Recently my cousin and I set out to spend the better part of the day at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park.  Since it turned out we were done much more quickly than we thought, we set out to find something else to do in the park.  We had thought of visiting the Conservatory of Flowers, but decided to pass since it’s indoors and we were lucky enough to be there on a beautifully sunny day.  After paying the $25 admission to the Academy of Sciences we were feeling pretty poor.  That’s when we made a fabulous discovery!

In the heart of Golden Gate Park lies the wonderful San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum.  Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and get back to nature.  As you enter the garden, a small pond with ducks greets you.  You can take time to smell the flowers in the Garden of Fragrance or wander through the Redwood Trail. 

An educational Primitive Plants section educates while it entertains.  At the entrance you walk over a geological timeline imprinted with plants from each era.  As you stroll along the boardwalk, you pass plaques which detail each time period.  They explain the botanical developments which occurred while you view the living reminders of  ancient times.

Another section of the Garden is dedicated to plants from different areas of the world.  Stroll from “Australia” to “Chile” along the paved paths and while you enjoy the natural setting, let the labels teach you about plant life around the world. 

There’s a area devoted to succulents, another to native California plants and one filled with rhododendrons.  In short, there’s something for every plant lover.

There are clean bathroom provided near the entrance and there’s a diaper changing table, too.  And the best part?  Admission is free!  Making this a great destination no matter how much time you may have to spend or your interest level.  Come for an hour or a day – you’re sure to enjoy your visit!  

Recently my cousin came to visit.  We drove him to the airport when he left, and since we were already in San Francisco, we decided to visit another site in the fabulous Golden Gate Park.  It was the perfect thing to do on a beautifully sunny day in January.  Just another reminder of why we love living in this mild climate so much!

Golden Gate Park in San Francisco sprawls out over more than 1,000 acres.  Across from the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum you will find another special spots the park has to offer – the Japanese Tea Garden. This oasis of calm offers a zen retreat from city life. 

As you pass through the gate into this, the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States, you’re greeted by a tall red pagoda and ducks floating on a pond.  As you wander along the paved paths of the garden, you discover numerous statues and special features.  Bridges, pagodas, and even Buddha fit harmoniously into the more natural elements of the gardens.  At each twist and turn of the path there is something new to look at. 

In the center of the garden is a Japanese tea house which affords a beautiful view out over a pond.  Here you can sip tea and munch on traditional Japanese treats while soaking in the calm beauty of the garden.  There are both covered and uncovered spots to sit, so whether you prefer sun or shade you’re sure to be comfortable. 

Paved trails lead through the gardens, but stairs and narrow bridges would make having children in a carrier easier than strollers.   

The Japanese Tea Garden is open daily, with no holiday closures.

• Summer (3/1 through 10/31): 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Winter (11/1 through 2/28): 9:00 am to 4:45 pm

Admission

• Mon., Wed., Fri.: FREE admission if you enter by 10:00 am
• Adults: $5.00
• Seniors (65+) and Youths ages 12-17: $3.00
• Children ages 5-11: $1.50     Children 4 and under: Free

Golden Gate Park sprawls out over more than 1,000 acres.  It offers countless paths to stroll and enjoy a break from the city while staying right inside it. 

Street parking, valid for 3 hours, is available throughout the park.  There are also several bus stops within Golden Gate Park.  The California Academy of Sciences offers a discount to those who use public transit.

Outdoors, special attractions include the Beach & Park Chalet,  Buffalo Paddock, Children’s Playground (including the beautiful old carousel), Strawberry Hill, Strybing Arboretum, and the Windmills.

There are also numerous different gardens.  Given San Francisco’s mild climate there is sure to be something in bloom no matter what time of the year you visit.  Choose

from the AIDS Memorial Grove, the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum(free), the Japanese Tea Garden, the Rose Garden (free), Shakespeare’s Flowers (free), and the Queen Wihelmina Tulip Garden.

Along with its great outdoor spaces, Golden Gate Park is also home to several indoor attractions.  There is the Conservatory of Flowers, the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences.

Last week I took advantage of my cousin’s visit to take in the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park for the first time.  This varied museum houses a planetarium, a rainforest, a living coral reef and exhibits on swamps and  African animals along with an eco-friendly living roof.  With so much to do there is something for everyone, right?  Well, sort of…

There definitely is a diversity of subjects covered.  The problem for me was that I felt none of it was really covered in much depth.  Not only that, but several of the displays were lack-luster at best. 

The African animals exhibit consists largely of stuffed animals with live penguins in a tiny enclosure at one end of the hall.  There are a couple of chameleons and one or two other live animals but mostly it’s a couple of stuffed animals with each species in a small diorama.  Hardly the innovative presentation or display I would expect from such a lauded new museum – let alone one that costs $25 for an adult to see!

The swamp area was so under-whelming that when I mentioned it to my cousin afterwards he was convinced he hadn’t see it.  “It was that part with the alligator,” I reminded him.  “Oh, that’s it?!”  Yes, that’s it.  From the brochure and the website I’d expected a full on reproduction of a swamp.  What I found was a pool about the size of your average backyard pool with one very asleep looking alligator and one very fake looking tree. 

The 4-story rainforest was enjoyable and while it may be the largest in the world it felt about the same size as the one at the Biodome in Montreal, only without the diversity of animals they had there.  Yes, they have a lot of butterflies.  But there are plenty of other places to see butterflies that don’t charge nearly the $25 admission fee of the Academy of Sciences!

The lower level of the museum is dedicated to the ocean.  There is a tank which re-creates the Northern California Coast, a coral reef and a flooded forest in the Amazon.  ID cards are provided to help you identify what you’re looking at.  There is also a “Discovery Table” where the young and the young at heart can touch sea stars and sea urchins.  This area was fine, but we’ve definitely seen the same or better elsewhere and again it seemed hard to justify the cost. 

The Planetarium shows can fill up on busy days.  Thankfully we visited during the week, so there was no problem getting tickets.  The shows are only appropriate for those over 6-years-old and no one under 3-years-old is admitted.  My cousin enjoyed the show (about 45 minutes) but didn’t feel it was anything special.  He’s seen the same or better elsewhere – again for less money.  It’s basically a giant IMAX screen on which they display stars and galaxies while Whoopi Goldberg narrates. 

There is a single T-Rex skeleton and another of a Great Blue whale.  Interesting, but not really a reason to visit.  And yes, the roof is green.  Which means that there are native California plants living on it.  As there are in much of Golden Gate Park – where you can see them for free! 

There is both a cafe and a sit-down restaurant.  We chose to eat at the cheaper cafe.  The food was varied (everything from Mexican to Asian to sandwiches) and surprisingly good.  I had a brie, cranberry and Asian pear sandwich on walnut bread.  It was delicious, if a little pricy at $8.50. 

All in all it was an enjoyable time, but took hardly more than 3 hours including time to eat lunch and for my cousin to visit the Planetarium.  At $25 for an adult ticket that’s quite a pricy few hours! 

Just outside of Healdsburg, Dry Creek Road runs like a ribbon through the heart of Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley.  Dotted along its length are several award-winning wineries.  Wilson Winery is perched at edge of the road, with the tasting room at the back of the old barn.  This might not sound promising, but their patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a wonderful glass of wine as you take in their sweeping views of Dry Creek Valley and its row upon row of grapes nestling into the hills.

Wilson offers a variety of different wine, including Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot.  The winery is truly a family affair.  Each of their vineyards is named after a different member of the family.  The tasting room is decorated with photos of the family and their beloved dogs.  This is real Wine Country – wine is the family business. 

For Barrel Tasting, Wilson sets up a BBQ.  The line up is always long, but with these views to enjoy, who cares!  When you’ve grabbed your food, you can head to the cellars to taste the wine right out of the barrels – while you’re surrounded by them!  Don’t  forget to add your tally marks to vote for your favorites – they keep a scoreboard handy for your input!

Recently we had guests come to visit from out of town.  Eager to show them the best of Sonoma County we suggested we go wine tasting.  They quickly agreed and we set out for one of our favorite spots to toast the beauty of Wine Country – Korbel Champagne Cellars. 

The purists may argue that Champagne comes only from a special region in France.  We’re pretty sure that one sip of Korbel’s sparkling wine and you’ll be willing to throw aside concerns over geography!  Besides, the views out over the Russian River Valley from Korbel’s tasting room are glorious.  Sitting under the shade of the redwoods that shelter their deck we doubt you’ll want to be anywhere else. 

Despite its name, Korbel Champagne Cellars actually produces regular wine as well.  You can choose from Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.  Looking for something to complement your dessert?  Korbel also makes sherry,  port and brandy (available in California only).

Korbel Champagne Cellars offers free tours where you can find out how Champagne is made and learn about the history of the winery.  Their tasting room features beautiful views over redwood covered mountains and fields filled with row upon row of champagne grapes.  They offer 5 different Champagnes as part of their free tasting.  Truly a fabulous way to celebrate your visit to Sonoma County Wine Country!