Donner Pass Hike through abandoned railway tunnel

One of my favorite parts of our recent trip to Truckee, was actually the drive home! I know that sounds bad, but on our way out Sunday morning, we took a hike through an old railway tunnel above Donner Lake that was really amazing. I was a little nervous about hiking through an abandoned tunnel in the mountains, and had no idea if the kids would enjoy the experience or be terrified the whole time. As it turned out, our 3.5 year old was the one that didn't want the hike to end.

Jack London Square

If you haven't noticed already, I am big fan of great coffee and craft beer. So whenever I have the opportunity to roll those two things into a day out with the family, it is sure to be a hit. Our recent trip to Jack London Square on the Oakland waterfront was no exception. From train watching and artisan candy to craft beer and locally roasted coffee, there was something for everyone in the family.

Weekend Getaway: Tahoe City

As a kid, we took a handful of trips to Tahoe during the winter, but it was never a summertime destination for our family. On our recent weekend getaway to Truckee, it was all sun and 70 degrees, so we ditched our plans of an afternoon hike and headed to the shores of nearby Lake Tahoe. As we approached Tahoe City, the impact of the current drought was very apparent. The sandy beach that was once greeted by the lake now abruptly turned to rock and went out for what seemed like forever before reaching the edge of the water. The view was definitely harsher than what I was expected, but after adjusting to the lack of water, we were still able to appreciate the beauty of the lake and the backdrop of the snow dusted Sierras.

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley

When you have lived somewhere long enough, it's almost inevitable that you start taking for granted the beautiful scenery that surrounds your everyday life (I wonder if Parisians even notice the Eiffel Tower?). While I am certainly not immune to this, there is one view that always manages to take my breath away. Whether I'm driving on Highway 24, or along the scenic ridge-line of Grizzly Peak, the views of the Bay Area from the Berkeley hills are spectacular. On a clear warm day, the view of the Bay, sprinkled with sail boats and sparkling in the sun, is hard to beat. Pair the beautiful views with a serene garden setting, and you will find yourself in the U.C. Berkeley Botanical Gardens.