With the bombardment of online pictures from everyone’s summer adventures, it can seem as if June, July, and August are the only times in California for outdoor fun in the sun. But with warmer temperatures and less fog on the coast, late summer/early fall is one of the most spectacular times to get out and enjoy nature. Here are two easily accessible outdoor escapes, which are especially fabulous in fall.

View from the SCA Trail

SCA/Coastal Trail in Sausalito
Just north of the Golden Gate, this trail runs along Wolf Back Ridge atop Sausalito and offers up vistas that will reinvigorate your reason for living in the Bay Area. This outing starts on the Morning Sun trail, next to the parking lot just off the Spencer Avenue exit on the south bound side of Highway 101. After hiking up a few switch backs, you’ll reach Alta Trail and head left through a green tunnel of tall eucalyptus until you run into the SCA or Coastal Trail. This single-track trail traverses along the ridgeline and looks down upon a lagoon-spotted valley to Rodeo Beach and Fort Cronkhite and out to the Pacific. But don’t forget to look up; this area is a hawk habitat and you can see the soaring birds riding the wind coming off the Pacific. Keeping to the SCA Trail (a.k.a. Coastal Trail), soon you’ll be looking down at the Golden Gate Bridge with Sutro Tower, Ocean Beach, the Sunset District, and even Pacifica looming in the distance. Expansive 360 degree views with magnificence in every direction will put your iPhone pano setting to the test.  

After a few footbridges and switchbacks—dotted with ever-changing lookouts onto Angel Island and the Bay—the SCA/Coastal Trail will bisect Conzelman Road. Cross the road and continue on the trail underneath the bridge and down to Fort Baker. Then it’s just a short jaunt to Cavallo Point’s renowned Murray Circle, where you can treat yourself to a well-deserved lunch on the deck. You’ve earned it! For the tenacious—and those who opted for water instead of wine at lunch—the walk into Sausalito is always beautiful. Otherwise it’s time to hail an Uber and head back to the car! 
 

Hike to the West Point Inn
Starting at the Mountain Home Inn on Shoreline Highway in Mill Valley, walk up the paved road and past the Throckmorton Ridge Fire Station. You’ll be tempted to proceed up Hog Back Road, but hidden to your left just past the water tower is the Matt Davis Trail. A gradual incline with sudden and spectacular views, this trail is lined by evergreens, interspersed with shrubs and trees that release brilliant and fluttering foliage with each season. Hang a right when you reach the Nora Trail and head up some switch backs to the historic West Point Inn.

Built in 1905 and accessible only by foot, this sprawling inn, with its wrap-around covered porch, is the perfect place to spread out a picnic lunch and enjoy views that stretch from Richmond and sweep all the way to the Pacific. Make sure to check out all the historic photos and memorabilia inside the Inn and make a donation to help preserve this iconic landmark.

By Rich Wright, Bay Club copywriter

LINK: https://onelombard.com/happy-pursuits/20149187mqvzkzlg1feeu58oflypwkyhslo01/