Picnics

One of our favorite family outings is to the town of Sonoma. This small town is a fantastic wine country destination for either a day trip or a weekend “staycation” (which of course is all the rage in this era $4.50-a-gallon gas). Sonoma is about a half-hour’s drive from northern Marin, via Highways 37 and 121. Not as busy or as up-to-the-moment trendy as the Napa Valley, its Wine Country neighbor to the east, Sonoma manages to be both quaint and sophisticated, with a clear sense of tradition and history. Above all, it’s a great place for families, since the Wine Country isn’t necessarily all about wine.

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One of Marin's underrated treasures is China Camp State Park, located east of San Rafael. It's not as famous or flashy as other local outdoors spots like Mt. Tam, Muir Woods, or Point Reyes, but it has a charm all its own and offers plenty for families to do and see. Situated on the shores of San Pablo Bay, China Camp offers stunning views, plenty of hiking and biking trails, walk-in camp sites, picnic areas, beaches, and an historic 19th-century Chinese fishing village. Topography ranges from oak woodlands to wetland, with even some redwoods thrown in for good measure.

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When the temperature rises and you need to get away from the heat, going to the beach is always a good idea. Unfortunately, the beach experience in Northern California, even on a “nice” day, can be something of a challenge, involving multiple layers of clothing to stave off the cold ocean wind. Swimming often involves putting your life at risk, with icy water temperatures and deadly undertows and rip currents. It’s beautiful and dramatic, but pretty much limited to walking and playing in the sand.

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With the three-day weekend and (hopefully) nice weather, a family picnic is a great option for an outdoor activity. Here are three of our favorite places to go, where you can also go for a hike, too:

The Marin Headlands. Just a stone’s throw from San Francisco, Sausalito, and Mill Valley, but so far away. Picnic spots are almost anywhere you look, with picnic tables in spots along Bunker Road, in front of the old base chapel, which is now a visitor center and shop, and near Rodeo Beach and Fort Cronkhite. You can always take your picnic out to the beach itself, or even eat your lunch on a World War I-era coastal gun emplacement. Afterwards, go for a hike on one of the many trails in the area, fly a kite on the beach, or let the kids play army by an old military installation. There’s also the scenic Point Bonita Lighthouse with its seemingly rickety suspension bridge.

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