San Francisco Bay Area offers spectacular scenery

Wineries and outdoor activities dominate 

by Phyllis Steinberg

I have always loved visiting San Francisco, riding on the trolley cars, visiting Chinatown, the many museums and fisherman’s wharf, but this trip I left the city and traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area and the Silicon Valley and was captivated by the spectacular scenery and area attractions.

My first stop was the Fioli Estate, a 1915 mansion, formal garden, orchard and nature preserve in Woodside. This breathtaking country estate of the early 20th century has a 36,000 square foot house has 43 rooms and 17 fireplaces. The spectacular European inspired gardens cover 16 acres. Many movies have been made in this awesome setting including “The Wedding Planner” with Jennifer Lopez.

Stanford University is located in the San Francisco Bay Area in San Mateo County, Silicon Valley, and is close to beaches, golf courses with spectacular views, museums, entertainment and shopping venues

I walked along area students and checked out some of the campus attractions. The Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University is a must for visitors to the area.  This free museum houses a fabulous collection of 4,000 years of art history from around the world. The Center contains the largest collection outside of Paris of sculptor, Auguste Rodin. The Center is open Wednesday through Sunday.

I also hiked the Dish at Stanford.  The Stanford Dish is a radio telescope and a major landmark. The 150-foot diameter $4.5 million dish was built in 1966 and was funded by the U.S. Air Force, with the purpose of studying the chemical composition of the atmosphere. Later on it was used to communicate with satellites and spacecraft. The Dish is a popular recreational area for hiking and jogging, and is open to the public from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. On a clear day you can even see San Francisco’s skyline from the Dish.         

The Stanford campus has a Hillel which is open to visitors as well as students.

The 2,000 Jewish students at Hillel’s Harold and Libby Ziff Center for Jewish life on the Stanford University campus have a welcoming home away from home.  The Koret Pavilion and Taube Hillel House, two separate buildings on the northern California campus offer Jewish students a multitude of ways to connect to their heritage. There is also a synagogue on the campus.

Being a foodie, I enjoyed exploring restaurants in the area and MacArthur Park in Palo Alto was one of my favorites on the trip. Named after the Jimmy Webb song that Donna Summer made famous, this historical landmark, served the community as a 1918 Hostess House for visiting families of World War I servicemen, as a community center and a veterans hall. The restaurant serves local California cuisine with a huge menu with selections to satisfy anyone’s tastebuds. Ask for the appetizer platter to get a great sampling of area cuisine.

The Bay area also is home to many upscale pubs. Martins West is both a pub and a restaurant. I had beer on tap, but there were plenty by the bottle as well as a vast wine list of California and international labels. Furnishings were made from natural materials and you could actually smell the scent of real wood tables and chairs. The restaurant uses farm-to-table techniques for its menu making use of what is in season in Northern California. 5. Photo from Martins West        

The area is an excellent region for vineyards. I had a memorable visit to the Thomas Fogarty Winery and Vineyards. Situated at 2,000 feet above sea level, the winery estate offers sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay Area. The winery was founded in 1981 by Dr. Thomas Fogarty, a Stanford cardiovascular surgeon. I enjoyed a wine tasting of  Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Merlots and Cabernets that captured the characteristics of the Santa Cruz Mountains.   

Pacfica offers a Silicon Segway tour that gives riders spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. The tour passes by beaches, historical sites, wildflowers and a rock quarry. California Canoe and Kayak offers paddle sports for all levels.

There are many hotels in the area. I enjoyed staying at the Beach House Hotel Half Moon Bay with its spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and the Harbor.  Located 25 miles south of San Francisco, the hotel has loft suites which are perfect for a romantic or family getaway. The cozy lobby has a large wood burning fireplace and complimentary hi speed wireless internet access throughout. My suite had a kitchen, complete with a refrigerator, stove and microwave.

This destination is great for families, students and lovers. It is especially delightful for those who love outdoor activities.

Photos by Phyllis Steinberg

San Mateo County Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.visitsanmateocounty.com

Cantor Arts Center, www.museum.stanford.edu

Stanford Dish Hike, Http://dish.stanford.edu

MacArthur Park Restaurant, www.macarthurparkpaloalto.com

Thomas Fogarty Winery and Vineyards, www.forgartywinery.com

Martins West, www.martinswestgp.com

Filoli Mansion and Gardens, www.filoli.org

Silicon Segway, www.siliconsegway.com

La Costanera, www.lacostanerarestaurant.com

Beach House Hotel, www.beach-house.com

Hillel on Stanford campus, http://hillel.stanford.edu

California Canoe and Kayak, www.calkayak.com

For more information about area attractions, log on to www.visitsanmateocounty.com.