Ferry Plaza, San Francisco (along The Embarcadero, at the east end of Market Street). Schedule Information:
www.ferrybuildingline.com ................. 415-901-5253
Guided tours of San Francisco and numerous attractions and locales of interest in the Bay Area (Wine Country, Monterey, Muir Woods, Yosemite and more). Combinations of boat/bus and bus/train tours plus full charter service for groups.
Pier 43½, The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Sightseeing Tours................. 415-434-8687
Groups & Charters................. 415-642-9400
www.graylinesanfrancisco.com
Scenic year-round gourmet excursions daily aboard lavishly restored Pullman Dining, Lounge & Vista Dome Cars for lunch,
dinner or champagne brunch with three different styles of restaurants and 15
package options.
1275 McKinstry Street
Napa................. 707-253-2111
www.winetrain.com ................. or 800-427-4124
Over 25 Years as the Premier Festival Marketplace on San Francisco Bay. Two levels boast 110 specialty shops, 13 full-service restaurants, numerous fun-filled attractions, with breathtaking views of the Bay at every turn.
PIER 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
Information................. 415-981-PIER (7437)
www.PIER39.com
San Francisco’s original sightseeing tradition since 1892. Experience the highlights of San Francisco Bay on water, land and air tours. A one-hour Golden Gate Bay Cruise offers breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and San Francisco with educational commentary in eight languages. The two-hour California Sunset Cruise provides spectacular sunset views of San Francisco, Angel Island, Tiburon, Sausalito, and the Golden Gate Bridge (Italian appetizers and one drink included). Many other exciting sightseeing opportunities are available.
Pier 43½, Fisherman’s Wharf
San Francisco
Information................. 415-673-2900
Reservations................. 415-901-5254
www.redandwhite.com
Set along San Francisco’s historic waterfront, Teatro ZinZanni is a bewitching evening of European Cabaret and Cirque, Divas and Madmen, Spectacle and Sensuality with Live Music and a Gourmet Five-Course Dinner.
Pier 29, The Embarcadero
San Francisco................. 415-438-2668
http://love.zinzanni.org
This National Historical Landmark is one of the most decorated ships in naval history (it participated in WWII and the Apollo 11 manned moon mission). Explore an authentically restored aircraft carrier and get a close-up look at classic naval aircraft. Exhibits also include the West Coast’s largest display of Apollo moon mission artifacts. In addition to being a museum, the ship is available for corporate entertaining, trade shows, dances, dinners, and youth overnights.
Pier 3, Alameda Point
Alameda................. 510-521-8448
www.uss-hornet.org
This National Historic Landmark is a Coast Guard certified, fully seaworthy vessel and regularly cruises on San Francisco Bay. Docent-led dockside tours (mid-January through mid-December) are 45 minutes and include a 15-minute video shown in the Potomac Visitor Center. Enjoy a two-hour narrated History Cruise on San Francisco Bay (May through November) with knowledgeable docents to take you on a guided tour of the ship while underway. In addition to special events, the USS Potomac is available for limited private charter. Whether it is an anniversary, wedding, reception, promotion or any other occasion, the Potomac is a truly unique venue for a very special day.
540 Water Street
Oakland................. 510-627-1215
www.usspotomac.org
The beautiful but bizarre estate of Sarah Winchester, the Winchester rifle heiress, offers tours of 110 of its 160 rooms and six acres of beautifully manicured gardens, the Historical Firearms and the Antique
Products Museums.
525 South Winchester Boulevard
San Jose................. 408-247-2101
www.winchestermysteryhouse.com |
