An article about West Marin -- from London's Guardian website

"Next time you're in San Francisco, head over the Golden Gate Bridge, turn left and aim for Stinson Beach. Just a stone's throw from the city is West Marin, with its miles of raw nature and wild surfing beaches. Suddenly you're in glorious countryside, surrounded by eucalyptus, redwoods and Douglas Firs. This is Route One, the coast road from Mexico to Canada. In under an hour you're further away from the city than a parallel universe. Welcome to nature's playground.

Leave out Napa and Sonoma - West Marin's a blink away and more beautiful. This is the birthplace of mountain biking and spiritual home to surfing, hang gliding, whale and seal watching and exhilarating hiking."

Read the entire article here.

Around Town Once Again

Memorial Day weekend is always a scene. Here's some photos, some of which are clickable for larger versions:

Flying Pig Ranch (movie rentals, ice cream, coffee, trinkets, etc)


Health Club ($10 a day)


Library (was a 7-11 once upon a time)


Park (across the street is a basketball court and small playground)


Fountain (behind the park, courtesy of local artists)


The Market (with "Sergio the Man" up on the balcony)


The Stagecoach (on the move from town to town)


A happy dog (one of _many_)


One kind of sunset


And another

California seawater has improved, pollution survey finds

According to the LA Times, waters off California's coast are cleaner -- and safer for swimmers and surfers -- in dry weather than they've been in years, according to an environmental report released Wednesday.

But although water quality is improving overall statewide, Los Angeles County is home to the most bacteria-laden seawater in California for the third straight year. Half of the 10 foulest shorelines in the state are in Los Angeles County, with the dirtiest water at Avalon Harbor Beach on Santa Catalina Island.

For more info see the Marin County Environmental Health Services Division and Heal the Bay for a California Beach Report Card.

San Francisco Bay Ship Activity

If you want to see the patterns of shipping activity in real-time or in fast motion for San Francisco Bay, click on the static map image:

Bay Area Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding seems to be growing in leaps and even more leaps! There's a nice web hub for kiteboarding here.

And a comprehensive bulletin board for lessons, etc.

Stinson Beach is considered an intermediate kiteboarding location.