UpTake on Pie Ranch

My calendar now has every third Saturday of the month blocked out for volunteer farm day, pot luck and barn dance at Pie Ranch. I can get dirt under my finger nails and do-si-so all in one day. Git on yer boots and swing yer partner!!

You may ask yourself, “what exactly is Pie Ranch? What does it all mean?”

I discovered Pie Ranch while driving on Highway 1 south of Pescadero and Pigeon Point and I saw the sign in front of an old barn beckoning me in, “Pie Ranch”.  Hmmm, I imagined fields of pie grazing on lush green grass like free range cattle or chickens. I have a really active imagination! So, I had to satisfy my curiosity and perhaps craving for pie and pulled into the dirt parking lot to find out the answer.

The answer is Pie Ranch is a non-profit educational farm with the mission “to inspire and connect rural and urban people to know the source of their food, and to work together to bring greater health to the food system from seed to table.” Read More »

UpTake on "My Crossroads"

Continuing on my May blog theme (my pocket of heaven on the Northern California Coast) here is an ’UpTake’  from the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel.  I may be over 7,500 miles from Cairo and over 6,200 miles from  Rome, but when I am visiting this hostel there is no place I would rather be then right there listening to the waves crash on the rocks and the salty air filling my nostrils.

AND it’s inexpensive to sleep there!!!

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With a family of 4, it feels as though standard hotel accommodations can break the bank when we travel. Friends of ours, who have 4 kids, told us a little secret – they stay in hostels!

Hostels use to be the accommodation of choice for teenagers and young adults, 18-25 years, primarily while traveling through Europe. These days, more and more hostels cater to families, offering private rooms, ensuite bathrooms, and events geared towards all ages. Whether you are single and carefree, or traveling with your family, Northern California has many hostels to suit your needs.

San Francisco has dozens of hostel options, from guest houses in the Castro to several hostels within walking distance of Union Square and downtown. Check out Pacific Tradewinds Hostel on Sacramento or the Adelaide Hostel, a 5 minute walk from Moscone Center. Most of the hostels in San Francisco are geared towards student travelers, so if you take your family, be prepared for late night noise and possibly some unusual questions from your kids!

If you are adventuring outside of the City, I recommend checking out one of the beautiful coast-side hostels, including two lighthouses, Pigeon Point and Point Montara. Pigeon Point is near enough to Año Nuevo State Reserve, where you can visit the resident elephant seals. Both these hostels have close up views of the Pacific Ocean, offering a truly memorable travel experience.

Farther down the Peninsula, close to the UpTake offices, is a favorite local gem – Hidden Villa. As the name suggests, this hostel is tucked up at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains and is the oldest operating hostel in the United States. Known for its organic gardens and kids programs, the Hidden Villa property showcases several environmentally sustainable designs. Whether you stay overnight or visit for the day, guests of all ages enjoy the working farm and miles of hiking trails.

Have you stayed at a hostel recently? Any recommendations for your favorite in Northern California?

Photo courtesy of Hidden Villa.