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Old 08-10-2012, 10:40 AM
 
Location: Virginia
18,717 posts, read 31,104,886 times
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We're visiting family in Menlo Park for a week in November and they've asked us what we want to do. It's been more than 20 years since I've been in the SF are, so was wondering if you guys had any suggestions. Especially if you know of something going on in late November, around Thanksgiving.

Done the basic tourist stuff (Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli, etc.) and hoping to get some other suggestions. We like kayaking, hiking (lightweight, though, since hubby hurt his leg), oddball things like the Winchester House, local festivals. Would prefer not to have to drive too much if we can help it, and kind of enjoy taking local mass transit when we visit cities. One exception as far as driving goes would be Napa--we've never been there so would be willing to go to some wineries if that's a reasonable drive.

Thoughts?
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Old 08-10-2012, 11:35 AM
 
Location: Northern California
3,722 posts, read 14,731,612 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Caladium View Post
We're visiting family in Menlo Park for a week in November and they've asked us what we want to do. It's been more than 20 years since I've been in the SF are, so was wondering if you guys had any suggestions. Especially if you know of something going on in late November, around Thanksgiving.

Done the basic tourist stuff (Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli, etc.) and hoping to get some other suggestions. We like kayaking, hiking (lightweight, though, since hubby hurt his leg), oddball things like the Winchester House, local festivals. Would prefer not to have to drive too much if we can help it, and kind of enjoy taking local mass transit when we visit cities. One exception as far as driving goes would be Napa--we've never been there so would be willing to go to some wineries if that's a reasonable drive.

Thoughts?
One of my favorite places is Big Basin Redwood State Park (was there 2 weeks ago) in Santa Cruz County. You can get there in about an hour from Menlo Park but it's winding mountain forested roads to get there. I wouldn't go if it happens to be raining. Our rainy season starts about late November. Much better than Muir Woods. Big Basin Redwoods State Park Pictures - California stock photos, fine art prints by QTL
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Old 08-10-2012, 12:41 PM
 
Location: East Bay, San Francisco Bay Area
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Napa and Sonoma County is about one hour driving from SF and well worth the trip.

I would recommend visiting Sausalito by taking the ferry from the San Francisco Ferry building (The Embarcadero).
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Old 08-10-2012, 03:50 PM
 
Location: Virginia
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The ferry sounds great! Glad to hear Napa is close enough to be doable.

What if me wanted to spend at least one day without driving at all. We can walk 4-5 miles with no problem and enjoy taking mass transit. Is there anything interesting to see/do in Menlo Park?
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Old 08-10-2012, 03:55 PM
 
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Menlo Park travel guide - Wikitravel
Bay Area travel guide - Wikitravel
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Old 08-10-2012, 04:30 PM
 
Location: Northern California
3,722 posts, read 14,731,612 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Caladium View Post
What if me wanted to spend at least one day without driving at all. We can walk 4-5 miles with no problem and enjoy taking mass transit. Is there anything interesting to see/do in Menlo Park?
caltrain.com - a commuter train between SF and San Jose with stops everywhere in between. The train stops in Menlo Park. Most stations stop in the downtown of most towns on the peninsula, but these towns in between SF and San Jose are suburbia and there's not much to see. You might enjoy walking around downtown San Jose or Palo Alto. Not much to see in Menlo Park.

Caltrain stops in Millbrae and you can change to BART www.bart.gov and go into SF or travel to Oakland, Berkeley and other places in the East Bay.
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Old 08-10-2012, 05:57 PM
 
Location: Oakland, CA
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I love the Ferry Building, and going on a farmer's market day. Also you can go on a tour of the TCHO factory. It is on the way to the ferry from fisherman's wharf.
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Old 08-10-2012, 07:08 PM
 
Location: Virginia
18,717 posts, read 31,104,886 times
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Hey, is that nude beach still there in Marin? That's one place I definitely remember from the last trip.

Back to Menlo Park... is Menlo Park a safe neighborhood to walk in? It looks like there is a nice garden (Sunset Magazine garden) within 2 miles of their house, and some parks that we could walk to, too (if it's a safe place to walk, of course). I like looking at neighborhoods and houses, so it might be fun to take a morning and just walk around.

What about kayaking? Any good places to go?

Last edited by Caladium; 08-10-2012 at 07:30 PM..
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Old 08-10-2012, 09:08 PM
 
Location: East Bay, San Francisco Bay Area
23,575 posts, read 24,096,042 times
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Menlo Park is a very nice and affluent neighborhood. Most of it, I should say. The side east of 101 freeway is rather sketchy, though.
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Old 08-10-2012, 09:21 PM
 
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Half Moon Bay is often very pretty in late fall. I also like Moss Beach Distillery.
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