Outdoor Activities

Summer usually means a lot of time spent outdoors—at the beach, by the pool, playing sports, or enjoying the outdoors—which invariably brings up the need for adequate sun protection. While the only sure-fire way for you and your family to avoid the sun's damaging rays is by covering up with shirts and hats and hanging out in the shade, that may not always be an option, so we need to resort to using sunscreen. What would summer be, after all, without the ritual of slathering up the children with gobs of UV-blocking goo?

While many sunscreens promise a lot to the consumer (especially those with SPF 50+ ratings), do they really deliver the protection the advertise? Fortunately, the Environmental Working Group's 2010 Sunscreen Guide is available to help sort the good sunscreens from those that won't help much.

San Francisco Bay is considered by many to be the best place to sail in the world! Guest contributor Barbara McVeigh shares her experiences in learning to sail with her children, and provides some resources for parents who want to get started in sailing.

When our sailboat capsized, I heard a loud shriek. It came from me. My six-year-old daughter was too busy laughing to be washed with worry. My giggles quickly followed. Fortunately we were in very protected waters, and we knew how to be safe and recover our capsized boat.

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One of our favorite places for a family outdoor outing is Point Reyes National Seashore, and it's a favorite with many other families in Marin, too. Guest author Stacey Padrick-Thompson writes about her recent hike on Tomales Point Trail.

My husband and 3-1/2 year old daughter recently hiked a section of the Tomales Point Trail at the northern tip of Point Reyes. Just the drive there is itself worth the time, especially while the hills are still green and wildflowers still blooming (the best flowers are in April and May). At points on our drive, with beauty surprising us around each bend in the road—gorgeous hills cascading down into the ocean, cows, sheep, and horses lazily grazing on the lush green grass, and birds soaring above, and then below, us as we crested the hills in our car—I was swept back to driving the Ring of Kerry in Ireland.

Looking to build strength, tone muscle, and improve aerobic fitness in an outdoor setting, all while helping raise money to fight breast cancer? Fitpink is a Marin-based organization that provides “all outdoors” small-group training for women who are looking to get fit and help a great cause.

Fitpink was founded by Novato resident Ian Tonks, who was inspired by his passion for fitness and interest in women’s causes. A native of England, Ian holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of Northumbria and an MBA in strategic leadership from Dominican University of California. He has more than 20 years of professional experience as a leader in youth sports programming, development, and fundraising, and has worked with athletes in several professional sports leagues, including Major League Soccer and the NFL.
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Presenting our third annual opinionated top ten list of fun things to do with the family during Spring Break (in no particular order):

• Bring a picnic and explore the gardens at Cornerstone Place in Sonoma.
• Take a trip to Point Reyes for beaches, wildflowers, and hiking.
• See the cherry blossoms at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park
  
• Take the ferry to Angel Island.
• Shop for produce and more at the Marin County Farmer's Market.
• Go see an ancient Egyptian mummy at the Legion of Honor.
• Take a road trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
• Go to your local library, check out some books, and take in a story time.
• Take in a hike and some history at Jack London State Historic Park.
  
  And finally...
• Have a picnic, feed the ducks, look at some art, and run wild at the Cheese Factory!

One of our favorite places to go out in Point Reyes is the Bear Valley Visitor Center near Olema. It's a justifiably popular family destination for a number of reasons: the visitor center with its dioramas and nature exhibits, short trails perfect for a hike with small children, an expansive picnic area with tables and barbecue grills, and a working Morgan horse ranch.

We always make a point of visiting the Point Reyes Morgan Horse Ranch on our outings to the area. Combined with another short trail like the Earthquake Trail or the one to the Kule Loklo Miwok village, it makes for a managable hike with little kids. Of course there's something to do and see at the end of the trail, too, which is a plus.

The Morgan Horse Ranch is run by the National Park Service, and rangers use the horses at parks all of the country to patrol the back country and wilderness areas. Morgan horses are considered the first American breed of horse, and are prized for their sturdy nature and calm temperament. Famous Morgan horses in American history include Confederate general Stonewall Jackson's Little Sorrel, Union cavalry commander Philip Sheridan's Rienzi, and read more »

Spend some time at sea this spring and summer! This year Call of the Sea, an educational non-profit based in Sausalito, is instituting a Voyage Camp designed for students 13 to 16 years old. This three-day, two-night voyage offers the experiences and challenges of a schooner adventure within the protected waters of San Francisco Bay.

Campers will sail on the 85-foot schooner Seaward up San Pablo Bay and through Carquinez Strait to the Mothball Fleet of retired naval vessels. The second day’s sail focuses on building sailing skills and teamwork. The final day is a challenge as the students plan and execute a passage under the familiar three main bridges of central San Francisco Bay, all under the watchful eyes of Call of the Sea's captain and professional sailor-educators.

The spring Voyage Camp runs from April 12–14, so sign up soon for this one if you're interested. The summer session takes place June 26–28. For more information, please visit www.callofthesea.org or call (415) 331-3214.