We thought we'd share with you some of our favorite things and places about the Bay Area. Feel free to visit this page often as we will constantly be updating it.
Yoko -I had the pleasure of visiting Weaver's Coffee recently which took over the old La Coppa facility, which was formerly Bonavita's in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael. Tucked away on a small street, this place is hardly recognizable but inside, there was an inviting sitting area and television, people inside chatting away, and the distinct aroma of fresh coffee.
John Weaver apprenticed under Sal Bonavita and Alfred Peet but apparently started Weaver's coffee in an attempt to hand craft artisan coffee in small quantities. He has 100% certified organic coffees and beautiful teas as well. The coffee was gorgeous. Dark and strong but not bitter, not acidic...perfectly balanced and smooth. You can get made to order espresso drinks and of course buy beans in any quantity. They've recently made the move to 40 Louise Street from the East Bay. Emeryville's loss is San Rafael's gain.
Yoko - China Camp - Love to run the Shoreline Trail at China Camp. Thinking it's about 5 miles...we park at the junction of the Shoreline Trail and Turtle Back Hill and take the Shoreline Trail East towards the Ranger Station and do an out and back run. Not too hilly, some single track, fire roads and bridges, lots of trees, deer, turkeys, and a couple of coyote sightings. If you go early like us, the spider webs are everywhere so wear long sleeves.
The park is along the shores of the San Pablo Bay in San Rafael. There are beautiful views and the sun coming up at 6am is gorgeous! In the 1880's, a Chinese shrimp fishing village thrived on this site. Nearly 500 people lived in this village, originally from Canton. There's a museum that tells more about this history if you're interested or check out the website at:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=466
Since my true joy in life is food, I find that I have to reward myself after a run, bike, or swim.
My favorite casual restaurant of the week is Roadhouse BBQ in the revamped Northgate Mall. I either get a pulled pork or chicken sandwich. It's served on a warm bun with BBQ sauce and the meat is really tender. They serve it with a choice of sides; I am partial to the sweet potato fries but the side salad is nice and crisp as well. The best part however, are the sauces and condiments that they have readily available. Hot or mild BBQ and a spicy vinegar sauce, a variety of mustards, pickles, onions, and jalepenos as well. I pile it all on and eat a goopy but toothsome mess. Paper towels on a roll make the clean up easy and as I write this, I'm getting hungry so I think I'll have to go and indulge.
Yoko - It's 2010 and I continue on a fitness kick. I'm actually starting to enjoy regular exercise and am at the point where I feel depressed when I don't get it. How did this happen? Well, Alan Atha has been a big part of that. Not only does he teach my spin class, mentor the Early Bird Criterium Bicycle Race training series (which I participated in) but he continues to offer a TRX Bootcamp at his home gym in Novato. The TRX Suspension System was originally invented by the Navy Seals and "allows for the use of multiple planes of motion and works multiple muscles and joints simultaneously." Along with the use of kettlebells, jump ropes, and medicine balls, I'm having a great time with TRX training. All I know is that I feel stronger, my muscles are more defined, and my entire body aches (in a good way) for a few days afterwards. Please check out his website at http://fundamentaltrainingcenter.blogspot.com/ for more information. The cost is minimal and the results are HUGE.
On an aside, I'm also having fun online with www.livestrong.com where I can track my calorie intake and my fitness output to monitor my weight goals. It's been fun, challenging, and eye opening to see the details of what I put into my mouth and what it takes to burn it off!
Karen - Coffee Shops are abundant in the lovely downtown area of Novato. I love to walk the 5 mile round trip in the morning from my house and reward myself with a cup of java mid way from any of the following: Peet's is located on 7th and Grant and the service is quick and the employees make a point to learn your name and your beverage. Flourchylde is at 850 Grant Ave - provides a delicious mocha and the bakery treats are delectable! I ordered a beautiful bali elephant themed cake for my daughter's 21st birthday and the outcome was fabulous. Creekside Bakery has been in Novato for many years has a very loyal following - the home baked scones and cookies are a nice treat after a walk or just for the fun of it.
Karen - The Last Straw is a fabulous little shop in the outer Sunset of San Francisco. I never can resist stopping by when in the City to see what new gem finds or imported hand bags that the owner, Marge Heard has displayed. While the shop is little, it carries a variety of bags, jewelry, soaps, lotions and great gifts ideas. I guarantee that once you go in - you will not leave empty handed.
Need a place to go for a foot rub that does not need an appointment? Quick Fix/Art of Reflexology is located in the Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco. For $24.00 one can get a half hour foot massage that will leave you feeling so relaxed you might just have to cab it home(!) While working on one foot the other is kept toastie warm in a foot mitten just waiting for its turn to be relieved of all tension. Quick Fix is located in many other malls in the East and South Bay - and I hope they find their way up North soon.
Jim- Even though I still manage to get my decades old frame out for a run three times a week, I have discovered an additional form of exercise - WALKING. Walking, to my surprise, allows one to enjoy and appreciate every aspect and quark of one's immediate surroundings. My wife and I recently parked the car in downtown Sausalito off Bridgeway and walked up the labyrinth of streets to arrive on Santa Rosa Avenue.
Numerous vantage points from Santa Rosa Avenue offer some of the most majestic views of The San Francisco Bay I have ever seen. Every twist and turn of the narrow road provides a different and unique view ranging from filtered views to stunning panoramic vistas. We played a game that we titled, "America's Greatest Parking Spot." Some of the the homes on Santa Rosa Avenue seemingly cascade down the hill with only parking decks being visible from the street. The views from the parking decks are absolutely stunning! From the decks, you can see the different shades of the Bay water, the sailboats doing their thing and the ferries showing all the slack-jawed tourists why our Bay Area community is such an outstanding community in which to live, play and work. So don't just take my word for it, check out Santa Rosa Avenue or any other of the beautiful streets and neighborhoods we are so lucky to have here in Marin County.
Have fun and have a nice walk.
Janelle- The Bay Area beaches are by far one of our greatest natural resources - and they are free! It amazes me how often my family and I walk the beach and may only see two or three other faces along the way. One little beach that deserves a visit is Kehoe Beach in Marin County. Travel through Inverness on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and veer right onto Pierce Point Rd. as if you are headed towards the popular Heart's Desire Beach. Just a few minutes past Abbotts Lagoon, you will see parking on both sides of the road. The entrance is on the left with a single outhouse (last stop). After a short 1/2 mile walk, you arrive at what feels like a very private spot on the Pacific Coast. Dogs are allowed on leash to the North. There are wonderful dunes, rock out croppings, and plenty of seashore
to walk.
We are also lucky to have so many local farmers of organic and sustainable foods. A favorite of mine is Marin Sun Farms. The butcher shop is located in Pt. Reyes Station with both fresh and frozen meats available. Grazing animals help sustain healthy land as the grazing process contributes to the regeneration of our native grasses. The beef is raised entirely on pasture. The flavor is noticably rich and remarkably different than grain fed beef. The pastures that are used for this company are all local including "H" ranch (you pass by on the way to Kehoe Beach). If you haven't had this product, give it a try. Marin Sun Farms meats are also sold at Good Earth in Fairfax, Harvest Market in Novato and Paradise Market in Corte Madera. You will also find their products in specialty stores throughout the Bay Area.
SOME OF OUR PAST FAVORITES
Teapod Organic Tea Bar in San Anselmo is currently my favorite place to sit, sip, and perhaps get some work done. Try the Blueberry Matcha Boba Tea. Not many places in Marin have jumped on the boba tapioca pearl phenomena (which was so popular in SF when I was living there) but, this place does it and it's soooo good. I could come here daily if it didn't make such a dent in my wallet. The bonus about this place is that the people are so nice, there is free wi-fi, and it sure is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. I guess it's worth every penny.
Have you ever indulged in a Korean scrub and massage? Not for the shy or demure but the Imperial Spa in San Francisco will make your skin silky soft, and your muscles tingle. Enter into a communal bathing room with hot and cold tubs, and then get called upstairs for your scrub. The experience is amazing. You will be scrubbed from head to toe, front and back, rinsed, shampooed, massaged, given a facial, rinsed, soaped, and dried. They don't miss a thing. Have a little nap in the herbal room afterwards to thoroughly refresh yourself. After that, head across the street to Japantown and enjoy a wonderful meal at Maki where they specialize in traditional Japanese food and wappa-bowls. Check it out and see for yourself.
