Picnics

When the temperature rises and you need to get away from the heat, going to the beach is always a good idea. Unfortunately, the beach experience in Northern California, even on a “nice” day, can be something of a challenge, involving multiple layers of clothing to stave off the cold ocean wind. Swimming often involves putting your life at risk, with icy water temperatures and deadly undertows and rip currents. It’s beautiful and dramatic, but pretty much limited to walking and playing in the sand.

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With the three-day weekend and (hopefully) nice weather, a family picnic is a great option for an outdoor activity. Here are three of our favorite places to go, where you can also go for a hike, too:

The Marin Headlands. Just a stone’s throw from San Francisco, Sausalito, and Mill Valley, but so far away. Picnic spots are almost anywhere you look, with picnic tables in spots along Bunker Road, in front of the old base chapel, which is now a visitor center and shop, and near Rodeo Beach and Fort Cronkhite. You can always take your picnic out to the beach itself, or even eat your lunch on a World War I-era coastal gun emplacement. Afterwards, go for a hike on one of the many trails in the area, fly a kite on the beach, or let the kids play army by an old military installation. There’s also the scenic Point Bonita Lighthouse with its seemingly rickety suspension bridge.

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