You may be wondering how you can make a date or celebration feel special amid pandemic closures.
Sure, you can get creative at home by cooking a special meal with your SO, creating some ambiance, and trying to find something, anything to watch that you haven’t already binged. Or, you could head outside and do something different. Here are a few ideas for getting out and enjoying a day with those you care about in a safe way.
Take a long walk on the beach…
Living where we do, we are spoiled with access to a number of beaches. You can stay close by and enjoy our hometown shores, or take a longer drive out to the Marin Headlands or Point Reyes. For some in-between and often less crowded options, you can head to Point Pinole Regional Shoreline or go sea glass hunting at Point Molate. Go midday and pack a romantic picnic, or go later and catch a gorgeous sunset. Either way, be sure to bundle up!
Enjoy a picturesque bike ride…
Feel the crisp air rush by as you pedal your way along the car-free Vine Trail in Napa Valley. Currently, the trail stretches from Napa to Yountville, but there are plans to extend it to Vallejo in the future. The 6-mile Oak Knoll stretch of the trail parallels Hwy 29 and offers views of vineyards, winery estates, and some residential areas. Grab some takeout from your favorite Yountville restaurant, or pack your own snacks to enjoy.
Closer to home, you can ride along the Benicia State Recreation Area or marina bike trails. Both have lovely water views and places to stop for a picnic along the way. If you choose the Benicia State Recreation Area, be sure to watch for winter waterfowl and the Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden (near the picnic area). The Dillon Point trail at the end of the Recreation Area is another loop you can take, however it is posted as not suitable for standard road bikes.
Share a different experience…
If you’re looking for something unique and are up for a trip out of town, you can check out the Albany Bulb. A former landfill site, the Bulb is now home to 150 species of birds, wildflowers and trees, views, and informal outdoor sculpture, painting, and performance art. Take a stroll along this versatile space and feast your eyes on the natural and manmade.
Travel a little farther to Golden Gate Park to see the sculpture and light installation, Entwined, an otherworldly forest of whimsical shapes and light in celebration of the park’s 150th anniversary. The outdoor exhibit, by San Francisco artist Charles Gadeken, can be found at Peacock Meadow during the park’s open hours and the illumination can best be enjoyed from around sunset to when the lights go out at 8:30pm. Visits are currently limited to 15 minutes in length to help reduce the spread of Covid, but you can continue your stroll and explore other illuminated stops along JFK Drive.
