Finally the time has come for SF State students to throw down the books and escape the grind of midterm stress and all-night coffee binges. At last, spring break is here.
Unfortunately for many students, spring break is not much of a break at all. Plenty of poor souls will be spending the coming week slaving away at their 9 to 5 jobs or being good little students, catching-up on their studies -- but that doesn't mean no fun can be had. For those who can only get away for a short holiday, places like Stinson Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore and Napa Valley can be a little break from city life.
When Mother Nature cooperates, Stinson Beach is a sun worshipers paradise just 50 minutes north of San Francisco. One of Northern California's most popular coastal towns, Stinson is accented by rickety wooden houses and friendly general stores that accommodate the town's 500 inhabitants and scores of visitors.
Car or bus is definitely needed to conquer the treacherous, but beautiful 30-mile drive to Stinson. Golden Gate Transit 's Bus 80 takes you to San Rafael, and then a transfer to Bus 65 will go all the way to Stinson and Point Reyes. If you drive, leaving early is always a good idea, since traffic and parking are always problems on sunny weekends
The Parkside Cafe is a great place to stop for a tasty, cheap burger before basking in the rays. But if you're going to do your own cooking, plan ahead. Stinson has an area set aside specifically for barbecues and picnics, but late in the afternoon the grills fill up fast. Don't forget the charcoal to go with your burgers and weenies.
If sunbathing is too boring, the Livewater Surfshop rents body boards for $8 a day, wetsuits for $10 and surfboards for $25.
About three-fourths of a mile from Stinson Beach is Red Rocks beach, the perfect spot for people who forgot their bathing suits. Locals love to frolic in the nude amongst the surrounding caves that contain natural hot springs. Bring some strong sunscreen and join in the fun.
Unfortunately, staying in Stinson longer than a day might be a bit expensive, some of the quaint bed and breakfasts run about $90 a night. But another option is the Stinson Beach Motel at a not-too-pricey $50 a night. On a student budget, camping in nearby Pantoll and Steep Ravine campsites is a cheap stay at $14 a night. Reservations are taken for these campsites, so call as soon as possible to reserve a spot.
Another close quick-day destination is Point Reyes National Seashore. About 30 miles north of San Francisco, Point Reyes offers hundreds of hiking trails, and 65,500-acres of ragged cliffs and secluded beaches.
Around this time, visitors can witness the vast number of wildflowers blooming this spring. The Point Reyes Lighthouse, near Drake's Beach, offers visitors a spectacular view and a free tour of the lighthouse.
At Point Reyes American Youth Hostel, beds are $10 a night and are often available at the last minute. As for camping, Sky camp, Wild camp and Samuel P. Taylor State Park are the best places.
Besides the Bay area 's coastal beaches, the wine country of Napa Valley has long been one of the best mini-vacation spots for locals. Unfortunately, Napa can be a little hard on the wallet -- so be careful.
Some wineries that are worth visiting are Nichelini and Wermuth. Nichelini is the oldest family-owned winery and visitors can sample most of the wines there for free. Wermuth also has free tasting, accompanied by chocolate chips to bring out the flavor of the wine.
If spending a lot of money isn't a problem, a hot-air balloon ride over Napa's vast vineyards is a unique and breathtaking flight. If $175 a person is too steep, drive out and watch the balloons take off -- it's cheaper. Napa Valley is also a good place for open-air bathing in natural springs. Harbin Hot Springs and White Sulphur Springs are the best outdoor spas in Calistoga.
Napa State Park is a secluded campsite nestled amid redwoods and tan oaks, just five minutes north of St. Helena. The campsites' fee is $14 and also includes access to swimming pools on the grounds.
[ Golden Gater Online March 28, 1996 ]
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