Now that fall has firmly settled on the landscape and inland temperatures are tamer, it’s the perfect time to combine day trips with panoramic hikes. And if our stay-at-home restrictions keep you from getting away from the county, these will be good destinations for the spring as well.
Starting off of Highway 1 north of Half Moon Bay, Montara Mountain’s 8-mile dog-friendly hike is one of my favorite climbs. This jaunt at the northern edge of the Santa Cruz Mountains begins under a canopy of cypress trees, and quickly reveals the stunning coastline views as the trail sweeps up to a cluster of communication towers at 1,898 feet. The coastal climate can be capricious any time of year. Don’t be fooled if you start under cool foggy skies. The exposed southwest slope can get very warm so water is essential for two and four-legged hikers. Keep your dog safely under voice control or on leash when mountain bikers are present. Once you reach the summit you will breathe in the views of Mount Diablo to the east, Mount Tamalpais to the north and a rare look at the entire Santa Cruz Mountains’ spine to the south. On a clear day, you might even get a glance at San Francisco and Point Reyes.
Back on the coast, Princeton-by-the-Sea’s charming fishing enclave named after one of the country’s eight Ivy League colleges, boasts a colorful history of Portuguese whalers and bootleggers. It has been a popular recreational destination since the early 1900s when San Franciscans came to the beaches aboard the Ocean Shore Railroad trains. Half Moon Bay Brewery’s deep fried artichokes, Barbara’s Fish Trap’s award winning fish & chips and Princeton Seafood Company’s clam chowder are just a few eateries waiting to please hungry hikers’ palates.
One day is hardly enough to sample all the area’s outdoor attractions. The Inn at Mavericks overlooking the working harbor of Pillar Point is a perfect basecamp to explore the beaches from Pelican Point Beach at the south end to Mavericks Beach at the northwest end of the bay. You may recognize Mavericks Beach as the spot for the world-renowned big-wave surfing competition, but your pooch will be more impressed with the fact that this famous stretch of coastline is named after a fellow canine that insisted on swimming out with his surfer-dude human.
A trip to Half Moon Bay isn’t complete without a stroll or bike ride along the 8-mile paved stitch of the California Coastal Trail between Pillar Point Harbor and the Ritz Carlton or enjoying the expansive view along the Pillar Point Bluff Trail.
Farther inland, Mission Peak in Fremont and Mount Diablo in Walnut Creek, both part of the Diablo Range that stretches from San Francisco’s East Bay south to the Salinas Valley, overlook swaths of protected public lands as well as the tide of suburban sprawl. The Mission Peak hike from the Ohlone Wilderness trailhead is a dog-friendly 6-mile cardio loop up to the 2,530-foot summit. Oak woodland ravines, seasonal springs and rock escarpments sculpt this route. The panoramic views are breathtaking and although you won’t find an alpine-style apple strudel and hot chocolate hut on the mountaintop, a hearty sandwich from the old fashion Ohlone Deli on Mission Boulevard is a good bet for a top of the world picnic reward. Expect to share the loop trail with mountain bikers and horseback riders on your way down.
The Mission San Jose, built in 1797 to honor St. Joseph, is the neighborhood’s prime cultural attraction. Mission buildings are the most visited state historic monuments and have had a lasting influence on architecture and design. Mission San Jose is No. 14 in the chain of 21 Spanish missions built along Alta California’s Camino Real between San Diego and Sonoma from 1769 to 1823. During COVID-19 restrictions, go to missionsanjose.org for virtual tours of the interior of the mission and to order items from the gift shop.
The good news about Mount Diablo is that you don’t have to be hiking or biking fit to tackle the 17-mile circuitous road for exhilarating views atop Mount Diablo State Park’s 3,849-foot crown. You can drive up to several perches, picnic areas and trailheads, and access the lookout a short walk from the upper parking lot. Early California lore explains the origin of the mountain’s name with a tale of Spanish soldiers getting tangled in willow thickets while chasing runaway mission Indians. They named the area Monte del Diablo meaning “thicket of the devil.”
The interpretive panels describe the geological, ecological and cultural history of one of California’s most prominent peaks and an “important reference point for land surveys in the Far West.” On a clear winter day, you can see nearly 200 miles from the peak of this 2 million-year-old volcano look-a-like bulge.
Mount Diablo lords over Contra Costa, the East Bay’s most dynamic county. A fabulous web of protected open space and multi-use recreational trails connects the charming communities of Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga. The downtown areas offer visitors a cornucopia of places to shop and eat, many with attractive outdoor venues (and some takeout if more COVID-19 restrictions come down). Each town has succeeded in preserving some aspect of its pioneer and ranching history in architecture, resulting in gentrification chichi with soul.
Boudin Bakery’s patio is a perfect refueling stop for the best sourdough bread sandwich after a Mount Diablo excursion or a shopping expedition along Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza. Primo’s Pizzeria and Pub in the heart of historic Danville has been a local favorite for homemade meatballs and New York-style pizza since 1979. If you have a craving for a Chinese food picnic, Uncle Yu’s (actually run by Aunt Yu) in Lafayette, is worth the day trip for the freshest quality Asian cuisine.
Mask up and take advantage of the breezy autumn air to refresh your spirit on a mountaintop and enjoy exploring our neighboring counties.
Linda B. Mullally and husband David share their passion for travel, outdoor recreation and dogs through articles, hiking books and photography at www.lindabmullally.com, Falcon.com and Facebook
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December 06, 2020 at 12:27AM
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Travels with the Mullallys: Three peak fall attractions - Monterey Herald
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