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07/09/2007 08:43:08 PM · #76 |
Park map in .pdf for reference.
Just my two cents.
My time estimates
Visitor Center to Lighthouse: 45-60 min
Visitor Center to Pierce Point Ranch/Mclures Beach: 45 min
Lighthouse to Pierce Point Ranch/Mclures Beach: 60 min
All these time are without stopping to take photos of ranches, trees, tule elk, and other interesting things on the way.
if you look on the map in the Northern part of the park down Pierce Point Road, you will see Abbott's Lagoon, Kehoe Beach, Pierce Point Ranch, and Mclure's Beach. If you look farthest west point is the Lighthouse. We will have all day but spend an hour out to the light house, an hour to Mclures and an hour out and in to town to eat. just something to be aware of. my suggestion would be to head down Pierce Point Road and hit up Abbott's Lagoon(2.3 mile hike round trip) or Kehoe Beach(.6 mile hike to beach) then stop by Pierce Point Ranch which is right by the parking lot of Mclure's beach. The hike to the water is about 20 min downhill and a little longer back up.
But I am easy, if we want to go to the Lighthouse I am all for it. :) Just my suggestions.
Joe |
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07/09/2007 09:18:46 PM · #77 |
Perhaps for lunch we might want to do a group picnic somewhere (either byof or shared), maybe around the Bull Point or Estero trail heads if there is somewhere there that could accommodate us. Then after lunch we could head either to the lighthouse or to one of the ocean beaches (or split into groups to hit both places). Station House for dinner sounds great.
I can go either way on the lighthouse ... I've been there before, so wouldn't mind seeing something new but, like the rest, I'm easy doing whatever. Last time I was at the visitor center (feb or march) i seem to recall seeing a sign that they had eliminated parking along the road to the lighthouse and required visitors to park elsewhere and take a bus to and from the lighthouse, which may had some additional time to the trip as well (depending on how efficient the bus is).
Dennis
ETA : Just looked at the map again ... maybe hearts desire beach in tomales state park would work as well; looks like they have a picnic site and its sorta on the road to abbotts lagoon and not too far off the road to the lighthouse.
Message edited by author 2007-07-09 21:36:04. |
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07/09/2007 09:29:15 PM · #78 |
Originally posted by EstimatedEyes:
Perhaps for lunch we might want to do a group picnic somewhere (either byof or shared), maybe around the Bull Point or Estero trail heads if there is somewhere there that could accommodate us. Then after lunch we could head either to the lighthouse or to one of the ocean beaches (or split into groups to hit both places). Station House for dinner sounds great.
I can go either way on the lighthouse ... I've been there before, so wouldn't mind seeing something new but, like the rest, I'm easy doing whatever. Last time I was at the visitor center (feb or march) i seem to recall seeing a sign that they had eliminated parking along the road to the lighthouse and required visitors to park elsewhere and take a bus to and from the lighthouse, which may had some additional time to the trip as well (depending on how efficient the bus is).
Dennis |
Picnic or potluck for lunch sounds fun. Will save some driving time back and forth to town as well.
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07/09/2007 09:39:52 PM · #79 |
I'd like to join you all. Becky, still going? Anyway, I read lots of general comments on where and when, has anything been decided? Like "Bear Valley Visitor Center at 10:00am"? Or "Lighthouse Visitor Center at 9:00am"? It would be nice to meet you all.
Carl (aka Zeuss) |
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07/09/2007 09:44:46 PM · #80 |
Good idea about the picnic! There is actually a large picnic area right next to the Visitor's Center, which would be perfect. Maybe we should say 12:30 for that as our secondary meeting time/place.
And thanks for the time references, Joe. You're right, that we should scale back and just hit the main 2 or 3 points.
I didn't see the name Pierce Point Road on the map, but I see it now. That's where we'll be heading up to McClure's Beach, and it's a very nice drive.
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07/09/2007 09:52:07 PM · #81 |
Okay, here's my contribution to the day's planning.
Places to eat in and near Pt Reyes Nat'l Seashore:
The Station House Café in Pt Reyes Station is wonderful, but slightly pricy. They do have a nice outside dining area, as do some of the ones in Inverness.
Another place in Pt Reyes Station is The PineCone Café, where if we could score a picnic table outside, it’s a fine place to be & where the locals go. If not, it's small and way too crowded inside.
one place in Olema which is pretty good (copying from their website):
Olema Farm House
10005 State Route 1
Olema, CA 94950
(415) 663-1264, Fax (415) 663-8061
E-mail olemafh@aol.com Quiet country atmosphere, home style cooking, friendly people. Open daily for lunch and dinner with breakfast service Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Full service bar with outdoor dining on beautiful deck or patio.
Here are some places in Inverness that I like very much (again, copying from websites):
Priscilla's
12781 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.,
Inverness, CA 94937
(415) 669-1244
Located in historic building. Serving great pizza, salads, sandwiches, pasta, daily specials & desserts. All made with fresh ingredients. Fine wines, beer, organic coffee drinks & tea. Enjoy dining indoors or out.
Barnaby's Restaurant
In the Golden Hinde Inn property
From their website: Delight in a specially prepared cuisine of European Delicacies and Bay Area favorites prepared personally for you by our
Master Gourmet Chef
We pride ourselves in the preparation of HEALTHY FOODS. We use only the finest ingredients utilizing organic products wherever possible in the preparation of our dishes including only select bran and olive oils
Their website sounds rather grand these days, but I have had nice & reasonable fish n chips there.
I rather think that once we’re in the park, it would be better to head to Inverness for lunch as it’s quite a trek back out to Pt. Reyes Station.
Oh yes, : One last lunch suggestion might be the little café at Drakes Beach. As I recall it, it’s modest but pretty good, simple food. This beach is a delightful and easy way to explore Drake’s Bay also.
Joe Dannels has all the good ideas written up. And yes, Pierce Point Ranch is adjacent to the trailhead for McClure’s Beach. Since I’m an “old” lady, I’ll stay at the Ranch to shoot while the more athletic folk go down to the beach. I’ve been to the beach many times over the years and it is a real treat. Looks as if Joe has been to Pt Reyes at least as many times as I have – he sure knows the terrain.
PS Re the Picnic idea that was floated while I was typing, sure. Sandwiches, drinks and stuff can be purchased at the store in Inverness. The sandwiches are generous and sort of sloppy, but good.
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07/09/2007 11:46:18 PM · #82 |
Just updated the itinerary. How 'bout an itinerary bump...
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07/09/2007 11:50:40 PM · #83 |
Originally posted by PhilipDyer:
Just updated the itinerary. How 'bout an itinerary bump... |
Where is Mercer beach? |
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07/10/2007 12:26:09 AM · #84 |
Originally posted by jdannels:
Where is Mercer beach? |
Heh heh... I just changed it to McClure. Did I mention that it's been a long weekend? ;-)
What do you think about that pared down itinerary, Joe (et al)? Does that sound doable in this time frame and does it hit the highlights?
Message edited by author 2007-07-10 00:27:11.
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07/10/2007 12:39:19 AM · #85 |
I think it looks pretty good to me, the timeframe works well and gives us some leeway to get around. Only other option I would see is to head around Abbott's Lagoon or Kehoe Beach but that is just because I haven't explored those before, LoL! I think its a good schedule and they are pretty easy to get to since you just go til the roads end and park.
For people who haven't been, even though you we'll be in groups make note of Pierce Point Road or you will end up back where we started on highway 1. :)
Philip did one of the wedding gigs involve a Mercer family? :P
Message edited by author 2007-07-10 00:39:28. |
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07/10/2007 01:04:30 AM · #86 |
I do live by Lake Merced, so maybe I was just doing some creative transposing. Or maybe I just need some sleep. I actually only went to one wedding this weekend, but I was a groomsman and it ended up taking about 4 days to get through all the festivities -- and that's not including the bachelor pary. Let's just say that we're not allowed back into Larry Flint's club for the next 30 days.
Abbott's Lagoon is an interesting and relatively short walk along a nice marshland to a big beach. The highlight there is a short waterfall cascading next to a small wooden bridge right as the trail meets the beach. Well worth a look if you haven't been out there yet.
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07/10/2007 05:36:23 AM · #87 |
I don't think 10am is going to work for me, but if not I'll just meet up with you guys at 12:30 for the picnic and lighthouse, etc.
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07/10/2007 08:56:51 AM · #88 |
| I just looked over the itinerary you worked up after all our input, and Phil, you've done a fine job. Looks really good to me. |
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07/10/2007 10:22:15 AM · #89 |
Originally posted by Blue Moon:
I don't think 10am is going to work for me, but if not I'll just meet up with you guys at 12:30 for the picnic and lighthouse, etc. |
Teenagers! ;-) That's why we have several meeting points throughout the day so that people can join up whenever they like. Looking forward to meeting you, Leah, whenever you arrive.
And thanks, Alice! It's all based on the detailed notes that you, Joe and Mark posted. Should be a fun day!
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07/10/2007 04:01:49 PM · #90 |
Fair warning -- I'm going to be bumping the bejeezus out of this thread over the next few days to make sure that all interested Bay Area folks know about the GTG. I'll try to make my posts more creative than just the word "bump," but no promises. ;-)
Do you know if you'll be able to make it, Alice? It sounds like you will, which would be great -- hope to see you then!
BTW, we should probably try to go up in as few vehicles as possible. Anyone interested in carpooling from your various locales? I'm leaving from San Francisco and am happy to bring people with me. Everyone loves listening to Barry Manilow, right?
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07/10/2007 05:39:43 PM · #91 |
Originally posted by PhilipDyer:
Everyone loves listening to Barry Manilow, right? |
Philip,
While I'm quite content listening to Barry, alas, I'll be coming from the wrong direction. I'll have hubby, daughter, and perhaps another daughter, her honey and younger daughter's friend ( from 2 - 6 people). We'll take just one car. If life is very good, we'll bring her red mustang convertible, leave the top down and enjoy the wind in our hair. Otherwise, it's a black Taurus.
Becky |
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07/10/2007 05:42:34 PM · #92 |
Originally posted by PhilipDyer:
Fair warning -- I'm going to be bumping the bejeezus out of this thread over the next few days to make sure that all interested Bay Area folks know about the GTG. I'll try to make my posts more creative than just the word "bump," but no promises. ;-)
Do you know if you'll be able to make it, Alice? It sounds like you will, which would be great -- hope to see you then!
BTW, we should probably try to go up in as few vehicles as possible. Anyone interested in carpooling from your various locales? I'm leaving from San Francisco and am happy to bring people with me. Everyone loves listening to Barry Manilow, right? |
Oh, yes, Phil, I'll be there. I traded dates at the Gallery
(Sunday was my turn) so that I could make it. But I doubt
I'll last the entire day and evening, so I'll probably have
to drive solo up to Pt. Reyes.
(Not a hardship; I love any of the three ways I take to get there) |
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07/10/2007 07:51:44 PM · #93 |
Originally posted by :
We'll take just one car. If life is very good, we'll bring her red mustang convertible, leave the top down and enjoy the wind in our hair. Otherwise, it's a black Taurus.
Becky |
Hay Becky, watch for my silver Mercedes S500.
Carl
Message edited by author 2007-07-10 19:52:47. |
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07/10/2007 08:36:55 PM · #94 |
Originally posted by Zeuss:
Hay Becky, watch for my silver Mercedes S500.
Carl |
Is that the one with the big rust patches, or the one with the fender held on with bailing wire? Either way, I'll see you at the Welcome Center. |
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07/10/2007 09:35:03 PM · #95 |
Originally posted by rjkstesch:
Is that the one with the big rust patches, or the one with the fender held on with bailing wire? Either way, I'll see you at the Welcome Center. |
Meow! If you want to make fun of someone else's hardware, please keep it camera-related. ;-)
I'm so glad that you'll be able to make it, Alice! It's been too long.
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07/10/2007 09:56:39 PM · #96 |
Originally posted by PhilipDyer:
Originally posted by rjkstesch:
Is that the one with the big rust patches, or the one with the fender held on with bailing wire? Either way, I'll see you at the Welcome Center. |
Meow! If you want to make fun of someone else's hardware, please keep it camera-related. ;-)
I'm so glad that you'll be able to make it, Alice! It's been too long. |
But, Zeuss owns a Nikon and there's nothing to make fun of there. His car is a beauty, so he knows I can only be giving him a bad time. Besides, we're friends. (Oops, I forgot to put the ;-) after the car comment.) |
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07/10/2007 10:17:02 PM · #97 |
I'll be motorcycling. My mom's coming to visit, likes to go for rides.
Likely, we'll be there at the 12:30 meet, but might come at 10.
Looking forward to it.
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07/10/2007 11:04:48 PM · #98 |
I was going to take the bike (a Beemer) but I think I got the wife to go along, so we'll take the car.
And, yeah, the Benz with 3 wheels and the silver duct tape on the door. |
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07/11/2007 02:05:35 AM · #99 |
Is anyone coming from the south bay (san jose, san mateo county)? I might want to carpool with someone if at all possible because I have a weird vacation weekend with my parents and I'll be coming from Chester to pt. reyes, but I live near San Mateo, so it's a slight issue. However, if nobody can I'll just take my car up and back down, not a huge deal, just inconvenient.
Message edited by author 2007-07-11 02:06:06.
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07/11/2007 02:50:01 AM · #100 |
Originally posted by Blue Moon:
Is anyone coming from the south bay (san jose, san mateo county)? I might want to carpool with someone if at all possible because I have a weird vacation weekend with my parents and I'll be coming from Chester to pt. reyes, but I live near San Mateo, so it's a slight issue. However, if nobody can I'll just take my car up and back down, not a huge deal, just inconvenient. |
I live in Cupertino (zip code 95014), I have seats available. PM me if you want more detail. |
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